Forum Update

MSE_Martin

mo786uk wrote: »

More support for full width here - good that you kept it

Can you not make the 2 boxes collapsable - the IMPORTANT This is an open forum' and 'How to contact us' - ocne you have seen them not sure they need to be there wasting space.

the enw masthead is too big - why not just have a button to take you back to the mai nsite - but can live with it if you got rid of the 2 boxes

This is ONLY a masthead change for now - as noted above we are looking at a full redesign of the forum. All that is far too big you are right, but that's a different job. Its next step

Fifer

MSE_Martin wrote: »

The fixed width is set at standard web dimensions - you'll find almost all big editorial sites and many forum / social networking sites are fixed width too.

This isn't an MSE on its own - actually we've been in the minority a long time.

I accept some won't like it. I would ask you to try it. Yet if you hate it choose the stretchy option. We can't say fairer than allowing you to choose.

I'm a reasonably experienced and frequent web user and maybe I'm missing something, but I can't think of any sites I use where the primary information only uses 7 inches of a 23 inch wide screen. Can you think of any examples of similarly narrow-gauge sites?

ETA: In fairness to Martin, the Guardian site is similar. It could be that it works for dense info like news stories, but not so well on forums where there is a lot of wasted space in messages anyway?

aliasojo

As Martin says, there are other forums that also use fixed width similar to this. I personally find them not as easy on the eye, so don't use them.

I will also be using the 'stretchy' version, I hope this option doesn't disappear in time to come.

I wish you had gathered opinion about this particular option rather than asking about your pic. The forum width affects us fundamentally as users whereas your pic is really just a triviality that affects no-one.

Modern monitors are large, the only monitor that this would look acceptable on are 15" jobs.

MSE_Martin

Hi guys

Im done with the fixed v stretchy decision. We think its great and are sticking with it. Yet we've provided an option for those who don't like it - so its the best of both worlds.

Im not going to sit here and rebut - if you don't like it - use the stretchy version - that's why we did it!

cleggie

Well, i for one, like it!

And lets face it, we still get a great (and free) service from this website, so i reckon we should at least try the new width for a while before complaining!!

tru

I've seen a few changes here, not been keen but have left it, thinking I'd get used to them and I have. But I know I won't grow to like this one. I've changed it using the instructions in the first post.

Not sure why people are moaning? If you don't like it, there's other options.

MSE_Martin

aliasojo wrote: »

I wish you had gathered opinion about this particular option rather than asking about your pic. The forum width affects us fundamentally as users whereas your pic is really just a triviality that affects no-one.
.

We didnt gather opinion - we gave a choice!

eslick

well have to say that I probably wont visit the new forum as much now, as someone who hasnt the best eye sight, the size of the page is terrible and the white background is far to bright, change can be good but this is just to small and to bright for me

ok figured out you can go back to the oldish settings however the background is still very bright, hopefully someone can say how to change that.

arcon5

Most forums i've ever used use 100% width (sorry Martin).

I've changed mine already. I think it will be particularly awful reading long posts. But each to their own I guess.
I do though think you should monitor the percentage of people that stay with the fixed width versus changes to the 100% width, if most people seem okay with the fixed width we will all hold our hands up and say sorry for disagreeing


Other than the width issue, the new head looks fantastic Martin! So good work there.

DVardysShadow

Fifer wrote: »

I'm a reasonably experienced and frequent web user and maybe I'm missing something, but I can't think of any sites I use where the primary information only uses 7 inches of a 23 inch wide screen. Can you think of any examples of similarly narrow-gauge sites?

http://www.festiniograilway.org.uk/
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/

You are on to something. This is now a narrow gauge site.