New Board suggestions

[Jules]

Ron, in your profile, choose the 'look and layout preferences', then check the 'return to topics after posting by default' box.

Save your profile.

After this, whenever you post, you'll be returned to the end of the topic you've just posted in.

[Ron S]

Jules

thanks, I knew it wasn't a site fault. I guess on other forums, this is the default, not my fault.

[Mick T]

What do you have to do to see all the posts made by nicknames associated with your email address from the old board?

[Jules]

Mick, If you access your profile from the menu above and then choose 'Show Posts' from the Profile summary menu at the left, that should give you a list.

I can't guarantee all legacy posts have been correctly associated (userids were swapped around a lot in the early days), but it's a reasonable try.......

[Pete T]

Ron S,

It's a bit quiet in here isn't it..

Now where do we talk footie, thought MH would be shouting from the rooftops by now!!

[Mike Morgan]

Is there any chance of having the new posts appear at the top of the lists (as used to be) instead of having to go to the last page?  Perhaps it's me being a saddo and set in my ways, but it seems to make more sense doing it that way.

[Jules]

Is there any chance of having the new posts appear at the top of the lists (as used to be) instead of having to go to the last page?  Perhaps it's me being a saddo and set in my ways, but it seems to make more sense doing it that way.

You can set this pretty easily within the "Look and Layout" preferences within your Profile, just check the "Show most recent posts at the top" option.

[Mike Morgan]

Great, thanks very much.

Some of the pages still seem to be starting at the beginning, but that's probably me or the PC.  Spooky bit is that I recently had to have a new hard drive and was told that the PC will 'learn' what I want it to do.  It seems to have a mind of it's own and is actually 'learning' and doing things unbidden that I don't want it to do! 
Does Stephen King pay for suggested plots for his books? 

[Mark Oakley]

Okay...I've no idea where this is going to end up, so in the hope that someone finds it (preferably Jules) here's my desperate plea.
Basically, I can't get on with this board format at all. I'm quite prepared to concede that the fault lies with me rather than with the design...but I have a suspicion (judging from the lack of conversation - or is it that I  simply can't find where the conversation is taking place?) that I'm not the only one. I was wondering therefore, whether it would be technically feasible and not too much trouble to set up an additional 'forum' that simply captured every post, on whatever subject, in chronoligical order...much like the old one! Luddites like me could then dodge all the bewildering options and go straight for the latest posts.
On the other hand...if you're all still nattering away just as polifically as before, I'll just listen to the music instead!

[Allan Heron]

Okay...I've no idea where this is going to end up, so in the hope that someone finds it (preferably Jules) here's my desperate plea.
Basically, I can't get on with this board format at all. I'm quite prepared to concede that the fault lies with me rather than with the design...but I have a suspicion (judging from the lack of conversation - or is it that I  simply can't find where the conversation is taking place?) that I'm not the only one. I was wondering therefore, whether it would be technically feasible and not too much trouble to set up an additional 'forum' that simply captured every post, on whatever subject, in chronoligical order...much like the old one! Luddites like me could then dodge all the bewildering options and go straight for the latest posts.
On the other hand...if you're all still nattering away just as polifically as before, I'll just listen to the music instead!

I have to say that I think the board's better used than was the case before.

Do you use the link at the head of the page which says "Show unread posts since last visit"?  That will show you all the posts that you haven't read and you can then go through them systematically without needing to bother about what sections they are in.  One word of warning though - if you click this but move on without reading any of the posts then they won't show up next time around as it resets after each visit (as implied in the heading).

[Mark Davies]

Do you use the link at the head of the page which says "Show unread posts since last visit"?

I would concur that this is the way to go. I was on the points of giving up before I found this option.

[Michael Heatley]

I have to admit that I like Oakers preferred the old board...

Sorry - I now feel horribly ungrateful! 

[Allan Heron]

I have to admit that I like Oakers...

Nothing to be ashamed of, Michael - he's not a bad lad really 

[Jules]

Basically, I can't get on with this board format at all.

Oakers I appreciate the message, and I do sympathise with the sentiments behind it. I don't think you're alone, as there's a small number of regular Manboard posters have not become active on the Forum. I'm taking the view that you can't please all of the people all of the time, but perhaps some of the following might help.

Why the change?

Well, the new style Forum was chosen for a number of reasons, but two stand out:

1. Several Manboard posters requested a themed bulletin board. Although this wasn't an especially high-pressure push (thanks chaps for your patience), it was consistent and persistent. I had committed a while back to look into it, and it made sense to me to follow through.
2. The security (or lack thereof) of the old Manboard was proving to be a serious threat to the viability of the Archive site.  You may remember we were taken off air several times in the past couple of years, having been hacked and used to host some malicious mail-bots. I'll not trouble you with the lawyers letters I received from companies who were being attacked from our servers unbeknownst to myself or our hosts. Ignorance is no excuse, but a failure to act would have been just plain stupid. And expensive.

What are the improvements?

1. The current Forum is much more stable, and better supported.
2. It's (so far) proved to be resistant to attack.
3. It's more popular. According to the stats we've seen a substantial increase in the number of posts being made. It'll ebb and flow of course, but the jump was notable.
4. It's more powerful. So far most of us are only scratching the surface of what can be done here. The ability to quickly create new boards, categories and posts, to exploit private messaging between members, and links to messenger services are really just the start of it.

How can I get the best out of it?

1. Rule 1. Always login before browsing. Then you can quickly see which topics have new posts in, and can click on the 'New' icon against each topic to go straight to the posts you haven't seen yet.
2. Rule 2. Always login before browsing. Then you can see the full range of facilities available, view pictures attached to postings from others, see which topics have attracted the most replies.
3. Rule 3. Always login before browsing. Then you'll be able to modify your profile settings to decide how to sort message boards and topics in whatever way you're comfortable with.

How else can I get the best out of it?

1. Use it. You're among friends. Play around with it.
2. Keep using it. Difficult or confusing things become easier and clearer with practice. Familiarity may breed contempt, but it also helps point out all the little shortcuts and features you might overlook if just glancing through as a guest.
3. Take a canter through the online Help screens.
4. Post in here if there's anything you don't like, or would like to see. I'll not always be able to fix or improve things, but I will do what I can.

Allan's comment regarding the "Show new posts" link is a good idea. It'll most closely match what you were looking for, but bear in mind it can be confusing if several topics are busy at the same time.

[Martin Daughton]

How can I get the best out of it?

Rule 4. Don't use it at 3:17 in the morning!