<> I have been using Netscape Navigator for the past 7 to 8 years (version 7,2 for the past 3 to 4 years) and I have never had a problem on these forums or anywhere else, including my Emails. Even when MRR gave us the new and improved version a couple of years ago, everything worked well. Now we get a newer “IMPROVED” version again, and the first thing I find is a problem. For me anyway.
I had no problem logging on, or when I went to the main Forums page for General Discussion, MRR. I clicked on the “Weeeere Back” thread to see what everyone thought of the new design. Mostly positive except for that big PITA down the right hand side. Just a BIG waste of valuable space. I have no problem with a couple of Banners across the top of the threads like on the previous version, as this free ? Forum does have some cost associated with it that we have to put up with. The problem that I found, was when I went to go back to the Threads Page and hit the “Go Back One Page” button at the top of my screen, NOTHING HAPPENED. I could not go back to click on another Thread. I ended up having to click off the site and Log back on again. I have no problem with other sites, and I did not have the problem before the change, so it must be something that was done in the changeover.
As far as I am concerned,this new design is NOT as good as the old one, and the black on white is harder to look at. At least for these 69 year old eyes anyway. PLEASE, go back to the old colour scheme. It was much easier to look at.
Also, what happened to the colour pallette so that we could type in different colours??? [%-)]
With time is change… Overall I don’t mind the “New and Improved Forum” and I suspect the change is due in part to changing technologies that even they can’t ignore. My only complaint so far is if I am posting on a multi page thread once I post the first page of the thread pops up, which means if I want to see what I’ve posted I have to re-direct to the last page. This is not too bad if I have high speed but when I’m back at sea this will be problematic.
I would imagine that they’re still going to be ironing out some of the bugs… however I see nothing down the side of that “wasted space”… ad blockers work wonders.
See, I donl;t see what the point is. Sure an ad blocker will block the ads, but they ARE train-related, not the random junk Google throws up sometimes (I swear someone must manually mess with their keyword associations given some of the site/ad combos I’ve seen). So you get even MORE white space with an ad blocker. There’s basically 4 blocks of forum stuff then some ads under it, then if it’s a long thread, as you scroll down, nothing but wasted white space where the message area could be wider.
My first impression is more positive than negative. Any change is something different that takes us out our comfort zone, even if for a short time. I think I will wait a week before really judging it.
Well, the black and white IS a little harsh on my eyes, and I had to do quite a little dance to get my forum password unlocked (still don’t understand it), but we’re back, so lets see how it works from here on out.
If you look at the bottom of the General Discussion page, you’ll find a “More Options” box. Click that and you can filter the display to show the topics that you have participated in.
Well, I feel that this is WAY too much crap on the half screen that is not related to the forum… Im done here until I can find a way to break all of that advertising bloat and just view the forum dialogs.
I too had quite a problem with the forumn password saying that my password was invalid.I used the same password on all types of forumns for the past 8 years so I should know my password.
Today I sign on, go to the Trains forums and get a ‘‘you need to unlock your old screenname’’ prompt.OK… I enter my info and get a ‘‘incorrect password’’ prompt…after 3 more times of the same, I say ‘‘send me my password’’…what I get is a jumbled bunch of nonsense numbers and letters but not my password. So I have to make a new screenname, this is progress? Now I have to go and redo all my info and find an avatar.More wasted time. I’ll have to wait and see if this new mess is worth the trouble, but right now it’s a big thumbs down.
I agree…why can’t they leave stuff alone…if it’s not broken DON’T FIX IT!!!
Mozilla Firefox Thee right click on the ad itself and select ad block frame and it’s GONE. You may have to repeat until all ads go away. Enjoy! Dont forget to reinforce this also with the Ad image block as well.
Once you cleared all that stuff out, I like the forums now very much. Less clutter, more talk.
We are trying to get the word out as we work thru a few of these bugs. You only have to logout / login – resetting your password is not necessary.
We will work thru the “My discussions”. This option is available at the main forum index. Click Here
** Our Website Has Changed **
If you have previously unlocked your screen name and are seeing this message again, you may need to log out and log back in.
This is going to take some getting used to. The invalid password thing was a pain in the rear…not sure why it was necessary to lock existing user names like that?
The color scheme is nasty! [2c]
At least the other forum I visit still feels like home…[:(]
The first thing I noticed was the new format seems to be hurting my eyes.
This seems to be a common complaint here.
The new colors and such may be considered a great improvement, but if my eyes are bothered by reading the forum, I will have to spend far less time here, or I may have to pass on this great forum.
I may be able to adapt to using the new forum features, but can’t have my eyes hurting and burning.
First, it was not necessary to lock existing username and we did not do that. We have a message for all first time returnees to the site that says if you have a username all you have to do it logout and login again. (If you’ve done that, the message is gone.)
Next, it’s funny to hear a CP fan calling a color scheme nasty. Sorry, that’s just funny to me. [(-D]
Sorry for the sarcasm… call me a proud pappa if you must.
In terms of “Some people can’t leave well enough alone…”
If Athearn had left well enough alone, we’d still be working with blue box locomotives and freight cars. We wouldn’t see superdetailed locomotives, steam locomotives, DCC, sound, etc., etc.
Change is inevitable… we hope that this change – to the site overall and forum – will improve things over the course of time and that you will continue to enjoy Trains.com. If you’ve been with us for the past 7-1/2 years, you’ll note how far not only the look of Trains.com has come, but also the usability and features offered have improved.
I know change is hard, especially when you’re used to the way something works. And that’s not just lip service… while I’ve used this forum software a tiny amount on some of our other sites, I too am very new to this new forum platform. While it’s taking some time for me to get used to it (today, mind you), I’m enjoying a lot of the new features.
For example, have you used the new Quote feature? When you’re replying to someone’s post, their entire post will appear above the Message area where you type your reply. If you’d like to quote their post, you highlight as much or as little of their post as you’d like then click the Quote button and the coding is done automatically for you.
Hang in there guys, I’m confident you’ll look back a month from now and be satisified with the changes that have been made.