UMDB and MBTN (split from Listerine)

[Benjamin Grimm]

Edgy MD wrote: ...the Failing Ultimate Mets Database...

Hey!

You may be on to something, though. I've decided to give it one more year and then, after the 2018 season, I'll see if I want to keep the thing going.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That'll be an even 20 years! I'll need to work out a deal with you on preserving part of it!

[Benjamin Grimm]

My feelings about the UMDB vary depending on whether it's the season or the offseason. This time of year I pretty much ignore it and the thought of starting up again seems to be more trouble than it's worth. But once the season gets underway I start to enjoy it a bit more. But yeah, if and when I do shut it down, we'll certainly come up with a way to preserve your numbers data. Maybe someone else would even want to take on the whole thing. But this is premature. Chances are I'll keep it up for at least a few more years.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I have the very same thoughts.

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: ...the Failing Ultimate Mets Database... Hey! You may be on to something, though. I've decided to give it one more year and then, after the 2018 season, I'll see if I want to keep the thing going.

That'll be an even 20 years! I'll need to work out a deal with you on preserving part of it!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: My feelings about the UMDB vary depending on whether it's the season or the offseason. This time of year I pretty much ignore it and the thought of starting up again seems to be more trouble than it's worth. But once the season gets underway I start to enjoy it a bit more. But yeah, if and when I do shut it down, we'll certainly come up with a way to preserve your numbers data. Maybe someone else would even want to take on the whole thing. But this is premature. Chances are I'll keep it up for at least a few more years.

I have the very same thoughts.

You guys both rule, but youse might want to each take on a junior partner. They bring the 21st century expertise while you bring 20 years of brand equity. They can do all the work while you count the piles of $$$!

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: You guys both rule, but youse might want to each take on a junior partner. They bring the 21st century expertise while you bring 20 years of brand equity. They can do all the work while you count the piles of $$$!

If you make $$$ on the UMDB I'll work under you, over you, run it, whatever. Even if you only make $$, or $.

[Benjamin Grimm]

No dollars, not anymore. I used to make about $400 per year on the UMDB through advertising, and had I not foolishly spent that money on women, booze, and beer I guess I'd probably be a billionaire by now.

My dilemma is whether or not I want to take on the challenge of making the site responsive. I'm intrigued by the idea of it, but not, for the moment anyway, particularly motivated. So for now it will go on as it is.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I have proudly lost money for almost 19 years on MBTN and turned down every marketing offer I ever got. Good thing is they have stopped trying.

[G-Fafif]

This user/reader continues to find both UMDB and MBTN top-notch resources and ongoing inspirations. May they endure as the standards of online Metsian excellence they've always been.

[dgwphotography]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: No dollars, not anymore. I used to make about $400 per year on the UMDB through advertising, and had I not foolishly spent that money on women, booze, and beer I guess I'd probably be a billionaire by now. My dilemma is whether or not I want to take on the challenge of making the site responsive. I'm intrigued by the idea of it, but not, for the moment anyway, particularly motivated. So for now it will go on as it is.

If you want some help making your site responsive, give me a ring.

[Zvon]

No dollars, not anymore. I used to make about $400 per year on the UMDB through advertising, and had I not foolishly spent that money on women, booze, and beer I guess I'd probably be a billionaire by now. My dilemma is whether or not I want to take on the challenge of making the site responsive. I'm intrigued by the idea of it, but not, for the moment anyway, particularly motivated. So for now it will go on as it is.

Ha! @ Tugger quote.
$400 is something. That's not bad. Would help fund your Christmas shopping.
Making it interactive could become a big time sink. But it would also be way kool.

I have proudly lost money for almost 19 years on MBTN and turned down every marketing offer I ever got. Good thing is they have stopped trying.

Same with the MFC project. Well, I don't lose $, but used to spend boo-koo time preparing stuff. And, as we all know, time is money.
I won't go the advertising route. While MFC was active I'd get the offers at least twice a week. But I want the MFC blog to be dressed to impress. Ad's cheapen that effect, IMO, and also distract the viewer. And with today's attention spans a viewer would probably be in the middle of a post, see a kool ad, hit it, and not return to finish viewing my page. Ha.

This user/reader continues to find both UMDB and MBTN top-notch resources and ongoing inspirations. May they endure as the standards of online Metsian excellence they've always been.

Without the UMDB the MFC project would just be a picture show. It's invaluable! If I'm trying to recall old memories I need the UMDB to make sure my facts/years/games are correct.

I figure only a small percentage actually read my blog, especially my long winded pages, and only zip thru looking at the cards, but some do read it all, and those folks will call me on any errors made. I actually appreciate that because then I can correct them. But I also get a tad embarrassed. And I embarrass myself enough IRL. I try to avoid doing it online.

OE: Grimm:Now that I think about it I'm not sure by what you mean by "responsive" and maybe "interactive" does not apply. I'm picturing you sitting there answering questions and posting stuff by request or something......

[Benjamin Grimm]

If you want some help making your site responsive, give me a ring.

Thank you! Your offer is very much appreciated and I just may take you up on it at some point in the near future!

OE: Grimm:Now that I think about it I'm not sure by what you mean by "responsive" and maybe "interactive" does not apply. I'm picturing you sitting there answering questions and posting stuff by request or something......

No, I have no intention of "sitting there answering questions"! "Responsive" means that the site can determine if it's being viewed on a laptop or desktop or on a smaller mobile device and display itself accordingly.

In other words, it could automatically change from a display like this:



to this:

[Frayed Knot]

OE: Grimm:Now that I think about it I'm not sure by what you mean by "responsive" ... I'm picturing you sitting there answering questions and posting stuff by request or something......

And see, here I was picturing him, as if from a scene in an emergency room on some medical show, giving compressions to his computer's CPU while shouting; "It's unresponsive!!!"

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: No dollars, not anymore. I used to make about $400 per year on the UMDB through advertising, and had I not foolishly spent that money on women, booze, and beer I guess I'd probably be a billionaire by now. My dilemma is whether or not I want to take on the challenge of making the site responsive. I'm intrigued by the idea of it, but not, for the moment anyway, particularly motivated. So for now it will go on as it is.

I figure part of the junior partner's job is monetization.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I know time marches on and nothing lasts forever but I would personally
find it sad to see either of these sites close. I hope it's just the winter blahs
and as spring training approaches ya'll get your mojo back!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Because I relish a challenge, I've been playing around a little with a responsive menu for the UMDB.

Please access this link on your smart phone or mobile device and let me know how it looks.

Hopefully you'll see something like the image on the right, below, and not the image on the left.



If you see the image on the left, or something not quite like the image on the right, please let me know what kind of phone you have and what browser you're using.

Thanks!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I see right image on an android sumsung 7. The "history" bit is a smidge too wide, tho.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Thank you!

Is there anyone with an iPhone who can give it a try? (Thanks.)

[A Boy Named Seo]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Thank you! Is there anyone with an iPhone who can give it a try? (Thanks.)

Looks just like your mobile screen grab from above on iPhone/Safari. Cool stuff, man.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Looks good on Samsung Galaxy 8+ and it's mini-tablet cousin.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Thanks for your responses!

I think what I'll do is gradually convert each of the internal UMDB pages to be responsive. Some of them will be easy, and I'll do those first, one by one. The trickier ones will be last. Maybe I'll never get to them. I guess we'll see!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Someone who might be Mike Vail posted a somewhat cryptic memory of Jay Kleven to the UMDB today.

[Edgy MD]

Are you trying to authenticate before posting?

[Guest cooby]

Joe Klevin? Only teammate would remember him

[Guest cooby]

Wow, far more memories there than I expected

[Benjamin Grimm]

No, that just wouldn't be practical. I do refrain from posting certain things. There have been a few where someone says that they're a former player's love child or baby mama. I don't post those.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I do refrain from posting certain things. There have been a few where someone says that they're a former player's love child or baby mama. I don't post those.

I wondered why my submissions keep getting rejected.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, I just don't buy that you're Rusty Staub's baby mama.

[Zvon]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Someone who might be Mike Vail posted a somewhat cryptic memory of Jay Kleven to the UMDB today.

Oddly enough Jay's photo led off a thread on fb yesterday. Birthday?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Born December 2, died June 30.