After Joining A Website, Do You Immediately Try To Change It?

I understand and agree with making possible suggestions for improving the site once you become familiar with it and have used it for a while. There might be some issues that need to be addressed that management might not be aware of that might help the website run more smoothly or be easier to understand and use or whatever. The suggestions I see you talking about here are more about improving the current functionality of the site rather than changing its entire purpose, and I can understand and support the former but have an issue with the latter.

@purplealabaster I dont believe in changing something in terms of functionality. The base functionality must stay - that is what brought me or anyone to that site. I prefer to stay grounded to the roots and maybe build upon them if needed.

@thesids That is the way I see it as well. If you are not interested in writing, then don't join a writing site. If you are not interested in photography, then don't join a photography site. If you are not interested in discussing things, then don't join a discussion site. It seems pretty simple really. I don't think that a happily married and devoted husband would join a dating site just for the sake of joining, so why should it be different here?

@purplealabaster I am content with it the way it is, even if they don't bring back some of the tings they had for the old mylot. You are right that is has taken time to get use to. This one is more colorful, as the old one was white basically, and not any extra colors like it has now. I never thought that it would look like this after being here during the time of the old mylot. I am so used to it now, that it is just fine the way it is.

@rosekiss The old format had a lot less problems loading pages and a TON less error messages, and that is what I miss the most about the old format.

I understand hoping or wishing that certain things could be a little different, especially when you were used to the old format. In fact, that is more understandable, in my opinion, than joining and wanting changes right away. You were here for a long time, so you were used to things as they were. I like the new site, but I must admit that it took some time to get used to it the way it is now. It is understandable that some of the older users would like some of the previous things to go back to the way they were.

You went to Bubbles when myLot stopped paying, right? If I understand it correctly, Bubbles was not like myLot. I was wondering whether or not people from myLot complained and tried to get Bubbles to change and be more like myLot when they first went there.

@much2say I do think that we are basically creatures of habit and therefore feel more comfortable in familiar surroundings. I was not sure when I first joined here whether or not I was going to like it. In fact, when I first joined I did mostly tasks and did not post on the boards except for one or two responses/comments. Then the tasks I was doing disappeared, so I decided to try out the rest of the site. Turns out I loved it!

@purplealabaster Yep, I sure did. B was similar to here, but just different. It took me months to jump into posting - but I sure commented a lot to get the feel of the site. I eventually got used to it all (just went with the flow) and actually loved it there, but my biggest beef was them not paying. I loved the people and friendships - but still - I just could never trust the site because of their stinky not-paying lousiness. I NEVER had that problem with myLot. Everyone said it shouldn't be about the money - I know, but come on - I didn't like the fact that the people upstairs could monetarily take advantage of us like that. Everyone usually has their complaints when it comes to "new" sites. I know some from B complained when they first came here - but B is what they knew. I guess we are all creatures of habit and like what we know best.

@BelleStarr I have not been on a site like this before, but I sure did miss it when it was gone for those two years.

@purplealabaster ...PA in the present format...it is fun as well as therapeutic in nature..and if I had any doubts I know somebody or the other would come rushing in to help.

@purplealabaster I agree, I think this site works well as it was intended.

@DaddyEvil I actually disagree with you on one of the things you said. I do not think it is necessarily a bad idea for established members of a site to ask the site to make changes that would better accommodate its members. I think that the trick with this is to make sure that the suggestions are what is best for most of the members rather than your own personal preference. Also, the site can obviously reject the suggestions. However, if enough people have the same issues and complaints, then it might be something that the site should look into and address.

@just4him LOL - your logic makes perfect sense to me, but it obviously does not make any sense to some people, because I have seen it happen many times over the years.

However, because those newbie's are here to begin with means or might mean the site no longer exists, and what they thought was a good format, didn't work for that site or it would still be paying and be in operation. So to even suggest that a newbie, I'm one by the way, would even suggest that a different site - this one - should be like the last one is ludicrous. Why would any site want to follow a sinking ship. It makes absolutely no sense.

@fishtiger58 I am like that sometimes as well. I figure, if it is working perfectly fine, then why mess with it, because you will most likely mess it up. Then there are times when I do completely the opposite and say "heck, I am tired of the same old thing, so let's spice things up a bit around here". I am a very complicated flower.

Some of the people that were on the "old" myLot had a hard enough time adjusting to this new format. I think that their brains would probably explode if they made any more major changes right away, especially now that most people are used to the new format!

@purplealabaster It took me a bit of time to get used to this site as well. I don't like change, I am perfectly happy in my little rut.

I am the same way. I will read the Guidelines, FAQs and other information and just overall check out a site before I join it. If it seems interesting, then I will give it a try. If not, then I will move on and maybe check out another site or two. I am not so big on joining sites, and I usually only join a site when somebody bugs me enough to check it out.

When Admin is asking for suggestions, then of course we should offer them. What I am talking about is discussions by brand new users that are complaining/suggesting that this site should become like XYZ, because that site has closed and it was such a great site. I have seen it recently due to all the writing sites closing, but it has happened over the years with many other different kinds of sites.

@allknowing That was my point. Once you experience the site and get a feel for what it is about, then it would seem more natural to offer suggestions. If you have not been here for long, though, and are wanting to completely change the format, focus and main premise of the site, on the other hand, then that seems a bit much.

@purplealabaster Apart from asking for suggestions a site always welcomes suggestions if they are given. Whether to implement them or not it is left to the site. You have a point inasmuch as even before experiencing the site coming up with suggestions is ridiculous.

We have been on here for years, and we love this site. I can understand some people wanting some minor changes, especially after they have been here for a while and understand how the site works. When people come here and within a week or two (and sometimes even less) are saying they would like to make it this or that or the next thing, though, then it tends to irritate me a little. Why bother joining a site if you are not interested in it the way it is?

@TiarasOceanView Maybe they should change the site design instead of this gray/green/black theme . . . what do you think - something in the lines of Lisa Frank?

@purplealabaster Oh yes purple, I get irritated too. I am very protective within myLot lolz

LOL - I am glad that you liked my colorful comparison. I wanted people to understand that I was not talking about minor changes or things that might make the site easier to use, such as getting rid of the recurring "time-out" errors. These types of input and suggestions are valuable input, even if the site Admins do not use those suggestions. I am also not just focusing on the people coming from the writing sites, because they are not the only ones that have done this. What I have noticed over the years, however, is when one (or multiple) sites close, there are people that come to myLot and start posting discussions about how myLot should become the next XYZ site, because the last one closed. I understand that myLot might not be for everybody, but I find it a little insulting that people join the site and then think that it should change and become something else. If they want that kind of site, then they should seek it out. People who have joined myLot for what it is would not be very happy if it all of a sudden it changed and became something completely different.

@purplealabaster Exactly, you have put it very well. New people should blend in, not expect the site to revolve around them.

That is a great point. If a person wants to write an article, for example, and get feedback on it, then this is a good place to do it. If another person wants to complain that someone isn't wearing their leopard spotted mankini in public, then she may do so as well.

@WorDazza First, yes, that is a word. Second, I thought that I was complaining and making myself perfectly clear. You understood what I was saying, didn't you?

@purplealabaster Look, if you want to complain about that just come out with it. Let's stop hiding behind hypotheticals (is that actually a word???)

@just4him I am not sure who has been helping you work on your comments, but if I may say so, without upsetting you, your comments are MUCH better now than when I first started interacting with you! I am also very happy that you are willing to talk about whatever we are discussing until we are both done, now! Thank you so much! You were interesting to interact with before, but it bothered me when you were done with the subject but I hadn't been able to explain about something you seemed to be doubtful about.... I tried to be a good follower, though, so shut up as soon as I realized you were done... I know at least once you were done but I didn't catch on to that for a couple more exchanges.... I was so embarrassed when I did understand!

@DaddyEvil Actually your not realizing it, forced me to come up with comments I wouldn't have thought of beforehand. So don't be embarrassed. You're a good teacher.

@DaddyEvil @just4him I am so glad that both of you have jumped in here and not only are adapting nicely to the site but also are having so much fun! That is exactly what this place is supposed to be about, and I would hate it if they changed that, because then we would not be able to have as much fun together.

@Namelesss That does not make sense to me, either. If you do not like the site, then try to find another site that is more to your liking or quit it entirely. Then again, I am a member of Swagbucks and that site has really been bugging me lately, but I am not going to quit it, because even with all the issues with nCraves I still earn well.

That is a good point. If all the sites were alike, then there wouldn't be much choice and variety. There is not one perfect fit for everybody, which is why there are so many choices out there. Of course, sites do their best to try to accommodate the majority of the user base, but they cannot make everyone happy all the time. It certainly would not be a good thing if they were all alike.

@purplealabaster That would be so boring. What I have never been able to understand is why people will stay with a site they say they hate. That's like staying with an abusive spouse - senseless.

That sounds very interesting. What is cross-cultural communication?

@petatonicsca I really like that. It allows you to really understand how other people and cultures behave by embracing it rather than just observing it or worse ignoring it. You are accepting them, so it makes it easier for them to accept you. That is when real communication and understanding happens.

@purplealabaster When you go to a different country or culture, you need to approach it first by observation, and try not to expect people to do things the way you have always assumed they are done. For example, the first week I was in Japan I learned that when you say "I" or "me" you don't point to your chest, you point to your nose. Not laughing at their way or saying it is wrong, but rather doing it the way they do if you are in their country, is the beginning of cross-cultural communication. "When in Rome..."

@purplealabaster Yes, I think that too. Though some people said the earning in mylot is really low, I still enjoy spending time here as it's a good place for us to relax and enjoy ourselves, while learning from others and also sharing with others. Hope those who are missing will still come back when they have some time to spend.

You might be eligible to earn if it was a professional writing website, but it certainly would not be as much fun to be here. I have to agree that I like myLot the way it is. Unfortunately, I have noticed lately that there are many people who came back (or never left here) that were active but I have not seen them in several weeks to a few months. I hope that they are just too busy at the moment to be here and will be back soon. I really hope that they have not just disappeared and left the site for good.

@kaka135 I am one of the people that say that the earning is too low here. It is not that I do not appreciate the extra couple of cents, because I do, but it is not enough money to make it monetarily worth my while to spend my time here. I earn far more from other websites plus I have important things to do offline. However, I do have fun here, which is the thing that keeps me coming back ... sometimes for much longer than I really should be here.

I would agree to that. For instance, I would not join a writing website and then try to get them to change it to a website all about photography. If I want a photography website, then I will try to find one. Of course, if the writing website pays and the photography one does not, then that is the price I will have to pay for enjoying photography more than writing.

@purplealabaster I took my counting lesson from The Count from Sesame Street!

@allen0187 Oh, I remember that! I like the new Sesame Street, but I liked the old one better. I loved Super Grover, Cookie Monster and The Count! Do you remember the skits where Grover worked in the restaurant and would keep getting the orders wrong? Those used to make me laugh.

LOL - At least you made it to one question before you stopped counting, because I lost count before I even got to that point. Another person mentioned reading reviews, and I think that is a great thing to do as well. Obviously you can't just believe everything that you read, but you can get the overall feel of something by reading the reviews.

@MarshaMusselman Was that the Bubblews site?

Thank you for the compliment. I do understand the confusion, because it does have things in common with writing sites and chat sites. However, the beauty of it is just what you said "we can share just about anything here that will receive some type of activity". We are not restricted like writing sites, which allows us to open up more and get to know each other better.

@purplealabaster One of the sites we came from was a combination writing and socializing site. We could share tutorials and get readers from all over the web, and we also shared the same types of things we share here and got to know each other quite well. Later it quit showing us outside views as they were trying to shift it more to the social part of the site and then it went under.

I was wondering the same thing myself. I suspected that it had to do with the fact that myLot pays while other sites do not. Now that I think about it, though, I like your weirdo theory better.

@Daljinder I think that they have forgotten that they do not have any hair there to twirl.

@purplealabaster I am afraid that I have to say with a very heavy heart that they appear to have some screw lose too. Yeah....!! *nodding seriously*

@RussTeed Leave my petals alone. I already had to superglue them back on after mommaj cut them off, and I am not sure that they will hold up under your rustling.

It is a good thing that I am a flower, so I don't have any feathers for you to rustle.

@purplealabaster Rustle Russell, maybe I would rustle pedals?