Please bring back old "Talk" forum format
Mar 3rd, 2009, 07:41 AM
#42
missypie: "I just liked to be able to look at the threads...we used to see 50, then 50 more...now it's 25 then Archives, right?"
Look at the top of the thread list. There is a "View all of today's activity" link.If you click that you will get a loooooong list of all of that day's activity in that forum. Much more than 25, and by mid day on an active forum - it is much more than 50 threads. Don't get fixated on the 25 you first see. Click on "view all of today's activity" and you can see every single post for that day (w/o having to go back 50 + 50 + 50 etc etc)
Then after reading a thread, click your "back" button and it will take you right back to where you were in the list.
Look at the top of the thread list. There is a "View all of today's activity" link.If you click that you will get a loooooong list of all of that day's activity in that forum. Much more than 25, and by mid day on an active forum - it is much more than 50 threads. Don't get fixated on the 25 you first see. Click on "view all of today's activity" and you can see every single post for that day (w/o having to go back 50 + 50 + 50 etc etc)
Then after reading a thread, click your "back" button and it will take you right back to where you were in the list.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 07:42 AM
#43
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
missypie, I guess I don't really understand the problem there. I agree that now it shows less than 50 in the first column, but when you get to the bottom, you simply click to see more activity (just like you used to click to see the "next 50". And what you get is a continuing list of topics just like you used to -- except now you get ALL the posts from the past day, which seems to be more or less than 50 depending on how many posts were posted on that day. So with just one single click you can see all the posts from the current day -- or with one more click you call see all the posts from the previous day. Unless I'm not understanding it right, I'm not sure why that is more difficult or less satisfactory than simply getting the next 50 posts without regard to whether they were posted today or yesterday. In fact if there were more than 50 posts posted in one day, then it seems the current method requires less scrolling and clicking to see ALL of them. NO?
I apologize in advance for those who think my response is obnoxious or of the wrong tone. As usual, I don't mean it to be.
I apologize in advance for those who think my response is obnoxious or of the wrong tone. As usual, I don't mean it to be.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 07:45 AM
#44
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm. And once again, janisj and I seem to be on the same wave length and were posting at the same time.
I'm really getting used to this new system, even though I haven't spent that much time on it yet. My only gripe now is that when I come here and click on my own name, it still takes a long time to get to my profile and posts.
I'm really getting used to this new system, even though I haven't spent that much time on it yet. My only gripe now is that when I come here and click on my own name, it still takes a long time to get to my profile and posts.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 08:24 AM
#45
NP: We have to quit meeting this way 
How are you doing by the way?
Back to Missypie's question. On Europe, the Lounge and other active forums, I don't even bother scrolling to the bottom of the 25 list. I just click View all of today's activity and look at the entire list at once.
How are you doing by the way?
Back to Missypie's question. On Europe, the Lounge and other active forums, I don't even bother scrolling to the bottom of the 25 list. I just click View all of today's activity and look at the entire list at once.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 09:58 AM
#46
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have learned to do exactly what janisj just said - just click on "view all of today's activity" (although in the morning, I might also click on the previous day's activity list to see the last posts I might have missed the day before). I like the fact that when you hit "back" you go back to where you were, instead of having to scroll around trying to find your place.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 10:56 AM
#47
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 25,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What I DO NOT like though, is the following (an example):
I go to the Lounge and want to look up all the threads tagged under Music/Movies/Books.
So I click on the MMB tag from the drop down box.
The next page I get is:
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ies-and-books/
Which lists the most recent 30 threads, which happens to go back as far as Feb 21, 2009.
If I want to look up older threads, I have to click on View recent activity for topics tagged Music, Movies and Books by day
That shows me only the topics for Feb 21, 2009
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ks/2009/02/21/
(A total of 4 threads that day.)
To see anything older, I click on Older, which shows me the topics for just Feb 20, 2009
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ks/2009/02/20/
(A total of 2 threads that day.)
This is very cumbersome and not useful for me. Basically, if I want to look up older MMB threads, I have to keep clicking on every single day, which may yield 2-4 threads each day. The old system which shows 50 at a time is much more user-friendly. As a result, I DON'T bother to check at all. Of course, if I have a title in mind, I can use the search function. But if I just want to browse, basically I won't bother to browse more than the first 30 threads listed under
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ies-and-books/
I go to the Lounge and want to look up all the threads tagged under Music/Movies/Books.
So I click on the MMB tag from the drop down box.
The next page I get is:
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ies-and-books/
Which lists the most recent 30 threads, which happens to go back as far as Feb 21, 2009.
If I want to look up older threads, I have to click on View recent activity for topics tagged Music, Movies and Books by day
That shows me only the topics for Feb 21, 2009
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ks/2009/02/21/
(A total of 4 threads that day.)
To see anything older, I click on Older, which shows me the topics for just Feb 20, 2009
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ks/2009/02/20/
(A total of 2 threads that day.)
This is very cumbersome and not useful for me. Basically, if I want to look up older MMB threads, I have to keep clicking on every single day, which may yield 2-4 threads each day. The old system which shows 50 at a time is much more user-friendly. As a result, I DON'T bother to check at all. Of course, if I have a title in mind, I can use the search function. But if I just want to browse, basically I won't bother to browse more than the first 30 threads listed under
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ies-and-books/
Mar 3rd, 2009, 12:03 PM
#48
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yk-- We're working on an alternative for the dating structure for the archives (switching to sets of 50, etc). We realize that the current structure is not ideal for slower forums or for the "tag" sections.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 01:43 PM
#49
sf - thanks for the tip on the "back" button. I hadn't realized it would take you back to the same place in the list. that will help minimize my frustration.
yk - I know exactly what you're saying. That's the point I was trying to make (not very successfully) earlier. On slower forums, the archives is cumbersome. Like you, I no longer bother to browse beyond what's shown on the current activity screen.
Using the back button, I may do so once in awhile, but every time I read an item (and I used to read a lot of them!), I'll have to make an extra click to go back. It add up quick when you're trying to browse through a lot of items - and, yes, is even worse on a slow forum where there are only a few posts a day.
and katie - thanks for the note and your continued efforts to improve the board. I'm hoping at some point that certain features of the old "frames" version that users have said they like can be revisited/resurrected. It's frustrating when new, more advanced technology can't do something that older, less sophisticated technology could. I know we can't have it all and many features are a definite improvement... but we'll continue to provide feedback and hope it helps. thanks.
yk - I know exactly what you're saying. That's the point I was trying to make (not very successfully) earlier. On slower forums, the archives is cumbersome. Like you, I no longer bother to browse beyond what's shown on the current activity screen.
Using the back button, I may do so once in awhile, but every time I read an item (and I used to read a lot of them!), I'll have to make an extra click to go back. It add up quick when you're trying to browse through a lot of items - and, yes, is even worse on a slow forum where there are only a few posts a day.
and katie - thanks for the note and your continued efforts to improve the board. I'm hoping at some point that certain features of the old "frames" version that users have said they like can be revisited/resurrected. It's frustrating when new, more advanced technology can't do something that older, less sophisticated technology could. I know we can't have it all and many features are a definite improvement... but we'll continue to provide feedback and hope it helps. thanks.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 01:58 PM
#50
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 25,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
althom - I don't usually visit the slower forums or tagged subjects, so I can't be 100% sure. But take the example I gave about regarding Movies/Music/Books forum. On the first page, as I've said, shows 30 most recent topics, which dated back to Feb 21, which is almost 2 weeks ago.
Therefore, if I check that every 2 weeks, there is NO NEED for me to go to the day-by-day archive.
Or let's pick the Germany tag as an example. The first page after selecting Germany tag, shows 30 threads going back to Feb 22. Again, if one checks that once every 2 weeks, there's no need to go back any further.
But since I don't check every country tag on every forum, I don't know how other countries work out.
Therefore, if I check that every 2 weeks, there is NO NEED for me to go to the day-by-day archive.
Or let's pick the Germany tag as an example. The first page after selecting Germany tag, shows 30 threads going back to Feb 22. Again, if one checks that once every 2 weeks, there's no need to go back any further.
But since I don't check every country tag on every forum, I don't know how other countries work out.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM
#51
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 25,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Katie - while on the same subject, right now, the View recent activity for topics tagged ___________ by day links are not updated to show the correct day.
For example, for Germany
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/germany/
The last post shown is:
Radolfzell to France or Ireland? by bojabi
3 responses; most recent on Feb 22, 2009 at 04:32 PM
However, the View recent activity link right below is showing the URL for Feb 11, 2009. It should have been Feb 22's URL instead.
A similar issue for the United Kingdom page, with the last post shown being:
Haltwhistle/Hadrians Wall Trip Report by annesherrod
16 responses; most recent on Mar 2, 2009 at 05:22 AM
But the View Recent Activity link is showing the URL for Feb 22, 2009.
For example, for Germany
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/germany/
The last post shown is:
Radolfzell to France or Ireland? by bojabi
3 responses; most recent on Feb 22, 2009 at 04:32 PM
However, the View recent activity link right below is showing the URL for Feb 11, 2009. It should have been Feb 22's URL instead.
A similar issue for the United Kingdom page, with the last post shown being:
Haltwhistle/Hadrians Wall Trip Report by annesherrod
16 responses; most recent on Mar 2, 2009 at 05:22 AM
But the View Recent Activity link is showing the URL for Feb 22, 2009.
Mar 4th, 2009, 05:31 AM
#53
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But when you click "view all of today's activity" you get archives. And yes, there is an "archive" for today. How can TODAY be in archives?
Thing is, it's not enjoyable for me to come here anymore. I don't want to have to take tutorials and study help posts to figure out how to work a message board. Sure, I'll come when I need help...but I won't "hang arond" any more.
Thing is, it's not enjoyable for me to come here anymore. I don't want to have to take tutorials and study help posts to figure out how to work a message board. Sure, I'll come when I need help...but I won't "hang arond" any more.
Mar 4th, 2009, 06:32 AM
#54
missiepie: "But when you click "view all of today's activity" you get archives. And yes, there is an "archive" for today. How can TODAY be in archives?"
Yes, you get a list of archived days . . . But maybe you didn't notice that all the threads for that forum are listed in the right hand column.
There is no reason to click on a date in the "archives" list unless you want to go back to one of those days. (yes - the current date displays but there is absolutely no reason to click on it because the ENTIRE list is right there in front of you.)
For instance -- if you go to the Lounge right now and click on "View all of today's activity" -- on the right is the archives list, but on the LEFT side there are more than 50 threads all from today. As the day goes on that list gets longer and longer. By the end of the day there could be a couple of hundred . . . . . .
Yes, you get a list of archived days . . . But maybe you didn't notice that all the threads for that forum are listed in the right hand column.
There is no reason to click on a date in the "archives" list unless you want to go back to one of those days. (yes - the current date displays but there is absolutely no reason to click on it because the ENTIRE list is right there in front of you.)
For instance -- if you go to the Lounge right now and click on "View all of today's activity" -- on the right is the archives list, but on the LEFT side there are more than 50 threads all from today. As the day goes on that list gets longer and longer. By the end of the day there could be a couple of hundred . . . . . .
Mar 4th, 2009, 06:45 AM
#55
missypie, it works like it did before.
The labels are a bit different but you click in the same spot - and see MORE than 50 posts. You see all of the posts for the day.
If you want to see more posts, then start clicking on a prevous date.
If you were in the habit of going back 300 posts, you had to make 6 clicks to do that. Now, you'll get to 300 in just maybe 2 or 3.
The labels are a bit different but you click in the same spot - and see MORE than 50 posts. You see all of the posts for the day.
If you want to see more posts, then start clicking on a prevous date.
If you were in the habit of going back 300 posts, you had to make 6 clicks to do that. Now, you'll get to 300 in just maybe 2 or 3.
Mar 4th, 2009, 08:40 AM
#57
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But when you click "view all of today's activity" you get archives. And yes, there is an "archive" for today. How can TODAY be in archives
If they just changed the name of the link to "All Activity By Date" instead of "Archives", would that be better (same thing substantively, but since the title bothers you....)
If they just changed the name of the link to "All Activity By Date" instead of "Archives", would that be better (same thing substantively, but since the title bothers you....)
Mar 4th, 2009, 09:24 AM
#58
sf7307: I think missypie's problem is she didn't scroll down the right hand list and see that every thing is right there. I assume she just saw the list of archived dates and stopped there. Easy mistake because the first 25 threads displayed would be the exact same ones she'd seen originally (the latest 25 threads). So it may have looked to her as though the page is forcing her to click on today's date.
But by scrolling down (ignore the left side completely) - she will find ALL of today's threads. whether it is 25, or 56, or 277 or 300 . . . . . . .
But by scrolling down (ignore the left side completely) - she will find ALL of today's threads. whether it is 25, or 56, or 277 or 300 . . . . . . .
Mar 4th, 2009, 09:42 AM
#59
<<<"Now, you'll get to 300 in just maybe 2 or 3. >>>
<<<Or maybe just 1. On a busy forum like the Lounge or Europe,>>>
Or maybe 100 clicks, on a board that only has a few posts a day, like Latin America or a tagged country.
Those of us who frequent the less active boards may be in the minority, but hopefully, we count, too! And for us, it's a bigger issue.
<<<Or maybe just 1. On a busy forum like the Lounge or Europe,>>>
Or maybe 100 clicks, on a board that only has a few posts a day, like Latin America or a tagged country.
Those of us who frequent the less active boards may be in the minority, but hopefully, we count, too! And for us, it's a bigger issue.
Mar 4th, 2009, 09:51 AM
#60
Althom1122: Have you tried it on Latin America? "a few posts a day" . . . Right now if you click on Latin America there are 30 posts just from this morning through 1:45PM. By later today there are bound to be 50 - 100 current posts. That is not a "slow" forum . . . . . .
