Sorry to say but

I do however appreciate the fact that these forums exist. I know there are many other photography resources out on the net but this place is by far my favorite. Great community here, vast amounts of knowledge. How its delivered, I am sure I as well as many others will get used to it.

This forum isn't designed to be like "all others". When you buy a house, do you go go a subdivision or builder that builds the same basic design for all homes, or would you rather have one that has its own character and nuance? That is how Pekka approached this.

The reason all the others have the same feel is that they use an open source tool, which is so sterile and lacking character. You can either decide to work through the changes, learn them, and utilize the new strengths on this board, or you will have to step away and live in other less moderated, but more familiar cookie cutter forums. That is a decision you have to make.

If you have a question, there are many here to help, and willingly, I might add.
If you have a constructive comment on how to make this better (and no, we are not switching back, so you can forget about that), then ask it.
If you are here to complain and belittle anybody that disagrees with you, then you can simply move on.

I have no more patience for some of the rude comments. Grow up already, or move on. This forum is about photography, not your hatred of the changes and how your life is so negatively impacted by one site amongst millions on the web. You get whatever you get out of life by what you put into it. Put in negativity, and you will gain nothing. Give it time, learn where things are, and push through the initial growing pains, and you will be rewarded. Your choice...

It took me about 5 minutes to realize what that a tremendous amount of work went into this redesign. So far, I'm impressed. So many great features that other "stock software" forums don't have.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17304089
This forum isn't designed to be like "all others". When you buy a house, do you go go a subdivision or builder that builds the same basic design for all homes, or would you rather have one that has its own character and nuance? That is how Pekka approached this.

The reason all the others have the same feel is that they use an open source tool, which is so sterile and lacking character. You can either decide to work through the changes, learn them, and utilize the new strengths on this board, or you will have to step away and live in other less moderated, but more familiar cookie cutter forums. That is a decision you have to make. If you have a question, there are many here to help. If you have a constructive comment on how to make this better (and no, we are not switching back, so you can forget about that), then ask it. If you are here to complain and belittle anybody that disagrees with you, then you can simply move on.

While its true you might not want a bouse just like others, you would want certsin functions to be similar, like the kitchen being near the dining room instead of the other side of the house. The thing that I'm noticing from mods and beta testers is a lot of responses about how users will like the new forums after they master the learning curve. But they are all invested in the system and seem to have forgotten something as basic as navigating a forum shouldnt need a learning curve. I'm trying to like this but the visual design isnt helping and it seems like much has been done to aid advanced users at the cost of basic functionality.

ceriltheblade wrote in post #17303549
I have to say that my first reaction was similar - since it takes a while to get used to the new format, buttons etc...
but I like the change in the placement of the photography based discussions first and the gear after it.

Is there a thread which lists the changes - even a summary?

There were posts that went out in old POTN weeks, if not months in advance. The FYEO page has alot of that info. Also, there is a dedicated forum for AMASS that has a few "sticky" threads (I don't think they are stickied but should be) that will help you. Thank you for your patience and upbeat approach to the new forum!

New design has very poor interface. It's just more difficult for the eyes.
Not a get used to thing.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17304109
While its true you might not want a bouse just like others, you would want certsin functions to be similar, like the kitchen being near the dining room instead of the other side of the house. The thing that I'm noticing from mods and beta testers is a lot of responses about how users will like the new forums after they master the learning curve. But they are all invested in the system and seem to have forgotten something as basic as navigating a forum shouldnt need a learning curve. I'm trying to like this but the visual design isnt helping and it seems like much has been done to aid advanced users at the cost of basic functionality.

Why shouldn't there be a learning curve? There should be some user interface standards, I agree, but NEVER should the answer be "this site should be like others". All major web players have completely different designs and interactions that you have to learn. There is nothing majorly lacking here. You have forums, you can hide those you don't want, you can rearrange them to your taste, you can change your font sizes and margins, you can quickly see what subscribed threads have replies, etc. All the basics, and then some are here.

The answers from the beta teams are based on MONTHS of having used the new site, not mere hours or days. There is a bit of wisdom in those answers. We actually got tired of the old site over time, and found it a bit tedious. Pekka is dedicated to making changes that will better the experience, just give it time. He seemed to release something new about every day during beta, and he has continued that trend now during live.

PEOPLE!!!! Please give it some time...look around, find new stuff, and try it out. Stop the complaining on day 1.


One wise member stated:

cutwater wrote in post #17304132
JM, the new forum is like getting a new lens...if (more likely when) I get the T 150-600, it will take some getting used to before I am able to get great images. Each lens has it's own personality, quirks, etc. Once you spend some time with it and master it's personality, you can create great images. I think the forum will be the same, takes time to learn and get used to and soon it becomes second nature.

Hermelin wrote in post #17304126
New design has very poor interface. It's just more difficult for the eyes.
Not a get used to thing.

What specifically is hard on your eyes? There might be some settings on FYEO that might help, but without specifics, we can't give you pointers.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17304131
Why shouldn't there be a learning curve? There should be some user interface standards, I agree, but NEVER should the answer be "this site should be like others". All major web players have completely different designs and interactions that you have to learn. There is nothing majorly lacking here. You have forums, you can hide those you don't want, you can rearrange them to your taste, you can change your font sizes and margins, you can quickly see what subscribed threads have replies, etc. All the basics, and then some are here.

A small learnjng curve is fine. But dont forget the concept of being user friendly. And your reply is emblematic of my point. All the beta testers and mods are saying all will be fine when you learn our way, and glossing over the point that this thing us not intuitive or particularly user friendly.

I'm trying to like this new format but so far..... nope.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17304153
A small learnjng curve is fine. But dont forget the concept of being user friendly. And your reply is emblematic of my point. All the beta testers and mods are saying all will be fine when you learn our way, and glossing over the point that this thing us not intuitive or particularly user friendly.

It really isn't all the different. Everything is the same, it just moved a bit and became more modern. It's easy for us because we tested it for over a year (two summers). Give it some time and you will find everything and it will all become natural. People don't naturally like change, but you'll get used to it.

JM Photos wrote in post #17304166
It really isn't all the different. Everything is the same, it just moved a bit and became more modern. It's easy for us because we tested it for over a year (two summers). Give it some time and you will find everything and it will all become natural. People don't naturally like change, but you'll get used to it.

I have no choice to get used to it. But there seems to be a reluctsnce to consider that perhaps some of the changes are not that positive.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17304153
A small learnjng curve is fine. But dont forget the concept of being user friendly. And your reply is emblematic of my point. All the beta testers and mods are saying all will be fine when you learn our way, and glossing over the point that this thing us not intuitive or particularly user friendly.

No, our comments are to the self-centered negative comments. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, and we already have a series of threads where these things are being discussed. General Photography Talk is the wrong forum for this.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17304181
I have no choice to get used to it. But there seems to be a reluctsnce to consider that perhaps some of the changes are not that positive.

Have you been active in the AMASS forum on the threads there? Pekka has been active for what seems to be 30+ hours straight, making changes, etc. I don't find that to be a fair comment.