When we did the upgrade, I did a lot of thinking about changing forum software. What I felt was we needed to keep our current information and members (history). Switching software meant scrapping everything and starting over. Oh and also losing our photo history. We are running the latest version of the MegaBBS software and (knock wood) no crashes since it was put in place. Click the MegaBBS ASP Forum Software link at the bottom of the page. They are working on upgrades all the time. Tell them what you would like to see and we might get it here too.
It's workinig fine over this way. No complaints.
Regards
Just-a-Guy - 1/30/2010 9:38 AM
If you are responding, you probably already visit this site regularly. The people for whom my comments are most relevant are the people who do not come here, or rarely do. "I am a moderator on an online forum, new to this site, & have had experience creating web sites. I don't see a problem. Some use more graphics, but there's a lot to be said for this approach. I used to believe in razzle-dazzle, but have come to realize that not everybody is on a high-speed account. Just my 2-cents...
Just-a-Guy - 1/30/2010 9:38 AM
If you are responding, you probably already visit this site regularly. The people for whom my comments are most relevant are the people who do not come here, or rarely do. "
Drifter - 1/31/2010 4:54 AM
I am a moderator on an online forum, new to this site, & have had experience creating web sites. I don't see a problem. Some use more graphics, but there's a lot to be said for this approach. I used to believe in razzle-dazzle, but have come to realize that not everybody is on a high-speed account. Just my 2-cents...
That's another reason why a site works better for most if there are fewer graphics. There are a number of sites that I visit on other topics that are very slow to load even with a fast DSL line.
hdrghack - 1/28/2010 5:20 PM
"1">Hey Tom, I tried the CTRL and scroll it don't work on mine ,tried banging the mouse on the table to no go on the Dell..........:(
Maybe it's a Vista thing. I just rechecked and it worked good on mine. I'm looking at it 'super sized' right now. I dunno.... maybe get a bigger hammer?
Drifter - 1/31/2010 6:54 AM
Just-a-Guy - 1/30/2010 9:38 AM If you are responding, you probably already visit this site regularly. The people for whom my comments are most relevant are the people who do not come here, or rarely do. " I am a moderator on an online forum, new to this site, & have had experience creating web sites. I don't see a problem. Some use more graphics, but there's a lot to be said for this approach. I used to believe in razzle-dazzle, but have come to realize that not everybody is on a high-speed account. Just my 2-cents...
I agree. I haven't been involved here in a long time, but when I first set this site up the biggest complaint I heard was that it loaded too slowly on dial up. That's why it originally was set to only allow pictures in the classified sections.
Just-a-guy, perhaps you were unaware that sidecar registrations average somewhat less than 2% of all motorcycle registrations. Consequently there are fewer folks specifically looking for sidecar related boards and fewer boards dedicated to sidecaring.
Yep, you are correct that not everyone has a high speed connection. I'm one of those using a tethered mobile phone and a laptop. The combination does everything I need and speed depends upon the strength of the phone signal although I also have wireless capacity should I be where it can be used.
I can't help but wonder at your comments concerning the font size and difficulty of reading the postings. It's so easy to change the display size using Ctrl + or Ctrl - that I'm somewhat dismayed that you don't do that rather than suggest that the board change its format. Every board has its own choice of software and some are easier to navigate than others but it comes down to familiarity when comparing what you prefer in formats. If you get used to a particular format and then change to another board which doesn't use that format then there's always going to be a learning curve involved.
It was that way in the days of to old BBS boards and that hasn't changed.
Personally, I find scrolling graphics to be distracting as well as slowing the load time of the rest of the board's content. Even if you have a high speed connection what you get is partly determined by your personal machine. If you're short on ram or not running the latest, greatest dual core processor then you might be getting less than stellar performance from your computer.
In regards to being able to see the content; I'm 62, wear bifocals and have certain vision disabilities yet the 14" LCD screen on my older model Thinkpad T42 is easily readable and clear unless I'm in direct sunlight (a common disability of all LCD screens).
Sit back, take some time to completely explore the board and use the help features until you become familiar with this software and I think you'll find it as easy to use as many other formats. The clientele here are friendly and helpful and among them are several extremely knowledgeable professionals who've been working in the sidecar industry for many years. That point alone makes learning your way around this board worth the effort spent.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
Just-a-guy, perhaps you were unaware that sidecar registrations average somewhat less than 2% of all motorcycle registrations. Consequently there are fewer folks specifically looking for sidecar related boards and fewer boards dedicated to sidecaring.
Well, I don't know the stats, but that doesn't surprise me. I know I don't see many sidecars out there. I was aware of that in making my comments, which was why I pointed to the advrider hack section, to point out that the small number of sidecars isn't really a good explanation for the low volume here: another forum dedicated to sidecars is much, much busier.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
Yep, you are correct that not everyone has a high speed connection. I'm one of those using a tethered mobile phone and a laptop. The combination does everything I need and speed depends upon the strength of the phone signal although I also have wireless capacity should I be where it can be used.
Of course I am aware that there are people using slow connections. But how many, really? I suppose the question is, should a website cater to the lowest connections out there, or to some higher (and more common?) standard? It's a question that can be answered either way, and I dont' maintain that either way is "wrong" per se. But I do think how you answer that question will effect participation levels. And I do believe that answering it "this" way will drive away more "broadband" people than it will attract slow connection people. Still, a judgment call.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
I can't help but wonder at your comments concerning the font size and difficulty of reading the postings. It's so easy to change the display size using Ctrl + or Ctrl - that I'm somewhat dismayed that you don't do that rather than suggest that the board change its format. Every board has its own choice of software and some are easier to navigate than others but it comes down to familiarity when comparing what you prefer in formats. If you get used to a particular format and then change to another board which doesn't use that format then there's always going to be a learning curve involved.It was that way in the days of to old BBS boards and that hasn't changed.
The font size here is unusually small, imo. You are of course welcome to disagree. I suppose it's an objective question, really. Of course, I can change the font size. But in some browsers that also expands the page size, and requires sideways scrolling. A real PITA. I just wondered what the rationale was behind having such small fonts? It seems odd. Whatever.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
Personally, I find scrolling graphics to be distracting as well as slowing the load time of the rest of the board's content. Even if you have a high speed connection what you get is partly determined by your personal machine. If you're short on ram or not running the latest, greatest dual core processor then you might be getting less than stellar performance from your computer.
That's a bit of an exxageration. We're not talking gaming sites here. We're talking the difference between basically any graphics at all, and no graphics at all. We're basically at the EBB level here, just slightly above it (and yes, I was on the Internet when there was nothing but green fonts and text, with a 12 baud modem, so I do remember that). Basically every other website on the Internet has more graphics, more color, more motion, more imagery than this site. Moving up a notch or three here would not put you in the "state of the art" machine level. Far, far from it.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
In regards to being able to see the content; I'm 62, wear bifocals and have certain vision disabilities yet the 14" LCD screen on my older model Thinkpad T42 is easily readable and clear unless I'm in direct sunlight (a common disability of all LCD screens).
Obviously, you are pleased with the way the site is set up. I suspect that is the case with most participants here. Good. I"m happy for you. As I think I was trying to say, my point was more directed toward the question of -- why aren't there more people here? And what might be some reasons why the ones who AREN'T here...aren't here? I wear bifocals, too, and I have a T43. And I'm just a little bit younger than you. 🙂 FWIW.
Tomcat101147 - 3/4/2010 3:37 PM
Sit back, take some time to completely explore the board and use the help features until you become familiar with this software and I think you'll find it as easy to use as many other formats. The clientele here are friendly and helpful and among them are several extremely knowledgeable professionals who've been working in the sidecar industry for many years. That point alone makes learning your way around this board worth the effort spent.
I couldn't agree more. Which is why I still check in here when I have time. As I said, my post was an attempt to be helpful. I'm a bit disappointed that it was taken so negatively. But hey, I can only say that so many times.
See ya on the road (I hope),
Mark
blah blah, i get great info and i have a big monitor to read the little words, what the heck, info, ideas and all easy
Yeah. Nice people here. Right.
The forum was actually upgraded a while back and is much better now as far as loading and usage. I have no trouble posting photos since I use photo bucket. I also have no problem with the size of the font since if I want it larger, I simply press CTRL and either go +++ or roll the scroll wheel. This does not cause the text to overflow the page width.
I also happen to like the straightforward posting format and amenities of this site just as well as the other numerous ones that I visit. Some of those are riddled with graphics and ads and take quite a while to load even on my dsl line.
The people here are indeed rather nice, by the way.
🙂
