The thread titles aren’t fully visible. You can see that there’s more, but it’s cut off by whatever is said in red below the first line. It’s also harder to find what forum the thread is under. I know it’s there, just hard to see it. The old version was clean and uncluttered.
Oh, could someone explain to me the envelope icon next to each thread? looks like just another way to clutter up the page.
Troubles
Having some issues with this new format. The quick navigation jump is covered by ads - I can click on the arrow but I can’t see the forum names because there is an ad covering it. Having to go back to the Forum home page and move on from there again.
At the top of the page, the settings, FAQ, Member List, etc runs off the side of the page and is partially covered by the ad in the top right corner. I can see that there are supposed to be some links, but they are covered by the ad.
Another vote for the font size being too small and not loving the red.
I have tried compatibility view - doesn’t change anything. :mad:
Thanks
What happened to “messages”- is to under “notifications”? Or is it hiding somewhere else?
OK, so I tried to support COTH forums by upgrading to Premium Member (because, I, too, have Chrome w/ Ad Block - Nyah, ahh, ahh…
) but to join, I can only use Paypal? Which I don’t have, and have been holding out for forever. Can’t I pay with a MC?
I hate it.
My eyes don’t like too much black type on white so I have my Firefox set for yellow foreground on black background.
This new format hides all of my typing. Can’t see it at all until I post.
Very much dislike.
Hey All ~
So sorry for being seemingly non-responsive to your feedback. Ideally, we’d have liked to prepare you better for and explain the upcoming changes, but Sandy got in the way. Even Mods can fall victim to natural disasters! I’m back online, and want to assure everyone that we’ll be working to address the glitches you’re experiencing.
First off, let me assure you that the RED WILL BE CHANGED! It was supposed to be fixed after we were able to see it during beta testing, but for some reason is still here. Yes, it is horrendous. Yes, it will be changed.
We’ve been working on the semi-functional post reply button at the bottom of the screen, the lack of Premium picture thumbnails and some of the font/format issues since the beta testing.
The thumbs down option is a trial. We had mixed feelings about offering it, and want to see how it goes over and will determine whether or not it’s a keeper.
I’m going to check in with the development team tonight now that I’m back online and try to get a little better organized and we’ll work on addressing your questions and concerns.
Thanks for your patience! Hope everyone, their friends, family and critters fared OK in the storm ~
Mod 1
Just trying to answer a couple of quick questions tonight:
[QUOTE=Tamara in TN;6637761]
please tell me there is a way to not have to see the OT day and the menagerie posts…
please.[/QUOTE]
We will fix this issue for sure – we had some special coding on the old site to exclude those forums, and have to add it to the new one. Thanks for the reminder.
You can click on “Notifications” below “Welcome, User” in the upper right to access new message. Right now, the default for the new software is that that Notifications link will show you if you have new messages, either new PMs or notices that you’ve received a thumbs up, etc. If there’s a number under Notifications, you have a new notice – you can click on Notifications for a drop-down menu. If you have a new Private Message, there will be a clickable link showing you that you have x number of unread PMs; if you have received a thumbs up from someone, you’ll have a clickable link that takes you to a page that will show you which of your posts received a thumbs up/down.
If you just want to access your Private Message inbox to access an old message, click on “Settings” from the left side of the tool bar. That’s the new “User CP” and you can access your PM inbox from there. [Edited to add: you can also access your PM inbox via the Notifications drop-down, even if you don’t have new messages – just click on Notifications and then on the PM link from there.]
[QUOTE=CVPeg;6638827]OK, so I tried to support COTH forums by upgrading to Premium Member (because, I, too, have Chrome w/ Ad Block - Nyah, ahh, ahh…) but to join, I can only use Paypal? Which I don’t have, and have been holding out for forever. Can’t I pay with a MC?[/QUOTE] You can call the main office at 540-687-6341 and ask for Joanie to pay directly with a credit card. You can also print out this form and mail it in with a check or credit card payment. Thanks for your support of the site!
I also wanted to let folks know, as I forgot to in my earlier post, that we’re trying to make the changes to the site minimal. The main purpose of the upgrade was to upgrade the software that runs the forums. We were several versions behind, which rendered us incompatible with newer versions of some web browsers, among other issues.
So this change was an absolute necessity. As with any new version of software, the developers of that software make changes, some of which we can change easily and some we can’t. We will do our best to offer a great user experience within constraints of the software and the feasibility of operating the site.
Thanks again!
Mod 1
I think my issues with the formatting have been addressed (biggest one is the gray font color rather than black - hard on the eyes).
BUT, a bigger issue is that I’m no longer getting email notification of new PMs. I checked, and that option is still selected in my settings. Not sure what’s going on.
One serious question here. WHAT, exactly was the reason for this “upgrade”? Has COTH never heard the old adage “If it ain’t broke, DON’T FIX IT???”
What complaints about the forum was COTH getting that made them do this? I’m assuming it must have something to do with $ somehow, because I can’t figure out any other reason. The old format was just hunky-dory fine. Call me cynical, but frankly, I do not believe COTH did this because they thought it would be good for the forum or the forum posters. There has to be another reason - because this upgrade is awful.
(Oh, & the “thumbs up/thumbs down” is particularly nice. If you’re in kindergarten. What a totally dumb*ass juvenile idea. What COTH Admin’s child thought that one up?)
[QUOTE=Moderator 1;6638918]
I also wanted to let folks know, as I forgot to in my earlier post, that we’re trying to make the changes to the site minimal. The main purpose of the upgrade was to upgrade the software that runs the forums. We were several versions behind, which rendered us incompatible with newer versions of some web browsers, among other issues.
So this change was an absolute necessity. As with any new version of software, the developers of that software make changes, some of which we can change easily and some we can’t. We will do our best to offer a great user experience within constraints of the software and the feasibility of operating the site.
Thanks again!
Mod 1[/QUOTE]
Mod 1, I appreciate all you do for us on this forum. This is a wonderful place, and an excellent sounding board of experienced horse people. Thank you.
But I am frustrated that you asked for input on what we would like changed, and seemed to indicate that big changes for us would be coming, when the long-anticipated upgrade appears to be a few minor bells and whistles that aren’t really related to functionality and nothing that really addresses some pretty impressive issues with layout and usability.
Can we expect an additional upgrade that will address more user issues now that the back end has been taken care of? Or will be be using this iteration for the foreseeable future? I would just like to know what to expect.
And again–thank you for all that you do, and I do not envy this job of yours.
[QUOTE=Bacardi1;6638926]
(Oh, & the “thumbs up/thumbs down” is particularly nice. If you’re in kindergarten. What a totally dumb*ass juvenile idea. What COTH Admin’s child thought that one up?)[/QUOTE]
There was a LOT of input asking for a “like” button when they asked for feedback about possible changes:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?329071-Forum-UPGRADE-Input!
That one isn’t on COTH. Plenty of people here asked for it.
I hope they do make this easier to read through with both the font size on the main page and the color of the font — is this gray here? I have the over 40 eyes and I am straining to read through this even with my glasses on.
I appreciate the ads run here (and I do click on them!!), but the squished over forum is hard to read, too. 
I find the whole appreciate/not appreciate thumb thing very bizarre. Are we supposed to be getting the appreciation/seeking the validation of other members when we post? Or is it really supposed to mean “agree” and “disagree” or “like” and “dislike.” I find “appreciate” to be such a strange concept for a BB. It’s so weirdly PC. Is it not okay to like and dislike things anymore?! 
Too many hurt feelings for a poster who feels “unliked.” Better to be “unappreciated?”
I don’t really even get the point of liking a post. If I have something to say, I’ll post in reply. Otherwise, I won’t. What benefit is it to me to know people out there like or don’t like what I have to say but won’t bother to post and tell me WHY. I just find it all strange for a BB…
you’ll have a clickable link that takes you to a page that will show you which of your posts received a thumbs up/down.
Hey Mod1 (or anyone else!) where can i find a list of my posts that have been “liked”?
( i saw the notification link and the posts showed up there but now are gone - how can i find them again? )
Mod1, thanks for the response, and your teams’ hard work. Believe me, I understand and empathize with the bugs of a software or equipment upgrade. I’ve written more than a few of those emails myself :winkgrin:
One other bug I noticed tonight, that others have mentioned as well, is that when I search for something, I’m only seeing results from 2007 and 2006. And I’m sure that there are threads on things both before and after those dates.
problem
I can’t read things on the right, when I go to my user CP. If I click on “settings” for instance, then “General settings”, the options that I need to see are on the right, but covered up by a long rectangular ad. It also runs through subscribed threads. So anything to the right is blocked by the ad.
I’m using Internet explorer.
Also, when I try to use the quick navigation drop down menu, it doesn’t let me scroll. I can click the bottom arrow, and the menu will drop a tiny amount, enough to show the next menu “item”, and then close, so I have to reclick, and keep doing that until the forum shows up in the menu that I want. It won’t scroll if you hold the button down or if you keep clicking.
Where is the “Preview Post” button? I liked that feature!
has anyone had any issues with the search function?
[QUOTE=mbm;6639050]
Hey Mod1 (or anyone else!) where can i find a list of my posts that have been “liked”?
( i saw the notification link and the posts showed up there but now are gone - how can i find them again? )[/QUOTE]
Also wondering this.
Thanks for updating us Mod 1. Hope the storm did not set you behind too much and you are safe.
[QUOTE=Wellspotted;6638628]
Can’t POST REPLY. Have to use the Quick Reply format which allows for no formatting, no smilies(!). [/QUOTE]
Look again. Quick Reply does offer smilies.
If you want regular reply the post reply button at the top works. The button at the bottom works if you hit the right spot, I used it for this response.
As was very politely explained two posts above yours (and I have quoted it for you right here), it was broke so they had to fix it.
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