My opinion of the “new” SiteMeter is stated perfectly in this post’s title: Debacle. So… assuming you use it… what do you think of the new SiteMeter, Gentle Reader? I’ve yet to read a “well-done” anywhere on the ‘net, and I’ve found LOTS of critics. I know it’s said “Everyone’s a critic” … but in this case, the negative criticism is WELL deserved. Case in point: a post from Luboš Motla, a blogger writing from the
The statistics is suddenly shown in Flash applets. Because of the following and other reasons, I believe that the old SiteMeter was more usable:
· the new SiteMeter is much slower than the old one; it takes 20 seconds to get to the statistics page (useless clicks, unlinkable subpages, initiation of the Flash, illogical default settings for sorting criteria that have to be changed)
· the fonts are too small and ugly and they cannot be magnified; characters in Flash are not designed to look as pretty and flexible as those in the full-fledged HTML
· the new SiteMeter doesn't seem to show the number of visitors during the last week or month (and not even the total number for today, as far as I can say)
· the new SiteMeter doesn't seem to show the (verbal) domain associated with the IP of a visitor
· most of the lists in the new SiteMeter don't fit the space reserved for them which is why only a few visitors/pages are shown, each having a small number of initial characters of the URL (in my case, all URLs are displayed as http://motls.blogs)
· consequently, it's impossible to understand the URLs without scrolling down and right for each of them separately; this problem significantly increases the time needed to extract something useful from the page
· I still don't know how to access the statistics of other users who have made their data "public": it was easy before (and conversely, I don't know how to allow you to access mine)
and let me finish because there are many other problems that make the new system virtually unusable. The creators of the new system probably like Flash (and for many purposes, I also think that Flash is simply great) but what I simply don't understand is why the owners of SiteMeter.com allowed a change that manifestly makes things worse from a user's viewpoint.
Lumo follows up with a laundry list of people with bitches and complaints, which isn’t exhaustive, by any means… but it is instructive:
I encourage SiteMeter.com to restore a classic version to view the data or one that is as close to it as possible, at least as an option. It seems that almost all users agree with me:
· SiteMeter stinks: it's even more horrible than ever before
· The new SiteMeter is a stinking pile of crap
· New Sitemeter: I don't like it
· SiteMeter has really screwed things up
· The new & improved SiteMeter: ummmm
· Grrrr: boy, do I hates me some of that new SiteMeter
· I really was more comfortable with the old one
· I hate hate hate hate the new SiteMeter
· I feel very disappointed with it
· The new SiteMeter is much much worse
· I still preferred the original
· So far, I do not like it one bit
· SiteMeter redesigned, killed
· Why the hell did SiteMeter...? (link removed to keep the blog family-friendly)
· If it ain't broke, don't fix it
· It's official: the new SiteMeter genuinely sucks
· I think it's too complex and the basic design is much better
Positive reactions are yet to occur.
And then there’s this… from SiteMeter’s web site:
Good Afternoon,
We have received and heard your feedback concerning the latest changes to the website. We will implementing a rollback to the website immediately. We will also be responding to each of your support requests as soon as possible. If you have any questions please let us know.
Sincerely,
SiteMeter Support Team
I saw some horrible implementations during my 16 years in the IT Biz, but I never saw a fiasco quite as bad… and as public… as this. It’s truly awful system design with apparently ZERO end-user testing. But the migration went well, eh? <=== Snark.
Update 9/14/2008 1820 hrs: Morgan, in comments, tells us the roll-back message I posted above is gone and has been replaced with this. "Our apologies," indeed.
I tried Site Meter several months ago ... and it never recorded ONE SINGLE VISITOR to my blog site. Emails to the Site Meter admin never fixed the problem AT ALL. So I deleted it from my blog. I just can't imagine that the new Site Meter could possibly be worse than the previous one .... but it looks like it is. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteSM has worked wonderfully for me... up until today. I tend to live there, if only for detail on the amusing google hits I get. But I can't see those any longer, along with the MOST basic of site traffic data. I've spent the past three hours... literally... reading comments on blogs acrsoss the 'net, and the reaction is UNANIMOUS: worst implementation, ever.
ReplyDeleteThis move might actually kill their business. I'm just amazed at the ineptitude on display here.
hate it, upgraded it, hate it even more...it sucks, and I am now downgrading it, paid 6.95 or whatever to see if it worked better and now I'm more confused, you know, I don't care anymore who comes to my site, view it, or don't... :(
ReplyDeletewell the whole rollback makes sense as to why I could not get back to it, the new page comes up and tells you now....I hope they give me my money back.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare and a half! I am glad I added a new checker and left the old one, I probably would have lost all my old data...
Let me be the first to use the words (around here, anyway):
ReplyDeleteNew Coke.
Morgan sez: (around here, anyway):
ReplyDeleteRoger that... "around here." I ran into "New Coke" nearly everywhere I went today. I'm still amazed at the sheer CLUE-FREE behavior of the SM folks. What a bunch of rank amateurs.
ASW: They're still rolling back, as I type. Were you using the old SiteMeter, free version, before? I hope ya get your money back, in any event.
I upgraded to SM's premium version after my first blog-year and thought it worth the money ($59.95/yr), if only for the fact you get complete IP addresses of your visitors and somewhat expanded reporting capability. I dunno if I'll stay with 'em now, or not.
To be fair about it, NC was on the market for three months (April to July '85) before a "rollback" went through, to Coke Classic. This ain't no three months.
ReplyDeleteYour link on the rollback is producing a 404 now. For now, this is the appropriate link. Link is changed, SM's decision to rollback to a "Classic," has not.
Now this, I argue, is why the world cannot continue functioning with only the Yin hanging around while the Yang are banished elsewhere. Tone-deafness is sometimes a harmless thing, but a lot of times it has its hazards. This is one of those times.
Interesting link, Morgan, and thanks. FWIW, I never received a newsletter, e-mail, or other communication with an offer to be a beta-tester for the new product. I would of signed on, had I received such a note.
ReplyDeleteI agree with ya on their tone-deafness. A classic management issue in a lot of orgs, innit?
Yep, thus far it sucks big time!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, there are bugs in the new software and they are aware and working the issues. However, only time will tell.
You got your wish...they've rolled it back for the time being!
ReplyDeleteMushy: Yeah... I see the roll-back, finally. An interesting thing: My visits for Saturday under the new system were about 60% of the visits reflected on the old system... as I see it now. I was able to play with the new system for a couple of hours before SM reverted to the old build... and wow! was it EVER clunky, slow, and difficult to use.
ReplyDeleteKinda strange, eh?
If it ain't broke don't fix it. You gotta wonder what they were thinking.
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing many folks dumped SM and went elsewhere.....glad I held my cards. We will see how it works out.