easytraveler

We're exchanging a Model T Ford for a brand new Ferrari - well, maybe, not a Ferrari - just get used to driving something different.

I am liking the new format and this liking increases with increased usage. Lots ot like about the new format.

kelliebellie

Let's just call the point mute, because I'm sure that Fodors will not be ditching the new design that I'm sure took them months and months of hard work to accomplish.

Let's even give them some thanks for all their hard work. I'm sure their intent was not to confuse and alienate, but to improve.

They took so much time and energy for this, let's repay them by giving it some work on our part to use it and get used to it.

emalloy

I've found that using the back arrow helps me from getting lost, took a while to figure that out and I sometimes forget anyway. Still getting used to a new system takes time.

althom1122

It's funny - I just saw a piece on the Today show a few days ago about how apologizing. One of the ways they said NOT to apologize was to say "I'm sorry for YOUR attitude." They said it makes it clear that the apologizer is not sorry in the least and is blaming the other person. I was not seeking out negativity - it just jumped out at me. If you want to apologize for yourself or how you came across, ok. But please don't apologize for my interpretation. Ahem, I think that's my prerogative.

I do realize now that your comments were not MEANT as insulting or unfriendly, but that's how they came across to me ("get the point?"). The unfortunate thing about the written word is that the tone is not always clear to the reader. It seemed to me you were assuming that the OP just didn't like change. I was offering a viewpoint that some (myself, for one) may dislike certain aspects of the new format because they really are less user friendly - not just because they're new - and your comments didn't seem to allow for that as an option.

I agree this has gone too far. Rather than apologize for your attitude, though, I'll apologize for my own. Like yourself, my intent was just to offer my own perspective on the forums.

And as I've said several times, I like a lot of the new features -I agree there's much to like. I was simply commenting on one aspect I don't like. New dishwasher or not, it ain't perfect.
And neo, you don't need to re-explain your intentions. I understand that you did not intend to come across the way I interpreted it. I hope you'll grant me the same graciousness.

suze

easytraveler we're exchanging the Model T for a Ford Pinto
;-) that's the problem.

Connie

I hate the new style!!!

ahotpoet

When I want to read a thread I right click on it and open it in a new window. That way I have my original list and can work my way down. I even did that on the old format.
Getting lost on these boards is one of my favorite activities.

NeoPatrick

See what I mean about your misinterpreting what I say, althom? I'm assuming you are speaking to me about apologizing. Why, I have no idea! You misunderstood me once again. I was NOT apologizing, nor even attempting to do so. I didn't do anything to apologize for in my book, so you're right -- I'm NOT sorry for that in the least. But I did sort of suggest that I felt "sorry" for you if you only can see negative when people are trying to be positive. There are other uses for the word sorry besides apologies.

I have no qualms with what you say or what you think -- except when you argue that the example I give isn't the "ONLY" thought or opinion (of course it isn't), or try to suggest that I was indicating it was.

But we agree on one thing. Let's move on.

janisj

That's OK NP, I haven't understood half of what Althom is on about.

"And neo, you don't need to re-explain your intentions. I understand that you did not intend to come across the way I interpreted it. I hope you'll grant me the same graciousness." -- talk about passive/aggressive . . . .

Althom: You say The archives section is not user friendly" That is a declarative sentence w/ no room for debate. However it is just your opinion. In my opinion, since they added the "View all of today's activity" on each forum, it has actually become easier to go back and read lots of threads w/o having to page back every 50 entries like before. On an active forum like Europe or the Lounge, one used to have to page back 4 or 5 or 6 times just to see all the current activity. Now it is one mouse click.

Between that and the much better search function (heck, ANY search function) it is a lot easier to find old threads as well as active ones.

Some of the new features are silly IMO - like the "Recent Popular Topics" or "New Topics" -- but they are really just window dressing. The guts of the site/forums are working much better. It will take most of us some time to get used to all the new whistles and bells - and we'll end up using/ignoring the ones we like/don't like.

But activity is already up a bit over what it was on the old platform, so some people must be happy . . . . .

bigtyke

I disliked the new format at first and I told them so. After getting over my initial displeasure, I made several suggestions - most of which they adopted and now I like it at least as well as the old format and perhaps a little better

althom1122

janisj: I never said I was not happy with the new forum. I said I was not happy with a couple of features. I thought I made it clear that I LIKE many of the new features. Sorry (yes, an apology) I didn't make myself clear. I find the archives section frustrating. I've seen numerous comments along the same lines in other forums. Katie has acknowledged that the archives need work. So it's not just MY opinion. You're right that on an active board, fewer clicks are required, but on a less active forum, such as Latin America, and certain tagged sections in Asia and Middle East/Africa, it requires many, many clicks to go back multiple days because there are often only a very few posts in a day. It is extremely cumbersome (my opinion - but also that of many other posters). I love these forums - spend much time here - and don't generally participate in any disagreements. I was just commenting on what I thought was an assumption on neo's part that because someone didn't like the new boards (or even specific features) it was solely because they weren't open to change, rather than that there might be anything at all wrong with the change.

suze

I agree the new format works better on the US and Europe board that have more daily postings, over Latin America which is a quieter forum and does in fact take lost more 'clicks' and scrolling to find your way around.

siena1

I like the new format, especially the user profiles. It helps me remember who's who.

sobster

Boy, this new format is really screwed up. There are no posts for Feb. 29, 30, or 31. Jeesh.

easytraveler

sobster: LOL! Good one!

suze: it's not really that bad!

And it's probably not the editors' fault, but the fault of the new software. Just think of how many versions of Windows you've gotten and the different revisions.

starrs

moot, not mute
I like the new format. I find it easy to use and like the new features. The changes don't bother me, especially when the editors add back in things that we have asked for. I learned on this board that makes me a "Fodor's Apologist". Who knew?
LOL, sobster! That damn new format!!!

kelliebellie

Oh starrs you are so right. It is spelled moot. I was pronouncing it moot in my head, but my fingers typed it mute. I hate it when people say mute point. Alas, no edit button!

tuckerdc

I hadn't been here for a while, until a couple days ago and the new layout took me completely by surprise. I hate it.

And, not to resurrect anything or fan the flames, but my first thought on reading your initial reply, NP, was that it came on awfully strong and a bit obnoxious - I know you've been around here for years and years and are a valuable contributor, so I was surprised. Just a matter of 'tone,' I suppose that wasn't intended to come off as it did.

But as for the whole new look of this forum and trying to navigate it....I still hate it!

NeoPatrick

Gee, tuckerdc, did my post come off as "strong and a bit obnoxious" as yours just did? I found your post terribly offensive to be honest. Maybe that too was the 'tone'.

starrs

No problem, kb.
Love your screen name BTW