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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - General Discussion
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Attn: Gregg, Re: the new forums (40 posts)
|  Attn: Gregg, Re: the new forums | BH
Jan 15, 2004 10:56 AM | | I think I'm speaking for many of us here in saying that the new forums are terrible. They seem so cold and impersonal now. They aren't even like forums anymore but more like question and answer pages. I like being able to look at other people's responses and people's responses to those responses. Sometimes I don't want to respond to the original post but to one of the responses to the post. The new forums make this board feel less like a discussion group and more like a one on one. I liked it better before. I also liked being able to see the posts and the responses all on one page rather than having to open each post up individually. It saves me time and keeps me interested (and entertained). Most of us here still have our jobs to do and don't have any extra time to waste (more than what we are already using). If this is the wave of the future of MTBR, I'm sorry to say I probably will not be visiting as frequently. No offense to you or anyone on the board, but the new format requires too much clicking and scrolling to find the interesting posts. |
| agreed! www.cyclingforums.com uses a similar interface... | porridge
Jan 15, 2004 11:31 AM | | to the new system... we may as well join the 35,000 members there now that mtbr will loose what made it different and enjoyable. |
| hmm.... | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 3:38 PM | | you're just validating that the new system is the way to go.
Maybe they have 35,000 members but you have to sign up just to read a darn post!
If you look at how many members they've got online right now, they got 48. Mtbr has got 430 right now! They're about 1/10 the action. And we've only just begun. I guarantee you we will have about 1000 online in about a month or two. I'd like you to be part of our close but growing family.
francois |
| I agree as well. | KMan
Jan 15, 2004 12:50 PM | | I can see the drop of in post and replies already.
I don't mind change at all but the new forum style is not at all user friendly and as posted very impersonal.
Hope something changes....and soon
KMan |
| I agree as well. | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 3:42 PM | | The number of posts yesteday on the new boards is about 1000. This is double what it used to be on the old boards.
This is just the tip of the ice berg since people are still registering and getting comfortable. Also, we are about to launch regional forums. Vancouver board, Arizona board, etc. to discuss trail conditions, races and group rides. This place is going to explode.
So it's a big change but get to know it for a couple of weeks. It might grow on you.
regards,
francois
founder
of something |
| "Vancouver board" | CraigH
Jan 15, 2004 5:29 PM | | Really? I hadn't heard that.
BTW, when are you doing a road trip up here? |
| that's the same happytalk Bush is spouting, we know better | club
Jan 15, 2004 6:55 PM | | blah blah 1000 new posts, the economy grew at 8 percent, blah blah. doesn't address the reason a whole lot of folks are very unhappy: the new forums just ain't user friendly, too much clicking and opening. a million new posts won't change that fact. |
| agreed!!!!! (rant for Francis) | laffeaux
Jan 15, 2004 8:18 PM | | Francis, put yourself in the shoes of the person at work or school that has limited time to surf MTBR. I'm at work and want to quickly scan three message boards: passion, general, and beginners corner. I want to have an overview of all new posts and see who's responded to posts that I previously read. How long does this take? (This is what I do by the way.)
With the current software if I do not respond to anyone, scanning all messages on these theee boards, reading the titles of new items and titles of new portions of threads takes exactly three mouse clicks and maybe five minutes (probably less) of my time. I can do this 10 times (or more) per day.
With the new software it's an all day affair to accomplish this task - many many clicks (maybe that's the goal of the new software?) and extended time. While I'm apt to browse occasionally, realistically what I'll do (and what I've done since thre new boards opened) is read the "Vintage Retro" thread, which is reached by a bookmark in my browser, and never look at anything else (including the home page of mtbr.com).
Maybe I'm an odd ball user that has limit time, but comes by often, but until the new system can provide an "executive summary" view like the current site, it does not work for me.
The new software maybe the industry standard, but MTBR and RBR are the only two boards that I use, largely because the used software that you had worked well for intaking high volumes of information quickly. Moving to a "bad" standard does not fix many problems. Find a software package that does work.
I really hope that this helps MTBR, but it's not going to improve the experience for many of your customers. |
| agreed!!!!! (rant for Francis) | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 9:24 PM | | You have a point. Like I said, I like 'threaded view' better. Viewing a 300k web page with all the threads opened up is cool. It's killing our server though and our bandwith. Plus this software has no support, cannot have redundant servers and no database. It's like a black hole to us that we cannot maintain.
Like I said, the new system has features that are really helpful. Make sure you get notified when someone replies to your post. Also you can subscribe to threads and to boards. Make sure you use hybrid mode too once in a thread.
francois |
| what about what VeloNews forum is using? | club
Jan 16, 2004 7:58 AM | | it's not as good as the "old" mtbr, but it's a durned sight better'n this new crap. I visit a bunch of different forums for a bunch of different topics, mostly just to lurk and read, and of all the ones I've looked at, MTBR's new ones, along with the dreadful ones at Rodale's Bicycling and Mt. Bike ragazine sites, make me want to just go away.
Surely there are other less repelling formats available in this wide world? Check out VeloNews's for a start. |
| too late | Hollywood
Jan 16, 2004 9:13 AM | | do you think they're going to reconsider after this investment in time & $$? No way Jose.
the new boards are testing my patience and willingness to even bother, but at this point the train's leaving the station. You're either on it or not. I'm the guy out of breath, running along side it, going "Nooooo, waaaaiiiittt..."
HW |
| I checked it out. | sysop
Jan 16, 2004 10:00 AM | | It's threaded but it's a little piece of junk. I hope we don't lose you to that dismal forum.
If you have any others, I'll check it out. I've evaluated about 50 of them so far.
francois |
| happytalk? | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 8:59 PM | | Nice one there club. Like I said, give it some time. If you don't want to, I'm sorry to see you go.
francois |
| that's the same happytalk Bush is spouting, we know better | Ebo
Jan 15, 2004 9:30 PM | | Hi Club. I hope you give it some time too. I've said it before already, but your input here is valued. I'm not totally happy with the new format, but there are advantages and it's still the best game in town. Cheers. |
| I agree as well. | Ebo
Jan 15, 2004 7:21 PM | | Hi Francis. Although it may be a little less personal and a bit more time consuming, I am starting to like the new format for several reasons. Myself and I'm sure many others have grown very tired of all the flame wars. They really suck the life out of things. Especially on "passion". I think the new format with less visual exposure will reduce them. Also grew tired of the political graffiti. No need for it on a mtb site. I hope it is reduced as well. All in all, I think the riff raff will be reduced too. I feel your vision. I'm here for the long run. I hope MTBR is too. Thanks for giving us Mtn bikers a place to hang out. Just my 2 cent. |
| I agree as well. | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 8:51 PM | | Thanks. I can't even begin to describe how much better this system is in terms of Registration and Security. The old system was anonymous and we had no defense against trolls and flamers. This one is almost bulletproof plus registration just weeds out the worst among us.
More important, we can now assign and empower members as moderators. So many hands are needed on deck and many are willing to help. Now we have a system that allows that.
francois |
| I totally agree (nm) | aosty
Jan 15, 2004 2:39 PM | | nm = not mtbr |
| yep, backed off for now too... | Hollywood
Jan 15, 2004 2:50 PM | | I know there's some learning to be done. Frankly I could give a cr@p about avatars, smileys, and private messaging.
I do care about being able to quickly see which posts I've read. Can't do it now. (threads remain bold).
Maybe it'll grow on me, maybe not. For something that was so basic and easy, I'm now losing interest in it. *sniff* :)
HW |
| "I do care about being able to quiclkly see which posts I've..." | CraigH
Jan 15, 2004 3:04 PM | | In "Hybrid" view, each post has a bullet, blue if you have read it, white if you haven't. |
| Ok, but... | Hollywood
Jan 15, 2004 3:32 PM | | I'm referring to when you first enter a forum. If you click through a few threads, they go non-bold (the main thread title). The ones you haven't clicked yet remain bold. If you close your browser, then return to the forum...poof! They're all bold again. Silly rider - you haven't read any of them yet!
I guess they go bold when there's new posts added to the thread? Lots of guessing. My head hurts.
HW |
| also | Hollywood
Jan 15, 2004 3:49 PM | | what up with that?
Welcome, Hollywood.
You last visited: 17 Hours Ago at 10:29 PM |
| yep, backed off for now too... | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 3:57 PM | | ok hollywood, the issue of your visited links going back to bold when you turn off the browser... it shouldn't act that way. I can't duplicate that bro!
Turn on cookies!!! Get a bigger hard drive! Upgrade that 386!
It's coookies I think.
francois |
| hmmm...maybe that explains the clock, too | Hollywood
Jan 15, 2004 4:02 PM | | but it knows it's "me". Weird.
It'll grow on me, don't worry :)
Not whining, just trying to play catch-up. Plus, my therapist gave me some good breathing exercises to get me through this.
"And in through the nose.....2......3.......4.....and out through the mouth.....pfffffffffffff."
Ahhhh.
HW |
| that clock is really broken.. | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 4:08 PM | | we'll fix that.
and email your bosses all the times you visit the darn forums :0
francois |
| I too like threaded mode of the old system... | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 3:33 PM | | It's a nice convenience of the old board that you can see all responses on the main screen. Old board 1 - New board- 0.
Unfortunately, no modern message board supports displaying all threads now. It just occupies too much space and kills the server. Most of the main pages in the old system are 200- 400kbytes big.
The new board has better scalability, better security and has about 200 features... 50 of them are really, really good. Old board 1 - New board 50. Seriously, check them out. User Profiles so you can really see who's posting not just anonymous twits, User Options so you can view the board the way you want to. It'll email you when someone responds to your post. You can subscribe to a board so it'll send you a summary every night.
BTW, please use Hybrid View when browsing on the new system. It will really help out.
The new system is shocking since it looks different and there's so many features. However I've been using it for about 4 weeks now and it's starting to look really, really cool. My advice here is give it time and really use it. Then pass judgement.
I still like the threaded mode of old but I like everything else about the new system.
francois
founder, mtbr.com |
| Use the "Threaded" view on the new forums! | shiggy©®
Jan 15, 2004 3:52 PM | | Works much the same as here. You just do not see all of the threads open at once. |
| No! | Hollywood
Jan 15, 2004 3:57 PM | | I just tried that. Click on every single response to read it? No thanks. Hybrid will do for now.
HW |
| And you don't... | shiggy©®
Jan 15, 2004 4:05 PM | | ... have to click on every response here to read it? Maybe not in "view all" (which I hate), but "view all" acts like the "linear" on the new board. Too hard to follow the flow.
Also, in the threaded view the little "page" in front of each post is a different color for "read" and "unread." |
| I think we are having more posters on more than 1or2 boards | shiggy©®
Jan 15, 2004 4:11 PM | | It seems easier to browse more of the boards rather than posting on/surfing just 1 or 2. There is a thread on the new Passion that is seems more "General" so far.
Once people get used to the format they will most likely go back to their old habits and/or find a new interest or two. |
| I think we are having more posters on more than 1or2 boards | sysop
Jan 15, 2004 4:23 PM | | That's actually true Shigster. And I'm not just yanking your chain here. The main forum screen tells you the recent action on all the boards. I've been popping in a few boards because of it. Kind of addicting to keep looking at the main screen http://forums.mtbr.com.
Isn't it your birthday today old man? Oh wait, it's the one day that it's not your birthday.
francois |
| I AGREE.... | noslogan
Jan 15, 2004 5:38 PM | | It will now take TOO MUCH time for me to waste my time on the computer (this particular website, anyway). I wouldn't be able to complain about your ad space and how it seems to coralate with the survey and the nipple in light ad. I encourage the advertisement of nipples everywhere. However, if I don't enjoy my time on a website I don't care whos nipple it is!
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| agree, "too much clicking and scrolling" for me to stay nm | club
Jan 15, 2004 6:51 PM | | |
| Buncha whiney sods.... | DeeEight
Jan 16, 2004 3:52 AM | | get a life already. Its like a replay of the last format change from three or four years ago. Except the last time I was complaining about the change (and this time I like the change) and the people who weren't complaining last time are the ones fussing this time around. |
| Gregg, the new format is terrible. | Rev Bubba
Jan 16, 2004 6:00 AM | | If it comes down to only that choice, I'm out of here. Change for changes sake is not always good. |
| Gregg, the new format is terrible. | dirtorpedo
Jan 16, 2004 8:25 AM | | I don't agree that this is change for the sake of change. The old system is a bandwidth and drive space hog and the software is no longer supported. I doubt the fellows running the site are rolling in it so every $ counts.
The value in a forum is primarily in the people who participate and secondarily the software. The new system isn't that bad. It'd be a shame if its diminished because of this. |
| I tried to log on, it wouldn't let me, I went away.... | Rev Bubba
Jan 16, 2004 8:33 AM | | Make it simple for simple folk or we will just go away and take our toys with us....
I don't have time to figure out why "Rev Bubba" doesn't exist when I went through the "find out your password" routine. |
| You have to re-register | shiggy©®
Jan 16, 2004 10:10 AM | | The new system needs a new registration. |
| I did and I'm still not convinced..... | Rev Bubba
Jan 16, 2004 10:54 AM | | Oh, I'll give it a try but if all the regulars still post on the old forum, I'll stay where I'm comfortable.
A big selling point will be if I go home and the new forum runs smoothly on "my" older computer. Right now that computer does not have the power to run MTBR so I either post and read at work or from one of my son's newer machines. |
| I have found the new forum to work better on my dial-up | shiggy©®
Jan 16, 2004 11:17 AM | | Especially if you go into "my account" > "options" and make the "threaded" view your default. You can also turn off the avitars and signatures (pics, too, if you want) to speed up things. |
| It's all about the benjamins | debaucherous
Jan 16, 2004 8:18 AM | | Sysop, I to prefer the old forum. I am hoping for your sake that the new #'s of postings/viewings you've refered are real and sustainable, and not just people exploring the new system.
You may be at a crossroads - you've choosen between passion and $. My belief is that in the long run passion endures and the quest for $ more easily falters. I've probably spent more time on your new sytem than the old - mostly for the reasons that have been previously discussed not as easy, clunky, slower, etc. My visits will be fewer from here on out.
Good luck with the new system. I think I'll leave work early and go ride, the snow in my area is melting back. |
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