Forum Update

MonkeySaving?

Little forum = gay, stretchy forum = good

Karmacat

I'm staying with the fixed width for now, on firefox, and I'm making it fill more of the screen by pressing Control and Plus.

In these difficult times, the forum is more important than ever, but this is one more straw in the wind for me, even with the text filling more of the page, its just unpleasant - it didn't used to hurt my eyes to look at a forum page, something apart from the width has happened ... it is starting to smack of change for the sake of it. Sorry.

Sandhy

Thanks to that tip from the Mac user ~ for non-mac users hit Ctrl and +

I've also turned down the brightness on my own screen. I'm using a 14" Netbook.

I look like a newbie but I've been on MSE for nearly 6 years under a different user name and seen a few changes over the years...!

eslick

changed the page and the brightness but the new grey still isnt very good on the eyes

custardy

Sandhy wrote: »

Thanks to that tip from the Mac user ~ for non-mac users hit Ctrl and +

I've also turned down the brightness on my own screen. I'm using a 14" Netbook.

I look like a newbie but I've been on MSE for nearly 6 years under a different user name and seen a few changes over the years...!

scroll wheel works fine for this non mac user

Sandhy

Unless I've not been very observant to announcements but was this change was rather unexpected?

globetraveller

Thumbs up for adding the info on how to stetch the sceen at the top of the page.
I think most folks would get used to the screen once they are looking at specific threads. My (minor) observation though is that the main forums page scrolls down and down. I remember when I first came on that I found the amount of forums a bit bewildering. Now it looks even more formidable. However, time will tell as to whether it does make a difference to newbies.
I can appreciate just how much work has been going on behind the scenes so thanks to those who have to put the hours in!

weeowens

Since the MSE update/skin change today I have had a slight issue when clicking on threads.They now open in a new FF tab rather than remaining in the same tab.Anyone else experiencing this ?

Obviously_the_best

The fixed width is soooo annoying, posted quite a wide image file and I had to scroll the whole thread, the old look isn't the same as the old look either, so ended up using new stretchy, and Martin, the photo of you on the old masthead was far more flattering

orangesmartie

When I logged in I hated the new look. I really dislike fixed width forums, they are usually a make or break deal as to whether I continue using the forum.

However, I use the MSE forum like an encyclopedia and its not a resource I want to let go, so I thought I'd give it a chance.

After 20 minutes I have a horrendeous headache from the glare and I feel quite sick. I've found I'm leaning in towards the monitor to read threads because the fixed width gives the perception of being smaller and therefore more difficult to read (should add, I wear glasses, so its not my eyesight).

It was said earlier that the site colours haven't changed, so the team don't understand the complaints about glare. The reason is there is now more white space than previously to reflect back to users.

Also as someone who is colourblind, I find the top banner really jarring and the whole thing looks like someone threw the paint wheel at the wall.

I suggest the MSE webteam go and have a look at the thread on digitalspy when they made this exact change to their forums. I think it took about 4 hours before the forums were returned to a modicum of normality.

I appreciate the retention of the stretchy, less bright option. IMO, the stretchy bit works great, the less bright option doesn't and in order to use the forum, I'm had to turn down my monitor's brightness. There is still too much white space giving off a glare, which does not make reading on a screen easy. After posting this, I'm giving up. I am also concerned to note, along with previous posters, the rather ominious words that indicate the stretchy option will not remain.

problemcashback wrote: »

add a thread to the most read forums and you will soon see people complaining, only hit this one as I was scrolling down the page to see if there was any messages showing why you changed it. Bet most people on here have never been on this part of the forum before, dont think I havent in the same way never been to lots of the ones I dont think I need. Most of the users go to the pages they are used to and no more.

Agreed. I only got to this thread because I logged in and thought !!!!!!? And went looking for this type of thread (the handy link at the top helped). But had it not been for that, I would've had to look in every forum. I don't think I've ventured into this area of the forum without clicking through from a blog. Then, generally i click to the discussion, add my tuppence and go back to more familiar boards.

custardy wrote: »

I think your biggest issue is folks simply not knowing where to post
its a big forum with many sections. even as a long termer I struggle to sometimes find section I know exist.
could it be you need some sort of one size fits all noob forum, with mods/BGs having admin rights over that section to move as required?

I also agree with this. Perhaps a way of combating the bouncers is to have a welcome and introductions board, where there can be some sticky posts explaining how the forum works (thinking for people new to foruming), where good places to post are, what board guidea are and who they are in each section (I know they are on the bottom of each section, but if you're new, you don't know that) and also an introductions thread gives people a chance to post and get their feet wet without having to dive into their financial woes. Although it has to be considered that maybe the bouncers don't want to be on the forum?

I remember reading this forum for a long time, but I didn't register until 2005. I like to come on the board and read, if i can offer help/solutions/advice/chatter I will and I uspect its the same with a lot of people. Making changes that make the forum hard to read is going to drive away those regular readers/infrequent posters.