I’m a computer programmer by trade and think this new web page format is lousy, and here’s why. I’ve got some suggestions at the end.
1. Wasn’t sure if this message was to go into general discussions folder or feedback on fine homebuilding, since it is about the new format in general. See suggestion #10 below.
2. I couldn’t log on with my original name and password….saying I wasn’t registered. I had to re-register and pick a new name.
3a The screen is way too busy.
3b. And we don’t need all the fancy editting capabilites like we’re using word processing software. I bet you’re gonna find people using way too much color (and I don’t mean swear words) in their messages, fonts that are too big or to difficult to read, etc., that will only clutter up the messages and waste a ton of space.
3c. If we’re gonna get all these text editing abilities now, then the designers should have allowed a cut or copy and paste function when typing in a message.
4a. I understand why the new format of the list of folders and their contents are to the left while (i.,e. a table of contents of sorts) …so you can see the message pop up while you click on a message title so you don’t have to back out of and close a message…..BUT, I HATE IT when web page designers put the “table of contents” way to the left off center of the screen. I don’t read books to the left of my body…I read them straight on. I just never liked it, but all web pages are being designed that way and I’m stuck with it.
4b. You can expand the table of contents by grabbing the right edge of it…..it will then make the message area narrower.
5. I’d rather see all the message titles hidden until you click on the folder you want. I would like to be able to collapse down all message titles, for all folders, back down into just seeing folder names. Or better yet, design the web page so each user can customize the viewing of the folders and message titles his or her own way.
6. At the same time, I was also frustrated at seeing a few messages from all folders being displayed all the time. I wanted to see the message titles from only the folder I was interested in. By experimenting, I found that if you click on the folder name, the other folders go away and you see the message titles for only that folder. Then, to be able to see a few messages from all folders again, you have to click on the “messages” button to the right of the “log out” button.
7. What happened to the date being listed in the messages? Can’t tell how old or new a message is!!
8. What can we do with these new, extremely busy and cluttered forum web pages that we couldn’t do before….besides being able to edit/format one’s message with all different sizes, fonts, colors, etc? Seems to be a bit much for adding nothing different in content.
9. PUT A “HOW TO USE THE NEW FORUMS” button in a clear manner, to the right of the “message” button…..maybe in a different color that stands out.
10. Create one ‘QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW FORMAT” folder that we can put stuff like this message of mine into, so we don’t clutter up the folders related to the discussion we’re in. This one folder should be accessible from within all discussion areas (knots, breaktime, cookstalk, etc) and be just one collection of questions and answers no matter what discussion the message was added in. That way you won’t get the same message in 5 different discussion areas, and everyone could see all questions regardless of what discussion one is in.
So, that’s it from me right now.
Replies
...9 and 10 are really good...
I am like totally lost.Where am I.? I can tell Im going to have to do alot of exploring.Hopefully not alone.I miss the old blue/red script....sniff...sniff.