What is broken, what needs fixing BLUF: This is not a bitching and gripes thread! (That shit will get you silenced.)
This thread is to address site issues that can be worked under the current program (Discourse) by the IT team.
*Identify the problem/ issue. Give an ideal solution (what would/ could fix the issue or make things better). We also need you to identify if the issue is PC, Phone or Tablet based.
Now here’s the rules for this! -Limited to one issue per post. (I will come through and assign a tracking ID to each issue so we can address them with the IT team.) Probably want to assign a tracking ID to each issue as well. Clearly identify the issue or Bug and provide what an ideal solution would be. (You need to also identify if the issue in PC/ Phone/ Tablet or all x3)
Examples:
Issue 1: Size and positioning of Ads. When viewing M4C on mobile devices the ads block the text and substance of the page being viewed.
Solution: Ads need to be anchored so they can be scrolled past.
Issue 2: Current page colors (Black/ White/ Gray/ Orange) do not work well together…
Solution: Members need to be able to switch from a Dark to a Light mode (or just make the Site permanently into a light color configuration… blah blah blah
Issue 3: Member icons cover text when reading posts… blah blah blah
Don’t bitch and gripe about it, help us fix it and bring about improvements to the site that y’all love.
That statement is not meant to attract new members, it’s meant as a warning to current members to not be detractors and instead help us improve the Forum.
There are a bunch of comments across the site right now that contain nothing but gripes and little in the way of positive suggestion. I don’t mind blowing up the emails of the IT team… but if I’m going to blast them with issues, I’m going to do it the adult way and identify problem and solution.
The new format of the forum isn’t perfect yet… That is clear, but we are working at fixing issues as they are identified. Members helping us in identifying issues/ solutions will only speed things up.
New format sucks ass. Was a dumb idea, whoever pushed for it is an idiot and it’s essentially the forum version of Bud Light going trans.
How to fix:
Put it back to a traditional forum / message board format. Something familiar like the myriad of other message boards that are staying afloat yet were able to incorporate modern features without a whole new interface.
Other suggestion:
Since this site solely exists due to member engagement/participation, before any more major changes are implemented, maybe get input from members?
You essentially pulled the plug on a site that was on life support with this ridiculous format. Then have the audacity to “warn” the few remaining members for complaining about it? Newsflash, we are doing something about it. We are consumers and are complaining in the hopes that changes are made.
Identify: Isn’t there enough constructive criticism along with specific examples including screenshots of user devices and other issues in the Site is Dying and Site Issues threads to keep Admin busy?
Solution: If Admin wants a single thread for everything they consider legit issues to identify and track, maybe they ought to first select and move such posts from the aforementioned threads to here.
Other: It’s bad form to scold and threaten forum members that you’re asking for help.
I have a TelCon with IT this week to figure out where we are at the addressing the concerns I’ve already set them as well as check ups going forward.
If y’all have things for me to present them with… Fire for effect
STOP IT CP!!!
I’m just trying to fix the broken shit, not necessarily re-invent the wheel.
Other changes will be forthcoming, but I will be slow rolling most of them.
The biggest change is going to be getting the site to work as needed and giving Members guidance as to HTF to use THEIR site effectively.
I’m fully aware we have lost a gaggle of members because of the format of the new site… IT is building me a “How To…” guide that I cam post for everyone. Hell, I need the damned How To as much as anyone.
I’m not going full nuclear event on any changes… But I need to know what is still broken so I can discuss it with IT.
You @ChattanoogaPhil aren’t exactly happy with M4C 2.0… So tell me what I need to present during my TelCon this week.
Actually, I’ve found my way around well enough but I have the time and enough interest. Others have better things to do with their lives than relearn how to use a discussion forum. There’s your “lost gaggle”.
To answer your question… consider prioritizing the simple things that folks have already brought to your attention. Lighter background and darker text options, original User names and EE feedback. Then technical stuff like text wrapping on different devices.
I’d be surprised if your IT guys are capable of producing a short and simple ‘color by numbers’ User tutorial/FAQ that average Joe can quickly digest. Consider enlisting the mods to create a How-To. Basic nav, search, new activity, create a thread, reply and quote is mostly what folks do. A 10k word tech geek tutorial on how to Reply with a Quote might not be as effective as a screenshot with arrows. Good luck.
The pinned threads take 40 minutes to scroll down (hyperbole) on the main AR forum. Something that silly was what made me take a break from the forum.
Solution: Format to only have the thread name instead of a portion of the first post. Like one line instead of 5.
The forum and subforum organization is oversized and awkward. The letters are not intuitive on the large buttons.
Solution: Remove the buttons. Have a single line link to each subforum on the main page. Yes, this is essentially like the previous format, but I think you can still keep the ….
Holy crap, I can’t even scroll down to edit this posts. There is something else that can be fixed. iPhone, try to highlight some text to edit this reply, keeps pulling me to the top of the Reply, so I can’t see what I’m trying to edit.
The sub-categories are in the drop down menu. I find it easier than the old Forum having to return to the General main page every time. For example, after clicking on the AR/M4 button, everything in that category is in the drop down menu for you to choose.
And… once you’re in any of the main category pages you can simply jump to any other main category with the other drop down menu. Again, MUCH easier, simpler and quicker than the old forum format.
At the risk of repeating myself…learning how the buttons work and publishing a simple tutorial might achieve quicker and better results than setting IT’s hair on fire with instructions to change all the buttons.
Forum members like Jetiguy (above) are needlessly struggling over the simplest of things due to lack of Admin support and basic how-to resources.
As far as those two-letter buttons… don’t need to use them. With the drop down menus for category and subcategory I can navigate to wherever. Easy peasy.
