Deficiencies in the Forum Layout

Garry I think the present format is a reason for its sucess.

For a casual user sub dividing it like other forums might be an advantage if you were just using it as an information source.

But the forum is more than an info source espically for those who contribute regulary.

Its about being kept up to date with whats happening in the many related fields the the
concept of scrolling thru the threads , viewing those of interest etc makes it much more appealing and relevant than the dictionary style approach.

If I had my choice I would put the trip reports back into the main thread list as well.

Garry

As you have stated , the layout for works except for those threads that have a lot of posts. The threads that have a lot of posts are certianly in the minority, so i gather you are advocating change to cater for the exceptions rather than the rule.

With the coloring scheme i find it quite easy to scroll down the page until I see the color change indicating a new post or follow up. Even thread 98665 only takes a few seconds to scroll through.

On that though one issue I do have is if i have a slow connection it does take time to load the enitre thread before i can view it, may be there could be a size limit and then the thread goes to multiple pages.

I don't spend a lot of time on other forums as i find the layout over complex as compared to here. The quote system frustrates me as to many people quote previous posts and often include photos etc. You get a lot of screen realestate used up for little information provided.

The single forum works well especially if people put relevant subject lines in their threads. I quite often often threads that just happen to tweak my interest. On the other forums I just go into categories that I think i am interested in, and generally don't wander about.

If i had a choice I would keep the forum here the way it is, I dont see why every thing has to be the same as everything else anyway. On the same basis if we wanted everything the same we would all be driving Nissans.

Alan

Garry, I've read your suggestion thank you, and I'll ensure David takes a look when he gets a chance. In the meantime, I wanted to leave you with my comments.

The way Forums are constructed is that the OP owns the post so all replies are directed at them - in addition, our system sends email alerts to the OP to alert them to responses to their post (if they've selected this option in their profile). For ExplorOz Members, the text of the Forum Post is in the email body they receive too. If you're a non-member, you need to click the email to read the replies online.

But, the difference with our Forum is that we offer a logical conversation flow when people wish to focus on a statement made in a Reply by offering the Reply Followup option. When this happens, the person who made the Reply will receive the alerts to responses (Followups) to their Reply.

This can be very useful in some ways, especially to the OP who may not be interested in the conversation tangent, as often happens with Followups - they can hijack a post somewhat, but it's not a problem using the method we've adopted (for the past 12 years I might add ;)

It also means that when you read back over a post from the past, and have no knowledge/recognition of people's names, it is easy to understand what each reply is referring to. This is the most logical information flow. My concern would be losing that logical flow if we did away with the Reply Followups, which is what you're suggesting.

Michelle (MM)

Gary, to find replies since last visit, go to the MyHome tab. The link is there.

MM

I visit many 4WD related forums, most have the "traditional" layout. But the ExplorOz format is IMHO much better for the reasons as started above by other posters. The other forums I visit are all free, yet I choose to pay to be a member here, as Ithink the advantages are worth the cost. The email containing the follow-up text is but one example.

Interestingly, all paid members who have posted here are keen to retain the current format. Perhaps the paid member advantages are worthwhile... :)

Cheers

Captain

Hi Garry,

As Robin says, the layout is the reason for its success as people do not have to wait too long for a response.

I have, like many others, been on those other sites and they get boring very quickly, I find.

As they say, "If it aint broke, don't fix it".

Cheers, Bruce.

I would really like an edit function where you can edit your own posts to correct spelling and grammar mistakes. Other forums have that and it wouldn't be too hard to program in either.