109 replies to this topic

[Dave Burrell]

OMG Maxine, there are 2 ads per page. The last version had closer to 7!
The trick is to slip them in there in a subtle fashion...

I noticed there's a lot less ads, the pages load faster now.

To Ducky and Bill - give it a few days, when changes are first made it just takes a little time to adapt and learn the new layout - don't leave just because the interface is slightly different now, the content and the forum are still exactly the same.

[Michael Hughes]

hey gang, I am still working on things. I don't plan on it always being a Tomato Pages skin, I definitely will get MyFolsom skin going too, I just have to use this as a starting point. Your feedback is appreciated, even if you feel it's negative. I know change is hard - but I think you will like a lot of the new features - especially the mobile skin.

And no, we can't turn back now!

I agree with Bill, and I'm a huge geek (IT Manager, always getting latest devices, on something technical virtually 24/7, making my own websites/web servers just to fool around with latest technology).

I liked the old design much better. This one I am less inclined to come post on a daily basis. This is not a slam against anyone because I can obviously see people worked hard on this, I just don't think its right for TomtaoPages. For a video game / tech forum, yes. For a community forum, no.

As much as everyone is using Facebook connect I am one of those trying to steer clear of sites that use it and get frustrated by being bombarded with facebook this facebook that. One reason why I only go on once in a blue moon anymore just to chat with relatives (back when facebook first started I was an early adopter and used it constantly).

It also seems far too bulky for my monitor (1366x768) which is standard size for the new Dell 17' flat screen monitors that come with most of their computers. Maybe tinkering and a different color scheme will change this but as of right now I don't find myself as drawn wanting to come back here as some of the luster/appeal is gone. Again merely my two cents.

"It's prone to drive me away, but I'm sure there are some on here that will view that as an improvement."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[john]

Michael your candor is appreciated. This template is simply going to be a start point, I still have lots to do. My guess is it will be a couple weeks until I am satisfied...

I am not sure the value of Facebook connect, I will probably turn this feature off.

[Michael Hughes]

Maybe just my imagination as well but since the new update it seems the ads on the top and bottom are bigger (or that they are much more noticable).

[john]

The ads are temporary; just something to pay the bills until I configure everything... The ads in the future will be very similar to the old template.

[asbestoshills]

I hate this forum so called upgrade! You can't just quickly see all topics but must click on one of five or so categories-maddening!
No likey-change immediately back or I may just leave this forum-yeah, right;)
Honestly, horrible forum change-can u alter it so all categories show up-when I click today's posts, there's nothing there-why?

[Bill Z]

I noticed there's a lot less ads, the pages load faster now.

To Ducky and Bill - give it a few days, when changes are first made it just takes a little time to adapt and learn the new layout - don't leave just because the interface is slightly different now, the content and the forum are still exactly the same.

That's what I don't like is having to learn and adapt to changes.

You have no idea how much I curse Bill Gates on an almost daily basis. I still hate the 2007 and newer versions of Word, Excel (especially Excel), so much that was easy for me to do with 2003 version is now either harder for me to do, or I still haven't figured out how to do it. It's been 3 years and just the other day I finally learned how to "freeze frames" again.

[Dave Burrell]

That's what I don't like is having to learn and adapt to changes.

But Bill, as an engineer don't you always deal with technology changes as electronics, microwave technology etc progresses and becomes better and more efficient? For example, if your company stuck with 1990's technology, you wouldn't be able to complete with other vendors and you'd be out of business (the same goes for John's forum). Technology is constantly evolving, changing and moving forward to become better and more efficient.

I do hear ya about the change from Office 2003 to 2007 - they were rather dramatic, but in the big scheme of things the software now has a better, more efficient layout and a lot more editing features then before - the problem really was waiting 4 years to do an update - heh just wait til you see Office 2010. This doesn't apply here with the forum, but for software like MS Office, instead of trying to learn it thru trial and error - I highly recommend purchasing a book that will help you learn all the new features etc, it would be a worthy investment and save you tons of time.

I hope nobody leaves, this new layout will work out soon, it just take a small amount of time to iron things out and get used to it. Heck I don't know where everything's at yet either but I'm finding my way around slowly...... hmmm, maybe I should write a manual for the new site?

[john]

I definitely am looking in to a way to search all posts in the last 24 hours. It's on the top of my "to do" list. It's there, I just need to find the code.

[ducky]

I'm really trying to like this change, davburr, and, yes, I will definitely give it more time, but I think you will have to write a manual to explain what's better about it.

Is the "Today's New Posts" tab missing again?

[MrsTuffPaws]

I'm really trying to like this change, davburr, and, yes, I will definitely give it more time, but I think you will have to write a manual to explain what's better about it.

Is the "Today's New Posts" tab missing again?

"View New Content" is very similar to "Today's New Posts." You'll find it in the upper right corner, just under the search bar. But it will only show the new posts/threads that you haven't seen already, since, well, if you've already looked at it, it isn't new anymore.

[Dave Burrell]

I'm really trying to like this change, davburr, and, yes, I will definitely give it more time, but I think you will have to write a manual to explain what's better about it.

Is the "Today's New Posts" tab missing again?

Thanks for being a trooper and sticking with it Ducky - I'd hate to see you or anyone leave because of this change...

I'll work on that manual...

yes, Today's New Post tab is missing, but in place there is a link in the upper right corner under the search next to the terms of service that says "View New Content" - from what I can tell that's working out pretty good for showing today's new posts

[Bill Z]

But Bill, as an engineer don't you always deal with technology changes as electronics, microwave technology etc progresses and becomes better and more efficient? For example, if your company stuck with 1990's technology, you wouldn't be able to complete with other vendors and you'd be out of business (the same goes for John's forum). Technology is constantly evolving, changing and moving forward to become better and more efficient.

I do hear ya about the change from Office 2003 to 2007 - they were rather dramatic, but in the big scheme of things the software now has a better, more efficient layout and a lot more editing features then before - the problem really was waiting 4 years to do an update - heh just wait til you see Office 2010. This doesn't apply here with the forum, but for software like MS Office, instead of trying to learn it thru trial and error - I highly recommend purchasing a book that will help you learn all the new features etc, it would be a worthy investment and save you tons of time.

I hope nobody leaves, this new layout will work out soon, it just take a small amount of time to iron things out and get used to it. Heck I don't know where everything's at yet either but I'm finding my way around slowly...... hmmm, maybe I should write a manual for the new site?

Yes, but, I hate it when Agilent makes radical changes to their circuit simulation software so I have to re-learn it. I don't mind additions, but when you make what I used to do be so different than what I have to do now, it really irritates me.

Cars are different today than they were yesterday, but my tools in my garage still work just fine on the new cars, I don't have to learn how to use a a whole new set of different tools.

And as far doing circuit design, it's not like when new technology comes out, I have to re-learn how to design things I've designed before, I only have to learn how to use the new component, none of the other components have changed. It might be a new FET with a different bias point, but it is still a FET. It might be made with different materials IndiumPhosphide vs. GalliumArsenide, but it is still a MESFET (and yes, I said MESFET which is different than a MOSFET)

[Dave Burrell]

And as far doing circuit design, it's not like when new technology comes out, I have to re-learn how to design things I've designed before, I only have to learn how to use the new component, none of the other components have changed.

look at this way, you don't have to design anything here - you only have to learn how to use the new component (the new layout), none of the other components (content) has changed and the intended use is still exactly the same.

[Bill Z]

look at this way, you don't have to design anything here - you only have to learn how to use the new component (the new layout), none of the other components (content) has changed and the intended use is still exactly the same.

How come my old hyperlink won't take me to "new content"? My old hyperlink always took me to "Today's new posts", but now it doesn't.
I remember it was difficult trying to capture the "=get active" link to make my "Favorites" have the same effect as selecting the "Today's New posts" when I would visit the site, now it no longer does that.


OK, never mind, I got the properties of the "view new content" button and updated my favorites.

But it's this kind of crap of having to go fix things or re-set-up preferences and such that makes me hate "upgrades".

See I did have to design something new, I had to re-design my saved hyperlink for this website.