The new forum design and features

[BrianM]

I'm working on a new look for the forum and also adding additional features... here's how you can test it out:

1. Go to your 'user control panel' by clicking "My Profile"
2. Click "Board Preferences"
3. On the option 'My board style' choose "we_clearblue"

Some of the main differences, besides an updated design/layout, are:
- multiple RSS feed options (RSS feeds allow you to follow content in various ways without actually visiting the site)
- facebook "like" option
- email button (to send an email to a friend suggesting they read a particular post on the forum)
- print button (printer friendly page in case you want to print out a discussion)
- Quick Reply

EDIT: This new design is now the default style.

Be sure to provide feedback regarding what you like, what you don't like, what else you might want to see, etc...

[MercynGracecaptain of 100]

Love it! It looks much cleaner without all the lines and boxes separating everything. Much easier on the eyes.

[kgrigiocaptain of 100]

I like it a lot. I have one suggestion though. I like to be able to see the newest thread in each category on the index page, similar to the way it is now. Now I must go into each category to be reminded of the latest thread.

[pritchet1captain of 1,000]

I agree with kgrigio. Otherwise, nicely done, Brian!!

[iamse7encaptain of 1,000]

RSS?? Fantastic.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Is there a shortcut available for embedding videos? If not then I would suggest a link near the place where we embed them going to an explanation of how to do it.

[LikeMember]

I like the old style better...

It is easier for me to get around the site and the easier on my eyes. I like the location of the view active topic link with the old style... The new lay out is not idea for me. I tried the new style for a couple of weeks and I just changed back to the old style.

[shadowcaptain of 1,000]

I like the old style too but it might be because of my hesitation for "change"

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

When we go into an area such as LDS prep then choose a thread, at the top of the page of the thread, the link should be a link bringing us back to the LDS prep page again. Currently the top of the page has a link that does nothing.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

I love the "print view". Great tool.

[BrianM]

Thanks for all the suggestions... the new style is still a work in progress - and there are still some things I want to add to it - I'll keep all your suggestions in mind.

[BrianM]

Thanks for your feedback... I've finally updated the new design with the features you've requested. I've made the new design the default for the forum with the option to switch back to the old style if preferred. I recommend you try getting used to the new design, especially considering some of the new features it has that the old design won't ever have.

Be sure to post feedback, suggestions...

[patriotsaintcaptain of 1,000]

I like the new design Brian, it looks sharp. Great work!

[clarkkent14captain of 1,000]

My only gripe... The "View Active Topics" link used to be at the top of every thread, and almost any page. I live off of that link. Now I have to click board index, then view active topics... that's all. Wouldn't mind the ads going away either...

[clarkkent14captain of 1,000]

Also... each post had an arrow next to it... it would take you to the first unread post. I used that all the time too. Now I can only go to the most recent post or the first post of the thread.

[keeprunningcaptain of 100]

That's the only thing I miss, too. I need the 'first unread post' for each thread button again!

[BrianM]

My only gripe... The "View Active Topics" link used to be at the top of every thread, and almost any page. I live off of that link. Now I have to click board index, then view active topics... that's all. Wouldn't mind the ads going away either...

Or you could click "Latest Posts" in the main navigation at the top... it's the same link.

[LikeMember]

I like how in the old SimpleLightBlue format in the active topics link the topics were describe in a way which you knew which forum the topic is posted in.

[An Eye Singlecaptain of 50]

I'm really missing the old design! I was always able to glance at recent topics on my smartphone and now it is taking FOREVER to load a page. Time where I am actually tied down to a computer is almost non-existent. What ever shall I do? Someone please tell me that there is a way to change preferences back!

[BrianM]

I have kept the option to switch back to the the old style... just go to "user control panel" -- "Board Preferences" and change the "my board style" to "SimpleLightBlue".

I don't notice any different in speed to load pages on my smartphone... anyone else using a smartphone and notice a difference?

[pjbrowniecaptain of 1,000]

Very glad you kept the view active topics link.

[BrianM]

Very glad you kept the view active topics link.

Yes, and just in case you didn't notice... "Latest Posts" takes you to the same place.

[LikeMember]

I like how in the old SimpleLightBlue format in the active topics link the topics were describe in a way which you knew which forum the topic is posted in.

can you get this feature back?

[ChemtrailWatchercaptain of 100]

One thing I'm finding since the change is that I'm continually being logged out after maybe 10 minutes or so (?) of browsing. Is that supposed to be happening?

[BrianM]

One thing I'm finding since the change is that I'm continually being logged out after maybe 10 minutes or so (?) of browsing. Is that supposed to be happening?

It shouldn't keep happening, but for it to have been happening earlier today and yesterday is normal due to the changes I was making at the time to the forum. Also, try logging out and then when you log in it helps to check "Log me on automatically each visit".

[Quillcaptain of 10]

I think the new design is great. I was wondering why there were no ads before. I hope it's enough to help you with the time you spend on your sites. Thanks.

[BrianM]

I like how in the old SimpleLightBlue format in the active topics link the topics were describe in a way which you knew which forum the topic is posted in.

Done: search.php?search_id=active_topics - I agree, it's better that way.

[LikeMember]

I like all the fine tuning you have done .

[Squallycaptain of 1,000]

I like the new design. I have one recommendation. Is there any way you could add "go to first unread" post when you click on the thread instead of having to click and enter into the thread, and then click on the go to first unread post. The old design allowed us to go the first unread post from the thread title in one click.

[larsenbcaptain of 1,000]

Brian, I would like to see a little more contrast between successive posts in a given thread. The very light blue is not quite enough to easily distinguish them. Maybe just my rheumy eyes or something, but one shouldn't have to strain even a little to separate them.