Discussion
Send a Compliment at 12:51 PST, 13 December, 2008SideReel launched new features today to help people find videos to watch.
On all TV pages (for example: 30 Rock ) there is a fancy new episode guide! Find the episode you want to watch, click one of the sources shown or click 'Search for more sources' to find more! Have a link to contribute? Click 'Add a Link'! Is there an episode that's missing? Click 'Add an Episode'.
On all pages you'll notice a section named Popular Searches. Anything that's not a Season or Episode of a TV show can be searched for from there. Have a link to add? Click Submit Url to enter your links with some tags to describe it.
Have more questions? Check out yoga123's guide: http://www.sidereel.com/_post/96073
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
last edited by Send a Compliment at 8:28 PST, 17 December, 2008
Stumble It!
Comments (160 comments)
I am not enjoying the new sidereel.
I think this made things a little bit more complicated than what most people like.
New site blows big time. I hate the changes you made. It is indeed way too complicated and needed no changing from before.
Like any new changes, there will be a period of adjustment. Hopefully opinions will change when you see the reduction in spam, the lack of a dozen "categories" (open me! No open me! DVD no spam, open me!), and other improvements to make finding links easier. Instead of heaps of drop down menus, you will find a link to pages for the relevant episode with all the links in a row. Try it out for more than a few minutes and come back to tell us how these improvements help you find your links more easily.
I cant get anything to work! You either need to add some instructions or simplify or you will lose people like me. Even shows I have watched recently, wont even open to show me any links.
Which shows are you trying to access? I'd be happy to help you.
Your "big changes" crashed my browser twice and has led to lots of pop up ads. Please undo the changes.
paradoxia, what browser are you using? I'm not finding any pop-up ads on three different browsers.
I am trying to watch Wall-E, but when I get to the site there are no links whatsoever. I tried a few other movies to see if it was just Wall-E, but there weren't links for the others either.
This new version sucks. I've gotten the hang of it but I still don't like it. The older version was better and had way less pop ups. I give this new version two thumbs down!
not as good as the last version
i can't find any links ANYWHERE...crappy version...:(
Guys and girls Sidereel is cool and yet its FREE SERVICE!!! ......stop whinning and give it a support while u can. Wat ever changes they made its a good for u people, just appreciate it.
Thanks sidereel for giving us the best what you got.... :) Cheers everyone!
Props for running a good service... I thank you for that...
However, I can't find the links, so I'm leaning towards not liking this version so much.
For movies, look under the appropriate tag on the upper right hand corner. For television episodes, look under the relevant episode and click the search link.
I dont like the new version either. I am not able to find a right scroll that can be moved down so I get the screen in the center of my monitor. The arrow appears grey and I am not able to move it down. What do I do? I cannot watch any of the TV shows!
Thanks for your thoughts everyone!
It is indeed a big change. Be assured that you can still search for sources of video on SideReel. The addition of the search results page means that we can be more flexible in our fight against spam. I'm sure you, like me, hates clicking a link to catch up on 30 Rock and then ending up with a spam site.
We haven't changed anything substantial with our advertising. If you're seeing pop-ups it is likely a result of a video site listed in our search results. I'll definitely look into it though! No one likes a cluttered experience.
Please keep your thoughts coming! Your opinion is highly valued and certainly welcome as we forge forward with SideReel!
what is really bugging me at the moment are the reviews and discussions that are being blocked up by spam! I log into my profile page and have to trawl through the nonsense to find out what folks are posting. Anything that can be done about this!
The site is as valuable to me as a place to read about whats going on in tv land as it is a place to watch it. I obv. prefer watching it! lol! but can usually find what I'm looking for elsewere if I cant get it on here. The charm of sidereel is what keeps me coming back!
Dont rip its heart out! :(
Ok, It is working now. I dont know what was wrong when I posted before, but it wouldnt open up any episodes of anything for me. Now it is so I guess that was just a glitch or something. Now that I can find my shows, I find I like this version ok. Its not spectacular or anything, but its just as good as the old one, and if there is less spam, thats great!
@Captain-Pineapples - I totally hear you! It drives me nuts too. You've probably noticed that we've moved Reviews down below the Episode Guide, thus removing the prime placement that Review spam was getting. This should cut down on it some, we've got some other tricks up our sleeves too.
Down with spam!
This is really confusing. You need to explain this better. I have always easily found my links for 'Friends' and now going to the site, all I see are lame 'amazon' and 'iTunes' links (I don't use a Mac, iTunes, iPod, or any of those so it's useless to me) and it took me coming to this home page to even get the inkling that maybe clicking on 'find more sources' would get me somewhere... and then I found all the normal, useful links.
So this either needs to be explained better (ie. that 'more sources' is where you will actually find the relevant, FREE links that we come here for!) or just go back to the old system.
Also, now this 'more sources' ads one more thing to click through, instead of already having to click show, season, episode, then link, it's now episode, then more sources, then link. I think fighting spam by checking the links (maybe employee volunteer moderators to check it) would be a better way than adding this other level of clicking.
funny you mention how to add links and episodes when almost all tv shows are locked 24/7!
I get what you are trying to do with the "click for more sources" for TV episodes but I think with some minor changes it could be a lot better.
For TV shows with sources like Hulu or the networks its fine, but when these sources don't exist, it doesn't help to show nothing. Perhaps a simple check to see if any "preferred" sources exist, and if they don't just go ahead and display all of the other sources.
I think it could also help to put in parentheses how many sources will turn up. That way it is faster to tell the difference between an episode with no sources, and just sources on megavideo for example. So it would read "Click to search for more sources (13)." Where 13 would be the number of sources that the "search" would turn up. Granted without bothering to think about how you probably have your database setup this could increase your server load.
That's just my 2 cents.
BTW
I am glad that the reviews are moved below the episode links, because it discourages me from reading reviews before watching the episode.
what happened to things that were outside of regular seasons? like trailers? or miniseries and webisodes? battlestar galactica had a TON of extra links before for the miniseries, the pre-season movies, and the webisodes that come between the seasons, and now none of them are linked anymore because it's just broken down into episodes and seasons.
i really liked the old format because i could see all the episodes at once without the extra click, which i don't really like. i also liked to be able to open more than one episode at once without ever leaving the screen (right click + open in new window) but with this new format i can't do it anymore.
in my opinion.... why change something that people never really had a problem with before and that everyone seemed satisfied enough with. please change back! :)
This sucks!! There was nothing wrong with the drop down menus.
I'm seriously thinking you guys are getting big bucks to do what you did. I notice when you select an episode, itunes, amazon and other "pay to watch" sites are the initial links, causing users to have to do a little extra to get to free links. I enjoy how you try to hide this fact by calling it an improvement to cut down on spam.
If you REALLY want to cut down on spam, you would screen links for zango, and also prevent trolls and spammers from posting "watch episode X before it airs here!!!" in the reviews, news and discussions sections of a shows page.
But hey, making money is what the internet is for right? All the power to you, just know I see through you, and that I'm not pleased by the fact you are assuming the public users of this site are idiots.
icody:
When was it ever the primary assumption that someone providing a service, freely and from their own resources, is prohibited from ever trying to earn anything by that process?
You don't have an inherent right to demand the unfettered use of the product of someone else's efforts, while placing strictures on whether or not ~they~ may also benefit from the fruit of those efforts.
Your petulance is quite unwarranted, not to mention ~sheer evil~ in its foundations. Why are you any more 'the public' than they?
Recommended reading: Atlas Shrugged/The Fountainhead -Ayn Rand
Frustrations abound. I know, I haven't gotten anything to operate yet, but I shall not be defeated.
Coming here, throwing tantrums and causing multitudes of people to roll their eyes in disdain doesn't really help you to evaluate the changes (HELLO FREE) this crew has worked hard to develop and offer. A little ~helpful~ dialogue will go further towards making sure the change is smooth and stress reduced for everyone.
Or as my dear mother would have said:
"Have some bleedin' MANNERS.".
Anyone using noscript will want to temp. allow the whole page (I haven't identified the script yet) so you can select episodes without just jumping to the top of the same page you're on. You'll see the episodes open up as you expect, with an option to search more.. blah blah see above. :)
Hope it helps
Muahah.
Victory is mine.
~insert obligatory eyeball rolling~
At first I was not too happy with the upgrades, but then i did notice that I am not bothered by all of the reviews and spoilers on the pages (which usually lets something slip before i can watch the episode), or the spam. I really wish that we could get rid of all the spammers that post links to junk sites in the reviews section but I also understand that it is a daunting task when someone can just create a new account and continue.
As for the look for more sources link, I am not so happy about it, and agree putting how many sources will be returned would be a great improvement, i understand that the site has to make money in order to keep providing us with free links so we shouldn't complain!
hit link history after you choose the show and episode.
The new set-up takes a while to get used to but mostly I just don't understand why this had to happen. If anyone is reading this to look for user feedback, I'd like to suggest someway to look at the links without having to leave the main show page. I often look to see if there are good links, how many, etc. for several episodes at a time.
Also how can I report that an individual comment in this feed is offensive?
@baredog - I totally get what you're saying. We'll continue to work on improving this method so we can get spam control and retain the same friendly site.
@sapidus3 - Thanks for the really thoughtful comments. You've got some great ideas there, we'll certainly look at those for the near future.
Thanks everyone! Keep the feedback coming!
I LOVE IT new SIDE REEL awesome. Great Job Everyone
Well.... not that I am totally unaware of all the changes here on Sidereel, but I guess I should comment here too.
The old Sidereel was definitely good.. I agree. But the new Sidereel is not bad too. In fact, it is better.
And with the new changes, it is obvious that they are being made to fight spam and provide 'YOU' with a better experience on Sidereel as a whole.
Anyone who claims that these changes were made with the sole intention of generating more revenue is either inexperienced or ignorant.
Someone also said that Sidereel should have kept the old look and 'mods should take care of the spam'. To that person, I would like to say... Please try to take over the responsibility of moderating Sidereel for just one day.
Change, is a vital part of any organization. The same goes for Sidereel. Spammers evolve and equip themselves with better tools to earn those extra bucks while infecting innocent users with spyware, bugs, adware, viruses, and lots of time wasted... Sidereel 'must' change to combat spam.
Granted that the new change is/was sudden for most of you.. but that is not something you should worry about. A few more days and you'll get used to it.
All it now takes is one extra click to get to your favorite TV Show or Movie.. and in the process, it'll greatly reduce the chances of you getting infected with a virus OR wasting time with spammy links... In that case, would you not be prepared to spare an extra second?
The SR team spends hours of coding to bring you what they think will help making your experience on SR a lot better... so why not appreciate their efforts by peacefully accepting the change and getting used to the new SR eventually? It's not like you're being asked to go through lots of extra work, etc!
Oh and I believe that the new system might have some bugs initially (people who said they could not see any episodes, etc). But then, nothing is perfect.. or at least not the first time. Bugs will be found and killed gradually..
Be patient... Patience is a virtue :-)
well,I just noticed the changes just now.However,I haven't checked out the links yet cause I don't have anything to watch for today.But I'll see tomorrow how it'll go.
But based from what I've been reading,the previous one was simpler.I hope I won't have any difficulties by tomorrow:)
i'm completely sure that this is a great step forward into reducing and fighting spam and keeping them away but I honestly think you guys have sacrificed usability for this matter.
i work on an online company (my full time job not my video link site) where we're constantly looking into how to increase usability and improve the users experience and we would never dare adding extra steps into a visitors workflow. in an online world less is always more.
in the end we'll have to see if these improvements keep spammers away and then move forward into improving usability.
I guess I must of hit a nerve for you to delete my post. I'll stick with my predictions about your eventual demise.
I don't like it but i have no choice but to get used to it. I just hope it was worth it.
I don't see a loss in usability, one extra click does not a genital-busting experience make. I think it IS worth it. One extra click in a free environment is so painfully easy to deal with, I'm agog at the number of people weeping over it. Perhaps instituting a "Buy a subscription to remove sponsored links" option should be put into play for those who are devastated by taking an extra second to see what they want.
Streamtv: Re: your poisonous 'prediction': Sidereel will never die. Don't give up your day job.
Oh yeah.. How about a 'back to top' function for each section (reviews, news, etc. My index finger is becoming strained with all this blasted scrolling. ^^ ~puppy-dog eyes~ ~flutter~ ~will beg shamelessly~
i hate the new sidereel so much!!!!
I know, taking advantage of a busy forum to ask an offtopic question is cheap. I can live with that:
I've tried adding some links to "In Treatment", but it claims the links cannot be added (they're from google) I have to take off for work soon, or I would have invested more time in finding the correct area to post this 8I
This is my evolution into a contributing member, from avid watcher. Please gimme a pointer, even if it's to a post that could help me out. I read the FAQ, didn't help much.
Thanks bunches!
S!
@streamtv
Ironic.. is it not? You're predicting the demise of a website you make use of yourself. If sidereel were not here today, I doubt you'd be getting to watch all the shows that you do now.
@sza22
Apparently you do, along with countless others. Change is not always appreciated... sadly enough.
Just take a moment to think about all the long hours of coding, and all the server bills SR has to go through to bring to you something you enjoy.. for free!
In return, can you not appreciate something SR is doing to make your experience here better?
@clueless
Agreed. And I am sure that SR too had usability in mind when putting out the new version. No one.. and I mean.. NO ONE would ever ignore a factor as important as usability when considering or implementing change/re-design.
Agreed that less is more.. but a single extra click will 'barely' take an extra second... all the while making everything more better, and cleaner.
I can point out a NUMBER of ways the new system has improved user-experience and usability, but listing them would take forever. I would be happy to send you a compliment with those if you want me to :-)
@sorrenea
Can you please mention the 'exact' error it gives you? I know you said they cannot be added, but I'd like to know the exact phrase it returns :)
(Chances are google links are banned.. maybe)
Once again, awesome stuff! Thanks everyone for the feedback!
@sorrenea - I sent you a compliment with more details but the long and short of it is that Google links are banned because spammers were abusing them as redirects to their malware laden sites.
@clueless - I totally agree that usability is a prime concern! This is just a first iteration of a really big change. Expect to see improvements and tweaks to it as the weeks go by. We absolutely want to have a highly usable environment for folks and while the addition of another page can be a bit annoying, the payoff in spam prevention will be worth it.
A lot of these changes are accompanied by big back-end changes by SideReel's hardworking engineering team. I expect there will be some bugs here and there but we'll tackle 'em and fix 'em quickly!
Thanks again everyone! You all rock!
Cheers sinister..
More power to SR :)
It is now more complicated and I have to make one more click to find the links. I like how everything was laid out before. I could see sources for multiple episodes at the same time. Bring old sidereel back!
I don't like the change :(
can we have a poll in order to more accurately gauge the popularity of the "new sidereel"?
if anything you should have fixed the messed up page state! It is so annoying how the page always reloads to top instead of where you were at on the page when you do actions like add a link.
Also I think the old side reel was much better... it just was... read through the comments on this page and there can be no doubt!
my 2 cents
PS: a better way to fight spam: more moderation. let people sign up to be "care takers" of specific pages... see where I'm going? still community driven
I agree the new sidereel is harder to navigate!!
belive me guys iam one of the thickest of ppl on the planet and when i saw the change i thought oh no thats done it i will never find any thing but all i did was post about it and tv queen explained and i looked for the links and that was it sorted because i dont understand coding and stuff like that that make this site work i leave it to the ppl that do so iam always greatful for what they do they put there time and money into this site so we can watch things for free this site has been a godsend for me i can watch so many shows before any one else and that says a lot as i live in the uk and the stations over here are behind in a lot of the programmes so stop whining and moaning at the guys who look after this site if you can do any better then go and make your own site they way you want it and leave sidereel to the ones that do want it the only prob i have and i have mentiond it many times is film links seem not to be added as quick here as one other site does that i used to use but iam sure sidereel are working on that as well as other things so liven up ppl and let them do what they do best and thats running a great site
Why can I no longer watch movies?
The movie says it has 9 links and it shows 0 links
I am also not enjoying the new Sidereel design. What is the point in adding an extra step to find what you're looking for. I liked the pop down menu under episodes. I can't stand the movie "Popular Search" I would much prefer to just see the links available on the main page.
How will these changes stop the spammers exactly?!
I'll start out by saying that you guys are awesome and I really appreciate the free service you all are providing.
That said, I really REALLY preferred the old sidereel. It was simply much faster and it made a lot more sense to be able to click on an episode and see all the available links, instead of clicking on the episode, seeing some of the links, and having to hit another button to see the rest. I do wish you guys would change this back.
I do, however, approve of moving the reviews section below the episodes, so we are less likely to get accidentally 'spoiled' before watching an episode.
These changes are poor, what happened to all the links?
I LOVE Sidereel because we do not have Showtime and this is the only way for me to watch my favorite show-DEXER! Until now, I had no problems watching a "just-aired" link. Now I cannot find any links at all under the Dexter season 3 guide. I am confused! Are they somewhere else now? I clicked on the "search for more sources" but it also says there are no links. Also, I am getting an annoying amount of pop-ups!! Def. more than I have seen previously! I do appreciate the site though-just wish it was working for this season finale!!!
I love the new features!! It was a bit confusing at first, but then I found it to be so much better this way. MUCH more organized and easier to sort/edit through! Thanks!!
I agree now, Dizzit! I have been playing around more and I am also finding it easier-I just can't find the episode I wanted to watch! Boo hoo!
Sidereel is getting to be too much. I don't like the new changes. What should have been done was to limit or 'slow down' the spammers from adding fake links. Not add yet another 'click' to the process. Is there other sites like Sidereel that i can check out?
yeh its not than much more complicated but its still iratating this is proberly the best streeming sight on the internet why make it any more complicated im in england and all the links you now give pride of place dont work over here so it just takes a little longer to find anything which is prity crap comon the anti spam initations are a good idear but listen to the users and make it simple once again please
I forgot to mention that noscript users will want to allow catchfly :) Mucho better.
Bummer about the google links 8I I'll keep looking for ones we can use. It looks like 'In Treatment' is gonna rock.
Please change it back, this new version is so much more complicated and annoying. It takes much longer to find anything and is a lot less clear.
I dislike having to look for "more sources" when usually I could just look to see which of 10 types of links I would like to use. It seems like the episodes not listed under 'look for more sources' are more prone to having commericals, or come from the TV network's site. I'd rather just watch it on megaupload or divx from the start.
Also I think it's inconvienient that you have to open a new window to see if there are any links available rather than just scrolling.
I do appreciate the site trying to make itself more user friendly, but this seems to go in the opposite direction
Again, for those joining us late in the game, and not willing to read the entire page here:
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
I just think it's great how there is user-moderator interaction on this website. That alone makes this website great; many websites that make changes pay no attention to what their users think, much less actually respond to their comments about it. I was actually very surprised when I saw responses from people that actually have an effect on how the website works. Just from that, I applaud for this website. If you have feedback like this from the developers/moderators of the site, then little changes, even if they may be bothersome to some people, are worth it.
Like I said earlier, and I stand by it...
The new change is not the end. They've informed us mods that there are more changes along the way.
So, please everyone.. just bear with it for a couple weeks. That's all. You'll still get to watch your favorite shows. We still have submissions coming in just like always.
It won't take long to get used to the new look (I'm doing that too, ain't I?).. but when you DO get used to it, you'll love it a lot better than the old one.
If anyone of you need help with anything (you are unable to find links for a certain show, etc) feel free to send a compliment my way.. I'll try to help you all out in whatever way I can.. and if I am unable to, I'll direct you to one of the Site Admins :)
@lifetalk, your making some very big assumptions there and not everyone will like it. What's there to love about it? It's the same sidereel but more ads.
This is about making more money, which is fair enough if they added some extra value in. But adding your trashy affiliate links and THEN making it harder to find the good stuff? That's a really bad idea. People come here to find free tv shows, plain and simple. If you make it hard to find said shows and stick more ads in the way, you will lose out. Everyone appreciates the effort that goes into this site but it's nothing that can't be replicated. If you start putting profits before your audience then you've got a floored plan and some other site will take your place.
If SideReel were putting profits before the audience, you'd be paying or elsewhere right now.
There are so many things ~inherently wrong~ about that post. Added some extra value? Ahh.. you mean other than free service. Hours of coding. Debugging. Troubleshooting. Monthly expenses. Cost of equipment. How many hours of volunteer work, recruited by both the quality of the service and of the SideReel admin? Freely offered support and technical assistance to everyone, regardless of how boorish and unfathomly evil they may or may not be. Constant updating of pages, and links. Oh yeah, and always with a smile. Did I mention FREE yet?
Don't like the ads? If you can use Google, you can find out how to minimize them. It may require some effort; you can be sure that simply wailing "GIMME IT" will fail. Reliably. Of course, you could always code your own site, the way you want it, out of your own pocket and with your own time. You can go look up the thousands of links, test em, and link em up to your own little fortress there in the basement. If your mom doesn't mind.
I don't like it at all. It went having many options to watch a show to almost nothing. Totally unnecessary.
I dont like it - it used to be simple, clicking on the ep you wanted and there was all the links. Now you have to go onto a new page just to see all the ep's links? Its not good - if the sites aim was to make it more user friendly, they have gone in completely the opposite direction!
Honestly, this feels like a major step backwards. Thumbs way down. This new system is terrible.
@streamtv
And where did I mention I was making assumptions?
Like I said, they INFORMED us MODS that more changes were along the way. You or anyone for that matter, cannot and SHOULD NOT jump to conclusions based on first impression (granted it has a major impact).
Give Sidereel some more time. You and everyone else who's complaining here, has absolutely NO idea how much time and effort it takes to maintain a top-notch website such as SR.
I am a webmaster myself, and have quite a few websites. Even with a decent sized staff to help me, and the size of the site being only 1/10th of SR, it takes a lot of time to keep it clean and make sure it delivers the users what they expect from it.
So... be patient :)
And yeah.. none of that was meant or said in an offensive way.. to noone.. :-)
(Not like I did not like the old one better... but like everyone else.. I am adjusting to this one too... and knowing that more changes are en route, I am being optimistic rather than otherwise)
I can't say I'm a fan of the new system, but that said, Sidereel provides an excellent FREE service and it's not like anything has been done to remove that service altogether.
The main issues I'm finding are the extra click thing doesn't seem to make much sense and I don't understand how it discourages spammers (I'm sure there's a simple explanation, I just don't know how these things work - if anyone could let me know that'd be great).
More pop-ups. I find these even more annoying than spam links because I was getting used to what sites not to click on but I get no choice with the pop ups - even with my pop up blocker on. However, agressive pop-ups are becoming more and more common on all websites, and I'm sure ways to stop them will be more widely available soon - there's always clicking the little X too, it might be a bit of a pain, but again people, this service is FREE.
I'm not finding movie links. I know where to click, but none seem to be coming up. TV shows are fine though.
And for some weird reason, I'm not getting a scroll bar when I click on a link unless I collapse the Sidereel frame.
I'm not trying to whine about this stuff - it's not like any of it is that big a deal - just thought the mods would want to hear about any problems with the new system.
None of these things are that big a deal, and I'm sure, like everything else on Sidereel, someone will try to fix it.
I can't believe the complaining some folk are doing about this - there are paying sites where you wouldn't get this level of service and interaction with the mods. They must work so hard and I think everyone should give them a break and let them take time to work out the kinks that you'd find in ANY new system.
And as for them just trying to make money - so? Do you think any of your favourite shows would be getting made if people weren't making money off them? Why shouldn't Sidereel do stuff to help cover their costs and maybe make a little extra?
@Ladym265 We are listening. The pop-ups are being reviewed because it doesn't seem like they are coming from our system, but from elsewhere. Could you please send a message to contact@sidereel.com and tell them exactly where you encountered the pop-ups, what you were trying to do (or watch) at the time, and if you can duplicate the problem? I've tried three different browsers on many of the pages, and can't find any pop-ups on my end, so it's difficult for me to make the report. Thank you so much in advance. 8)
So, I've given it a couple days to 'just get used to it.' Let's see...
-a significant increase in pop-ups, especially pop-ups that divert to having that pop-up window open and up on my screen, instead of the old ones that just laid there in the background until I clicked exit on them.
- a significant increase in the number of clicks I have to make, and the number of windows I have to have open to watch things, not increasing usability at all. I try to watch two episodes of something at once: now I have the main page open, more sources for one episode, an episode I'm trying to load open, more sources for an second episode open, and a second episode I am trying to load open. I have to leave more sources open lest the episodes turn out to be spam or unloadable.
-no decrease in spam, which was what this change was supposedly about. The spam is still there folks, it is now just hidden under an extra click, which I have to click any ways because there are no useful links on the page episode page. I don't exactly see how this is combating spam. I do agree that having moderators of specific pages would be best as someone suggested. One person, one page. They check out each link and delete it if it is zango. I think one volunteer can handle a single page. I know volunteer moderators on a popular web site called Gaia who each moderate their own subforums with thousands of posts a day. So don't say that moderating busy sites like these can't be done, especially given that I doubt each individual page of sidereel gets thousands of links a day added.
@britishfan - Thanks for the feedback! This is, really, just laying the foundation for spam-control efforts. The nice thing about moving to a search infrastructure is that spam-links don't get prime placement on a TV show anymore. There definitely is a usability issue to balance there and we'll continue to work on it.
At the end of the day SideReel is all about helping people find places to watch their favorites, talk about their favorites with other people, and find new things to watch.
Even as we speak (type) the tireless SideReel engineering team is working on improvements!
I would also add that I encourage interested people to apply to be a moderator! It's easy to sit back and complain. Join up, pitch in, and let's work together to get rid of spam.
@britishfan, we are working around the clock to remove that spam, and put measures in place to greatly reduce new spam being added. If you see spam on a page, be sure to report it to spamsucks@sidereel.com, which helps us ever so much. We can't possibly be everywhere at once, so notify us if Zango, CPA Lead, or other things that are against the rules (or if the link is just broken) are in place.
@SinisterSimian, we {{heart}} the engineering team. Thank to everyone for all the hard, and often underappreciated, work of keeping this site running so smoothly!
Again, for those joining us late in the game, and not willing to read the entire page here:
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
(sorry for the back-to-back posts)
I'm not getting any pop ups either, other than the standard Megavideo crap when I bother to go there any more. I use firefox, noscript (plugin for firefox), popup blockers of course. If you're using Internet Explorer, that is your primary problem. All things in the universe will fall into their rightful place once you get IE off your computer. If you can, stomp on it a few times after you kick it off your computer.
If you like IE, it's all over. You might as well go stick your head in the oven.
Here is my experience: I click the show, go to that page. Here there be episodes. I pick one. The page slaps itself right back up to the top, having done nothing. Oh yeah, must allow catchfly scripts to run. Click episode again. Behold! Links! But none that I like. One more click, and I get all the other episodes available.
Except for Google, the slackers. Google needs a better security team.
That's it. It really is one more click. You might want to do some cleanup on your computer if you're being tormented by popups, and investigate security options. Show some initiative. :)
If you (generic references to the tantrum throwers) were on any of the other forums I visit, if you hadn't done all this before even whispering about it in help forums, you'd probably hear a lot about larts, RTFMing and be summarily booted.
If you gave someone something for free and they spit in your face, how would you handle it. It's an interesting perspective.
I just want to get this out there, that I have been using SideReel for over a year now and absolutely love the site. I tell all my friends to come here to watch TV shows and movies, simply because it's been easy to use and provides the most amount of working FREE links. Thank you so much for providing this service!
That said, I do not like the new changes at all. I came to the site this morning to watch my shows, and became very confused because (gasp!) I couldn't find any of the links. After about 10 minutes of trying to figure it out (ah, finally), I find that you have to click on "Search for more sources"?... This is very confusing and not made clear whatsoever.
I even went to a couple movie pages, and have *NO* idea of where to even begin to find a link. And yes, I did read the directions that you posted tvqueen, thank you for that.
I would just like to say that the navigation on SideReel is now very confusing, even more so for movies. The box on the right for movies, "Popular Searches", does not convey that it lists all the available links to that movie. I had to spend about half an hour reading through all the posts on this page to figure it out. But if users have to read through a long forum discussion about the new changes made just to figure out how to watch something, then these changes have gone in the complete reverse direction of being user-friendly. And from what I've read from this discussion, most users would agree.
Help Help Help!
I cant open anything again! Im not sure what I did to make it work last time but I think I need to allow catchfly scripts. Can anyone tell me how I do that?? I am a little clueless about computers, just a basic user who cant find anything about that anywere. Please could someone give me a little direction?
Thanx
OK i wont lie I'm not a super big fan of new side reel but its acceptable. there are pros and cons of it like any other website or program we just need to point out these pros and cons to help the engineers fix things so life's easier. so...
Pro
yes as you've said cut down on spam (probably, never had a problem with it myself)
all the links are still essentially there its just 1 extra click away.
Con
I would REALLY like to know how many links there are in total that have been posted i want to know VERY IMPORTANTLY if there are any new links if so i can look to see if i can access the content (because hulu and thing where u have to download is absolutely useless to me. sry)
OK so by the looks of it its more pro than con but plz heed my word and do something about it because its frustrating to have to spend 5mins checking if there's any new links for something when there the same 2 all the time.
Hi everyone!
Once again, thanks for the awesome feedback. We've been able to respond to some of the navigation issues by doing the following:
- Moving the 'Popular Searches' section back to the main column. Hopefully it will be less-overlooked there!
- We also changed the styling and language around the 'Search for results...' link so that it will stand out more.
Keep the feedback coming! We really appreciate it!
As TvQueen says, we can always use more help! Apply to be a moderator at http://www.sidereel.com/_us/becomeamoderator
Thanks!
I really dislike the changes, I find it more difficult to find the links to movies and TV shows and shows a preference towards networks that necesite paying like amazon and iTunes. please change it back as soon as possible
this new feature suck. i love my drop down menues
How exactly is this cutting down on the spam when all it's doing is putting the exact same links on a different page that I still need to access in order to watch a show?
Please someone point me to the rationale for this edit.
i have to agree, i am not a big fan of the new system but it is for the betterment of all. It is very confusing and not user friendly but I have to get use to the new site and so should you. Please give it a chance!
I definitely enjoyed the drop down menu, I think this just adds an extra annoyance of waiting for another page to load, and not being able to jump from episode to episode with ease.
An extra click and a transition period to get used to the changes for a free service? I think that's an I-epicly-win deal.
And if I didn't like it, I'd shuffle over to the many other sites who collect links and vids. Or I'd do my own searching. It's not that hard, guys; deal with the changes, become part of the site and create your own changes, or move on. :)
(+14 awesome points to the Ayn Rand mention way up in the thread)
Why add extra clicks to get to what people are looking for? Needless bloat is just that, needless (and annoying).
RE: Allowing catchfly scripts in noscript:
Noscript will present you with an "Options" button at the bottom right of your screen, next to a red "x" and preceded by a lovely, pale yellow bar across the bottom of your browser. Click the "Options" to see what scripts are trying to do things to you. :)
Beside each entry you will see both "Allow so-an-so" and "Temporarily allow so-an-so" (this one goes oh so nicely with "Revoke all temporary permissions." Muahaha.)
Choose Catchfly, and watch everything begin to behave.
WAY TOO COMPLICATED!!! CHANGE IT BACK!!!!!
GIMMIE IT!!!!
@csaxrulz: So, "needless bloat"? Now, if it were the government and we were paying taxes, I'd accept that. But why would a site that gets no profit (realistically, they don't) add "bloat" and stress on their servers if it were "needless"?
I can't find the episode links.
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
i think it should go back to the old sidereel the new one makes it more difficult its easyer for everyone if it just goes back or at least make it so people can choose what way the want it set up but the new ones way to difficult
Let's see..
1. Free service ( supported by ridiculous traffic and ads )
2. We visit a TV show page and go through all the episode without refreshing the page.
3. Change it so we have to open a new page with more ads.
4. ???
5. Profit.
You know what? If you said from up front that you're doing this to increase ad impressions then most of us would be perfectly fine with it. But trying to pass off this un-needed inconvenience on us (the people who bring traffic to your site and therefore pay you) as a *new feature* and *spam fighting*...
--snip--
(the people who bring traffic to your site and therefore pay you)
--snip--
I bet you're a union man, too. :) Gender notwithstanding.
Being a tiny part of revenue generated from ads you probably don't even ~visit~ doesn't give you a mortgage on someone else's property. There's more than likely more going on behind the nicely laid out pages than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I'm just here for the good times. They are a-slowing though, so thanks for popping up. 8)
At first I didn't like the change, mostly because it was out of the blue with no explanation as to how to work the damn thing.
I never really saw anything wrong with the old version, except the reviews were in the wrong place, people would end up reading them before they watched the shows and then felt the need to bitch at the poster, because they didn't have the will power or brains to scroll down first.
It's been a few hours later, at first when I logged in today I thought all the links had been deleted, and only the network or sites you had to pay for were allowed, then I saw the search for more link so I clicked it and there were all the sites I was used to seeing. Spammers still post their reviews to survey sites, not sure you could ever stop them from that. I report them when I see them. I don't care how many times I have to "click" to get to something, it's not that much exercise people.
All in all after a few hours I got the hang of it. Most people are making a fuss because they don't know where anything is, even after reading this they still don't know where anything is. I was first going to post some hateful comment about how it was stupid to change and blah blah, but I had the good sense in waiting a few hours for it to click in to my brain, now I'm fine with it. It's not as drastic a change as every one is making it out to be. They haven't tried to make it work for them, jumping to conclusions and being very ungrateful.
Nothing is more slow than usual for me, it'd be different it the actual links were different but they're not. I get no pop ups, well I get a couple from supernovatube, but I've always gotten one or two from there to begin with. Sidereel has never given me any pop ups, and it still doesn't. Usually it's the links I click that give me a couple of them.
I gave the new page a try and I like it, it's not really that much different for me.
Most of the people complaining can't even spell.
I thought I'd point that one out. SPELL CHECK IT PEOPLE. If you want to be rude and ungrateful the least you could do is use spell check.
Merry-almost-Christmas :) Twinkly lights ftw.
====and now another message from our sponsors====
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
====end transmission====
and lulz @ilovemikey03 re: spell check, and @sorrenea in general (I'm still laughing)
Well... it started off with lots of people bitching about the new look..
And, I can see that things have slowed down now... a few more days and everyone'll get used to the new SR.
SR Ftw! :)
I wonder if we download stuff from bittorent in DVD quality and try to find a place to upload, then post a link to sidereel, would that not be the best option? i downloaded and burned to disc the new prisonbreak and heroes before they were posted on ninjavideo..if we can just get rid off all these crap sites like minivideo, it could revolutionize (again) tv
http://www.sidereel.com/_post/96073
I have made a guide for this.....if you guys still have any doubt...check it out!!
@ilovemikey03 - Awesome! Thanks for the thoughts. It's really helpful to hear about people's experiences with this change.
One of the ways we tend to do things at SideReel is to put out features bit by bit until we get them tuned right. This was definitely a big change but will, ultimately, let us do much more fun and useful things on the backend. A lot of the spam prevention that will occur as part of this, hasn't happened yet. A few things we'll be doing soon:
- Inclusion of News/Reviews/Discussions in search results
- More powerful searching
- Automatic removal of spam upon banning (fast, too)
That's just of few of the ideas kicking around. If you have more, let us know!
i know this is a bit off the topic.. but do you guys have estimated time when the majority of blocks will end?
currently with the blocks and having to submit links via a form only about 10 - 15% of the links i send ever get published.... for example i've been trying to publish my dexter link for a few days now but just wont appear.
Personally, I'm not in the US so the links that appear without doing the search for more don't work for me: hulu is only viewable by region and if I wanted to pay to watch tv I wouldn't be on this site so itunes is out too. It seems like it's just making things more complicated than it needs to be, it was fine when you had the whole list to choose from because you could quickly pick the links from tried and true sites from the ones that don't work.
The changes are absolutely foolish and inefficient (no matter the benefits that may seem to be provided by the new layout).
I signed up with sidereel because it had the best set up (in my opinion) of all the video streaming sites I know of. Now, well it has actually become the worst, bar none. I would rather use any other site out there instead of this one: you can add me to the list of members who will not be returning unless some more 'big changes' are made.
I would have said that the differences made were futile (as they aren't really 'big changes', just pointless reorganizing) except that they tend to deter potential members and frustrate current ones.
Moronic move guys - the new site is not helpful it's just about the most annoying stunt I've seen this sort of website pull (yes, it actually is more annoying than megavideo's time limit in my opinion).
@somnium1618 "just about the most annoying stunt I've seen this sort of website pull"
*really?*
I guess you're new to the movie-watching arena of the cyberworld. Bye.
Somnuim, welcome.
I was wondering if there was still anyone left dense enough to be screaming 'GIMME IT' and foot stomping in the face of this minor change. 8)
--snip--
"The changes are absolutely foolish and inefficient"
--snip--
Think of how much we could save and benefit if it weren't for that extra click. Puppy up or start paying for a subscription somewhere they will allow you to behave like a 2 year old.
--snip--
"Now, well it has actually become the worst, bar none"
--snip--
Hmm. Free. One extra click, MAYBE two if you're having a hard time looking, poppet. You can DO it.
--snip--
"I would rather use any other site out there instead of this one"
--snip--
Send them advance warning that you're a spoiled ingrate who believes he knows everything there is to know, cannot adjust to change because it makes him feel stupid, and is willing to throw a tantrum and start hurling insults as soon as he reveals his insecurity to the community. Oh, yeah. And someone who spends his time bitching about crap that's already been exhausted and dealt with by the more aspiring members of his online peer group because he doesn't bother to read posts, in his rage, but just types like an outraged bull in a virtual china shop.
--snip--
"add me to the list of members who will not be returning unless some more 'big changes' are made"
--snip--
Actually, the numbers will show that most have been able to adjust to the earth-rocking catastrophe that is A CLICK. I personally don't want SideReel to be either run or influenced by someone like you. I'm here everyday, barring work. I didn't sign up for crap like yours. I signed up for a community that evolves. Improves. Changes. Grows. And one that does NOT subject themselves to the average spoiled consumer who weeps and gnashes his teeth that a free service he uses has changed and he doesn't get it.
--snip--
"unless some more 'big changes' are made" .
--snip--
You can bet on it. Thank GAWD, you will probably not be consulted first.
--snip--
"as they aren't really 'big changes', just pointless reorganizing"
--snip--
There's the omniscience I noticed earlier. So you're a coder, with access to all of Sidereel's source code. Who else finds this painfully unlikely? Hands up.
--snip--
"yes, it actually is more annoying than megavideo's time limit in my opinion"
--snip--
Really. God damn, I wish I could put a time limit on your Sidereel access. And demand payment. I wanna be there when you hurl yourself to the floor after that one. You're being deliberately obtuse and aggressive because you're unable to deal with a click. If it's more than a click for you, two at the most, RTFM and consider doing something for yourself under your own power. Educate yourself about your computer, or sell it and save us all the headache. The internet is not your socialist haven. The people ~drive~ Sidereel, they don't own it.
And people like me give enough of a crap about freedom, and EVERYTHING it entails, that we have made people like you our purpose.
Plus, it's fun.
I am not in the US. Still no problem with links. The problem lies elsewhere, people.
Really I think I preferred the old Sidereel more. The "search for other links" function is a good addition though.
I hope a mod reads this. The big problem that I have is I can't go to a page and see the status of the show anymore. There used to be a box in the upper right portion of the webpage that would say "Status Current" or "On Hiatus until xxx" or "canceled". I found that to be very helpful, also in giving a synopsis of what the show is about.
@Neocount1 The information is still available. Just click the Summary link on any television page.
I'm finding it difficult to navigate because nothing is labeled well, I have a suggestion, instead of listing the links as "popular searches" maybe just list it as "move links" or something like that, a site like this is not the spot to be renaming everything with fancy titles, people want to find the links and enjoy them, not spend forever on the page to try and find what they want, please take my suggestion into consideration.
Regarding pop up ads: several different browsers have been used to check the site and there don't appear to be any pop ups. For those of you with this problem, have you recently installed any "toolbars"? The behaviour you describe sounds more like the Seekmo toolbar from Zango, which has nothing to do with SideReel other than it was configured by spammers to give you advertisement popups that your blocker won't stop. You need to find out if it is on your system and get it wiped out. There are sites online that tell you how to check for and remove that crap. And in the future, avoid downloading anything with which you are not familiar. HTH.
I have to agree with sapidus3.
Make it so shows that don't have any sources, other than the ones that show up under "other sources", have the "other" sources show up instead.
Right now, shows that don't have these preferred sources look like they have no sources. It's not well-explained on the pages at all.
I really preferred the old set-up.
Sorry for the double post, but I would just like to point out the number of posts you have here of people that can't find your links. That really should be a sign that something is wrong in the design of your page.
Unfortuantly, the truth of the matter is, if your users can't find the links, or think they're all gone, you're going to lose users. Which will result in the spamming reducing a bit, but I don't really think that's the way you want it to happen.
I completely agree with everyone that has a negative view towards the "New" Sidereel. I think that it is really complicated, and I recently wrote a comment under the show "The Big Bang Theory" because I didn't know how to add links that were better than most of the links that were there. I really hope that you guys switch this thing back soon, if you really wanted to make a change, I'd suggest probably just changing the layout and the color, not things like adding links, because I think it was way more simpler before the change.
hey all.
this is gonna be my first post. So i'm gonna start by first saying that i absolutely love sidereel! I always give it raving reviews to my friends, in an effort to get them to use it. And i really appreciate what everybody is doing, whether moderating and clearing junk, or adding links. Thank you.
However, i have to agree with the majority of posts that this newer version of sidereel is rather user unfriendly, especially when trying to watch movies.
Instead of having a popular searches section, why not have a "Link to movie" section. That way, it's much clearer to users on where the links actually are. Some movies don't have any links under popular searches.
Also, i've noticed some comments are actually links to different websites, which in turn are actually spam.
One more thing. I've read the guides, and maybe, a more comprehensive guide with pictures will be of greater help? With both sections on how to watch movies AND tv shows.
Anyways, this is the end of my rant. But i just want to say that i really appreciate what everyone is doing for this site. Thanks everyone. Keep it up and keep it free! =)
hey, sorry for the double post, but i just thought of another comment.
Why not open the page of links to shows or movies in a new tab, rather than having it replace the current page? I think that would be easier, because personally, if i'm looking to watch multiple episodes, it would be easier to open multiple tabs of link pages, rather than having to keep on going back to the episode guide.
Just a thought. =)
@rahardjo.anthony - Great thoughts! Thanks for your feedback!
I totally agree with you that the flow isn't quite right. This change does open new doors for us on the back-end that will let us really improve the experience here. This is just a tentative first step. The 'Popular Searches' is kinda confusing and we're gonna fix that! It's meant to be more of a tag-cloud of all the relevant links that aren't Seasons and Episodes. So 'Interviews' could be one of them, and if you clicked it you'd see all the links that were tagged with 'Interviews'. Totally needs some work though, you're right!
The post (News/Review/Discussion) spam totally sucks. We've made a couple changes that we hope will affect spammers where they'll feel it most, their wallet. We'll be tracking it over the next month or so to see if it's had any effect.
I also totally hear you about the need for a better guide. We'll get on that quick!
Thanks again! If anyone has more feedback please share it!
IT SOUND EXITING
@rahardjo.anthony To open a link in a new tab rather than a new window or replacing the current window, hold down the control key as you click the link. Alternatively, hold down the shift key to open a link in a new window.
I used to love this site, a lot of links for episodes, so we people from CANADA could watch the shows. Right now its all about FOX and the others.
What used to be an INTERNET site it's now a shameless intranet site. US only
International links are still available (not all the mods are Yanks). See http://www.sidereel.com/_post/96073 for more information, but basically:
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
This new layout is very unclear and difficult to navigate. very frustrating.
why cant people learn to keep things simple?
I really appreciate Sidereel. In fact, after years of trying to find decent link indexes, Sidereel is the place I've chosen to call home, and the only site I don't find frustrating 100% of the time. I love that it's free, and I really appreciate the work you do, but I do have some feedback:
1) although the spam has obviously been greatly reduced with the new system, the extra click HAS reduced ease of use, and I don't really understand why it had to be improved in this way. If you could explain on the main page why this was necessary, perhaps people might be more understanding? At the moment it just seems illogical.
2) The links like iTunes, Hulu, or any of the American network sites like NBC etc can't be accessed outside of the US. I understand that most of your users are from there, but there are a lot of Brits, Aussies, and other Nationalities on this site, and surely there must be a way to tell by the ISP or IP address what country someone is accessing the site from, and not showing ones which don't work there? If not, couldn't you just put a note next to these links saying which countries they work in? I for one would really appreciate it.
If I think of anything else I'll come back :)
Thanks for everything you're doing, and I really hope someone is taking all this feedback on board, even if some people aren't being too delicate about the way they're putting it.
@ uncommited - That's a great question. Why don't you explain to me how adding the extra clicks gets rid of spam or does anything productive?
There's a reason sidereel's traffic rankings are going down. People are looking for options that are easier to use and include more link options - even one with surveys, if need be.
@csaxrulz Thank you for your concerns, but it's too soon to judge if the layout changes have had any effect on the rankings. The ranking isn't going down more than any major network right now, mainly because of the drought of shows with the holiday hiatuses. And we could explain, but then we'd have to, you know. ;)
@csaxrulz Why don't you tell me that you, with your access to the SideReel source code and years of CS practice, know that the change in layout has no effect whatsoever on the spam?
Oh, by the way, CS stands for "Computer Science" which is all about computers and programs that do stuff. (I felt the explanation was relevant due to the fact that you were unable to spell my username -- also a valid word in Modern Standard English.)
Note that I was able to use my copy and paste abilities to copy and paste your username. If want to know how to do that, please send me a compliment. I'd be glad to explain. :)
Actually to be honest, i don't have a problem with the new layout. I've been using sidereel for a long time and i love it. I definitely get where they are coming with with this new layout. there are a lot of copyright problems and if an extra click is what it takes for me to keep enjoying my tv shows and movies from the comfort of my laptop then be it. I do know that change is not always comfortable to some but keep an open mind. Sidereel is an amazing service (and free unlike many many others). I believe that before throwing stones we should take the time to take a deep breath and try and give it a chance.
Trust me on this, it's not that bad, actually its even good, much more organized than it used to be. Having the strength behind the anonymity the internet gives you does not give you the right to belittle the people that worked and still work hard on this service.
I think the big problem everybody seems to be having here is that they do not understand, or can not figure out how to find more sources for their favorite tv show.
For the simple solution see: http://www.sidereel.com/_post/96073 where a step by step guide is provided on how to view tv shows, and movies.
As for people who ask how do the changes prevent spam? As you have noticed, and commented on most of the pages are locked, which prevents others from adding link(s) unless approved by sidereel's moderating team, that right there prevents spam, if a link has to be screened before it's posted to the site, then you'll know any of the link(s) on the site are in fact good link(s). So that is an amazing way to help rid SR of spam.
If you're trying to add a link, and your page is locked simply look in the upper right corner and it tells you how to do so. Click on where it says "Have something to add?Let us know" and your link will be added once it is screened by a moderator. If your link is legit, and not full of surveys, or anything else that could harm users, it will be added. With that said, if you do things the right way, and you want your link(s) to be there, they will.
So with that said, the change is not a problem at all. I think what the problem is, many people were just used to how it was before, and were thrown off when they got the new version, which should be expected by the staff, and I'm sure it is/was. So just give it time, and things will get better.
Happy Holidays!
whay i liked in sidereel was the option for people to add the links
is that gone??
I don't care for sidereel anymore either, it was my favorite movie site but now I can't even watch a movie!!!
Movies are still available. For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box. Most will be listed as "full movie" or "movie". I've been cleaning up a lot of the bad links, so you should be able to find only good ones, at least on the 2008 movies and the top of the movie list. Just don't install anything on your computer or fill out any surveys.
Also, for Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
Geez, the United States has given the world a bunch of helpless cry-babies. Instead of trying to adjust to the site that provides free links for them, they take the first opportunity to complain (at times not in a polite manner). None of your moms have spanked you well enough. For people who have a hard time understanding, the button "search for more sources" hides the direct links, because not only rinkled teen agers go on the internet, but also those people who seek to shut down every file-sharing website that exists on the net. Let's hope that those people are as helpless as some people on this site.
thanks for the site. happy new year.
I have been with sidereel almost since it started and I have been using it since long time ago! but recently these new changes that you guys made hasnt been a good move due to the fact that now all the pages are still LOCKED and the fancy link box is gone which was really easy to use and now instead we have to search for results which is not that easy. oh and also when sidereel lunched, you guys kept saying its an open community and all the contents are user generated, but now all the pages are locked and only mods and admins can add links.
btw I also applied to become a mod a few weeks back, and you guys mailed me back 2 times and I replied but then I didnt hear from you guys again, I think its kinda rude when you dont reply, the least thing you guys could do was to mail me back and say that I couldnt become a mod.
Hi ahoura,
Thanks for your thoughts, they're very much appreciated. I'll look into your mod application but I'm pretty sure that it's in queue waiting for the holidays to finish.
In regards to the locked pages: We don't really like locking them either but we were getting inundated by so much spam (1000's of links per page, some that gave viruses) that we had to pull the lever while we started building tools that will let us manage spam more effectively. We hope.
Spam and spammers are a pernicious problem and have a way of finding a way around all sorts of roadblocks. We're still working on it (we probably always will be) and intend to launch some new stuff in the first few weeks of next year to help.
We'll continue to evaluate unlocking. We really, really want to do it. We just have to be careful to keep the spam controllable.
Thanks for your thoughts! Keep 'em coming!
thanks for the reply sinistersimian,
well I still seriously dont get why you guys had to delete the link box and make it a search thing, the link box looked so much better!!!!
Pleasing asthetics doesn't always equal best operational value. In this case, the old "pretty" method didn't leave room for important upgrades, and avenues for other future upgrades, which assist in spam-fighting. I'm sure there will be more fine-tuning, but understand that it was for the benefit of everyone that these changes took place.
I'd just like more sources to open the rest in a drop down window, rather than open a new page/tab, because I usually watch a few programs at a time and a lot of episodes and it gets very disorganised.
SIDE REEL SUCKS BIG TIME
Links DO NOT WORK unless one wishes to fill out a freakin survey or pay for a BOGIS download site
BS = sidereel
FRAUD CRAP
wow even after ALL these NEGATIVE comments some one at sidereel is STILL attempting to defend how BAD this site now is
I hope no ONE really takes those BS surveys or pays 4 that BS download site
As I already told you in a "compliment", if you filled out a survey, you were scammed by a spammer. SideReel mods and admins do not link to surveys, or sites that require the viewer to download a toolbar.
In fact, those sites are against SideReel's rules and the spam is removed as soon as it is spotted or reported. Your attitude here and in the message you left me is only adding to the problem. Try pitching in and helping the site by reporting the spam, rather than blasting everyone in your path like a child spitting the dummy. It will be far more effective, and result in less aggravation for overworked mods who volunteer heaps of hours to make this a better site.
I don't usually leave comments, but after reading all the negative comments I thought I'd put my two cents in. I had stopped using SideReel about a month ago, because it appeared that links to the shows I wanted to watch as an ex-pat living in Poland weren't available. I came back today to use the Episode Guide, and found the new Search link. I am very excited about it. I think it's great and super easy to use! Thanks so much!
i dont like the changes coz i live in england and all of the sites like fox, amozon and hulu r only watchable if u r in the u.s. i came on this site because it aloud me to watch all of ma fav fings without avin to wait a couple of months for it to come out on tv here n nw i cnt. the only link that works is itunes but i dnt no hw muuch 99c is over here so i wont go on it. it would be better if they just went back tp the way it waz.
Im not understanding what happened to all the other tv show links. I am military currently stationed overseas and this was the only way I can watch my shows why have you guys taken off the other links?
====and now another message from our sponsors====
For Television episode links, click the "Search for more sources" link under each episode.
For Movie links, look in the "Popular Searches" box.
====end transmission====
I really am having no problems with sidereel at all. probably because I only used the older version of it no more than two months. I do like this version better but I really do not like the pop ups that keeps coming up every time I click into a different page. What can you do about that? I know that you need to have advertisments but you really don't need the pop ups for that. Thank you sidereel for coming online and being my major source for tv.
SideReel doesn't have any pop-ups. If you are getting pop-ups, you have been infected by one of the spammers. You will need to run an antivirus program and uninstall any toolbars or other crap you recently added. I would recommend looking to see if you installed the Seekmo toolbar (Zango), as that has been a recent culprit.
Please do not install anything from links or posts. If a site requires you to add a toolbar or "install a missing plugin" or add a "missing codec", realise it is spam and move on to another link. You should only upgrade or add plugins and addons from reputable sites like Adobe, Microsoft, Macromedia, etc.
Do NOT install from these spam sites, or you risk annoying or serious consequences to your computer.
Okay, I'm a journalist re-visiting the site which I'd reviewed previously (positively) and I have to agree with the users who have said the changes are far from positive. (I also became a member after the review because the site was stupendous back in the day.)
It's not easy to identify how to find the free links, but after reading the instructions here and the guide yogi created (which most folks won't do), I tested it out on House. I found the alternate links, but the first one was dead. I tried to delete it, but couldn't because the page was locked. So, I tried to report it to Bart, but I couldn't because your compliment system also doesn't work anymore! Here's the result:
See something good that bart has done?
Send them a compliment!
Ooops, it looks like you mistyped the words, please try again
Oh, and here's the message so someone can actually fix the problem I tried to report:
House, latest episode, the Megavideo top link is dead (removed by Megavideo)
I can't delete it because the page is locked.
All the best,
Carlie
I hope Sidereel fixes its latest problems soon because your changes to lose the spam are actually losing you members, which is *not* the way to go.
A few comments from a noob to the site (posting.. been watching for months).. I'll try to be constructive.
1. An extra click to get to the links? Who cares? If you're so ungrateful that you're going to complain endlessly about one extra click, then leave sidereel and go back to spending hours googling "streaming episodes of __________" praying you find a working link.
2. However, Sidereel's changes are moderately counterproductive, because there is nothing intuitive about them. When I came to the site today, I thought "Oh man, they got busted by the MPAA/TV studios, so now they're limited to posting links to pay sites/authorized sites". Re-wording the buttons would be a HUGE help, and will aid in the continued success of sidereel. I can't imagine how many noobs have surfed into the site and left immediately because it seemed as though it was just another waste of time in their google search. I'd strongly recommend changing "search for results" to "more links". That way, you still collect the $$$$ from affiliate link clicks, but you don't lose potential new viewers who have no clue what "search for results" actually takes them to.
3. I did like the old site better, but far be it from me to complain about what's free. As has been said, if you don't like it, build your own site.
4. Mods, not every comment merits a condecending tone. Many of the posts here have offered some pretty constructive criticism, but have been responded to as if the poster was a whiny crybaby. Try to do a better job of distinguishing between the two. Your job will become much easier if you respond to constructive criticism constructively, rather than dismissively. A simple "I like that idea, and I'll forward it on" will probably prevent 15 subsequent hate mail posts from other users who noticed the same flaw.
"...but have been responded to as if the poster was a whiny crybaby"
You are assuming that everyone who responded are mods. Some are just fellow users frustrated by the complaints. A few, especially one who cursed me in a "compliment" before posting here, got the tone they deserved. For the genuine suggestions, we are very thankful and are taking them under advisement.
Sometimes there is more than meets the eye of the casual observer, and if things are worded on the site in a certain way, there might be a very good reason for that wording, for example for SideReel's protection.
TVqueen... is Sorrenea a mod? He/she is the primary person I was referring to, although both you and lifetalk have also been guilty (although for you two, it's been rare enough that I'll accept your explanation as valid).
@badutahboy - Thanks for your thoughts and your patience! You're right, there are some simple things we can do to make the experience easier. We'll be continuing to launch changes in the days ahead.
@naturalhazard - Boy, sounds like a frustrating experience. You've run into a couple annoying bugs! The compliment bug isn't sitewide (thankfully) but it does occur on a Post page (like this one!). Totally annoying. We'll get that fixed.
In terms of the broken Megavideo link: thanks! We'll get that cleaned up. We'll be looking to unlock pages soon so that everyone can help clean up things like that!
Very soon we'll be launching the next chunk of our big search change, free text search for videos on SideReel. It'll be a bit raw, but we want to get feedback from everyone before we tune it more. After that's out we can start to address some of the excellent feedback here!
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts!