I don't like it

[tommykjensen]

Sorry to say so but I don't like the new forum.

I am curious Pekka. Do You really think a comercial forum is more secure than an open source forum? I don't.

I am missing a vital function. And that is the list "My posts". When there are too many new posts I use the list "My posts" to see if any of the threads I participate in has new posts. That list is gone. The closest to that list is under profile "Find all posts by ...." but that list is way to cluttered". This probably mean I will spend less time around here :-(

I am sorry that the compromised server meant switching to vBullitin.

[evilenglishman]

agree with tommy. I don't like it either - it seems over complicated and messy to me, a strain on the eyes.

[Pekka]

Sorry to say so but I don't like the new forum.

I am curious Pekka. Do You really think a comercial forum is more secure than an open source forum? I don't.

I am missing a vital function. And that is the list "My posts". When there are too many new posts I use the list "My posts" to see if any of the threads I participate in has new posts. That list is gone. The closest to that list is under profile "Find all posts by ...." but that list is way to cluttered". This probably mean I will spend less time around here :-(

I am sorry that the compromised server meant switching to vBullitin.
You want "my posts" because you want to follow your threads, right? Then open User CP -> Options -> change Default Thread Subscription Mode to "no email notification" and save changes. Now the threads you write in appear in your user control panel. You can arrange them in folders, too.

Of course not all won't like the new software, but I would ask you to take a week or two before making up your mind :)

A possible server attack is now prevented 95% by other means than changing forum software, the forum code is about 5% of it. We had lots of bugs in phpbb and it was slow (even when patched), search did not really work, admin area was a mess. I do not need to hack this which at all to make it work and that means instant updates and less work.

I changed to Vbulleting mainly because of its features and that it is proven to run very big forums easily (it uses less resources). It simply works very well and has all the features needed. It has commercial support which means I do not need to "hope" for someone to fix bugs (or I do not have to put my time into it) - they get fixed by a team of professional programmers.

[neil_r]

Change is always difficult to accept and get used to, however I am sure that in a couple of weeks when, we have all got used to the features and idiosyncrasies of the software, we will all feel as “at home” as we did previously.



Now, back onto the learning curve ……………….





N

[evilenglishman]

That's all well and good and I understand your position.

But usability is a very important factor too.
If people don't like it and they feel that they need a degree in nulear science to use it - they just wont use it.

Most of the fonts are too small (forum descriptions, whos online etc), this isn't a forum for teenagers and a lot of users are middle aged to old. They will have a problem with it.

The icons are messy and not particularly logical - 4 icons on each post in forum view;
topic icon
the icon someone uses when they post a topic
go to first new post
go to last post

That is just confusing, is it not?

[Pekka]

That's all well and good and I understand your position.

But usability is a very important factor too.
If people don't like it and they feel that they need a degree in nulear science to use it - they just wont use it.

Most of the fonts are too small (forum descriptions, whos online etc), this isn't a forum for teenagers and a lot of users are middle aged to old. They will have a problem with it. Go to your User CP, select Edit options and go to bottom of that page. There is Forum Skin selection, I added couple of larger text choices there (same size as the old forums). If you need still bigger let me know.

You can also change overall text larger in your browser, that will affect all sites.

The icons are messy and not particularly logical - 4 icons on each post in forum view;
topic icon
the icon someone uses when they post a topic
go to first new post
go to last post

That is just confusing, is it not? Icons are a way to avoid having text, and "mood" icons are very important because written text can be interpeted in so many ways.

[ChrisN]

I like it. I find it refreshing to have a change once in a while.

If you are threatening to leave (or reduce your time here) because of a few changes then to be completely honest, I think you need to grow up, I haven't found a single thing here that I could not figure out with a simple mouse over or reading the associated text.

Pekka busted his ass to make this site better and more secure. I know personally how concerned he was for all the members of this site and his commitment to security. Sadly, the old board was compromised severely enough for him to take notice and immediately put a resolution plan in place (like any good admin should).

Also the fact that he has made a new skin with larger text for a single person who asked for it, is anther sign to his commitment to this site.

I own a community as well and pay to be part of communities that get 1/100 of the dedication to its users as what I see here. To threaten to leave if something has changed is purely disrespectful to him and and all the time he has spent keeping you in a warm homey atmosphere, on his own time and dime.

Yes, there are changes. Yes, we all have to make adjustments. Yes, there are good features and bad features that I am sure Pekka and crew (if there is a crew) will iron out, if asked nicely about it (without threat), which is why he has provided us with this area to voice our wants and needs. I respect that everyone has features that they liked the most and that some may be missing, but the decision to change was for the good of the community and wasn't a slight on any single member here.

Sorry for the long post, I don't get upset very often, if ever, but people come on, throw Pekka a bone, tell him what you like, liked, dislike whatever but leave the little threats out of it.

Thanks Pekka for all your hard work.
And the post preview text when you hover over the post title in the main pages is a god send. that feature alone has made this place a million times better for me.

[evilenglishman]

Sorry for the long post, I don't get upset very often, if ever, but people come on, throw Pekka a bone, tell him what you like, liked, dislike whatever but leave the little threats out of it.
I don't think anyone was making threats, just giving opinions.
There is a topic called "I like it", maybe you should post in that one.
No one has gone in there ranting like you just have.

RE: font sizes, Thanks for making the changes, but I don't actually see much difference.
Why are the post numbers on the main page huge compared to the forum description?
The post numbers are not particularly relevent to anything - the description is.

[clorich]

And the post preview text when you hover over the post title in the main pages is a god send.

That feature + "view first unread post" in a thread are indispensable.

And to change text size on the fly (if you're using /Firefox) Ctrl + mousewheel.

[tommykjensen]

You want "my posts" because you want to follow your threads, right? Then open User CP -> Options -> change Default Thread Subscription Mode to "no email notification" and save changes. Now the threads you write in appear in your user control panel. You can arrange them in folders, too.I found that, however that only applies for new posts. Old posts are now "lost" in the abyss. It was a good source for me when I saw a question I knew I had answered previously I could just go through my posts lists and find the relevant link and post it. I am sure other users used that list the same way. Granted, being able to put subscriptions in folders is a nice feature.

Of course not all won't like the new software, but I would ask you to take a week or two before making up your mind :)
Well I won't leave completely, I just don't think I am going to be as active as I have been in the past.

I just discovered another inconvenience! I use the list "New posts" to monitor the forum, I did that on the old one also. However I have been hitting F5 to refresh several time the past 1-2 hours and no new posts appeared. Then I clicked on the link new posts again and the list was refreshed.



Change is always difficult to accept and get used to, however I am sure that in a couple of weeks when, we have all got used to the features and idiosyncrasies of the software, we will all feel as “at home” as we did previously.
For me I doubt that. Using the forum is one thing feeling "home" in the forum is another. Its the people that give the "home" feeling not the forum software and its because of the people here I will stick around (not as active though....).


ChrisN, don't turn this into a flamewar I am NOT doubting the comitment from Pekka. I know he has put a lot of work into changing the forum and I know he cares alot about security. I am not disrespecting him by voicing my opinon about the change. And I am not threatening anyone, I am merely stating a fact. A threat implies that I want something in return, I don't. Pekka has made his choice and thats that but that does not mean I have to fall flat on my stomach and say I like it. There's a thread called I like it and I did not want to post my opinion in that so I started a new one.

As for

Yes, there are good features and bad features that I am sure Pekka and crew (if there is a crew) will iron out, if asked nicely about it (without threat), which is why he has provided us with this area to voice our wants and needs.This highly conflicts with one of Pekkas reasons for changing to vBulletin

It has commercial support which means I do not need to "hope" for someone to fix bugs (or I do not have to put my time into it) - they get fixed by a team of professional programmers.because the license states


Please note that we are unable to support any installations of vBulletin that have had the source code modified
Ref: http://www.vbulletin.com/faqsales.php

[ChrisN]

edit: n/m = never mind :D I just editted out something that was clarified by you before I hit send.

Tommy, I did not intend to start a flame war. I just think that saying I will spend less time here is a threat, you do want something in return, you want these options back that you listed or you will leave (or be less active)

Also, I am not sure how making changes to try to suit everyones needs cannot coincide with changing to the new forum because of security issues. He changed to be more secure, but it appears that he is trying to accommodate to everyone by putting in more time and features as they come available or as he can create them.


Also, I did post in the "I Like it" post. because I do. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[tommykjensen]

n/m


Also, I did post in the "I Like it" post. because I do. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
And that is fine with me :)

Probably stupid question but what does n/m mean?

[Red]

How about just changing the icons to match the old forum? I'm finding them confusing.
Sure I'll get used to them, but they are annoying. I visit another forum using this format occasionally. And the reason it's only occasional is because it's just too busy and annoying. I hope you can do a better job with tweeking this one to make it more comfortable and usable. It's already better than the other web-site.

[Pekka]

Yes, there are good features and bad features that I am sure Pekka and crew (if there is a crew) will iron out, if asked nicely about it (without threat), which is why he has provided us with this area to voice our wants and needs.This highly conflicts with one of Pekkas reasons for changing to vBulletin

It has commercial support which means I do not need to "hope" for someone to fix bugs (or I do not have to put my time into it) - they get fixed by a team of professional programmers.because the license states


Please note that we are unable to support any installations of vBulletin that have had the source code modified
Ref: http://www.vbulletin.com/faqsales.php
(http://www.vbulletin.com/faqsales.php)

The changes in Vb can be done using the admin interface. There is no need to change any source code.

[CoolToolGuy]

Unless you are paying the freight and/or doing the work, the best thing is to adapt.


After all of the work that Pekka put in on the recovery, a thread with a title 'I Don't Like It' is a little rude. And his moderators were not able to pitch in, being half a world away, so if there was help, they, like Pekka did it out of dedication to the forum and its members.
CoolToolGuy

[neil_r]

For me I doubt that. Using the forum is one thing feeling "home" in the forum is another. Its the people that give the "home" feeling not the forum software and its because of the people here I will stick around (not as active though....)Sorry Tommy, The expression to feel “at home” is an English colloquialism meaning that you know where everything is and feel comfortable like you would in your own home.



I fully take on board and agree with what you say about the people.



Cheers



N

[Tom W]

Unless you are paying the freight and/or doing the work, the best thing is to adapt.


After all of the work that Pekka put in on the recovery, a thread with a title 'I Don't Like It' is a little rude. And his moderators were not able to pitch in, being half a world away, so if there was help, they, like Pekka did it out of dedication to the forum and its members.
CoolToolGuy

I second that!

C'mon, folks. Give it a couple of weeks and see if you like it. Get used to the new features and the means to adjust them. Then, if things seem wrong, point them out specifically so that Pekka can make changes or explain why they are that way.

It took several days for Pekka to clean off the servers, load the new software, and re-load the huge database of posts, profiles, and such into this giant forum. Give him a little credit.

[Pekka]

How about just changing the icons to match the old forum? I'm finding them confusing.
Sure I'll get used to them, but they are annoying. I visit another forum using this format occasionally. And the reason it's only occasional is because it's just too busy and annoying. I hope you can do a better job with tweeking this one to make it more comfortable and usable. It's already better than the other web-site. Do you mean

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_new.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_old.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_old_lock.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/misc/stats.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/misc/whos_online.gif

are not clear?
As I have said in http://photography-on-the.net/forum/announcement.php?f=23 (which apparently only few people have read) that style changes will happen but they are not priority stuff right now.

[Belmondo]

I would heartily recommend that everyone check out User CP (Control Panel) before they get too excited one way or another. The new software is vastly more customizable than before, and there are features that have been disabled in the default setup.

It is absolutely essential that everyone get into this and play with it a bit before forming any opinions. ;-)

[Red]

Do you mean

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_new.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_old.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/statusicon/forum_old_lock.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/misc/stats.gif
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/misc/whos_online.gif

are not clear?
As I have said in http://photography-on-the.net/forum/announcement.php?f=23 (which apparently only few people have read) that style changes will happen but they are not priority stuff right now.

Yeah. I understand the top 3, can work out the 4th. The 5th is still a mystery. The 2nd icon only looks like "No new posts" when it's compared to the "New Posts" icon. Otherwise it's....a post icon!
I think you would up the acceptance of the new look by changing those icons to match the old forum.
I work in IT, although not web, and I understand the security issues that are out there these days, so can see why you would need to move to a new type of forum if it's more familiar. I've just never got on with the other forum using this engine, but they have never changed it, and I can see you are open to the idea of tweeking. Nice one.

Just writing this though, I've noticed there's no icons for bold, italic, images, etc. Odd. I'm assuming that's a temporary thing, will be hard for the non-IT nerds to handle.

Going to read that other post now

[tommykjensen]

Ohh well it seems I opened a can of worms with this topic. Apparently it is not well seen to say anything negative about the choice of forum software.


To Pekka, if You think my post is disrespectfull or You were offended by it then please accept my appology. You can delete/lock the topic as You please.

I won't say a word more about what I think about the vBulletin software!

[Belmondo]

My biggest unsolved mystery is trying to get the emoticons (smilies) to work. :???:

[timmyquest]

My biggest unsolved mystery is trying to get the emoticons (smilies) to work. :???:

Indeed :-? :-?

[Belmondo]

Ohh well it seems I opened a can of worms with this topic. Apparently it is not well seen to say anything negative about the choice of forum software.


To Pekka, if You think my post is disrespectfull or You were offended by it then please accept my appology. You can delete/lock the topic as You please.

I won't say a word more about what I think about the vBulletin software!

I can't speak for Pekka, but I believe all opinions are important, even ( and possibly especially ) the negative ones.

I think the only concern was that maybe we haven't given the software a fair test, and we certainly haven't given Pekka adequate time to 'fine-tune' it completely.

[tommykjensen]

Indeed :-? :-?Like this :)

[AeroSquid]

I don't think anyone was making threats, just giving opinions.
There is a topic called "I like it", maybe you should post in that one.
No one has gone in there ranting like you just have.

RE: font sizes, Thanks for making the changes, but I don't actually see much difference.
Why are the post numbers on the main page huge compared to the forum description?
The post numbers are not particularly relevent to anything - the description is.

try holding down on ctrl and rolling the wheel on your mouse. font size magically increases or decreases :)

[evilenglishman]

not in my browser it doesn't

[C.S.I.]

I DO like it !!!!!!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Hello... Suddenly I have a quick reply box!!!!!!1

:) http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[bachscuttler]

Makes me wonder how some of you guys find your way around some of Canons LCD Menus

[Belmondo]

:rolleyes: Okay, I'll see if I can get some smilies on my own since nobody seems to want to help me.:mad:

Well, I have no idea what I just did that was any different than before.

[alan sh]

Vbulletin is probably the best forum s/w to use. So, kudos for using it.

It is different - but once you are used to it, it works well. If you want some help, the owners of www.bikersoracle.com do some really nifty work and may be able to help.

Alan

[stoneylonesome]

:rolleyes: Okay, I'll see if I can get some smilies on my own since nobody seems to want to help me.:mad:

Well, I have no idea what I just did that was any different than before.

Well I did get the smilies :roll: to work I don't for the life of me no how so I hope the heck I don't lose them, what I can't figure out is how to get a photo to post I'm still looking for the img to click on :confused: :confused:

call me CONFUSED

[smudge]

I'm amazed. Really. During this sites off time, I couldn't find anything that comes close to the old or the new. Jees some people. Well done Pekka.

[evilenglishman]

what amazes me, is the people that feel the need that they have to come into this topic and criticise peoples comments, talk about non-related issues and suggest that people who don't like vbulletin are stupid.

If you like it post in the 'i like it topic', if you don't, post in this one.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I like it and I'm posting in this thread, and I don't see why you feel you should be able to disallow others from doing the same?

The fact is that the Admin is currently doing all he can to get this forum back up and working as fast as possible. All constructive input on what changes can be made to improve the forum are taken seriously.

Bashing other members for posting there opinions is not constructive either way.

If members wish to use this thread to post there greivances with the Vbulletinn interface, please do so. But please understand that getting everything working to the forums best advantage may take time,.

...and quite frankly it is unlikely in any situation that every one will agree 100% on what is best.

Pekka has done his part over this past week,.. he's spent untold hours getting this forum back up and running. I would ask that anyone who dislikes the current forum set-up take at least some time to get used to the software and features,. as well as go into the user CP and see if some of the concerns you may have can be solved with your own user preference settings.

[evilenglishman]

...edited like the post above has been

[F1_Fan]

It is different - but once you are used to it, it works well.

Agreed. I'm a member of a lot of forums that range from:

complete sewage - photo.net
crap - dpreview.com
good - like this one (vBulletin and phpBB-based)
awesome - forums.vwvortex.com (ZeroForum... very expensive)


vBulletin in good, people just need to adjust. I once converted my wife's arts/crafts group from Yahoo Groups (the biggest spam/abuse magnet on the surface of the planet) to phpBB. Well it turned out that most of the group were grannies that liked the 50 separate email message that arrived during the day and didn't mind the 100+ viagra ads that also came along. We fought the fight for a while then in the end, returned them to Yahoo Groups and bid them farewell.

[tommykjensen]

I would ask that anyone who dislikes the current forum set-up take at least some time to get used to the software and features,. as well as go into the user CP and see if some of the concerns you may have can be solved with your own user preference settings.
If POTN was the only forum on the internet using vBulletin I would agree with You but it is not. This means that it won't take weeks to get to know the software to form an opinion.

[IanD]

Folks, lest we forget, this forum cost you nothing, nada, zip, pas une sous (that is about the extent of my various language skills trying to say "nothing")
The software running right now was not installed by a team of programmers, was not paid for by a big company but by 1 man, Pekka. It is his sandbox, his rules.
Please think a little before your fingers hit the damn keyboard.

[Pekka]

If POTN was the only forum on the internet using vBulletin I would agree with You but it is not. This means that it won't take weeks to get to know the software to form an opinion.

Let's clarify: your entry phrase "Sorry to say so but I don't like the new forum." means you do not like the forum software (and not the forums), right?

So, now I know you do not like Vbulletin 3.0.3.

The followup is: what then? The code itself is something I will not touch. If you'd like to get the code altered or application change then I have to say: no I won't do that. I will touch only templates and settings and that we can discuss: Is there something in templates and settings that you do not like, something that could be altered? What are the main issues you do not like? You mentioned "My posts" and I told you how it works here. Something else?

I'm trying to find something productive out of this thread.

[evilenglishman]

I've just found something i like.
I just added iand and photopig to my ignore list and all of their posts have disappeared http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif (shame some people are blocked from this).

Great feature! will lead to lots of duplicate postings http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif

[tommykjensen]

Let's clarify: your entry phrase "Sorry to say so but I don't like the new forum." means you do not like the forum software (and not the forums), right?

So, now I know you do not like Vbulletin 3.0.3. Yes that is correct its the software I don't like - cant I say that? If I can't then delete the thread please and forget I said anything about it. Then I will keep my mouth shut about the software.

A few of the things I don't like about vBulletin:

- it is comercial (comercial does not mean it is more secure than open source just look at Micro$oft)
- smilies does not work properly. Smilies from the window "more" disappears when submitting or previewing. The smilies from the actual form does work like this one :) but for example mrgreen does not work (or it has to be entered in a very special way)
- it has a lot of bells and whistles that are just that
- as evilenglishman also said the topic list is way too cluttered, the list looks much better if it only has one line per topic instead of 2 as it is now

I got the part about You are not going to change any code because that would mean You would loose support from the vendor which You said was one of the reasons for the switch.

[bachscuttler]

I'm trying to find something productive out of this thread.You play a 5 string. That'll do for me, so do I.
Pekka, I had a little trouble with some of the codes for smilies on my vbulletin forum. It's pretty easy to change them to an alternative from your admin panel, but after what you have been through in the last week and since getting back on line, I wouldn't bother my a s s.
PS. People who do like it should be able to voice a reply to the people that don't and vice versa in the other thread. It's a forum, not an announcement.

[Pekka]

You play a 5 string. That'll do for me, so do I.
Pekka, I had a little trouble with some of the codes for smilies on my vbulletin forum. It's pretty easy to change them to an alternative from your admin panel, but after what you have been through in the last week and since getting back on line, I wouldn't bother my a s s.
PS. People who do like it should be able to voice a reply to the people that don't and vice versa in the other thread. It's a forum, not an announcement.If you have time PM me if you have any info about the smiley problem and how to repair it -it would save me a lot of time http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[Scottes]

I've just found something i like.
I just added iand and photopig to my ignore list and all of their posts have disappeared http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif (shame some people are blocked from this).

Oh, that's wonderful.

[AeroSquid]

not in my browser it doesn't
then i can only assume that you don't use Firefox or IE. your loss.

[IanD]

Of course if folks find the fonts too small, even with the changes, then a trip to LensCrafters might be in order. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[stoneylonesome]

Of course if folks find the fonts too small, even with the changes, then a trip to LensCrafters might be in order. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

Nah do what I do sit across the room from the moniter. :razz: :razz: My eyesight didn't get bad my arms just got to short. :) :)

[seanspeng]

tommykjensen:

You really should spend time to learn this new forum. Adapt it. This is better forum software for sure. It is usually upsetting to hear a member say I will be less active because of xx. It's your decision.

It is so much more difficult for Pekka to go through all of this, upgrade forum, tighten up the security, get it back, and move to a new and better system than for you to learn a few new tricks!

[ppuga]

Well, after reading all this thread I just have to say a few things.

First of all, I'm new to this forum and I'm glad to be part of it, because it's very nice!

I understand Pekka, because I'm and admin at another forum (not photo forum), but I use vb 3.0.3 the same software this forum have now, and let me tell you, vb 3 its better thant you can see or feel when you first use it, but its a great software, and very customizable, but almost all the menus, and admin cp change so it takes a while getting used to it.

So be patient and let Pekka do the admin work to keep te forum like this and it is a lot. In my experience since I made de upgrade to vb3, it takes a few weeks to get the forum working perfect! And there are a lot of features to explore, all the smilies issues, the quick reply, the new post, the search is better now, explore all the drop down menus at quick links, or other users to pm or mail, etc.

NICE WORK! YOU ARE MAKING HERE!

cheers

:wink:

[blinking8s]

1. vbulletin is hardcore, Ive used it extensively and it it more powerful than phpbb for extensive traffic. Ultrashock.com has 100,000 members on an older vbulletin and its rockin...

2. We need a better forum skin, and the user data for posts should be on top rather than the side, it allows for wider images to be posted and makes everything clean...would you mind if I worked on one over the next few weeks? nothing complex, just to add a better flow and give people some options

3. the quick reply should be on, it doesnt archive much better with it set to log which post you want to quick reply to, well it does...but it seriously isnt needed...its such a pain that no one ends up caring which post they are replying to...the search features in vB alone stop phpbb so its not much of a worry

4. turn auto subscribe off

Im happy you made the switch, if you need any help let me know...vB is rock solid and you will be very happy with it

[timmyquest]

I find the colors distracting and hard to read. It's just over complicated.

I love the speed of these forums, and i love many of the features. It's the aperance that is bothering me.

[evilenglishman]

then i can only assume that you don't use Firefox or IE. your loss.
i wouldn't call not using IE a loss!

[Red]

user data for posts should be on top rather than the side, it allows for wider images to be posted and makes everything clean...would you mind if I worked on one over the next few weeks? nothing complex, just to add a better flow and give people some options
Please no! I hate forums that do that. Ruins the flow of a thread and makes it harder to just read through. There's a limit on the size of images because of bandwidth, so it's not even going to gain anything. Please no!

[pradeep1]

Remember when the forum was changed to this new software a few months ago? I didn't like it at first, but got used to it. It took me a few days, but after that I couldn't go back to the old style forum. I say it is better to have this new forum instead of having the forum hacked and be down.

[Belmondo]

I say it is better to have this new forum instead of having the forum hacked and be down.
Pradeep:
You have a real gift for understatement?http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[CyberDyneSystems]

Please no! I hate forums that do that. Ruins the flow of a thread and makes it harder to just read through. There's a limit on the size of images because of bandwidth, so it's not even going to gain anything. Please no!

I'm with you on this one Red... A forum I frequent made that change over a year ago.. and I will never get used to it. It drives me crazy! :)

[stoneylonesome]

I've gotten pretty used to this new format now and really have no complaints, I agree with Red keep the user data on the left. Now if we can get the smilies working everything will be GREAT. :) :)

[cmM]

this new forum has been up for 2 days.... really all we can give right now are first impressions, and those are often deceiving. On my first visit I almost started to chew on my mouse when I saw there's no "My posts" link, well there is kinda ("My Subscribed Threads").
But now it looks much better after some time on here, and I'm sure that as time goes and I will get more used to the software it'll look even better, and Pekka will fix the small problems like the smilies and the scheme to make the forum prettier.

So I say give it a little time. I already like it better than yesterday.

Pekka, whatever you do, make it blue! :D ;)

[IndyJeff]

Well let me chime in as a "I don't like it" vote. It is confusing at first but I am finding new features that I think are a good addition. Pekka, I do appreciate all your hard work and would like to say that I just don't like change. In a month from now I will probably love this place as much as the old one. To everyone else, give it a chance same as I am doing and see how you feel in a month.

The thing I miss the most is the colors and the ease of the other board. In time this will become as familiar in operation but, the colors are killing me LOL


Nice work Pekka and thanks again, I know the easiest thing would have been to just say "to hell with it" and let the board die. Thank goodness you didn't give up.

[Scottes]

On my first visit I almost started to chew on my mouse when I saw there's no "My posts" link, well there is kinda ("My Subscribed Threads").

If you click on your name somewhere you go to view your profile. Then you can click either
Find all posts by... (search.php?do=finduser&u=13821)
Find all threads started by... (search.php?do=process&showposts=0&starteronly=1&exactname=1&searchuser=Scottes)

I think the second one is very cool.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The search options.. and the accuracy of those searches ... are simply unbeleivable compared to the old php...

[blinking8s]

Please no! I hate forums that do that. Ruins the flow of a thread and makes it harder to just read through. There's a limit on the size of images because of bandwidth, so it's not even going to gain anything. Please no!

i understand your reasoning, but I dont think it damages the flow of a forum in any way, most people are just used to one way...so a change like that isnt smiled upon

the quick reply should be on though, it doesnt archive much better with it set to log which post you want to quick reply to, well it does...but it seriously isnt needed...its such a pain that no one ends up caring which post they are replying to

[tommykjensen]

the quick reply should be on though, it doesnt archive much better with it set to log which post you want to quick reply to, well it does...but it seriously isnt needed...its such a pain that no one ends up caring which post they are replying to
Well I think the idea of the quick reply function dies when You first have to click on a button on the post to which You want to enter a quick reply to.

[Red]

Y'know what? I'm liking the forum more. Having another forum I frequent that uses the same code that drives me nuts and stops me visiting it so much, I didn't think I would, but I do.

I'm fully behind Pekkas technical reasons, and respect the effort he must have put in to set up a completely new forum, customise it, and transfer the old data in about a week. Top job.

I think think the focus now is on the tweeks and bug fixes to settle us all in.

As mentioned by someone else, I prefered the old colours. I still don't like the menu icons. I don't know how everyone else feels, but I'd prefer the old ones, even if they're a stop-gap until someone comes up with better. I have a bit of a smilies collection that I hoarde and add to my own posts, but in the interest of the forum I'll make them public if Pekka would like. Tell me if you want a reply here or a PM

[Pekka]

Y'know what? I'm liking the forum more. Having another forum I frequent that uses the same code that drives me nuts and stops me visiting it so much, I didn't think I would, but I do.

I'm fully behind Pekkas technical reasons, and respect the effort he must have put in to set up a completely new forum, customise it, and transfer the old data in about a week. Top job.

I think think the focus now is on the tweeks and bug fixes to settle us all in.

As mentioned by someone else, I prefered the old colours. I still don't like the menu icons. I don't know how everyone else feels, but I'd prefer the old ones, even if they're a stop-gap until someone comes up with better. I have a bit of a smilies collection that I hoarde and add to my own posts, but in the interest of the forum I'll make them public if Pekka would like. Tell me if you want a reply here or a PM

Let me say again that I will definitely make alternative styles (which means color, layout and graphics) for the forum: a retro style which is as much like the old one as possible and few others (better clarity, more readable, moody) so everyone can choose their favourite. But this is not top priority stuff as this current one works although is not a work of art - I had about 1 hour to do it so...

[stoneylonesome]

Pekka you've done a great job on this, and the more I use it and get used to the features the better I like. Course half of my problem is that when I finially get something to work I can't remember how I did, so I hope and pray I don't lose it. :grin: :grin:

[Ballen Photo]

agree with tommy. I don't like it either - it seems over complicated and messy to me, a strain on the eyes.

I didn't care much for it at first either, but now as I set up my prefferences, and learn my way around, I think it'll be just fine. I noticed it DOES seem to be faster as well. :)
-Bruce

[Red]

Just found something I reeeeeeally like. When someone has a wide avatar, it doesn't affect the width of following posts, which can lead to side scrolling

[PekkaM]

Just had a time to look at the new forum. Way too busy in my opinion, too much colors, icons and everything... I didn't find option for simple forum skin that'd have all the excess stuff removed, is there one?

[CyberDyneSystems]

We do not have additional "Skins" yet PekkaM... they are in the works. :)

[Pekka]

Just had a time to look at the new forum. Way too busy in my opinion, too much colors, icons and everything... I didn't find option for simple forum skin that'd have all the excess stuff removed, is there one?

All the stuff you refer to are called "features" which are very useful for all visitors. I can change fonts and colors and how the icons look but what would be the point of removing features just to make thing "look" simpler?

Also, please take some time to get to know and get used to the forum system, of course it looks "full" after the old one which had nearly nothing.