LOL Bistro :D
BTW, I've started a poll regarding the advertisements to see the numbers in black and white. The poll is here:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=184452
LOL Bistro :D
BTW, I've started a poll regarding the advertisements to see the numbers in black and white. The poll is here:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=184452
The comments about all of the ads on top referred to the http://www.virtualdr.com/ homepage. Maybe I was immune to it but I do not remember any ads on the actual discussion pages. Were there ads in Ver 2 on the discussion pages?
I think most VDR members will be frustruated with either white space or RSS or anthing else that VDR might put into this blank space.
Just on reading this thread, I find that it is taking longer because there are not as many comments on a page.
I think that ads should be put at the bottom of the discussion page.
Just as a personal reference, I unsubscribed to ZDNet newsletters because they would have teaser headlines but it would take 4-5 clicks (webpages) before I would reach the article. Frequently, there would be very limited substantive content, so after a while, I felt like I was being taken for a ride.
I am mentioning this because I think that VDR needs to be very conscious of not intruding on the VDR member's ability to get content. I know that ads are necessary but as has been discussed before, the current ads need to be redesigned, so that they are productive but not over-bearing.
If I am reading a discussion thread, the last thing that I want to see is links to other webpages or RSS. From VDR's point of view, why would they want to send their members to another website.
Again, just my thoughts.
Cheers,
Linda
:rolleyes: :o ;)
In your user CP, you can set the number of posts per page as high as 40. I can also increase the limit, if that's not enough.
Thanks Joe.
Welcome. I just increased it to 40 for myself.
puterfixer wrote:
"The only thing I'd like to point out is that the horizontal bar on top of each post, containing the username, avatar, title, location, join date and number of posts, is adding up to the page height making scrolling annoying. Also, since the posts now stretch from one window margin to the other, sentences are reheheheheeeaaaally long and difficult to follow when jumping from the end of one row to the beginning of the next, on high resolution monitors (like mine). Please take into consideration making the user info a column at the left of the post, to both shorten the page and slightly decrease the width of the sentences."
I agree with puterfixer.
Hi Usil,
You did not misunderstand. The whole issue of the ads taking up 2/3 of the home page; i.e., http://www.virtualdr.com/ referred strictly to the homepage.
I did not have any complaint to the design layout of the discussion pages.
In the version 2 discussion format, a VDR member could read the content straight down with the only interruption being member's signatures.
The frustration level is so high because in addition to seeing member's signatures, we are also seeing the member's sign-in information and the width of the reading area is shortened by 1/3.
I would urge VDR to recognize that frustration is not in the best interests of VDR or its loyal members.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers,
Linda
That suggestion will only make the readable part of the posts even narrower than it is now. It won't change anything else. If the posts are narrow now, as members have been saying, putting their member info to the left would only worsen it.
The suggested change to move the member's info to the left was with the assumption that the ads on the right hand side would be relocated to the top or to the bottom of the discussion.
IMO, this is a usability issue. The current layout interupts the member's ability to read the comments in a coherent fashion. I think that if VDR were to contract for a usability study, these same issues would be pointed out.
Another problem:
I also notice that the post count is not being incremented.
Linda
The posts counts are working Linda. :)
Past poster here. I don't like whats happened here either. However, back in 2000 Virtual Dr went through some big changes and and a big white space on the left of the posts bothered everyone. We all griped together and eventually the empty space was gone and ads were moved to top and bottom of the page.
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/showthread.php?t=87135
I'm sure in time the look will improve. Good Luck.
Shey
Ahem... (takes deep breath)
aberro cadabro efelex combino nyquina tecur
Translation: May all the forces combine and bring back the Hardware Cental look-alike!
I asked that about 100 posts back in this thread and was seconded by Usil but have yet to see a reply. Is it possible?Quote:
Can some sort of wrap effect be used so that the post width at the level of the ad is narrow but below the ad it is at screen width?
Not possible, sorry.
The forum uses tables for layout, so I suspect it is not doable. It would require starting a new table below the ad, or using <colspan> below tha ad, and there's no way to be sure where the ad leaves off.
Thanks JP and Bill. Just wondering. Would sure answer a lot of concerns though. :(
Well, Well, Well----It looks Like your Listening BJ n JP but are YOU going to Fix it!!
Because if you Don't,you could go the way you don't want to!
I use a 19in Monitor with Resolution of 1280x1024 (because i use PhotoShop) and i have aVery Large advert on top Right with the rest underneath Blank..That is a Quarter of my Page....Not Warented Not Wanted, Makes ME Go YUK!!
Now in "Avant Browser" i can Block that Add, so If we all do that Your Advertisers WON'T be Happy Bunnys..But then we still got that Quarter page white blank space..
In IE6 the ADD is there, also in FireFox but can be Blocked....
Now as regards to pages being slower, Sorry peeps I can't help there as today i have gone from a 750Mbt internet to a 2Mbt internet n its all Fast to me now.....
Now then , with the pages as they are n my Usage space is being used upmore because i gota scroll more, now I will be gone soon because this all Helps to geting my 30Gbt here within less than a month....NOT acceptable by me..Sorry--
I don't mind adds but let them be in the correct size and places.....
Did Not have a chance to try out the VBulletin V2 as it's now gone.....
So it looks like what i said is more or Less TRUE.....Adds are better than Members...
Please Prove Me Wrong!!!!!
I Hang around in Antissipation!!.....
Scrolling doesn't affect transfer usage. Once you load a page you have the entire document. Whatever happens after that has no effect on transfer rate, it's all transferred already
Question (for Joe)...
You have mentioned an intention by Jupiter to perhaps (or in fact) fill the white space on the right (under the current formatting) now with other content. Is this content considered by Jupiter to be optional (ie. if the space is there they might as well use it) or something that is considered of a non-optional nature (such as perhaps additional ads)? The reason I ask is because if the intent is to put things there that are non-optional then it would seem that pure lack of other page real estate (so to speak) in which to put these things would say we (the members) in fact have no chance of getting things changed as asked for. If its just the one ad that is there now we're dealing with then that could be moved. But if more than that will/would need to be moved then...
I'll reiterate, that this is not something that JPNYC or Big John can do anything about directly. Jupitermedia own the site, and have made the decision to place the ads there. The only thing that can be done is to pass on the memberships displeasure to the powers that be.
Sparks,
I fully understand that neither BJ nor Joe have the decision making authority in this situation. My question was directed at Joe as someone I felt would know where the thinking and intent was of those with the responsibility/authority in Jupiter.
So far, I like the new version. I haven't read all 18 pages, and someone else may have already stated this, but I bet you that the right side will finally be filled with ads. But at least I have found one good thing about a light stroke I had last Nov. which destroyed my right peripheral vision....I have to actually turn my head to the right to even see the (at present) blank space. So I don't even see that area unless I am looking straight at it.
edit: Forgot to mention that it would be nice if more messages were on each page, so you wouldn't have to keep clicking on next page to continue reading the thread. (someone has probably already commented on this, and if so, sorry.)
Sorry Doc, my reply wasn't directed at you, but to some of the other members who have been asking Joe and BJ if they are going to change things. I didn't notice that you posted just before me :o
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrMDJ
Quote:
Originally Posted by JPNYC
....
Hi P3_450,
Thanks for the comebacks (quotes). Informative and saved me a lot of reading time.
There were -- you had the VirtualDr page header, then under that were two square blocks. The left block was headlines from somewhere (internetnews.com if I remember right) and the right was a flash ad. The forums started below that.Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaHewitt
Thanks P3. I'd looked and not found such info. At least then it sounds like we are not out of the game on this before it even starts. Unless of course Jupiter considers any of the other things (besides ads) it has/had planned for the space non-negotiable. :eek:
We will definitely listen to all ideas of what to fill the space with.
JPNYC--DIFFERENT ISSUE for Suggestions
This may get lost in the discussion about blank space, but I would like to suggest a change in the icon at the far left of the list of all threads. It now shows a bent white arrow for threads in which I have participated. This is very hard to pick out since there is little contrast with the normal cream colored envelope for other posts. I suggest a dark green, black or blue arrow (to also allow contrast with the red envelope for threads with large numbers of posts.).
The attachment manager is a bit awkward. In FF, when I want to attach something, it opens a new tab (in IE a small new window). Is it possible to make it like the old version, where you would have the browse button under the post box?
Pages look squished, please revert back to the former format as it was much better.
Just my 2 cents worth,
KennJ
Now that VDR has had the new look for a few days, I'm trying to decide which is better. But I see the main focus has been the appearance of VDR. I admit that appearance does count but it wasn't the main issue. A few points:
1 - We all agree that we wish all posts were the size of the Quick Reply box where it's stretched across the screen and the blank white side was nonexistent.
2 - Are the other suggestions still being attended to?
3 - Would the owner of VDR (BJ or whomever) consider getting rid of Jupiter and going with Invision or someone else? I'm guessing, and I could be wrong, that the changes most of us want are not options but are set accordingly by Jupiter.
4 - How many members are really going to leave VDR if their particular complaints aren't corrected - for lack of a better term - and alternative results aren't achieved?
5 - Perhaps a new thread should be started, called 'Tips to use the new VDR' or something. This may prevent repeated questions/answers/suggestions. Just a thought.
6 - If so much focus is on this thread, how much is happening elsewhere in VDR? This is a rhetorical question. I don't mean for people to actually give data on this. The point remains is this, perhaps... "This is the new appearance of VDR. We hope you like it and will remain a part of our site. We understand that you may or may not like the new look but we have upgraded as best we can. Please do not let this become an issue for you and deter further visits here. We'd like to keep our focus on the quality of the site and what we offer."
I think the new look is fine, whether or not the white space remains. I noticed the new titles we were given and I like it. I'm not very good at being creative so "Virtual Intern" works for me just fine.
I also think we should lay off the staff, owner, Mods, etc...about the appearance for awhile. The white space is there. We are all aware of it. How about comments on the other changes?
Hi, I like the fresh new appearance, and like many on 800,600 find the white space takes almost half the screen. I can live with it, however would prefer the text to fill the space. More variety in Smilies would be nice.
Still it is an improvement over the "old" look. Fix the white space and we have a winner. :)
Diana & jenae, nice to get some positive feedback, thanks. Cant get rid of Jupiter, they own the site, I just work for them. :D You probably meant the type of software we are running, dont think they will change anytime soon as they run all of thier sites on V-Bulletin. BJ
And though Invision may have one or two features that Vbulletin doesn't have, it also has a great many shortcomings. Vbulletin is far better and more feature rich than any other forum sofware at the moment IMHO.
Thanks BJ and SS for the clarifications. Hoping we can get beyond the appearances and move on to other suggestions, comments, and compliments now. After all, this is a computer help forum, not a beauty contest (sorry, couldn't help myself). At least, let's move on from that.
I can't speak for anyone else but I was one of those who stayed gone a long time. I've had at least 2 very long absences, mostly because of the things mentioned in this thread and the other one started by DrMDJ. I must applaud the efforts, changes, and determination by the owners/Mods/staff members. It's a wonderful thing.
I just hope that any new potential members are not turned off by these 2 threads and lurk elsewhere. That's what I meant by too much attention is given in what might appear to be the wrong place(s). Hope that makes sense.
Anyway, thanks to all.
JP
....an anomaly I find is the 'new posts' page, when refreshed, does update the page, but not in chronological order....as it did before....?
poppy
poppy4--It is another small glitch in the new VBulletin program. You have to right click on New Posts, then Open or Open in New Window to get a correct listing. Same is true of Search.
Thanks Jim....
That works for me now.
I must have been out sick that day!....:D :D
In IE..... I can utilize the functions at the top (beginning) of each thread, eg:
'Thread Tools',
'Search this thread',
'Rate Thread',
'Display Modes'
.......but in FFox they do not work.?
I have checked all my FFox (1.0.1) settings, tinkered with them to no avail........JP had said that each browser has different renderings, so I expect some differences, but not in the function usages.
All the light anyone can shed on this vex-ment will be appreciated. :)
poppy
There no problem at all for me in Firefox Poppy, everything works exactly the same as it does in IE. Are you using any ad-blockers, as they can sometimes cause odd glitches?