Re: The transition from CR's viewpoint
Dave, thanks for posting your reasons for initiating the transition to the Active network. As a one-time employee of a small company that got purchased by a Fortune 100 company I certainly understand the complications involved with transition and growth.
Having said that, I think the reason for so much frustration right now is the lack of input that Cool Running users had in the change. Before, we had something that was very familiar to us all and which worked marvelously. Where it was a bit underpowered, we "got used to it" and all developed our own individual work-arounds. When news of impending transition came along, we were all told things would be much better but given very little specifics. Moreover as far as I know no one ever asked CR users what they would like to see in an "improved" system. What features were needed now that it didn't have? What features needed to stay just the way they were with no changes? Given how much the CR community seems to care about this network, I think many users would have had much valuable insight about the road ahead...if only someone had just asked them.
So that's my major criticism. Take it for what it is worth.
As for what to do now, I think it's obvious. Listen HARD to what CR users are saying now. The fact that so many are still here, even though they are very upset, means they still care. Thus you have an opportunity to turn this around. But don't delay; if you take too long, we will all eventually point and click our way to other places.
As for suggestions, one big thing I see right off the bat is the login process. Now, when I log in to Active, I am directed to the "MyActive" page. From there I have to navigate my way to the Cool Running forums, and the only easy way to even get there is to use the links in the "CR announcement" (which I assume won't be there forever) posted on the Running forums page. Why instead can't users create favorites of forums which in turn would show up on the MyActive page?
