Posted on 06/30/2025 5:37:20 PM PDT by airplaneguy
Does anyone know how old the Free Republic software is? Doesn't appear to have been updated in at least the 20 years that I've been here. It would be nice to have hyperlinks and better interfaces and a better search function. Not just text and photo files in line. It looks like Craigslist looked about 25 years ago. Anybody with software experience have any thoughts on this?
I understand it’s complicated. I have been here since 98 and do not do it.
But I think it also will be the demise of the site. And I would hate to see that happen.
What am I going to do when I get old?
I like Free Republic’s simple, stripped-down, form-follows-function approach.
I’m not opposed to improvement. What would you change about Free Republic that would improve it while keeping it dirt simple and lean?
Then go peddle it to some other site if you think its so good.
Do you work for Microsoft?
There used to be view counters for threads iirc.
And to the top link at the end of each thread.
You are correct. I have to concede this point.
It is kind of funny that I overlooked it, because I’ve been having lots of conversations about AI with people both on and off Free Republic, discussing how one of the things that a lot of people are using AI for right away is to do effective web searches. And of course, as you rightly pointed out, our website is part of the Internet so for good and bad, it shows up in AI searches.
Free Republic is not a traditional business. We are a political discussion forum and independent grassroots conservative activist group supported by donations from our readers and participants. When and if our participants decide we are no longer needed or viable, we will close down shop and go away.
Yep
I worked for a department run by the State of New York. Way too many times, people in Albany, who had never worked a day in the job I spent 25 years in, would come up with these brilliant ideas that may have looked good to them on paper, but when you went to implement them, they inevitably turned to shit, and caused even more problems.
Only if the market for your product changes. If the market changes, then your statement holds true. But if the market your product addresses remains largely stable, then changing your product is how you die.
.......
The market has changed.
We have lost many freepers and not signing up many new ones
review
I do not.
You sound more like a used car salesman with every post you make.
Just had my 25th FRversary two weeks ago.
I like FR’s format because I live in a rural area where connectivity is slow on a good day and non-existent the remainder of the time.
Sometimes, this site is the only page I can access because it is not overloaded with graphics as other sites tend to be.
(My connection usually goes into really really slow mode about the time I’m starting a SCOTUS thread.)
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid. That’s for me!
But it is broke.
That's what I do. People who need something more grandiose are just lazy and don't want to cut and paste.
It’s quick to load but a easier way to add URL links and relevant pictures in the comments would be appreciated.
I would add hyperlinks and a better search function and call to action boxes.
Then go create your own site
Again that’s an outdated way of thinking. Just because it works doesn’t mean it cannot be improved. But that way of thinking humans would still be living in caves and making fire with wooden sticks. Ridiculous
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