Sorry guys but I preferred the old forum.

[John Collins]

I like the look of this new forum, but is it as user-friendly? I ask because it seems to me that the number of postings has dropped a lot, and obviously I can't speak for anyone else, but for me it was so easy before because I could see at a glance all new postings. I'm sure that it is easier for Scott to run this one and I know it's progress, but still....

[Jonathan]

I disagree, it is very easy for me to tell if there are new postings. Before you had to remember the titles of what you had read, or reread a few post to find where the new ones begin. Now you have those yellow things and the threads with new posts move up to the top of the page. I am very happy with the new page, but I would like some more activity, maybe this is just a statisical or seasonal thing, and the number of new posts per unit time will just vary a lot.

[Patrick]

Hi John;
I agree, I prefer the layout of the old message board; have you considered having a message board on your website? It may be worthwhile since a lot of the questions that are posted relate to the research you have done for your book.
--Patrick

[Jeff1]

I too like the old boards best. When the board opened, all the messages were seen at once, all those posting were seen at once, and the simplicity of it was a joy. To scroll down to a message posted two months ago was not a problem. Now I have to click to get in, click to get to general discussion, try to see how many new posts were made to each subject. Sure it says who posted last to each subject, but what if Scott, John, Oystein, Grim or someone posted just before the last. To find out I again have to click the subject, and then click to see the post. On the old board one click did everything. It reminds me of something I read about those trying to replicate Bessler's wheel - that they made their designs so complicated and with so many moving parts that failure was assured.

Jeff

P.S. I just tried to post this, but the board says "sorry, that user name has already been taken", even though I registered (another thing I don't like) with the user name of Jeff.

[scott]

for me it was so easy before because I could see at a glance all new postings

Hi John,
I believe this board is much more user friendly. When you log in, all of the topics with new postings are sorted at the top of the topic list. Next to each topic name is a small orange page icon, which takes you directly to the first new post in the topic. What could be easier?

For more information, please see my post: tips for using the new board

On the old board, once a topic was a few days old, it was basically dead, since any new posts on it would be missed by most visitors.

-Scott

[scott]

P.S. I just tried to post this, but the board says "sorry, that user name has already been taken", even though I registered (another thing I don't like) with the user name of Jeff.

Hi Jeff,
If you don't log in, then you are posting as a guest. If you are a guest, you cannot use the username of a registered user. This prevents people from being able to "spoof" or pretend to be another user.

I think this is a great feature to help keep people from misusing the board.

-Scott

[John Collins]

Yes I know that you're right Scott. I just had a particularly frustrating session with the forum, not your fault more mine and my ISP's. I'm old but I'll get used to it!

John

[Jonathan]

Oh! I hated that two day old things would die because no one looked! I am happy to be reassured that no one can post under my name, I am very happy with the new site.

[Jeff1]

Scott,

Thanks for the reply. I have the board bookmarked and have the box checked at the bottom that says "Log me on automatically each visit".Do I still have to enter in my user name and passwork and if so, why is there a Log me on automatically box?

Thanks,
Jeff

[scott]

I have the board bookmarked and have the box checked at the bottom that says "Log me on automatically each visit". Do I still have to enter in my user name and passwork and if so, why is there a Log me on automatically box?

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for alerting me to the fact that the "Log me on automatically" feature was apparently not working properly. I made a slight change to the way cookies are handled, which I believe should fix the problem.

Will you let me know if it's working correctly now? Once you login one more time with the checkbox checked, it should log you in automatically thereafter.
Thanks,
Scott

P.S. If you are using a shared computer (e.g. at a library or school), please do not use the automatic login feature...