Question Feedback Poll - Which forum format do you like (Old Style or New "Motoring Alliance")

All,

I'm continuing to work on the new platform, layout and options. While there are many aspects I like, there are some that are a little bothersome. Also, I've had a few members ask about a more "normal" style layout. Therefor, I would like to do a quick poll and see which style you like better.. the "Old Style or the current one called "Motoring Alliance".

To see the different styles, go to the bottom of the page. In the footer on the left hand side you will see a box called "Motoring Alliance". It has a little drop down arrow. There you can choose between "Motoring Alliance" and "Old Style".


Regarding the Old Style - it will have the features and functionality. The colors can be change and adjusted. Here is a picture.. take a look and give it a shot.

Lets do a poll... and see which ones members prefer. Also, if you add comments etc regarding either style that would be great to help me better understand what you are looking for and like/don't like.

Ultimately I'm trying to determine if/where we can improve the navigation of the site.. so any feedback is welcome.

Thanks,

Josh

 

For example - is the order of the categories confusing everyone? Should I move Technical Questions and answers up?

 

Great thanks for the feedback. Do you mind if I ask, if there are features/functions that you are “looking” for or missing? That will help me understand potential area’s I can tweak. Also - do you see the “poll” at the top of the thread? (More asking as no-one has voted yet (so this question is really more toward everyone who reads this post)...

 

Agreed - that was pretty annoying... glad we got that figured out. Its funny how when we were testing it wasn’t picked up. In retrospect, that is because we were trying to figure out functionality and not “looking” for new content.

2 Questions -
1) What about if you are looking for something? Are you able to find it quickly?
2) When you are looking for “new” post. Do you use the “New” (#1) or do you use the “New Post” #2 or both? (See Picture Below)

 

@Dave.0 - thanks for posting this. This week, I had another active member ask me this... So I need to think through how to adjust or make this more clear. The last thing any of us want is to limit the ability for members to create threads and discuss topics. Here is how you do it today.... please let me know how you think it should look... I.e. stated differently, when you were thinking of starting a new thread, where did you look? That will help me understand where others are probably looking.

Today there are a few spots to start a new thread. However you cannot do that from the “Main” forum page since you are not “technically” in a forum yet. See pic below...


You need to go “into” a forum or Category to create a thread. For example, Technical Questions and Answers Forum



Once in the forum (or sub forums) there are buttons you should always see (let me know if you are not as that would be a permissions issue that I somehow missed....)



So you will have one at the top right “always” and one right above the threads in the forum (see below)



You should also see one at the bottom of the threads...


Again - please let me know where you are “looking” to start a thread.. I.e. when you wanted to start one you looked somewhere... didn’t see it and therefore didn’t start a thread. Where did you naturally go? That will help me see if I can put a button there.

 

@caseydog - Agree on this one. Just need a little more time. Also, the “prefixes” I’m going to try and work on. The initial ones we created, where to help “move” the forums around and consolidate. I still need to do that to the General conversation area. That said, the functionality they provide currently isn’t super valuable. I plan on manually going through post in each forum and categorizing them better. I also am working with a graphics designer and developer to clean up the colors and change their location. Which actually isn’t as easy as I expected. That said, before I make these changes I’ll put together some information on my thoughts and post them so we can all have input. I think that will also allow everyone to see how they potentially can be used... good feedback.. appreciate it (as always).

On a side note, I’m also working on trying to figure out a way so you can take super large images (like the ones you probably take when doing shoots on your camera) and upload them. Right now if you try to upload an image that is two large it “hangs”.. I did research on this and essentially I’m running out of server memory as it try’s to scale the image. So that is a work in progress. Ideally I can make it super easy for you to upload any image without you/members having to do any re-sizing. Instead that would be handled by the software.

 

Agreed - I think that is pretty cool. In Xenforo 2.0 this actually gets even easier. We just need it to get stable first before doing the upgrade.

Using a critical eye - what else would you like to see changed? So it would feel more natural and not require as much “getting used to it?”

As always - good feedback, keep it coming.

 

@MCS02 - is being very kind.. he and @Steve have put a TON of late nights, weekends etc on this site. I cannot take credit its a volunteer team. When you see them at MOTD or anywhere else... buy them a beer! This site is for all of us... so if anyone else wants to join the band and help let me know. We have a lot of ideas on how to continue to improve the site once we get through this Phase 1.. some of the ideas require manual effort (For example - Cleaning up “prefix” to make them more valuable) so the more people that help the faster it will go..

 

@Qik - Looks like I may have been responding to @Dave.0 post when you replied. Did you see this yet? https://www.motoringalliance.com/threads/poll-which-forum-format-do-you-like-old-style-or-new-motoring-alliance.30363/#post-401164

That is an explanation of today. Same question for you as I asked Dave.0. Where do you naturally “look” to create a thread? I.e. it should be the natural place you are looking to create a new thread. This will help me see if/how I can potentially tweak this so you don’t have to look and its super simple... which is my goal. The easy button.

 

Well - I just learned something.. and its something I need to figure out how to change. I was wondering why members were not using the poll above. It appears you are (THANKS).. However I was expecting to just “see” the results.. but no, you have to click on the button, view results. See pic below..


I need to figure out how to change that.. But now you know if you want to see how things are trending.

 

No problem - and thanks for your feedback.. really appreciate it.