What's happened to the Mill?

This place is dead. The posts on the front page go back a full week!

Where is everyone?

been like this for awhile

ask archer

I'm here... I just don't have time to create new subjects.

I said it before and I'll say it again, there needs to be someone like MiamiCanes who creates a shit load of new topics to comment on. Even if no one comments on a majority of topics, it would still liven up the place.

Agree with Negrodamus

Lack of active new members, old members getting lost in the shuffle of everyday life... also I really don't like the current look of the site. Looks like shit.

And this may sound weird, but the more active the site is, the more frequently I check it. When it's dead like this, I only check in a few times a week.

I agree with all of the above. I really dont like the look of the site right now. Anything we have had before is better. Robdog, can we at least change the white background to a darker color please?

The thing is that I check the site everyday but since I'm on my Kindle I can't really post anything. I don't know how to post with the Kindle Fire and I'm just really too lazy to get my laptop out and type. But I do agree with everyone that this place has been a bit dead. Before I went to foxsports or bleacher report I would come here to get the latest news and lately it's been laggin. If I can find a way to use my Kindle Fire to write on the board I would be more active.

It's hard to find the sportstalk with all the ads.

I can't use it on my iPhone (and I dislike Tapatalk), and I can't see the first thread on my laptop unless I open up Windows Explorer. In other words, the current format of the site makes the Mill damn near unusable for me.

I agree that the layout isn't too good. It looks like it's outdated, kind of bland.

The site got to complicated and has way to much going on that I don't give a shit about, and it's hard to find threads and stuff I am interested in. Also the new site looks like SHIT.

I can't say that I like the new layout either. The old "new" layout was nice, and I liked the ability to tag posters, it made it easier to bring users into conversations or remind them about deadlines in fantasy leagues.

As others have said, the new layout seems "old" and the new picture at the top makes me feel like I'm on a comic book website. Maybe I didn't notice it as much when it was around the past year or 2, but it just feels like its on display more now. The big SRM banner needs to be across the whole top of the page, not just be a link in the corner.

Looking back via the web archive way-back machine, late 2010 was decent, as was the layout in 2011. I'll even take the layout right before the change. Hell, even a real throwback to the layout from late 2007, the end of SRM's strongest period (2004-6), would be fun.

Wow I thought I was the only one who didn't like the look. Seems like the dominant theme of this thread.

i stop by for the fantasy leagues mostly. dont like the look either. also a big thing is im more busy with my life. When i was in college i was on a computer all the time i would check it all the time now i dont get on as much for non work stuff.

I didn't expect this must bitching about the layout and design. It has changed but I have never come here for that. The biggest problem would be lack of activity which is just a snowball effect. But if the lack of activity is due to the layout then maybe it should be changed.

I agree with everything, other than the look of the site... I never really cared what it looked like... but, now, I find myself just coming to check in on the FF league thread, because the site is dead.

I think a lot of it has to do with all the old timers getting caught up in everyday life. I used to be able to post all day long after I got off work, sometimes on lunch and breaks even. Then I got married and started going back to college while still working full time. Plus then other people arent as active so I dont come here quite as much since there isnt new content.

the layout isnt the reason i dont come here as much it really doesnt matter to me but i dont like it. its like a losing team bitching bc the fans dont come out. no one wants to see a loser. no ones here bc no one else is here posting we all just need to post more.

The more ads I see on a site, the less active I will be. I understand things cost money, but damn. The site has never looked worse, or been more of a pain in the ass to navigate with all the spam.

Some more food for thought, the links at the top, MLB, NFL, etc. I'd rather them link you to the respective subforum and not like some half-assed news page. I don't goto SRM for news, I go to discuss the news. I think too much effort was put forth in the wrong area there.

I like some of the new stuff on the forum, all the diff ratings are cool. I don't think it's neccessary to see peoples avatars by the left of the thread. I'd prefer it be the subforum logo, like a football related thread would haven an NFL logo or an NCAA logo. Helping me to understand what the threads about, especially when people use hard to crack thread titles that don't lead you to know what they're talking about otherwise.

And definitely, change the color scheme and logo. The only sports related things on the site right now are the threads.

To echo JPass, I think what matters in regards to the layout is accessibility. If I can easily get to the subforums I care about, I don't care much about the color scheme, ads, etc.

But yeah, it's probably a domino effect. A lot of the people here who used to drive discussions, myself included, have stepped back because of work obligations or flat-out left. If there was more going on, I'd probably post 5-10 times a week. But I don't have the time or motivation these days to try and start threads.

We also used to have small but vibrant communities of fans of most teams. If there are 5 Pirates fans regularly on the board, they can keep a good discussion going through the season even if 1-2 guys are gone at any given time. If it's 2 fans, then they're each completely dependent on the other.

Not sure what the solution is here. Obviously getting a dozen posters facilitating discussion would go a long way to getting people re-engaged. But you're going to have to find the people who have the time and energy to take that on.

The interesting thing is that for a place that is "dead", there are certainly a lot of outspoken people who care about the sites longevity..

Kinda interesting. Then again, I've been here since I was a freshman in high school sooooo.