Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Goodreads Update
OMG this new homepage is horrible. I HATE IT! It is totally worthless to me and not a screen I will ever come to again. Thank you for detailing how to find our discussions and set them as our default page. UGH!
Glad to help! You aren't alone in your opinion, so make sure you take the survey - give them some detail to help make it better too!
I have sent them an email about it as well as taken the survey. I have done this with every single update they have done.I have even explained a health condition that I have. That their updates are negatively impacting my condition. It's great to know that just as I finally get adjusted to an update so I don't twice a week attacks (because an attack lasts 3-4 days usually) that now I have to go through it all over again.
Does anyone know of a site like this one that actually cares about its users? Because these people sure don't.
Amy wrote: "Does anyone know of a site like this one that actually cares about its users? Because these people sure don't."Not really...I've heard people talk about BookLikes (I think that's right) and LibraryThing but only by people who are still hanging out at GR despite all the recent issues. I've never looked at either of them myself, and the comments that I've seen sound like the two of them combined might be reasonably close to GR. Hopefully someone who has used one or both of them will chime in with some specifics.
My biggest problem with something like that though is I could move my library easily enough but can't take my groups and especially the people with me, and I'm here every bit as much for them as for tracking my own reading, etc.
Booklikes isn't all that great for groups. That's the thing that GR has over those other sites. I can't believe that their best feature is the one they've taken such great pains to hide.I've just bookmarked the discussions page and will head back to that every time instead of pushing home button on this site. The new layout is so awful to me since my number use for goodreads is the socialization.
Barbara wrote: "Thank you for detailing how to find our discussions and set them as our default page. UGH! "By "bookmarking" a page, doesn't that just mean that you save it as a favorite? How do I set the discussions as a "default" page?
You can't set it as your default, as of yet. That appears to be one of the biggest complaints and it was hinted that it would return in the update. I have no idea if or when that will happen. On most browsers, you have a 'bookmarks bar' across the top where you can place a bookmark for GR going to the discussions page. You would need to click there instead of 'Home' or 'Goodreads' on the page itself.
Connie N. wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Thank you for detailing how to find our discussions and set them as our default page. UGH! "By "bookmarking" a page, doesn't that just mean that you save it as a favorite? How do ..."
What browser do you use? Because I was told about an extension for Chrome that can direct you to any page you like based off the simple https://www.goodreads.com.
~KarenH~ wrote: "Amy wrote: "Does anyone know of a site like this one that actually cares about its users? Because these people sure don't."Not really...I've heard people talk about BookLikes (I think that's righ..."
you don't want booklikes, because I went there to list my books as well as start my book blog, I haven't been able to get on my booklike account since march of this year, because I need to change my password, I never was app to do so, the reason is when I sent them a message telling them I never got the email to change it, they got back with me telling me they had a bug and was trying to fix it, its now August and I still can't get on there.
you can set your internet homepage to go to a certain landing page - you could easily make the disucssions page it
I use the unread topics link that is on each individual discussion page. I have bookmarked each of my active groups to point to unread topics. If any topics don't interest me I click Mark as Read and they don't come up again until there is new activity on them.This is my link for RRRC (hope it works for others)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/unrea...
I've seen comments about different extensions, but I'm not familiar with them. I'm sure there are some out there though. And making it your browser homepage is another option.Of course, my option is to just leave the page open on my laptop with several tabs as well, but I don't share my computer so I can do that. =)
Loriidae wrote: "I use the unread topics link that is on each individual discussion page. I have bookmarked each of my active groups to point to unread topics. If any topics don't interest me I click Mark as Read a..."That is always another option too!
Yeah, I just bookmarked it to my favorites bar and placed in the middle of the bar so it's right above where the "home" button is on the site. That way when I look toward the home button I see the bookmark and I'm reminded to go there instead.I'm trying to train myself like a puppy or something. LOL
MountainKat wrote: "I've seen comments about different extensions, but I'm not familiar with them. I'm sure there are some out there though. And making it your browser homepage is another option.Of course, my option..."
That's pretty much my normal game plan. I leave up my personal group that I track all my challenges in and that's actually my go to page for GR. Then I keep up my notifications page and just reload that regularly. I can't tell you the last time I looked at my home page. It's definitely different but not really sure it'll affect me very much.
Sassafrass wrote: "I'm trying to train myself like a puppy or something. LOL "Well, at least they have the negative reinforcement taken care of for you!
I hate the new home page too. Unfortunately, those vocalizing about are probably in the minority as most of the goodreads population will probably not complain. I just hope it doesn't keep newbies and less active users from finding groups. I bookmarked the discussion page and already trained myself to hit that instead of the home button. Backspace and refresh works well when leaving a discussion too.
I never used the friends update feeds because I really don't care about seeing every little thing all my "friends" do on goodreads. I'm not one for liking people's updates and such. I've probably only even looked at the friends updates page a handful of times in the 7 years I've been here. I'm here for the shelves and the groups.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I just hope it doesn't keep newbies and less active users from finding groups ..."This was our first thought too Mary. It's very likely to have a big impact on group development and newbies.
I'm actually less concerned about newbies than I am about some of the more long-term members who may not be particularly computer savvy - especially the ones that maybe only visit one or two groups and rarely or never used the updates page. They knew how to get where they wanted with the old setup, but now that things have changed they're lost and don't know where to go. I figure most of the newbies, just by virtue of the fact that they are relatively new to the site, will be less set in their ways and more open to change, even if the change stinks. Of course, the whole issue isn't helped by the fact that there's a bug that's keeping a lot of people from getting email notifications for PMs, so we don't even know for sure how many people got our message. It really is scary how badly some of the groups could be hurt by this, not to mention all the people who may be feeling like they've been cut adrift with no idea how to get where they want to be.
I think both are very valid concerns. So many users don't know how to navigate to where they usually go and new members may not even know there are groups!
Well, to be fair, it really didn't change much for someone totally new looking to find/join groups - the main groups page is still there under Community where it used to be. The problem comes in once they've joined a group, then leave it and have to figure out how the heck to get back to it!
I would rather read about group discussion than the book my friends read and their updates about it.
Thanks for taking the time to send PM, Kat!I hate this freaking change. Not only messing up with the groups but with the updates themselves! I like seeing what my friends are reading but now every freaking book has a description!! WHY!!
MountainKat wrote: "As you may have noticed, GR is making some changes that should be rolled out to everyone this week. One of these changes is that there is no longer the option to have group discussions as an option..."Yeah, um....I doubr it!! I have complained about other things here, and all I got from them was "this is the new format. It is easier to navigate and more pleasing." But I disagree! I am not a computer minded person...and these changes make my life more difficult! I like how the site was when it originated, and I wish it would go back to that!
Just throwing in my two cents,mi hate the new home page, to busy, too , I do not like the way your Freind status updates come up, I hate having to look for everything all over again!
Linda wrote: "Just throwing in my two cents,mi hate the new home page, to busy, too , I do not like the way your Freind status updates come up, I hate having to look for everything all over again!"You're not alone, Linda! Personally, I rarely even looked at the old updates page, just stayed on the discussions page almost all the time. These new changes just make me want to NEVER go to the updates page...how do you even find anything amid all the clutter?
I wonder why they can't set it up that we can set our own preferences for our own home page? A mix and match thing. ...You'd think that wouldn't be too difficult with all the brain power they devote to stuffing it up all the time!
MountainKat wrote: "Sassafrass wrote: "I'm trying to train myself like a puppy or something. LOL "Well, at least they have the negative reinforcement taken care of for you!"
Too true! LOL
Jane (PS) wrote: "I wonder why they can't set it up that we can set our own preferences for our own home page? A mix and match thing. ...You'd think that wouldn't be too difficult with all the brain power they devot..."I'm sure they have marketing experts telling them that this is the best way to get people to buy more books, when the reality is they may very well cause the opposite by forcing people to avoid the page entirely. They keep asking over and over what people want, and then totally ignore all of the most common requests, without giving any reasons, just "it's not going to happen". I haven't liked any of the previous changes they've made, but I adapted...this one is just making me more and more angry and rather than adapting I'm avoiding it altogether!
Yes, definitely a ploy to get people to buy more books. I've been avoiding that new homepage altogether.
Yes - so true. It'a all about Amazon. But as you say, they clearly don't understand group dynamics and how we all egg each other on and inspire others to read.
Hahaha - I've just noticed today that when I do go to the home page (still in training to avoid those buttons) I automatically 'blank' on the middle and right hand side of the page and only look at the left hand side - studiously. It sort of works.
~KarenH~ wrote: "Amy wrote: "Does anyone know of a site like this one that actually cares about its users? Because these people sure don't."Not really...I've heard people talk about BookLikes (I think that's righ..."
It is awesome to feel part of a great group
Sassafrass wrote: "Yes, definitely a ploy to get people to buy more books. I've been avoiding that new homepage altogether."Me too, Sass. I don't go to the homepage at all. I bookmarked the 'discussions' page and use it every time. I wish they would bring back the 'currently reading' area though. I miss that on the discussions page. I use the app a lot though, when I'm out with my phone. At least that is the same, lol, and I can quickly scan my groups for new posts.
This group and a few others are the reason I am on GR- I love the feeling of community and discussing books with other romance readers :)
I love the feeling of community in our groups and discussing books with book-lovers from all over the world. I also worry that these changes will make it hard for newbies to join since no one wants to have to dig through a needle in a haystack to participate! It seems from everyone's comments that these changes may also negatively impact the great book conversations and friendships we have already made in our groups. And, that we will lose our feeling of belonging to a real book loving community. Do you guys really feel this is going to happen? If so, why?
First time I landed on this Home page. Very busy... not necessarily what I was to view. The Groups' Title seems to be buried .
I haven't found anywhere more appropriate to post this, so please excuse me if this is the wrong spot....I have a question. Does anybody have problems setting up their 2019 RRRC READING ADDICTS READING CHALLENGE (you know the one before all the threads)? I don't see anything where I can enter how many books I want to read in 2019. Or is that just me and the update on GR botched my RRRC reading challenge? I'm new here and I didn't see how last year went. When I signed up in August, there was no problem whatsoever...
Help would be greatly appreciated.
I don't think that there is one set up for 2019 yet.
Oops...looks like we forgot to set it up...again! We tend to do that until someone reminds us, so thanks! I'll take a look at it, but I've never actually done it so if I have issues it might have to wait until one of the other mods are available.Thanks for reminding us!
Ok, I figured it out...the 2019 challenge is now posted!Thanks again for the nudge!
Shoot, thought about it on New Years and promptly forgot! Glad it is up and working now. Thanks Karen and thanks for the reminder too!
Thanks Karen!! I just noticed it. Its been bedlam here :)
I've just finished writing 2 chapters of my very first romance and crime novel. "Our Last Winter Together"How a 22-year-old boy falls in love with a 23 year old girl.
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🕓 Takes about 4–6 minutes
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More GR changes beyond not being able to direct message each other:1) We can only post 10 posts per hour - this has significant implications for those of us updating or checking challenges.
2) We used to be able to make 3 new threads per hour which has been reduced to 1 new thread per hour. Setting up teams in challenges will take at least a day now.
The way we play in teams and track challenges may need to alter. We are currently investigating our options on how to manage this :(
I've heard this is only temporary until the 13th. I hope so. Did you hear differently?
Amanda wrote: "I've heard this is only temporary until the 13th. I hope so. Did you hear differently?"That would be good news. Working around messages is hard enough, but limiting posts, especially for moderators, would make some things just tedious.
We hope this helps you find the groups you are involved in, especially RRRC! I know I use GR for the groups as much as keeping track of my reading. While change can be difficult, we can muddle through together! If you have any questions please feel free to ask them here, we will do the best we can to help everyone out.
There is a thread in the Goodreads Feedback group that discusses the changes. You can leave comments there if you wish. There is also a survey that we wish to encourage everyone to take and provide their feedback on the new design once you have experienced it.
(Maybe, just maybe, our concerns will be loud enough to be heard.)