Crossfire update (Unfriended)

[Duke C #11]

These types of sites are really hard to do as a hobby. If you're going to make it long-term, it requires a full time commitment by the staff. Otherwise, reading the site gets to be like watching other guys masturbating, which I am not a huge fan of.

 

[hornrush]

For me, I came to this site right after it started and during the meltdown and venom of OB and because McPhaul and I have always had a cordial and respectful relationship. Crossfire was why I became a paying member. I've mentioned the inconsistencies before and was more or less told to mind my tongue.

Well, I have and things have not improved. The staff needs to know that if your marquee item, your biggest selling point isn't delivered and paying members are given excuses and lip service, then the biggest reason for coming here is gone.

I've enjoyed the time here and I hope you get your problems worked out. But I won't be renewing at the end of this month.

Hook'em!

 

[echeese]

For me, I came to this site right after it started and during the meltdown and venom of OB and because McPhaul and I have always had a cordial and respectful relationship. Crossfire was why I became a paying member. I've mentioned the inconsistencies before and was more or less told to mind my tongue.

Well, I have and things have not improved. The staff needs to know that if your marquee item, your biggest selling point isn't delivered and paying members are given excuses and lip service, then the biggest reason for coming here is gone.

I've enjoyed the time here and I hope you get your problems worked out. But I won't be renewing at the end of this month.

Hook'em!

I would ask you give them a chance to work it out. . . 

Site has some real upside but I agree, cannot dump a prime feature. . .and in time, I hope it's not the only prime feature. . . 

 

[echeese]

i'm flattered by the mention, but i wouldn't want to be part of any club that would have someone like me as a member.

any chance to quote groucho marx, i'm taking.

you will note I specified "mindless" fans. . . .sorry . .. while I agree with Groucho too. . . you made the list. . . 

 

[ATX89]

I made the mistake of paying for a year in advance.  Am hoping I can have consideration for a pro-rated refund as I may be shutting down my sub as well.  The reasons are well documented on this thread and I don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about how Darrell is being treated either.

 

[Dieselprime]

I hate to agree with everyone but I'm kinda getting to the point were I'm thinking about canceling too. I'm looking at the board right now, there's one premium topic pinned the rest are about BBQ, Landscaping, Business, recipes etc. I like the people and the environment here but not enough to pay for this site versus one that keeps up with extra content. For example BurntOrangeNation already has a full breakdown of today's practice written up http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/8/10/5988525/fall-2014-open-practice-notes-david-ash-charlie-strong-texas-longhorns I'm sure the other sites do too. I come here and there's nothing but what other members have linked from other sites. Don't get me wrong, I really want you guys to succeed and I like the idea behind this site and I was more than happy paying for Crossfire and similar articles(chalk talk being one of them) that gave me good insight of the program and how people involved with it were thinking but once most of that disappeared, I just can't justify paying anymore only for content that I can get from other sites very easily.

 

[ATX89]

I hate to agree with everyone but I'm kinda getting to the point were I'm thinking about canceling too. I'm looking at the board right now, there's one premium topic pinned the rest are about BBQ, Landscaping, Business, recipes etc. I like the people and the environment here but not enough to pay for this site versus one that keeps up with extra content. For example BurntOrangeNation already has a full breakdown of today's practice written up http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/8/10/5988525/fall-2014-open-practice-notes-david-ash-charlie-strong-texas-longhorns I'm sure the other sites do too. I come here and there's nothing but what other members have linked from other sites. Don't get me wrong, I really want you guys to succeed and I like the idea behind this site and I was more than happy paying for Crossfire and similar articles(chalk talk being on of them) that gave me good insight of the program and how people involved with it were thinking but once most of that disappeared, I just can't justify paying anymore only for content that I can get from other sites very easily.

Well articulated post.  

I'd ask the mods/owners at this point, and with no crossfire in 2 weeks and still no practice reports from an open practice today, what exactly justifies charging any of us as "premium" subscribers the $4.95/month or the annual fee for others of us like me?

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I hate to agree with everyone but I'm kinda getting to the point were I'm thinking about canceling too. I'm looking at the board right now, there's one premium topic pinned the rest are about BBQ, Landscaping, Business, recipes etc. I like the people and the environment here but not enough to pay for this site versus one that keeps up with extra content. For example BurntOrangeNation already has a full breakdown of today's practice written up http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/8/10/5988525/fall-2014-open-practice-notes-david-ash-charlie-strong-texas-longhorns I'm sure the other sites do too. I come here and there's nothing but what other members have linked from other sites. Don't get me wrong, I really want you guys to succeed and I like the idea behind this site and I was more than happy paying for Crossfire and similar articles(chalk talk being on of them) that gave me good insight of the program and how people involved with it were thinking but once most of that disappeared, I just can't justify paying anymore only for content that I can get from other sites very easily.

I understand everyone's concern over Crossfire. One insider post about practices doesn't replace one of this site's most read features.

I do disagree with the content thoughts above. This site covered the Wednesday and Friday press conferences extensively (and not just "posters pasting other site's content). Additionally, there have been loads of new articles and features released over the past few weeks and much of it is premium content. 

There are a lot of interesting pieces here that are getting overlooked. Several debates about uniforms, some bbq/recipe threads and a thread about a supporter of this site that's having medical trouble are all contributing to the site's original content being overshadowed.

How to do a better job of emphasizing content is a valid discussion. Saying that content doesn't exist isn't factual.

 

[Randolph Duke]

I'm on record having concerns with "insiders" offering information that hasn't been cleared for public release. I think Darrell does a good job of pushing for information other than what the people running the program would rather not be made public. He seems to ask smart questions rather than ask to be fed straight gossip. I enjoy Crossfire, but what I am looking forward to is the conversation during the season when there is actually something to talk about. If Crossfire would move to being more focused on personal observations and first person accounts, I wouldn't have any complaints.

 

[Dieselprime]

Matt, I said what I said simple to inform you of my opinion and the opinion of others on this site who might not be as vocal about it. It wasn't meant as an insult to you or the hard work that you have put into the site so please don't take it any other way then that. I just have questions and concerns that I think everyone else has like as a premium member can I expect to have constantly updated content on daily team events like some of the other sites do or are we not at that point yet? I was very excited to hear that you guys had been granted press level access to the team but why didn't we get to take advantage of that on the first public open practice of the year? If its a matter of not having enough staff yet or some other factor why not open a premium member topic and explain that out to us. I realize that this site is still in its infancy and will need time to build but why can't we get a straight answer about what's up with Crossfire? Like a real explanation between friends and not the corporate speak.  The staff being open and personable with the members is what makes this site different why lose that when it comes to the biggest topic everyone is concerned with. I'm a football crazed fan like a lot of people on here and getting every extra piece of info about the team that I can get is the reason why I'm willing to pay for a site like this. I think all of us as a whole are looking for some answers and want some responses from the staff about what we can expect from Horn sports as a whole. I realize a month from now this will be a moot point and all of us will be excited about how well the team is doing but for right now this is how I feel and I'm sure many feel the same.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Keep the input rolling in.

 

[UTK66]

I made the mistake of paying for a year in advance. Am hoping I can have consideration for a pro-rated refund as I may be shutting down my sub as well. The reasons are well documented on this thread and I don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about how Darrell is being treated either.

Is Darrell being mistreated by someone somewhere?

 

[BudreauReye]

Is Darrell being mistreated by someone somewhere?

Twenty lashes with a wet noodle!  Arrghh!  Ye Mateys!  Too bad we don't have a pirate winky smiley

 

[UTK66]

Is Aaron still around here somewhere?

 

[BudreauReye]

Is Aaron still around here somewhere?

I think he is the one lashing Darrell with the wet noodle,  Arrrgh! 

 

[streettopeschel]

This thread is better than most Crossfires.

 

[DBut82]

As a premium member who shares the same thoughts/concerns as the majority of the other premium members, I think a simple, honest "State of the Website" address, updating us on all of the issues mentioned in this thread would go a long way regarding talking a few of us off the ledge. With this said, I appreciate all Darrell, Matt and the others continue to do with the site and I'm excited about the potential content that will be available during this upcoming football season. Hook em! \\m//

 

[BudreauReye]

As a premium member who shares the same thoughts/concerns as the majority of the other premium members, I think a simple, honest "State of the Website" address, updating us on all of the issues mentioned in this thread would go a long way regarding talking a few of us off the ledge. With this said, I appreciate all Darrell, Matt and the others continue to do with the site and I'm excited about the potential content that will be available during this upcoming football season. Hook em! \\m//

At this point, I think this is a pretty good idea.  Personally, I do not think the staff has anything to be apologetic about, they have addressed these issues more than once, but perhaps as Dbut82 says, a "State of the Website" address is in order.  More communication is never a bad thing.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Twenty lashes with a wet noodle!  Arrghh!  Ye Mateys!  Too bad we don't have a pirate winky smiley

 

[ATX89]

I understand everyone's concern over Crossfire. One insider post about practices doesn't replace one of this site's most read features.

I do disagree with the content thoughts above. This site covered the Wednesday and Friday press conferences extensively (and not just "posters pasting other site's content). Additionally, there have been loads of new articles and features released over the past few weeks and much of it is premium content. 

There are a lot of interesting pieces here that are getting overlooked. Several debates about uniforms, some bbq/recipe threads and a thread about a supporter of this site that's having medical trouble are all contributing to the site's original content being overshadowed.

How to do a better job of emphasizing content is a valid discussion. Saying that content doesn't exist isn't factual.

No offense Matt and I think you are good guy and got a raw deal from OB.  Unfortunately, I should not be paying $4.95/month for the press conference coverage that I can get for free at 7 other sites.  Just my 2 cents, but the value is in the access you guys apparently have to true sources.  If you guys are too afraid to print that info for fear of retribution from Bellmont, then why in the world should I pay for info I can get from Texassports.com?

Except for Crossfire and some chalk-talk, the next "breaking" info on anything Texas athletics related on this site will be the first time I can remember this site leading with any new info ahead of other free sites.

In Hornsports current state, a premium is being charged for info that is now non-existent per no Crossfire's in 2 weeks or info that is freely available on multiple free sites.  Whatever happened to Sean Adams?  I know he's back on the radio, but doesn't he have sources?

What exactly is the differentiator that warrants a "premium" sub?