New Forum VERSION.

[Spudnik]

At some point, the forum software MAY be updated to the version used on one our other foums:

Contractor Forum

Im sure Dan is already planning on using it anyways as it is more stable, but let us know what you think.

Ta!

 

[Phil]

seems ok i have had a good look around it, the one thing i would say though it has a 30 second pause in between being able to post . but i realise thats probably there to stop the spammers though.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I prefer the layout of this forum, however I can appreciate the need to change and so will adapt when necessary.

 

[Guest123]

Prefer this one.

 

[Spudnik]

Prefer this one.

Bit like me and my bricks then

 

[High Tower]

Got to admit i really quite like this one! think never a truer word said than the "if it aint broke" addage, nowt wrong with the new one but i think this one is better on the eye

 

[Sintra]

Also have to admit i prefer this version.

 

[Guest123]

I think the CF is a tad slower than this one TBH.

 

[Admin]

Thanks for all your input guys. Keep the votes coming.

Just a couple of things to add to help assure you with the change though.

I know this place isn't broke, and I too take the view that if there's nothing to fix, then why bother?

But this software version we're using is out of date. It's features and advantages to keep ahead of the game are getting more and more limited now the developers (and thinkers of the add-ons that keep us popular) aren't furthering their own work on old model forums.

Whilst you'll still see loads of forums around running the older software (and even the new has been out 8 months now, never wanted to make the change before now due to testing it out fully)I just don't want to risk loosing the status we have with our few popular forums.

The small differences can be altered back into the newer version quite easily. So menu locations, logo's, general features you currently use, that sort of thing. However much has been added to the newer version to allow members tomuch more easily add dates to the calendar which is much more understandable, create and use social groups (which can cut down on forum categories which makes it easier for newer members, and even unregistered readers [our biggest users of our forum may I add?] to use). I see we have no used social groups here, nobody has ever added a single date to the calendar in 4 years, and I hope that using the FULL capability of the newer software will really help us as a forum grow closer together and become more useful to newer guys.

Now the main reason I want to change, is down to the fact that new members that have limited computer skills just can't use this forum version type well. I don't want to quote actual figures but more than a dozen per week I'm helping via email to even register properly, let alone the PM's on a weekly basis across all forums regarding "I can post a reply, I've worked that out, now how to I post a new thread?" - one latest member had 22 posts that asked me that. Imagine the discussion that member could have caused if he'd have been able to post a new thread much sooner, like, say, the very first time he logged in after registering, it was obvious how to both reply and post a new thread.

We have a large number of new registered accounts, the forum is rigged to attract that, but once they've registered on this version, it's hard to get them to be regular members.

I know you all prefer this version. And the forum how it stands now.

But I'm the guy that has to take the risk on the move. And I assure you for the last 18 months (we knew what the software could do whilst in development - 8 months since we've used and tested it personally though) I've done nothing but hope this can help make our forums work BETTER. And I really beleive now's the time.

I've given much thought into the transfer over. And having a few forums, I knew the really high risk of annoying the regular members.

But just this once, if you could just trust me, this is what I do, I'd really appreciate it.

And if there is a feature you know you don't like about the new software, the earlier you tell me, the sooner it will be rectified before the change, so it's ready for when this forum is transfered over, the day it's transfered. Sort of the reason I wanted you guys to get used to the new software now, so I know what I need to work on first.

The be all and end all of it is this though. I rate we could even double the regular members with our current member count (so, not counting all newer members) but I also think we could double the amount of newer members also. Sticking to that sort of model over 12 months could really bring in some impressive figures across the whole forum.

Work with me and I'll make sure I upset the least amount of people possible. (I can't guarantee everybody though now we're in such high member figures! - Sorry - it's just not possible).

Hope you understand that guys. Please give me the chance to make myself clear by asking any questions if anything isn't too clear though.


And... on a side note. If you can email me on dan [at] untoldmedia.com with anything that we currently have here that isn't on the newer software version rather than replying to this thread with a big list that takes me ages to collate if this thread gets big, that would speed things up. - I guess we'll see who reads long posts right to the end now though. :lol:

 

[Spudnik]

I think that must be the longest post in the forums history

 

[Guest123]

We all have faith in you mate, you have the best interests of the forums at heart, no doubt.

 

[High Tower]

Thanks for all your input guys. Keep the votes coming.

Just a couple of things to add to help assure you with the change though.

I know this place isn't broke, and I too take the view that if there's nothing to fix, then why bother?

But this software version we're using is out of date. It's features and advantages to keep ahead of the game are getting more and more limited now the developers (and thinkers of the add-ons that keep us popular) aren't furthering their own work on old model forums.

Whilst you'll still see loads of forums around running the older software (and even the new has been out 8 months now, never wanted to make the change before now due to testing it out fully)I just don't want to risk loosing the status we have with our few popular forums.

The small differences can be altered back into the newer version quite easily. So menu locations, logo's, general features you currently use, that sort of thing. However much has been added to the newer version to allow members tomuch more easily add dates to the calendar which is much more understandable, create and use social groups (which can cut down on forum categories which makes it easier for newer members, and even unregistered readers [our biggest users of our forum may I add?] to use). I see we have no used social groups here, nobody has ever added a single date to the calendar in 4 years, and I hope that using the FULL capability of the newer software will really help us as a forum grow closer together and become more useful to newer guys.

Now the main reason I want to change, is down to the fact that new members that have limited computer skills just can't use this forum version type well. I don't want to quote actual figures but more than a dozen per week I'm helping via email to even register properly, let alone the PM's on a weekly basis across all forums regarding "I can post a reply, I've worked that out, now how to I post a new thread?" - one latest member had 22 posts that asked me that. Imagine the discussion that member could have caused if he'd have been able to post a new thread much sooner, like, say, the very first time he logged in after registering, it was obvious how to both reply and post a new thread.

We have a large number of new registered accounts, the forum is rigged to attract that, but once they've registered on this version, it's hard to get them to be regular members.

I know you all prefer this version. And the forum how it stands now.

But I'm the guy that has to take the risk on the move. And I assure you for the last 18 months (we knew what the software could do whilst in development - 8 months since we've used and tested it personally though) I've done nothing but hope this can help make our forums work BETTER. And I really beleive now's the time.

I've given much thought into the transfer over. And having a few forums, I knew the really high risk of annoying the regular members.

But just this once, if you could just trust me, this is what I do, I'd really appreciate it.

And if there is a feature you know you don't like about the new software, the earlier you tell me, the sooner it will be rectified before the change, so it's ready for when this forum is transfered over, the day it's transfered. Sort of the reason I wanted you guys to get used to the new software now, so I know what I need to work on first.

The be all and end all of it is this though. I rate we could even double the regular members with our current member count (so, not counting all newer members) but I also think we could double the amount of newer members also. Sticking to that sort of model over 12 months could really bring in some impressive figures across the whole forum.

Work with me and I'll make sure I upset the least amount of people possible. (I can't guarantee everybody though now we're in such high member figures! - Sorry - it's just not possible).

Hope you understand that guys. Please give me the chance to make myself clear by asking any questions if anything isn't too clear though.


And... on a side note. If you can email me on dan [at] untoldmedia.com with anything that we currently have here that isn't on the newer software version rather than replying to this thread with a big list that takes me ages to collate if this thread gets big, that would speed things up. - I guess we'll see who reads long posts right to the end now though. :lol:

Cant be any more open and honnest and fair than that

 

[Admin]

I hate being a conversation / thread killer!

:lol:

Sorry! *blushes*

 

[Des 56]

Forum layout

I just had a look at the contractors forum which is going to replace this existing layout

I have seen this layout on other sites that I dont use, and find them lacking in what I can only describe as a" feel good factor"

I have enjoyed using this forum and hope that it remains largely unaltered,it suits me as is, and I dont look forward to what may be "perhaps" the necessary changes

It seems to be the No1 electricians site in its current layout, and being old school,I tend to lean towards,if it aint broke,dont fix it,

Any thoughts on this opinion ?

 

[a12jpm]

Re: Forum layout

Agree.

 

[Guest123]

Threads Merged.

 

[Admin]

I can only apologise in advance for those that don't like the new style, unfortunately for you, this has to happen so it is going to.

I totally understand the "if it aint broke dont fix it" rule. And it's one I stick to, I have to say. But the only reason we're the number one forum is the fact that we stayed ahead of the game, there's always been other forums about and we always need to make sure we're working towards the better things.

I like the old style from a user point of view as I'm used to it. Though let it be known that it took me a year to get used to an old forum I was on before I made my own first one all them years ago (which was in 1996!). Though I got used to the new one within a few hours, even at administration level.

And I always refer to the main reason I want to make the change member-wise. Many new member just take ages getting used to this software. I'd have to change just as much manually to this forum to make it much easier to use (such as more obvious "New Thread" buttons and so on) than simply upgrading the place.

I deal with umpteen emails asking how to register. And 'can you send me a password please?' when they've hit the 'send email' button to us from the actual Lost Password page which emails your password to you if you stick in your email address and hit go. It's actually more labour intensive to send an email, yet they seem to be able to do that easier!

And I deal with even more PM's from people saying "I've replied to posts, but I can't find how to ask a new one" - The reason for that is the Quick Reply box is very obvious - yet the "Post New Thread" button is in the forum category and not in threads - yet the whole forum in this version is geared towards NOT browsing through forum categories and simply hitting search buttons or 'new posts' (or Today's Posts for those that got used to that before we changed it).

Though the new forum software has those features. It's more obvious that when you're in a thread, that the thread is actually contained within a category. And people DO click back and find the even more obvious than normal "New Thread" button. Which even changes colour when you mouse goes over it!

You've even said yourself that you've been on forums making the change. Imagine if we were the last and it was us that started to have the minor style and people couldn't work our forum even more?!

A good forum isn't online for a few years, it's online for life. And it needs to keep in the game, if not be ahead of it. It's time guys, it's been on the cards for years! And it's been tested, we've got all the mods and extra we need created in the new version, and we've already done 50% of our forums in total, 75% of our construction ones. Only three more to go!

I hope you all stay with us, but I know we will have many more threads and posts to read for those that will stick with us, so it's a good thing for the future of the forum in general.

--- I also notice that the votes two weeks ago, 1:8 in favour of keeping the forum as it is, is now 8:9, nearly equal.

Let's see the poll in a month "do you NOW prefer the new design?" lol

 

[Phil]

the first thing i did notice for the new forum version is, double the space in the inbox, we currently have 50 max on here and 100 in the new version which is great. i have had pm`s and calls from people asking how to start a new thread etc, i know it`s not rocket science but it does show that people do struggle with it and anything that can make it more user friendly has got to be good. i also like the "new forum post" section on the right hand side as well. it does have a nice feel to it and we will be keeping all of our posts when it gets moved over so it`s all good. is there any chance we could have say a "learning zone" where all the info and posts from such as lenny and amber so they are all in one place. like our own on site guide and regs maybe free up some of the top of the pages on stickys. looking forward to seeing it in action. can`t imagine how much work is going into the change over.

 

[Sintra]

Gotta admit that i am starting to appreciate the new version more after using it for the last few weeks. It's definately growing on me and i'm sure after the initial changeover period and members getting accustomed with the layouts etc it will in the long run be an improvement for us all.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

gotta admit that i am starting to appreciate the new version more after using it for the last few weeks. It's definately growing on me and i'm sure after the initial changeover period and members getting accustomed with the layouts etc it will in the long run be an improvement for us all.

+1

 

[Admin]

the first thing i did notice for the new forum version is, double the space in the inbox, we currently have 50 max on here and 100 in the new version which is great. i have had pm`s and calls from people asking how to start a new thread etc, i know it`s not rocket science but it does show that people do struggle with it and anything that can make it more user friendly has got to be good. i also like the "new forum post" section on the right hand side as well. it does have a nice feel to it and we will be keeping all of our posts when it gets moved over so it`s all good. is there any chance we could have say a "learning zone" where all the info and posts from such as lenny and amber so they are all in one place. like our own on site guide and regs maybe free up some of the top of the pages on stickys. looking forward to seeing it in action. can`t imagine how much work is going into the change over.

Phil,

you now have a 2000 PM limit mate.

that's a figure I can change on any forum for any usergroup. It just gets a bit mental when you have high PM storage though as you'll end up needing to erase them all in the future, page by page. So try to keep on top of them and erase any old ones periodically so it's not such a chore in the future.

Me and Dave have a 4,000 limit on tilersforums and I keep getting messages saying I'm 93% full and need to clear it up. I clear it up and within a couple of months I'm doing it again!

 

[martysparky]

I'm sure as with any change that isn't to extreme, of course, the initial change can be a little frustrating but after a week or maybe two it will be no bother because it has at that point become normal.