A Really Ridiculously Good Blog
  • 07:20 PM ET  08.21
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As I browsed the pages of Fannation today, I came across an interesting article. B0mb3rs, one of the winningest users on Fannation,  has decided to "retire" due to the unfortunate amount of cheating and other nonsense that has been happening frequently as of late on the site.

First, on the point of B0mb3rs leaving, I truly hope he reverses that decision. Personally, I think he is one the most intuitive and well spoken users on the site, and it would be unfortunate for him to leave.

 This is just the latest in a serious amount of blows to a once great site. Cheating did exist before, but seems to happen (or appears to happen) all the time now. People start absurd throwdowns about anything ranging from undeniable facts to various curses to the spicyness of Wendy's chicken burgers. AdamLee, renowned undefeated user and a great attraction on the site, left for a long hiatus. Now some of the best and longest tenured users are choosing to leave.

 I'm not proclaiming the death of the site; however, Fannation is steadily crumbling. With all due respect to the Moderators, it seems they feel the whole situation will pan itself out. Depsite numerous requests and complaints, I have yet to see a major change or update to the site to improve it. Do they feel they can ride the early success Fannation enjoyed? Bob Dylan once wrote, "The times, they are a changing". It appears Fannation has never heard that song. If Fannation is to return to it's best days, revamps are required, as said. These would include anti-cheating precautions, perhaps a way to veto a terrible throwdown. Others have blogs on this, I believe, and great ideas have been put forth, but the Moderators have not acted on them.

I sincerely hope that Fannation can return to the glory days. I miss the days I would log on and just truly enjoying using the site. It was challenging, yet fun, and most important of all, fair. Let's do our best collaboratively as a group to improve the quality of the site.

 Because if we don't, Fannation might soon be reading it's eugoogly.

 

What are your thoughts?

August 21, 2007  07:49 PM ET

It isnt just the cheating this site has really changed since it began i cant really point it out what exactly it is. It isnt what it once was.

August 21, 2007  08:08 PM ET

I only take Throwdowns that are really worthy of being argued or I feel that I'd be right in (such as greatest NFL rivalry...IT IS Redskins/Cowboys). I've particpated in only 28 TDs my entire tenure here (nearly 7 months). Too many bad things happen during a TD. I hate taking TDs from new users who NEVER respond once I'm up big...such as happened to me for about four months. The guy never responded and I was up 27-3. I had asked about 5 times before his TURN got forfeited. I posted an argument and then it forfeited my turn!!? I had to actually go and seek an admin/mod to get something done. But things need to be done quicker that is why I think that they should get some of the older members of the site (such as myself) to help moderate. I'm one of the most active users and USUALLY see that s*it that starts to go down nightly now...If I were a moderator, I could crush it before it gets out of hand.

August 21, 2007  08:08 PM ET

Um, Zoe...I'm all about football...does that mean I should leave?

August 21, 2007  08:11 PM ET

I would definitely recommend you as a moderator, Ben. I think you would do a great job.

August 21, 2007  08:12 PM ET

Ruby, what do you have against IrishR#1?

August 21, 2007  08:17 PM ET

^I was curious as to that myself, G.O.A.T.

August 21, 2007  08:20 PM ET

ive noticed the favortism as well, some people that dont make much of an arguement still wind up taking the win......annoying yes

August 21, 2007  08:22 PM ET

Thanks for the vote of confidence Zoolander!


(I love the use of the Zoolander word "eugoogly")

August 21, 2007  08:24 PM ET

^Maybe there should be a feature where users could refer other users for moderator priveledges. Of course, that feature would be abused, most likely.

Haha, I was wondering if anyone would pick that up.

August 21, 2007  08:45 PM ET

Zoe, if we get rid of people like you mention, then we might also have to lose people who flame users online constantly and send copious hatemail in the fanmail box. Ergo you'd be gone. So I guess Fannation is being democratic and leaving everyone alone rather than booting everyone that displeases other users.

August 21, 2007  08:53 PM ET

Besides you shouldn't descriminate against Bums. LOL

August 21, 2007  08:59 PM ET

As one of the oldest active members on the site...

The site has had it's ups and downs...there has always been times were things have gotten a little rough...but then improvements were made, the offending users left, or something else happened to make life better on the site.

Things will change, they will get better...I think this blog is a great start to making things better. Get the word out to the loyal, hardcore users. Let's rally support, and make things better!!

As it has been mentioned many times, I urge anyone with ideas, gripes, complaints, or anything else, to use the email hardcore@fannation.com...The Moderator has posted it several times...it gets quick results.

August 21, 2007  09:01 PM ET

Well, I sure as hell wouldnt recommend Ben for a moderator. He's a bum.

(Laughs at oneself's own sarcasm)

August 21, 2007  09:03 PM ET

I'm fairly new (have been on for about a month), but I like the blog. Most of it I agree with. There are many problems that moderators haven't acted on. Things that I think need changing: If a person doesn't argue in 7 days (or around), it should be counted as an automatic loss. If a person is caught cheating, sending hate mail, starting throwdowns that have nothing to do with sports, they should be banned. I also like the idea of a moderator proposal area like someone listed in a comment above.

Comment has been removed
August 21, 2007  09:14 PM ET

Ruby, I'd like to know where these standards trivia rules are. Cheating has been around since I first logged on 3 months ago. What has changed is, everyone is accusing others of being cheaters. It's like 'The Boy who cried Wolf'. And than has a witchhunt to go after them whether they are innocent or guilty

August 21, 2007  09:16 PM ET

FanNation will get better. Like josh said, it always does. Calm down. I still love this site even with some of the flaws.

Comment has been removed
August 21, 2007  09:20 PM ET

Thanks Cole! Keepin it positive

 
August 21, 2007  09:28 PM ET

Wait a sec...Cole agreed with me...where's my thanks? Hahahahaa....

Seriously though, I think all the points here are well taken, and I think getting all these thoughts together in one place is excellent. We are what makes this site great...the users that really care about it. Don't forget that. The moderators...they come and go...remember, they are people getting paid to worry about the site...we are the fans that make this a place to talk sports and debate till we are blue in the face.

ZooLander, I nominate you the Official Keeper of Fannation improvements...keep blogging about it...maybe others can send you ideas...let's give the moderators and SI a place to look for what can be done!

I will now step off the soap box.

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