Forum upgrade

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Pete,

Literally just re-sent it again. If you don't get it, send me and email to 944@porscheclubgb.com and I can reply to it so I'm sure the address is right.

It might be going in your spam folder, I get that sometimes as it's a Virgin email account and some filters have an issue with Virgins! []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

It still doesn't work for me. I stand by my original comment and will add that some people are not doing the work they are paid for. This is taking the ****.

Farewell pcgb... []

Just to add to the slightly "strong" comments from others, it would be a shame to leave just because you don't like the upgrade. Every website, forum, all my computer software, my phone, they all update regularly and there's little choice in the matter.

I used to have Windows 95, and got quite used to it. Unfortunately it became obsolete and I had to change, and that's been the case every few years. This forum is no different: we're now on a new version and it is a leap forward. Perhaps it's our fault for not updating before, so it was less of a leap, but the old version is obsolete, and changing to a different platform could have lost 10 years of archived threads.

This is massively better on my phone, the old version was pretty un-usable. It's not as good on the tablet for some reason, despite that also being Android, so I've asked for help with that. On Windows it's fine once you get used to the changes, and some small niggles are being ironed out.

You seem to have a major issue, so it would be worth talking to the support team about it. I haven't seen the new format on all devices/systems, so it's hard to know how to help.

 

[Diver944]

The 'upgrade' is a huge step backwards for me too, I don't like it at all - huge empty white spaces, and even a one line post takes up about a third of the screen. I spend all my time scrolling up and down trying to understand the gist of a thread???

I took part in the pre release testing so have been trying to get used to it for a few months now, but it's just not happening for me. The functionality and useability of the forum for it's users should be the most important priority. I feel this whole 'upgrade' has been made for administrative purposes and to improve the lives of the few dozen Club Office workers and Club Officials. I can totally understand why that has been done and that's great, but not at the expense of the several thousand users.

I do think administration will get a lot easier because less people will actually use it []

The last sentence was 'tongue in cheek' but we still don't have a smiley for that []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

[blockquote]I feel this whole 'upgrade' has been made for administrative purposes and to improve the lives of the few dozen Club Office workers and Club Officials.

Paul, that's simply not true and I don't know who you are criticising there: hope it's not the volunteers!

All software needs to be updated, or it goes out of date. If we'd not updated the forum to a new version at some point my understanding is that the last ten year's threads could have been lost, and we were long out of support for the old version.

I was the first to complain, but have to admit that I can now use the forum on my phone for the first time. The old one wasn't usable as it didn't work in a vertical format, this one is leagues ahead. It's not as compact on a desktop, but to be honest Windows 8 isn't as good as Windows 7 on a desktop. We have to accept that people are using the forum on different devices, so that's where it needs to be focussed.

That said, ipads apparently seem to have an issue that proper tablets ([]) don't. It's a work in progress, so please report problems as there is a team of people working on ironing out the niggles but they can't help if you only moan on the forum!

[/blockquote]

 

[John Sims]

I agree Mr McNulty. It is really rather nice on my Samsung S8.

Perhaps the only nigglette is the "new" flag obliterates the first word when viewing the "latest" listing in portrait on my tablet and phone. But it certainly isn't anything to get hot and bothered about.

I'm actually forgetting what the old forum looked like.

Might I suggest to others that, rather than moan, (considering the time and effort people are putting in for your enjoyment) comments are couched :-

Would it be possible to........because......

That way moves can be made to address issues. Bleating that you don't like it, want the old one back, am leaving, people aren't doing their jobs, changs are just to make life easier etc.. is nothing but a kick in the sphericals to those who have given up their time to help you

I am astonished that, in moaning that their screen is a bit more white, no one has commented on the advantages of the seamless integration with the main Web site and all the advantages that that holds. That is how quality forums work and something ours has missed.

So, in closing, have some consideration. Either say nice things or present constructive suggestions. Thank you.

 

[andy watson]

My first post on "This" side, and having kept up with this thread don't quite know what all the fuss is about to be honest, first few days it did take sometime to navigate around but now seems as easy as all the other forums I frequent.

Personally I think it is a vast improvement, and have no trouble on what ever Apple device I use, the integration with the website was way overdue again a vast improvement.

Its a shame when people flounce off over nothing, but as with most of those that have in the past, they will return!

Well done and thanks to all of those that put in all their hard work and FREE time for the benefit of the rest of us.

 

[PSH]

I'm going to add a constructive criticism.. actually i did mention this before but guess it has been lost in the 8 pages ....I would like to see the 'users using forum' feature returned for the main 944 forum page, you get the info in the individual threads stating who's viewing but not the main page. It may not seem important but imho it makes one feel less alone when first logging onto the forum and shows you at a glance who's online.

cheers

Pete

 

[Chrishazle]

I'm pretty sure this has been mentioned earlier, but I am somewhat annoyed that my home address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email address are visible in my profile. Obviously I do not know if this information is available if another forum member (whether PCGB member or guest) looks at my profile - but if it is then this feature needs removing or making only visible to the member him/her self.

It's also showing my membership as expired even though I renewed by phone/CC a couple of weeks ago!

 

[tscaptain]

What you see in "My Profile" is visible to you (and the club office) alone. If you want to see what is visible to others click on any other user name.

 

[Suffolk944]

It's starting to look much better now and much better on the mobile than before. First post since the change so intrigued to see how it looks.

 

[Suffolk944]

Hmmm I need to reduce my signature !

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I'm pretty sure this has been mentioned earlier, but I am somewhat annoyed that my home address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email address are visible in my profile. Obviously I do not know if this information is available if another forum member (whether PCGB member or guest) looks at my profile - but if it is then this feature needs removing or making only visible to the member him/her self.

It's also showing my membership as expired even though I renewed by phone/CC a couple of weeks ago!

Hi Chris,

As said above, most is hidden to other forum users. Looking at yours, only the email is visible: something I'm uncomfortable with myself and this has been passed on.

Regarding your membership you appear as a Club member here. A call to the office will get any discrpancy sorted though, as they now have the only access to alter the status.

 

[Ex Skyline]

Ha, Ha!! Your having another war and, I'm not even a part of it [][]!! Now there's a novelty [][]!! TTM, don't jack it in! You'll miss it! I'm just about to renew my membership [8D]. Only thing is, I will probably hang out in the 968 section (if they'll have me)!! []

 

[Chrishazle]

Pete, if all else fails, there's alway porsche968uk forum - and despite Ken Coad's sterling efforts, it's still more useful for 968 owners!

 

[zcacogp]

It's starting to look much better now and much better on the mobile than before. First post since the change so intrigued to see how it looks.

It certainly seems to be less sparse than before - has someone been tinkering with it? If so then bravo, it's an improvement, thanks.

Oli.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

It's starting to look much better now and much better on the mobile than before. First post since the change so intrigued to see how it looks.

It certainly seems to be less sparse than before - has someone been tinkering with it? If so then bravo, it's an improvement, thanks.

Oli.

Hi Oli,

This was one of the first things to be changed/fixed. The spacing was awful, but now it's been addressed the forum is a revelation to use on the phone, and back to a decent format on a PC.

Bugs are being fixed, but if anyone spots an issue please let the team know. support@porscheclubgb.com

 

[supersport]

I'm pretty sure this has been mentioned earlier, but I am somewhat annoyed that my home address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email address are visible in my profile. Obviously I do not know if this information is available if another forum member (whether PCGB member or guest) looks at my profile - but if it is then this feature needs removing or making only visible to the member him/her self.

It's also showing my membership as expired even though I renewed by phone/CC a couple of weeks ago!

Hi Chris,

As said above, most is hidden to other forum users. Looking at yours, only the email is visible: something I'm uncomfortable with myself and this has been passed on.

Regarding your membership you appear as a Club member here. A call to the office will get any discrpancy sorted though, as they now have the only access to alter the status.

Have to say I am astounded by how many people think their profile is totally public, it is pretty much universal across sites that this is not the case. Just looking at other user's profile should demonstrate this.

The old forum also had a profile, all be it without address etc.

 

[Nick_USA]

I'm pretty sure this has been mentioned earlier, but I am somewhat annoyed that my home address, home and mobile telephone numbers and email address are visible in my profile. Obviously I do not know if this information is available if another forum member (whether PCGB member or guest) looks at my profile - but if it is then this feature needs removing or making only visible to the member him/her self.

It's also showing my membership as expired even though I renewed by phone/CC a couple of weeks ago!

Hi Chris,

As said above, most is hidden to other forum users. Looking at yours, only the email is visible: something I'm uncomfortable with myself and this has been passed on.

Regarding your membership you appear as a Club member here. A call to the office will get any discrpancy sorted though, as they now have the only access to alter the status.

Have to say I am astounded by how many people think their profile is totally public, it is pretty much universal across sites that this is not the case. Just looking at other user's profile should demonstrate this.

The old forum also had a profile, all be it without address etc.

I thought the email addresss in the forum is now hidden ....

 

[sesame]

The personal detail concern seems to be something that needs to be addressed, and looks like a recurring theme. Some users will be removing information rather than adding useful detail.

The Profile page may need some indication of what is secure detail, perhaps colour, or in the section title. It needs to give confidence on what is public and what is secure and useful to the the Clubs admin, Regional Organisers and Register Secretaries. In respect of the Registers more detail on the model would be appreciated. Perhaps a quick fix can be put in place. Then some thought could be put into what additional useful vehicle detail could be added for Club records held by the Registers.

Steve

 

[Mike Pink]

Mr McN, I accept we need to update as software becomes dated (my department at work has just gone "paperless", which meant a huge change in process to benefit from improved IT), but what made the Club choose this particular solution? Of all the fora (sorry what is plural for a forum?!) I visit this has got to be the least appealing. Originally I couldn't log on as my password had been changed. I look at my profile and can't see my avatar (but oddly it appears next to this post submission). Until I post this I can't see what my sign-off is, if any. Have I lost my pre change sign off or not? Just about to find out. And, most disappointingly, as I said in a previous post, the lack of a "posts since last visit" makes it inefficient visiting the site. We won't be going back to the old one I know, but similarly, because of how it looks and feels to me I'll be visiting the new forum and the Club's web site less frequently at least for a while (until I have a week's holiday to experiment with it), which is a shame (for me). How many others will have done the same but been less vocal about it?

By the way, was it always the case that the Club needed VIN details I order for members to log their cars? Don't recall that before. But I can't register my Cayenne without it apparently. Not too keen on that feature (I know they're visible in the windscreen).

Apologies this is adding to the negative posts, I know the volunteers are just that - volunteers - but things (should) only change if people highlight that they aren't content.

Good luck with developing this new package.