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The Future Of CHUD

post #1 of 80
Thread Starter 

There's been many hints dropped that CHUD is in trouble, and even that it might be gone soon. I'm hoping that's not the case at all, but I thought it best to start this thread for discussion/possible clarification. Please, Powers-That-Be, let us know what's going on!

post #2 of 80

I love CHUD, with wild romantic abandon, and can't bring myself to contemplate a future without it. Best of luck to Nick and the CHUD crew, and know that I'll continue to support the site as long as you'll have me. I am here to the end, come what may!

post #3 of 80

The bottom line is this:

 

We're not making any money via ads, at least not enough. I don't fully own the site anymore so I don't have the ability to do what I've done in the past in terms of all-out aggression in finding ways to supplement the site. In the past I took side work and threw it into payroll and we see where that got me. I don't think CHUD is doomed. The site's still vital and we have some new folks coming to help. I personally wish folks realized just how important Facebook likes, Retweets, and views on our videos are but I haven't seen much effort. Same goes for the boards. Instead of complaining about them, folks should inject new topics and discussion into them.

 

The future of the site is in the hands of the readers 100%. Make that extra click, get that extra person watching our Friday video. Instead of posting  that goddamn opinion or pop culture related epiphany on your Facebook wall, do it here.

 

Maybe blog here? I dunno... but the internet has changed our habits so much that I think we need to remember that clicks make the world go 'round.

 

As for me, I am very close to trying some new stuff here myself. I just have a lot of bureacracy to deal with and my back-up plan is to get a few things rolling on the movie and TV side to make this headache a non-issue. My goal is and always has been to die an old man with CHUD still going strong.

 

But I really need help.

 

 

post #4 of 80

Let the man work, people.

post #5 of 80

So Nick, you're telling me you haven't pinned all hopes of new readers on my reviews of two year old mediocrity. It hurts....it hurts....

post #6 of 80
Hey Nick, any chance of adding that Google+ icon to the articles (and whatever else is allowed)? I don't use Facebook and Twitter is only occasionally. At least with Google+, I tend to be logged into my Google account all day so clicking the +1 is pretty convenient.
post #7 of 80

I think there are some great writers on the boards that can/should volunteer their services for the occasional, non-blog opinionated news stories. The biggest shift in the newer CHUD is the massive shortage of front page stories. I used to go to CHUD for up to date movie news, and there are simply far less writers working on the staff. I think the CHUD attitude remains somewhat uncommon amongst the movie website scene, so I would love to see some of these voices take a larger stake in the site. The movie website scene is incredibly crowded, but there's a large niche that CHUD fills that other sites don't.

post #8 of 80
Thread Starter 

I'd love to contribute in some way if I can find time.

post #9 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe T View Post

I think there are some great writers on the boards that can/should volunteer their services for the occasional, non-blog opinionated news stories. The biggest shift in the newer CHUD is the massive shortage of front page stories. I used to go to CHUD for up to date movie news, and there are simply far less writers working on the staff. I think the CHUD attitude remains somewhat uncommon amongst the movie website scene, so I would love to see some of these voices take a larger stake in the site. The movie website scene is incredibly crowded, but there's a large niche that CHUD fills that other sites don't.



I'm pretty sure that people are already doing that.

post #10 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Nunziata View Post

But I really need help.

 

 



I'll do anything I can do to help. I dont want this place going anywhere but up.

post #11 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by donde View Post

Hey Nick, any chance of adding that Google+ icon to the articles (and whatever else is allowed)? I don't use Facebook and Twitter is only occasionally. At least with Google+, I tend to be logged into my Google account all day so clicking the +1 is pretty convenient.


THIS. This much. It goes a long way and it's quite simple. Something easy you can do immediately and it will have results, especially with the traffic the site/ boards get. Do it! 

post #12 of 80

I just wish I could access FB at work where I do the majority of my chud browsing. 

 

Will make a much bigger effort to link articles.

post #13 of 80

Don't you dare shut this place down before I hit my 5,000th post.  Don't you fucking dare!

post #14 of 80

open to helping.  

 

will definitely work on FB likes.

 

one suggestion: Just hire DUKE FLEED from the B-action movie thread to write all your headline puns.  clicks would increase...exponentially

post #15 of 80

I'm not on any social-networking sites really. I once used myspace to host some portfolio images, but just don't spend any time doing that other junk. But I'm here, posting, and clicking on every article that looks interesting to me. And recommending the site (for years) to others, especially by sending links or while wearing my CHUD cap in public ("CHUD? What's that?"). Wish I could do more. And wish CHUD got more traffic, if that is what makes/break these sites. I wish I had money to donate. I wish I had more time to do the DVD reviews like I had in the past. With my daughter in school, an irregular freelance work schedule, and a marriage needing saving, it's been a tough couple years for consistent free time.

 

The CHUD MB (and my personal email and Linkedin resume) is my social-networking site of choice. Plus, my Mom and ex-girlfriends can't find me here.

 

I really like the "Movie of the Day" and "Franchise Me" retrospectives. I think we need more reminders of obscure/cult stuff or diamonds in the rough recommendations for newer flicks (much like the Creature-Corner Horror Recommendation or Warning thread that some post in)... Like a regular (weekly?) column recommending 2 CHUD-friendly flicks on dvd/theater and blasting 2. Nothing complex. Paragraph per movie, link to trailer. No big time investment like the more thorough dvd reviews and awesome tagteam pieces. Like a compilation of 4 or so bite-sized "Sewer Subterranea"-style mini-reviews. Or maybe one flick per article with 4-6 paragraph-long individual opinions about it, each giving a thumbs-up or thumbs down for an overall average. Course, I don't know if there would be a big enough audience for something like that.

 

Just spit-balling.

 


Edited by DARKMITE8 - 9/20/11 at 10:01pm
post #16 of 80

I'm on this site WAAAAAAAAY more than FaceBook.

post #17 of 80

I'm very willing to do more if I can. 

post #18 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe T View Post

I think there are some great writers on the boards that can/should volunteer their services for the occasional, non-blog opinionated news stories. The biggest shift in the newer CHUD is the massive shortage of front page stories. I used to go to CHUD for up to date movie news, and there are simply far less writers working on the staff. I think the CHUD attitude remains somewhat uncommon amongst the movie website scene, so I would love to see some of these voices take a larger stake in the site. The movie website scene is incredibly crowded, but there's a large niche that CHUD fills that other sites don't.


Agreed.  As much as I enjoy the 365 Days of Sci-Fi features, it is very disconcerting when I open up the site and they seem to account for so many of the articles and threads on CHUD.  I am MORE than willing to help out in any way I can................and not just when it comes to clicking ads and liking articles.

post #19 of 80

Some ideas...

1) news
To improve news... maybe open the Chud.com Main forums for others to write, and pin that on the main page as user generated content? For example if say Hunter Tarantino finds a new Expendables news like Confirmed: Scott Adkins is in The Expendables 2, he might not create such a long or well-written article as Renn would do, but maybe he'd bring it five hours earlier, thus making it way more attractive to readers. Because right now, Chud happens to have news mostly long after other sites have. The only really new news I find on this site are in the beloved b action movie threads. It really happens often that I see some cool stuff on another page and have to wait hours before being able to talk about it here. Anyone of us should be able to write short news, but as of now, everyone respects the old system of mostly waiting for you guys doing it. I think it'd be way better if you put your time into podcasts/reviews/specials and guy.com/producing movies/family and give us that daily work. If there are 20 active regulars doing news here and there, it'd be more than enough to cover everything.

This would reduce your costs and time, you'd have more and quicker content.

2) layout
I think the main site is quite chaotic to navigate, probably the least comfortable if compared to worstpreviews, comingsoon, badassdigest, moviehole, slashfilm, darkhorizons. If you're well into it, it's not a problem (but still bad), but first impression makes it quite difficult to differentiate. For example we got "Latest News" & "Latest". I wouldn't know what's the difference. Maybe kill the right column and just bring Latest Posts from Chud Main as "News". Then, in a different coloring, do two colums on the left. One "CHUD Reviews", the "CHUD Articles", which include specials, podcasts and everything else that isn't reviews or news. I think there needs to be a clear differentiation. Users need to be able to directly find news, reviews and misc without searching or skimming through other links.

I also think it's a major problem that on a resolution of 1280*1024 visiting chud.com I do not see any of the daily content. Only when I scroll down, otherwise the first impression ends right under the slideshow. I'd drastically reduce the chud logo size. Maybe kill it all together and get it where the Welcome to the Sewer stands. If you want daily users, they need to directly see their daily content. If you're into news, they need to be out there as quickly as possible. And if you want articles to stand out, they need to stand out and not go under between Funny Photoshop and Review That Is Supposed To Be In The Review Column. I think a web designer should be able to vastly improve the main site's layout in a day's work (otherwise he screws you). With that and more and quicker news we should be able to increase readers, resulting in added retweets and likes and recommendations, thus being able to finance this beast for a while longer.

post #20 of 80

Renn is the future. He is slowly becoming the new voice of this site and a fine one at that. Also he has not yet called me a moron like a certain previous contributor did.

 

More Renn Please. And more lists! People love lists! I love lists!

 

 

post #21 of 80

Nick Nunziata, I read...CHUD.COM Every Day.  Of course I also...Post every day as well. That is not just the message boards but the comments connected to several articles as well.  I do not go on...Facebook or their Clones either though.  I hope there will be a Post Release Thread for...The Killer Elite, as I think that will be one of the...Best Films of 2011!  

 

Fazer, I like your suggestion.

post #22 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fazer View Post

one suggestion: Just hire DUKE FLEED from the B-action movie thread to write all your headline puns.  clicks would increase...exponentially


You may well be joking, but I tell you this: the good duke wouldn't have missed a pun as tasty as "The Expandables" for an article on any casting news. Not having a pop at anyone who didn't use that one. Just saying.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike's Pants View Post

Renn is the future. He is slowly becoming the new voice of this site and a fine one at that. Also he has not yet called me a moron like a certain previous contributor did.

 

More Renn Please. And more lists! People love lists! I love lists!


How anyone could come off with such a silly comment about a priceless member of this community... it boggles the mind. I agree that watching Renn develop his voice has been a lot of fun. And the boy just keeps getting better. New lists are, indeed, always welcome too.

 

post #23 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby Bear View Post


You may well be joking, but I tell you this: the good duke wouldn't have missed a pun as tasty as "The Expandables" for an article on any casting news. Not having a pop at anyone who didn't use that one. Just saying.

 


How anyone could come off with such a silly comment about a priceless member of this community... it boggles the mind. I agree that watching Renn develop his voice has been a lot of fun. And the boy just keeps getting better. New lists are, indeed, always welcome too.

 

 

 

THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO HIRE THE DUKE
 

 

post #24 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by donde View Post

Hey Nick, any chance of adding that Google+ icon to the articles (and whatever else is allowed)? I don't use Facebook and Twitter is only occasionally. At least with Google+, I tend to be logged into my Google account all day so clicking the +1 is pretty convenient.

It's a small thing but this is done - we're listening, gang.
 

 

post #25 of 80

I often click "like" but I don't post links as much as I should. I am rectifying that today... Starting with Renn's terrific piece on Nolan; and will try to post at least one link per day on Facebook from now on.

post #26 of 80

I hate to be that guy, but after having posted numerous times about some ad-related bug that completely freezes my browser (forced to use IE during the day) and others posting related bugs, and no activity to fix the bug, I've been sort of forced to give up on CHUD. I come here at night when I have time, and post a bit, but it seems like the site's on life support and not terribly interested in fixing a bug that I'm guessing is affecting more users than just three of us. A lot of folks are forced to use IE for work purposes, which means it's likely the bug is making the forums all but unusable for most of them.

 

Then again, maybe the forums don't matter - the money is generated by clicks on the main site and its articles.

 

I love CHUD. I've made some great virtual friends here, and it's been the highlight of my online browsing and "life" for a number of years. I hate letting it go. But when it's unavailable the majority of the time I'm online and is making no apparent headway in correcting the problem, I have to assume my presence here doesn't matter. I say that without rancor - I don't know what goes on at CHUD, have no idea what pressures, deadlines, etc. are affecting priorities. But it also doesn't change the fact that I can't access the site, no changes seem to be happening to alter that, and from things like this thread, the site doesn't seem healthy.

 

I'm sad, and I think a CHUD-less world will be less enjoyable. I hope things change for everyone for the better.

post #27 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby Bear View Post


You may well be joking, but I tell you this: the good duke wouldn't have missed a pun as tasty as "The Expandables" for an article on any casting news. Not having a pop at anyone who didn't use that one. Just saying.

 

 

 

Love that! Always defer to Bobby people!
 

 

post #28 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelM View Post

I hate to be that guy, but after having posted numerous times about some ad-related bug that completely freezes my browser (forced to use IE during the day) and others posting related bugs, and no activity to fix the bug, I've been sort of forced to give up on CHUD. I come here at night when I have time, and post a bit, but it seems like the site's on life support and not terribly interested in fixing a bug that I'm guessing is affecting more users than just three of us. A lot of folks are forced to use IE for work purposes, which means it's likely the bug is making the forums all but unusable for most of them.

 

Then again, maybe the forums don't matter - the money is generated by clicks on the main site and its articles.

 

I love CHUD. I've made some great virtual friends here, and it's been the highlight of my online browsing and "life" for a number of years. I hate letting it go. But when it's unavailable the majority of the time I'm online and is making no apparent headway in correcting the problem, I have to assume my presence here doesn't matter. I say that without rancor - I don't know what goes on at CHUD, have no idea what pressures, deadlines, etc. are affecting priorities. But it also doesn't change the fact that I can't access the site, no changes seem to be happening to alter that, and from things like this thread, the site doesn't seem healthy.

 

I'm sad, and I think a CHUD-less world will be less enjoyable. I hope things change for everyone for the better.




I certainly reported your bug but never heard anything back from them and (unless I missed it) didn't hear from you again - so I assumed it had been cleared up.  Apparently it hasn't and I'll make sure it does.

post #29 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler View Post

I certainly reported your bug but never heard anything back from them and (unless I missed it) didn't hear from you again - so I assumed it had been cleared up.  Apparently it hasn't and I'll make sure it doe


No slagging on you (or anyone) was meant, JG - you're a good guy, and I know you have your hands full. Appreciate that you'll follow up.

 

I have posted in the General Bug, thread, though, that the problem's continued. Prit sure my last post was within a week or less ago.

 

post #30 of 80

I gave up on trying to access this site using IE a long time ago.  I just know to use Chrome, now.

post #31 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post

I gave up on trying to access this site using IE a long time ago.  I just know to use Chrome, now.



As I (and others) have said, using something else besides IE during the day isn't a choice. It's the company-provided browser, and I don't have admin rights on the work-provided laptop.

 

I use Firefox at home and have not had any problems with it, but I'm simply not in front of the PC at home as much.

post #32 of 80

I'm stuck with IE at work as well.  My new gig kinda frowns upon 'surfing', so I don't even try to log into CHUD (or pretty much ANY non-work related site) during the day.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to slight your issue or your complaint.  It is surely a valid bitch to have.

post #33 of 80
Hope a CHUD iPhone app doesn't get you fired.
post #34 of 80

Speaking of the iPhone. I only have a brief time to check the boards during the day at work, and it's only through Safari on my iPhone, but the boards run pretty sluggish. Is it Safari, or is it just my iPhone? It's only a minor annoyance, and like others, I have Firefox, and have no problems.

 

How's the app coming along, Sairus? Looking forward to having it!

post #35 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fazer View Post
THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO HIRE THE DUKE

 

He's A#1!!!
 

 



Quote:
Originally Posted by Erix View Post

I often click "like" but I don't post links as much as I should. I am rectifying that today... Starting with Renn's terrific piece on Nolan; and will try to post at least one link per day on Facebook from now on.

 

I'll be doing the same.
 

 

post #36 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) View Post

Speaking of the iPhone. I only have a brief time to check the boards during the day at work, and it's only through Safari on my iPhone, but the boards run pretty sluggish. Is it Safari, or is it just my iPhone? It's only a minor annoyance, and like others, I have Firefox, and have no problems.

 

How's the app coming along, Sairus? Looking forward to having it!


We're in the progress of starting a public beta soon. Check the thread in my sig for updates and ways to get in on that list.

I will say that that we're trying to throw a lot of polish in it. The coding is done and graphics and what not. We're just running it through the ringer to get it perfect.

What version of the phone do you have with what iOS version? My iPhone 4 and iPad 2 run the forum and what not just fine.

They also run pretty decent in app as well (things are optimized for mobile there).
post #37 of 80

Whatever happend to the B movie Column?  That was some good reading.

 

Screw it, let Molt and Duke have a Tag Team column each week and just talk about stuff.

 

 

I'd love to do a retro TV column and I can think of a few Chewers I would saddle up with for that.

post #38 of 80

Support for The B Movie Column is most appreciated... It went on hiatus for, let's say, "retooling." But it will be coming back with a vengeance soon.

post #39 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAIRUS View Post

Hope a CHUD iPhone app doesn't get you fired.


You making a Droid app as well?

 

post #40 of 80

As much as it pains me, you'd probably get way more traffic if you let the B-Action guys do their thing with front page news items. The amount of news stories they post in that thread per day would probably give the site enough content for a week.

 

Although I think the model of free-labour and community driven content is perhaps a little shaky to be building a site on. As much as people are eager to do stuff to help the site out you can't just maintain with volunteers. Because at some point the stuff people are passionate about enough to write about isn't going to be enough to keep them making content and to be honest you're far better having three of four dedicated, PROFESSIONAL, writers with community content as a boutique thing between professional articles.

 

And I say this as someone who writes nothing but boutique, community content for the front page.

 

The problem is that if you're not paying writers then essentially you're running off Narcissism and goodwill which means that you end up with capricious contributors who can leave you high and dry or, in my case, post up a second draft of an article with some ridiculous grammatical errors.

post #41 of 80

S.D. Bob Plissken, Thank you for the support.

 

Ken Savage, I...Love, your concept of the Tag Team of Moltisanti and me!  I was in the supermarket the original day, and I told the cashier, that their store was the original...AP!  I was shopping at the...A+P!

post #42 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post




You making a Droid app as well?

 


Not at the moment, getting one app out is the 1st goal, then we will see. I do think about it, and start to whimper about the fragmentation. We have some very hardware specific toys in the app, and making a 100% conversion will require some love for each device if we want to support the devices.

 

That said, I will be thinking of it. There are just a lot of factors (nothing bad) that I want to take care of to establish a firm CHUD mobile section of the site, which includes front ends (the apps) and backends (the site) which obviously feed into each other. The more I can make the back end more universal (it's very geared to iPad and iPhone at the moment), then other apps will be a possibility.

 

I'll say one thing, iPad users might get pretty happy maybe around Christmas.

 

post #43 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler View Post






I certainly reported your bug but never heard anything back from them and (unless I missed it) didn't hear from you again - so I assumed it had been cleared up.  Apparently it hasn't and I'll make sure it does.



Unfortunately it's not cleared up (I had to kill IE 3 times just to post this reply).  I'm not quite sure about your logic though, assuming that it must be fixed because you weren't hearing from anybody.  A few of us have posted in the general forum bug thread with absolutely no response since your initial response.  When it's such a huge effort to be able to post it's probably not a great idea to assume silence means things are fixed.

 

post #44 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler View Post






I certainly reported your bug but never heard anything back from them and (unless I missed it) didn't hear from you again - so I assumed it had been cleared up.  Apparently it hasn't and I'll make sure it does.



I'm still seeing this on IE, though it is not as bad as it was.   It happens enough were I avoid using IE when I can.  Just thought I'd throw that out there...

 

post #45 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAIRUS View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rene (Mr.Eko) View Post

Speaking of the iPhone. I only have a brief time to check the boards during the day at work, and it's only through Safari on my iPhone, but the boards run pretty sluggish. Is it Safari, or is it just my iPhone? It's only a minor annoyance, and like others, I have Firefox, and have no problems.

 

How's the app coming along, Sairus? Looking forward to having it!


We're in the progress of starting a public beta soon. Check the thread in my sig for updates and ways to get in on that list.

I will say that that we're trying to throw a lot of polish in it. The coding is done and graphics and what not. We're just running it through the ringer to get it perfect.

What version of the phone do you have with what iOS version? My iPhone 4 and iPad 2 run the forum and what not just fine.

They also run pretty decent in app as well (things are optimized for mobile there).

I'm working from a 3GS that is up to date iOS wise. Looking into upgrading to the new one that's coming out in October.

I also hope to save up some pesos so I can get an iPad sometime soon. Your hint about Christmas time only makes me want to get it sooner.
post #46 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAIRUS View Post


 

I'll say one thing, iPad users might get pretty happy maybe around Christmas.

 


You say this AFTER I give my iPad away.  Booo.

 

post #47 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler View Post




You say this AFTER I give my iPad away.  Booo.

 


Sorry, it was planned for, but to be announced only after you gave your iPad away.  Took a lot of work, had to bribe and blackmail a lot of people, but the look on your face was worth it. Just to make matters worse, we were going to sneak in a small midget to play the Saw end music as you realized all the clues that lead to this conclusion. The midget said we crossed the line with the music. :)

 

Now if you'll excuse me, my car needs a new paint job. Grandmas are now 25 pts and families earn you a multiplier if you leave the kids alive! I also just had a menopause ray installed.  It's quite genius really. Just fires pure radiation towards ovaries. We test it on orphans.

 

post #48 of 80
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post




You making a Droid app as well?

 


I second this...big time.

 

post #49 of 80

Kind of taking the topic back to the thread, it could be a very interesting future if the apps take off. Like the site ends up just being a giant cloud server where all the articles are housed and everyone accesses it via an app.

 

Shit, did I say apps? ERRR UMMM (pulls out a forgetmenow) TAKE ONE AND LOVE US AGAIN!

 

 

post #50 of 80

Right now I use Tapatalk to access the forums on my phone (Atrix 4G), but I'd love to see an official app for android that has forum access and article access as well!

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