Question Feedback Most liked posts in thread: Poll - Which forum format do you like (Old Style or New "Motoring Alliance")

  1. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

    Jan 9, 2012
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    I am all for change, when it is needed. I have been having a real hard time getting on around on this new format. I spend more time searching for a way to get to where I want to be than actually being there, not as user friendly as the "older" version, IMO. From a visual aspect though I think you are on target. The added graphics make things look more modern and interesting. The combination of the two has given me a headache on a few occasions.

    I do have a question though. Since the new look was initiated I have been unable to locate the vendors. Did that topic go away or am I just confused?
     
  2. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
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    Either way is OK with me!
     
  3. Whine not Walnuts

    Whine not Walnuts Active Member

    Mar 14, 2017
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    New style is "cooking with gas"
     
  4. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    Ah - got it. I was talking with someone else regarding this confusion. Essentially in Step "2" if you just tap on "whats new" it will take you to new post. So it is a two step process since the screen size is small. That will save you one step. I will also look into this and see if on the small screen size (i.e. phone) if the platform will allow me to keep a single navbar button for "whats new"

    note the same thing applies to PC's - in this case if you double click "what's new" it will take you to the new post without having to have the sub menu load. I'm looking into that already (i.e. if can just make it a click).

    Good feedback - hope that helps remove one step... while I look into if I can put a static "What's New" on the top no matter the screen size. Thanks for the feedback, let me know if you have anymore.
     
  5. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    For example - is the order of the categories confusing everyone? Should I move Technical Questions and answers up?
     
  6. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
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    Yeah, the first thing I do when I come to the forum is look at the new posts, which you and I have already talked about, Sully. It is an easy, one-click task now.

    I'd still like to see the colored box "prefixes" moved to the the other end, as "suffixes," so I can scroll down and read the thread topics all lined up on the left.

    Other than that, I'm getting used to the new format, and like some of the new capabilities a lot. I really like the drag-and-drop photo feature, that allows you to easily put a photo in a post, with text before and after the photo.

    CD
     
  7. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    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)
    94D1B532-1D7F-48C8-983A-7118BB1F3662.jpeg
     
  8. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    @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...
    0C1F9419-F68F-4452-A92E-9E25F47D15D8.jpeg

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

    25C03892-358E-4397-B9E3-73078FA6D7D3.jpeg

    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....)

    D9E46CB1-FD24-48FF-969A-C00DC4D6216E.jpeg

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

    4590BD0E-833E-47C2-B9A2-52A81C45F434.jpeg

    You should also see one at the bottom of the threads...
    A0FBA9F2-5235-475A-91AE-FF195D2A8D7B.jpeg

    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.
     
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  9. Qik

    Qik Well-Known Member

    Oct 27, 2015
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    I'm having the same issue, it is a bit of work to find a way to post a thread. Still love the new site though.
     
  10. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    @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.
     
  11. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    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. :Ninja:
     
  12. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    @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.. :Cyclops:
     
  13. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    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..
    1A92A1EB-E590-44FB-AD71-17C09C516D0E.jpeg

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

    Sully Administrator
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    No problem - and thanks for your feedback.. really appreciate it. :)
     
  15. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
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    Change is normally a good thing. While I am a complete idiot when it comes to doing anything technical, even I can appreciate the time and effort that went into changing this site for the BETTER! That said, the ONLY thing I miss from the old site is the caterwauling, moaning, and general bitchiness between the members...hahahahaha...NOT! I don't post pics of my cars because I don't know how to do that, and that's OK by me, so I don't mind when others show off their own cars. Nope...I'm here to read what is going on in the MINI world and in the world of the members in the "new posts" section. There, I can post replies when I feel I can make a comment or a joking response.

    So, WELL DONE, Sully and Crew! :Thumbsup:
     
  16. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Current polling is showing 5 for “old style” and 10 for “new style”.. keep the feedback coming.
     
  17. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Correct - when they way in.. it will spike! :)
     
  18. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Thanks - how do we make it better? :Ninja:
     
  19. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Apr 22, 2009
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    I really miss the how-to library. It was easy to find all of those articles in one place. The old site seemed much easier to navigate.
     
  20. Sully

    Sully Administrator
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    Jul 21, 2015
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    Good feedback - I was thinking this one was easier as the articles are essentially in two places. One in the forums (more on that later).. and second a complete list in Articles. If you click on articles you can see news and how to articles.. here is a direct link. Have you seen this?
    https://www.motoringalliance.com/articles/category/maintenance-and-technical-info.5/

    Let me know... I was working with a different user today on an issue. After a few hours we both realized it wasn’t a technical issue it was an UI.. so if you think library is harder.. let’s figure that out. For me, it’s easier.. but that doesn’t mean anything. What important is y’all (southern term) find it easier. :).