Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Thanks Ellis
Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario
>When I looked at this format in it's pre launch form I did not experience much of the concerns we see others expressing. Gaining the unvarnished feeback is like back lighting, just becasue I see it in one light as it is, with that added clariety from all it becomes clear that it is not as functional to all in each light.
I commend you Ellis for putting it out there for us all to try out.
Take care,
Jim
I agree entirely with all these points
Bill Tindall, E.TN
>Can anyone say the pages are not more cluttered, the flashing ads not distracting, or the Google ads not irrelevant or even annoying ?
It seems others have found ways to navigate that are perhaps as fast and easy but for me for now the Forum is harder and slower to read which will translate that I will visit less often.
My happiness factor would improve greatly if the flashing would cease.
many suggestions have been offered, see Pam
Bill Tindall, E.TN
>
Re: Cooliris *LINK*
Denny
>Bill, this will only work if you use Firefox browser:
Using Firefox, go to
http://www.cooliris.com/site/firefox/
Click the download button.
Click "install" when Firefox prompts you.
Exit your Firefox browser completely.
Cooliris Previews will be ready the next time you open Firefox.
When you mouse over a link, a small magnifying glass will pop up. Rest on (or click) the magnifying glass and a new smaller window will pop up with the target page. In that page, you can click on more links. It's like a temporary web browser that closes when you mouse away from the window.
Two things I found helpful:
Resize the popup window to something useful and Cooliris will remember the preferred size.
In a cooliris window, go to options and change the settings so the windows will only open if you click on the magnifying glass, not mouse over the magnifying glass (the mouseover setting can be annoying).
I found it took a little time to get used to, but I really like it.
Denny
cooliris
Re: I agree entirely with all these points
Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native, Presently Away
>Can anyone say the pages are not more cluttered, the flashing ads not distracting, or the Google ads not irrelevant or even annoying?
No flashing here, and no problems with Google ads. As for the page being cluttered, I'd have to disagree with that as well. The ads to the left are not visually distracting to me. I have an idea that it's the flashing stuff that is the most bothersome as I myself cannot flashing ads or stuff that keeps popping up.
I am using FireFox as my browser and have been for the past 6 months, and I am in Windows XP, am also using some type of high speed connection, not dial up.
All systems are working fine for me.
T.O.
Re: But I didn't have a problem with the frames...
VinceG
>Well, I don't post here often, but I visit frequently, and I post to numerous other boards, and I just can't say that the new format is an improvement. Honestly, it feels as though we've gone back in time a few years. I appreciate that time and effort and thought went into the new format, but if we're voting, I'd vote to return to the old format or try another format.
As I say, however, I'm not a frequent contributor here, and I certainly don't expect my voice to carry the same weight as those who post daily.
Re: Would that it had been so easy...
Marv
>Hi Elis,
Perhaps if the ads didn't include flashing, the loading would be faster? Some of the ads are like little videos. Those always take longer to load and are annoying for sure.
It is so easy to criticize when we don't have to contend directly with making changes or corrections.
What if we all imagine that we are just now for the first time logging into WoodCentral? If we were, it's doubtful that we would be complaining about ads and speed.
Constructive criticism is always a good thing. It appears that most are keeping it on that level.
I'm going to continue to complain about the price of a barrel of crude though. Is it common knowledge that a so-called barrel of crude is only 32 gallons, not 55? My main concern as we go forward is filling my fuel tank to heat my house. When I compare that to flashing ads, flashing ads are no problem at all.
Just a little perspective helps in most situations.
Marv
Re: Why would she be joking??
Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio
>I agree with every point Pam made. The new format is slow to respond; the flashing ads are annoying; and, inability to bring messages up in a new screen, while keeping the index in the original screen, is a loss of feature.
I won't be visiting WC nearly as often any more, and I won't be making any further financial contributions to it, either.
MIght we calm down a bit here?
Bill Houghton, sunny Turkey day in Sebastopol, CA
>Ellis said, "...I will check back to read your reactions and suggestions. This change is expected to be permanent, pending an even more up-to-date change in the board structure itself, but we are open to any and all suggestions."
So far, I'm not thrilled with the new layout, but I've also learned about myself over the years that I respond to change slowly. I may have some responses to offer after testing it out for a few days, and, if so, will offer them. I have to say, though, I've been saddened by some of the reactions from this community, angry tones, threats to stop supporting WC, etc. Ellis felt this change made sense, but has also said clearly that he's listening to this group. He works like mad to support this forum, and deserves respectful reactions - including the reactions that object to the change.
I come here for the people, not the furniture. I like the furniture to be comfortable, but can get used to furniture I don't like as much if the conversation is still worthwhile.
Re: Looks Fine To Me
VinceG
>Well, I posted my thoughts about the new format a bit lower in the thread, but I thought I'd also respond to this post, because I think it's a bit misleading. I'm not sure the negative response is all about resistance to change. I've worked in IT for years, I've changed jobs a few times, and I'm always required to twist myself into new pretzel shapes at work to adapt to the "ever-shifting corporate landscape." So for me, at least, this isn't about resistance to change. Change away! The more often the better! As long as it's an improvement. I'm just not sure that the new format is an improvement.
In fact, I feel as though we've gone a bit backwards. Frames were certainly not modern, but I think we've gone backwards a bit even from there. I've seen a lot of message boards go through a lot of changes, for various reasons, but usually, usability improves. I don't feel that's the case here.
As I mentioned in my other post, I'm a very infrequent contributor to WoodCentral, though I'm a frequent lurker. I don't expect my thoughts to carry the same weight as people who contribute often, but I didn't want to see legitimate concerns treated simply as resistance to change.
I'll also admit that I haven't had the time to read through the entire thread, so maybe there are some new usability features I've missed. I played around with the Preferences for a while to see what I could find, but I didn't find much that helped. Once again, maybe I'm missing something. I'll look some more. But am I the only one who feels that there are other boards (especially non-woodworking) that now seem significantly more modern? Some of them require payment (I'm a member at one of them) and if it's a question of money, I'd certainly pay a few bucks per year to have WoodCentral undergo a true upgrade. I'm sure I'd post a lot more (instead of just lurking) if I had to pay.
In the end, I'll stick with WoodCentral, but I'm not thrilled about the new format. And for me, it's a question of usability, not performance.
I've adjusted to new techniques.
John Pappas
>I like it. A suggestion above was to use tabs if your browser has them. I am trying this out in this manner. I have one tab for the main message index, another tab for the hand tool index. I open another tab to read the individual threads. Easy and quick to switch from main message board index to hand tool index and to navigate the messages in each thread. Since the use of tabs is new to me I have to think a bit about where I am and what I want to do, but I.m sure in time this will be very automatic.
A little Greek philosopy....If you stick around long enough, things will change....and adjusting is often easy if you look for the good.
Happy Thanksgiving
WC was the closest to BP
Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX
>Bill, when Badger Pond was murdered I was very disappointed, primarily because I thought the format the most conducive to interaction with others. I chose WC as my main woodworking forum over the other options only because I could configure the format to closely approximate BP. Now I can't do anything with this format except suck it up, and I'm too old and jaded to suck up anything these days.
I have absolutely no problems with change, love it, keeps things interesting; but I do have problems with the direction of these changes. Maybe it's time to start my own forum.
Pam
Re: MIght we calm down a bit here?
Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.
>Agree with you Bill, we are guests here...
The new layout looks much like the way I used to browse WC (no frames). The ads on the right side I can live with (funny to see what gets linked to when routers are mentioned...) if that helps Ellis to keep this great place going.
Two issues: the forums are slow loading, I assume it will get faster over time as the site gets tuned up. The one new feature I dislike is the links on the left. In the past it stayed in place while scrolling down the forum's postings, so I could scroll to the end, then click on another forum (main and Hand Tools are the ones I visit the most). But now it follows the forum window, so I have to scroll back up in order to switch (or get my bookmark). And the sub-menus mean one extra click, whereas in the past there was a direct link. Small nitpicks, but the new link layout makes it more cumbersome to navigate.
Overall I don't see the new forum layout as a major improvement, but if it helps Ellis I have no problem living with it.
DC
Geez, that was fast!
Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.
>Scrolling link issue already solved! Thanks!
DC
Menu scroll fixed, try it now ;-)
Dan Donaldson
>
Re: Geez, that was fast!
Dan Donaldson
>What browser are you using? I am just asking because it looks like it only works in standards compliant browsers. It works for me in everything except IE.
Re: Geez, that was fast!
Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.
>Currently using Firefox 2.0.0.8 under Linux (Ubuntu Feisty) at home, earlier today I was using Firefox again (2.0.0.9 I believe) under WinXP.
Thnx,
DC
Re: *** New Messageboard Format ***
Jack Guzman from Maine
>Ellis,
I like the new look but it has a few bugs. After reading a message I hit the back button then have to scroll down to where I left off to read the next message. If there's a better way to do this I'll learn it. Also the ads are a little obnoxious. Being there is fine,it's how they pop up that's annoying.
This is only feedback because you asked. As far as changes,this is your place,change it however you like.I'm not here for the format. It's the people here that keep me coming back. The attitude of this place.I'll still post here and get used to whatever changes you need to make to make it work ,including annoying ads.---Jack
Re:Well somethings still broken...
Glenn Madsen near San Francisco
>I'm not against trying new things, but...
Using Opera, one of my favorite browsers, a good portion of the messages don't load. Even with a 'back' and 'reload'.
I don't really care if it's Opera that's broken. I always used Opera and frames to view WoodCentral. And I'd rather not change.
Re: *** New Messageboard Format ***
Guy A
>I also agree . . . I can learn to live with the ads but really miss the frames!!
Just my 2 cents
Guy A
Re: Cooliris *LINK*
Bart Leetch
>Thanks Denny cooliris works great.
http://www.cooliris.com/site/firefox/
Re: Geez, that was fast!
Dan Donaldson
>Thanks. I am using the same version of Firefox in Ubuntu Gutsy. It also works in Firefox 3.0a8 (Granparadisio)under Gutsy.
Re:Well somethings still broken...
Dan Donaldson
>Could you give me a little more info about the problem that you are seeing in Opera? I have Opera 9.24 and it seems to be working the same as Firefox. Can you give me an example of a message that doesn't work for you and a bit more about what the symptoms are? I will do some looking and see if I can figure anything out.
Re: Menu scroll fixed, try it now ;-)
Ted Owen, Pittsburgh
>I like it better, too, with it fixed. Thanks, Dan.
Best, Ted
fixed one bug
Jack Guzman from Maine
>Well,I just discovered a way to solve the scrolling problem.The "read next msg" button works. Was that always there? If it was I never needed it before.---Jack