FISO Malaise

[Zimmerman]

When FISO started access could only be via PC, nowadays the mobile is becoming the majority's method of accessing the internet, whatever is posted does need to be mobile friendly, I don't know whether the voiced issue might have a bearing.

This is a big issue actually. Personally I don't see why everything has to be mobile friendly. I hate smartphones and only have an iPhone under sufferance (for business purposes and facetime mainly). Other than that I don't use it and never for FISO. Isn't there a case that there's a place for a forum that doesn't try to be all things to all people? Something a bit more specialised? I don't see how FISO FPL could possibly develop a USP otherwise, certainly not by competing in the twitter race to the bottom.

The majority of forum users are accessing by mobile, it should really be seen as the default platform. Any website that doesn't adapt will die, it's as simple as that.

But it's a website, right? Not twitter or facebook. I can understand that mobiles are the common platform for those but why should a website be? It would be like saying that smartphones should be seen as the default platform for books or periodicals.

Books are for reading; websites are for browsing on a computer; twitter and instagram are services primarily designed for mobiles. Is that too simplistic?

This may be demographically true (probably not) but the fact remains, mobiles are the primary channel of choice.

The thought of reading a book on a kindle is unthinkable for me.... just like streaming music was (until 12 months ago).

I reckon if we were to set a survey up... the massive majority of people will say the vast majority of their FISO time is via a mobile.

In fact, I’d be surprised if Chris doesn’t already have this data.

[Ruth_NZ]

Good, so set FISO FPL up in a way that encourages/forces people to access via a laptop rather than a phone. Rather than accommodating the preference to access via mobile as a bias.

If you go the accommodation route you'll get shorter and more throwaway posts and less considered discussion. That is already evident on FFS, where the comments stream has long since become little more than froth. The movers and shakers in FFS are much more interested in twitter and/or youtube than the website now and spend much more time there than on the site. The FFS twitter feed is what they focus a lot of attention on. In fact the articles and the members stats section are all that is left that justifies the subscription.

I think a similar trend is evident on FISO, except we don't have OPTA stats or articles that are of any significant value. So what does FISO have to compete in the digital era? Nothing.

That's why I say don't compete at all. Make this a specialist site with depth knowledge and discussion. Make people access via a computer and with time in order to get the full benefit, just using mobile to keep in touch on the move if they like. Create a library of FPL game theory. Commission some articles even. We certainly have the managers to do it. I think it would even be worth a small subscription that could perhaps be waived after 3 or 5 years of membership and/or after a certain number of posts (so that the current regulars wouldn't be required to pay).

I think FISO gets a better opportunity by not going down the default route here but rather by going the opposite way. But I expect I'll be in the minority.

[forestfan]

Online poker nights, and lots more besides...

You can count me in. I don't get to play much poker nowadays.

Haven’t played for ages myself either, mean to get back into it, though I suspect the sites will be much less active these days (and the standard probably higher at each limit now most of the casual fish have long since swum away? Bloody US gambling laws...)

It was over 10 years ago when we had a regular FISO private sit-and-go on a weekly basis, I think we sometimes had enough people to start off with two tables. We had a heads-up championship on a couple of occasions as well, and plenty of discussion activity (bad beat stories etc!) on the poker forum.

[jeffmcgow]

I think a similar trend is evident on FISO, except we don't have OPTA stats or articles that are of any significant value. So what does FISO have to compete in the digital era? Nothing.

You are too modest, Ruth_NZ. Your RMT threads are essential reading and a definite highlight of FISO.

[murf]

Sorry, can't see any logic in reducing the user numbers for FISO by alienating either phone users or laptop users. I'd be annoyed either way as I do both depending on where I'm sat!

[Spencer4]

The login issue means I never bother to access Fiso on a phone and if I do the ads make using it really hard. In fact the log-in issue is such that I often don't even bother to look at Fiso knowing what I have to do just to check any new posts.

The new 'all on the left' feature is puzzling, I feel we're bit by bit going back to the way websites used to be back in the 2000s. Hate to say it, but there are now other sites I go to first.

[forestfan]

Anyway, with reference to my earlier posts on this thread, I was inspired to have a game of poker last night. First one I lasted two hands, but soon got back into the swing of it... also started trawling through the old poker threads on here!

[Maldini]

The login issue means I never bother to access Fiso on a phone and if I do the ads make using it really hard. In fact the log-in issue is such that I often don't even bother to look at Fiso knowing what I have to do just to check any new posts.

The new 'all on the left' feature is puzzling, I feel we're bit by bit going back to the way websites used to be back in the 2000s. Hate to say it, but there are now other sites I go to first.

The Tapatalk app makes FISO an absolute doddle on your phone. In fact, it’s a far superior experience than the actual site.

[jacksosi]

The login issue means I never bother to access Fiso on a phone and if I do the ads make using it really hard. In fact the log-in issue is such that I often don't even bother to look at Fiso knowing what I have to do just to check any new posts.

The new 'all on the left' feature is puzzling, I feel we're bit by bit going back to the way websites used to be back in the 2000s. Hate to say it, but there are now other sites I go to first.

The Tapatalk app makes FISO an absolute doddle on your phone. In fact, it’s a far superior experience than the actual site.

+1

(Puts tin hat on and awaits Mose’s arrival)

[DavidLloydIsAHero]

As a new member to FISO this season after ATFPL closed down part way through last season I am perhaps a different perspective. I have no knowledge of what the site was before and therefore no expectations of it based on past experience.

I come here for FPL information and debate, I would certainly participate in a more general football discussion but lots of other sites do that and do it well. I have branched out into a couple of other areas but again lots of other sites do those topics as well. Since ATFPL closed down I have not found anywhere that comes close to FISO for FPL. All the relevant information is collated in one place and the ability to debate at length is not something I have found anywhere else.

The sidegames are a very welcome addition for me as well but they are exactly that an addition, not to take away the hard work of the admins on these at all.

[blahblah]

The login issue means I never bother to access Fiso on a phone and if I do the ads make using it really hard. In fact the log-in issue is such that I often don't even bother to look at Fiso knowing what I have to do just to check any new posts.

The new 'all on the left' feature is puzzling, I feel we're bit by bit going back to the way websites used to be back in the 2000s. Hate to say it, but there are now other sites I go to first.

The Tapatalk app makes FISO an absolute doddle on your phone. In fact, it’s a far superior experience than the actual site.

+1

(Puts tin hat on and awaits Mose’s arrival)

Yep, my phone brings me straight in......

[blahblah]

As a new member to FISO this season after ATFPL closed down part way through last season I am perhaps a different perspective. I have no knowledge of what the site was before and therefore no expectations of it based on past experience.

I come here for FPL information and debate, I would certainly participate in a more general football discussion but lots of other sites do that and do it well. I have branched out into a couple of other areas but again lots of other sites do those topics as well. Since ATFPL closed down I have not found anywhere that comes close to FISO for FPL. All the relevant information is collated in one place and the ability to debate at length is not something I have found anywhere else.

The sidegames are a very welcome addition for me as well but they are exactly that an addition, not to take away the hard work of the admins on these at all.

Absolutely no offence, but that is exactly the problem. FISO used to be do much more than just Fantasy Football info and was a very entertaining place as well.

[DavidLloydIsAHero]

As a new member to FISO this season after ATFPL closed down part way through last season I am perhaps a different perspective. I have no knowledge of what the site was before and therefore no expectations of it based on past experience.

I come here for FPL information and debate, I would certainly participate in a more general football discussion but lots of other sites do that and do it well. I have branched out into a couple of other areas but again lots of other sites do those topics as well. Since ATFPL closed down I have not found anywhere that comes close to FISO for FPL. All the relevant information is collated in one place and the ability to debate at length is not something I have found anywhere else.

The sidegames are a very welcome addition for me as well but they are exactly that an addition, not to take away the hard work of the admins on these at all.

Absolutely no offence, but that is exactly the problem. FISO used to be do much more than just Fantasy Football info and was a very entertaining place as well.

None taken, that is why I thought my perspective might be helpful. If the other forums were more active (as some of the News/Politics ones are) I would almost certainly join in more, I appreciate that is a bit chicken and egg, if I joined in they would be more active!

Certainly if FISO could pull off the near impossible and have a general football forum that doesn't regularly devolve into partisan shouting matches that would be great.

I guess I find the site incredibly useful in its current format and would be happy with it staying the same. But again, anything that can be added that doesn't take away from the current experience will only ever be a bonus.

[blahblah]

I thought we do ok avoiding shouting matches?

[DavidLloydIsAHero]

I thought we do ok avoiding shouting matches?

We do from my limited time on the forum, but that is on the a forum with the FPL slant to everything so everyone is naturally more analytical about it or in the case of the general football forum the traffic is so low that it never really gets going.

I've not found a high volume general football discussion anywhere online that doesn't just devolve into a series of shouting matches, I was even involved in an invite only forum for a while which was great but in an attempt to freshen up and get new blood ended up falling into the same traps.

[murf]

Many threads will just fall into MTIBTYT (My Team Is Better Than Your Team) crap which is why I have largely given up on leading any threads about (my) Liverpool, even FF ones on team selection etc. Happy to chip in with, hopefully, useful 'expert' info elsewhere when I can (even on FPL threads )

Has to be said some are OK (eg Jose/Man U one this year) but, as it is with t'interweb, you always fear it is one step from chaos (see also FISO politics threads - and note certain individuals are banned from general football forums on here). FISO is better than many places for that I guess but I don't really 'hang out' anywhere else or 'do' social MEdia so I'm no expert!

[admin]

This may be demographically true (probably not) but the fact remains, mobiles are the primary channel of choice.

The thought of reading a book on a kindle is unthinkable for me.... just like streaming music was (until 12 months ago).

I reckon if we were to set a survey up... the massive majority of people will say the vast majority of their FISO time is via a mobile.

In fact, I’d be surprised if Chris doesn’t already have this data.

Access to fiso by:

Mobile ranges between 45% to 50%
Desktop ranges between 40% to 45%
Tablet ranges between 5% to 10%

[yetifor]

The Divisionals is one of the best sidegames on FISO and it owed a great deal to MoSe's input to the thread, let alone all the admin involved. Now it appears we won't only have a less active thread, we may lose the Divisionals altogether, because I don't see anyone else running it with the same brio.

[murf]

Interesting re-reading this 3+ years on.

Not a lot has changed in that time and the ongoing decline of FISO has been slow as we just carry on. That counts as success, right?

I guess I access FISO by mobile a greater proportion of the time now. Tapatalk is great for that with basic text but is rubbish for emphasis with bold, tables and pictures etc etc. I still go to my laptop to update sidegames and comps.

Talking of sidegames, numbers remain fairly low relative to FISO's heyday but aren't really dwindling further in general with established comps but the numbers of comps is reducing and anything new is almost doomed to failure.

Note - I am talking TFF and non-FF stuff here, I don't play FPL so can't comment on that.

One issue is member turnover and nearly all new members being ghetto dwellers in FPL land. That battle is, sadly, lost but I fight on and post in the right places for those that do too. So much 'noise' in the mess of FPL land that you would soon lose an important post (say, about a fixture change or Haaland's flu) so that way doesn't work anyway.

So.... we carry on.

[Malrom]

FISDODAS is back, which is a major improvement!!!

Thank you, Jester!!!

[forestfan]

Yeah, it’s many years since FPL effectively took over, probably pushing half the time FISO has been going… but there’s plenty of other stuff that lives on. If it was just an FPL site it would have probably long since been pushed aside by other sources focused on that.

We’ve had eras where the idiots have taken over and there’s been conflict but it’s typically blown over eventually and individuals or groups sent packing (I was just wondering the other day what became of Darkspidey/Richard Roma and his numerous alter-egos, maybe he found another community to annoy!) And I presume the forum started by the splinter group from the forum wars all those years ago is long gone…

[Spinynorman]

Darkspidey!

[murf]

Darkspidey!

A blast from....

Probably find out he was finally banned about 10 years ago but he seems like a recent foe!

[forestfan]

Darkspidey!

A blast from....

Probably find out he was finally banned about 10 years ago but he seems like a recent foe!

You may have underestimated… the darkspidey ID last posted in 2009 and the RichardRoma one in 2010, though there may have been more recent reincarnations…

[unc.si.]

Ahh, Darkspidey. The guy who asked for advice on a starter bike then claimed a 10 mileTT time that put him roughly on a par with Brad Wiggins

[blahblah]

Ahh, Darkspidey. The guy who asked for advice on a starter bike then claimed a 10 mileTT time that put him roughly on a par with Brad Wiggins

I don't remember him/her, but I remember that thread

[Darbyand]

Who was the LFC supporting idiot with a Robin Hood avatar? He started a praise thread about some kid who'd scored a couple of goals for the under 14s and said he was the next Pele when challenged.

[bluenosey]

Who was the LFC supporting idiot with a Robin Hood avatar? He started a praise thread about some kid who'd scored a couple of goals for the under 14s and said he was the next Pele when challenged.

That was Achilles wasn't it ?

I take it he wasn't on your Xmas card list

[el_pappje]

We've had many "state of FISO" debates over the years. It's been through a lot of different phases, but one thing's for certain, it's still going strong after what must be pushing 20 years, which is pretty impressive.

There may be competition from general social media, and other FF forums (I haven't looked at the FFS one, presumably it lives up to its name, and not sure if the schoolyard bullies' FF forum is still going but have little wish to find out). But there's still hundreds of posts per day, after all the people have come and gone over the years.

It does seem more FPL-focused now (a game I've never got on with, but has slowly suffocated its rivals over the past decade, sadly) and less "social"... I remember what you might call the golden era of FISO, around when this current board started, there were so many national FF games, side games and discussion threads. Obviously it had its problem individuals, who not everyone agreed about (other than darkspidey, who everyone apart from those in charge was campaigning for about 5 years to ban permanently ) but there was a lot of good stuff. It gave rise to games like FISODAS, PL predictions/FISO Goals, and many others. Online poker nights, and lots more besides... I'd love to see some of that back (even if not some of the dickheads) but things move on, and with the speed that the online world has moved on, FISO has to be regarded as one of the great survivors.

I'm squarely in the category of mostly lapsed FISOer Vid referred to, life, the death of OFL Golf and the dominance of FPL all contributing to spending less and less time here. The resurrection of FISODAS has brought me back a bit more, and funnily enough the thread on parkrun eventually piqued my interest so much I started doing it and have now run over 100 of them and ended up doing half and a first full marathon as a result, making some great friends along the way. There's probably only about 6 active users now who know why my comic touch was legendary.

However, I wanted to thank forestfan for reminding me of darkspidey, I'd forgotten all about him. It's reminded me of getting a telling off for using information he'd publicly posted to post a street view shot of his house (IIRC) with a comment about it looking a nice area to live. Ah, those were the days

I barely ever use FISO on mobile FWIW, however can understand that many do and the site needs to reflect that. One quick way of taking the pulse is to ask how many posters meet up for a beer? I know the golf squad are still going strong but other than that? I moved away from Edinburgh many moons ago and have always missed the Edinburgh socials with The Lip and The Ledge. Online communities evolve but they can be kept alive without too much effort.

[unc.si.]

I’ve had a few beers with Dot and his mates a couple of times
And Barry, Lip, Ledge and a couple of others. Not for a while though.