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Really missing the old version as I guess many others are. PLEEEEEEEEEEEZE can we have the old easy to browse / busy version back ..the new one just isn't taking off and it was so popular enabling so many of us to enjoy a hobby without breaking the bank .
Probably a cash injection to match what they are making from the new one with the premium ads.
The old one was shite anyway, some serious rose tinted spectacle stuff getting spouted about it! 🤣
the new one just isn’t taking off
Stats apparently say otherwise
are you kidding? old one was terrible, new version is loads better
Just checked formatting still broken, advertising still there, user ads only show in the frame on the right of the page, just about last thing you can scroll to. Chrome/PC/Win 10 all latest version
I cant even access the new one so given up and selling stuff elsewhere.
I do miss just browsing though but the other websites are getting better and busier.
I just found for quick viewing and variety the old one was vastly superior ...
yep, old one much better. start a petition?
Been done.
The management claim revenue is up and they have no concerns about traffic.
I much preferred the old version.
Not willing to disable adblocker or whitelist.
The old one was shit
what would it take to get the old classifieds back
a massive pointless backwards step?
a massive pointless backwards step?
When will it be finished?
what would it take to get the old classifieds back
A time machine. Do you have a hot tub?
What would it take to stop people starting new whinging threads about the classifieds? Does it really matter that much??
Send a big hitter round to whine about something equally inane and stupid?
But yeah, I'm with you. And nobeer, nickc jekkl, rocketdog etc.
I like the way the new version works but is it still as easy to check out peoples history to decide if you trust them?
It'd be very, very easy to get the old Classifieds system back. People tell us this on a regular basis. My hairdresser's cousin's nephew made a Pokemon Go forum in about three minutes. Wordpress is thataway ->
If the new system doesn't work, it's because you're in breach of the site T&Cs. Sorry.
If the new system doesn’t work, it’s because you’re in breach of the site T&Cs. Sorry.
TBH Cougar if you want to fling that one at "P" members who pay to have no ads then you are taking the piss. If the use of ad blockers is a problem then STW can enable one of the few plugins that tell people that and ask them to whitelist. If it's really the presence of an adblocker that is screwing up the formatting in the pic I posted then something must be more wrong than that!
If it’s really the presence of an adblocker that is screwing up the formatting in the pic I posted then something must be more wrong than that!
Really, there's nothing more to it. Your adblocker is blocking the ads.
Turning it off to check it really isn't rocket science either...
Really, there’s nothing more to it. Your adblocker is blocking the ads.
Turning it off to check it really isn’t rocket science either…
Looked at the pic or just posted? The ads are there, under the ads from commercial people in the column on the right hand side, I have to assume that the entire empty space in the middle of the page is where they should be.....
Also I'll turn off the blocker when STW turn off the ads we pay to remove
don't like the site, don't Like the classifieds, dont like the forum etc etc etc ad nauseum? theres an easy answer. close the door behind you
New clothes rocketdog?
Stuff doesn't work, it's feedback.
It's obvious that there are significantly less adverts on the new Classifieds compared to the old version so I don't see how "traffic" can be up unless it's being measured in a different way. I've stopped bothering with it in the main and I can't be the only one.
close the door behind you
I'm not here 1/2 as much as I used to be and I* attribute that 100% to the closing of the old classifieds.
It’s obvious that there are significantly less adverts on the new Classifieds compared to the old version so I don’t see how “traffic” can be up
More people like looking at (currently fewer) adverts that all have pictures in. Rather than a description with ‘mail for pics’ in it?
It’s obvious that there are significantly less adverts on the new Classifieds compared to the old version so I don’t see how “traffic” can be up unless it’s being measured in a different way. I’ve stopped bothering with it in the main and I can’t be the only one.
It does have a whiff of the Tory Spin Doctor measure of unemployment school of statistics about it, if not quite the Diane Abbott "completely missed the decimal point" method...
close the door behind you
And many already have... I don't profess to know all the answers, but I do think a longer trial period to get used to the new classifieds and iron out all the bugs (seriously, having to switch off an adblocker to be able to see the page is more than just a bit rudimentary!) with the old classifieds still running in the background, would have helped.
but I do think a longer trial period to get used to the new classifieds and iron out all the bugs (seriously, having to switch off an adblocker to be able to see the page is more than just a bit rudimentary!) with the old classifieds still running in the background, would have helped.
They were running in parallel for ages, if people chose not to take advantage of that fact then thats their lookout.
It’s obvious that there are significantly less adverts on the new Classifieds
You mean besides the fact that Mark has already came on and explained that there are roughly the same amount of ads as this time last year yeah? And the year before that.
Looked at the pic or just posted? The ads are there, under the ads from commercial people in the column on the right hand side, I have to assume that the entire empty space in the middle of the page is where they should be…..
Doesn't happen to me with Firefox, have you at least tried it on another browser to narrow the problem down? What plugins do you have running?
If the new system doesn’t work, it’s because you’re in breach of the site T&Cs. Sorry.
Sorry, absolute b*ll*cks
The site since the changes has had a number of broken "features". As I have mentioned before even with a browser with no adblocker I see no actual ads, just the word "advertisement" in the box where the ad should be. Maybe the site is getting paid because it appears an ad has been loaded, in which case they owe the people buying the ads a refund, or they are losing money because the ads aren't loading and they aren't getting paid for it. But don't let the facts inform you.
^ I just tested the 'b0ll0ckyness' and with an adblocker there are no adverts,and with no adblockler there are adverts! Funny that! The Classifieds also works as it should for me with the adblocker turned off.
I guess STW are aiming their business towards people who don't want something for nothing, which being a business and not a charity for bored middle-aged mountain bikers makes sense (and I'm a bored middle aged freeloading MTBer but FWIW I did subscribe to the mag when I lived in the UK).
seriously, having to switch off an adblocker to be able to see the page is more than just a bit rudimentary!)
I don't have an adblocker and can see the classifieds advert free, but I do subscribe, so do you so what are you doing different?
I've got a 'p' so the spattergun of adverts only affects me when the site logs me out from time to time. I've never bothered turning my ad blocker off for my personal laptop for singletrack because I don't see them anyway. On my work PCs I see them (until I log in) as we don't have the rights to run browser ad-ins. But for those without a P I can totally see why you would run an ad blocker on the site as it is effectively unusable without it. Like many other sites they have been too greedy with the number of ads they are expecting non subscriber users to have festooned over their screen. The fault for use of ad blockers on the site lies with the website owners not the users. If the business model does not work without that many ads then maybe the business is no longer viable though I suspect with a more tolerable offering less people would run an ad blocker so the actual number of adverts viewed would go up. Many sites flash up a 'we see you are using an ad blocker, turn it off to proceed' banner. Doing this and then giving access to a tolerable site with a realistic advert content would surely be the best approach.
Until I read this thread I had not appreciated that it was an ad blocker related problem as to why the classifieds was blank for me. As so many other aspects of the website are substandard I just thought it was another one to add to the list. Classifieds only work if people are posting up things for sale and lots of other people are looking and casual users will take one look see a blank page and move on. I predict a shitty death, bigger piles of discarded crap in people's sheds and more money in the coffers of ebay.
Apologies if I stirred up a hornet's nest and no matter what people say (and forgetting the adblocking business etc etc) I simply vastly preferred the older version and visited it daily ..the new one very rarely.I'm sure nobody gives a damn about my personal preference but had presumed others would feel the same and wanted to give feedback..seems like it's not wanted though ...as usual in this world ..only money is important.
Until I read this thread I had not appreciated that it was an ad blocker related problem as to why the classifieds was blank for me
You shoulda read some of the earlier "I don't like the new classifieds Waa waa waa!" threads and you would've found out before 😉
Now will someone please buy my XTR brakes please. Thanks.
Can’t blame STW for trying to earn some revenue from what was probably the most seccesful part of their website. Just the way is been handled is woeful and in my opinion the shortsightedness will ultimately cost them more than the minuscule income from paid ads, shame but final nail in the coffin for me as a ‘P’
They're not coming back, the number of ads created is not less, it's bringing in more revenue than the previous one ever did and despite RussyH letting his P go more have signed up.
On a serious point are the commercial ads there to stay Drac?
Does any one know if they are doing anything on the layouts and interference from Ad Blockers? As the screen shot above shows they have found a way to push the deal of the day ads through it and the promoted ads but not the regular classifieds, also the ad blockers from my reading up block the stuff piped in not generated on the site itself so it's a very strange issue there.
it’s bringing in more revenue than the previous one ever did
Well it would now it's a marketing outlet for forgers and drug pushers
No toys are being thrown out of my pram as I don't both browsing the classifieds any more & subsequently haven't bought anymore shiny pram related stuff recently...
Hooowww about a template for the old classifieds format for 'P's so when you sign in you can browse the same classified adverts in the old format. A day's work and everyone's happy.
The new classifieds are much better, you couldn't get THC in the old ones.... bet he takes PP Gift too!
Now will someone please buy my XTR brakes please
Have you tried advertising them?
It appears to be a site for drug dealers now judging from the most recent adverts, Ketamin anyone?
Maybe stw towers bought some before they checked the before and after improvements figures
Shhh! Or some will want some for free for being loyal.
I heard (repeatedly) it works fine on the ipad
Bloody hell the pharmaceuticals must have been popular they appear to have gone already.
I got myself some fake money quids off there yesterday!
Other than eBay, what are the best alternatives?
Pinkbike, Facebook, local buy sell groups or do you mean for a bit of charlie
Haha, just bike parts. Dinged my rear Crossmax ST rim and looking for a replacement. Would be much easier if it was a bit of the old Colombian Marching Powder I was after though!
Well at least I know STW values my privacy - they constantly tell me every 30 seconds. 57 advertising trackers blocked on the new classifieds. No thanks.
Having a blocker turned on is the only way to turn this site into something usable.
Yeah I'd rather burn everything I own that use Facebook buy/sell. I've used Pinkbike a lot over the years to both buy and sell so have stuck a wanted ad up on there, along with BikeRadar *shudders*.
I'll be honest - I used the old Classifieds rarely (but was one of the handful who donated as a result) so the layout differences pass me by. Bez did a good explanation of why it is better for some folk and worse for others.
I don't recall the same number of dodgy ads.
As for it not working through an Adblocker, despite T&Cs no one can blame folk for using one on this site given historical issues about porn, shitty ads and high resource use. Premier users in particular shouldn't be castigated for using one.
At the end of the day it comes down to crap site design and implementation (again) but we've been round this way many times over the past year and it's clear that no one is listening or even cares.
Ha I got an moderator warning for a word I made up! Apparently it’s offensive to make up words.
Now will someone please buy my XTR brakes please
Have you tried advertising them?
Well, yes. [url= https://singletrackmag.com/classifieds/advert/xtr-race-brakeset-excellent-pretty-m987/ ]Yes I have[/url] ! They vanished to page 3...quite rapidly... due to.. ahem, the large number of ads on the site 😀 .. or maybe its due to the duff layout.. but they haven't sold!
Having a blocker turned on is the only way to turn this site into something usable.
or just buy a P and get no popups at all..
I like the new one, it's saved me lots of money so far 😉
Everytime Singletrack tries to improve this forum they make it far worse/unuseable.Why?
I've been looking for parts to build up my lads bike and personally I find the new one so much easier to use in terms of searching for what you want.
or just buy a P and get no popups at all
apparently it's the fashion to freeload & then moan about the thing you're not paying for
apparently it’s the fashion to freeload & then moan about the thing you’re not paying for
Or take a look at the number of paying customers making comments, which you want to dismiss as moaning. Of course its easier to try and dismiss them and ignore the problems.
apparently it’s the fashion to freeload & then moan about the thing you’re not paying for
Yeah, I mean who would complain about being refused a free cup of water 😉😂
Yeah, I mean who would complain about being refused a free cup of water
Superb...
Ooft, he'll need a cup of water to treat that burn...
Let's face it, the old Classifieds was more of a rolling noticeboard of stuff for sale and wanted. If you missed it on the day it was listed, you'd likely never find it again. The advantage of this was you saw (and bought - well, i did anyway) lots of stuff you might not have through was missing from your life. But, most sites, ebay, pinkbike etc, have category listings with pics and that's how we find/filter the things that we want from those that we don't. If there's sufficient volume (which is what STW (and you apparently) the categories will definitely help.
MODS - to assuage the folks, could you not simply tabulate the listing headers onto an ordered page with each heading linking to the appropriate ad? Don't make it the default, but have a link at the bottom of the page which allows people to view it in 2008? I know this is a relatively simple task in Python, but truly don't know if this is hard in java??
P.S. I don't have a problem with the Forum or the Classifieds - they both work fine for me.
or just buy a P and get no popups at all..
Although it seems that is being pushed a little with the commercial ads at the side. I pay for the P not to be bothered by the ads at all, how long until a P only gets rid of certain ads on the main forum too?
I suggested that on a previous thread Daffy.
I believe it was totally ignored.
Would be so easy too.
I have to admit to agreeing with Ajantom that the old classifieds was kind of addictive and easier to get tempted by stuff you really didn't need .Maybe the changes will save me money in the long term so it could be a blessing in disguise.
Back in the bad old days of STW, there was one forum. Everything was in it - bike stuff, off topic, for sales and wanted. As it got busier it slowly changed in the version we came to love/hate/dislike/like and we all agreed it was full of bugs. The Buy / Sell pages were list of random bits and finding stuff was a pain. You had to keep checking. A listing for a frame might contain all sorts of random stuff. Rules were brought in to stop people from filling the entire page with their sales/wants.
What we wanted was a proper classified section - well some people wanted it - which we now have. In the meantime Pink Bike has got their act together and more people selling stuff through local Facebook groups so what is for sale has changed. It would have changed if the old format had remained.
If you don't like it - then simply go elsewhere - vote with your feet. Plenty of people have come and gone for all sorts of reasons. Banging on about the 'good old days' is just getting boring. STW made a pigs ear of releasing the current version of the website and I am sure that many 'experts' can (and have) tell them what is wrong with the User experience. However it is more stable than the last versions and is improving. STW have all the numbers about page views and postings and if they are happy with it, then it is up to them.
I also suffer from virtually none of the issues that we hear about in ever greater details. My phone (Moto G6), tablet Android 4.4.1 and laptops (Win 7 & Win 10 - Chrome) have none of the issues that others report. So from my point of view it is working well. Given the sheer number of platforms (OS's, versions of OS's, browsers, etc) and individual configurations there is a fair chance that it is not going to work for a significant proportion. STW does not have the budget to test all combinations. Even companies with vast resources get it wrong regularly.
Now what I need is a cold beer ......
MODS – to assuage the folks, could you not simply tabulate the listing headers onto an ordered page with each heading linking to the appropriate ad?
We can't do anything, we don't have access to the codebase (and believe me I've asked, there's all manner of issues there not least of all GDPR).
Email tech@ if you want to make suggestions / requests. All I can do is forward on your messages and, well, if I'm going to do that then you might as well cut out the middle man.
Everytime Singletrack tries to improve this forum they make it far worse/unuseable.Why?
Every change they have made is to increase their revenue, the revenue that keeps the place alive. Sadly in doing so they have managed to alienate a large group of the users that have made this place different to other websites and forums, the old classifieds was a big part of this.
Over the years I've been a member on here I've made a few friends, had a few laughs, been able to help out with appeals for parts or cold hard cash for people in need, sold a few parts on cheaply as I knew they were going to genuine buyers (not someone who would sell it on for a quick buck) and bought a few things for far less than I could have elsewhere. Unfortunately that is no longer the case.
Due to the way the website updates have been implemented and handled I've no longer the drive to visit here anymore. The laughs have become fewer. The classifieds is no longer usable. The hassle of navigating the site now is abysmal. I've had porn pop-ups blare out of my phone while in a service station cafe surfing on here. It takes ages to load at times and the barrage of ad providers make the website crash my browser before it loads on multiple occasions. I've had enough of the 'We Value Your Privacy' notice, it even screwed up my entry for the xmas giveaway when it popped up mid-typing my answer to the question to win the Lapierre hardtail. Clicking it to go away made the site post my answer as AD, which I could not change. I had a cheeky moan about it in the comment section below only for that to be deleted without any message as to why, even a PM to tell me off would have been fine but I got nothing.
All this means I'm no longer going to visit here. It's one of the very few forums I've left on my own volition, they usually close first! I'm not flouncing out or wishing any harm on the owners. I sincerely hope they do make this venture of theirs (website and magazine) a success as the world needs places like this to balance out the corporate ones like BikeRadar etc. But the current offering is not for me. So I'll wish everyone a happy future (users and owners) and go ride my bikes.
Funny that someone pops up trying to show they're all experienced and knowledgeable, but still doesn't know what Mods do! Just tickled me that.
I’m fully aware of what they (mods) do, Dez, but my thinking was that they (again mods) might have a direct line to Tech, which might be taken more seriously than a suggestion from a randommer on the forum.
Every change they have made is to increase their revenue, the revenue that keeps the place alive
Actually, it's to keep the otherwise failing magazine alive. That's what the subscription funds.
Yeah, I mean who would complain about being refused a free cup of water
it was only free if you'd paid to run in the outdoors on a path open to anyone. there were no adverts though I grant you. 😉😆
I’m not flouncing
sure sounds like classic non subscriber flouncing to me
Daffy
I’m fully aware of what they (mods) do, Dez
Apologies, I thought he was quoting someone else! (I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong, me 🙂 )
Apologies also for bumping thread to apologise 🙁