Serious Issue

[scottditzen]

Guys, I am challenging everyone on this forum to start responding CONSTRUCTIVELY to any and all media coverage we get for the Zips. This is so easy...please take the time to comment on articles posted online. It takes a few seconds. We need to combat the misconception that nobody cares about Akron or the MAC. The media will NEVER increase coverage unless they get the sense that people want more. That's one of the very few areas where we can actually make a real difference. This response from Terry Pluto is a prime example of what I'm talking about:FROM TERRY PLUTO:2. I wrote 2 columns about new Akron football coach, and how many emails did I get from fans? One. It was a complaint about a lack of coverage.3. I covered the last Akron/Can't game. How many emails from fans on that? ZERO.4. I wrote a story about how Can't running back Eugene Jarvis deserved another year from the NCAA -- got about 6 emails on that.5. So far, I have not received a single email on this Akron/Can't story.That's at least 5 MAC type stories in the last few months from me. 6. My point is that MAC fans seldom respond, and when they do, it is to complain about lack of coverage. 7. I really do like writing about the MAC, especially Akron and Can't. I don't care about the lack of emails, but it is odd that there is almost zero response to the stories -- other than to say, there is no coverage.TERRY PLUTO

[Quickzips]

This has always been the chicken or the egg kind of an argument for me. On one hand you have the journalists saying that they don't write about the MAC as much because nobody cares enough to respond or often even to read the story. On the other hand you have the die hard fans who say that the media sets the agenda and that if the journalists wrote more about the MAC then more people would care enough to read and respond to the stories. Both are valid points. The question is, which needs to come first, the chicken or the egg?

[Dr Z]

Bluto bases the popularity of an article or the mac by the amount of comments he gets under the article? Most people that respond to those things are trolls anyway. Read the comments under a Browns or Indians article. Nobody commented on his Can't/Akron article but 6,000 people figured out how to get tickets to the game tonight. If he wants comments, tell him to get a Facebook page or Twitter. I'll save my comments for Rasor's blog. He is a true Zips fan.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Guys, I am challenging everyone on this forum to start responding CONSTRUCTIVELY to any and all media coverage we get for the Zips. This is so easy...please take the time to comment on articles posted online. It takes a few seconds. We need to combat the misconception that nobody cares about Akron or the MAC. The media will NEVER increase coverage unless they get the sense that people want more. That's one of the very few areas where we can actually make a real difference. This response from Terry Pluto is a prime example of what I'm talking about:FROM TERRY PLUTO:2. I wrote 2 columns about new Akron football coach, and how many emails did I get from fans? One. It was a complaint about a lack of coverage.3. I covered the last Akron/Can't game. How many emails from fans on that? ZERO.4. I wrote a story about how Can't running back Eugene Jarvis deserved another year from the NCAA -- got about 6 emails on that.5. So far, I have not received a single email on this Akron/Can't story.That's at least 5 MAC type stories in the last few months from me. 6. My point is that MAC fans seldom respond, and when they do, it is to complain about lack of coverage. 7. I really do like writing about the MAC, especially Akron and Can't. I don't care about the lack of emails, but it is odd that there is almost zero response to the stories -- other than to say, there is no coverage.TERRY PLUTO

If "response emails" were the only metric to measure MAC fan interest, then Pluto would be correct.On ZipsNation, we have 100,000 posts to-date. Actual posts from real people who want to talk MAC...specifically The University of Akron sports.Let me repeat: 100,000!I posted a short note on the gravity of tonight's game on ZN. I got 56 responses? There are in excess of 200 posts, and thousands of views on the subject of tonight's game on ZN. Seems like there IS some interest? Just because I don't clap like a trained seal the three times per year Pluto writes something about the Zips program doesn't mean there's no interest in the program.The MAC finals will draw roughly 13,000 people to The Q. But because no one writes to Terry Pluto, there must be no interest? He needs to get off his high horse. I tired of Pluto in the late 90's. While Hipsher and Crawford were bringing Akron Basketball to it's knees, he kept writing "The Little Engine that Could" columns about the scrappy, underdog Zips. He never had the guts to call for change. And at the time, his opinion carried some weight. He fiddled while Rome burned. I can see how people in their 20's love Pluto. They're young. Wait until you're in your 40's and you've read his cookie-cutter columns 50 times. Then he isn't so awe-inspiring.I can see why senior citizens love Pluto. He's now a big religious guy. Older people eat that up.He's vanilla. I prefer writers with some sort of opinion or edge. If he's not getting responses, maybe he needs to look in the mirror rather than point fingers?

[Jake]

Guys, I am challenging everyone on this forum to start responding CONSTRUCTIVELY to any and all media coverage we get for the Zips. This is so easy...please take the time to comment on articles posted online. It takes a few seconds. We need to combat the misconception that nobody cares about Akron or the MAC. The media will NEVER increase coverage unless they get the sense that people want more. That's one of the very few areas where we can actually make a real difference. This response from Terry Pluto is a prime example of what I'm talking about:FROM TERRY PLUTO:2. I wrote 2 columns about new Akron football coach, and how many emails did I get from fans? One. It was a complaint about a lack of coverage.3. I covered the last Akron/Can't game. How many emails from fans on that? ZERO.4. I wrote a story about how Can't running back Eugene Jarvis deserved another year from the NCAA -- got about 6 emails on that.5. So far, I have not received a single email on this Akron/Can't story.That's at least 5 MAC type stories in the last few months from me. 6. My point is that MAC fans seldom respond, and when they do, it is to complain about lack of coverage. 7. I really do like writing about the MAC, especially Akron and Can't. I don't care about the lack of emails, but it is odd that there is almost zero response to the stories -- other than to say, there is no coverage.TERRY PLUTO

If "response emails" were the only metric to measure MAC fan interest, then Pluto would be correct.On ZipsNation, we have 100,000 posts to-date. Actual posts from real people who want to talk MAC...specifically The University of Akron sports.Let me repeat: 100,000!I posted a short note on the gravity of tonight's game on ZN. I got 56 responses? There are in excess of 200 posts, and thousands of views on the subject of tonight's game on ZN. Seems like there IS some interest? Just because I don't clap like a trained seal the three times per year Pluto writes something about the Zips program doesn't mean there's no interest in the program.The MAC finals will draw roughly 13,000 people to The Q. But because no one writes to Terry Pluto, there must be no interest? He needs to get off his high horse. I tired of Pluto in the late '90s. While Hipsher and Crawford were bringing Akron Basketball to it's knees, he kept writing "The Little Engine that Could" columns about the scrappy, underdog Zips. He never had the guts to call for change. And at the time, his opinion carried some weight. He fiddled while Rome burned. I can see how people in their '20s love Pluto. They're young. Wait until you're in your '40s and you've read his cookie-cutter columns 50 times. Then he isn't so awe-inspiring.I can see why senior citizens love Pluto. He's now a big religious guy. Older people eat that up.He's vanilla. I prefer writers with some sort of opinion or edge. If he's not getting responses, maybe he needs to look in the mirror rather than point fingers?

You hit the nail on the head. I call him a lap dog and you call him vanilla which are the same things. When he wrote for the Beacon, he would always homogenize UA athletics. He even watered down the university status of the new stadium and stated that it "is really Akron's stadium". He played right into the hands of our local dinosaurs who blend UA into the woodwork or worse, make it invisible. He never took UA seriously because his puppeteers (the mayor being one) told him not to. He is one of the reasons why people don't take UA seriously. When he does write about UA, he always comes off like the big important man patting the little boy on his head. I always wanted to respond to his articles with: "Is this the part where we kneel down and kiss the hem of your tunic, Terry?"

[Jake]

What Terry can't get is that no one cares about Terry. It's not about the MAC.

[Zip Watcher]

I couldn't give a used diaper about how many people care about the MAC. I don't give a second thought about the MAC. I'm a Zips fan. The Zips are what matter to me.Unfortunately, the ship sailed on TP being relevent for me a few years ago. His books on the ABA and early NBA are must reads, must owns for any basketball fans. Tremendous books.TP wants everyone to get along and no one to be hurt. Admirable goals in life, but it doesn't sell papers. Sometimes a writer needs to take a real stand, and it seems he's unable or unwilling to do that anymore.I do appreciate him writing / covering the Zips whenever he does .. but I don't give a rat's a$$ how many people he gets emails from. Maybe if he's using that as a guide to what he writes about next time, he's contributing to the demise of print media.Go Zips!!! B)

[zipseuph]

On ZipsNation, we have 100,000 posts to-date. Actual posts from real people who want to talk MAC...specifically The University of Akron sports.Let me repeat: 100,000!

lets be fair cap'n about 80,000 of those came on the stadium thread but this is a great arguement but the one counterpoint I would like to bring to you is. how many people are doing the posting? are we a small family that likes to argue over thanksgiving or do we have a wider following than I know of? not trying to start an argument just a friendly question

[Zip Watcher]

Good question. I did a little digging.There are:153 Members with more than 100 posts.172 Members with more than 50 posts.286 Members with more than 20 posts.And if you're interested in visitors to the site, not just posters:In Feb of 2010 (last complete month), there were 7907 Unique Visitors who combined to make 32,953 visits to ZipsNation.Org. NB: this is tracked by IP address, so folks who's ISP resets the IP often will accrue multiple times here. These numbers do NOT include search engine spiders or other automated bots.

[Captain Kangaroo]

On ZipsNation, we have 100,000 posts to-date. Actual posts from real people who want to talk MAC...specifically The University of Akron sports.Let me repeat: 100,000!

lets be fair cap'n about 80,000 of those came on the stadium thread but this is a great arguement but the one counterpoint I would like to bring to you is. how many people are doing the posting? are we a small family that likes to argue over thanksgiving or do we have a wider following than I know of? not trying to start an argument just a friendly question

The Stadium Thread has 1,821 posts. Slightly shy of 80,000.How many people post? - Easily in excess of 100 different people post in a typical week. At least during the school sports year. It dips after hoops conclude.Just glancing at who's on the site right now -13 members are reading the board, and 27 "guests" are reading the board. That's 40 people using our site at this very moment. Those 40 will go, and another 40 will take their place in 15 minutes.

[meatwad]

Guys, I am challenging everyone on this forum to start responding CONSTRUCTIVELY to any and all media coverage we get for the Zips. This is so easy...please take the time to comment on articles posted online. It takes a few seconds. We need to combat the misconception that nobody cares about Akron or the MAC. The media will NEVER increase coverage unless they get the sense that people want more. That's one of the very few areas where we can actually make a real difference. This response from Terry Pluto is a prime example of what I'm talking about:FROM TERRY PLUTO:2. I wrote 2 columns about new Akron football coach, and how many emails did I get from fans? One. It was a complaint about a lack of coverage.3. I covered the last Akron/Can't game. How many emails from fans on that? ZERO.4. I wrote a story about how Can't running back Eugene Jarvis deserved another year from the NCAA -- got about 6 emails on that.5. So far, I have not received a single email on this Akron/Can't story.That's at least 5 MAC type stories in the last few months from me. 6. My point is that MAC fans seldom respond, and when they do, it is to complain about lack of coverage. 7. I really do like writing about the MAC, especially Akron and Can't. I don't care about the lack of emails, but it is odd that there is almost zero response to the stories -- other than to say, there is no coverage.TERRY PLUTO

Color me skeptical, but for some reason I doubt that Terry Pluto wrote the response listed here. I could be wrong, but it was just listed in the comments section. Seemed like someone was making it up. Again, I could be wrong, but it didn't seem like it actually came from him.

[Z.I.P.]

Guys, I am challenging everyone on this forum to start responding CONSTRUCTIVELY to any and all media coverage we get for the Zips. This is so easy...please take the time to comment on articles posted online. It takes a few seconds. We need to combat the misconception that nobody cares about Akron or the MAC. The media will NEVER increase coverage unless they get the sense that people want more. That's one of the very few areas where we can actually make a real difference. This response from Terry Pluto is a prime example of what I'm talking about:FROM TERRY PLUTO:2. I wrote 2 columns about new Akron football coach, and how many emails did I get from fans? One. It was a complaint about a lack of coverage.3. I covered the last Akron/Can't game. How many emails from fans on that? ZERO.4. I wrote a story about how Can't running back Eugene Jarvis deserved another year from the NCAA -- got about 6 emails on that.5. So far, I have not received a single email on this Akron/Can't story.That's at least 5 MAC type stories in the last few months from me. 6. My point is that MAC fans seldom respond, and when they do, it is to complain about lack of coverage. 7. I really do like writing about the MAC, especially Akron and Can't. I don't care about the lack of emails, but it is odd that there is almost zero response to the stories -- other than to say, there is no coverage.TERRY PLUTO

Color me skeptical, but for some reason I doubt that Terry Pluto wrote the response listed here. I could be wrong, but it was just listed in the comments section. Seemed like someone was making it up. Again, I could be wrong, but it didn't seem like it actually came from him.

If it wasn't Terry, then it was a perfect impersonation, a Tina Fay does Sarah Palin job.

[MDZip]

If it wasn't Terry, then it was a perfect impersonation, a Tina Fay does Sarah Palin job.

Before the Zipmeister does it, I'd pay to see that.

[Zipmeister]

If it wasn't Terry, then it was a perfect impersonation, a Tina Fay does Sarah Palin job.

Before the Zipmeister does it, I'd pay to see that.

Actually, my only comment is that if we eliminate GP1 posts where he tells us how great he is, the 100,000 posts drops to 48.

[zen]

Maybe it's because MAC fans don't read the big media sensationalist rags that only occasionally show a symbolic and passing interest in the MAC, and the real fans stick to places that have a genuine focus on the MAC and offer real information.If I want to read about the Browns, I might read Pluto. Maybe...When I think zips, I instantly think ZN.O.Don't blame me for not associating you with the zips, Pluto. That's your fault.Don't blame me for not taking your slant seriously. That's your fault.If you occasionally throw a beaten dog a bone, the dog likes the bone, not you.

[scottditzen]

All righty, don't anyone take this personal but 95 percent of you guys are taking this the wrong way.You are making this issue, lack of Zips coverage in the media like a personal thing....bias vs. Pluto or bias vs. mainstream rags, etc. Heck, your personal opinions may even be valid.But that doesn't matter.You all have to stop behaving like a spurned customer and start think more like a promoter. Sure the die hard fans are going to be here posting on ZN. But if you haven't noticed, we're not filling the JAR or the Info by ourselves. Maybe I'm different, but I think Akron sports and the K.E.N.T. rivalry is one of the best things going in NE Ohio. Don't let your personal bias get in the way of the fact that when the Beacon Journal or Plain Dealer cover our Zips, that's a good thing, and necessary to getting more people aka lemmings out there to realize the value of Akron athletics. Seriously, it takes 10 seconds to make a short comment about an online news story, or to email WKNR. It's no trouble at all. And what could it hurt?

[jupitertoo]

All righty, don't anyone take this personal but 95 percent of you guys are taking this the wrong way.You are making this issue, lack of Zips coverage in the media like a personal thing....bias vs. Pluto or bias vs. mainstream rags, etc. Heck, your personal opinions may even be valid.But that doesn't matter.You all have to stop behaving like a spurned customer and start think more like a promoter. Sure the die hard fans are going to be here posting on ZN. But if you haven't noticed, we're not filling the JAR or the Info by ourselves. Maybe I'm different, but I think Akron sports and the K.E.N.T. rivalry is one of the best things going in NE Ohio. Don't let your personal bias get in the way of the fact that when the Beacon Journal or Plain Dealer cover our Zips, that's a good thing, and necessary to getting more people aka lemmings out there to realize the value of Akron athletics. Seriously, it takes 10 seconds to make a short comment about an online news story, or to email WKNR. It's no trouble at all. And what could it hurt?

Terry Pluto is one of the most overrated writers in "journalism." His "13 things I said to myself" articles are the laziest form of sportswriting -- he doesn't even do research anymore. He has about 4 different writing formulas he applies to his work, and it is beyond old. If quality were judged on sheer volume of work, he'd be great, but he badly needs an editor with the balls to say, "Terry, this isn't interesting."Did you know, by the way, that in order to afford Pluto, the PD let three high school sports reporters go? And high school sports coverage is a leading reason why people still subscribe to newspapers. Just a stupid, stupid decision by the brass in Cleveland.