can we have V1.0 back..

Post by **Cobstar** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:39 am

Sorry guys - I know you've put a lot of hard work into this upgrade - but at the moment, I have to say I prefer the old system in terms of layout and ease of use of the forums.

The current layout of the forums is very hard on the eye because of the layout and colour scheme. It doesn't encourage me to want to return - even though I know I'll miss out on some excellent discussions.

www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php which is powered by phpBB 2.0.4 © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group - uses a similar colour scheme but is much easier on the eye.

Post by **Bushy** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:39 am

OK, some of these issues you raise scillyisles will be addressed over time but on V1 as Phil says, you would log into the forum, but had to log in again in the gallery and the downloads section was a complete nightmare

Once we get this how we want it one login and you can go to forum, downloads and galleries

This has got to be an improvement

Our ultimate aim is to have several user selectable themes but this may take a few weeks to implement

Thanks for your patience

Post by **scillyisles** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:02 am

Bushy wrote:OK, some of these issues you raise scillyisles will be addressed over time but on V1 as Phil says, you would log into the forum, but had to log in again in the gallery and the downloads section was a complete nightmare

Once we get this how we want it one login and you can go to forum, downloads and galleries

This has got to be an improvement

Our ultimate aim is to have several user selectable themes but this may take a few weeks to implement

Thanks for your patience

Thank you for your prompt diplomatic reply - I think it's important to listen to users views and try to resolve their issues. I'm pleased to see that you have'nt responded in the fashion of "if you don't like it lump it" as this will just result in lost users which is in no ones interest.

I'd have to currently agree with Cobstar in that the current format and "useability" of the site makes it more difficult to follow the site as closely as the old version. I looked at the porsce968uk site referred to by Cobstar and that also seems to have the problem that you cannot see the subject of the last post so I suspect this is an package limitation problem rather than a site configuration issue so I suspect this problem is unlikely to be resolved in weeks.

Post by **Bushy** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:23 am

I hope to disagree

Lets look at the basics, the site is database driven, the forum is a display of information fom the database
Surely we can work out what information to show form the DB, well lets hope so

I mean we want a good site that works so you need to be able to listen to peoples requests, both good and bad!

Post by **Cobstar** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:36 am

scillyisles wrote:[

I'd have to currently agree with Cobstar in that the current format and "useability" of the site makes it more difficult to follow the site as closely as the old version. I looked at the porsce968uk site referred to by Cobstar and that also seems to have the problem that you cannot see the subject of the last post so I suspect this is an package limitation problem rather than a site configuration issue so I suspect this problem is unlikely to be resolved in weeks.

On the positive side - today I haven't had the problems with my log in details having to be entered each time I visit the site.

It would be great to have the subject of the last post visible too. And perhaps some grid lines between sub forums would help break up the very white background.

One of the four-legged horse power websites I visit from time to time has just gone over to a subscription basis. If a subscription system would help fund some of the changes then I'm sure you'd still retain a loyal fan base.

Post by **PhilT** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:26 am

You seem to be saying that the best thing about the site for you is something that does'nt apply to normal users as we only had one userid to use Version 1 and only have one login to use Version 2.

- Did you have a gallery in Version 1? If so was your login the same as the login for UBB Threads?
- I notice you have a Gallery in Version 2. Did you have to login with a seperate ID and password to do it?
- Is RS246 just a forum to you?

In fact most of the benefits you state seem to have very little to do with the users but seem to relate to ease of running, maintaining and modifying the site which don't really directly apply to normal users.

Everything applies directly to the well being of the site and the user experience. Oh, and if we do make it easier to maintain the site, is that such an issue?

* * * * Nobody pays us to do this * * * *

Now let's get back on track....

Can I ask everyone a fair question here? just what aspect of this new forum do we like?

Post by **Prawn** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:48 am

Come on guys give Phil and the team a break here !
They have given up a lot of their spare time to try an improve the site.
Yes it is new and yes there may be parts of the new site that you do not like
or are not used to but we have only been on V2 for 5 days at least give them a chance
to get everything sorted.

If there are areas you are not happy with live with them first for a couple of week, you will find a lot
of those issues go away as you learn your way around the site.
Just stating 'lets go back to V1' is not constructive and if I was Phil it would really
p**s me of!

The new version will give us all benefits once the implementaion is fully sorted of this I
am sure.

Post by **Paul-RS** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:59 pm

as stated in my first post, I spoke privattely to Phil first, and expressed my feelings , and the fact that it wasnt just me who didnt get on with it, at the time it was myself and 3 other regulars.

I have respect for Phil and the admin team, so rather than talk behind their backs, I did the correct thing and approach Phil.

It was Phil which requested that views should be posted on here. So with that i did.

I appreciate the work involved so far and the aims, but at the end of the day, its "us" ie the community that have to use it.

if its awquard, and uneasy people wont come back, and RS246.com will loose its "keep comming back" attraction.

I dont want that to happen.

And to answer Phil "what is RS246 to you "

to me its a forum community first and website second. i imagine it also is to most of the regulars who were here from the start?

Maybe we need a POLL?

Post by **Kaine** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:03 pm

Hi,

Just my opinion, however personally I dont really think the layout or colour really matters that much to new users. I registered with the forum just a few weeks ago (before the change) and have spent a lot of time searching and reading posts (S4 and RS4) during the change over, and can honestly say (apart from the colours issue), its really the content that matters - and this forum has good content in bucket loads. There are many other forums I use, which IMHO look a bit prettier than this one, however this already rates highly.

Kaine

Post by **JJRS4** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:33 am

Brilliant Phil etc. That looks MUCH better. Thanks for all your hard work

Post by **Taipan** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:22 pm

Hello Hello

First post here since V2 so :

1. Congrats to the crew, no doubt.

2. I feel as a member of the rs246 community so the Forum + Pm's matter to me more than anything else (I may use the Gallery and the rest like 1000 times LESS than the Forum + Pms', so just cherry on the cake)

3. As discussed with Phil during beta-testing, the only room for improvement I see is in the Forum interface and that's the "easiest" part now, imo.
Basically it's about enlarging what matters to the user and diminishing what doesn't.
Such as :
- Smaller button size for those repetitive

on the home page, and the likes
- Larger Section names such as RS4 (Planned)
- Ditto for Members names
- Ditto for "next page" or "1,2,3,4.. pages", ie everything where we need to click on repeatedly to navigate.

After that, I'm the happiest RS246 user

Cheers,

Eric

Post by **GlynRS2** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:09 pm

Like the new graphics we have had from today, much easier on the eye.
Thanks.
Obviously this V 2.0 is going to need a little tuning, but I am confidant we have the right people to do it.
What I am missing is our wonderful collection of smilies from V 1.0, is it possible to add them back? There a bit like having bigger alloys - not necessarily adding to the performance but helping on the cosmetic side.

Anyway a big thanks for giving up so much of your time to keep the site going.
Cheers
Glyn

Post by **DuncS3** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:17 pm

The site has improved mucho today.

nice one - also agree with Erics comments about bigger usernames etc, and less of the discrimination against the S3 - bring back the Avatar!

Dunc

Post by **ChrisG** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:27 pm

Oh and there's me ( Rich Man) wondering if you knew something I didn't !

now it's

I too don't like the wide right hand edge and I prefer a bit more colour/contrast, I do really appreciate all the effort though , only wish I had some knowledge that would contribute to your efforts.
Thanks

Post by **johneroberts** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:05 pm

Chris
i take that as support

Cheers
mate
your a good un

Cheers
jr

RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

can we have V1.0 back..

Who is online