So what do you think of the new forum?
- WOW, it’s great!
- It’ll do in a pinch.
- I think I’ve been pinched.
- What new forum?
- I want a refund!
You will be able to change your vote.
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Replies
Tim,
Since you asked.....I voted "I want a refund" first thing when I finally was able to get on the board. Load times are a lot slower, if I want spell check I have to "switch" to IE after getting on line because I'm on SOL, this new site is not near as "user friendly" as the old one was, I don't like the format at all; way too cluttered, and I don't like the fact that we are not taken back to the thread in which our replies are posted in.
To be honest, there are many more things that I don't like but, I supposed that if I listed them all it would sound like I'm ungrateful instead of just b i t c h i n g. FWIW.
Dano
Dano,
I'm in agreement.
I sent this earlier to customer service:
I hate to complain, but I really dislike the changes you've done to the Knots forum look and feel. In my opinion the previous design was much easier to navigate. A simple design provides a more pleasurable experience. I find the new design distracting and cumbersome.
I know you've invested a lot of time and effort on updating the site, but I have to say I'm disappointed in the change.
I have to agree with one of the other readers. Not sure of the reason for adding a "Rate my Interest" section to this forum. If I posted a msg, I would like to think that only interested parties would respond.
Like all change, there is the good and there is the bad. Lots of advanced features, which will take some time to get used to. I'm not enamored with the thread view or the idea of ratings, but I'm sure it to shall pass. At the end of the day it's really the content that brings everyone to this site. Keep up the good work and thanks for asking.
Greg,
Well said; it is the content that makes a forum work. Ultimately, that is the result of the folks who actively participate in a forum.
Smaug's discussion on the concern's of moving the site made the migration. Perhaps if you re read that discussion you will gain some more insight.
My biggest disappointment is that Taunton tried to make it "appear" that this was a result of our input. It wasn't. I have spent the last hour and a half bumping around the entire site reading the postings in regard to this move, so far, it is very evident most are not happy with it. I literally have a tension head ache from the eye strain from my little " circum-navigation" around here.
No offense, Tim and Mark. I do realize that considerable effort went into this. Be that as it may, I feel it was a bad move. All the "bells and whistles" like fonts, colors, etc. do not add to the forum and the format in no way, shape, or form resembles the old forum as Mark suggested it would.
Off to chew down some Advil......
Dano"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
Thanks to all of you who have taken the poll and given us feedback, even if it is negative. We want it all. That's to be expected because frankly folks, this is a vastly different layout. It pains me to know we'll lose people over the format rather than the content, but I know it will happen.
FWIW, Dano's right that this change was not the result of polling the members. I don't recall reading that but if that was stated, it was wrong. We did in fact log our forum member's complaints and that's likely where this comment came from.
This change was made because with our previous company we received poor customer support and constant changes to the forum without our knowledge. We had numerous crashes that would come out of the blue and frankly it was just not worth it. With this new group, we have a very proactive customer service rep--in fact, she's lurking out there now and is copying every single one of your critiques to pass to her engineers and bosses. This was the first company we found who was willing to work with us to address the needs of our forums.
I'll admit that this forum is more difficult to navigate than our previous one, and I'm sorry about that. But I also think that once you've had the chance to lurk around a bit, our conversations about woodworking will be back on track. There's been a lot of talk about fixing something that was not broken. From the user's perspective it may not have seem broken, but from our end it was indeed a broken system.
On a closing note, I spoke to Mark about the performance and he told me that we were still importing data from the old forums. This will slow down the forums probably for the next few days. Once that's complete there will be no excuse for slow activity and we anticipate it will be satisfactory.
Thanks for your input--don't hesitate to offer suggestions because we will indeed be looking at them.
TimAssociate Editor, FWKnots Moderator
Tim,
As you probably well know, people resist change. If they have to learn a new process they will not like it. Once the group gets back to woodworking (which I hope is soon), and away from whining everyone will be back with a flare. We will learn it and wonder how we used to do without it.
Chin up and keep up the good work. I for one really appreciate you guys providing this free of charge when in fact it must cost you quite a bit.
I would like to see a subscribers only folder or some extra benifits for those of us who subscribe to FWW.
TDF
Tom,
The subscriber folder: that's a neat idea and I know it has been one that has been explored a bit. I'll keep you posted.
Tim
I was rather happy with the previous layout of the forum. I assume that this is a first pass and that the layout will improve.
It would be nice if all of the specific areas (folders) , for example, the gallery, joinery, etc, weren't hidden under general discussion. Perhaps the folders should have a box of there own, which opens in another box. I hate to use Microsoft as an example, but much like the "explore" window operates.
Troy.
Tim,
As long as the idea of a subscribers only folder is on the table I vote against it.
I don't see what value it would have and don't understand the need for the exclusivity. Something that is of value to a subscriber will likely be of value to a non subscriber and something that is delivered via internet will have no additional cost to provide to non subscribers.
I suspect that anybody that is spending a decent amount of time in this forum is purchasing FWW fairly regularly. I don't subscribe but I never miss an issue. I might not have rational purchase behavior but here is how I purchase my FWW magazines: I travel for work very often and I enjoy finding the new issue in the airport book stores and reading it on the plane. It might not be a great thrill but it is how I like to buy it vs. getting it in the mail. So why have an area that would exclude non subscribers?
Will
It's a point well taken Will.____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Tim, I may be in the minority (and I guess I am) but I like it. Oh, it is a bit confusing at first, but we'll get over it. I have already noticed a few features that wern't there before that I will enjoy using.
Others before me have said it better, but I think most of this is just because it is different. All of us want change -- except when it impacts us!
Many thanks to you, Mark, and Taunton for your efforts. I appriciate the fourn and (most) of the contributors. It is a great place to source information or just lurk.
BTW, do the added features mean that my dues will go up?
PM
Yes, the cost of this forum to you all just doubled. <g>
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Tim,
The general discussion folder says there are 1970 threads in it but I can only see about 50. How can I get it to display beyond those 50 or so posts?
And what do the stars and dots mean that are next to the thread names?
Will
Edited 3/21/2002 6:13:26 PM ET by Will O'Brien
Will,
That is another area that's vastly different from WebX. This board will let you view in the left hand column the last 50 messages, but to see the other ones, you have to search to find them. This is something we've asked them consider modifying for us.
Stars indicate unread messages or new threads. The dots mean nothing. :-)
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Tim, Thanks for the info on the scrolling. I hope that you make enabling us to scroll through more than 50 posts a very high priority change request as I think that that is a rather significant loss of functionality.
Thanks for your efforts, I'm sure that after this week you guys are bushed.
Will
Well, Tim...I'd tell you what I really think of the new forum, but we're on the air. I will share this though: The only way I can get on this thing is in drag...and I consider that a serious embarrassment. My wife, Sherryl was already signed up for your Gardening forum and your computer won't accept two seperate names for the same E-mail address (at least I have yet to figure out how to do it.) I certainly would appreciate it if you'd FIX IT! Respectfully, JON Arno.
Tim thanks for you honesty when you said:
This change was made because with our previous company we received poor customer support and constant changes to the forum without our knowledge. We had numerous crashes that would come out of the blue and frankly it was just not worth it. With this new group, we have a very proactive customer service rep--in fact, she's lurking out there now and is copying every single one of your critiques to pass to her engineers and bosses. This was the first company we found who was willing to work with us to address the needs of our forums.
I'll admit that this forum is more difficult to navigate than our previous one, and I'm sorry about that. But I also think that once you've had the chance to lurk around a bit, our conversations about woodworking will be back on track. There's been a lot of talk about fixing something that was not broken. From the user's perspective it may not have seem broken, but from our end it was indeed a broken system.
This is the first time that we heard these reasons and they are legitimate reasons for the migration. The previous posts about what was coming said things like: We're going to update the sight to make things better for you - or - Look forward to exciting new changes to fix all the problems that you experience. Personally I never thought that the problems that I experienced (which were fewer than other's experiences) were significant enough to justify the cost to fix them, let alone a completely new platform. Not understanding the real behind-the-scenes reasons for the migration was a significant part of my resistance to this change prior to it happening. Now that the migration is here I figure that the train has left the station and I would rather be on it than off of it. I beleive that if we had been told that the main reason for the change was because of poor vendor support of the old platform and too many problems for you guys to administer it then the users would have been much more patient before and after the migration. They would have still let you know what needed to be improved but I don't think there would have been so many "violent" reactions.
I only mention this to give feedback for future communications about upgrades changes etc.
Hi Tim:
Somewhere in the change over process my user name "Denis" got lost and the system wouldn't allow me to e-mail you without logging in. Hopefully this is a minor computer glich and not a comment on my woodworking skill.
Anyway I would appreciate if some would contact me so I can get my old username back.
Thanks for the help
Dennis (formerly Denis -- now Denis364)
Denis,
One thing I don't like about Prospero is that your login is valid across all of Prospero's forums (i.e. all of their clients). So it may be that someone has taken your login name on another forum out there. However, you can change your "screen name" to Denis. That is done by going to My Forums and then to My Preferences. You'll see it there.
Good luck Denis. Let us know if you have any more problems.
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
It is pretty dizzying at first. But I am slowly adjusting. My biggest beef, as most folks' appear to be, is that it is too cluttered. Heck, even something as basic as finding a folder, like Finishing or whatever, requires a lot of digging and scrolling and such.
Hi Tim
I had the e-mail digests sent to me every day which I much preferred to using the web site. I could read them all off-line and didn't have to wait for each discussion to load. I can't see any option for e-mail digests in the new forum or have I missed it.
Malcolm
Malcom,
I don't believe we have that option as of yet but it may be available in Mark's (our SYSOP) bag of tricks. Let me see.____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
The link from the Fine Woodworking home page doesn't even work. Had to mess around to find the back door in. Hope you improve the discussion "views" so I don't have to fumble around with the keyboard so much.
It just seems a bit sterile for my taste. The old system seemed a bit more homie kind of like going into my shop after a bad day at work. This feels kind of like walking into a ultra modern shopping mall to me. im not quitting as others have said I just dont feel at home here now if that makes sense???At Darkworksite4: Moldings and Putty are included with the job
I wish everyone would stop whining and just get on an use the blasted thing. Is this better than the old forum? Jings, I've no idea yet really, but there are still people that have questions that can be answered, I hope,---- and we can still extract the urine from one another with a bit of practice. If you've got a woodworking question, post it. If you've got an answer to someone's question, answer it. That seems about all you need to know. Go ahead and make mistakes. Big deal. I'm making plenty, but then I'm a shameless, big mouthed tart anyway.
You Yanks all drive on the wrong side of the road too, but I've got used to that since I've lived here, even though I've found myself opening the right hand passenger door a few times and wondering what happened to the steering wheel. Then I just walk round to the other side and pretend I knew what I was doing all along. There now follows one of those silly emoticon deals indicating that I'm grinning, and I'm about to find out if one of those things can be posted.
<g>
It seems to work, in super bold size too, so now I know.
Slainte, RJ.
I used to be positively apathetic, but now I really couldn't care less.
Edited 3/21/02 10:19:03 PM ET by Sgian Dubh
All new software changes are a little bit blinding to me. This is no different. After a period it aall becomes comfortable again.
The "violation" button smells of rat finkedness.
Frank
I hadn't used the old site very much and it seemed easy enough to use. This new site doesn' seem much harder to use than the other one to me. It is pretty neat all the new gismos to play with. I'm trying to find the button that lets you draw pictures. Would that be neat or what? I would like to find some recent posts that are a little farther down the list. I haven't figured out how to find them yet. I look at it this way. Things change! Change is good! I'm looking forward to learning all about this new site.
Slem
I agree with Ron, it does feel sterile ( I think that is how he described it ). To me it feels like someone broke into my car and messed it up. Odd to feel this attached to a web site of all things.
It is hard on the eyes, damn hard. All the extra doodads like colour etc are fine and fun to play with, but the screen still looks very cluttered and bright, soooooo bright. the old place felt less 'in your face' , the text was easy to read and it was a doddle to move round. I know I will get used to it, but guys come on!
Why was it not possible to just turbo the old one in a better spot?
I dont like the way new threads dont show who started them. minor point, but something I always looked at.
As for being logged in to all prospero sites.........I dont like that at all. I like walking in here and seeing familiar faces ( or I did ), to have people lose their old comfortable handle cos someone already has it elsewhere, not good. thanks to all the gods mine remained intact.
I was going to vote, but it moved or something. never mind, had my say here. rant over.
one question, this thing right under here, 'wysiwyg', what the hell is that?????
What You See Is What You Get
Sorry, I had to try it.
AJINZZ --
When you type a reply, try choosing "Times" as the font. It's a little easier to read than the default (in my opinion), and help differentiate these posts from all the lists, buttons and doo-dads at the top and side of the screen.
Of course, each person would have to do this as they type a note, since "Times" isn't the default font... but it's something, albeit small.
DavidHmmm... the garden or the workshop today?
And pronounced, "wizzie-wig".
I posted a message on another thread about all the colors, sizes and fonts that is relevant to your comments.
If you're interested:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=2407.10
Best,
Seth
RJ, as a unabashed lurker, and one too many Killkenny's I couldn't agree more. This site is so much more interesting when folks are discussing woodworking more so than interfaces. This is escapism for the majority of us. Living vicariously through the few "pros" and "tarts" is what gets me through the week.
Step up and bring it on!
Well.... After Sgian's post, #21, in this discussion I have stayed away from topics about The Move. His opening comments made a hell of a lot of sense. Folks still have questions. I've voiced a few of my own opinions on The Move and they haven't changed but, I don't come here to play with fonts, text colors, or all the other "features". If I see a discussion that interests me or a question that I can answer I'll do so and leave.
The biggest advantage to me that results from The Move is that my "lurking" time is nil; I end up getting a headache from the eyestrain.....
Dano
"Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright
Edited 3/22/2002 9:39:26 PM ET by Danford C. Jennings
Since You Asked...
I've tried to change my vote to the worst end of choices but I keep getting a "page not available" screen. I'm sure all things get easier with time, and I supose some program writer needed the work and talked Taunton into this, but COME ON FOLKS!
This has to be the most complicated web site I've ever tried to negotiate around in. I'm not really sure I want the headache bad enough to stay with you.
Good luck
Doug
View Image Cheers! Cheers!
Edited 3/23/2002 10:18:20 PM ET by Run4wood
Edited 3/23/2002 10:19:26 PM ET by Run4wood
More smilies here ---
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I think too many people are too quick to make judgments! It is human nature to resist change, so for goodness sake, let's use the new form to gain and share information with other woodworkers, and not get caught up in all the little details. Anything new takes a little getting used to - give it a chance!
There is a wealth of information here from successful and sharing woodworkers! Let's take advantage of the blessings of it all and make it work by using it joyfully!
Tom
I'm new today to this forum. I left another BB because it became an inane rant box for a small group of mouthy, immature fools who spent more time creating off topic threads than discussing woodworking.
However, I'm not sure how to navigate this site. It truly is a most difficult journey.
Just my observations on my first day. I may have to endure the fools on the other site, simply because it's easier to navigate.
Just my thought. FW is a great magazine, however.
Doug,
It should be working now. We had a moment there yesterday where there was a domain name problem (from what I hear).
Thanks for your comments.____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
One of things we're hoping we can get worked out is the way messages are displayed. I think all of used the outline feature before and are very comfortable with thread style discussions. It would be good to have messages that are responses to specific questions right under that question. If you look in the upper right corner of the message you'll see that it does say "in reply to ..." and lists a message. But that's an extra step. We'll see what we can do.
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
I definitely much preferred the threaded outlines.Much.
cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Edited 3/22/2002 12:13:07 PM ET by Adrian
davamoore and seth, thanks very much for the info. The Times font is way easier on the eyes, I still dont know however just what a 'wizzy wig' is though??????
I went home last night after an hour on this thing and had a nasty headache and felt like my eyes had been turned inside out. will adjust I spose, but can get tough, only been on 10 mins now and can feel it starting again...........
Wood Hoon
WYSIWYG came about back when PCs were migrating from old style "Word Perfect" to what we use today. Back in the old days (and even today for HTML programming) the characters on the screen were always the same in appearance. Users would insert codes that tell the application to change the style or font of type for things like printing. Then "Previewing" would create a simulated picture of the document to make sure that it looked according to the coding.
WYSIWYG means that the appearance on the screen, during typing and editing appears in the same style and font as it's final output. Today this is VERY standard, but HTML (internet programming) still uses this format because HTML is universal across platforms regardless of application (in theory). Even this is changing and many programs are moving to WYSIWYG for web development (but the underlying structure is still coded HTML).
And for all you Mac bashers, Apple Computer popularized WYSIWYG.
Hope that helps.
Best,
Seth
Back in the old days? Word Perfect? Gads, am I getting old or what! Word Perfect is a new kid on the block in my frame of reference. :) ps- I started on computers when they had vacuum tubes and iron ferrite memory cores! Word processing was done on a key punch machine. We loved to tease the girls by dropping a handful of 'chad' on a girls head. Took them forever to get it out of their hair. But, I wouldn't go back to those days for nutin! I didn't have a jointer then!
PlaneWood by Mike_in_KatyPlaneWood
How about this Mike . . . Back in the old days Gutenberg had to look at the type backwards and "Preview" the type by striking the platen to dummy sheets to confirm galleys.
Feeling younger?
Seth
Oh heck, I have been supporting this move from the get go, but I gotta tell ya, I'm getting a bit tired of not being able to post replys. I too have suffered headaches but until I heard someone else say something I just thought it was me. I don't want to blow this up into something that it isnt when it just might be a coincidence but right now, I'm starting to feel it again.
Has anyone else had problems posting replies ? This is the first one that worked in almost an hour.
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
>>Back in the old days? Word Perfect? Gads, am I getting old or what! Word Perfect is a new kid on the block in my frame of reference. :)
Hey, I'm still using XyWrite!
Tim, it may be a small point, but one of the changes I would like to see implemented regards the "more messages" and "next discussion" buttons. When I'm scanning going through threads, I usually glance at the top message and see if I want to continue reading it. If not, I skip to the next thread. At present, the "next discussion" button is located only at the very bottom of the final screen of the thread, so I in effect have to manually scroll through the entire thread before I can get to the "next discussion" button. It would be nice to have another "next discussion" button located at the top of the thread as well, so we could more quickly skip threads we're not interested in (I realize it could also be done by clicking on the next message in the left side of the screen, but when trying to go through threads quickly, having the button in the same place each time becomes a matter of rote).
Just to be irritating!
Get yer smilies here ---
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Edited 3/24/02 1:14:54 AM ET by IanG
Well done. You've accomplished your goal.
Maybe you guys should all just get AOL.<g>
Ian, Great job with the smilies. Wait til Forest Girl sees that!.
TDF
Tim I think the forums are great and I voted that way too. And I would vote again if I could!
I think things are going to be really great real soon as everybody gets the hang of it all.
"None of
us is as smart as all of us."- Warren
Bennis
Tim,
When I sort the threads by "most important" or whatever the thumbs up one is called and then press "Go" I do not get it sorted that way. I think it comes up as if it were sorted at "all". Then if I press "Go" again it will sort correctly. I of course would like it to sort correctly the first time
Will
Edited 3/23/2002 2:17:47 PM ET by Will O'Brien
Will, where do you find a 'Sort' button?? Mike
PlaneWood by Mike_in_KatyPlaneWood
Mike,
By "sort" button I actually mean the combination of the the "Show Discussions" drop down box the the "Go" button.
Will
I appreciate the effort and thought that went into the new format, and am continually grateful that the Taunton Press-FWW makes this forum available for use....and at my favorite price!
However, like all things (especially computerized stuff), as more features are added, the basic elements become slower and more cumbersome to use. But this is the trade off I guess. Like all new things, it will take some time to become familiar with all the features, but I'm sure I will. Don't get discouraged if you get negative comments.....any kind of change is always met with reservation from most people. Thanks again for all your hard work!
Like the FWW magazine, I find the forum extremely useful and informative, so I am grateful it is here for my use, irrespective of the format.
thanks for asking.
There is a lot going on with the new layout, the result is that navigation is cumbersome. The number of discussion forum further compounds this, perhaps if you reduced the number of forums it could be easier to work with.
I'm finding that it's hard for me to get re-oriented when coming back to the forum. Takes me a while to figure out where I last was and what's new. For some reason, I find myself always clicking on 'All Messages'. To me, it just doesn't seem as intuitive as the previous software.
Not having the two systems side-by-side makes it difficult to really make a comparison. But I don't remember it being this difficult getting acclimated to the previous system. My mouse wanders around a lot trying to decide what to click on.
I think I'd rather have the 'Folder' names shown in a bar at the top of the screen. That way when I want to go to another folder I can just click on it. When I'm in General Discussions, I don't care to see the other folders.
And, I think I would rather have the messages sorted LIFO so I don't have to click on anything or scroll down to see the last message.
I think the reason I click on 'All Messages' is cause I have to first read the last few to remind myself of the gist of the discussion.
I think having two windows, one below the other, with the threads on top and the messages on the bottom might be more intuitive (maybe the other way around). Having a 'Show Threads' button opposite each discussion would let each user expand or contract the list as desired. The bottom window would show the messages in LIFO order or the user could click on 'Show Threads' in the other window and then click on a particular message to go directly to it in the bottom (or top) window.
????
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
PlaneWood
I found the old format unusually fast to read, and it was almost joyously easy to find specific threads of interest to me. The visual appearance, simplicity of getting around, and participation of a very useful group of individuals were unique strengths to me of the Taunton site. With the new format this site is now not very distinguishable from the others with its more research oriented navigation and resulting less conversational nature of discussions.
I'm not terribly computer literate, but it seems that now, if I ask a question and get 10 answers, I need to reply to each person individually or just ignore their responce which seems kind of rude. Before it was possible to give a general reply at the end of the discussion. I agree with some others that there is too much going on, too many tiny boxes to work in. It feels like we moved from a 30' x 40' shop to a Home Depot garden shed. I'm not adverse to change as long as it's for the better.
I quite like...... now that I finally managed to get in!
Kind Regards,
Ricky Briggs.
Nice on Ian, I like the smiley about to get clobbered with the mallet. :)
Wood Hoon
Tim,,
If this is progress, please cancell my FWW Subscription.
Never had any trouble getting into the forum before, now I need a___ ____ Secret Decoder Ring.
Go back to the way it was ASAP.
Bob
Hey Bob, you wouldn't happen to know witch cereal box that ring comes in would ya? This damn dress is killing me.
Oh Tim, ... Tim, Tim, Tim, ......... Tim:
the new forum, well, hmm. You know what grandma Merner said: "if you don't have anything nice ...."
Len
Testing: 1,2...13...just trying to see if I'm finally out of drag and able to post under my own name again. Besides, Sherryl wants her dress back.
I thought you looked pretty good in it actually Jon,----hunny, but I'd stand a lot closer to the razor next time you shave your legs and underarms. <g> Slainte, RJ.I used to be positively apathetic, but now I really couldn't care less.
Sgian!...Sure am glad I can finally hoist my personal Jolly Roger again and get back into the hunt here...Just wish I could figure out where the hell I am and how to get around in this place. Strike a match for me, would ya? If we can't shed some light on it, at least maybe we can burn it down.
I'd watch where you hoist that Jolly Roger of yours wearing the dress Jon. We kilt wearers know all about that, but we don't need to shave the legs at all.
It certainly is different in here to the old Taunton boards, but you do get used to it . It's kind of hard to keep track of who is replying to whom, or if it's a reply to all. I've got that reasonably sussed out though. I think I still prefer the old WebX format in lots of ways, but in the end it's the information exchanged that matters, and I understand Taunton and Prospero are still tweaking things.
Here's one wee lighted match. If you see a topic you are interested in the list on the left, right click on it, then hit the N key, or click on New Window in the box that opens up after right clicking. You get a new window to read that covers the whole screen, or at least a window that you can maximise instead of the wee boxeson the right. When finished, close the window. It seems to work to best advantage sometimes.
Anyway, I trust that with patience on our part, and the earlier mentioned tweaking, it'll get there. Slainte, RJ.I used to be positively apathetic, but now I really couldn't care less.
If the desire of Fine Woodworking it to keep people away from the fourms they have succeded. I can't belive it! It must have taken me 10 minutes to re-register. The software didn't like my member name no matter what I put up.
I don't like the way the subjects are listed on the left side of the page. So far everything I have encontered with the page set-up has been anti-intuitive. For a fourm like this to work it needs to be simple. I don't want to take a course on "How to work the Fine Woodworking fourm page". Not fun.
I think the Oak and Badger Pond nailed it. Hopefully things will be different the next time I come by. I have a hard time beliving the best magazine in history will stay with such a poor website fourm. It does not work.
Pat S.,
Yep, we were really hoping that no one would show up. But at least half of you seem to like the boards. Perhaps if we change the colors...
Pat, sorry you've been given such a hard deal. I feel for you. The content hasn't changed, the info is still the best. If you give it some time, I am hoping you'll feel at home after a while.
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Though not woodworking, I point to this forum as simple, and easy to use. It is also very fast because of it's simplicity.
http://www.kountrylife.com/forum/wwwboard1.html
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
PlaneWood
I can't tell if I am writing to Mr. Sams or responding the current discussion...Can't really orient myself with this new format...spend more time pulling down slid bars and hunting and pecking than reading content.
How do I like the new forum you ask???
Matthew,
You're back! Welcome back. Yep, we moved the furniture, made life as difficult as we possibly could because, well, we're evil.
New forum software has definitely thrown many for a loop. Spend some time with it though and you'll get the hang of it.
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Tim, I'd vote for a color change. Something about this color combo that gives me a headache. I'm not kidding. I've tried it on a standard monitor and an LCD monitor and I get the same results. On the LCD there is no refreshing going and your eyes are not constantly trying to adjust so I can rule that out as the culprit. The font is what I normally use for all my email, etc., and I stare at that all day without a problem. I really think it is the color combo.
Steve - in Northern California
If the doctor says you have Attention Deficit Disorder, do you pay attention to him?
Tim,
The people and information in this forum are superb. Since the content is the most important thing, and since woodworkers seem to like to share and help others out so much (thank Goodness, from my perspective!) they will not leave this forum. They will adapt. It's a pity this is necessary.
It is very difficult navigating around the new place. Good advice from the Dark Knife (Sgian) revealed a more easy way to read a thread (right clicking on a topic and then selecting "open a new window"). But that was cleverness and a knowledge of Windows on his part. While I hope many others will catch on to this, it wasn't intuitive from the site, nor easily found. Anyway, this only aided reading. One has to get there first.
That part has been very frustrating. I had to use the search function in order to find this discussion tonight. It didn't appear under my "General Discussion" topics visible on the right side of the screen. One doesn't even get in the searching game unless one knows it is there to search for first. My knowledge came from having seen it earlier today. Without that, would I have lost it completely?
There is so much going on, or at least an attempt to have it so. I think the so much adds up to less, not more. The split between the left and right screens contributes more to clutter than to ease. This format is popular in websites in Europe and the U.K., and I've always found it difficult. I feel as if my face is far to close to the book I'm reading. My instinct is to try and move my head back! No change. It is a little tireing. Anyway, I've always been amused at how Europe and the U.K. have been behind we Yanks in the internet world. With this new format, it seems we've jumped over to the wrong line.
FWW is peerless. The people here are terrific and you have done a great job (from what I can tell as an admitted relative newcomer) with keeping things cool, productive and in good humour. Fortunately, I think this will keep going because we all want it to, but it will be despite a now much more difficult format. I suspect the ink is well dry on the contracts signed in the process of change, and that we will all have to stay the course. In the main, I love the personalities here. The new format puts a layer of difficulty between us. I liked it simpler, but will stay.
Sincerest best wishes
Thanks for your post GregB.
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Since you asked...........I agree that the content is what counts, but the new format is causing me much grief. I also was locked out of my old screen name, but as best I can tell that is repaired. I know you have taken some hits for the changes, so I won't dwell on the negative. Hopefully this old dog can still learn new tricks, 'cause I really enjoy the folks here, and I would hate to be driven off for something as simple as a format change.
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