Changes to DBR

[dairedevil]

I can't believe that I would be the first to comment on the article about the changes in DBR. While an extremely infrequent poster, I have been a constant part of DBR since I first stumbled across the site - it must have been near the beginning (A part of me still misses seeing that old hardwood floor background!) Thank you for all that you (J,B & J) put in to making this such a wonderful community for those who love Duke and Duke basketball. Over the years I have checked out other college sports sites and forums. It has only made me appreciate more the effort that you have put in to making this a place I can come back to again and again and be proud that I am a Duke fan. Differing opinions may be argued and debated, but as long as civility is maintained, it doesn't matter if you are a Duke fan or not...even a few admitted Carolina fans are tolerated and treated with respect by this community.

I've asked a few questions on the off-topic board, and have received some thoughtful responses and suggestions. I've enjoyed learning about topics as differing as what electronics to purchase, what books to read, what movies/tv shows to watch, what to eat and drink (Ymmm, ...), what Tiger is up to...

And, although I didn't read it much, I learned a few things from the Public Policy board - and I understand why it no longer exists as it became to difficult to maintain the standard that DBR held for itself.

Of course, I can't forget the BBQ discussions, either.

So, thanks for keeping this going yourselves for as long as it was feasible. You've done a wonderful job. It sounds as though you've put a great deal of thought into the decision to sell, and have tried to protect your vision and the DBR community as much as you possibly can.

I will expect DBR to change...but, as I tell myself often " change doesn't HAVE to mean bad!"

[james]

I can't believe that I would be the first to comment on the article about the changes in DBR. While an extremely infrequent poster, I have been a constant part of DBR since I first stumbled across the site - it must have been near the beginning (A part of me still misses seeing that old hardwood floor background!) Thank you for all that you (J,B & J) put in to making this such a wonderful community for those who love Duke and Duke basketball. Over the years I have checked out other college sports sites and forums. It has only made me appreciate more the effort that you have put in to making this a place I can come back to again and again and be proud that I am a Duke fan. Differing opinions may be argued and debated, but as long as civility is maintained, it doesn't matter if you are a Duke fan or not...even a few admitted Carolina fans are tolerated and treated with respect by this community.

I've asked a few questions on the off-topic board, and have received some thoughtful responses and suggestions. I've enjoyed learning about topics as differing as what electronics to purchase, what books to read, what movies/tv shows to watch, what to eat and drink (Ymmm, ...), what Tiger is up to...

And, although I didn't read it much, I learned a few things from the Public Policy board - and I understand why it no longer exists as it became to difficult to maintain the standard that DBR held for itself.

Of course, I can't forget the BBQ discussions, either.

So, thanks for keeping this going yourselves for as long as it was feasible. You've done a wonderful job. It sounds as though you've put a great deal of thought into the decision to sell, and have tried to protect your vision and the DBR community as much as you possibly can.

I will expect DBR to change...but, as I tell myself often " change doesn't HAVE to mean bad!"

Many thanks, As you may or may not know, I remained a 1/3 owner of DBR after stepping aside from day-to-day duties, so was aware of and involved with the sale. I had asked Julio to post my thanks with the announcement, but they may not have arrived in time, so I will put them here.

I wish Julio the best of luck in the future going forward with DBR the Sports Blogs. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Julio and Boswell to make DBR the best site on the net.

Of course, it wasn't just the three of us, a site like this really benefits from the contributions of others. Three contributors stand out in my memory:

1. Ryan Breen contributed with an archive of the old bulletin board site and with a Duke specific chat site, Thank You!
2. Rob Clough, before moving on to dwhoops.com, provided expert commentary on the women's team, Thank You!
3. Mike Rosenberg provided us with daily updates of Duke players in the NBA before nba.com provided their widgets, Thank You!

And, of course, a very big Thank You to you, the readers. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, it has been a wonderful ride!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Yes, a surprise but not really given today's economic realities.

I saw Julio before yesterday's game. We exchanged pleasantries and good wishes - he's a good man and a good friend. I'm glad he and Boswell (also a good man and a good friend) are cashing in on all their hard work - they deserve it. I know they really hope DBR gets better and that they expect to maintain editorial control.

I also don't want to leave out James (again also a good man and a good friend), whose programming skills, technical resources and editorial mandates for civility were a huge part of what the Duke Basketball Report became and is today.

To the future - may it be as bright as the past!

Ah! James posted his reply while I was typing mine. I'm glad he reaps part of the bounty too!

[Jfrosh]

Change is always difficult. But clearly with the economic realities it was necessary. While this is the biggest change ever to the only site I visit several times daily, we have seen smaller changes. Certainly the bulletin Board change was significant, making it easier and opening up to a broader community, which had it's good and bad sides. The addition of advertising and banners was only a minor annoyance. I am so greatful that DBR did not sell out to the big fan sites that annoy us all. We always (well usually) have a high level of discourse here, and I really hope that continues. Thanks guys for all the years you have helped serve the Duke community.

[dukestheheat]

I read the Main Page article with a lump in my throat (yes, I visit DBR a couple times a day and it's a big part of my life) and I am relieved that we're going to still be up and running.

Whew!

Happy new Year,

dth.

[stillcrazie]

I regularly follow a St. Louis Cardinals blog on SB Nation (Viva El Birdos) and could see DBR fitting into that format pretty well. Usually there is only one main article posted along with one main discussion thread, with minor topics posted on the side of the screen. I'll be interested to see how the multiple articles with multiple discussion threads format of DBR translates on the SBN site.

There is a minimum amount of trolling on that site, although I would expect a bit more on a Duke basketball site since the board will be linked in with other basketball sites.

In any case, many thanks to all those responsible for the daily maintenance of DBR. I've enjoyed it and appreciate all your great work.

[-jk]

I don't know what'll happen with the boards yet, but for now we'll try keep them functioning pretty much as is.

-jk

[Neals384]

This is an appropriate time for me to say a big "thank you" to everyone behind the scenes at DBR. As a Duke fan in Oregon, it would be very difficult to stay current on Duke basketball without DBR. Thanks!

Neal

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I don't know what'll happen with the boards yet, but for now we'll try keep them functioning pretty much as is.

-jk

We were wondering. Thanks.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Congrats on reaping the fruits of your labor, hopefully any changes coming will not be too drastic and help to further improve the site. Happy to hear that editorial control will be maintained, I enjoy reading the front page, both the linked stories and editorials.

[Lulu]

Ugh. Ugh. Have any of you visited SB Nation in the past? Wish I knew how much it really cost to keep a site like this running. Or maybe it was more about the offer.

[Faustus]

As with many others, I rarely post on the forum, but am a constant reader throughout the year. Here in Virginia the DBR has been a lifeline for me. May it continue for many, many seasons. Happy New Year to everyone here as well.

[airowe]

A big thanks from me as well to the operators and moderators of this site. Intelligent discussion of any topic is hard to find on any topic online, much less something as dynamic and polarizing as Duke Basketball. Thank you for sacrificing possible money from previous buyouts in order to keep the standards of this site as you envisioned it should be. That kind of integrity is not seen anywhere in life very often and it speaks to the character of those who made the decisions.

[Wheat/"/"/"]

Yes, a surprise but not really given today's economic realities.

Ozzie-The only thing that was surprising to me about this announcement was that the guys were able to hold out so long. I can only imagine the hours they have put into it basicly as a labor of love.

I've been around since '96, probably found the site just a few months after the launch. I immediately felt welcomed by the majority of the community, even tho I've always had to walk a tightwire as a rival fan.

Since the very beginning, there has not been a better site for following a college basketball team, any team. They have represented the Duke fan base with integtity. It's our good fortune that these guys had a passion and commitment for a team that we have great interest in.

We've all seen some big changes in the internet landscape and we all know they could have cashed in on any number of occaisions, but to their credit, they never did. Their daily commitment was humbling to those of us who struggled to just find time to post a thought now and then.

For some of you who might have come to the party late, the comments in the announcement about the sense of community and their attention to take into consideration the readers of the site before a sale was not lip service. The guys have always been about the community and fostering a loyal following to share not only their love of Duke basketball, but the ACC too.

The most important thing I gathered from the announcement was this comment..."We made sure that we could protect the sense of DBR, that it would remain open, that we would maintain editorial control..."

I was dreading opening the announcement link, but when I read that, I felt like things going forward would be OK. And I actually had the thought..."good for them, I hope they were rewarded for all the years of hard work".

I have always liked their judgement of what's a story, what's of interest to the community today and their daily attention to keeping things fresh. The links out are always informative. I especially respect their own editorial comments, which were always well written and thoughtful, even when I disagreed.

In the wild west of internet message boards, this one is a rowdy town saloon. But thankfully it's not "Deadwood", it's "Dodge City" with a steady Matt Dillon, (the guys), riding shotgun and seeing to it that everyone has a good time without getting out of hand. Tough to do when recruiting battles, rivalries, and tight, hard fought games take the place of whiskey.

Congratulations and thanks guys...oh, and keep it up!

[diveonthefloor]

I am a very infrequent poster, but have benefited from access to DBR since its inception.

You guys have done a fabulous job and I hope you're able to continue your vision even after the SBNation transition. I, like many of you, have gone to the SB site out of curiosity. It looks like a solid collection of blogs from across the sports world. Hopefully you guys will no longer have to worry about where the next dime is coming from to keep the site going! Congratulations on your accomplishment and best of luck in the future.

P.S., do you think the web address will remain the same? My fingers have built in muscle memory!! haha

[MChambers]

A big thanks from me as well to the operators and moderators of this site. Intelligent discussion of any topic is hard to find on any topic online, much less something as dynamic and polarizing as Duke Basketball. Thank you for sacrificing possible money from previous buyouts in order to keep the standards of this site as you envisioned it should be. That kind of integrity is not seen anywhere in life very often and it speaks to the character of those who made the decisions.

I'll second all of this. There aren't many places where one can have such intelligent discussions, and we owe you quite a bit.

[duketaylor]

I also wish all three of you the best and thank you. I briefly said hello to Julio at the game last night, not knowing this was ongoing. I hope Bos is well and look forward to dining with James the next time we can. Good luck to all of you from a long-timer.

[Wheat/"/"/"]

Here's a good look at some early DBR history written back in '04 for those who might have missed it.

[bdeviled11]

I don't post much at all, but I will say this is a very informative site with a very high standard. Just because you are going to sb nation doesn't mean that will change for anyone that is concerned out there. I follow 'fieldgulls' (seattle seahawks) on there and it is a much keener, smarter, and sometimes edgier website than any sports website I've seen. Sometimes they do have to be shills but please reference this post

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2009/9/30/...st-pays-sbn-me

In fact DBR is very similar. People shouldn't have a lot of concern out there. If the person's running the website don't change, then I fully expect everyone to be just as satisfied has they are now. This isn't going to be bleacher report part II.

The only real difference is you won't get a lot of topics about other schools on the website. If anything the regular posters on here are probably going to have to step up there game.

Congratulations DBR you are about to get a lot more popular and hated all at the same time.

[Indoor66]

Here's a good look at some early DBR history written back in '04 for those who might have missed it.

Thanks, Wheat. That was great. I am not sure why I had never seen that before.