Speak Up

Since the new format for the Patch arrived on the scene a few weeks ago I have noticed a drop off in posting. There are reasons for this. The new format removed what once existed a sort of ticker tape of first sentence comments that allowed readers to spot comment trends and then jump into issues by posting. Gone. So now its a bit harder to get a global view of what comments are being made across the board. Well looks like we are all stuck with this "improvement" so it's time for to dust off that old adage when life gives you lemons make lemonade. It would be a great loss to the village of Patchogue if the vibrant discussion that had been taking place in the pages of the Patch just disappeared for no good reason. The Patch is new media. It is up to the minute, poster friendly and this kind of modern day technology is user friendly to the extent that anyone can have a voice. One good thing is that blogging is now more direct to the front page. So maybe then that is the change that people have to adapt to: the "scroll" so to speak are the blogger's names and that is where if you want to have something to say a person will have to go. I for one have been recently blogging about the budget. No responses from anyone. Now I have a blog up about the last Board meeting that did cover a host of issues in the village. No responses. Can't be that no one has anything to say. Where is Feduponthebay when you need him? More probably it is because people are having some issues navigating the layout. That means a little digging will have to occur folks until we all get the hang of it. But I say it is worth it. Our village needs new ideas, different voices, a place where there is an electronic village hall where all are welcome. That was the Patch in its old format and I think we should all try to band together and reactivate what was good about that in today's new format world.