Recently we redesigned the Dilbert.com web site and added a ton of features, such as animation, deeper archives, mash ups, and more. The reaction from readers has been fascinating.
Let me get this out of the way: I realize the Beta version of the web site has lots of issues. It’s overloaded with Flash, slower than it needs to be, and the navigation is confusing. We’re fixing most of that over the next few weeks. I apologize for the inconvenience.
The fascinating thing about the responses is that it revealed three distinct types of Dilbert readers:
The first group is the ultra-techies who have an almost romantic relationship with technology. For them, the new site felt like getting dumped by a lover. Their high-end technology (generally Linux) and security settings made much of the site inconvenient. Moreover, the use of Flash offended them on some deep emotional level.
The second group objected to the new level of color and complexity, and the associated slowness. They like their Dilbert comics simple, fast, and in two colors. Anything more is like putting pants on a cat.
The third group uses technology as nothing more than a tool, and subscribes to the philosophy that more free stuff is better than less free stuff. That group has embraced the new features on the site and spiked the traffic stats.
For you first two groups, if you promise to keep it to yourselves, we created a stripped-down Dilbert page with just the comic, some text navigation, and the archive: www.dilbert.com/fast. This alternate site is a minor secret, mentioned only here and in the text footnote to the regular site as “Linux/Unix.”
The main site will be getting a Flash diet that will make it speedier soon, so check back in a few weeks. That’s where all the fun will be.
Enjoy.
Thanks a lot for /fast. It's a good solution, I hope it's here to stay (add some ads and there's no reason to drop it).
(Spoiler: below this line - only grumbles)
Nevertheless, what's with the patronizing stuff about the ultra-techie-linux-cats-without-pants-guys?
Some people don't like flash (or, actually think that there's little that can't be done better with other tools), is it so hard to accept?
Some people don't like flashy (as in ostentatious, not as in Adobe's Flash ®) epilepsy-seizure-inducing sites, what's so inconceivable here?
Some people don't like to get more (stuff they didn't ask for) for free. Some want to get what they want and what they want only. Do I need to refer you to some anti-consumerism sites? Or are people not involved in consumerism-mania are also weirdos in your eyes?
Actually the more-for-free phrase is the one that irritates me the most because for me it's the number one illness of many websites. A lot of web sites are trying to do a lot of stuff. I wish someone will open a website that will have ALL OTHER WEBSITES IN IT so he's the winner of this stupid contest and we could enjoy our old one-site-does-one-thing era we (I do assume I'm not alone on this wish. The world is so large I bet I'm right) miss so much.
Posted by: ZooZ | April 28, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Thanks a lot for /fast. It's a good solution, I hope it's here to stay (add some ads and there's no reason to drop it).
(Spoiler: below this line - only grumbles)
Nevertheless, what's with the patronizing stuff about the ultra-techie-linux-cats-without-pants-guys?
Some people don't like flash (or, actually think that there's little that can't be done better with other tools), is it so hard to accept?
Some people don't like flashy (as in ostentatious, not as in Adobe's Flash ®) epilepsy-seizure-inducing sites, what's so inconceivable here?
Some people don't like to get more (stuff they didn't ask for) for free. Some want to get what they want and what they want only. Do I need to refer you to some anti-consumerism sites? Or are people not involved in consumerism-mania are also weirdos in your eyes?
Actually the more-for-free phrase is the one that irritates me the most because for me it's the number one illness of many websites. A lot of web sites are trying to do a lot of stuff. I wish someone will open a website that will have ALL OTHER WEBSITES IN IT so he's the winner of this stupid contest and we could enjoy our old one-site-does-one-thing era we (I do assume I'm not alone on this wish. The world is so large I bet I'm right) miss so much.
Posted by: ZooZ | April 28, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I'll never get used to catbert being red and Asok pink. Otherwise, welcome to the 21st century, Dilbert!!
Posted by: Slap D. Monkey | April 28, 2008 at 08:06 AM
I'm not really sure what everyone's problem is... I agree with the person who said they just ignored any feature they didn't like.
I have no problem with the color comics, and the animations greatly amuse me. Sometimes, I think people are too picky *shrug*
Posted by: Autumn | April 28, 2008 at 07:08 AM
re: www.dilbert.com/fast
Aaaaah. Much better! Thank you.
Posted by: Elisa | April 28, 2008 at 06:48 AM
I LOVE the fast site.
Thanks for thinking of us Linux and paranoid users!
MJ
Posted by: MarkJx | April 28, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Aaaaaah. Much better. Thank you!
Posted by: Elisa | April 28, 2008 at 06:29 AM
well the new site is interesting.
at first i hated the new colour, then I was indeifferent, now I can't live without them.
As the the new functionality, well it's great for the people who want it, those that don't - hey just don't use it moron. There is no law stating that you have to use the clicky-goodness.
As for the flash, I'm not a huge fan, but I can see that you have implemented a non-flash version as well.
So, I just turn off my javascript and just see the flat non-flash version.
lovely.
Posted by: stew | April 28, 2008 at 05:05 AM
Thanks.
Posted by: AC | April 28, 2008 at 04:53 AM
I have to agree that, in addition to the 'fast' option, I also would prefer a 'fast and black and white' option. The colors hurt more than they help. Kudos for accepting that a large part of your readership simply does not want any of this new-fangled stuff.
Even more kudos if you were to rework this abomination of flash into an AJAX-based application. That would add value for most while keeping the site working for everyone, creating a win-win situation or something along those lines.
Posted by: RichiH | April 28, 2008 at 04:33 AM
Oh, thank-you! The fast site is so much better...
Posted by: Simon Jester | April 28, 2008 at 04:26 AM
I'm looking forward to see a better version. I don't actually like the current one
Posted by: Piotr Zieliński | April 28, 2008 at 03:09 AM
The fast version is all that is required - just keep that and ditch the crap.
Posted by: Randolf | April 28, 2008 at 02:16 AM
Please fast site should be b/w .
We love dilbert cause it communicates , its to the point and color is an overdose
Posted by: Tushar | April 28, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Well for the most part I like the new site however I use another site to tell me when online comics (including dilbert) have updated and the use of flash means that it doesn't work now. (still the non-flash version should work).
Posted by: Tim | April 27, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I love the fast site & for the record I'm a Linux user! Keep technology simple. The less complexity on the internet, the less stupid phone calls to my help desk. If I have the say "right click with the right, no the RIGHT mouse button" one more time, I'll eat my undies!!!
Posted by: Yen | April 27, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Go group 3!
Posted by: Luke | April 27, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Thanks a lot for the new site...
I was a little embarrassed to request for it, considering that you're giving your work for free.
The third group you mentioned about may have their browsers configured for a disaster. I run IE and Firefox on Windows, but I was not getting dilbert site till Friday on either. I have minimal security on IE, moderate security on Firefox
Posted by: Laj | April 27, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Thank you Scott. The fast site is wicked!
Posted by: Eric | April 27, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Thank you!
Posted by: Lyn | April 27, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Thanks for the update about the site.
I was having a really hard time download the MAC widget. Eventually I was able to get it but I'm not a big fan. It is slow and complicated(and I'm in the first group). I loved my simple Dilbert comic every morning.
Glad to hear you are working to make the site better!
Posted by: Nelson de Witt | April 27, 2008 at 06:31 PM
We live out in Orc country where the dial-up is 24K on good days (only broadband avail is the dish link).
So I think the fast version is spiffy!
Oh, and I'm not getting the email version anymore. Something may have run afoul of my ISP's spam filters. Any ideas?
Me
Here
Posted by: Phil | April 27, 2008 at 06:17 PM
I am a long-time Dilbert fan and Linux user myself, and the Flash site works fine for me. The only problem is I can't seem to be able to submit mash-ups. I personally like the new site better--especially the larger strip size.
Make that two problems. I have problems accessing the animations from Linux. This problem isn't limited to dilbert.com--it, as well as foxnews.com, ABC, and others use Maven Networks, Inc. for their streaming content. The problem is in their server which sniffs out your operating system. Therefore, any complaints about animation not working on Linux might be better directed to Maven Networks (support@maven.net). An interim solution would be to use the User Agent Switcher add-on for Firefox.
Posted by: Scott Wallace | April 27, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Fast site is much appreciated, thanks! (My bookmark still says Yahoo though, looks like the strips are bigger there, and I *do* fall into the second group - thanks for the recognition!)
Posted by: Douglas | April 27, 2008 at 04:30 PM
turksohbetim.net
Posted by: #sohbet | April 27, 2008 at 04:16 PM