Change in news functionality

If members feel they are being spammed via the group news, but they don't want to turn off alerts, then perhaps the V3 system could have News alert messages coming from the author of the post, rather than coming from ChessCom like they used to. That way, the user could block one particular admin (therefore not getting alerts of their news posts), but still get alert messages for some (likely the most important) group news posts.

ijgeoffrey, would you like users blocking admins to be a normal thing?

Would you like admins to have to deal with the possibility that users do not receive group news because some users happen to have blocked the admin who happens to have written the group news item in a group?

It may be a nice idea to be able to identify which group and which admin a group news item is coming from (instead of just being shown that there is some new "message by chess.com" of which there can be a lot). It probably would be nice only if it does not lead to users blocking admins because of group news.

I would be unhappy if any of my team members blocked me. I would be tempted to press my delete button!

I have done exactly that ... blocked, banned, removed team members who blocked me. A team member who refuses communications from the leader of the team isn't a team player.

But I concur. We need the old way back.

I do not know of any groups who abused the old news functionality? ...and if you are in a group you do not like, which sends too many news (or whatever) for your liking, you can quit it. Plenty of interesting and nice groups to join.

I don't like the idea of my members blocking me. I only suggested it because spam concerns were brought up, and when you're getting spam outside of groups, you just block the spammer. But then again, I admit my "solution" might cause a whole new set of problems...

Oh that is were it went

I totally agree! We have to get the old system back!

I agree that this usually is not at all necessary. But if a player really wishes to not receive the group news of a group, he can of course switch group news off for him for that group specifically.

So really no need for anyone to quit a group just because of too many group news items or so.

I don't like the change either. I hope chess.com reconsider on this one. Not optimistic though.

Team "MONIKA" has decided not to accept any more open matches (except for TMCL) as we relied on the old news functionality to recruit players and obtain balanced matches until the news functionality has been rolled back (or otherwise made as effective as before).

OCD are doing the same!

The same problem is in The KINGS castle.

People want more matches, we are strong in Vote chess and we play VCs more. A guy told "Funny this group is, only chatting no matches"

We are playing TMCL team matches now so it's a big problem..

Hi admins. I firmly belive its a big mistake not to have any team matches while this news notification dont work.

Groups will die further more. Its important to continue offering members Team matches. Small matches are better than No one.

To my opinion it's a fatal decision to stop open matches, many groups

have already fallen asleep, and those who think they can quickly

reactivate the group when/if the good old news conditions are back

shouldn't be to sure. Groups where I have significant influence 

will continue to fight for (big) matches.

Today my France/Deutschland Group started a match on 209 boards,

it took a lot of work, but it was worth it.

I totaly Agree with Haubi here. Great Viking Warriors and Battle for Victory will offer members active matches. it maybe some smaller matches than before but we cannot go to sleep. 

Both me and Haubi have experienced how long time it takes to get a group up to its former activity. its dam Hard. 

Vote matches are also ruined because there is no personal messages reminding members that vote match has started.

yeah i agree.

i think all group activities decreased due to this change.

we really need old form of news back !

I've sent a message to erik.. hoping he cares..