I'm about to give up

Foster7155

I'm sorry to say, I have given up on the new forum! Having been a member here for about 7 years, I've seen this forum in three seperate incarnations.The first two designs were user-friendly, easy to read, and easy to manage. This version does not meet any of those criteria IMO. The forum is no longer easy to use, reading the text through all the graphics and signatures is a nightmare, and marking posts as read is now a twenty minute job...minimum. Since the day I first joined FSM, this forum had always held a place of honor in the "Daily Folder" of my Favorites (Bookmarks). I would visit the forum at least once every single day and for several years I averaged about 3 or 4 posts each day. Since the latest change took place, I think I've visited this forum a dozen times and maybe made 3 posts...mainly suggesting changes. As of last week, the FSM forum hyperlink was moved from my "Daily Folder" to the much more generic - and less frequently checked - "General Modeling Sites" folder. Sure, I'll keep my account open and pop in to the forum from time to time, but the FSM forum is no longer a "must visit" site for me and the new design is the ONLY reason for this change in importance. If someone cannot find the information they need or want, or if a person can't read that information quickly and easily once they do find it, a forum is failing to fulfull it's basic function, to effectively communicate the written word.

Check out the "Slowing to a Crawl" thread before you leave.  I can emphatize with you.

Sorry to hear that Robert, but I know where I can find you!

I'm sorry to say, I have given up on the new forum! Having been a member here for about 7 years, I've seen this forum in three seperate incarnations.The first two designs were user-friendly, easy to read, and easy to manage. This version does not meet any of those criteria IMO. The forum is no longer easy to use, reading the text through all the graphics and signatures is a nightmare, and marking posts as read is now a twenty minute job...minimum. Since the day I first joined FSM, this forum had always held a place of honor in the "Daily Folder" of my Favorites (Bookmarks). I would visit the forum at least once every single day and for several years I averaged about 3 or 4 posts each day. Since the latest change took place, I think I've visited this forum a dozen times and maybe made 3 posts...mainly suggesting changes. As of last week, the FSM forum hyperlink was moved from my "Daily Folder" to the much more generic - and less frequently checked - "General Modeling Sites" folder. Sure, I'll keep my account open and pop in to the forum from time to time, but the FSM forum is no longer a "must visit" site for me and the new design is the ONLY reason for this change in importance. If someone cannot find the information they need or want, or if a person can't read that information quickly and easily once they do find it, a forum is failing to fulfull it's basic function, to effectively communicate the written word.

I'm in the same boat as (earlier poster??), I had signed up months & months ago & really didn't make too many posts until recently, just as the new site was being unveiled. I never had the chance to get attached to the old system I suppose. Other than the first 2-3 weeks, I really haven't had too many errors to deal with. And keep in mind they are trying to make the new posting system talk nice to the old archived info... makes me happy I'm a graphic designer, not a programmer!!

And above all... anyone (subscriber or not) can create an account, login and interact with modelers around the world - it's free baby! Thanks FSM,

Vance

HawkeyeHobbies

You might be able to fix the overlay issue by simply holding your control key and then press the minus to reduce the size of the screen. I had the same problem too...that fixed it.

I don't even need to do that with this buggy software. I post something, refresh the page with the F5 key and the fonts are larger. Refresh a couple more times and the fonts are smaller again.

I still say AOL had a hand in this software.

HawkeyeHobbies

You might be able to fix the overlay issue by simply holding your control key and then press the minus to reduce the size of the screen. I had the same problem too...that fixed it.

 

wow...I never knew that feature.  Where the heck have I been?

I can't claim to like it - mainly for the "you're going to like it and we don't care whether you do or not" way the who changover was handled, and the continued issues like very slow load times, random error messages and "features" that are unlike those on any other forum I've frequented (or managed, for that matter). Kalmbach has made it pretty plain what their priority is, and it's not the forum, or its users.

Bgrigg

The only REAL problem with the new forum(s) is that it caused some people to leave, and that diminishes the forum in general. Too bad, most of them had some real value they could bring to the table.

Well, I aint leavin', but I'm not in love with the Forum like I used to be...But there will always be another model in here for me to love and want to marry...  

I have to admit, I left a few scathing posts within a couple of months after the change-over...

As of last week, thanks to Aaron Skinner and Megan, I'm beginning to believe again...

Not always perfect, especially last weekend, but as long as progress is made, I'll hang out. The site has been running much better in the last recent couple of weeks...

And kudos, Mr. Skinner,

Thanks for keeping us "lowly" users in the loop...

Actually, I have made a positive post about the new forum "What I LIKE about the new forum".

Sure, there has been problems, there were problems with the last as evidenced by these two posts from 2005:

Sorry, but the new forum bites

New Forum not as active?

There were many people who were PO'd when the forum changed back then. Some stomped off never to return. Some stayed. I had just arrived (my joined date was much earlier than my first post date) and wasn't attached to the previous forum, so I stayed. And guess what? I wasn't attached to the last forum, either. Nor am I attached to this one. It's just pixels, people!

The only REAL problem with the new forum(s) is that it caused some people to leave, and that diminishes the forum in general. Too bad, most of them had some real value they could bring to the table.

HawkeyeHobbies

Every forum has its own features and benefits, atmosphere and nuances...personality if you will.

True, until the personality changes...

You might be able to fix the overlay issue by simply holding your control key and then press the minus to reduce the size of the screen. I had the same problem too...that fixed it.

The site changes were a bit difficult to deal with but now I find that I have adapted to them. Nothing good is easy, but the content and the people here make it worth adapting to the change.

Every forum has its own features and benefits, atmosphere and nuances...personality if you will. One I feel worth staying involved in.

It is interesting that all the posts regarding the new format have been negative as far as I've seen.  I have yet to see someone post a thread praising the decision to change.  Most of the "old" hands in here have expressed displeasure with the new site either in open forum or privately...

You know, change isn't always good.  For many years I think that there has been an attempt, in walks of life, to convince us that change is always progressive or "better"---it just aint so.

Change we can believe in?