Replies

1. 
   EdHarrison | Dec 16, 2009 03:53pm | #1

   I'll keep an open mind for a
   I'll keep an open mind for a few days.

   However the dollars I have to spend on Taunton products are BETA dollars right now. That means that though they possess most of the functionality of actual dollars, they are not negotiable as legal tender, yet.

   Show me something first. then I'll consider a production release of actual dollars for any sort of Taunton publication product that this thing vectors me toward.

   Thanks, Gina.

1. 
   GEide | Dec 16, 2009 05:31pm | #9

   :)

2. 
   DanCC | Dec 16, 2009 03:58pm | #2

   1), Speed it up

   2) make it easier to sort/view by topic area. I still can not find how to view recent posts in "hand tools" arter missing with it for 10 mionutes.

   3)Mkae it easier to view brows a thread and get back to the topic area, and make it easer to go to the last post.

   Get better colors -- like like stock web blog stuff and is down right ulgy.

1. 
   GEide | Dec 16, 2009 05:34pm | #10

   Good suggestions.
   I'm
   Good suggestions.

   I'm tracking upgrade requests here:

   http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-woodworking-knots/general-discussion/upgrade-requests

   Updating the navigation and colors are top priorities.

   The speed thing is a bug, but hopefully it goes away. I'm tracking bugs here:

   http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-woodworking-knots/general-discussion/bug-tracking

3. 
   nazard | Dec 16, 2009 03:58pm | #3

   Hi Gina!

   It looks fresh and new. I'm going exploring....

   -Jerry

1. 
   Glaucon | Dec 16, 2009 04:38pm | #6

   Wow... CT, Breaktime and now Knots. A trifecta. Amazing that Taunton can make the same mistake three times in a row. They are well on their way to joining Compuserve.

4. 
   boilerbay | Dec 16, 2009 04:00pm | #4

   Gina, I don't think all data
   Gina, I don't think all data migrated. Two posts on Hand tools posted yesterday never made it. If you were going to have a cut off point, the members should have been told before shut down.

   Thanks

   BB

5. 
   boilerbay | Dec 16, 2009 04:33pm | #5

   Gina,

   Looks like I was wrong on the data aspect. I was just looking for the last three on my thread 'Sick Monkey " but I noticed that a lot of the threads have 0 replies, like the last 6 hours from the other site,never made it.

   BB

1. 
   mvflaim | Dec 16, 2009 04:42pm | #7

   This new layout is like being punched in the face by the girl who just dumped you.

2. 
   GEide | Dec 16, 2009 05:37pm | #11

   Good to hear that the data seems to be there.

   If you click on the "activity" tab of your profile you should be able to see all the posts you've made in the past. e.g. http://forums.finewoodworking.com/user/9900/activity

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 16, 2009 05:57pm | #13

   Gina, when I said the last three, I didn't mean I had found them, merely that in addition a lot of other known responses from just before shut down have also disappeared. Like the last 6 hours of the forum.

   BB

6. 
   Skilly | Dec 16, 2009 05:12pm | #8

   Way to go! You have fixed something that was never broken.

7. 
   Wingdoctor | Dec 16, 2009 05:51pm | #12

   First, I'm an old fart and
   First, I'm an old fart and the text color is hard to read. Black is the color that text is supposed to be, not blue or grey. Second, it is a lot slower than what I would expect. I'll poke around for a while, but not too long, as it is hard on my old eyes.

   Bruce

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 16, 2009 06:06pm | #14

   I agree on the text colors. Huge error. Gimmick for gimmick sake. Just like Breaktime and CT members are all screaming for, Black and white with Black line breaks between. I guess no one was really listening to Breaktime and Cook Talk when they said it, a week before this forum changed.

8. 
   AZMO | Dec 16, 2009 06:19pm | #15

   Gina

   1. Black for the color of the text

   2. Dark blue color for the side bars to match your blue under fine woodworking.

   3. Speed, hopefully that works out.

   4. HTML tags are a real step backwards

   5. Lack of fonts or my understanding of them is backwards

   6. I like message numbers, good organization

   7. I have to redo my tag line bike rider....into html....whine

   All for now, but font color is needed sooner than later.

   Morgan

   8.

9. 
   dgreen | Dec 16, 2009 07:35pm | #16

   Unusably slow. Hopefully that will improve. It's taking many minutes for each page to load.

   The text is very tiring to read due to the lack of contrast.

10. 
    AlanWS | Dec 16, 2009 07:36pm | #17

    I'll keep watching to see how
    I'll keep watching to see how things settle, but I'll wait to see if it speeds up first. At the speed it responds now, it would take too long to explore. Of course, I'm not sure how much of the slowness is the site, and how much might be attributed to other things.

11. 
    jjdeal | Dec 16, 2009 08:19pm | #18

    Jeez, you all need to get a grip. There is no issue or problem here. There is a new format to the site. Get used to it and over it. Done. I am tired of all the kvetching about this, that, and the other. Move on. Let's talk about woodworking. That's what we're really all here to discuss. If you don't like how the site works, then GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. We don't need you. Let's get centered.

1. 
   dgreen | Dec 16, 2009 08:38pm | #19

   Got news for you JJ, 5 minutes to load a page is a problem. Readability issues are also a problem for us older folks. They asked for input we are providing input.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 16, 2009 08:41pm | #20

   Don,

   Hmmmmmmmmm, it seems to be working for me - the speed thang anyway. Mebbe they put more squirrels in it?

   Regards,

1. 
   dgreen | Dec 16, 2009 08:53pm | #22

   Speed is improving for me too Bob. Up to where I can have a look around. :)

1. 
   MKenney | Dec 16, 2009 10:19pm | #30

   Dgreen,
   I'm not having
   Dgreen,

   I'm not having trouble with speed, but I have noticed that page loads have been getting faster since the new software went up earlier this afternoon. According to Gina, it should continue in that direction.

2. 
   boilerbay | Dec 17, 2009 07:57am | #34

   Bob, I think your much closer to the servers. Don and I are on the other end of the country - more mice chewin on the lines :)

   Seriously, I did wonder how you were doing with dial up as for us its 5 minutes, 503 errors and 20 to 90 seconds post and retrieval.

   John

2. 
   jjdeal | Dec 16, 2009 08:53pm | #23

   Well, speed is rarely a function of the server, but rather your service provider and your connection. My speeds are lightening fast. Let's not castigate Taunton for something out of their control. The speed issue is largely on OUR end, not theirs. I remain steadfast. Speed is largely relative. Prior to the internet, speed would have been measured in days or weeks, not minutes... good grief.

3. 
   jjdeal | Dec 16, 2009 08:55pm | #24

   Well, let's get over the
   Well, let's get over the "older folks" issue, too. I am likely as old as you are... Age has nothing to do with speed of the internet, or more exactly, your connection and service provider.

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 17, 2009 08:13am | #36

   JJ,

   True,speed is not a function of the individual server itself but it is a function of demand on the server and the extent of blades in the farm and the call division to the servers. As far as everyone appearing to have a problem with the speed now after the change, it would seem to be a legitamate item of concern for most as speed and "503" errors were not problem with connections and providers before the change. Coincidence is a word that comes to mind but the effect is almost non existent in reality.

4. 
   jjdeal | Dec 16, 2009 08:59pm | #26

   Well, got news for you, too. Speed is not a function of the server. Check out your connection and your service provider.

2. 
   DonStephan | Dec 16, 2009 08:48pm | #21

   Yes, we were all familiar with the old ways. But the old ways are gone. Please let's not keep beating the same dead T-rexes (too many horse lovers out there, even to use a cliche). I'm extremely grateful Taunton moved to a new forum rather than simply drop Knots altogether. After all, Knots is free to one and all. It's not a finished product, but then neither were my first several dovetail tries.

1. 
   jjdeal | Dec 16, 2009 08:57pm | #25

   This is EXACTLY the kind of spirit that is helpful here. Let's all move on. This is a wonderful service, and I, for one, derive considerable help and guidance via this site.

12. 
    wotnow | Dec 16, 2009 09:27pm | #27

    Hi Gina

    Just like the man who fell out of the 10th floor window. As he passed each floor he said "Well, so far so good".

    Will try it and see and see how it goes, mostly I think it's just getting used to it.

    wot

1. 
   dgreen | Dec 16, 2009 09:45pm | #29

   Nice beard!

1. 
   boilerbay | Dec 17, 2009 09:43am | #39

   Don, I notice a huge space between your copy and your signature line. Is this your input or do you think it is a default with the new format. If default, I would put that on my wish list to change to make scrolling faster. If it's yours, well that's cool.... just Don ;)

   BB

1. 
   dgreen | Dec 17, 2009 01:08pm | #41

   I haven't changed anything so
   I haven't changed anything so it must be the new forum doing it.

13. 
    Don01 | Dec 16, 2009 09:39pm | #28

    Looks good Gina.

    I think you may have to define beta - no don't bother no one will read it.

    I took some time to visit CT and BT and suspect some of the basic tweaks required will be quite universal. I am optimistic that these will be resolved in due course.

    Congratulations on a pretty smooth transition. I hope your bosses will grant your team some well deserved rest over the Christmas season.

    Good job to all of you who worked so hard on this!

    Regards,

    Don Burch

14. 
    Joe Sullivan | Dec 16, 2009 10:32pm | #31

    Gina:

    For me speed and function seem to be OK. However, the feel of the forum in terms of colors, fonts, definition between posts etc, feels clinical and impersonal. It won't keep me away, but it is not especially inviting, so I am likely to spend generally less time with it.

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Dec 16, 2009 11:28pm | #32

   Gina:

   I spoke too soon. After navigating around a bit more, I find that it IS slow to load and change -- hesitates a bit here and there when you scroll or jump. It is not my internet service for sure -- I have a fiber line with 15MBS down speeds.

   Joe

15. 
    flairwoodworks | Dec 17, 2009 01:24am | #33

    Know what? I don't mind this
    Know what? I don't mind this site nearly as much as I thought I would. Mabye all the negative hype set the bar really, really low and I'm liking it so far. It's nice to see everyone's faces...

1. 
   blewcrowe | Dec 17, 2009 08:05am | #35

   Well, my first post bombed and went into cyberspace.

   Anyhoo, I guess it's personal taste. As for myself, I dislike this format. The delphi format left you with all the options at all points on any thread: whereas this one kind of leaves you out in no-man's land and with lots of wasted white space and no place to navigate to.

   It's a proved given that if you complain you're going to be insulted. I've already filed my 2 cents on changes, so I'll leave it at that.

   I'll call this my first and last post in knots for a while. I'll check back in from time to time to see if those promised navigation improvements arrive.

16. 
    ASK | Dec 17, 2009 09:22am | #37

    Well with all this newness I still can't update my occupation to something which resembles what I do. Architect

    With regard to the rest of the new format, we'll see.

    Need to poke around a while.

    ASK

17. 
    ASK | Dec 17, 2009 09:31am | #38

    Gina,

    When adding a comment why can't we have the word POST as it used to be instead of save. On my first post I wasn't sure if I was saving it to some place where I could then post it or was posting it.

    ASK

18. 
    lwj2 | Dec 17, 2009 11:36am | #40

    Gina:

    As it comes up on my monitor, I'm seeing a sans-serif face that looks like Verdana in about 12 point.

    A number of users have complained (here, in BT and CT) about legibility, I've some suggestions:

    1) increase the column width by about 25%, go to 14 point type. Comfortable reading works out to a line about 75 - 80 characters wide.

    2) bias shows here, but I suggest changing your typeface to Georgia, a serif face designed to be read on a monitor. It's got a nice, generous character width and good colour.

    3) change your block tint -- if you have to have one -- to about 10 - 15% black instead of the yellowish one showing on my monitor.

    4) if y'all can do it, put a box rule around each post with about ten pixels separation betwixt posts. A dark blue box rule would be even better.

    5) change your CSS to go from fixed widths on your page code to percentage widths -- this will allow the proportions to stay the same for all readers, regardless of how large/small their monitors are or what they've set their resolution to be.

    6) while I'm ok with HTML, many readers aren't -- radio buttons for bold, italic, quote and color would help them.

    7) have your IT folks check their code, the page displays properly using IE, but does not display properly using Firefox. This may well hold for other browsers such as Opera and whatever the Mac users prefer. Whatever you're using is designed to work with IE and not other browsers. Bad choice of programme there. It can be fixed, but will require somebody digging into your code and fixing the html.

    Best of luck with the project, I'm looking forward to seeing the "final" version.

    Leon

    P.S.: Have the code person on your IT team check the changes on several different browsers to make sure your pages display properly in all of them. Also, make sure their monitors are calibrated to SMPTE standards; the target may be found at: http://bjr.birjournals.org/content/vol77/issue913/images/large/BJR30276-1.jpeg -- lwj