I may have told you before but I'll tell you again--ya done good! In the not too distant future I'll not remember the old site and wonder what all the hoopla was about upgrading. Larry F.
Actually, I don't like it as well as the older format. It used to be simpler to identify the most recent posts, as the last entries were always on the top of the list. Now I have to squint as the very tiny print to see what as the last comment posted. GS
A typo on my part -- what I meant to say was that it was easier to scan current threads withOUT having each new photo included in the list of recent messages. The Media tab with the New Media link is fine, I only question the need to also include them in the Recent Posts. Meantime, how do I shrink my avatar to fit? Gordon
That's good to know Charlie, now how do I get to the page to do that? I am still stumbling around on the new site, it took me quite a while to learn my way through the old site. Im sure I will catch on but this just isn't easy to navigate just yet. ..........It seems to me the biggest complaint is the recent activity stream has been reduced from a page down to a tiny column on the right of the screen that is plugged up with image posts that go to the archive. I miss the social aspect of the old site. I think the posts will take a sharp decline. That's my 2 cents !
I would agree with Paul and Greg, when the screen pop's up, most of the threads are locked. Their isn't much of anything to interact with. No doubt, the amount of post's will drop off. I do however like looking at the photos, and don't see no reason, logging on to the separate Archive to post to the photo's. We now have no interaction, which was the biggest plus for Frisco information on the site.
William, if you are on facebook, look up and join the site called "ship it on the Frisco" it is very interactive and there are quite a few members, many of the members there are members here too. I really enjoy the interaction on the site, it would be fun to see you there. The facebook site does not have the depth and volume that Frisco.org does, but there is a lot of information and interaction.
Ok, I have it pending, I have not quite learned Facebook. I've only used it the last couple of months. So its new to me. Its somewhat troubling, I really liked this site. So, we'll make due.
Greg, I'm trying to figure out what you mean exactly. I assume you mean the New Posts widget on the sidebar: If so, that is just a widget. Have you seen the New Posts/Recent Posts pages? If this is not what you are taking about, let me know. Thanks, Charlie
To that end, I have removed the posts from the Frisco Archive from the New Posts page. The RSS feed from the Archive will still post to the forum to direct people to the Archive if they choose but the posts will no longer appear on the New Post/Recent Posts pages. You should not have to resize your avatar. You can upload a large photo and it will resize automatically. However, if you mean that you need to crop part of an image to use as your avatar, you can send it to m in a conversation (private message) and I can crop it for you. If it is simply too large in size, the software will resize it for you. Charlie
As far as the images being thumbnails versus full-size posts, you can't change past posts that people have made. When you post new messages you can choose to display thumbnails or full-size images. However, as I browse the site, on some posts with a lot of thumbnails, I have been editing them to show the full-size versions in the posts. As time goes on I (or the other staff members) will edit more of these posts. The bottom line is that any attachments to messages were imported as thumbnails. We can still change them to full-size versions easily though (each one manually). As far as navigation, this should be perceived as easier than the old site. I realize that people just don't see the same way on different things though. As I posted above the New Posts widget is that; just a widget. Click New Posts or Recent Posts at the top of the page for the full page. This is not different than the old forum other than slightly. Social aspect? How has that changed? I am completely lost on what you mean by that. As far as posts declining, posts on TrainBoard have greatly increased since changing from vBulletin to Xenforo. Charlie
William, The only posts that are locked at the RSS feed posts from the Frisco Archive., But, as I stated above, I have removed the Archive posts from the New Posts/Recent Posts pages to see if people like that better. We will see, and if so, no problem. When you say "no doubt the posts will drop off..." I DOUBT! I doubt it greatly my friend! In the log run this format will be much better for us. I realize that you, and some others, do not understand why the Frisco Archive is a separate site. It is a separate site as it is a separate project. It is not part of the forum. The Frisco Archive was my idea and I wanted to offer high-resolution scans. Many of the full-size Frisco Archive images are from 5 to 8 megabytes in size an some over 6000 pixels wide. These are huge images and cannot be offered through the forum. Wordpress (software that drives the archive) is a much better solution for introducing these images (and other content) on the Internet. As well, the posts can be scheduled to post as set times. It might b of interest for peopl to know that over $10,000 has now been spent on the Frisco Archive and countless hours put in (by me, Bob Dye, Roger Taylor, etc.). We now have no interaction? Really? Where did it go? So, are you saying that I single-handedly killed this site by changing the forum software? Help me understand. Charlie
Well there! If people like Facebook better than the forum, we can do one of two things: Either I can slink away in defeat and hand this over to someone else, or, we can shut this down to save money and everyone can go to Facebook. Just let me know. Charlie
Guys, I'm going to try explaining this again: I've been running railroad forums for over 15 years. That doesn't make me the final word on the subject by any means and I am not trying to sound like I am. But, during this time, I have had occasion to see a lot of different pieces of software that drives forums. Here's a list, in fact. I have been through several different changes in software. This forum originally changed to vBulletin at my suggestion, because, vBulletin was the best forum software that I had ever seen. I recommended it to many people and a number of forums use/used it at my suggestion. I have received e-mail from many site operators that look at TrainBoard and say, "Wow, this place has 30,000 members. I will ask this guy some questions..." The software we have now is called Xenforo. It is hardly different than vBulletin to the casual user other than aesthetics. The back end or technical functioning is much better. The things here that people are complaining about are small things; things that are not big picture. I am not being insulting or trying to shut people up, I do want to hear your opinion(s) about the site and how things look, etc. I am listening. But, for people to suggest, "That's it, the site is toast" because we changed to a better piece of software, I don't get it. Also, saying that this is a better piece of software is not really just "opinion." I think that it is a growing consensus among forum operators that Zenforo is kicking vBulletin in the teeth. I am confident that the software change we made was the right move. And, how that could have hurt this site in any way is baffling to me. Charlie
Ahh, that's great. Your detailed description helped a ton. Im so happy, when I click the "recent posts" icon it maked the page full size and it is wonderful again. Thanks for your efforts ! Im happy. I think when Greg and William see how that works they will be happier too. Change my vote from bad to good.
Also glad you liked my facebook comment, I knew that would grab your attention. The fb site does not hold a candle to this one as far as volume and detail, its just a fun site that gets a lot of interaction.
Really enjoying the "recent posts" page. I have a question. When I pull up thread it shows the oldest entry first and the latest last. How can I change it to show the most recent entries first? I clicked around a bit but could not find how to change it. thanks !
Charlie, see your talking way over my head. There was no intent to insult anyone. There is no doubt that I do not have much skill on websites. When I said we would make due, it meant that we would make due with the new changes. Today is the first time, I used the new post, link on the right hand side. What I have tried is to use the link at the top of the page, in white. Then I use the back arrow's to the last screen. When I talk about interaction, rarely do I go to a second page. I look at what comes up, on the first page, if say 9 out of 12 have a lock, then I have assumed that no one has posted, at least anything new. The Facebook, as I stated, I really don't care much for FB. Short story, we all thank you for the effort you make, what some folks are saying is that we are having trouble understanding how the new system works,
Charlie - Per Paul's request, I, too, would like to know how to change the date order of posts in a given string, if that is possible. That might come in handy sometime. I would ask, however, that you do not change the default, as I by far prefer to have posts in a given string be in order of the oldest down to the newest. I have trouble reading off of screens, as opposed to paper pages, and find it easier to read down from oldest to newest to gain full understanding of what is being discussed, rather than going up. Hang in there - you are doing a great job for us. For the life of me, I do not understand what most of the dissenters are complaining about. I am no computer whiz for sure, but after a week of struggling with your new system, with your kind help, I now find I can do everything I used to do very easily, and am greatly enjoying the new features, and graphics, and speed, and capabilities, the new system offers. I fear what you are seeing is something I always complain about as well about the systems on my pc - as a 72-year "old geezer", I hate it when computer software changes, as I find it difficult to CHANGE. I'll bet that's the problem others are having - we all need to open our eyes, and look closely at the options you have installed on our screens, and then punch the right one to do what we want (like "New Posts" and "Recent Posts" as a good example). If so, I'll bet folks will quickly come to like the new system very much, as I have. Again, I'm no computer whiz - just ask my son Kurt, who has bailed me out many times. He now wants me to upgrade to Windows 10 (from Windows 7) - I am resisting doing so as I am perfectly happy with how Windows 7 is running (although at times it does silly things). I guess, at his urging, one of these nights I'll arm myself with an adult beverage and give it a go. So ..... frisco.org folks ..... for me, the new system is pretty nice! Ken
Hi Charlie, please do not feel insulted or unappreciated by our comments. You are the main one who keeps this forum going. This means a lot to me as I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. I think most negative comments come from frustration with getting used to the new software. It definitely an inprovement. For one thing I no longer get error messages which with the old software I got on a regular basis. I suspect that a lot of us complainers are older and no longer tolerate change well. Personally I thank you very very much for all your efforts.
