I don't normally do this because everything we do around here behind the scenes is such a long process. But this time I figured I would share what we have been working on with everyone so you can not only follow along with the progress but, also provide feedback to shape the direction of the project. We are at a point now where there is something on the front end to show and not just code that makes no sense to anyone.
So, without further delay here is the latest improvement to the site - new live lines.
http://www.thespread.com/LiveLines/MLB/
Now keep in mind this is very, very early in development and testing. Right now we are just getting the layout right, getting the feeds to all work together without generating errors and so forth.
When this feed is completed and launched on the site it should do the following
- Update in almost real time without needing to refresh your browser
- Show the best line available and who has it
- Track line moves from open until game time
- Provide the ability to sort by time or by rotation number
- Provide a much, much better experience to those who access the site on phones and tablets
- A couple more surprises I don't want to share right now because I don't want our ideas getting stolen by the competition
Let us know what you think, your feedback is appreciated. Don't be shy.
Good deal
FYI we already got an email, more books will be listed not just these 2. We hope to have around 6 books. More than that and the page becomes too long and realistically with the exception of price most books deliver basically the same line these days anyway in most cases. But we will have about a half dozen of the most popular ones represented. Any more than that and the page becomes too long for mobile users.
Got a little more work done over the weekend. The feed is now refreshing the lines automatically without having to refresh your browser. It's also tracking line moves. When a line moves it will turn blue and have a green box around it. After 5 minutes if it doesn't change again it will go back to normal color.
Next steps are adding line moves tracking, picking a book to use for our opening lines and some of the top secret stuff. I hope to have regular updates to share every 1-2 weeks till we're done and can deploy this on the site to replace our current live lines
Good stuff Mike looking forward to it,
If anybody has any feedback on features they would like to see added or feedback specific to things they like or don't like so far I'd love to hear it.
I know we are having discussions right now in other threads about lack of participation but you guys are the ones who use these tools, i want to build them so they are an asset to your handicapping. We are pretty good about developing stuff but we can't think of everything.
If you don't want to post, shoot us an email. There is still plenty of time to make changes or additions.
We are now tracking line moves. Getting close now to deploying these on the site.
This is pretty slick, i like it. line moves is a great feature. i noticed most of them were working but the KC game didn't have anything populated. Also, is it defaulting to showing the line move with the home team as the point of reference? thats what i gathered from comparing the cubs game to the braves game. it may be worth making it slightly more obvious by color coding the team and the line or something as you roll it out. (or i'm just a newb when it comes to what the normal defaults are).
to be honest, that's kind of my favorite feature, but more of a pre game point of reference than being useful during the game? i'll see once i start using it.
At any point do you plan on putting some "thumbs up / thumbs down" if a live line seems like a reasonable bet? I realize thats a whole different animal than just displaying that data, but just curious.
Thanks for the feedback, Tom, I appreciate it. If anyone else has any feedback please speak up so we can make these the best we can at roll out. I'm gonna send your comments to the developer right now.
We are going to have a feature that shows "steam" not sure how that is going to be shown yet it may not be with a thumb but we will make it clear.
Have you checked these out on your phone yet? I'm really happy with how they are presenting on Mobile.
Mikey, I like whats happening !! Not much into baseball ,but football in afew weeks .This will come in handy ,instead of going to another site to get the lines... SUPER, CAN'T WAIT...
THANKS AGAIN FOR A JOB WELL DONE..
Thanks Ranger. Once we add all the books in and a few other things it should be a very competitive product to what other sites are offering. I also feel that this will be the best odds comparison available on mobile phones. At least until someone sees it and copies it like usual.
Any feedback though Ranger, things you like or don't like? Still plenty of times to make additions and changes.