bystarlight.org - am i doing something wrong?

[slunken]

hadn't visited in a while. was the goal of this site redesign to make it impossibly hard to navigate and search? go to detailed search and click on "all transcripts" and they are completely out of order. if you search by year then you get everything that is tagged with that year. also still completely out of order. navigating the pictures is even more impossible. is there a backdoor-ish url i'm not seeing that puts all of this information in a linear/chronological format?

[slunken]

its like the site thinks i'm an idiot and wants to give me as much info as possible but if you pretty much know what you are looking for you have to sift and sift and sift

[slunken]

oh wait the "detailed search page" scrolls down a bunch and has everything seperated like it used to (band member/year/etc) oh silly me

i still think the tumblr-esque scrolling splash pages are confusing nonsense

[slunken]

thus concludes my review of an easter morning experience with your website. keep music alive. your brother in christ - slunken

[TuralyonW3]

oh did you say something

[slunken]

no. carry on.

[celestials]

No, the site's re-design wasn't meant to make things more complicated. The interviews section functions the same way as it did before. The front page is simply a feed of the latest uploads.

When you said: "click on "all transcripts" and they are completely out of order. if you search by year then you get everything that is tagged with that year. also still completely out of order." ---For the most part, the search results will always generate interviews in the order that they were uploaded to the site. So, the order is always going to be pretty random. When you click on a particular year, everything from that year is supposed to show up. If all the interviews filed under that year did not show up, then that would be a bad thing.

What were you looking for? Maybe I can explain to you the most efficient method to find it. There is also a standard google-style search bar in the footer and all sidebars.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback and I'll keep it in mind. I always try to make the navigation as easy as possible.

[slunken]

Originally Posted by celestials

What were you looking for? Maybe I can explain to you the most efficient method to find it. There is also a standard google-style search bar in the footer and all sidebars.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback and I'll keep it in mind. I always try to make the navigation as easy as possible.

it was the use of tagging for years that was throwing me off. searching for guitar magazine interviews from the mid-90s (of which there are only a handful) and seeing pages and pages of blurbs from the past couple years regarding reissues or whatever was infuriating me.

regarding the search bar - "1996 guitar" aren't exactly super-specific search terms which is why i was hoping to search by year and then browse that selection. btw i was looking for the 1997 (september i think but it may be january) issue of maximum guitar (i think it is) where corgan/iha break down the aeroplane flies high. couldn't find it on the site at all.

[celestials]

Hey pavementtune I don't recognize your username, but hey!

Do you mean Guitar World Magazine specifically? In that case, I recommend searching "Guitar World" in the search bar in the footer and you will get this: http://bystarlight.org/interviews/?s="guitar+world"

It's important to use the " " so the words guitar and world are not searched as separate items.

I would only search things by year if you're not looking for anything specific, but are interested in knowing more about that particular time.

Someone just sent me a scan of the January 1997 article, so I will try to get that on the site as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can read it here: http://www.starla.org/articles/gw5.htm

The interviews section is by no means comprehensive at the moment. There are only 185 articles up right now.

[slunken]

Originally Posted by celestials

Hey pavementtune I don't recognize your username, but hey!

Do you mean Guitar World Magazine specifically? In that case, I recommend searching "Guitar World" in the search bar in the footer and you will get this: http://bystarlight.org/interviews/?s="guitar+world"

It's important to use the " " so the words guitar and world are not searched as separate items.

I would only search things by year if you're not looking for anything specific, but are interested in knowing more about that particular time.

Someone just sent me a scan of the January 1997 article, so I will try to get that on the site as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can read it here: http://www.starla.org/articles/gw5.htm

The interviews section is by no means comprehensive at the moment. There are only 185 articles up right now.

yea that's the article i was looking for. actually was specifically looking for scans so its good to know they will be up soon. awesome.

[celestials]

I should add that I worked with Eric from spfc.org to create a feed on his site. If you prefer the plain text layout, you can see all the interviews that are on my site here: http://www.spfc.org/news-press/interviews.html

[celestials]

I'm still in the process of coding so the interviews have some formatting issues right now. I'll think about how I can make things clearer though. Thanks for letting me know

[celestials]

Originally Posted by pavementtune

Now that a highly valued SP fan registered - how about you, Juliana?
I know you're on netphoria regularly.
Come on, you know you want to.

Highly valued? As in MVP? hahaha - awesome x)

I asked Juliana about it, but she said no ;(

[celestials]

Originally Posted by pavementtune

Hey Marie/Celestials,
I'm not sure if I fully understand what's been going on since I don't pay much attention to twitter:
You're dropping bystarlight.org because of Billy's ongoing support of Monte/crestfallen?
And SPumpkinsUK will stop his video uploads, too? Who else is leaving - Lucky 13,spfc.org, sp freaks?

Wouldn't it be more effective to get Nicole to convince the band to find another way of communicating their news?

It's definitely not for that reason and it's not that simple. I'm not sure how much I want to elaborate on my reasons for leaving the fan community at this moment. Let's just say that I have seen and experienced a lot of things that I just can't turn a blind eye to and ignore. I have spoken to Nicole in the past, and despite having an interviews archive, the capability to have a news section/blog, having more followers than both of Monte's twitter accounts combined, etc...It was made pretty clear to me that my site and social media accounts were not suitable enough to communicate any news through. That was something that I could live with, but other things have happened since then.

[celestials]

Originally Posted by pavementtune

Okay, thank you for answering.
Just to be clear:
Nicole is aware that their chosen news outlet is run by a Prop 8 supporter and it's going to stay that way?

She is 100% aware of both his past and present support for Prop 8. I think we can safely assume that she read his most recent post on this. Her latest status on Facebook is basically saying that the continued support for Crestfallen is the band's way of showing compassion and acceptance for his beliefs and actions. Also, that tolerating his differing views is the right thing to do.

https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFiore...35165396508942

I appreciate that she addressed the issue, and I realize that she put herself in the cross-fire for publicly stating her opinion. I believe in her philosophy and I do practice it for the most part. But there is a limit, and she said herself that the limit is "as long as it doesn't infringe upon the basic human rights of another". Not only did he say that gay people should not be allowed to marry as any other heterosexual couple, but that they also should not be able to adopt children. If that does not infringe basic human rights, then I don't know what does.

And it's not like he posted that on his own personal blog, but on a Smashing Pumpkins fan website and within the Smashing Pumpkins music section. Also, during his time as some kind of fan representative or "the voice of the band" as many people say.

[SPumpkinsUK]

Originally Posted by pavementtune

Hey Marie/Celestials,
I'm not sure if I fully understand what's been going on since I don't pay much attention to twitter:
You're dropping bystarlight.org because of Billy's ongoing support of Monte/crestfallen?
And SPumpkinsUK will stop his video uploads, too? Who else is leaving - Lucky 13,spfc.org, sp freaks?

Wouldn't it be more effective to get Nicole to convince the band to find another way of communicating their news?

Well, i'm finishing off the Machina footage. I might toy with the idea of some Auf der Maur and some more James solo stuff afterwards, once my strike lifts I'll finish off the full length '98-'00 shows. Toying with the idea of the Zeitgeist era footage, depends on my mood, I'm only uploading as far as my interest takes me.

The reasons behind a lot of this go very deep and have been a very major issue for a long time now. I've supported Marie and bystarlight.org for many months now, she's a very unique person and fan and the more we spoke the more we connected. She drove me forward with projects more than anyone I've known in the decade beforehand. She has and always will have my support, it's hard to really express in words, she has my deepest respect! The SP Freaks team too are also an amazing team, I'm proud of their work and what they're trying to accomplish. Two sites who are do what they do because they're passionate about doing it and it shows in abundance!

Well, that's the upside of a couple of major sites in the SP World. Even Netphoria has a long established history, sometimes I feel like this community doesn't get enough credit! The amount of material that has surfaced and circulated through here hardly gets recognised and is inhabited by people who have been around a very long time and are extremely knowledgeable.

But the down side is a little more complex, something is very broken and has been for a long time and it's really down to one major flaw. I've never been involved in the bands affairs officially and I never will be, but I've been privy to things over the last 6 years from people who are. It's a shame really! But still, I have nothing to lose over speaking out.

I feel like I've said a whole bunch of nothing. But over recent events, one in particular just made me agog, that's kinda when I knew when things were never going to change and will always remain broken. I hope the band realise the weak link, I don't think they realise how much damage is being caused rather than being a positive influence.

Lastly, a quote:

"But I want to make clear that I also firmly believe in the freedom of speech and everyone's right to their own opinion, so long as it doesn't infringe upon the basic human rights of another."

Kinda thought Proposition 8 was infringing on the rights of same sex couples to marry like a man and woman are legally allowed too...

[Butt Pope]

I have a cat.

[bs1933]

That article was a great read! I wish it was even more in depth!

[Cool As Ice Cream]

lol what?

[T&T]

lets hear the dirt.
don't skimp on the details.

[celestials]

Originally Posted by T&T

lets hear the dirt.
don't skimp on the details.

I'll think about it. It's like 2 years of bullshit to rummage through.

[Cool As Ice Cream]

ooh! what else happened?
did you get in trouble regarding copyrights? or did the lucky 13 debacle grow too big to stay motivated?

how did it come about that your site wasn't the right place for any news from the band, and was that like a slap in the face?

you mention breaking ties with monty, and leaving lucky 13, even before you read monty's post where he explained his views. (i think i read that. correct me if i'm wrong.)
how come? was it personal? or was it related to one of the reasons mentioned above?

[Butt Pope]

This is the most interesting thread on here in 2 years. Dirt, please.

[celestials]

Originally Posted by Cool As Ice Cream

ooh! what else happened?
did you get in trouble regarding copyrights? or did the lucky 13 debacle grow too big to stay motivated?

how did it come about that your site wasn't the right place for any news from the band, and was that like a slap in the face?

you mention breaking ties with monty, and leaving lucky 13, even before you read monty's post where he explained his views. (i think i read that. correct me if i'm wrong.)
how come? was it personal? or was it related to one of the reasons mentioned above?

No, I did not get into trouble with copyrights. I did a lot of legal research before I even launched the site. I also consulted a few of my lawyer friends from grad school just to make sure that I was doing things right.

Looking back, I think my involvement in Lucky 13 is where things really started to go downhill. But, I had a bad experience on the Oceania cruise. Monte was let on the cruise ship a few hours before anyone else to setup his gear or whatever. I'm sure that you have seen the pictures where he is looking down on all of us from the top floor beside the band. Well, Juliana, Simon and I were also guests of the band. The tour manager told us that we were allowed to get on early too. Monte never wondered why we were waiting down there. He just went on and about like it was a regular day - ho-hum. We had to make a few international calls ourselves to clear things up. So after we got permission to go on the top floor before anyone else, the first thing that Monte did when he saw us - was to reach for security. Why would someone that you considered a friend do that? That story is nothing compared to other things that Monte has done to fellow fans. But it's a euphemism for the things that he does in his position as fan rep/gatekeeper. If you're wondering why he is the only news source, it's because he makes sure it stays that way.

About "was that like a slap in the face"? Yes, and it was definitely not the first one I was privy to. I think what bothers me the most is that people tell me all the time that I need to be more like Monte "to get ahead". That I needed to be more shameless, stalkerish, conniving, pushy, in your face, etc. But I'm not willing to change who I am or to compromise my morals and ethics for the band or for the community. I think that my history with the band, my work ethic, skills and position in the community should be enough. I don't want to be part of a community where those traits is what "gets you ahead".

And yes, you did read that right. I cut ties with Monte and quit Lucky 13 weeks, even months before his Prop 8 post. That post and Nicole's response to it made the future of the community very clear to me.

[Cool As Ice Cream]

Originally Posted by celestials

But, I had a bad experience on the Oceania cruise. Monte was let on the cruise ship a few hours before anyone else to setup his gear or whatever. I'm sure that you have seen the pictures where he is looking down on all of us from the top floor beside the band. Well, Juliana, Simon and I were also guests of the band. The tour manager told us that we were allowed to get on early too. Monte never wondered why we were waiting down there. He just went on and about like it was a regular day - ho-hum. We had to make a few international calls ourselves to clear things up. So after we got permission to go on the top floor before anyone else, the first thing that Monte did when he saw us - was to reach for security.

wow. what a lovely move. (i love my oceania cruise button even more now.)
thanks for sharing that.

i've always known that he was worthless (without taking his religion or lack of education into account).

[Araneae]

Originally Posted by celestials

So after we got permission to go on the top floor before anyone else, the first thing that Monte did when he saw us - was to reach for security.

L O fucking L

It's so pathetic that I can't stop laughing.

Originally Posted by celestials

About "was that like a slap in the face"? Yes, and it was definitely not the first one I was privy to. I think what bothers me the most is that people tell me all the time that I need to be more like Monte "to get ahead". That I needed to be more shameless, stalkerish, conniving, pushy, in your face, etc.

That's the kind of people Billy loves. For Fucks sake, he dated a person like Courtney Love for years, even while they were both married. That should tell you more than enough about his ethics and morals.

Congratulations, though, for actually taking a stand and not licking Billy's ball sack like monte does. It's a shame, seeing as your site was the only one I actually ever used outside of netphoria, but I don't think Billy and this band deserves the amount of work and devotion that you guys have put into it. Billy doesn't give a shit and you should return the sentiment. For all his talk on morals, ethics, art, and love, he's just another fucking hypocrite.

[Eulogy]

lol so nicole's an idiot too?

personal "discrimination" regarding who you fucking funnel news to is not the same as enshrining discrimination in a goddamn law.

[Eulogy]

why are you being so vague

[D.]

so basically everyone's signing off on the band over Monte's support of Prop 8 and the Pumpkins refusal to refuse to work with Monte?

[SPumpkinsUK]

Originally Posted by pavementtune

Could you please just be straight forward and name the "one major flaw", SPumpkinsUK (is it Ash ?) or what it is that is broken?
I mean both you and Marie have said it's more than SP's support of Monte, but neither is willing to say what else has been going on, that leaves me assuming Prop 8 crestfallen is not just one but the major reason.

So much focus on Prop 8! The tip of the iceberg is several feet yet to begin before that comes into play!