Welcome to the new Forum look – give us your feedback

MollyR

https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-force-your-browser-to-open-a-link-in-a-new-tab/

Swipe

MollyR said:

https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-force-your-browser-to-open-a-link-in-a-new-tab/

I know how to do it. I'm asking about having the option in settings or just making it the default setting just like most of the other forums I use do.

MSE_Stephen

Swipe said:

MollyR said:

https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-force-your-browser-to-open-a-link-in-a-new-tab/

I know how to do it. I'm asking about having the option in settings or just making it the default setting just like most of the other forums I use do.

Hi

There isn't an option for this or the ability for us to make it default. 

Even if there was an option for us to make it default, it might not be something we'd use unless there was a strong consensus from our members -

It's an older way of doing things to make new tab a default. Websites would want to keep you on their site as long as possible by keeping pages open and generating new tabs.

But today with mobile devices (depending on your browser) it can mean if you click on a link and change your mind, rather than a simple back-button, you have to go through several clicks to go through the tabs page. 

Opening in same tab puts the choice to the user to decide how to navigate.
Personally, on a desktop, I've always just middle-clicked every link.

MovingForwards

Is there any way of having the link to PMs in the quick link list? Or something a little more prominent to say we've received a message? I know about the bell however having to remember to click on profile to see if I've received something is causing delays in replying.

BooJewels

I just had a look on my phone @MovingForwards and I can see it doesn't show there, but I have an envelope icon on my desktop (top right corner of the page) which links to PMs and gets a red number when there is a new one.  You'd think that might be quite important to leave up there on all devices.  In fact, on my phone, there isn't even the bell - you have to click onto the profile to see it, but there is an envelop icon there too - is that how you're having to access it?

MovingForwards

@BooJewels the bell is in the profile part too. I'm having to access PMs via the envelope, which is accessed via clicking on my profile. On the previous forum the bell and envelope would both show at the bottom of the page. 

maman

While I'm sure MSE are trying to make the best of this new system, it involves far too much clicking and scrolling, far more than previously to achieve what was simple before.

 I find I just stick to 3 or 4 bookmarks and rarely explore further. That means I don't use the forum widely or, perhaps more importantly, don't look at the rest of the website at all. I consciously bypass the home page because of the irritating and pointless photographs of chickens and the like . So Martin's intention of sharing money saving tips is being limited by this clunky system. 

cymruchris

On a positive note, some of the biggest gripes have been addressed in terms of everyday use, however it feels like the number of new threads/responses etc. are way, way, way down on where they were at prior to the 'upgrade'.

I still don't think it's user friendly - with too many photos on the 'home page' - and it just putting it bluntly - no longer looks like a forum.

My underlying feeling is that most of the regulars have struggled on - but new visitors/low frequency posters are faced with a homepage full of photos and 'stories' and really don't know what they're doing, and after eventually finding somewhere to post, then can't find their way back.

Having pretty pictures is nice in the right circumstances - having curated bits and pieces isn't a bad idea - but if to actually find the forum boards you have to click here, click there - it really doesn't feel intuitive.

I might be in the minority - but it would be great if the first thing we saw when we clicked on 'forum home' was simply the forum boards first and foremost.

Then further down the page have the pretty pictures and curated stories. 

I'm fairly sure this will never happen, but it doesn't stop me from saying it....

J_B

cymruchris said:

I still don't think it's user friendly - with too many photos on the 'home page' - and it just putting it bluntly - no longer looks like a forum.

Maybe the fact that there are over 1100 comments on the 'welcome to the new forum' thread and only 30 on the 'homepage' thread indicates that either noody agrees with you .... or that nobody ever looks at the homepage!

cymruchris

J_B said:

cymruchris said:

I still don't think it's user friendly - with too many photos on the 'home page' - and it just putting it bluntly - no longer looks like a forum.

Maybe the fact that there are over 1100 comments on the 'welcome to the new forum' thread and only 30 on the 'homepage' thread indicates that either noody agrees with you .... or that nobody ever looks at the homepage!

I think many reach the homepage - wonder where they are - wonder why there isn't a forum - then wander off without ever posting.... (But it's ok - as they've seen the pretty pictures)

(And to add - I could be wrong - and if I am I'll hold my hands up - but at the moment - I don't think I'm far wrong)