Forum Update - Test it out

[downsizingnow48]

Yup need update on update. Also need tractor info back in the author box.

 

[Muhammad]

We need an update on the Forum Update.

Is there a list of changes?

Or make a Sticky Thread for suggestions.

Funny, after finishing a bunch of summer projects including updating our home page, we're back on the update. The process is that we're working on a long to-do list and will post when things are changed.

 

[Xfaxman]

Funny, after finishing a bunch of summer projects including updating our home page, we're back on the update. The process is that we're working on a long to-do list and will post when things are changed.

So did this new design project fall off of the to-do list?

I see it is now called "TractorByte 2015":

 

[Xfaxman]

Funny, after finishing a bunch of summer projects including updating our home page, we're back on the update. The process is that we're working on a long to-do list and will post when things are changed.

No post, so I guess no change.

I switched to the "new theme" (TractorByte 2015) and see that the complaints about it have not been addressed, so I switched back to "Tractor":

 

[Muhammad]

No post, so I guess no change.

I switched to the "new theme" (TractorByte 2015) and see that the complaints about it have not been addressed, so I switched back to "Tractor":

View attachment 554596

Too many issues with that theme made us abandon it. Right now we're working on new setups on our other forums which will get updated before TBN and if everybody likes those updates we'll update here as well.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

 

[Oldpath05]

This cant be the new update can it, couple times I logged into TBN this strange page came up I had to keep clicking on things to get the normal page, maybe I have a com virus messing with me, I dont like it what ever it is>

 

[Xfaxman]

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I'll be glad when all the improvements are finalized and operational.

Too bad it never happened.

 

[Muhammad]

Too bad it never happened.

Became too complicated. Future updates will happen though.

 

[Diggin It]

In nearly 25 years on the web visiting dozens of forums, I have yet to see an 'update' that didn't make a forum less useful. Many nearly crippled the board and drove a large number of the active users away. I vote NO to updates.

 

[MossRoad]

 

[mrmikey]

I vote NO to updates.

Seconded. If it works and works well, leave it alone..........Mike

 

[/pine]

There is one thing that could use some technical work...

The issue with contractions is tolerable but it is annoying if there is a lot of apostrophes in a string...

 

[Xfaxman]

And the large pictures need to be resized smaller before showing in a thread, like some other forums I am on.

 

[MossRoad]

And the large pictures need to be resized smaller before showing in a thread, like some other forums I am on.

When I post large pictures, and then go to look at them, they are smaller until I click on them, then they enlarge.

 

[Xfaxman]

That is part of the problem, you have to click them to see them, then they use my metered internet bytes.

 

[Muhammad]

To be honest most of the time I use our mobile app to browse and post. And a growing number of users are using the app... now about 10k per month. But a few years ago we didn't have the app and in fact we had a different app that had very different functionality (maybe a couple of features that were preferred over the current app and some flaws too). So change isn't always a bad thing.

The software we're using is outdated and is holding us back in several ways. We're rolling out new software on other sites and ultimately we will have to do the same here. We can try to make it look as close to the existing layout as possible, but with the necessary improvements we need in terms of technology. The mobile app will remain unchanged.

 

[Diggin It]

I hate mobile and I hate the move away from traditional forum software. Every site I've ever seen that focuses on mobile ends us being squished in the middle of the screen with huge white space on both sides. I use a laptop with a 17" screen sitting on a fixed platform and a remote keyboard and mouse. I can't even see these sites on a 4" screen. You have to consider that many users on this type of site may be older or have vision issue because of the work they do. We don't want to have to hold a device in one hand 6 inches from our face and try to type with a pointy stick.

Even those that have to use cell phone based web services can tether to a device with a larger screen.

The ONLY time I have ever even tried to use a mobile device for a board like this was during an extended ISP outage and it was not a pleasant experience, even with a BT keyboard.


Maybe you could tell us some of these other sites that have been assimilated so we could see what's been done?

 

[Muhammad]

I hate mobile and I hate the move away from traditional forum software. Every site I've ever seen that focuses on mobile ends us being squished in the middle of the screen with huge white space on both sides. I use a laptop with a 17" screen sitting on a fixed platform and a remote keyboard and mouse. I can't even see these sites on a 4" screen. You have to consider that many users on this type of site may be older or have vision issue because of the work they do. We don't want to have to hold a device in one hand 6 inches from our face and try to type with a pointy stick.

Even those that have to use cell phone based web services can tether to a device with a larger screen.

The ONLY time I have ever even tried to use a mobile device for a board like this was during an extended ISP outage and it was not a pleasant experience, even with a BT keyboard.


Maybe you could tell us some of these other sites that have been assimilated so we could see what's been done?

The desktop versions are not going away. I was just making the point that new isn't always a downgrade. Usually yes but not always.

We'll be rolling out a new format on LawnWorld in the first couple months of 2019. Design isn't finished yet.

 

[Jstpssng]

In nearly 25 years on the web visiting dozens of forums, I have yet to see an 'update' that didn't make a forum less useful. Many nearly crippled the board and drove a large number of the active users away. I vote NO to updates.

That isn't limited to forums. I've had the same yahoo email account since 2001; they recently made changes which are forcing me to look for something different. Unlike TBN there is no place to give real feedback; you accept what they have or do without.