Friday, February 1, 2008

2008 Will Bring Change To This Media Project


First of all, thank you very much to the folks who took the time to drop me an email and offer their views on what this Internet project has accomplished in 2007.

Started at the suggestion of some TV industry friends, The Daly Planet was originally intended to be simply a small NASCAR TV blog. It would allow current and former "TV folks" to talk about the first year of the new NASCAR TV deal.

Borrowed with respect from the Superman series, the blog title was a tribute to my father and grandfather, both of whom were newspaper editors. Both were also named...Daly.

In the beginning, I posted a column without comments and we all communicated by email. This went well until smart NASCAR fans, using search engines, discovered my little blog and flooded my email with lots of great opinions.

Once I turned the comments on, things took-off in an entirely new direction. Suddenly, I was getting email from old friends and TV executives who wanted to know what the heck I was doing talking about them. At the time, that was a fair question.

Once the first wheels turned at Daytona, and the multiple NASCAR TV networks hit the air, the question was answered. Without really knowing it, what I was doing was documenting one of the darkest TV seasons in the history of NASCAR.

Looking back through the archives, it seems almost surreal that we actually saw national TV networks who were struggling with the TV coverage of a fifty-plus year-old sport. Even off the track, networks were putting TV programs about NASCAR on the air that were essentially...horrible. There is just no other way to put it.

Fans began to express themselves on the Internet about this very difficult TV situation, and The Daly Planet became a destination. Suddenly, what I said mattered to people who never knew me. That certainly is an interesting transition, and one that continues to this day.

Given an honest opportunity, NASCAR fans expressed their views in wonderful and intelligent posts that began to get the direct attention of the TV networks, the mainstream media, and NASCAR itself.

Jay over at Jayski.com was nice enough to begin listing my columns, and kept a sharp eye on my content. It was nice to have someone who could "suggest" when I needed to step back, take some deep breaths and maybe a nice walk around the block.

As my visitor numbers changed from hundreds to thousands, I appreciated the opportunity to get help and input from some veteran NASCAR journalists. It certainly is interesting to get email from the Infield Media Center...during a race. Thanks to all of the "friends" who kept me informed and on-track.

Now, as the 2008 season approaches, there needs to be some changes to this project in order for it to continue. After getting some good advice from media and Internet veterans, I think those changes are well within my reach.

So, I have decided to continue The Daly Planet for 2008.

While the upside of this effort has been meeting the wonderful fans and readers, the downside has been the individual attention that running a blog with multiple stories and live comments requires. The long hours of email and writing and moderating have taken a toll both personally and financially.

So, the plan for 2008 is to switch-over to a stand-alone website that will contain a forum for readers. This way, the big problem of readers only being able to discuss the one or two topics that I raise in my columns will be solved. Registered members can come in and begin a thread on TV topics that are on-going, or maybe even update breaking NASCAR TV news.

The idea is to empower you, plain and simple. Many of my columns come from ideas sent to me by email. Often, I may have many great topics in-hand and can only address one or two in column form. Why not let you talk about them from your own perspective?

The switch to a stand-alone site will also allow me to let you actively participate in several projects that are NASCAR TV-related. Rather then only typing and swapping opinions, I have several ideas that will challenge you to create and then provide different kinds of content that we will then feature.

Along with a group of other NASCAR-related sites, I am also going to participate in a limited sponsorship program. Any participating sponsor will be sports-related, non-intrusive and will be asked to participate in actively providing discounts, free services or merchandise.

Finally, I had to learn the hard way that opening the Internet door all the way was sometimes just a little to much of a temptation for some folks with keyboards. Asking regular readers to simply sign-up one time without cost and register to post is hopefully going to calm down the folks who need to hate. The benefit will be that all of the registered users now get to originate posts and threads of their own.

So, while I tiptoe into the site design world, we will continue in blog format until the changes are complete. Since I only arrived at this decision late Thursday night, needless to say things are not too far along.

I will keep you posted, and pass along any good stories of me trying to talk "html" and site design with the professionals while trying not to disclose that my formal computer training consisted of being really good...at PONG.

Thanks again for your patience, and I look forward to "opening up" even more of the world of sports TV, empowering you to voice your opinion and allowing you to show your creativity. What a year it's been!

If you would like to add a comment, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

JD,

Yeah!!!!!!

Makiki

Anonymous said...

JD- Being a NASCAR fan would no longer be the same without The Daly Planet. You have provided wisdom, insight, guidance, a voice, and an outlet for many, many fans - and , personally, made the 2007 palatable. MANY, MANY THANKS. I really do look forward to a long and productive run for The Daly Planet. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Really looking forward to reading your column again this season.
Can't wait to check out the new format. Look forward to posting and starting discussions!

Glad you decided to Keep on keepin on J.D.!

Anonymous said...

JD,

Sign me up! I think your blog has been a fantastic outlet for fans that were simply disgusted with last years' coverage. It is GREAT to see our opinions being taken to heart and changes being made.

Thanks so much for all of your efforts. We really do appreciate it!

Cheers!

AFMSgt

Anonymous said...

I will sign up as soon as I see the opportunity.

I am not much on blogs, preferring e-mail, but I think this project is by far one of the best thinks to happen for us fans. Apparently, your project has had a noticeable affect on the TV providers, and perhaps NASCAR.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

Tom said...

Great to hear this. I haven't always agreed with JD, but thats what makes this a great place to exchange thoughts and ideas

Tom

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! Requiring posters to sign up will allow us to become familiar with the bias of posters and not hide behind the anonymous identity. The most interesting thing about last year's racing season was your blog.

Can't wait to sign up.

Anonymous said...

Great News, JD!
Looking forward to whatever is next.

Tripp said...

JD... It will be good to have your insight and opinion around for another season. While, like tom, I don't always agree with you on some of the little stuff, I am in sync with your desire to make the NASCAR networks produce the best programming possible for the fans. Your being a watchdog will help keep the networks from drinking their own Kool-Aide as they did in 2007.

I look forward to the new venue and will register at the first opportunity.

Anonymous said...

John, I'm happy that you have decided to continue this project. I have posted many times on your blog... sometimes supporting your views and sometimes "pushing Back" on points I disagree with. I have even had posts removed and I didn't mind! I was off topic or just over the top in my response.

Going to a format that requires a registration makes great sense. People that have been posting as ANON will have some identity... and those that only write to hate can be controlled.

For those that don't know, this blog has had zero funding. No revenue stream! Think about the amount of time John has put in to keep us current on the affairs of NASCAR tv. The fact that the new site will have advertising is great as far as I'm concerned. It's worth it to have a place to come on a "Daly" basis to vent about what will be another strange year in TV land... a lot of changes that appear to be possitive but only time will tell!

OK, this is my last ANON post. I look forward to the new format. Now, what will my screen name be? Hmmmmmm...

Anonymous said...

JD, as a web designer, might I suggest you look into a Joomla CMS and SMF forum for your site (both are free)? I believe it will give you all the functionality you want in an easy-to-administer form that's pretty secure. And the setup cost/time should be minimal as well.

Anonymous said...

John, I'm most pleased that you'll have your own website and am sure it will be very popular. However, do get a headache remedy sponsor - you're going to need it. You won't believe the fans and non-fans that are about to come out of the woodwork - and their subjects will astound you!

TexasRaceLady said...

Yippeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I'll be there with bells on, JD.

Thanks for all your hard work. We "hard-core" fans need to stick together. I think we all made a difference and got the "powers-that-be" to listen to us -- especially since we're the ones who foot the bill.

Shucks, I'll even volunteer to be a moderator --- if you need one. :-)

Franna
Palestine, TX

Anonymous said...

JD this is good news but it sounds like your future days will be filled up with nascar even more than now. This site really got going, I think, when ESPN took over the cup broadcasts and the ongoing problems with that. Good luck in the future.

Anonymous said...

John, this is great news. During the last year I had three things in mind that I wished your site had. 1)Get rid of the anonymous so that we knew if someone was multiple posting in the same story. Sounds like you are solving that one. 2)Have the ability to print, individually, each story. 3)Have the ability to email, individually, each story. I hope you can do 2 & 3 this year. Good Luck!

bevo said...

JD,

Glad to read the news. I haven't checked in on the site in a month or so, had to take a break from reading about this stuff :)

I think the key to your plan is to have some trustworthy moderators to help you. If you can sign up enough folks to rotate the duties it will help keep any individual from getting burned out or trying to run things on their own.

Best of luck and I look forward to reading your coverage.

Kevin said...

John, I look forward to your new site debuting ... from those of us who are media geeks to those who simply want honest, straightforward coverage of the sport we love, we thank you.

I love the forum idea to supplement your columns but also wondered if you might consider a podcast weekly or monthly to supplement the site? Whether it simply consolidates some of your interviews on other sources or is all fresh, those of us who live in the outlying regions without satellite radio, etc, would muchly appreciate it!

Best of luck and keep up your great work!

Daly Planet Editor said...

kevin,

I have just finished a discussion about a podcast and/or possibly adding a v-cast that could include registered users with computer cams.

Beginning next week, I will be returning to Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody, providing content to the Rowdy.com podcast, and continuing to hop around on local and regional radio programs.

It has been hard for me to "promote myself." Never having been in-front of the camera or the microphone, this is a big switch for me. Once we change over, I will simply list the places that I will be talking NASCAR TV.

Anon 10:25AM, thank you for that information. I am researching those programs.

JD

Daly Planet Editor said...

Anon 10:25AM,

If you have a chance, could you send me an email to editor@thedalyplanet.tv?

Thanks,

JD

Anonymous said...

Thanks JD.

I [b]told[/b] you this wasn't going away!

Anonymous said...

Linda from FL

I was wondering if you had made your decision and when I didn’t see anything posted on 2/1, I figured you gave it up. So happy you didn’t.

I just didn’t think you’d leave us high and dry without saying something so I figured you were still deciding. I’m glad you’ve decided to do the new format; it will be a good thing. I for one am very happy to be able to register as I had a very hard logging on with the Google thing, that’s why I gave it up and just signed on like I’ve been doing.

I’ve thought about the time and money you’ve put out this past year…….that was HUGE of you to do for us. The new website with sponsors will be a good thing but I have to agree with poster
10:25 am who said you’re not going to believe what’s going to come out of the woodwork. His/her suggestion to get a headache remedy sponsor made me laugh but it was a good one too.

I’ll be watching for the new site……good luck and again thanks for all you do for all of us.

MW55Fan

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

JD, I have a suggestion. If you decide to continue "LIVE race comments," I think posters should still have the ability to post anonymously in those sections. This past season, I think that ability has allowed many NASCAR fans to post candidly and without fear of retaliation. I realize there are others out there who might take advantage of this, but forcing all users to register, would make some fans with good comments and suggestions unwilling or less likely to post their thoughts. What do you think?

Thanks for continuing this NASCAR TV project.

elena said...

JD, I'm so glad you've decided to continue. Though as some others I don't agree with you 100% of the time, you do a good job of getting us to think and express ourselves on the sport we all love so much.

I wish you lots of luck and look forward to the new format.

elena

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Daly Planet Editor said...

Anon 12:55PM,

Would you drop me an email please about that issue?

JD

snowfaller said...

Great news JD!

The Daly Planet quickly became one of my multiple times per day NASCAR Internet stops throughout the year. Thanks for all of your hard work.

I look forward to the future of the site. Thanks again.

Sophia said...

Hmmm...I posted here last night but must have forgot to hit submit.

Glad you are continuing the site, JD and YES! Do look into free message board forums. There are some good ones! I have had one for a couple of years and it's great, easy to use and easy on the eyes. PLUS folks can change the look and layout for individual computer use.

I also suggest interviewing for mod volunteers. Especially in different time zones. No reason for YOU to have to play School Marm when you are writing and doing other things. :-)

I would also be happy to volunteer.

The more help you have and can COUNT ON, the easier the growing pains will be. And all new sites have them!!!!

Soph

PammH said...

JD-I have been anxiously awaiting your decision & I am delighted you have decided to continue this project! I think the changes will be welcome. Thank you from this Nascar fan, for giving us a voice that was actually heard by those in power!!

Anonymous said...

Great news John. I look forward to reading the blog and am glad it will continue in a new format. As far as sponsors and ad's go, that is inevitable think. You shouldn't have to pay for our pleasure:)

Vince said...

Great news JD! Glad you're going to continue this juggernaut you started last year. I know it had to have been a big strain on your personal life at times.

I'm also glad you will be requiring a registration procedure to post comments. Although most Annon's have followed the rules of your blog, there were a few who were trying their best to start something. Some people just like to disagree for the sake of disagreeing. They do not contribute anything of value to your blog. So maybe the registration process will cut down on some of the negativity. At least we'll know who to respond to instead of just Annon.

I'd like to thank the long time posters on this site that have registered and contributed to the success of this blog. I feel like I've gotten to know some of you pretty good by your posts. SophiaZ, remember, decaf this year! ;)

Looking forward to the new site. I'll see all you usual posters there. Thanks again JD for all your hard work this past year.

Vince

Sophia said...

Vince and other regulars,

I am switching to half decaf coffee. But honestly, I am already less focused on NASCAR and probably my gripes about it because I grew weary of my own negative yapping last year.

:-)

So I expect my diatribes to be short and less frequent.

But I am still grateful this place will be here.

elena said...

JD, I would like to rephrase my sentence where I say "I don't agree with you 100%..."

What I should have said was, we (you and I) don't agree all the time, but I really enjoy your site.

But think about it, how much fun would it be if we all marched lock-step with each other?

:>)

Haus14 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Haus14 said...

JD, thanks for the site...this is a stop i make several times a day as well. I want to add my support to the idea of everyone logging in.

I don't know what kind of retaliation people would be worried about. If you consider someone posting a contrary opinion as retaliation you are on the wrong site.

That is what made this site great. More often than not, everyone gave thoughtful logical posts and if someone happened to disagree, it was done with respect and thought as well. We are not mindless robots. We all have our opinions and we enjoy the opportunity to express them here.

Again, thanks for the site JD.

Anonymous said...

JD, I feel like I am being stomped on regarding my idea that Anonymous posters should still be allowed. I again realize some evil-doers might take advantage of this, but I think that is a small price to pay when you think of how much good information "anon" posters have added to this site this past year. What do you think about this suggestion?

Haus20, while most of you have been respectful of others, there has been times where some of us who had any disagreement were shot down and destroyed. Some posters dismissed those of us who disagree as just another "ESPN/TNT employee" or a "troll" even though our comments were not at all rude or in any way bad natured. I know some anon posters can be rude or just out to make people angry, but I think if you look back at all the comments in most of the columns, you will see that there are much more "good" anon posters than "bad" ones. It just so happens the bad ones get more attention, so everyone now thinks all anons will be "bad" anons.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Anon 3:02PM,

There was no problem with Anon postings while the site was relatively small.

Unfortunately, we now average over ten thousand page views a day and are anticipating a higher count once the season gets underway.

This has resulted in a larger group of people who take advantage of the Anon tag. It still puzzles me, but some just use it to harrass others.

I share your views, and would like to continue with the present format. Unfortunately, it is the actions of others that are forcing the registration change.

Thanks,

JD

Anonymous said...

JD,
This is the best news I've had all week! I'm delighted to know that you have decided to continue to keep a place wher (usually) intelligent fans an feel as if we have a voice that will be listened to. Anything that I can do to help in any way...just let me know. Thank you for giving us all this opportunity. Now, Where do I sign up!!!

elena said...

I know there must be a solution to the anonymous question. I just don't know what it is. When most people register they just use/or not their first name. Maybe they use a nickname and their city or state. I just don't see how hard it would be to do that. Or anonymous bloggers could simply sign off with a nickname.

I have found it difficult sometimes in responding to an anonymous statement, and the person saying they did not say "so and so". It's hard to now if a string of comments are from one person or multiple bloggers who agree with each other.

Not that anonymous bloggers are enemies, but it is said that your enemies will tell you the hard truth that your friends won't. You just have to develop a thick skin and take some comments with a grain of salt.

I kinda smile when fans applaud a driver that throws darts at NASCAR and say the driver is being real. The same people don't like anyone to disagree with them. I say that someone who disagrees with a reasoned arguement on their position, is okay. For others, the ones who have not been able to develop their language skills enough to argue a point without the use of insults, well they deserve we pity their mothers.

elena

elena said...

JD,
Oops. I posted comments without having read yours. Makes sense when you have that many hits.

Congrats!!!!

elena

Anonymous said...

I understand the frustration regarding "anon" posters. Please do not lump us altogether. I post under "anon" as I do not have a Google/blogger account. But, I have signed every single post I have ever made, as have others.
Hopefully, the new site will help distinguish between sincere posters and others.
I look forward to the continued "Daly Planet".

Makiki

Sophia said...

It sounds like maybe this place is getting a message board. I have yet to see one where you can be anon..and it's easy picking out a nikname.

I don't quite understand the problem with having people registar. If folks want to start flames, we need to know who they are. Many sign their names under Anon and often, the word veri has not worked and I had to sign in as Anon...most usually signing my name.

To maintain the integrity and respect of anybody's site, I will abide by the rules and do my best to follow them.

I am sorry this is turning into some "Anon or not to Anon debate".

;-)

John has a right to know who creates havoc (and ALL BOARDS have those types) but real trolls can usually skirt the issue and find a way.

I have my board set up so you can NOT change a nikname without permission. I had to do this because some nut case faked having cancer and kept coming back under a different name until I set my board up that I had to OK somebody joining as opposed to the AUTO joined format.

The bigger the site, the more atttention, the more you must lay the ground rules to keep it from getting hostile.

I loved posting here last summer until those folks (and we know who they were) came here to attack others or make snarky comments.


We often can agree to disagree about things (and like somebody said, would be a boring world if we all thought a like) But let's face it, some love posting "drive by postings" and watching others react.

And blocking IP addresses doesn't work anymore since they fluctuate with broadband, and if numbers are close, innocent folks can get blocked because they have an 'address' similar to some social malcontent.

BTW, I am NOT referring to Anon's as social malcontents.

Just wanted to clarify that statement. :-)

Oh and every site has it's drama queens and soreheads or grumpettas, and I shall endeavor not to become one of those or a P.I.T.A. either.

Soph

Anonymous said...

SophiaZ123 said...
"I have yet to see one where you can be anon..."

I know for a fact many boards have a "guest poster" feature. You just don't see it often because many people turn that feature off.



SophiaZ123 said...
"I am sorry this is turning into some "Anon or not to Anon debate"."

I think this decision is very important to the format change. After all, this is a column about the new format.

Sophia said...

ok...sorry...I forgot JD wanted input to the new place.

My bad.

Besides, I was just giving my two pennies.

p.s. I will NOT miss this word veri thing and when it's long, I use the 'scary voices' from who knows where! :-) You hear voices in between the answers.....odd.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making a forum. vBulletin is great, especially if you have moderators (which I hope you will). I enjoy your take on NASCAR, press, etc.

LuckyForward said...

THIS IS THE BEST NEWS I HAVE HAD THIS WEEKEND THAT YOU ARE CONTINUING! If you launch a paid site, consider me your first subscriber!

Luckyforward

Anonymous said...

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAAYAYAYA!

I'm so glad you're going to continue! I've enjoyed reading the columns since I found the site from a friend who also posts here :)

And while I "know" some of the posters from other sites, I've gotten to meet "new" friends :)

Anonymous said...

I rarely leave comments on your blog, mainly because what I am thinking is what is being written anyway. But I am thrilled that you will be continuing in 2008. Thanks so much for giving us all a great place to vent.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Daly:
Just wonderful!
The hour glasses posted on the right side of this site really had me worried and resigned, especially as the minutes of January 31st. slipped away!
On top of this great news, we now also have the news from Sophiaz that she is switching to half decaf - I'll miss those orange glows on my southern horizon that told me that another great response was being posted on the "Planet" site (now if we could just get her a DVR...).
Anything I can do for you just let me know. I'm looking forward to signing up for a GREAT 2008!
Many thanks for your decision.
Tom in Dayton, OH.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
rich said...

Good decision JD, you had me worried that you would shut the Daly Planet down. Glad you made the choice that you did. Cant wait to see the final result. Come on Bud Shoot Out !!! Gentlemen start your engines.

Rasta Racing Man said...

JD,
Very new to planet, but totally stoked over the last 2 weeks of being here. Thank you and keep up the great work.

Rastaag

Anonymous said...

JD - Thanks, both for the past year and for continuing into the new one. One small request: Whatever form the next year takes, please be sure to include a RSS feed on it so those of us aggregators can keep up that way.

Thanks again.

Daly Planet Editor said...

There will be an RSS feed, along with a widget. I have no idea what that means, but I got 'em both!

JD

Newracefan said...

JD I am thrilled to see that we can all continue to be together and share our opinions on everything Nascar. I've never posted on any other blog or participatory web site so as long as it's easy to register and not complicated to follow I'll be a regular. (I guess I can get help from my son; after he stops laughing at me for being a Nascar fanatic I'm sure he know what to do). I just came back for a weekend away and checking this blog is the first thing I did so I guess fanatic isn't to far off the mark.

Anonymous said...

Great news JD! Looking forward to continuing to visit your site on a daily basis!

slithybill said...

First I read that Kuselias was gone from NASCAR Now. Then that the panelists from INC are returning. And now you're coming back. What a perfect trifecta of good news.

Thank you for providing such timely insights during the 2007 NASCAR season. If I hadn't found your site (thanks to Jayski) I imagine I would've stopped watching the races sometime in August or September. The only reason I continued watching (on a strictly tape-delayed, DVR basis) was to be able to knowingly read your reviews of their coverage and to (sometimes) contribute to the discussion.

I'm definitely looking forward to 2008. Having an open forum will be nice, especially if I can make the time to actually watch the races live this year.

Here's hoping the second half of this season will be better than last year. I'm glad you'll be back to share your thoughts with us! Thanks again from this non-anonymous reader!

--Bill

Anonymous said...

Hey! Welcome back, John!

I am already a member of a related forum, Speedcouch, and I want to see how this stacks up in comparison. I will be among the first to sign up.

I tend to believe that our suggestions have led to changes at ESPN and SPEED. I implore all of you reading this to keep up the good work!