Buffalo Rising is Changing
We're working on building a new buffalorising.com and we anticipate we'll be ready to launch it before the holidays. It's been nearly 2 years since we launched the current site and it's time for a change. And we're hoping it's change all of our users can believe in.
Why The Change? The current site is built on a Movable Type publishing platform with a number of proprietary add-ons. With current traffic levels, the site's infrastructure is too slow and cumbersome for users so it needed to be changed. Yes, we've heard your feedback.
Beyond technology, however, we also wanted to change the site to allow for more content in more categories. With the new site, we'll be moving to a different channel structure. Instead of City, Events, Arts & Leisure and Yum, we'll have an expanded list of channels including City, Regional, Dining, Entertainment and Real Estate. We'll still have our self-service Events listings and self-service Classifieds channel. After our initial launch, we'll also be rolling out a new restaurant guide and an online store. The restaurant guide will provide users with a snapshot of as many area restaurants as we can cover while the store will allow users to buy Buffalo products.
Given the additional content categories we wanted to introduce, the new site has more of a newspaper feel than the current site. But we've tried to bridge the design divide between the content structure of a newspaper site and the overall look and feel of a dynamic blog.
The new site will also allow for increased functionality, including:
- Upload your own picture to show next to your comments and user profile - Follow chosen authors and commenters - Promote exceptional comments to their own posts - New events posting system which allows each event to be displayed more attractively
One thing is certain - the new site will be much, much faster than the current site and should eliminate the technical glitches we've all dealt with for so long (double comments, etc). We hope the vast majority of our users like the new site look, though we recognize not everyone likes change.
A snapshot of the new design is above. We're still refining and testing the new site to ensure as smooth a launch as possible. As with any launch, we anticipate users will find some glitches and we'll work as diligently as possible to correct any problems. Once the new site is battle-tested, we intend to roll out the new restaurant guide and the store.
Feel free to post a comment on the design or content structure of the new site. We know you're an exacting crowd and we aim to please.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
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Comment Options
sbrof
The one thing you didn't mention is an edit feature. I think that is an important option for people to have. Other than that the new features, channels seem like a good move. I like how it does blend a newspaper look with a blog. Let's not forget the power to connect and organize people. Anything that would allow users access to public officials or each other might be a good way to get BRO out and into the ears of people and government. I feel that often there are very productive conversations.
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whynot
I am looking forward to this change. I stopped visiting as frequently as I used to, and rarely sign-in anymore due to the slow response, time-outs, and other technical issues. I hope that you can spread the word about this change, as a lot of my friends and acquaintances have stopped visiting all together due to the lack of response.
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Assaroni
the technicals of the current site are a nightmare... after i post the site goes down, cant go back into it for 20 mins or so...its a mess...please fix quick!!!
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katiesehr
the "sub headers" don't really make sense. Every event is listed under front page,so then why have the events category? and Arts and Leisure is always posted under Front page and arts and leisure. (why is art with leisure anyway. it ain't no walk in the park) anyway food stays food. art stays art. maybe you could have a category for architecture and development. maybe a seperate one for music? and um can you make it so that you can delete what you have written in case you decided that what you did was a HUGE mistake? I already have life to contend with - blogs should be organic not so definitive.
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EmpireOfLight
The new look is boring; the current site is visually more appealing. But the new look seems more functional. That said, please address the blinking, poorly optimized ads, let me sign in once forever, keep me at the post I'm commenting on, and I'll be happy. What platform is the new site going to run on, if not Moveable Type?
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buffawakening
the store is a great idea
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tonyarmani
i dont care how it looks as long as it doesnt take 3 hours to do a simple thing like logging in or posting to a wall...
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Jolopy
The new site looks like a newspaper.
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RonR
I would hope some work could be done on the RSS aspects of the site.
For example, the main reason I read BRO is for WCP posts. It would be great if I could put just his content in my reader. Added to this, the use of tags to search for related stories or once again RSS customization.
Just a wish....
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Joshua
I agree with sbrof regarding the edit feature. I can't wait for the website improvements.
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al-alo
i assume the old site will be paved over, and after remediation, a new suburban style hotel will be built.
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dagner
Where will the recent posts appear? Often I am drawn into a story by an intriguing reader post.
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dagner
Where will the recent posts appear? Often I am drawn into a story by an intriguing reader post.
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soulremedy
The new site looks like it accomplishes what they've set out to do. The design merges a blog and newspaper into it's design, giving users what they want: content that is easy to consume and blog/community functionality. Also I noticed a USER PHOTO SUBMISSION area which I think is a great way to involve the user community in a way that connects them to both the site and the city. Overall I'm excited for the launch and can't wait for the sites functionality to be improved.
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soulremedy
The new site looks like it accomplishes what they've set out to do. The design merges a blog and newspaper into it's design, giving users what they want: content that is easy to consume and blog/community functionality. Also I noticed a USER PHOTO SUBMISSION area which I think is a great way to involve the user community in a way that connects them to both the site and the city. Overall I'm excited for the launch and can't wait for the sites functionality to be improved.
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bjfan82
Oh thank God, hopefully it won't take a half hour to log in anymore
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bjfan82
oh yeah...and a half hour just for that to post and another half hour for this page to load again lol....and all the double posts like above my posts lol Anyways, I look forward to the improvements!
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al-alo
what multiple posts?
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al-alo
what multiple posts?
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al-alo
what multiple posts?
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al-alo
what multiple posts?
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al-alo
what multiple posts?
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hashma
Now, I like the new newspaper look to it, but I've always wondered if a bit of Adobe Flash wouldn't help to spice up the site or would that slow it down too much?
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hashma
Now, I like the new newspaper look to it, but I've always wondered if a bit of Adobe Flash wouldn't help to spice up the site or would that slow it down too much?
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Hoss
Except for color change, and advertising on BOTH sides, it doesn't look all that different. Maybe seeing it fullscreen will change my perception.
This is the slowest, most fickle site I visit. Anything will be an improvement. Posting comments locks up the page 90% of the time.
DON'T allow an edit feature. It allows people to instigate, then back out of it smelling like roses. A delete option I can see, but not the ability to backtrack on content.
DO allow hyperlinking, Come on already. It's just a blog, right?
Polls are a good idea. Keep it fresh.
Improve the content. If all you got is fluff and apartment listings, don't bother posting it.
Can you enable some kind of dynamic breathalyzer into the application so I can't post after consuming more than 4 drinks?
How about a forum of some sort? A place where people could discuss an issue, or story, or anything else Buffalo related w/o getting all nuts on the main article/comment page. I'm constantly needing advice, or have questions on various Buffalo related topics (from where to buy a particular item, to how to deal with City Hall, etc...) and I think it would be a great asset to have. Dialog is good. It keeps people coming back for more. Nothing venture, nothing gained, huh?
Good luck with the version change.
Now I will add my comment, and while it is loading, venture off to another site.
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PaulBuffalo
Hoss, you can use Yelp for your 'where to buy a particular item', etc.
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ryanelguiri
Put in an edit for 15 minutes feature. That way you can misspell something, or re-read a comment and then be able to change it just for a quick amt of time, until thn you'll have to live with it.
@Hoss. Just creat a forum yourself. Free-forums you can make one with whatever you want, and update it, change it, design it, for 0.
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georgethomasapfel
The problem when you allow multiple hyperlinks is you end up with Spam postings, the blogs I administer automatically flag and hold for moderation a posting with more than 2 hyperlinks in the copy. Of course, there's always Captcha verification (those funky looking letters and numbers only humans can read) but they're a pain in the arse sometimes.
Hoss does make a good point about having an "edit" feature- how about a "preview" feature which is common on many blogs?
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Hoss
Captcha verification is a huge pain in the ass. (didn't know what they called that bunk, thanks). What if the comment area could accommodate textile markup http://hobix.com/textile/? Would the extra hassle slow potential spammers down? I honestly know how most of this coding stuff works except from the 'consumer' point of view. It must be a hassle trying to make everyone happy.
A preview function would shut down any excuses (not necessarily mistakes). But then you usually have to deal with the funky verification ordeal, no?
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sonyactivision
The new version needs more high-rise announcements.
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carlmalone
The new site should incorporate a picture of Olmsted dynamically rolling in his grave at the top
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tommyBluez
I think somekind of bulletin board would be nice --- many times I've wanted to ask a question/etc about something there's notnecessarily and article for and thought "buffalorising" --- people on there will have good thoughts.
But there's no way to do that....
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KenS
Great to hear. I also have not been around much as the performance of the site will sap the energy right out of you during each and every visit.
Nice early Christmas present!
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optimistic1
I might hear some $h!t about this, but creating a BRO facebook page might not be a bad idea - just as another way to drive people to the new site and get more community news out. Plenty of companies and organizations use it , plus the pages are very user friendly and aren't bombarded w/ content
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Assaroni
where the hell is the new site????
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Foodfinder
After reading the negaative comments I just had to write...I never do. AND I AM EASY TO PLEASE
First the good Sangria... is fantastic ! Sausage... great ! Grilled Chicken... very good !
Can't say much for anything else.
First, we arrive and they say we needed a reservation to sit at Havana House and had to seat us in Sangria. Fine... however, there were 2 tables occupied at Havana House when we arrived. AND there were 2 tables occupied at Havana House when we LEFT ! THAT is just WIERD ! What is with that?
After reading the comment about someone sweating like a pig ! Interesting... because I keep my home at 60 to 65 degrees....cold. And ALL four of us had TO KEEP OUR COATS ON ! THAT IS COLD. And you would think they would get the HINT that we were cold? Well... I guess they fixed the problem of it being too hot !
Waiter was not at all very professional.
Also after reading comments about tapas arriving at different times.... well same thing. We got the shrimp... and yes... floating in what looked like dirty dishwater....what is with that. And nothing special....not bad though
We got our dinners.... didn't take that long... but there were few people in there.
The chicken... great I got the flat steak.... AND IT WAS BEEF JERKY. Not LIKE beef jerky...it WAS. Lex... taste your own food ! If I had GOOD friends over I would be embarrassed to serve that. If I had a party with many guests, I would be horrified to serve that and my guests would never come back. Geez... it is not difficult to know that is horrible. It is not that hard to serve a thin steak that was tender. AND IF YOU CAN'T... DON"T SERVE IT ! Give me a break !
AND... we get black beans... NO FLAVOR AT ALL... not exagerating. AND... rice... not bad... but nothing special...I have had much better. That is it? Wow. How cheap can you get?
THEN I had to REMIND the server about the sausage we ordered ! He brought it... and it was good.... but with a few people in there? How did he forget? And interesting because other people posted they had similar experiences.
And the menu. WE commented on that ALSO ! How in the hell can ANY restaurant survive on such a limited menu? And why would people keep coming back only to have to eat the exact same things over and over? Lex.... what are you thinking? You are not.
And I WANTED to order the meat and shimp BUT IT SAYS RIGHT ON THE MENU IT TAKES AT LEAST 45 MINUTES ! Geez Louise... NO restaurant takes that long to cook meals anywhere and MOST restaurants are larger with MANY more choices. This MAKES NO SENSE !!!
So... in light of other comments I read... I thought my experience was similar in that LEX REALLY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS ! HE OBVOUSLY DOES NOT.
The Beef was horrible... COLD was not comfortable... And all the other stuff is just weird and ALL of it is so easy to fix! I forgot to mention the TV.... there was a DISH Network TRAINING deal on TV... instructing you how to set up DISH TV. Just one more thing that made it very very strange. WHY have the TV ON if that is what is ON the TV ? Geez...If I was just working there I would see that is just stupid... turn the TV OFF or turn on something that is something. Just weird.
Oh...and the dessert ! No dessert menu... how hard would that be? Again easy. So waiter described the dessert in an awkward fashion. Flan and some kind of cake with milk and condensed mild and I couldn't understand the rest. Really... only TWO desserts... and both not very appealling. What is with that? Lex obviously does not WANT to make any money on his investment !
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silversinger
I am so anxious to see your new and improved web site. It is really cool that you let us post our events so that our fans know where we are at all times! Thanks so much, Patsy Silver www.silverxtreme.com www.creationperformingworkshop.com
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