Warning: Technical Rant.
There is a truism in the computer world that whenever a company really trumpets an "improvement" with their software/hardware, it usually isn't. Call it the New Coke Rule.
Today Sitemeter, one of the best and most popular blog statistics sites, proved the Rule yet again.
Sitemeter, rolled out an "improved" site with a basic interface that was nearly useless, with the only stats are those you really didn't want or you only checked occasionally - unless you got the "premium" package, that is. Which requires (cha-ching!) a subscription.
But It didn't last long - Sitemeter just put back their "classic" interface, an this explanation:
As you’re no doubt aware by now, we’ve chosen to roll back our website to the previous “classic” version.
Based on some performance issues we were experiencing along with feedback from the community it appears we have pushed our new site live prematurely.
Well I got to give 'em credit for responding to their users. (Take a hint, Microsoft, AutoDesk....)
Bloggers like me like Sitemeter because one can quickly get stats on site visits, pageviews, and visitors. That is how we gauge our demographic, see what people are reading, and find how many folks are actually stopping by. Yes, you had to put up with annoying ads, but it was worth the price (free); and besides, who doesn't have to put up with annoying ads anymore? I also belong to StatCounter, but the Sitemeter user interface was so much simpler and easier to read, and I found it to be much much accurate with visitor's actual locations.
I log into Sitemeter at least once a day; StatCounter, once a week. Maybe. If Sitemeter wants to keep that ratio intact, they should leave things as they are.
End of Technical Rant.
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