Steel Curtain Network Q&A and website discussion
When I was the one in charge of our old stomping grounds, I always wanted to make sure the product we were putting out there was the best it could be. Therefore, I’d often take criticism and guidance from those who use the site on a daily basis to help me mold how we handled our business.
Since we have transitioned from our old site style to our current one, I realized while I’ve been active in the comment section, as much as I possibly can be, but I haven’t solicited any constructive criticism form our readers since making the switch.
So, this is something I wanted to do every Sunday until training camp. A place for you, the user, to give us some guidance on what you’d like to see here at Steel Curtain Network.
Just to let you know, this isn’t just about the SCN website, but also about our podcast network.
I do want you to follow some simple criteria before you head to the comment section and offer advice:
- Be solution oriented
If you have a suggestion, try and also provide a resolution. Example: I love the game day threads, but is there a way to make the comment section more friendly?
- Don’t be cruel
Not everyone’s work is your favorite, but let’s leave the personal attacks aside.
- Be specific
If you don’t like something we are doing, let us know specifically what you’d like to see change and I’d be happy to see if I can make it happen.
Just remember I am not a web developer, and sometimes changes take time. I can’t guarantee all changes suggested on either the website or podcast side are possible, but I’ll do my best to see what I can make happen.
Also, if you’d like to just talk shop/Steelers in the comment section below, feel free! I’ll be in the comment section as much as possible! In the meantime, thank you for being a part of this growing SCN community! We appreciate you!
Hey Bossman!
Got one for ya! How about we flood a response with SCN Contributors X handles, so everyone knows how to follow us!
@Steely_McPitt
Contributor, Steel Curtain Network(Steelers)/Talk The Plank 3k(Pirates)/Fans First Steel City
Not a bad idea Corey.
Anyone who wants to share social media information, etc. Feel free to do so!
Let me start by saying that I always appreciated the state of…….well you know who and what. You were always open to improving the site and in many cases these articles did just that. It also was a bonding moment in that the the head guy was not above the readers.
My comments at…..well you know, are now being moderated before they can be posted. Which makes it hard to interact. It just isn’t me, there are a few others who have spoken up against the direction of the former place. This should make you laugh but it is a shit show over there. One of the higher ups showed up and basically said either you fall in line with our direction or you can kick cans. An entire Fan Post article was removed, a thread of 100 comments was reduced to around 60 comments, with the other 40 eliminated from existence. We were given a survey of what content we would like and have yet to see any change outside of a few solid writers. We have asked why our comments are being restricted and have not received an explanation or any reach out.
Jeff, you know that place has had it’s share of bad apples in the past but for the most part even in criticism, most have always been respectful. Now you can’t say anything whatsoever because it is deemed through their view as creating a negative presence.
I say all of that not to create drama or bring BS here to FFSN but to thank you for your time as Editor and for the work you put out but also surrounding yourself with quality writers. There was a flair up when you guys left and I may have said a few things and I think I have already apologized for that. I see things much much different now in dealing with those yahoos. The people that talk out both sides of their mouth. I screen shotted everything up to where I was being censored and at some point I will burn my last bridge at that shit hole. The only thing that has kept me there is the community and the relationships that I have built for almost 2 decades but being as I can’t fully interact now there isn’t any reason to remain there, other than what I mentioned above.
I’m not sure if you have seen an uptick of members but at some point I think there will be more that follows. For those that don’t understand Jeff’s intent with this just appreciate that he does care.
I will add that I comment at Depot now and I’m not the only one which should tell you something.
Thanks PB!!
I learned a long time ago, after taking over from Neal at our old stomping grounds, that without the readers/listeners we are nothing. Not only do I try to show appreciation for people who read my musings from time-to-time, but also the fact they should have a say in how things are done.
Want more commentary and less of the “news”?
Sure, we’ll try to accommodate.
Can’t stand the volume of articles?
We’ll look into it.
I can’t guarantee any changes can happen, but I’ll for sure listen and take your words to heart. I want to provide the best Steelers content I physically can, and you, the consumer of said content, is a large part of that.
I can’t speak to the current state of the site I used to run, I haven’t returned to even look at the site since I started SCN. I just don’t have time in my day to worry about what others are doing. However, the demise of what was a tremendous site, which I spent years helping grow, is never good news to my ears.
I hope more people choose to come over to SCN if they want an alternative. As always, I appreciate your feedback!
I’ll be around more often and still may lend my services for a College GameDay thread, if still interested. I had to take some time away from all of it but I know others are fed up. The interaction in the comment section is a welcomed nuance. I know you had to push content because of the requirements but you still managed to provide quality, such as you still provide here.
You know this but CHISAP is worth his weight in gold.
It boggles my mind that people are still over there posting. The articles are a hot mess. The Editor is a click bait jerk. Is the status quo that powerful?
Whenever anyone asks on reddit about Steelers Blogs, I always throw in my $0.02 for SCN.
I don’t know if you even would like me to comment about this, but I will say it makes me sad to hear this about our former stomping grounds. That community deserves better. I did my best to keep that place going for the couple months Jeff was away and I recognized Jeff’s importance and that’s why I fought like crazy to get him back. When Jeff was ready to try to build something ourselves from scratch rather than constantly trying to manage someone else’s expectations, I would much rather do that with him than to try to continue something established without him. He is truly a pleasure to work with/for in this industry.
I’m not saying that what we are doing here is perfect, but we are trying our best. The biggest thing is it takes time. I hope everybody knows that they are welcome here. It’s the downtime of the NFL year, but hopefully come training camp Steelers fans at least give us a chance as we are doing all that we can to make this a great community.
Been listening to BTSC/SCN since the 2020 season. Jeff, BAD, and Dave’s chemistry together really made me stay and I’ve really enjoyed Betz and Wilbar and starting to see more of Corey while Wilbar is out has made me enjoy his work more too. Preacher Roy is great too! I know I’m missing some names that do great work as well! I absolute love all things this site/pod brings. Only thing I would like to see isn’t even that big, but I think a bio of the contributors would be interesting, or even a little right up on an “about” tab for SCN. I see there is one on ffsn, but it’s not super detailed. This is such a minor detail, but I think just getting to know some of the writers better would be interesting. Love the tight-knit community of the live chats/websites. I hope it never loses that feel, while I also root for the growth of this company. #rideordie Go Steelers!
Thanks John!!
I will look into the writer bio piece…shouldn’t be that difficult to do!
Good suggestion!
Agree with bios.
I miss Shannon. I really liked his articles and his thoughtful interaction with the community.