Don’t take this as a rant but I am not happy with the new forum. I gave it a week and just can’t get used to the new layout, the log in sometimes fails, and it seems like there is a lot less activity on the forums.
I can understand upgrading the magazine websites but there was nothing wrong with the forums. I just feel that it was not an improvement. It seems more like a way of keeping track of what and how we interact on these forums.
Usually I pick up quickly and adapt to changes but this one is not sitting well with me.
I agree 100%. I had to log in several times with the usual error messages, wrong password, wrong e-mail address,etc. Change just for the sake of change is a pain in the, ummm,caboose!
Every time I get used to something, and it is working well, someone decides to change it. Just when I get a store or supermarket figured out, they go and move everything! Then there is that annoying E-mail, to tell me what is in the magazine I received a week ago.[:-^]
I LIKE THE OLD WAY WHERE WHEN GOING TO THE FORUMS YOU COULD SEARCH BY EACH ELEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR GARDEN RAILROADING YOU HAD A HEADING AND 3 OR 4 FORUMS TO CHOOSE FROM OR IF IN MODEL RAILROADER YOU HAD THE HEADING AND 5 FORUMS OR FOR CLASSIC TOY TRAINS YOU HAD THE 1 HEADING. DO NOT LIKE THE NEW LOOK EITHER.
I realize that this forum is free and provided as a courtesy service of Kalmbach and am grateful for it. I may be thinking on a simple level but I don’t see how this format is an improvement. I am unable to edit any of my previous posts but I’m assuming that the bugs are still being worked out.
Appearance-wise, the tan, gray, and yellow page colors are a rather odd, and bland if not interesting combination.
One idea that I’m surprised that wasn’t used: Railroad related emoticons. Might be corny to some, but while we now have more emoticons to choose from, modelers have suggested before that smiley/emoticons with railroad symbols (signals, crossing gate, train crews members, be included. But of course, that would be low priority “fun-fluff”.
BTW: I can’t find the feature for editing one’s own post. Is it still available?
We will get used to this eventually and it will become 2nd nature to us, as with past “upgrades”, until the next upgrade in 2 or 3 years. [;)]
I was away last week so this is my first day using the new forums and site. So far I have been able to do everything I used to . Some have been a little different, but not hard too figure out. Some are easier. And I like the new look better. On the whole I think it’s better.
Antonio, go to MORE next to REPLY. It5 seems to take a few seconds, but it gives you several options that you will recognize.
I just tried to quote one sentence and got the whole message. Done that to me twice. Just highlighted the one part, but got the whole. Went back and started over.
The top line where RESOURCES and SHOP are is so faint it is difficult to read the white lettering. It belends closly with the color above it on my screen. It disappears with one click down the page.
Yes, some things are not where they used to be, but if we ask someone seems to know where they are. The above two things are my only real gripes at the moment, but then I don’t have a clue on how to use about 99.99999% of what a computer has to offer
I have to be honest and say I like it, or at least I like it as well as the old one. I have had no problems finding my way around or using the features. It is okay with me, MR.
Same here. I got used to it in just a couple of days. Any problems I had I reported in the forum bug thread and it seems they’ve been ironed out for the most part. I’ve had no problems logging in. Many problems users experience can usually be traced back to their own system settings.
I want to see a printer friendly version without the bloatware advertisements. 56k makes all the extras difficult to navigate. the RYPN forums for me are ZIPPY!!
Improvement? Well, I don´t know. It is a little different, but I don´t have a problem getting around. I works OK for me, just like the old forum did. The new one is a little slower, though.
I’m sure Kalmbach thinks it will be less maintenance-intensive, which means less expensive, which means an improvement for them. As a developer, i often hear people on my teams say “users will get used to it”. I always reply, “True, but that’s not the point!” However, I also think they are really trying to iron out the bugs.
I’m 98% fine with it - some things even work better on the Mac than in the old forums.
To select only parts of quoted items, hit “QUOTE” for the entire post, then edit out the unwanted parts in your composition window. This also works for eliminating photos, just as it did in the old format. [swg]
Works just fine for me, I did have to make a new bookmark to access the forums, but other than that I had no problems with my log in ID, password, etc. I don’t sign out each time so all I do is click on the desktop link and there I am.
Some people seem to have difficulty with any changes I guess.
I haven’t had any trouble with the upgrade. It functions a lot like the previous version.
That said, most ‘improvements’ must be from an operational (behind the scenes) standpoint because I haven’t really notice any dramatic changes - other than some visual differences.
Honestly, I think we need a solid month of use before making conclusions. This would allow our host to make whatever fine tuning they think is needed. By my calendar, we haven’t had a week of use yet.
Far as there not being that many post? Most of us for the last month have had a heat wave, temp’s in the high 90’s. Now a lot of us have temperatures in the high 70’s and low 80’s. I would guess a lot of people are taking advantage of the mild weather. Plus it is a Holiday weekend so some maybe traveling
I have just a few small complaints about he new site.
1 Quote’s as all ready stated, little more work for me, but not that bad.
2 I have to shut down my Zone Alarm Firewall to get on to the site, open a page or post. I have lowered my setting to no avail.
3 Missed the way the old PM system worked.
4 Really silly, but I miss where it showed your ranking.
What I do like better?
1 Like how the pictures are handle a little better for viewing.
2 Can still load pictures using photo bucket.
3 Easier to find your favorites and change your personal information (which I won’t be doing).
Well, we all tend to handle the known better than the new unknown. We were comfortable and at ease with what we had - so resistance to change is understandable.
That being said, Kalmbach surely did the revision for a reason(s). I am sure the changes were costly, and reasonably well thought out beforehand.
Given that this is a free site, we really need to accept the change - although problems and suggestions for improvements should be brought to the attention of those in charge.
Funny thing - I was once told I was “resistant to change” by a manager years ago. And it took me awhile to realize the ONLY constant in everything our lives touch is change!
