Suggestions -

[prospector]

Great to have a blog from you Ed .... telling ABers that you �have been reading them everyday and writing down all the helpful ideas.`

The past few weeks have seen a lot of active ABers expressing comment on change / the changes --> but also, a number of ABers have been expressing frustration at not getting any response to their comment ..... for AB / the Blog has been content to be silent during this time.

I suggest that AB uses the Blog more to communicate to ABers? For example, couldn't AB have made an earlier Blog comment that AB wanted a 'few weeks' to absorb the ABers comments / do some thinking and then come-back --> couldn't an 'update' Blog have been posted 'weekly' saying 'great' / keep your comments coming and we will be coming back to you soon / in early November?

Most of the more active ABers have commented in many different ways but, doesn't it say something very positive about ABers and what they care about (their site) when the overwhelming direction of comment has drawn out a remarkable degree of consensus--> the changes imposed have not been outstandingly successful (some changes have already been reversed - eg removal of anagrams --> and, also from ABers, about the areas that still need to be changed - eg Science / Q&P.......................... so, comment from ABers has 'proved' itself?

I suggest that one of the outcomes of the way change has been rolled-out over the past month is that it demonstrates that AB needs to allow ABers a more direct way to express their view, at an EARLIER stage of the process?

I suggest that it would now be opportune for the Blog to make a comment on many ABers requests that their view on their site be canvassed from time to time through polling / voting?

[lector]

Tactfully written prospector ....

There is a need for a better way for active ABers to be heard BEFORE major change is undertaken.

[rogerr]

Thanks Ed for giving us an update on the subsection issue.
May I suggest that you email the most prolific posters in each section and ask their views on the changes. Some people have been on AB for many years and would have a much better idea of what is needed in their favourite section.