Thanks Katie! All these changes are really helping to make the site better. The blue/pink is much easier to read now (more contrast) and graying out the topics as they're read makes it easier to figure out where I left off.

Agreed! One formatting request - would it be possible to bring back the shading of all the comments I've made on a particular thread? That was helpful, I thought. I know a few people have mentioned it, but hadn't seen anywhere where you addressed that; maybe I just missed it. Either way, the recent improvements help a lot - thank you!

I don't know if anyone else is experiencing trouble clicking around and posting but there are some problems with the overall site's database today. Our team and a larger team from Random House's IT support is looking into it right now. Thanks for being patient--I know it can be frustrating.

Just to clarify--in my last post on this thread I think I said the grey/blue links weren't working in the profile; they should be now.

Thanks again adrienne for the feedback---

gray!

So many different threads commenting on the good, the bad and the ugly of the changes... so, I'm not sure where to post this - - but this thread looks like one that Katie is following...

...and with a little reluctance, I will say... I'm coming around to see that for all practical purposes, we haven't lost anything that constitutes the real reasons we "veterans" have kept coming here for years.

That said, I offer my minor constructive criticism(s)... and one question...

1. A better divider between oists in a thread - - the faint gray dashed line barely shows up.

2. Any of us who were here when registration began (Jan 2003) are listed as "members since" Jan 2003 -- but we are easily identified way further back than that (I have ALWAYS been "rex" at [email protected] (even though I occasionally used "xxx" and other unidentifiable aliases occasionally back before registration) - - it would be nice to allow us to document our "start dates" and then plus that into our respective profile(s) - - a minor issue, I know...

...and as a corollary, this leads to my question - - why is it at a name can (apparently) not be searched? A search for "rex" over any time period yields nothing - - likewise "rbmd" (always in every one of my posts).

Oddly, it IS possible to search for << wishes, >> (with the comma) - - an identifier for my posts...

...since I always put << Best wishes, >> as the close - - or at least the first time I post on any given thread.

like this...

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex, I may be wrong, but it seems like the basic search only searches topic <u>titles</u>. When I searched for "wishes," in the basic search box, I got only a list of threads with "wishes" in the title. When I did the same with the advanced search (with "Search full topic and replies" checked), I see a list of threads that you've posted on. When I typed in your name, it gave no search results, but does give a link to your profile, which also has the threads you've posted on.

<b>Katie</b> - if that's correct, would it be possible to make that clearer somehow - maybe by saying "search topics" instead of "search forum"? It makes sense that searching all the text by default would take up a huge amount of site resources, but I didn't think about that distinction till just now, and I can see how it's frustrating if you think it's searching the whole site.

I would just like to add my thanks to you Katie too. You are so responsive and have been very patient with everybody. I like the new format more each time I use it. Admittedly I do not have any speed issues. And I find it easier to reply in this format for some reason.

Also a big thank you to all the helpful hints from many of the posters on how to improve things. It is a learning curve for all of us; which will only make us stronger!!

<< When I typed in your name, it gave no search results, but does give a link to your profile, which also has the threads you've posted on.>>

That makes no sense - - my name "rex" is a word, like any other word. And by inference, it is not possible to search for << Hotel Rex >>?

As for searching <U>titles</U> versus <U>titles</U> AND the <B>replies</B> as well... well, that seems indicated quite clearly, doesn't it? (when the "results" come back - - and it leaves you poised to do an "advanced" search, including the replies if that is what you are seeking).

You're so right, Rex. The search used to work for words within the responses. Now it appears that only titles come up when you search, even with the advanced search.

This type of search is very limiting.

Allow me toadd my thanks to the others being posted here:

Thank you Katie Editor and the other nameless hardworking editors!


Actually, I haven't been upset at all by the change and am enjoying learning how to navigate around the new Fodors. Yes there are some bugs - that's always to be expected when starting a new piece of software.

So, what's the new technology called now, since we're not on Frames any more?

adrienne- I don't know what you mean by
<i>Now it appears that only titles come up when you search, even with the advanced search.</i>

When I used the Advance search earlier today, to look up "Damme" by searching both titles and replies, I get lots of hits which I was not able to do so in the old Search engine when I was researching for my Belgium trip last year.

rex - it may be clear when the results come back, but if I'm expecting to get results from a basic search when I type in "<Hotel Name> London" (and know there's been a thread that mentioned it), that's when I'm thinking a little clarification up front might be nice. It's a relatively minor quibble for me, though.

Hi yk,

Try searching on "rex." As he says, and I have seen many times, Rex signs his posts with his name which is part of the response. A search for rex comes up with nothing. Try also searching on sox (as in red sox) theroux (as in paul theroux) and there is only 1 response for theroux yet the thread I looked at where this name appears does not come up in a search, search for psa (the code for Pisa airport) and also for DSM (these are just a few examples).

I think this site uses a search engine that only looks for a proscribed list of words. Searching is much better than it was but not completely fixed.

You are correct that the search locates both titles and responses search but not all words/names are searchable.

For sure we appreciate the work & efforts Fodors putting in to keep the forums up to date and they all deserve a big thank you.... I am still missing the old version, bolding helps too yes....But keeping the last posted message on top is an eye catching positive issue so people do not have to check old posts and have a minute to spot whats new and which posts has an answer.

These specialities makes Fodors different than any others.

Cheers,

Murat

Thanks for the bold titles and the blue/gray links.

Now please just bring back the gray backgrounds highlighting a thread-starter's posts, and the forums will be as great as before. The gray/white separation was especially helpful when reading long trip reports with many replies and comments.

the new format is called css - cascading style sheets (I think) - pretty much standard for any decent web site.

Would it be possible to put a <i>to the top</i> link in the middle of threads with many replies? Since we do not have the frames anymore, scrolling is a lot more work...

And, I echo, a gray background on posts when you do a search on yours or someone elses' name - makes it much easier to find what you're looking for.

Momliz - you can use the "control" key (hold it down) and the "home" key to quickly get to the top. Lot's easier and quicker than scrolling to the top.

Alternately, shift (hold the key) + space bar will allow you to go up one screen at a time.

<< I think this site uses a search engine that only looks for a proscribed list of words. Searching is much better than it was but not completely fixed. >>

Omigosh - - never occurred to me - - maybe it rejects words of three letters or less as not "searchable".

Searches for "Aix" or "Eze" don't work either!

So, I should have been using "Reginald" all these years?

I think you've sort of cracked the code, Rex. I just searched for "end" and "lot" and found nothing, yet these words are part of a response.

But we still have Theroux not coming up as part of the search either. My name is 8 letters and I can no longer search on it (I used to be able to find threads by typing in my name). It's more than words of 3 letters. I think fodor's is using some sort of "canned" search dictionary which needs to be modified for this travel forum. We'll have to wait for Katie to advise us.

Hi; I think what is interesting, is all these so called regulars on the forum who havn't 'stepped up to the plate' to at least recognize that the Fodor's people are working hard. Imagine, only 39 replies to a Thanks Katie and group, post. Of the 39, many are by the same people. It's pathetic. ENJOY Iris