Rosco - Bris. replied:

G'day David

Sorry old son, but I prefer option 1.

I flicked back and forward between 1 and 4 quite a few times and have to admit I prefer to readily identify the poster and followup details prior to opening the thread.

No particular reason, merely my preference.

Cheers

PS ... I'm not all that forum savvy re the finer points you mentioned above ... just like it as it was.

Diamond (Vic) replied:

2 for me

Bros replied:

David,
Option 3 turns me on as well. Lets you know who the poster is right off. A majority of the time who the poster is determines whether i look or not, (eccentrics abound)but that is just me. Just following along the line lets you know the topic.
Cheers,
Bros.

Member - Blue (VIC) replied:

Hi David, getting used to the new layout but I feel that option 4 suits me. I like the posters name in bold, the name often lures me to a post before the topic... Wolfie is a prime example, always got a wacky idea or tale to pass on so when I see his name I go there regardless of the topic.
Blue

Member - Nick (TAS) replied:

No 1 for me.

japmel replied:

David
Sorry mate call me old fashioned but I prefer option 1.

If it aint broke don't fix it.

Regards
japmel

thepilot replied:

Hi Dave I am new to the site and have spoken to a few people on here so I look for a name that I know. If I get to put my 2c in I like #4 .....Its good to see who has posted the topic.

All the best
Dave ( thepilot )

Wayne (NSW) replied:

David,

I like the time of replies and follow ups displayed as in option 1, but I also like the lay out of 3 or 4.

Regaurdless of who submits the post it is the few words in the topic that I go for.

It would be a shame to miss a good post just because you do not know them. We were all new on this forum once.

Wayne

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

G'day David,

Change is a funny thing. When it 1st hits us, we're out of our comfort zone until we get used to it......(remember when ATMs 1st appeared? Nobody trusted them or wanted to use them.....can you imagine life without them or EFTPOS now??)

Anyway, what I'm driving at (in my usual round-about manner) is that whatever you decide is okay by me; I'll get used to it. 1 was ok, 3 is ok and 4 would be ok.

Who can remember what the format was like 12 months ago???? I know it was different, but can't remember whether it was better or worse.....

Cheers,

Long-winded Roachie

Gajm (VIC) replied:

David I like 3, but would get rid of the 'by" you don't need it due to the change in type, if you have to have something between the topic and name try a "-".

Quite a few of us didn't like it when you changed things a while ago, but in the end were proved wrong. So do it, 3 looks cleaner and more streamlined by the way.

Brew69(SA) replied:

Number 3.......Bold Topic is good idea...........Just need time to adjust. IMO

Nudenut replied:

i'm new at this ..but i do like no 1

Member - Ed. C. replied:

G'day David,

Option #1 does it for me...

As mentioned by others, If it ain't broke...............

At the end of the day, it's your show, so ultimately the decision is yours as to what works best (& is easiest to implement)... I'll be here regardless of layout.....

Regards, Ed. C.

Wayne (NSW) replied:

David,

At the moment we can see how it was and how it could be. Could this be contiuned, give us a choice on how we view the page, just like we have the option of Response Time or Post ID?

We could have a choice of option of 1,3 or 4. on "How to View a Page"

Just a thought

Wayne

banjobush replied:

Hello, number four looks great !!! See you at Albury this weekend!!!!!!

peter d replied:

#4 for me.

the rest look ok but i like #4 . no resson just does it for me
peter d

Brian B (QLD) replied:

David,

I like it as it is now (option 3) but I also agree with Roachie.

Change is all around us so whichever way you go I am sure we will survive.

Cheers

Brian

Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) replied:

Yep - I agree with Roachie

Muddy 'doe (SA) replied:

Hi David,

As it was (option 1) is my choice but option 4 is the best improvement if you do feel compelled to change it.

In the old way it was good with the Name and Topic in bold. There was a good bit of visual separation of these using the word "posted". Was neat. The word "by" is not long enough to do the same.

Like to see the names in Bold as pointed out above because sometimes you scan for posts by who posted them as well as the topic (can help show up ones to avoid as well!). Separating the name out to the right as in option 4 would also allow this type of quick visual scanning.

You are correct about one thing though. I spend WAY too much time reading this damn thing!

Cheers
Muddy

Kazza055 replied:

I'm 4 4

Bob Cheers

Member - Crazie (VIC) replied:

Hi David

Congrats with the ongoing improvements, but i personally prefer option 1, The person posting is as important as the post.

thanks for asking

Adam

motherhen replied:

Leave it as it was gets my vote - however putting the topic in front of the name may have some merit - but leave the name in bold. Like the time left on.

Just the opinion of a lurker who's favourite site is exploroz.

rickwagupatrol replied:

mate,,,whichever way you go is up to you, we will be here regardless.
just give us a day or three to adjust,,,then hey presto.

rick.

Member - Smocky (NSW) replied:

Hi Dave,

to answer the question, I don't really mind, can see benefits of all options. I would probably prefer to design my own. Which brings me to my suggestion.

If you had some of these options in the user profiles or held in a cookie, the user could set the preferences and see it how they like. Similarly to the sort sequence that you can currently change (by post Id or latest post time).

Keeping it a cookie means any user can adjust, but settings list if you clear cookies. Adding it to member profile makes it an advantage of being a member and you don't lose it if you clear cookies.

Thought I'd suggest that option. Haven't read everyone else's opinions, so don't know what the general preference is, just read the first couple and there seemed to be pretty much a couple of votes for each.

Cheers,

Jason.

Brad and His Disco replied:

Hi david,

Option 4 does it for me.

Member - Mozza (NSW) replied:

nobody lacks change...... but i do prefer option 1..

Member - rengatt (VIC) replied:

options 1 or 3 for me,

I agree with above that the person who posted is important to identify

Member - bushfix replied:

G'day David,

Option 1 suits me.

Quite often, one may need to 'hide' ExplorOz to one side (LHS for me!) on a pc screen. When the poster and the topic are close together, and in bold, it makes it so much easier to scan through when you have shrunk the window from the RHS. Time info being split between replies and follow ups can also help scanning a topic.

cheers,
Jeremy.

Big Woody replied:

Hi David,

I like option #4 mate. I think the topic is the focus for me as scroll around the pages but it is good to still have the authors identity highlighted at the right of the list.
Keep up the great work.

Brett

Member - Nick K (VIC) replied:

Dave,

Option 4 has my vote. I like the way the members name is removed from the topic. Makes it easier to read and the overall page looks less congested.

Regards

Nick

Member - Craig M (NSW) replied:

Hi David,
Either option is fine.
As long as the topic is clear that is all I am interested in. Im not bias in who I answer or read a topic from. Once you read it and it sounds like a load of crap well you go somewhere else.
Great site any way you do it.

Cheers

MrBitchi replied:

New suggestion, David.

Personally I like the time so leave it on.
Your new option 4 looks good with the following changes:-
1. Put the name of the poster at the bottom left corner (under the topic) instead of the right hand side. It's easier to read.
2. Put the name of the last replying person on the bottom right with a hyperlink to their reply, or simply to the bottom of the thread. Clicking on the name would take you straight to the reply without having to scroll through a post you've allready read.

Great to see you trying new things.

Cheers, John.

Pluto replied:

G'day David,

I think you are on the right track, emphasising the thread subject. I, for one, am less interested in who posts, as what is posted. Options 3 and 4 do it for me.

Considering many people are more focused on who is corresponding, option 4 tends to favour people who scan the names.

TheUndertaker replied:

Wasnt broke,why try to fix it, back to no1.

Alan S (NSW) replied:

Option 1 is my favourite and not just because that's the way it was. I like being able to see who posted in bold.
Option 4 with the poster at the left hand side in bold might also work.

You did ask.

Truckster (Vic) replied:

One thing I noticed today is that I remember the persons name who posted something I'm searching for, but have no idea what the thread name was..

As Happens its now not much to do with where th thread discussion started... But cant find it, cause its a bitch to see the posters name..

:(

Member - Captain (WA) replied:

Hi David

After viewing and thinking about it, I actually prefer the original. It is "slightly" more cluttered visually, but it has the most info and highlights the person posting better.

But the new way is not bad at all and I won't be viewing any less than before (spend way too much time here!). To paraphrase Roachie, in a weeks time we will think it was the original way anyhow.

Cheers

Captain

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

#3 's GOOD. Easier on the eye than Orig. All the Info is still there. It's got my vote!

Wombat replied:

I think all of your alternatives work David, but I would be hesitant about removing the time information as I think it may be used as a reference point on many occasions. From a readability perspective options one or three are preferable as they supply both topic and personality in a continuous eyeline.

Crackles replied:

The current layout is great. Anything that focus's on the subject & not the author will hopefully cut down on some of the useless banter that some of the regulars seem to drag up :-)) A little less chat & alot more tech discussion & exchange of ideas is what this site needs. Give it a run for a few weeks & they'll forget there even was a change.
Cheers Craig................

Member - Jimbo (VIC) replied:

David,

4 is the business.

Dead easy to view the topis and the poster. I love it.

Good to see you trying alternatives.

Cheers,

Jim.

Mainey (WA) replied:

David,
I read only on SUBJECT MATTER, not on who has posted the subject matter, so I go along with your NEW look..........

If I was of a somewhat closed mind and I looked only at POSTERS, I would only be looking at existing members who post regularly, however the NEW MEMBERS then would never be read under that system, hence when I read on SUBJECT MATTER, I get to read the views and opinions of ALL posters, new and also old, including questions and also answers, opinions and arguments, however only on the subjects that are of interest to myself….!

MrBitchi replied:

David, another suggestion. When viewing a thread and you click "reply" or "follow up" all you can see is the original post (reply) or current reply (follow up).
Would be better if the reply or follow up window simply opened at the bottom of the thread so all the thread is visible simply by scrolling. It's most annoying to be half way through typing a reply and then having to open another tab to see the rest of the thread to check on something or reply to another point in the same window (???) (ramble, ramble...... clear as mud said the blind man!)

Cheers, John.