We heard your feedback, a new style and direction inbound

[bdsams Veteran]

Over the past few years we have listened to your feedback and the result is the front page that you see today. But, as we adapted to your requests and attempted to create something the masses would enjoy, we ended up with a bland product that honestly, has become boring to read.

Despite what is said in the forums, we do listen, we do take feedback seriously but sometimes it's not logical to react on all demands requests that are made. But, we have combined many of the popular areas that have come up over the years and will be adjusting our style appropriately.

Before I go into the new style, the ultra-conservatives who demand no flavor in life, will not like the style. Sorry, but unfortunately, you are among the minority and we have been tracking posts to either prove, or disprove this type of writing.

We are going to stop boring news regurgitation and unnecessary fluff in the articles. We used to require 200-250 words per article that could cause filler to be used. We are relaxing the word count restriction but this does not mean posts will always be shorter. Simply, if there is not enough news, think picture leaks, then the post will be shorter with the facts.

Apple rumors, we heard you, we feel you, and they will be cut back to a degree. We are well aware of the many iPhone 5, 4S rumor posts and they will be cut back, just a bit. Don't be surprised to see them on the front page, but we will limit the quantity.

Gaming news will also take a slight cut. Now, gaming reviews will still be in place and major announcement. But modest updates like DLC, or publisher X is developing title Y in 4 years will no longer be prevalent. Honestly, gaming news has never done exceptionally well. Certain users love it, but on a whole, the articles average far less than even a mundane company X is suing company Y post.

Speaking of reviews, how do you all like them? If you haven’t noticed, we have ramped up the reviews on Neowin. We now are posting cell phone reviews very frequently and gaming / other hardware reviews more frequently than we had in the past.

So what is the new style? It will be something like this:

For the TLDR crowd, approximately the first two sentences will contain the meat of the news. This should hopefully get the point across of the article, contain the source and give you most of what you need to understand the reasoning for the post.

Gone is the mundane and boring, expect new flavor in the form of lighthearted commentary. We will attempt to keep most of the opinion out of the news but the doesn't mean we cant have fun with the news and crack a few jokes or reach beyond are usual regurgitate the facts.

Some examples of this writing style can be seen here. Example 1. Example 2.

The examples are representative of the new style, but note they were created while we were still hashing out the details of the new format.

In general, expect a bit more color to our posts, more to the point introductions, and less regurgitation.

We hope that you do appreciate that turning of this ship is the result of your feedback. We can't address everything all the time because one person’s opinion may not reflect what we see on the backend. We are not attempting to hit ###### but at the same time, if one person hates post X but post X generates the best discussion, then we have to take in the macro over the micro.

The new style is already bleeding into our front page but will start being more prevalent on Monday. We are open to feedback and expect some backlash. But know that we do listen, we do consider and like this post proves, when the voices are consistent and prevalent, we will implement based on your feedback.

Where unprofessional journalism looks better

[Tekkerson]

I'm glad. Only relevant information should be read, not fillers. Thanks for your effort.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

We are going to stop boring news regurgitation and unnecessary fluff in the articles. We used to require 200-250 words per article that could cause filler to be used. We are relaxing the word count restriction but this does not mean posts will always be shorter. Simply, if there is not enough news, think picture leaks, then the post will be shorter with the facts.

Apple rumors, we heard you, we feel you, and they will be cut back to a degree. We are well aware of the many iPhone 5, 4S rumor posts and they will be cut back, just a bit. Don't be surprised to see them on the front page, but we will limit the quantity.

(Y)

Gaming news will also take a slight cut. Now, gaming reviews will still be in place and major announcement. But modest updates like DLC, or publisher X is developing title Y in 4 years will no longer be prevalent. Honestly, gaming news has never done exceptionally well. Certain users love it, but on a whole, the articles average far less than even a mundane company X is suing company Y post.

I was hoping you could add more of them.

Not those DLC things and publisher X is developing title Y in 4 years, but in terms of your own gaming reviews.

Speaking of reviews, how do you all like them? If you haven’t noticed, we have ramped up the reviews on Neowin. We now are posting cell phone reviews very frequently and gaming / other hardware reviews more frequently than we had in the past.

I like them, but will love them if you can write all of it in one vertical page.

I know it may sound odd to some, but it'll give the review a more sophisticated look.

And keep the scorecard in the end and upgrade it too.

Maybe it is just me but that scorecard looks pixalated.

[articuno1au]

I'm happy with the OP and the following 2 comments.

Game news is good. The game news you are currently providing isn't >.<

Good luck!

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Yay!

I used to love Neowin, still do at times, but the sheer number of (primarily Apple related) rumour articles, whether they have foundation or not, really grinds my gears.

Definitely a good choice, thanks for listening :)

[vip]

So wait, the front page is getting changed again? I actually like this new style =x

[Scorpus Veteran]

So wait, the front page is getting changed again? I actually like this new style =x

Nope, just the style of writing.

Also, for those of you wondering and asking, we will continue to publish game reviews. I have one of Battlefield 3 coming soon (once I get my PR copy); I know Byron gets lots of games to review; Tzvi is still reviewing games and John is working on interviews. That's not going away

[Hum]

Over the past few years we have listened to your feedback and the result is the front page that you see today. But, as we adapted to your requests and attempted to create something the masses would enjoy, we ended up with a bland product that honestly, has become boring to read.

You could add some pictures of attractive girls/guys to jazz it up. :laugh:

We will attempt to keep most of the opinion out of the news but the doesn't mean we cant have fun with the news and crack a few jokes ...

I wish more people on Neowin had a sense of humor, and learn to relax. ;)

[jakem1]

Good luck and I hope you guys come up with something that's worth visiting.

We are not attempting to hit ###### but at the same time, if one person hates post X but post X generates the best discussion, then we have to take in the macro over the micro.

I hope you manage to get the balance right because it's too easy to just end up aiming for the lowest common denominator. For instance, lots of people might watch X-Factor but it doesn't mean that it's good television.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

I hope you manage to get the balance right because it's too easy to just end up aiming for the lowest common denominator. For instance, lots of people might watch X-Factor but it doesn't mean that it's good television.

In your opinion; clearly the millions of people that watch it think it is good television..

Anybody can say that about anything, clearly Neowin have to go with what's popular.

[djdanster]

I like the style of the two example posts. It gets straight to the point and then delves into more detail afterwards!

Keep it up :D

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Over the past few years we have listened to your feedback and the result is the front page that you see today. But, as we adapted to your requests and attempted to create something the masses would enjoy, we ended up with a bland product that honestly, has become boring to read.

Where unprofessional journalism looks better

Can I have your Black Neowin Signature?

I know it is for editors but...

[jakem1]

In your opinion; clearly the millions of people that watch it think it is good television..

Anybody can say that about anything, clearly Neowin have to go with what's popular.

That's why I said I hope they get the balance right ;) As I said, popular doesn't always mean good.

[what]

The reviews are good, keep them coming.

Gone is the mundane and boring, expect new flavor in the form of lighthearted commentary. We will attempt to keep most of the opinion out of the news but the doesn't mean we cant have fun with the news and crack a few jokes or reach beyond are usual regurgitate the facts.

As long as it doesn't stretch to trolling for comments, Engadget-style, then fine.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

That's why I said I hope they get the balance right ;) As I said, popular doesn't always mean good.

It does mean good to the people who like it, and considering it's popular, that means a LOT of people like it.

So what you're saying is they should find a balance between writing articles about stuff that people read, and writing about stuff noone cares about :laugh:

[jakem1]

It does mean good to the people who like it, and considering it's popular, that means a LOT of people like it.

So what you're saying is they should find a balance between writing articles about stuff that people read, and writing about stuff noone cares about :laugh:

It looks like you don't understand the meaning of the word quality.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

It looks like you don't understand the meaning of the word quality.

If a lot of people like something the quality is fine...otherwise nobody would like it :p

I get what you're trying to say, I'm just saying that Neowin has to consider what most people actually want to read.

[neufuse Veteran]

yay!

[BeerFan]

Before I go into the new style, the ultra-conservatives who demand no flavor in life, will not like the style.

While I fully support the new direction Neowin is going as detailed in this informative post, I also fully support the correct usage of commas. This is not. :D

[bdsams Veteran]

I hope everyone is supportive of our writers as they (and all of us) get into the swing, it wont be a BAM, it's all changed. It's a new approach and our editors will work to try and be consistent.

It should be fun, it should get the news across, and it should hopefully make it a bit easier to read!

[bdsams Veteran]

Just so everyone is on the same level, this is exactly what I am referring to when I mean change...this was feedback given already.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I'm in favour of the new direction for the news. Let's see how it works out. (Y)

[thechronic]

It is good to see that Neowin is paying close attention to its readers. If this continues, the only direction the site can go is up.

[MikeChipshop Member]

Great news!

My readership of Neowin has dwindled in the last year as it just seemed to become to sanitised. These new measure to bring some bite back in to the site sound like a really great plan and i for one am really looking forward to it!

Crack on chaps.

[tomwarren Veteran]

Is this part of the "change in direction"? http://www.neowin.ne...-think#comments

That article didn't seem to go down well and that's not the kinda thing I wanna read here myself. Having been on the other side of the fence, what Neowin needs is talented and skilled writers to create unique and interesting content. It has had bits and bobs of it but never anything consistent, here's hoping that will change now.