49 replies to this topic

[Dave]

We sometimes get feedback which suggests that the site is hard to use.

You can reply on this topic if you want to. A bit of destructive criticism will do you no harm. Just say what you think is wrong.

[Archie]

It's OK by me. But why has it gone all yellow?
Arch

[Dave]

It's because I changed the default skin/theme. You can change it back to the blue IPB one with the bottom left drop-down menu (where it says Vanilla Cola) and it'll stay like that while you're logged in.

[Olliebeak]

As a fairly recent member, I found the site a bit difficult at first. Probably because I was only used to being a member of some msn sites.

All I can suggest is all newbies should be encouraged to post and not worry too much about feeling a bit of a prat if you get something wrong at the first attempt.

I think it is up to all of us to make newbies feel as welcome as possible - just like I was.

Thank you everybody for your patience with me - especially Dave, Alan, ARJ and a few others.

Your advice on Connect postings was brilliant Dave. I did as you said, read a few first before attempting to post (just to get used to the sense of humour). Am getting brave enough to attempt my own postings now!!! lol

Ta very muchly, Ollie

[andyr00]

its ok when its like this page is imho

[splus]

Quote

Your advice on Connect postings was brilliant Dave.  I did as you said, read a few first before attempting to post (just to get used to the sense of humour).  Am getting brave enough to attempt my own postings now!!! lol

Ta very muchly,  Ollie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sense of humour? Where?

[briman]

This site is a joy to use in comparison to many of the other forums that I go on. Lots of forums ruin the chance of a visitor joining because they either have an unreadable default skin [dark green on black for one forum believe it or not] or the navigation is not simple enough; you know, every single possible forum link on the main index page... all duplicated in the side bar.
Connect is laid out intuitively [IMHO] if you want history/chat/rugby/members teams etc they are all easy to find. I like the fact that the posts are displayed alone, ie not in frames with loads of shite in the sidebar. This is one of the best forums for clearly being able to read the posts...go look at some others where the avatars and signatures occupy four times the area that the post does - sometimes it is a chore to follow the thread, your eyes glance down to the next post and you read the signature by mistake [some of which are longer and more interesting than the posts!] Here people tend to keep the default font and keep their signatures small. Some of the avatars are a bit distracting, but overall it is an easy site to get around and read threads without being distracted by loads of flashing s*** in your peripheral vision.
Improvements?? well 'suppose basic smilies are ok for them that prefer not to use the English language to express themselves, but please keep them basic and static... these moving ones make me want to smash the fucKINSCREENTOFUCKINBITSthestupidflashingtwattocking...things. Er sorry. Oh, and the very front page index...I don't use it, but have noticed that random posts are displayed...usually the nice sensible normal posts the history, do you remember and rugby stuff. Thats fine, but probably doesn't entice the type who would enjoy the connect forum coming in to join us.
Overall I wouldn't change much Dave. Hope this helps!

[splus]

It is easy to use Dave.

[Dave]

The index portal thing is only set to export the rugby and a few of the family history topics. I think we made it that way because we didn't want the search engines caching anything controversial that might arise in general discussions. As it is at the moment, nothing seems to be making it out onto Google or the others, and I don't really understand why because enough search-bots crawl the place. I might put up some static html in place of the portal index and use RSS to export a few topics into them and see if that'll help.... when I can get around to it.

[Carr Millite]

Don't touch it Dave.

Even I can use it.

[BtC]

i think it's a little fragmented (too many forms) but otherwise very nice

[moody]

I think its a great site and very easy to use.

[nb from rome]

I was one of the ones who complained about this site when I first joined. I find it straightforward now but I think the main problem is for people who have never used forums before and have a problem with jargon (like me). "Avator", for example, I have never heard of outside this site. I looked in on you for several months before trying seriously to post. Maybe you should have more on your instructions for new users which takes you through a step-by-step procedure with a translation of the terms. Of course, even to me this sounds all a bit unneccesay now, as I don't have any problems in posting, but I do remember that feeling of frustration.
Nuala

[Griffin]

An avatar is originally an earthly incarnation of the god Vishnu, from Sanskrit 'avatara' meaning 'descent'. Surprised we haven't had the Hindus complaining. Probably will now.

[Dave]

This site (based around Invision Power Board) uses one of the most popular message board systems in the world (along with others like VBulletin) and it is constantly evolving. Yes, I'd agree that some of its more advanced features might seem mysterious to people that aren't used to the net in general, but it is fairly easy to get started and posting without worrying about things like avatars. See Wikipedia:Avatars on internet forums. There are thousands of sites using the same or similar software and the Help pages try to address some of the more frequently asked questions. Other than that, members should feel free to post in the Help and Suggestions forum.