The FABIL is almost entirely books not available, and frustrating. I'd like to "opt out" and not see that message, but it seems there's no way to do so?

I'm with you.  I don't want to see it everytime I go to my account.  It does not "need my attention" everytime I go.  If it were a smaller icon, or available in the "tool bar" of my account I'd be more likely to refer to it, but it it's like it is right now, I'd just rather not have it at all.

i with you guys, i cant figure out how to get rid of it.

please make it go away

What is FABIL?

nevermind!  got it! :)

I have to go on both sides of the fence here. I like it, because it gave me a list of a bunch of books I otherwise would not have known about. It is also pretty easy to ignore, but I think it should be an option if you want to see it all the time.

.

It's like having a messy desk that I can't clean off.

Allie - I'm with you on the "improvements".  They keep trying to fix things that ain't broken.  Now I can't even get to the second listing on the "books I have to mail" screen.  And for the last few weeks the newly listed books page won't update for me.  I have to sign off and back on and "maybe" it will update.  It happened about the time they went to delayed postings - and what the heck is that all about?

I've also found that when the wheels creak to a halt, I log on and off again.  Don't know why . . .

I'm getting extremely frustrated.  I can't remember the last time I actually "looked" for new books posted.  If it keeps up, Goodwill is gonna get a lot of books from me.  :-(

I want it removed too! 

"Items needing your attention" up all the time is like having a nagging child.  Yes...I WILL log in my incoming books...WHEN THEY GET HERE.  Until then, get off my back. 

And I don't like and haven't used the FABIL thing, as it sure hasn't yet recommended I book I want.

This is what Robert had to say regarding this issue on another forum:

"The amount of members this will help that will in turn not write in feedback and emails is not even funny. We cannot please everyone, sorry.

Robert"

and this is what I said in response to the many, many complainers on that thread:

"This is a FREE site!!  If I am irritated by something, I think I can overlook it because I am paying ZERO dollars for it.  As Robert said earlier, you can't please everyone.  I think it's great that they are working to make improvements to this site.  Regardless of whether or not I feel the feature is necessary, I'll never complain about it because...we pay nothing!"

Maybe I got a little overzealous, but c'mon.  How many more books have you had the opportunity to enjoy because this site exists?  I have found my reading has increased ten fold since joining, and that's a great thing.  So, I'll let them run the site as they see fit.

I can see how this would be helpful to new members who need extra help remembering to mark books as received or to send out by a given date, but old members would probably see it more as an annoyance, especially if it isn't customizable.  It doesn't bother me, but I'd prefer to be able to turn on and off features like that. 

It takes a bit of time but, in the last week or so I have actually gone through the FABIL list and just cicked NI and made most of them go away. I had something like 1500 recommended and am down to 430-something. Most I got rid of, many (too many..lol) I added to either my WL or RL.

Charlie, I got mine down to zero, then there was more the next time I went to my account. 

And I don't think there is anything wrong with "complaining" and I'm not going to let someone make me feel bad about it because this is a free site.  Degrading the site, or threatening to leave is widely different than saying, "I don't like it, I'd rather opt out".  Or "constructive complaining", like, "put it in the toolbar and I'll use it, but I don't want to see it everytime."  And, the truth is, if enough people are irrated about something, even on a free site, they'll quit going.  Now, I'm not leaving, and I'm not suggesting anyone does, nor am I saying this is so annoying I can't tolerate it, but I'm sure R&R do want to keep their finger on the pulse of all these changes.  Geesh, let people have opinions.

I sent a polite feedback that the feature be made opt-out-able.  It says "Beta" - isn't this the time to let the management know to re-configure it so so those who aren't intersted won't have to deal with a glaring message, and those who are can keep it?

What I want is for it to stop giving me recommendations of books I've told it (a) I've read or (b) have no interest in. They just sit there, fossils.

This discussion is in full swing over in CMT New Front Page Info no sense wasting your time twice, read all about it there :)

Thanks Sherry, I am going to check out that discussion. I know that R&R are trying to be helpful, but I really can't help but feel that this new Message from the Librarian feature is a bit nagging and rude feeling. I know how to mark books recieved when I get them. I don't forget and I don't need a PBS Mom to remind me to do so. SIGH.

Thanks Sherry, unfortunately I'm a dollar short.  I posted here before I knew what was going on over there.  I'll copy and paste and jump in the pool over there!

Speaking of breaking things that aren't broken...is the daily digest working for others yet?

I thought it was from the newsletter that went out, but it's still showing thousands of books to me.  *grumble*

It's not for me, Kayote. :(

if this little reminder also bugs us about marking books received and marking books mailed then they can stop sending us those emails. I  hate getting books requests on friday. I sometimes forget and say I will mail in two days. In my head, two days equals two business days. Monday morning I wake up to an email reminding me to mail the book. I know they aren't a big deal but its annoying.

btw. if i don't use amazon.com recommendations, i sure wont be using theirs.