Forum Name Change

Off Topic
61

I’m with you Malinda.

Don’t feel badly,I also had to find the new forum area that way.

[quote]firebug9 wrote:
Yes, they are, but the banner did not change and I for one could not find the forums. I had to go to my profile and find a post so that I could get there.

We had not warning or posting that it had changed. It appeared that we were just wiped off the boards completely.

I still don’t like it! And I am sure that it does not mean we are gone from the main board – I for one will continue to post on the “boys” section as well.

Malinda

LowfatMatt wrote:
Sxio wrote:
I think it’s a huge shame that those forums are gone. I would often read them as the quality of posting and the knowledge displayed was very high.

Now they’re gone it feels like we’re stuck with a simplified site. Plus, I like women, hanging out in a boys only club does not appeal.

What is everyone talking about? These forums are NOT gone. They have been consolidated and are here:

http://www.musclewithattitude.com/categoryMwa.jsp?categoryID=24&pageNo=1

[/quote]

62

[quote]TShaw wrote:
Modi wrote:
Is it my imagination or did the Beginners section get thrown into the Bodybuilding forum? I thought it was a good idea for them to have a place to ask questions without fear of ridicule.

Having their own place didn’t seem to free them from ridicule for their questions.

Maybe the lack of a separate “Beginners” forum will mean fewer newbies will be motivated to set themselves up for ridicule from forum regulars. Now there’s a win-win-win situation.[/quote]

I respectfully disagree. I think there will always be some people out there just looking for a chance to make someone else look bad, that’s not the point. But I felt the majority of people were more forgiving in the beginners forum.

Now people that don’t have a clue about training will be asking questions that will get ripped apart. I don’t think newbies should be afraid to ask questions, especially if they have their own place for it. I’m not talking about posting the 1 months progress pics, I’m talking about someone who doesn’t know much of anything about training and wants our help in setting up a training/and or nutritional program.

63

I did not see a response to why the beginner thread was gutted…

I am a self admitted newbie and found solace in the beginner threads as well as other newbies questions.

Unless, this means people with honest questions (such as myself) can now mingle with the veterans without a roasting contest, then I’m glad for the change.

64

[quote]BluePfaltz wrote:
I did not see a response to why the beginner thread was gutted…

I am a self admitted newbie and found solace in the beginner threads as well as other newbies questions.

Unless, this means people with honest questions (such as myself) can now mingle with the veterans without a roasting contest, then I’m glad for the change. [/quote]

“gutted” would suggest that something was cut out of it. I think the threads were just folded into the Bodybuilding forum. I don’t think any of them were taken away.

As for the wish expressed in your last paragraph: time will tell whether TC’s recent plea is embraced. Not everyone brings torches to a newbie thread.

65

Yea - I personally see this as a bad move.

Instead of dealing with trolls and disrespectful idiots directly, it seems the management at T-Nation is taking the easy way out. That is, punish the long time members who do have something worth saying by making unnecessary changes - throwing out the baby with the bathwater if you will.

Something really bothered me about TC’s audio interview - the idea that the authors that write for T-Nation are somehow above being questioned. I’m sorry, but just because you are a respected coach, nutritionist, etc., I personally don’t feel I’m required to agree, kiss your ass, or somehow need to act like a pathetic sycophant in order to not “disrespect” T-Nation authors.

While I agree that totally rude and uncalled for comments shouldn’t be tolerated, I also don’t feel any of these guys deserve some sort of all access pass to never be questioned or criticized. And if in fact, they won’t write for the site anymore because of that, I’d say develop a thicker skin and stop thinking so highly of yourself.

There’s PLENTY of arrogance that creeps into some articles here, so any coach or fitness expert that somehow thinks they’re that much better than the rest of us - well, I’d say get over yourself and don’t expect to never be critiqued.

That said, I don’t think separating comment threads from the articles is a bad idea. As an entertainment writer for the past 6 years or so, I dislike having my hard work turned into a glorified post for any idiot to piss on with comments attached directly to my articles. However, I also think people have the right to their opinion on your work, whether you appreciate that particular opinion or not. So email, or a separate thread for comments is fine as far as I’m concerned.

This just seems to separate the site too much, and fracture the community - however, this may very well be a business decision - MWA being a new endeavor for Mr. Patterson and therefore more lucrative as a totally individual entity. Can’t say I agree, but I don’t sign the checks around here, so it’s a moot point.

We’ll see where it all goes…

66

This appears to me to be just a matter of perception. Why can’t we just list the MWA link under “Forums” in the navigator pane? Then everything would be cool again.

67

I think everyone is overreacting in this situation. Sure there has been a T-Vixen Sorority Section on here for awhile, but lets not forget the women’s fitness competitor section is brand new. Some of you are acting like that has been a staple of this site for years or something. It certainly hasn’t, and you could almost say it was still in its beta stage when it started here.

I think the main thing to remember is the way the board stands right now, both men and women can benefit from the content. The nutrition advice is pretty universal, and I know a couple of girls who have done the Waterbury High Frequency plan.

The Women’s section on the other hand, is only a benefit to women. I’m sorry, but while these fitness competitors know their stuff, a bunch of articles about their training methodologies will only benefit less than 10% of the board.

As far as I know, no “trolls” have been kicked off and no women have been kicked off either. All that happened is that women have their own site to talk about female only training, nutrition, off-topic, etc. If I were you girls I would welcome this change. Now you have the best of both worlds

68

You know, I don’t post much, but I’ve been reading for years, and this sort of thing just makes it it that much easier to not bother.

More so the consolidation than the moving the women off the forum, but the women’s sections were interesting to read, if only for that lack of whining and talking shit.

I’m not entirely sure how making forums more general makes things better. The net effect makes the whole a lot more unpalatable and a pain in the ass to go through than trolls ever did.

69

[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
This is just going to boil down to perception and opinion.[/quote]
Amen to that. I would add “perspective.”

[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
Can you really not see my point of where it might be offensive or at least dismissive to have only the female forums moved off-site?[/quote]
I do see you could feel this way.

[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
Especially with all of the Hullabaloo over Trolls?[/quote]
I honestly don’t see how creating an entirely new female-oriented site makes them trolls, especially since nothing prohibits anyone from that site coming to this site and posting or starting a thread. Saying this means TC thinks “women=trolls” is way overboard. Do you really think TC felt it was women who were spewing the hate? Really? Is that what you took from that article? If not, and the “women=trolls” line is just frustration coming out as exaggeration, then maybe we can step back and look for an alternate explanation. (I’m not saying I have the explanation, but TC HAS made some statements, and I have no reason to assume he’s lying.)

[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
TShaw is right in that a “click” isn’t a big thing, but the men’s forums weren’t moved or given that extra click, just the women’s.[/quote]
See if this makes sense: on T-Nation, there are forum links in the left-hand column. To get to any of them, I have to click on the link, which takes me to that forum and not another one.

Now, the forum specifically for women isn’t in the left-hand column with the rest. Instead, it’s huge, with its own graphic, and sits right under a larger-than-life can of Spike Shooter. It’s hard to miss, and I still have to click on it to get to that forum…just like “Supplements and Nutrition” or “Bodybuilding.”

And the most popular threads from the fora I have turned on? They still appear in the “Top 30” including the “Muscle With Attitude” threads.

LowFatMatt says my login is the same for both; he says that, once logged into one, I’ll be logged in at both; that’s convenient, although I’m not sure this feature is working yet. Once I’ve logged in, I see Store and Customize and Private Message and My T-Nation (oops?) links, so it’s clearly intimately connected with T-Nation.

In some ways it’s like a more elaborate forum on T-Nation itself.
In some ways it’s like a completely separate place, but with links to T-Nation.
I’m sure it’s still being worked on, and their ultimate vision is being realized in stages.

It doesn’t exclude anyone from participating on either place. I check more than one website each day for updates: newsfromme.com, bravehumans.com, T-Nation.com, crooksandliars.com. I’ve got no problem adding musclewithattitude.com, especially since it’s a click away from the website I check most often AND I know there are authors and posters there I like to read AND I’ll already be logged in.

Perception, opinion, perspective. They re-arranged the furniture; they didn’t throw out your favorite chair. Take some time to see how it all works.

And for the record, I am NOT LowFatMatt’s alter-ego, trying to defend the website changes! I’m just an old man who’s been here for several years, liked the place, seen a lot of changes (and accompanying griping), and I hate it when the community lets itself get worked up like this.

Tim

70

I appreciate the thought and consideration that T-Nation has put into these changes. I will certainly give them the benefit of the doubt and make every attempt to get used to the new structure.

However. As a man who loves pretty much EVERYTHING about women. Anything that diminishes my potential connections with them = BAD.

I feel as if I’ve lost a special, little part of myself. (sniff… Maybe I’ll feel better after a good cry)

Stay in touch ladies!
K

71

T-Nation is a great site and a great resource, it is also a business.

Having a seperate, more friendly women’s section will mean it is more accessible than being buried away in the depths of a hardcore (non-gender specific…) training site. More accessible = more members = higher “footfall” to the store = more revenue.

It simply makes good financial sense.

If you are a woman and still want to post on T-Nation, do so.

I do however take issue with the removal of the beginner section. I thought it was good to have a relatively safe place for noobs to ask basic questions and post progress logs without getting flamed quite so much.

72

[quote]firebug9 wrote:
Yes, they are, but the banner did not change and I for one could not find the forums. I had to go to my profile and find a post so that I could get there.

We had not warning or posting that it had changed. It appeared that we were just wiped off the boards completely.

I still don’t like it! And I am sure that it does not mean we are gone from the main board – I for one will continue to post on the “boys” section as well.

Malinda[/quote]

Wow, I’m glad I’m not the only one! I was thinking I’d gone seriously blonde at the roots! I’ve been up and down the index page several times, and I still need the link people posted, or to go back to my T-Nation profile to find the T-Vixen section.

I find change refreshing, so I guess we’re sort of getting a glimpse of the painting before it’s finished. I actually thought that T-Nation had trashed the T-Vixens completely when I just now logged on, since over the past several weeks the sub-title went from T-Vixens to Muscle Sorority to GONE!

Micki

73

Oh Gawd… do I feel stupid. I just found it. It’s a HUGE banner. I was just looking for a little header.

Micki

74

[quote]squatdude wrote:
Why can’t we just list the MWA link under “Forums” in the navigator pane? [/quote]

I also think this would be great. I like to surf thru all the forums and use those links on the side to do so.

It’s nice to see that we’re still wanted around by some of the guys. :slight_smile:

75

http://fitnessbusinesspro.com/mag/fitness_access_denied/

I’m just saying…

76

Where do I start? Thank you Octobergirl for getting this conversation started.

I am a little offended that there is an assumption that all women want to do is be a figure competitor. That seems to be the main theme over in the new women’s section.

I don’t want to be separate. I guess I missed the poll that was taken asking me what I would like.

Just because I don’t post very often does not mean I don’t still read this site everyday. It is my home page. However, since everything has started changing I have to say I haven’t been very interested.

First it was the name change, from T-Vixen to Muscle Sorority. I can deal with that. I just elected not to enter the new women’s forum. I stayed on the main page. Little did I know it was the one in the same.

Next, I did venture over there, seeing as how that was the only option left. I really was interested in TC’s call out to women to post there pics.

Now I am not trying to offend anyone, but after a couple of pics there was the onslaught of Pro women figure competitors. I have nothing against them personally, but I had expected to see pictures of women I can identify with and be inspired and encouraged by.

I have no desire to be a figure competitor. I want to read about women busting their ass the way I do. I want to see pictures of women I can relate to not women who have their own web-sites & photo shoot pics.

I want to be in the middle of ALL discussions relating to bodybuilding. I am highly disappointed in the turn that this web-site has taken. Trying to cater to the figure competitors. What happened? I guess I should have posted more. I just enjoyed reading & learning from everyone here. Man or woman.

I have spent several years reading these forums, threads & articles. They have changed my life. I’m just a little sad that something that used to give me so much pleasure has been changed so that I don’t even recognize it anymore.

Jana

77

is the over 35 section gone to? Just noticed.

79

What I want to know is what the hell is BigRagoo going to do now?

80

I feel like I’m an onlooker in the old proverb where someone is given a brick of gold, and they respond by saying its too heavy.

I come to this site and they always have new articles. Some are useful to me, others aren’t. They are trying to make it so that it is filtered to be more useful towards gender, and all that people can say is that its sexist.

Why can’t anyone be grateful anymore? If I were TC I would just pull the forums and say to hell with it. Is that what you want? Do you want them to stop giving us our bar of gold?