RIP old Vacuumland.

[thevacomaticiec]

I know it's been half a year since the site was updated, but I still am reeling from the changes... I know nothing is probably going to bring back the old site completely, and I'm glad that we at least still have a place where we can commune with our interests, but I still don't like it in its current state. That's why I've been gone for so long, at least, it's part of the reason. In terms of social media, I don't have a whole lot, with this site being one of the few that I have. I used to have a Reddit account, but that got banned early this year (for BS reasons may I add). So yeah, it's been rough to say the least.

Anyways, I'm writing this to Alan, and any other mods/devs to this site. There's some things that I'd seriously like to be changed. I'm not saying you have to do them, but I'd greatly appreciate if you did, and I think they'd be for the better.

#1: Get rid of the AI generated artwork.

As I've stated above in this thread, I am very much against AI generated graphics and "art". I think that AI has no place in the creative/graphics/artistic spaces. As it goes against the entire idea of creativity (i.e. you put thought, care, and skill into making a picture rather than telling ChatGPT to generate a pucture for you), and in the case of this site, it's just plain hideous. I know it sounds like nitpicking, but like I said before, this site used to have character and charm, and now that is all gone. This AI stuff is salt to the wound. Also on a sidenote, the Ebay and Amazon links with the AI thumbnails are totally useless. The Ebay link just redirects you back to the page your were just on, and the Amazon link just takes you to the search results for the term "best vacuum cleaner" (and I think the results don't reflect most of our opinions to say the least). Making these changes would help greatly in making this site more asthetically pleasing.

#2: Adding more customization options and graphics.

I know I should like a broken record, but I seriously adored the look of the old site, mainly with it's 1950s-60s esc color palette, the feature where you could set the background of your thread posts to the logo of your favorite vacuum company (In my case, I set it to Hoover), and the graphics otherwise trying to look like something out of the mid-20th century. Did it look dated? Absolutely, but I didn't care, and I think I speak for the majority of the users here when I say that we didn't care either (most of us are already into dated appliances, so is there much of a difference?). Was it perfect? No, and there are some things like the notification bell that I do like, but again, there was that charm that the old site had that the new one doesn't.

What I'm trying to say is that I really would like some of those customization options to return, like the thread logos, for example. However, I'd also like to be able to switch to different color palettes that are more akin to The old look. Just anything that could make it like how it used to be...

Please Alan (and other devs), I'm begging. I just want a slice of my Vacuumland back!

im just glad i got a spot to l ook and talk vacuum but yes i do miss the olden days of the green background vacuumland hopeffully it will come back some day .

 

[centralsweeper63]

I really dislike to AI stuff too. I was a bit surprised by the amazon link. My vote is whatamtraksebo1997 said.

 

[123go]

I must agree' this new site was slightly depressing on my first return visit. Must been from the shock of seeing its drastic changes because fact is its morbidly depressing honestly.
All those beautiful vac pics sucked the life right out of this site when they disappeared. He!!' Id throw in the towel but I need it because Im crying all over my Kirbys

 

[lanesharon]

I agree about AI, but I come from a total different perspective. I am totally retired now, but my entire life was spend in different jobs in Tech, computer programmer, systems analyst, computer department manager, independent business owner working with computers, building a rebuilding, developing systems and even teaching tech to seniors before I was a senior myself. One thing that we learn in the business is this saying - "garbage in, garbage out'. We could build a system that really helped others and was built to improve their lives, not complicate them. But, that often, did not get done. For 'teaching others' AI elements can be corrupted so easily with bad information. That frightens me for our future. I will most likely not be here to watch that, thankfully. But, my grandchildren will and that concerns me.

When I totally retired, I wanted to give something back to others. I went into supporting those with mental health issues, after going through some education needed to do that. I did residential care, in my home, for VA vets who had mental health issues. One thing that I saw was, sadly, the ability of one person talking another into delusional reality. These poor guys could be steered in the wrong direction so easily. AI is only going to be as good as the data and information that is embedded into it. If it used with the though in mind that ALL DATA & INFO, will be scrutinized by groups with different perspectives, it MIGHT be able to accomplish what we would like it to, but it can easily destroy.

On the art side of it, my Mom was the artist and she was incredible. She could take an old brown shopping bag, cut it into two sections, and sit my sister and I down to draw us and they were PERFECT. Every hair, every eyelash. And, she created clothing, furniture, etc.. all on paper bags or sketching books after I used my babysitting money to buy her supplies. We were not wealthy enough for her to put her visions into real life, but in my lifetime, I have seen artists, of varying mediums, use their own pencil sketches to actually create items - clothes, furniture, small and large artwork in varying mediums. AI could possibly be used to create that original drawing and concept, but I believe that we should always leave it up to those who have that natural talent to put those concepts into reality. We cannot get lazy and allow AI to do it all or we will lose those little nuances that an artist can add to the finished product that would be the true innovations or our future. We cannot get lazy.

Okay, speech over but you opened it up and as you can see, I have been wanting to say this for a while. I am not crazy about AI. Even in the area of robotic use. Are we creating our own demise by getting lazy, in mind, body, and spirit?

 

[Alan]

@amtraksebo1997 I have read your comments and cannot promise anything, but I will let the ones who set the colors and style know about your plea.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

@amtraksebo1997 I have read your comments and cannot promise anything, but I will let the ones who set the colors and style know about your plea.

Thanks Alan : D

 

[centralsweeper63]

I hope the old colours come back. Maybe itcould be a toggle switch between old and new.