Community Input Question

Just wanted to ask for a little feedback from you —

As a baseline to use as a specific example — Take a quick look at the entry to the ACCASJ that we linked in this entry.

Now – imagine that instead of conducting that ‘conversation’ over email that the ACCASJ conducted that conversation verbally and linked the file to the website as an audio file?

Put more broadly – how much would you value more audio & video here at SFN?

I tend to think that some topics can be better approached using audio because the ‘tone’ of the author becomes undeniably clear and because the author(s) can generally say a little more than when they/we are burdened with the more time-constricting activity of typing. But, before we start to put too much effort behind anything we wanted to ask you.

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40 Responses to Community Input Question

  1. oldflyingfarmer 01/12/2009 at 9:16 AM #

    I like to read the transcript.

  2. TheACCForums.com 01/12/2009 at 9:27 AM #

    I think that audio would be a nice addition, but only if the text was also kept because I and I believe many others read at work or in class.

  3. PackMan97 01/12/2009 at 9:30 AM #

    I much prefer reading as it is less invasive and quicker way to consume information. I doubt I would listen to much audio on this site.

    To me, audio and video should be used to add content for which text is not a suitable substitute.

    For example, I love the highlight videos! I wouldn’t even mind audio interviews assuming a transcript was made available. One of the things I like about the written word is that writers are much more intentional with their words.

  4. nav 01/12/2009 at 9:37 AM #

    I require text articles since normally all video and most audio are blocked at work. And its normally during the day at work that I have a chance to view your site.

  5. EverettBeez 01/12/2009 at 10:16 AM #

    PackMan97 nailed it – audio/video for highlights, post-game or something special, like it would be fun to see a pre-game report from the parking lot. I enjoyed Giglio and Tudor’s post game vid’s this fall.

    Currently, when I run across an audio or video link on one of the numerous blogs I look in on, I only click about 10-15% of the time. I like the transcripts because I can read what I want, and scan through what I don’t.

    If an audible link went off during one of my classes, an immediate pop quiz would descend from the podium like a thunderbolt!

  6. old13 01/12/2009 at 10:24 AM #

    “I tend to think that some topics can be better approached using audio because the ‘tone’ of the author becomes undeniably clear . . .”

    I agree with the above and would encourage it when the audio really adds to the commentary. But I also like to be able to read the articles as well as “rereads” are easier that “re-listens” if there’s just a part of the piece to review.

  7. Clarksa 01/12/2009 at 10:29 AM #

    I rarely listen to the audio or watch video clips on say Pack Pride or The Wolfpacker…

  8. Noah 01/12/2009 at 10:35 AM #

    I come here for info and debate. I don’t think I’d have much use for the a/v stuff. However, it’s always nice if in a post-game thread that there’s a link to stuff like that.

    $0.02

  9. LKNpackfan 01/12/2009 at 10:51 AM #

    For interviews, like the linked article, I think audio may be an appropriate format, but for 95% of the content you guys share, I’d much prefer text, primarily for the flexibility in consumption.

  10. Alpha Wolf 01/12/2009 at 10:59 AM #

    I doubt anyone wants to listen to me talking.

    My wife is my test audience and she has gone deaf to the sound of my voice. She learned that from me….her lips move, but I can’t hear what she sayin’. 🙂

  11. michelletack 01/12/2009 at 11:03 AM #

    Fly in the ointment here . . . I understand what everyone is saying, but I multitask all day and find myself relying on video and audio more and more to keep up with my blogs, because I can start the audio, minimize it, and listen to it while I’m still working. Also I think it’s interesting to change it up a bit, and it would be cool to hear some of the voices of the folks who write and post here.

    Personally if you can do both – post the audio/video as well as the transcript – every once in a while, this multi-tasker would appreciate it.

  12. txpack 01/12/2009 at 11:11 AM #

    I check this site at work most of time. Plain text works better for me.

  13. ganymebe 01/12/2009 at 11:26 AM #

    I am quite happy with plain text as well.

  14. crackdog 01/12/2009 at 11:29 AM #

    Count me in for the text as well… while I can turn on the audio and try to listen while I work, I find that most audio content goes in one ear and out the other if I’m actually crunching data or thinking hard. The text, on the other hand, I can skim while waiting for processes to finish.

  15. SaccoV 01/12/2009 at 11:38 AM #

    Also, place me in the “At-Work” crowd and unfortunately wouldn’t benefit and perhaps could be blocked from getting the site if audio and video were featured. I teach at a high school and am viewing the site as often as possible, but limited in response time and listening ability. This site is still the best ACC blog going, whether AV capability is offered or not.

  16. El Scrotcho 01/12/2009 at 12:06 PM #

    Occasionally I will watch a video of a game recap/highlights on ESPN, but that’s about it. Otherwise I prefer text since you can be unobtrusive and you can skip to the part that interests you. This site differentiates itself with a solid statistical and analytical take on things, and those qualities are best presented through text, tables, and charts versus A/V.

    The other thing that comes with A/V is this – you have to deal with the person’s voice and personality instead of the pure substance of the idea. I find that to be more of a liability than an asset.

  17. Packster 01/12/2009 at 12:10 PM #

    I would lose access to the site as work at well if there was a/v. Stay with text!

  18. Elrod 01/12/2009 at 12:16 PM #

    Agree with most folks here. Link to A/V when it adds to the message content, but leave the blog text-based.

  19. StateFans 01/12/2009 at 12:28 PM #

    These are all very helpful. We will most definitely take your feedback into account as we move forward.

  20. wolfbuff 01/12/2009 at 12:41 PM #

    I vote for text as well. While a/v can be used to enhnance the experience, many times, I’ll read the articles, skim the comments (and occasionally reply myself) while I’m on a conf call or in between meetings. Plus, I find myself keeping up via my phone more and more. So a/v would not do me any good. Thanks for letting us provide feedback.

  21. Trip 01/12/2009 at 12:41 PM #

    Text without a doubt… there’s a good reason why books on tape do not outsell the actual book itself. (Although, if Morgan Freeman did more books on tape I bet sales would be pretty close.) I think if we ever did something super-special like interviewing Sidney, then audio would be a good thing to throw in… but for just complaining about how much we suck in all sports, I’d rather just read about it. Just keep it so that text is the primary method of delivery, adding in extra video/audio would be more of a luxury than anything.

  22. choppack1 01/12/2009 at 1:19 PM #

    Like others, my employer is not a big fan of streamed media – gee, wonder why??

    I’d vote for keeping it text based, but include the option to view or listen to clips as you do today.

  23. VaWolf82 01/12/2009 at 1:22 PM #

    I like to think that my end products are pretty good…but I usually spend as much time polishing my entries as the original draft took to write. So my “style” (as if anyone from Hickory actually has any) probably doesn’t lend itself to audio recordings.

    I would have to write and polish the script…and then read it. But maybe I don’t understand exactly what you have in mind.

  24. highstick 01/12/2009 at 2:52 PM #

    Although I have the luxury of being able to work at my home office most of the time, I still prefer the text media and audio/video for highlights.

    The site is blocked on our office network so I can’t access in the office and can only access remotely if I disconnect from VPN or Citrix.

  25. GAWolf 01/12/2009 at 2:53 PM #

    ^
    (Hickory) This made me laugh and think of this clip:

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