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- Published November 24, 2007 - 72 Comments
Due to recent events on the site I feel an update is needed.
1. NSFW Controversy
As I am sure you have all noticed, I have introduced a NSFW category (Not Safe For Work). To launch the category I posted a Top 10 Naked Celebrities. While most of the comments on the list are very positive, I have had some negative feedback – including one email from a person who is unsubscribing from the site feed. This is very unfortunate as I value the views of every person that comes here. Please use the comments on this update to tell me whether you think I should remove the list and category. Majority wins – so be vocal. If you have never posted a comment before, this is the time to do it.
2. New Servers
We have now moved to a new hosting provider called Pacific Rack, a hosting company based in LA, California. I would like to thank Alex from Pacific Rack for making the transition so painless for me, and for minimizing the downtime suffered. Prior to leaving our last host, we were experiencing downtime of up to 6 hours per day. Since moving to Pacific Rack and getting the site stabilized, we have experienced no downtime at all. This does, of course, come with a caveat – the price of hosting has quadrupled. All donations toward this cost would be greatly appreciated.
3. Site Cleanup
I spent a day this week going through the code on the site to remove all unneeded extras. As a result, we no longer have comment karma or page ratings. I have also removed the majority of adverts from RobertSherman (one of our larger advertisers) to speed the loading time of the site. I think it has made a noticeable difference and I hope you are all enjoying the benefits of it. I have also made a few visual tweaks that you may have noticed.
4. Design
When I first started the List Universe, I used a free web template for the design. It fit our needs at first but I don’t believe it does any longer. If you know of a really great designer, would you ask them to email me with some samples and quotes for a redesign of the site? When you talk to them you should mention these words: Ajax, WordPress, CSS, PHP. They will understand what it means.
5. Spreading the news
Now that the servers are able to cope with a larger load, it would be very helpful to the site if you can all submit your favorite lists to social networking sites (such as reddit, fark, digg, i-am-bored, etc.) These sites can generate a lot of traffic which, in turn, helps pay the bills. This, in turn, means that I can spend money on improvements to the site. Yay!
6. Sister Sites
I have been toying with the idea of making a sister site. We currently have an RSS feed for today in history and I am wondering whether people would like a small subsidiary site which doesn’t just list the events from history, but also talks about them a little. If you think this would be a site you might visit regularly, let me know and I will see what can be done. Any other ideas for a sister site are welcome!
7. Christmas
There are only four weeks to go until the Christmas Competition closes. Please send in your lists! We have had very few submissions so far so your chances of winning a prize are very good.
8. What do you want to see?
To a certain extent I am still taking a guess at what might interest you all – some people have made suggestions in comments on various lists, but it would be very helpful to me if you can tell me what sorts of lists you would like to see. You can email me at any time (jamie@frater.com) with suggestions. Also, please feel free to tell me what you think I can do to improve the site. Oh – and remember, you can also tell me what you definitely do not want to see.
9. Forums
The forums have been down this week as the servers are being tweaked for performance. They should be back up in the next day or two. Sorry for the downtime.
Have your say... [Read me first | Top of page, comments]
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November 24th, 2007 at 5:10 am
Keep the NSFW category. People are able to choose if they view it or not. It’s a good category with a lot of potential, not just for porno kicks but for other adult oriented lists like top 10 most disgusting deaths caught on camera (as an example!).
As long as the category has a clear warning, I don’t see why people would be offended by it? Choice is always better than being restricted!
November 24th, 2007 at 5:17 am
Ben: thanks – and thanks for the idea for a new list
November 24th, 2007 at 5:36 am
Hmmm, NSFW is always fun. And since the RSS feed doesn’t force you to read the article, I think its perfectly alright to have a separate section for such lists.
November 24th, 2007 at 6:33 am
If only one email is all you got, i say who cares.
November 24th, 2007 at 6:35 am
I am a hypocrete if I say I was not atracted to take a peep with the new NSFW. I only hoped these list are not offending those celebs we are publishing.
November 24th, 2007 at 6:45 am
yeah me too! i was really attracted to the NSFW site. i was a little surprised though because I always thought that this site would never post anything like that.
but then it’s really ok. I don’t feel bad about it at all. Keep posting, some interesting things in life are meant to be R-18. lol
November 24th, 2007 at 7:14 am
i was getting ready for work when i made my first comment and wanted to comment on some of your other ideas. Im sure most of the posts on this will be about the NSFW content, and some of the other points may be neglected.
1. Keep it, it does kinda suck that i will not be able to read these posts from work, but as long as it doesn’t turn into an everyday thing i have no problem with it.
2.Love the new servers. w00t for no downtime.
3. Housecleaning needs to be done on everything and i highly doubt anyone will miss the comment karma, even if i was a supporter of it.
4. I really like the sight the way it is. While change is inevitable, I would really like it a new look to be very reminiscent of this one. While your at it a theme for the forum to match the new look would be awesoem as well.
5. I have very limited access while at work to submit the site anywhere and work is where most my site viewing is done. But i always tell friends about the site with hopes they will become regulars.
6. While the idea of a sister site is great i say be careful and dont spread yourself thin. I believe it is better o do one thing really well then do many things not so well.
7. Alas, I may make a list for the contest though i know it wont win and more then likely wont even make on to the site as I am far from creative or talented
8. see above comment
9. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HURRY!
November 24th, 2007 at 7:21 am
how about a list on alcohol? say by price, how fast it gets you smashed (alcohol content), amount sold, etc.
November 24th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Juggz: wow – thanks for the effort you put in to that comment! I will take everything you say on board. I definitely want to keep the site clean and simple – so that is paramount. The things that may change are the color scheme and the layout (I probably won’t go with two sidebars next time). I have the sysadmins working on the forums as we speak
November 24th, 2007 at 7:31 am
jeff: great idea! It also happens to be an area of expertise for me
November 24th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Jamie an expert on alcohol? Nah!
November 24th, 2007 at 7:59 am
keep the NSFW category. as for sister sites…i’ve made mention of one idea already.
overall..its looking good around here, loading faster and i’m just so pleased there’s been no downtime.
excellent work J!
November 24th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Well, I’m in high school and this was one of the few sites that we could get under the blocker that they put on. Now it will be listed as a site with adult/mature content.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:29 am
The NSFW category is great, please keep it! To my opinion, it is a lot less “provocative” than “ways to commit suicide” or “how to kill someone with bare hands”. Furthermore if you give warnings like you have done at the top of the first NSFW list.
Continue the great work!
November 24th, 2007 at 8:39 am
keep the nsfw as long as it doesn’t spiral down to ‘the top 10 new facial scenes’ or some hard core kind of thing. it should stay tasteful or i think it really drags down the integrity of the site and nullifies all the hard work and thoughtful insights you have had.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Here’s a Yay for NSFW content. I just discovered your site less than a week ago and I’m hooked! Also, one of the first things I appreciated here was the clean design. Just because you’re becoming popular, don’t automatically think you have to change to a fancy schmancy design. What you have works very well.
Another thing I really appreciate is the level of civility in the comments (99% of the time
). I usually don’t comment on sites because the level of discussion rarely rises above “Oh yeah? Well fuck you!” It’s nice to find some adults 
November 24th, 2007 at 8:46 am
KEEP NSFW CATEGORY.
If a category does not interest a peron, all they need to do is not click on the link.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Hey Jamie, I sent you an email with some list ideas, did you check them?
November 24th, 2007 at 8:55 am
SubliminalDeath666 – thanks! It is excellent. I have put it in my “ideas” folder
November 24th, 2007 at 8:55 am
NOTICE: I have now created a post that explains how to block the NSFW category if you do not want access to it or for your children. You can read it here.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:56 am
oh and as much as i love the random list option it might be wise to get rid of that with the NSFW content. or make an option where you are prompted to say yes or no when the random list happens to be a NSFW list. I would hate for some innocent to randomly view one of thos lists.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:03 am
juggz: that is a good point – I will (for now) remove the NSFW category from the randomizer – until I can make it optional for users.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:06 am
I say keep the NSFW category! As long as stuff is correctly labeled for people to see there should be no problem. We have all the power to decide what we watch on the net and there are tools for parents to block the things they don’t want their kids to see.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Someone asked about hotlinks RSS – I will be working on that tomorrow – I am pretty sure I can work out a way to automate it – so stay tuned.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:16 am
For some strange reason, whenever I see the letters NSFW I always think about Need for Speed (NFS). My god! I’m addicted to video games!!! Help me!!!
November 24th, 2007 at 9:26 am
The NSFW category (at least, so far) is just trashy. It almost seems like you’re getting away from interesting, clever lists, and into appealing ‘fourteen hottest pictures’ and ‘five goriest deaths’ and ‘eleven best songs that leave out all the other obvious best songs’. In other words, it’s becoming Playboy meets Rotten meets Rolling Stone.
All I’m saying is, maybe it’s time to rethink your original goals for the site. In the meantime, I’m with whoever emailed you: One more pornographic link in the RSS, and I’m unsubscribing. Sorry to be a spoil-sport, but that’s how I roll.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:30 am
SubliminalDeath666: NFS:MW
i see what happend there
November 24th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Keep the NSFW category. I am so anti-censorship its ridiculous. The human body is not evil, knowledge is the best weapon, and people are responsible for themselves.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:31 am
FekketCantenel: my original intention (and current intention) is to write lists that appeal to a broad group of people – hence the topics of such a varied nature. I certainly intend to continue with the educational lists – but it is nice to have a break sometimes
November 24th, 2007 at 9:38 am
i say keep the nsfw section. i seriously dont think you can give any more warning to viewers that its nsfw after you’ve said so in an entire freakin paragraph beforehand
November 24th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Dont get me wrong, I like the NSFW, but I’m bumbed that I now cant get this site at school.
November 24th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Keep the NSFW!!!
November 24th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I will repeat what I said on the celeb list.
A NSFW section does not mean that site is going to turn porn. The celeb list was a slack list to kick off the section as Jamie said. (Hey the guy needs a break from time to time.) I like the idea and have liked it since the first time it was thought of. It is immature to think that the section is only going to contain the latest list of nip-slips or what ever “Hollywood fantasy” is out.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
NSFW is cool with me! This website is highly entertaining and thoroughly addictive!
I don’t know what I like better . . . the lists or the comments about the lists. Keep it up, jf!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
NSFW area OK with me
November 24th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
It’s difficult for me to say whether or not I like the NSFW section or not because we only have one list to judge it by. Can you give us any hints as to what direction the NSFW might be going?
November 24th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I’d say keep the NSFW section, if they don’t wanna read it, don’t click on it
November 24th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
KEEP THE NSFW SECTION! For anyone too uptight to view it, then don’t view it! There are plenty of warnings beforehand so you have plenty of chances to not click.. If you cant view it at work or school because it was blocked, view it once you get home, not a big deal!
It’s easy to see that the majority of people that have commented so far like the NSFW section, and I’m with them! KEEP IT!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Concidering the fact that the NSFW catagory is labeled as such and the fact that those can be blocked by parents as needed. I say leave the catagory.
People need to take responsablity for themselves…if they dont wanna see it…they need to not look at it…its that simple.
As for a sister sight I would be interested in checking that out
November 24th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
.: Stealing Juggz Idea :.
1. Gosh Jamie, I would need to see some more lists of the NSFW category to really state good opinion. Honestly, if it were just 10 naked celebrities of the voyeur nature, I would say no; but of course, I know you won’t do that. I understand your intent with that original post and look forward to seeing the next few in NSFW!
2. Your hosting is great now! I have experience with several providers and none are truly perfect, but it is possible to be happy. I’m looking forward to my next paycheck – this site deserves some kind of financial support for the amount of time I’ve spent on it!
3. Comment Karma wasn’t a big deal. This site already has the best comments on the web, no doubt.
4. I’ve been doing web design as a hobby for 5 years now and have a good hold on CSS and PHP, but have only dabbled in AJAX (which is awesome!) and barely any in WordPress. I will ask some more advanced designers/programmers/architects if they’d be interested – and see if I can get you the cool friend discount:) Maybe I’ll start with getting them addicted to the site and then tell them to help redesign it?!?!
5. My friends on Facebook know of Listverse.com!
6. Totally agree with Juggz.
7, 8, 9. Working on it! / Working on it! / Good to hear!
November 24th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Daniel: you are in luck – I am about to post our second NSFW article
thanks for the comment too – I appreciate you taking the time to be so specific.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I would just like to add that tomorrow I plan to make it possible for you to suppress NSFW content entirely by selecting an option in your profile.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
there an idea jamie, facebook and myspace profiles…they may be the devil but gosh darnit if they dont work as marekting tools.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
It’s your site so you should put up what you want. If people don’t want to look at a list they don’t have to click the link. I really enjoy your lists.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Im posting here because being at work i cant look at the newest list until i get home, and it saddens me
November 24th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Keep NSFW. As people have said, it is clearly labelled and if you don’t like it, don’t look.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
keep the NSFW, just keep it balanced. I was pleased that the starter list had both male and female nudes. It could also be a good one for top ten artistic aspects (many of which are nude).
November 24th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
jfrater : COULD YOU PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE CHANGE THE BACKGROUND COLOUR OF THE SITE TO BLACK. ALL THAT READING PUTS A LOT OF STRESS ON THE EYES. ITS LIKE STARING AT A LIGHT BULB. SERIOUSLY PLEEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEEE I BEG YOU!!!!!!!!!IT’D BE SO MUCH EASIER TO READ!!!!!WAT DO YOU SAY….
November 24th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Shabab – definitely not! The eyes ignore white and read black. Black pages causefar more eyestrain. I would suggest you switch on a light
November 24th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Cat Skyfire: I agree on keeping it balanced, but making seperate lists for each sex would be the best way. Personally I don’t care, but some people goes absolutely nuts when seeing someone of the same sex nude.
November 24th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
The NSFW parts of the site can be used for good, but I think the “top Ten Naked Celebrities” Was very stupid, showing nakedness on this site just to see it is stupid. Maybe NSFW could be for possibly Disturbing pictures or as Ben had said, “Top Ten Deaths Caught On Camera”. NSFW shouldn’t be for nakedness, it just makes me personally lose respect for the site. There are better uses for the Stamp Of “NSFW” than just nakedness. A better idea would be NSFW but not only for pictures. Thank you for the opportunity to speak my mind.
Sincerely,
Henry Myers
November 24th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Keep the NSFW, as others have mentioned it doesn’t always mean pornography and gives you the scope to expand list content. If they don’t like it, don’t read it…there is sufficient warning.
I like the way the site looks!
November 24th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Keep the NSFW.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Hey I really appreciate you telling us what is going on with the site. I really like playing around on here. I love hearing opinion, and seeing the new lists. I always have ideas, but nothing good
Keep up the good work, It’s awesome.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Long time fan of the site, first time poster. I don’t have a problem with the NSFW. I think as adults we have the choice to look or not. I always enjoy reading peoples comments after the list are posted. I find everyone here to be articulate and thoughtful with their opinions. I don’t see why that can’t continue with subjects that may be more risqué.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Keep nsfw. I’ve never understood what was so offensive about the human body.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I’m still fairly new here but I’m absolutely addicted to this site. I have no problem with the NSFW posts at all and you do have a warning on the posts unlike some other websites. Keep the NSFW section and if people don’t want to read it then they can ignore it.
November 24th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
I still object to the NSFW category, because it’s absolutely certain to be primarily nudity – come on, that’s what the term NSFW was invented for. You didn’t create this category for the suicide list, which I would say is equally not safe for work/children.
I don’t object because it’s considered “offensive”, I object because the web is full of nudity, and I came here (and stayed, this is one of my current top ten websites) for the CONTENT.
Frankly, I’m just disappointed that, as you basically said in a reply to my prior comments on this subject, you’re interested in appealing to as many demographics as possible. It might just be my non-acceptance of consumer culture, but I think that kind of an attitude will always mean catering to the lowest common denominator, and a post with naked celebrities as an introduction to the NSFW category couldn’t have been better proof of that theory.
I can’t say I was all that impressed with the tattoo post either. As far as “bad” tattoos go, the dragon penis was pretentious at worst, and the artwork was fine. It would never have made it onto my list of bad tattoos. And there’s dozens of websites with a zillion pics of bad tattoos already. LAME.
I want randomness and history and craziness, not Lamey McLamerson nudity. Sheesh. I can get that anywhere.
I am submitting a list to the Christmas contest, and will remain a part of the site as long as there is content to interest me.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Just putting my 2 cents in… I’m cool with the NSFW posts. I especially liked the “20 Worst Tattoos” one. And I just wanted to say, jfrater, I think you’re being very responsible in terms of warning people about what the site contains and informing them how to block it if they want. I commend you for that.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
newsong: while the lists may contain nudity – they won’t be lists where we have nudity just for the sake of nudity (except that first one of course). The tattoos list is a good example – it had to be NSFW, but if it contained no nudity I would still have posted it on the site under a different category. That is the primary factor in deciding what to put there.
I am planning to try to write some code today to allow people to block all the NSFW at the server level – so you don’t need to do any special configuration of your browser to block it. Wish me luck as my coding skills are limited
November 25th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Hi – I have for the past few months become hooked on your site, visiting as many as 5 times a day to see whats new, is there any hope for me? Anyway I’ve finally registered but as of yet have not received my password, plz help.
Great site, carry on the way your going. With or without the NSFW I’m big enough to decide what to view.
November 25th, 2007 at 4:08 am
hey frater! i’m a long time reader but first time poster and i wanna say : Keep the NSFW articles!
As long as you post warnings, I don’t see any problem with it. keep ‘em coming
November 25th, 2007 at 5:04 am
NZSpringy: Thanks
I am glad you like it and visit so often! Can you email me (frater@gmail.com) with the password you would like to use and the username you registered – I will add the password for you.
breadpitt: Thanks for the input – it is always nice when lurkers emerge and speak
November 25th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
jfrater: Thanks – doing it now
November 27th, 2007 at 12:31 am
I recently discovered this site, about 4 hours ago actually, and I LOVE IT!! I haven’t left yet and there is so much more to see. I usually don’t post
comments to sites because I figure no one really cares, but after reading the comments on this site one can plainly see that the site admin really cares. I appreciate that. For what it worth, please keep the NSFW catagory and Pinhead from Hellraiser should have made to list of movie villians. Thanks
again for an incredible site I look foreward to viewing the rest of it.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:20 am
keep the nsfw section
November 30th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Ok, so I’ve been lurking here for like a month, and I have to say I love this site. Great job guys. I finally registered today because I wanted to put my two cents in for this NSFW thing. Keep it please. As these lists will be clearly labeled, its not like you can accidentally stumble on them. No offense but there are FAR too many Nay-Sayers in the world who dont want anything to exist if they dont like it. Just because it exists, doesnt mean you have to look at it. Nick Cage still makes movies, but I dont have to watch them. ’nuff said .
January 20th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’ve been lurking on this site since late last year – totally love it, as I can remember reading The Book of Lists and The Book of Rock Lists over and over and over when I was a kid – helping me to become my family’s “queen of useless knowledge” LOL! Thanks for a great, fun site.
And as for the NSFW section, keep it, if folks don’t want to see what’s there, the don’t have to click on it.
January 25th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I always equate censorship with book burning in my mind and that is never right for any reason.
If you don’t like it don’t look at it.
It is not fair for anyone to stop other people from enjoying something just because they don’t agree with it.
Isn’t that the kind of thing that is equated with dictatorship??? Trying to control other people? What one person believes is completely right? That kind of thing will never be right in my book.
Jamie has deff. taken care of making sure that someone who doesn’t want to look at that kind of stuff doesn’t come across it accidentally with all the warnings he posts. He has also put all the info you need on how to block this from your computer including detailed instructions with pictures!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 9:58 am
WATDATRUCKMUDATRUCKA!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Great post, thanks for share.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Wow. very old list. :]