Is this new forum software really worth it??

[Powerstroke2000]

I personally find this new forum software to be a step backwards...and it's not that I'm not use to it, but it just doesn't seem to have near as many "positives" as the previous version.

*The ease of use of smileys is gone.
*The ability to scroll down a bit when posting to see all posts made for that topic is gone.
*The box to type your post in seems smaller.
*All the "positive" buttons such as "adding a URL" or link, or quickly adding BOLD text is gone.
*The ability where a new post would go to the top seems to be gone...correct?
*There's the tiresome first post each time of the "online store". I could always go to the main page when making a purchase before...and don't need to know this every time I log on. Sorry Jason...but I don't see the need myself.
*The ease of use seems to have disappeared.
*I don't ever remember having this problem of scrolling to the right every time...and whether that is my fault or not, it wasn't a problem before as I can remember in the old version?

To me, the only positive thing...adding actual photo's to help describe what you where helping out with...has been turned off because some where using it wrongly.
Today...using the forum...all the lines are gone, and there is a light blue background with only text and icons, so someone must be working on the forum I'd suspect?
This new forum format is like going from a Windows environment back to the old days of DOS!
Sure...the old forum needed work...like a spell checker, and a better "search" feature for names, rather than a persons number...but other than that, the majority of us where happy with it.
Can anyone suggest some "positives" of this new version, other than perhaps it makes things easier for Jason? Or does it? I'm finding (as I'm sure others may be) that when ease of use is lowered, I tend to be going to other sites (forums in some cases) that are easier to use. I do come back here for the information, and for the comfort of knowing many of the users from past years, but I'm finding this version to be a real pain, so I can only imagine those not so familiar with HTML or Markup to be really lost.
Is there any chance of getting a different version in the near future, as it might give me some hope in ease of use at a later time?
I know Jason is trying to do what's best for all of us, so input on this issue might help his choices in the future as well.

I would like to hear from others on whether they agree with this, or actually find this version easier? There are those negatives I placed above, and there are more I'm sure, but do the positives outweigh what we've lost??

Thanks, as it's the "people" on this site that makes it what it is, but ease of use is applicable in making the whole journey a fun time.

Dale...

On edit - I see the problem (above) where I only had text and icons was because I was using Netscape....using IE seems to be fine. Time to trash my Netscape.

[Shawn]

Not actually speaking for Jason...

I think we are waiting for the next version of this software that will be coming out in the next few weeks. It is supposed to address many of the "shortcomings" that the software has.

Just to reiterate why the switch to this software was made...

1. The old software wasn't working any more. It was like having a Model T engine in a Corvette Z06. Looks really dang good but performs like a dog.

(Hmm... continuing with the 'Vette analogy...)

2. This software was chosen because it had the LS1 engine that this site needed to power it. Unfortunately, installing the engine put a few dents in the sheetmetal.

3. GM (Infopop, the maker of both the old boards and this one) is working on new, upgraded sheetmetal to make the 'Vette look just like the old one, thus removing the dents.

I think Jason is waiting to see if GM, er, Infopop is going to send out Z06 body panels or Nova body panels. If the former, all is well. If the latter, switching brands is a very real possibility.

SP

[mhardin]

From my understanding of our current situation, Shawn just nailed it!

Mike Hardin,
F-D.Com Moderator

[green giant]

Good comparison there Shawn! You really should have used Mustangs though! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Shawn]

Ever since the "New Edge" design came along, I have been boycotting them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

SP

[Super Duty John]

Thank you Shawn!

[JLester]

I'll have to side with Shawn on this one. I'm a true Ford guy, but I'll take one Z06 over two new Mustangs any day. <a target="_blank" href=http://www.the-lesters.com/gallery/album06/aaa>This</a> is a Mustang, not those that you see in the showroom today.

Jason

[Powerstroke2000]

Love the analogy Shawn...and thanks for the update, as it helps clear up alot of the confusion. I'm looking for a '69 Boss 302 or Mach1...so as mentioned, the Mustang analogy would have worked well too, and since I'm an old "vette" lover ('64 thru '67) that would have worked as well. Z06....wassat?? Never had the money in those days to buy a "Z" anything!

Thanks again..

Dale

[Shadowfax]

Powerstroke-

I'm not one of the big posters, just an occasional guy, but the old forum was hands down better and easier to use than this one. I didn't post a lot but I never noticed any problem with the speed. So maybe I just did not have the experience that the big users did.

I am reading from some of the administrators that new software is coming. Bring it on, it's gotta be better than what we have now. Or better yet, bring back the old forum and find a way to make it conform to whatever it is that the administrators want.
Shadowfax

[jthorpe]

Unfortunately Shadowfax, I think the major reason Jason went to this one was because of the back end. The old forum was based on cgi and text based files for holding all information such as messages, users, instant messages etc. It can be a real pain and it gets real slow once you reach a certain amount of users and traffic.

This system is based of mysql and php, which normally is much faster. I know mysql sometimes can be a pain to tune correctly but I think once Jason gets everything just right, and gets that new version up, things will be just fine.

I have run both types of systems and I can tell you from first hand experience that even though it might be a bit of a pain right now, it'll be much better in the long run.

Jack

[pilldoc]

ok........2 more cents


I can fully understand why an upgrade was needed and change in the computer world is a gaurantee, but I also see the frustration that people have with losing some of their favorite features of the old system.

The core idea remains........Ford Trucks

The ability to reach the people is still up for grabs.

Give Jason a chance to enhance the New System before you hang him!

[JimTJr]

Shawn??? I Have a question..in continueing with the Corvette analogy... Just where did you put dents in the SHEETMETAL on a Corvette?

[Shawn]

Pretty much everywhere but the roof.

Infopop left the roof alone.

I see with the software upgrade, the hood and trunk are fixed, but the quarter panels and the fenders are still dinged.

Not perfect, but better.

SP

[kreynol2]

Must have been a classic 'Vette, not one of the new fiberglass ones.

[mhardin]

LOL!

Mike