Whats better ? Write an article for cricket web or post it on CC ?

[SJS]

I have always wondered about this. Whenever one has posted anything remotely like what could be termed an article on this forum, the response/feedback has been instantaneous which is very gratifying irrespective of weather the response is positive or negative. However, an article posted on the Cricket Web, rarely gets any response (a couple of e-mails not withstanding).

This has always made me wonder whether those who are frequent visitors on these forums and who so fiercely and passionately discuss/argue various cricketing issues, ever visit and read the articles posted on the CW.

For anyone writing on an internet site, an idea of the reach of the media and the response to what's written is a very important indicator not just of how many people one is able to reach (which is important in itself) but also to know how others feel about the same issues.

Yesterday, I wrote my second article for CW, after a gap of over three months but one doesnt know if it served any purpose other than seeing one's name appended to one's views on a public forum.

So, how many of you read such articles ?


Indian Fan's Surreal Experience

 

[Slow Love™]

I read them occasionally - I confess that, although I tend to read most of luckyeddie's material, the rest I tend to read dependent on interest in the subject covered. I will say though that Neil's a very clean writer with obvious talent, and the standard in general is pretty good.

I've had the same situation at other sites though, where I could contribute articles, or post in a forum. And the instant feedback - either as praise or criticism, or just in terms of debate - is usually more gratifying.

One thing that could maybe mediate this would require either modification of the script James is using as the site's backbone (or the addition of another script like say, wordpress for articles and news) in order to add the ability to comment.

Many news sites these days offer the ability to post feedback on articles - the BBC does it, as do a host of others, and there are certainly sports sites that do it. Generally it's in the form of a blog entry, where comments are appended to the bottom of the article itself, but sometimes you can improvise a little and have a "discuss this article here" link that points to a forum topic established for the article (or where the article is reproduced).

Anyhow, it's a thought - it must feel like speaking to an empty room sometimes.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I read them because, obviously, I write for the site. I do believe that plenty of people visit the site without reading the forum, so perhaps some people do come here just for the content.

One would like to hope so, anyway.

I'd also like to see the comment feature, or something similar.

 

[James]

Same discussion is going on in staff circles at the moment actually.

Cricket Web (not including the forum) gets three times as many visitors as the forum does which when you're dealing with big numbers tells you something.

A good suggestion you have there though Slow Love!

 

[archie mac]

I have always wondered about this. Whenever one has posted anything remotely like what could be termed an article on this forum, the response/feedback has been instantaneous which is very gratifying irrespective of weather the response is positive or negative. However, an article posted on the Cricket Web, rarely gets any response (a couple of e-mails not withstanding).

This has always made me wonder whether those who are frequent visitors on these forums and who so fiercely and passionately discuss/argue various cricketing issues, ever visit and read the articles posted on the CW.

For anyone writing on an internet site, an idea of the reach of the media and the response to what's written is a very important indicator not just of how many people one is able to reach (which is important in itself) but also to know how others feel about the same issues.

Yesterday, I wrote my second article for CW, after a gap of over three months but one doesnt know if it served any purpose other than seeing one's name appended to one's views on a public forum.

So, how many of you read such articles ?


Indian Fan's Surreal Experience

To be honest I never read any of the articles, though I did read part one of the Ashes history, which was very well written, the problem was myself; I have read so much about the early part of the Ashes there was nothing new.

I just read your article SJS, very good, I should make more of an effort to read CW, but to be honest I do not even read newspapers. I am sure I would be much more likly to read them if they were published on this forum. I would like to see a section with Cricket book reviews; new and old.

 

[SJS]

I would like to see a section with Cricket book reviews; new and old.

Thats a very good idea.

I would love to write reviews for the books I have read and still posess but again, as Slow_Love said, talking to what appears like an empty room is not a very encouraging prospect.

 

[SJS]

Same discussion is going on in staff circles at the moment actually.

Cricket Web (not including the forum) gets three times as many visitors as the forum does which when you're dealing with big numbers tells you something.

A good suggestion you have there though Slow Love!

We have exchanged some communication on this before James. I myself dont read articles on the CW and the only reason I can offer is that I dont get to know when, which new article is posted. My bookmark brings me directly to CC. I think we must have, on each page on the site if possible, links to the major pages on the site to facilitate navigation and more importantly to serve as a reminder that there is more to the CW than the chat rooms.

 

[archie mac]

Thats a very good idea.

I would love to write reviews for the books I have read and still posess but again, as Slow_Love said, talking to what appears like an empty room is not a very encouraging prospect.

Well I would read every one, just don't make a mistake, I'll be all over you like a MOD on a 'does Murali chuck' thread.

 

[Slow Love™]

Oh, another thing that might be helpful could be a "rate this article" feature - and in addition, a "best rated" section or similar, to get a grasp on what's really hitting the spot, etc (or you could just keep the ratings private for your own evaluation purposes)

One thing I wouldn't mind seeing is a little more in the way of polemic and harder opinion pieces (although tastes will surely differ as to whether it's a good idea or not) - the problem with dry match reports and selection news etc is that it's all already been covered at the major sites, and is effectively second hand info...

As to knowing when there's new stuff - maybe an RSS news feed? A lot of web users still aren't so web savvy about those though.

 

[SJS]

Well I would read every one, just don't make a mistake, I'll be all over you like a MOD on a 'does Murali chuck' thread.

and why ? because you disagreed with something I said or out of habit like some others

 

[archie mac]

and why ? because you disagreed with something I said or out of habit like some others

I was thinking factual mistakes, or opinionated things like this book is on the best team in the history of Cricket (1948) When I think they should say things like this is arguably the best side in the history of Test Cricket.

I often become annoyed when some one trashes a book I really enjoyed, I know we are all entitled to our opinion, but that does not stop my blood boiling.

I read a book Balham to Bollywood by Chris England which I enjoyed immensely, but a review said it was to long and a little racist. I was very upset and fired off an E-mail to the reviewer. A few months later my wife read the book (rare for her. Cricket book I mean not reading) and agreed with the reviewer, so I send off another E-mail to apologise.

 

[SJS]

I was thinking factual mistakes, or opinionated things like this book is on the best team in the history of Cricket (1948) When I think they should say things like this is arguably the best side in the history of Test Cricket.

I often become annoyed when some one trashes a book I really enjoyed, I know we are all entitled to our opinion, but that does not stop my blood boiling.

I read a book Balham to Bollywood by Chris England which I enjoyed immensely, but a review said it was to long and a little racist. I was very upset and fired off an E-mail to the reviewer. A few months later my wife read the book (rare for her. Cricket book I mean not reading) and agreed with the reviewer, so I send off another E-mail to apologise.

I know what you mean.

Well I think all those who claim for anything book, player etc to bethe greatest of all time are asking for trouble since no one can speak with absolute authority on things they havent personally experienced. Even then they can have those who will disagree.

We do, however, tend to like the reviews which agreee with our opinions. The sports columnists who agree with our views appear more knowledgeable and so on. This is normal human naivette, ego, whatever.

I prefer not to read the review of a book once I have read the book. It appears, to me, a waste of time. The only reviews I read are those for books I feel I might want to read.

I rarely decide not to read a book I have made up my mind to, based on an average review.

 

[archie mac]

I know what you mean.

Well I think all those who claim for anything book, player etc to bethe greatest of all time are asking for trouble since no one can speak with absolute authority on things they havent personally experienced. Even then they can have those who will disagree.

We do, however, tend to like the reviews which agreee with our opinions. The sports columnists who agree with our views appear more knowledgeable and so on. This is normal human naivette, ego, whatever.

I prefer not to read the review of a book once I have read the book. It appears, to me, a waste of time. The only reviews I read are those for books I feel I might want to read.

I rarely decide not to read a book I have made up my mind to, based on an average review.

I only like to read reviews of books I have read, here is a contemporary review on the classic With Bat and Ball by George Giffen.

Giffen's book is profusely illustrated. On the outside cover it has a portrait of George Giffen. As a frontispiece it has a portrait of George Giffen. Facing page 6 is a portrait of George Giffen at the age of 18. At page 29 are portraints of the Australian eleven of 1882, including George Giffen. A portrait of Giffen with a ball appears on page 36. At page 281 there is a portrait of George Giffen ready to meet the ball. As a bowler and author George Giffen keeps himself on... Fair book; good man -too d - d modest.

 

[luckyeddie]

Many news sites these days offer the ability to post feedback on articles - the BBC does it, as do a host of others, and there are certainly sports sites that do it. Generally it's in the form of a blog entry, where comments are appended to the bottom of the article itself, but sometimes you can improvise a little and have a "discuss this article here" link that points to a forum topic established for the article (or where the article is reproduced).

A quite brilliant idea - and one which might snap me out of my current torpor.

It could encourage new members to the forum too.

 

[archie mac]

A quite brilliant idea - and one which might snap me out of my current torpor.

It could encourage new members to the forum too.

I would not be doing anything with a torpor, snapping or otherwise if it blows up there could be a nasty accident

 

[luckyeddie]

I would not be doing anything with a torpor, snapping or otherwise if it blows up there could be a nasty accident

Torpor, noun
1. A state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility.
2. Lethargy; apathy. See Synonyms at lethargy.
3. The dormant, inactive state of a hibernating or estivating animal
4. An elastic undergarment with pouches to hold cans, often worn by Englishmen abroad, usually worn close to the (er) warmer parts of the body in order to raise the temperature of Australian brews from absolute zero up to a more reasonable 289 Kelvin.

Yes.

 

[Burpey]

I don't read the articles ... don't have much time or interest to bother

 

[luckyeddie]

I don't read the articles ... don't have much time or interest to bother

That's all right. We don't normally bother with your posts either.

 

[Craig]

I also read the frontpage as I go to check my work I have updated and it is all good. I tend to go here first and cricinfo second.

 

[Sanz]

I have always wondered about this. Whenever one has posted anything remotely like what could be termed an article on this forum, the response/feedback has been instantaneous which is very gratifying irrespective of weather the response is positive or negative. However, an article posted on the Cricket Web, rarely gets any response (a couple of e-mails not withstanding).

This has always made me wonder whether those who are frequent visitors on these forums and who so fiercely and passionately discuss/argue various cricketing issues, ever visit and read the articles posted on the CW.

For anyone writing on an internet site, an idea of the reach of the media and the response to what's written is a very important indicator not just of how many people one is able to reach (which is important in itself) but also to know how others feel about the same issues.

Yesterday, I wrote my second article for CW, after a gap of over three months but one doesnt know if it served any purpose other than seeing one's name appended to one's views on a public forum.

So, how many of you read such articles ?


Indian Fan's Surreal Experience

SJS, It was a great article, very well written and I must thank you for such an effort.

My 2 Cents - I have bookmarkedd the CW home page and not the forum, so every time I visit the forum, I go through the main page first, If I find something interesting there, I make sure I read it. I dont know if it is a good idea to have a link at the end of the article to discuss it. The reason being some people may not like the way article is written and might criticize the author which in turn may discourage some people from contributing in the future.

I think we should have a Sticky thread in the CC forum which can be updated every time an article is posted on the CW main page.