The forum new look? (2006 LEGACY THREAD) - Page 3

Skybird · 05-29-06, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

I'm getting used ot it now, but examples are quote buttons at the bottom of the page vs the top, etc.

you have a 7500 character post limit now.

Autsch, that seriously hurts!!!

SUBMAN1 · 05-29-06, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Autsch, that seriously hurts!!!

Hahaha! Sorry! But it is a serious limitation for any detailed discussion around here. The old board never had such a limitation.

-S

Bort · 05-29-06, 09:11 PM

I dunno, I like the old one more, this one just seems more...busy. More cluttered, I don't mind this layout, but I liked the old one more.

Gizzmoe · 05-29-06, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

I successfully scanned with a-suqared and adaware and spybot and had seven hits

What did they report? Tracking cookies?

XabbaRus · 05-30-06, 03:46 AM

It looks a bit cluttered when you come to the main page. Too many columns.

I preffered the Post Status Animation/Post Name/Post Starter/Last reply format.

I feel like I get info overload looking at it.

Linton · 05-30-06, 04:06 AM

Why does Subcommand become a sub thread of Dangerous waters?Why not call that section something else or move SC down into the area for other games?Also why does a symbol of a page appear above everybodys postings that says default when you put the mouse arrow over it?

Skybird · 05-30-06, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

What did they report? Tracking cookies?

Don't ask me afterwards. Think I had cookies, but also some other stuff after cklicking on some links within texts (maybe from those attached websites).

I definetly do not like to run IE in medium mode, whereas maximum settings so far always has saved me from any annoyances.

At least I can passively scan the forum with max setting. Need to make it a rule to switch to medium only when writing a post, and not longer.

Before I switched to medium only once or twice a month

Konovalov · 05-30-06, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

It looks a bit cluttered when you come to the main page. Too many columns.

I preffered the Post Status Animation/Post Name/Post Starter/Last reply format.

I feel like I get info overload looking at it.

Similar feeling here but I guess given some time I'll adjust to it. A change is as good as a holiday.

scandium · 05-30-06, 07:29 AM

I'm starting to come around a bit on this new look as I use the forum a bit more. It still has a certain weirdness to it (the 7,500 character limit, my nested quotes I post not displaying, etc) but I'm noticing some small details about it now that I do like and which weren't present in the old forum software... plus there is the new chess forum bonus

Gizzmoe · 05-30-06, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scandium

It still has a certain weirdness to it (the 7,500 character limit, my nested quotes I post not displaying, etc)

vBulletin doesn´t support nested quotes by default, one actually has to remove parts of the php code to make it work...

Subsim Monitor · 05-30-06, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scandium

I'm starting to come around a bit on this new look as I use the forum a bit more. It still has a certain weirdness to it (the 7,500 character limit, my nested quotes I post not displaying, etc) but I'm noticing some small details about it now that I do like and which weren't present in the old forum software... plus there is the new chess forum bonus

Character limit doubled to 15,000

Subsim Monitor · 05-30-06, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

It looks a bit cluttered when you come to the main page. Too many columns.

I preffered the Post Status Animation/Post Name/Post Starter/Last reply format.

I feel like I get info overload looking at it.

Think of it as going from an S-boat to a Virginia class. You'll have to requal.

Skybird · 05-30-06, 08:16 AM

Came around the forum for longer now, and feel that my final opinion has formed up.

Don't like the length-limit of postings.

Don't like needing to soften up IE settings to be able to format text.

I find the visual layout, especially what has been called "information overload" by someone, not fully convincing. Too much little gimmicks to fiddle around with. I prefer a limited number of big knobs to slam my fist on. Mayn details that are visible know - I do not find myself in need for. Gives it all a "nervous", "fragile" look.

I found the possebility to paste-and-copy text from other websites someohow limited. sometimes the "extract"-function was not available. Formatting of such text (a table I wanted to copy in the chess-thread) was difficult, I needed several attempts to make that table NOT appear in one flowing textline.

But I like the sub-forum-feature.

The old forum had a quality that I would describe as "compactness of ergonomy".

My vote is somewhere between "I don't know" and "No", which translates into "not really convinced of the need to change it". Sorry.

Subsim Monitor · 05-30-06, 08:42 AM

Don't like the length-limit of postings. Of course, for security there has to be some limit, or we could get spammed to the point of overloading the server. I've doubled the limit, now 15,000 characters, if anyone routinely finds the new limit to be a problem, let me know. Not many people can compose SIX pages of text for discussion. If one is wanting to copy a lengthy text from the web, just add part and include a link to it.

Don't like needing to soften up IE settings to be able to format text. Nothing I can do about that, just go with no formatting. The old forum had limited formatting functions, stick with that.

I find the visual layout, especially what has been called "information overload" by someone, not fully convincing. Too much little gimmicks to fiddle around with. I prefer a limited number of big knobs to slam my fist on. Many details that are visible know - I do not find myself in need for. Gives it all a "nervous", "fragile" look. Yeah, I always had the same impression of vB and invision forums, packed with more extras than I wanted or needed. Some people here told me they liked the extra stuff, some don't.

The old forum had a quality that I would describe as "compactness of ergonomy". Aye, and that would be my preference. I still miss the clean and simple look of the old Subsim forums. http://www.subsim.com/phpBB_2002/index.php Now that I think of it, some people felt the new phpBB forums were too fancy

My vote is somewhere between "I don't know" and "No", which translates into "not really convinced of the need to change it". Sorry.

No need to be sorry, but the change was strictly for performance reasons. I would not have spent the $$ and the time just for the thrill of changing. I spent several weeks checking and comparing forum software for something that had a working search, something that was secure (which phpBB is definitely not), something that had decent support (phpBB even worse in this department), and something that could would not draw huge demands on the server. This website has been funded mainly through Horsa, Hitman, Seeadler, Floater, McBeck and the Pacific Aces mod team, a little through ads and donations. The PA mod downloads have been declining for a year and the surplus from the first few months is gone. Therefore, it's not feasible to add a new server to handle the forums, apart from downloads server, and domains server. With the recent server issues I felt the next best option was to go with a commercial forum package. I'm not complaining about people having reservations with the vB software, some of the points you've made I agree with. A lot of this will be getting used to the new look and functions. But I think it had to be done. vBulletin is considered the industry leader in forum software, the best, and despite my normal inclination to be lazy and wish the server issue would go away, I decided to roll up my sleeves and do the work, pay for the best software, and try to get it as close in look and feel as the phpBB. I am open to more comments, suggestions, and complaints, because after all, this forum exists for you guys. Thanks for your patience and support.

Neal
your faithful web servant

Abraham · 05-30-06, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Yeah, too many icons for my taste, would like to trim them down to essential but that would probably break something.

About SUBSIM.COM - We began as a bunch of kids, sleeping in an old abandoned beach house, eating sard

I was just wondering what Neal & John were eating in that deserted beach house...

View Poll Results: Do you like the new look?
Yes	65	65.66%
No	25	25.25%
Don't Know	9	9.09%
Voters: 99. You may not vote on this poll

05-29-06, 09:11 PM	#33
Bort Grey Wolf Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Studying in Atlanta Posts: 919 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	I dunno, I like the old one more, this one just seems more...busy. More cluttered, I don't mind this layout, but I liked the old one more. __________________ GT Aerospace

05-30-06, 03:46 AM	#35
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	It looks a bit cluttered when you come to the main page. Too many columns. I preffered the Post Status Animation/Post Name/Post Starter/Last reply format. I feel like I get info overload looking at it. __________________

05-30-06, 04:06 AM	#36
Linton Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,898 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Why does Subcommand become a sub thread of Dangerous waters?Why not call that section something else or move SC down into the area for other games?Also why does a symbol of a page appear above everybodys postings that says default when you put the mouse arrow over it? __________________ http://lintonsview.blogspot.com/ Last edited by Linton; 05-30-06 at 04:40 AM.

05-30-06, 08:16 AM	#43
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,615 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Came around the forum for longer now, and feel that my final opinion has formed up. Don't like the length-limit of postings. Don't like needing to soften up IE settings to be able to format text. I find the visual layout, especially what has been called "information overload" by someone, not fully convincing. Too much little gimmicks to fiddle around with. I prefer a limited number of big knobs to slam my fist on. Mayn details that are visible know - I do not find myself in need for. Gives it all a "nervous", "fragile" look. I found the possebility to paste-and-copy text from other websites someohow limited. sometimes the "extract"-function was not available. Formatting of such text (a table I wanted to copy in the chess-thread) was difficult, I needed several attempts to make that table NOT appear in one flowing textline. But I like the sub-forum-feature. The old forum had a quality that I would describe as "compactness of ergonomy". My vote is somewhere between "I don't know" and "No", which translates into "not really convinced of the need to change it". Sorry. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-30-06, 07:29 AM	#39
scandium Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,098 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm starting to come around a bit on this new look as I use the forum a bit more. It still has a certain weirdness to it (the 7,500 character limit, my nested quotes I post not displaying, etc) but I'm noticing some small details about it now that I do like and which weren't present in the old forum software... plus there is the new chess forum bonus

05-30-06, 08:42 AM	#44
Subsim Monitor System Monitor Bot Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,502 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 3	Don't like the length-limit of postings. Of course, for security there has to be some limit, or we could get spammed to the point of overloading the server. I've doubled the limit, now 15,000 characters, if anyone routinely finds the new limit to be a problem, let me know. Not many people can compose SIX pages of text for discussion. If one is wanting to copy a lengthy text from the web, just add part and include a link to it. Don't like needing to soften up IE settings to be able to format text. Nothing I can do about that, just go with no formatting. The old forum had limited formatting functions, stick with that. I find the visual layout, especially what has been called "information overload" by someone, not fully convincing. Too much little gimmicks to fiddle around with. I prefer a limited number of big knobs to slam my fist on. Many details that are visible know - I do not find myself in need for. Gives it all a "nervous", "fragile" look. Yeah, I always had the same impression of vB and invision forums, packed with more extras than I wanted or needed. Some people here told me they liked the extra stuff, some don't. The old forum had a quality that I would describe as "compactness of ergonomy". Aye, and that would be my preference. I still miss the clean and simple look of the old Subsim forums. http://www.subsim.com/phpBB_2002/index.php Now that I think of it, some people felt the new phpBB forums were too fancy My vote is somewhere between "I don't know" and "No", which translates into "not really convinced of the need to change it". Sorry. No need to be sorry, but the change was strictly for performance reasons. I would not have spent the $$ and the time just for the thrill of changing. I spent several weeks checking and comparing forum software for something that had a working search, something that was secure (which phpBB is definitely not), something that had decent support (phpBB even worse in this department), and something that could would not draw huge demands on the server. This website has been funded mainly through Horsa, Hitman, Seeadler, Floater, McBeck and the Pacific Aces mod team, a little through ads and donations. The PA mod downloads have been declining for a year and the surplus from the first few months is gone. Therefore, it's not feasible to add a new server to handle the forums, apart from downloads server, and domains server. With the recent server issues I felt the next best option was to go with a commercial forum package. I'm not complaining about people having reservations with the vB software, some of the points you've made I agree with. A lot of this will be getting used to the new look and functions. But I think it had to be done. vBulletin is considered the industry leader in forum software, the best, and despite my normal inclination to be lazy and wish the server issue would go away, I decided to roll up my sleeves and do the work, pay for the best software, and try to get it as close in look and feel as the phpBB. I am open to more comments, suggestions, and complaints, because after all, this forum exists for you guys. Thanks for your patience and support. Neal your faithful web servant