TVgasm Recaps - TVgasm News: Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

tvgasm_update So, we've decided to update the site a little bit. It's not that the old site was necessarily bad, but it was starting to get a little unwieldy and we saw some things that needed to be fixed because we have a bunch of things that we wanted to add. If you're interested in hearing me blather about some of the changes we've made, continue after the jump.

Without getting too esoteric, we've always wanted TVgasm to be a little bit more than a blog, but most of the blog layouts make it difficult to do that. We aren't finished with all the changes, but we're starting to think about how we want to organize things in order to make it easier for people to use the site.

You've probably noticed the front page first. With our current set-up, you assume that the most important things are at the top, but really only the most recent things are at the top. We wanted an easy way for people to see which shows have been updated as well as to highlight featured articles and "hot topics". That way, you can always go the tvgasm.com and see right away what the buzz is. Plus, if you simply want to check if Desperate Housewives has been updated, you don't have to peck and hunt through a thousand lines of text. That doesn't mean we have rid ourselves of the blog layout. For people that want the old layout exactly like it is, bookmark TVgasm.com/blog/

You may have also seen that TVgasm is now much wider and we have three columns. We went with three columns so that the familiar navigation elements will be on the left and all of the advertisements and such will be on the right. Again, it makes it easier to jump back and forth. Yes, this does make it suck if you have a small screen and I hate the ugly scroll bar, but at least it is the ads that are obscured. As an added bonus, since the ads come last, if there are any problems with the adservers, the blog text will load first so you can continue reading.

Last, we're excited to preview more enhanced content on some of our programming. We call it TVgasm Central, and it's available now for American Idol, Amazing Race, Real World, Survivor and 24. Our goal is to make it easier for you to find content on specific programming. We'll have more boring stuff like cast bios, but we'll also have a place for you to browse all of the screenshots we take and the videos we make. There are only a few shows with the extra coverage now, but we'll work our way through the archives and get to the others in time.

As always, e-mail me if you are having any problems. If the pages look funny, it's usually because of stylesheet issues, and they should go away when you clear your cache or if you don't know how to do that, by waiting a little while. If you do have a problem, send me a screenshot and tell me what browser you are using.

I'll probably have a live chat in the afternoon where you all can yell at me if you want.

| Discuss In Our Forums

Posted by J-Unit on May 8, 2006 1:46 AM

Comments

Will muppet nudity be part of the new look?

Posted by: BrugaCMH | May 8, 2006 4:31 AM(#1 of 39)

Fascinating. I'm reserving critical commentary for the moment.

Posted by: Lizardqueen | May 8, 2006 4:33 AM(#2 of 39)

I hate change. :-(

Posted by: happy_gal | May 8, 2006 6:35 AM(#3 of 39)

hmmmm... maybe it'll grow on me.

Posted by: hannahthehun | May 8, 2006 7:00 AM(#4 of 39)

You need to have a search field where you can just see everything that has been posted in the past 5 days. I haven't checked in a few days, and now I have no idea what has been posted recently.

Posted by: nycid | May 8, 2006 7:03 AM(#5 of 39)

Yikes, I'm hoping it will grow on me, but yikes.

I would say that for new people coming to the site, it is tricky to see where the recaps are. But the front page could just be confusing me......

Posted by: Laurie | May 8, 2006 7:12 AM(#6 of 39)

nycid, just click "Blog" at the top of the screen and you'll get that.

What happened to the chat? Was it as horrible and indulgent as we feared?

Posted by: Lizardqueen | May 8, 2006 7:13 AM(#7 of 39)

I like the specific TVGasm central sites, but I am one of those who have a "small screen", so I don't like having to scroll around so much. Oh well- I guess I'll get used to it too. Sometimes change is good!:)

Posted by: zoobabe | May 8, 2006 7:19 AM(#8 of 39)

Looks like I am having a Xanax with my OJ this morning~~

Posted by: HoneyBunny | May 8, 2006 7:42 AM(#9 of 39)

I really don't like change, you've made it too much work. I just want to scroll down for my funnies!!

Posted by: Kat | May 8, 2006 7:51 AM(#10 of 39)

I like it. I also like that if you want to kick it old school all you have to do is click "blog", so why is everyone freaking out? Now everyone's goal will be say something clever or insightful enough to make the "hot topics" on the front page.

Posted by: JasonR | May 8, 2006 8:05 AM(#11 of 39)

looks like i picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

Posted by: copygodd | May 8, 2006 8:09 AM(#12 of 39)

I know the Web is all about change...but there's something to be said for user experience. I'm betting a ton of people sneak peaks at TVgasm at work...and this layout just makes them jump through one more hoop in their already time-starved day.

Oftentimes, web design is developed to benefit the web developer, not the audience. Hopefully, this isn't the case.

Posted by: whawha | May 8, 2006 8:22 AM(#13 of 39)

I guess I'll just have to get used to it. Sigh. Change sucks. I still love you J-Unit.

Posted by: tiffgasm | May 8, 2006 8:42 AM(#14 of 39)

Dang-gummit, copygodd, you stole my line! Great minds, right?

Hey J-Unit, will we get the forums back? I don't know how I'll get through a All Star BB if there are no forums. Other than that I like it!

Posted by: mountain_girl | May 8, 2006 8:47 AM(#15 of 39)

It's kinda sexy. I like it.

Posted by: joslyn | May 8, 2006 8:51 AM(#16 of 39)

I really don't care about the format as long as I get to read another fabulous Grey's Anatomy recap soon. Oh and AI and Blowout as well.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Posted by: catarina | May 8, 2006 8:56 AM(#17 of 39)

As long as the same people are writing the recaps, it's all good. I am hopelessly addicted to Tvgasm, no matter the format.

Posted by: Pamsey | May 8, 2006 9:18 AM(#18 of 39)

I just woke up...and i'm so confused.

Posted by: Firecat | May 8, 2006 9:20 AM(#19 of 39)

As long as the content hasn't changed, I'm cool with the new look.

Those are some great ideas, especially the enhanced content. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: gina64 | May 8, 2006 9:27 AM(#20 of 39)

::shrug:: I just bookmarked the Blog section so I can see the content instead of trying to navigate through the front page interface. I'm not thrilled with the three columns. Instead of ignoring one column, I'm trying to ignore 2 columns. I guess that's the whole point with the ads. I guess I'll adust for the sake of TVgasm snarkiness.

Posted by: Double L | May 8, 2006 9:49 AM(#21 of 39)

I bookmarked the blog page too- that's all I ever look at. Doens't matter to me how it looks as long as we have great gasms. however, pleeeaase never go to the gawker/superficial/idontlike you/every blog under the sun style of narrow text only on the left side of the page. I hate htat.

Posted by: Leah3t | May 8, 2006 9:57 AM(#22 of 39)

I kind of miss just getting straight to the point. I mean, I like it, I just miss the scrolling - though maybe this way it won't be as obvious what I'm doing instead of work!

Posted by: NYC18 | May 8, 2006 10:52 AM(#23 of 39)

Yep, bookmarking old school tvgasm. I like knowing what was most recently posted. And while at work, I can just -with one click- see if there is anything new to read.

Posted by: hardly@work | May 8, 2006 11:37 AM(#24 of 39)

I like the old way better too and have added /blog to my bookmarks.

Posted by: Clair | May 8, 2006 11:58 AM(#25 of 39)

Hey, while you guys are making changes, perhaps you'd like to add an editor? Then you wouldn't get all those comments from people about spell check and proofing, etc. Those have got to be annoying, right? If so, e-mail me!

As for the design ... I'm not sure it changes enough to really make a difference. It makes the front page cleaner, but not necessarily more functional. Design over function almost never a good thing, IMO.

Posted by: TexasK | May 8, 2006 12:19 PM(#26 of 39)

WORST. REDESIGN. EVER!

Posted by: nate | May 8, 2006 1:12 PM(#27 of 39)

ditto on the editor, send some my way.

maybe it's just me, but when i previewed my last comment it jammed it up in the left column, so that would be a good thing to fix.

Posted by: ldini79 | May 8, 2006 2:10 PM(#28 of 39)

no snark-o-tron 3000?

Posted by: ldini79 | May 8, 2006 2:19 PM(#29 of 39)

Please tell me this is just another April Fool's Day joke, just a month late.

Posted by: boomersmommy | May 8, 2006 2:22 PM(#30 of 39)

So I am a little behind and have successfully dodged all talk about LOST. NO longer. I went to your new site (to read OTHER stuff, mind you) and there you have up in the right corner, a couple of comments about LOST. Something about Libby being dead. THAT SUCKS. I will bookmark the blog part of TVgasm. It really sucks that you have SPOILERS on your home page.

Posted by: james_woods_rules | May 8, 2006 2:42 PM(#31 of 39)

I resist change, too, but I usually adapt eventually (resistance are futile). Top nav looks so bare and lonely though.

While you're thinking change, I thought I should warn you about content-based text ads from a certain "G" and a certain "Y". You might need to throw in a little code to prevent units from both from showing up on the same page. Secure your meager restitution! :-$

Posted by: raggedy_andy | May 8, 2006 2:56 PM(#32 of 39)

james_woods_rules- thats a really good point. i often avoid stuff to not spolier myself.

Posted by: Leah3t | May 8, 2006 3:40 PM(#33 of 39)

while we're talking about the techie stuff- how do we get the "click here to start activex" to stop popping up every time we open tvgasm? my quicktime is up to date and it does it anyway.

Posted by: Leah3t | May 8, 2006 7:03 PM(#34 of 39)

Yeah, this is not a good redesign. I'm going to have to re-bookmark the Blog page instead of the main page.

Posted by: gamera87 | May 8, 2006 10:20 PM(#35 of 39)

Found out that when you first come to the site if you click the "blog" at the top of the screen it takes you to the way the site used to be. Y'all probably figured that out already, but for those of you who didn't--there ya go.

Posted by: boomersmommy | May 9, 2006 9:08 AM(#36 of 39)

Leah3t (#34) I've been having the SAME problem. ActiveX pops up 3 consecutive times. Highly annoying >:/

If anyone knows how to fix it, please advise.

Posted by: plexitoes | May 9, 2006 10:22 AM(#37 of 39)

Plexitoes- if you go to 'about' up top and email junit he should help you out, he posted something about it a week ago, but i can't seem to find where. Sorry- i know how annoying it is.

Posted by: hardly@work | May 9, 2006 10:40 AM(#38 of 39)

Hey thanks hardly@work:)

Posted by: plexitoes | May 9, 2006 10:51 AM(#39 of 39)

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