If you're a regular reader of SB Nation weblogs, you already are aware that the entire network is in the gradual process of being upgraded to a new platform. Such baseball blogs as Athletics Nation and such college blogs as Burnt Orange Nation already have made the transition.

If you've been wondering when Dawg Sports would be making the jump, the answer is "soon." Rocky Top Talk has been previewing some of the new features which will be made available.

For one thing, "diaries" will now be called "FanPosts," so College Buddy will be able to write one without feeling like he's a chubby British girl expressing her most heartfelt feelings about Hugh Grant.

I'd suggest giving those postings a look to acquaint yourselves with the new site tools with which we all will be able to work in the very near future. Once we've made the move, there will be a welcoming post along the lines of this one to show you around the new neighborhood, as it were. If you haven't claimed your network-wide screen name already, that will be your first step. When the time comes, I think you're going to have fun with FanShots, too, and, once we're all acquainted with the multitude of new features (including the ready availability of statistics), postings with this level of data a single mouse click away will be appearing here.

As you know, all change produces stress, even change for the better, as we adjust from the familiar to the novel; of no one is this more true than it is of me. All of us, I am sure, will experience some "growing pains" as we learn to use the new upgraded system, but, in the end, I believe we all will be happier with what the entire Dawg Sports community---not just MaconDawg and me, but readers and commenters, as well---will be able to do with this major overhaul.

Your patience, understanding, and ongoing contributions are appreciated in this period of transition. Because I will be spending some time in the coming days getting ready for the big shift, posting may be a little light this week, but I can assure you that the end result will be worth the wait. These are exciting times here at SB Nation and we're glad to have you along for the ride. If Buzz Bissinger was scared before, wait 'til he gets a load of what's coming. . . .

Go 'Dawgs!