The new look: Should it stay or go?

[oldhouse]

Hi all,

We moved our boards to new software - and, as you've by now discovered, a much different look over this past weekend.

The benefits of our new boards are, I think, as follows:
-- You can now edit your posts if you choose to become a registered user.
-- It's much easier to search through old messages.
-- The boards are quicker to load.
-- We've got a more stable and supple platform here at The Old House Web for managing the boards.
-- And, for better or worse, the format is more typical of other bulletin board systems.

The cons?

Well, I suspect that a fair number of users (me included) enjoyed the homey, funky format we've used in the past for our boards.

But we'd like to hear your opinions - and after hearing them, we'll mull everything over and decide accordingly.

Thanks,
Ken

[Don M]

Ken,
I know you all have been looking for a "better mouse trap" for your boards for some time and I imagine that everyone will become use to the new format after awhile. This is a busy time of the year and folks certainly have other important things to do besides posting here right now. I have enjoyed being a part of your boards and enjoy assisting others when I can. I think I secretly would like to be the host on "This Old House" or some similar show! Anyway, your new look is very similar to "Spa Doctor's" and lots of folks post there all the time. Perhaps because we really like old houses we also like the old boards?! Don

[Jeanne]

I'm starting to forget the old look, which is sad, but I remember how wonderful it was to scroll (mouse wheel junkie here) through ALL the messages and not have to click to another page to see the rest. With the new format I did not immediately notice the Next Page link in the bottom, right corner---that should be more prominent if we are to make the most of everyone's input on a topic.

I never had any problems finding info, so I can't comment on searches now vs then. And I didn't see the need for being able to edit our messages afterward---we seem to be a forgiving, laid-back bunch when it comes to misspellings and such.

I don't like having to click just to get into a thread---I really liked the old tree format. I liked where you could respond easily to a specific message in a thread. And visually it was nice to see how a topic grew and evolved.

I'm usually very much in favor of change when warranted, but I really didn't see the need for this one. If I have to, I will get used to it because this site is the best resource for us old-house lovers!

Hope this helps.
Jeanne

[Joel]

I like the speed with which I can check if there are any new posts or activity in older topics. I also like not having to scroll so much. I access this board from work and ocassionally home and like the fact that I can keep track of activity more easily. The emoticons can go! They make me feel like I'm in a pre-teen chat room (not that I've ever been in one!).

I noticed a downturn in number of posts before the new system took effect, so I agree with Don that holidays may be coming into play. I also haven't seen much lately to add my 2cents to. The new format may not encourage being chatty like some of this group is, as it looks a little more "important" when you see your post in the box as opposed to the stream of consciousness format.

All in all I think it's an improvement. Thanks.

[BobG]

I'll agree that I like this format very much, as it is more what I am used to in automotive forums, etc ... However, I also saw some value in the old format, which reminds me of some older bbs's and other forums where I still find information.

I agree that it is easier to see a reply to a specific post in the old format, but replying is pretty much the same ... if anything, this is just as easy ... just hit quote, and the message is instantly quoted, then all know to which message you are replying ...

All in all, I like the new format and think the dropoff in posts is due to the holidays ...

[Mary Alice]

I'm starting to forget the old look, which is sad, but I remember how wonderful it was to scroll (mouse wheel junkie here) through ALL the messages and not have to click to another page to see the rest. With the new format I did not immediately notice the Next Page link in the bottom, right corner---that should be more prominent if we are to make the most of everyone's input on a topic.

I never had any problems finding info, so I can't comment on searches now vs then. And I didn't see the need for being able to edit our messages afterward---we seem to be a forgiving, laid-back bunch when it comes to misspellings and such.

I don't like having to click just to get into a thread---I really liked the old tree format. I liked where you could respond easily to a specific message in a thread. And visually it was nice to see how a topic grew and evolved.

I'm usually very much in favor of change when warranted, but I really didn't see the need for this one. If I have to, I will get used to it because this site is the best resource for us old-house lovers!

Hope this helps.
Jeanne

"Ditto to what Jeanne says. Sorry, Ken. Love the Boards, don't love the new format."

[Guest]

Just in case there is some one else as dumb as myself....maybe you should provide some refreshers on the basics...and please no abbreviations and lingo that mean nothing to the average person who comes here for old house information. (PHPbb, PHP, BBCode are examples seen on this page alone.) I think you should make clear that another benefit of registering is being able to see which posts are new since your last visit. I was in despair all week seeing all those colorless bells beside the posts and wondering what the heck all those bells at the bottom of the first page were good for. Finally one day I registered, but still no color in the bells. The next day, it occurred to me to log in. Hurray! I had the old board in my "Favorites" and never had to log in, but all the new posts were still marked. Must've forgotten how I got this set up since it was so long ago. I won't go to any boards that require me to remember what day I was last there and to sift through things I've already read...and I was just about to say "So Long".

[Chris]

I haven't decided yet what I think of the new format, though I have noticed the dropoff in posts. I definitely miss seeing on one page all the different topics and how the new replies branched off.

And I was very interested to read in the last post that registering will allow me to see what's new since my last visit. I miss that, too, so I guess I should register.

I appreciate the effort to improve, but it may take a while to adjust. But I'm like that generally.

[NikeM]

Hi - thanks for the opportunity to put in our voices on this one! I have not been on old house web in a while, busy with our house, of course, and family time of year. . . but I missed it dearly, so I popped on to see what I've missed. New format, hmmmm!
Well, this is a much neater and sleek looking way to view the boards, and it is easy to see and view topics. However, I have to agree with Jeanne and say I truly miss the visual aspect of seeing a thread - somehow, looking at "11" replies and choosing to click on that subject to view the replies takes the fun out. Sometimes the way threads evolved was downright funny! and I loved scrolling down through them, especially late at night after a long day with a toddler and restoration. There was also a feeling of familiarity (like Don said, perhaps because we love old houses) when looking through the old board format, that is lost with the separation of replies into "boxes". The edit option is nice but doesn't seem necessary, it was easy to get the jist through some typos now and then, and the preview was enough for me to fix anything.
So thanks for your work! but maybe there's a happy medium to the change. . ? Happy Holidays in the meantime!

[Guest]

Hi-

Thanks for asking. I lurk around the boards frequently, contributing once in awhile when I think I can be of help.

The new format bites! Please return to what worked. I can't see the threads, what's new or anything of added value in the new format.

JMHO