New look forum again?

brasso

As an IT professional, it staggers me that a change like this can be so poorly conceived, planned, implemented and communicated.

Unusually for me, I'm almost speechless with frustration. It's not only a dreadful theme but it seems to be rendered in a number of different ways in different sub-forums.

Gah!

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

When i sign in i'm back to the old format.Is this how it should be?:huh:

fermi

Yes. That is how it should be. Existing users should stay on the old version when signed in, unless you opt to switch to the new one in your settings.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

fermi wrote: »

Yes. That is how it should be. Existing users should stay on the old version when signed in, unless you opt to switch to the new one in your settings.

Thank god for that,the new format is so rubbish.

vm2pensioner

Even my security software doesn't like the new format. keeps warning of phishing url when I try to navigate to another page! Please reinstate the old forum display.

poppy10_2

Overall I think it looks much better than the old 90s design. But I don't understand why every web 2.0 redesign has to include swathes of bright whitespace. Seems to happen so many times. It's painful on the eyes for desktop users


Also, this is schoolboy-error stuff:

Losslessly compressing http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum/assets.png could save 1.1MiB (98% reduction).

Lily-Rose_3

Me no likey.

Far too BRIGHT and WHITE.

Please change it back!!!

ripplyuk

I'm using the old version on an iPad. It's still all pushed over to one side with just white space on the right. Is there any way to have it fill the screen again?

I'm also wondering if MSE are planning to at least improve the new look version, if they can't scrap it, given all the complaints about it? I would imagine most regular users will put up with it eventually to some extent, but it certainly won't help attract new users.

Mandelbrot

ripplyuk wrote: »

I'm also wondering if MSE are planning to at least improve the new look version, if they can't scrap it, given all the complaints about it?
I would imagine most regular users will put up with it eventually

I wouldn't think that likely at all.
Particularly not those that post a lot.
For them, a forum that is easy to use and is at least neutral in terms of visual impact will rate high on their list of 'requirements'.
(On certain boards, there is of course also the camaraderie of users you have interacted with for a long time.)

I'm not sure that MSE have got it into their heads about the BIG differences between the requirements for a main site and a forum, and between use of a forum for 5 minute stretches or 2 hour ones.

Differences between versions in the past have been generally minor compared to this latest change - from a user point of view.

This new version is more unpleasant to use, and its layout for many users is a physical problem, causing eyestrain and/or headaches.
They simply won't "put up with it".
They will stay with (or switch back to) the 'old' version.

In the world we live in today, there are very many 'refuges' where people can go instead. There are other sites doing a similar job to MSE. There are all those more 'social' ones.
Heck! There are tools out there which enable almost anyone to knock up their own forum , free of charge, with a layout that suits them rather than some big company out to turn a profit.

No. A lot of the regulars will leave because the new version (if that is all they have left here at some point in the future) will physically drive them away.
Then others will leave because those they interacted with have done so.
A slippery slope.

This forum will survive of course.
And it will still be a useful resource/archive in certain areas, and vibrant in a few others.
But, in my view, it will have taken a wrong step.

Goldiegirl

Mandelbrot makes some very good points.


I think MSE have either under-estimated, or aren't bothered about the social aspect of the forums.


There are many communities on various areas of the board, and people spend a lot of time on the forums, and want to use a format that they are comfortable with.


For the time being, as we can see the 'old style' once we log in, hopefully things will settle down.


But, I wouldn't be surprised that, over time, the 'old style' will stop being supported and we'll all have to migrate to the new style.


At that point, I'd cease being a forum regular. I can just about cope with the new style on my laptop, but on my iPad mini, I genuinely struggle to see the smaller writing, and 'pinching' the screen to make it bigger doesn't seem to work.