New Forum set-up is a loser

[WD0P]

I've been trying to use the new format for quite a while now and I have decided that, in my opinion, it is not nearly as good as the former format. For one thing I do not like having to move away from the digital photography forum to discuss digital cameras and other digital equipment. I don't enjoy sorting through the non-digital items on the &quot;gear&quot; forum to find digital related items. I went 100% digital in 1999 and completely ditched film. In my opinion all things digital should be in one place.<br>I've been totally unsuccessful in getting my avatar to move over to the new format. I've been participating in the digital forum since 2003 (I think) and yet I'm labeled a new member.<br>Actually this whole new set up is so bad that I really think it just isn't worth my time and trouble anymore. Perhaps Dr. J. felt the same since I notice he no longer participates.<br>It was enjoyable. Now it isn't. I fail to see any improvements.<br>Sorry....but that's how I feel.<br><br>Phil

[Landscaper]

<div></div><div><font size="2">Just for the record, Dr. J's hiatus began quite some time before the forum switch was even announced.</font></div><div><font size="2"></font> </div><div><font size="2">I imagine most of us would &quot;tweak&quot; the new forum software in some particular way or another, but finding any one way that everyone will like without exception has to be impossible. What seems like an obviously better way to you might be a bad idea to a lot of others.</font></div><p>Message Edited by Landscaper on <span class="date_text">03-25-2007</span><span class="time_text">09:56 AM</span></p>

[peirceman]

<div>Well, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I would have to say that I disagree. I like the fact that Pop is recognizing that digital is now the de facto standard in photography, so it is moot to separate digital from everything else. I would challenge you to find many posts at all outside of the Film Lives board that have to do specifically with film. Because of the move to digital, it should make it easier to find what you want by separating gear, from software, from technique.</div><div> </div><div>Just my opinion.</div>

[JeffA]

<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>The only reason posts about digital are in different parts of the forum is because USERS post them there, WD0P.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It has nothing whatsoever to do with the setup or with the software. The only reason that there is more than one section dealing with digital photography, is that the the breadth of the topic has exploded over the past few years.</DIV>
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<DIV>As to Dr. Jalapeno, he is taking a break for personal reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with this forum, and are patently <STRONG>NOBODY ELSE'S BUSINESS</STRONG>.&nbsp; If and when he chooses to come back to the Pop Forums, we will welcome him with open arms.&nbsp; You made a <EM>vastly incorrect assumption</EM> about his absence, and as Tom Clancy has often said in his novels, <STRONG><EM>"Assumption is the mother of all screwups."</EM>&nbsp; </STRONG>(Ok, I cleaned it up a bit...this is a family Forum, after all!)</DIV>
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<DIV>As to technical problens, the new software is a walk in the park, compared to the nightmare that Ideal BB software had become over its past two iterations. Two "upgrades" ago, I lost my previous identity of JeffA because the forum software locked me out of it, and I was never able to log back in, despite everything the tech folks tried to do. I had&nbsp;a couple of <EM>thousand</EM> posts under that moniker. &nbsp; I saw more unexplained and unfixable defects in the previously used software than I thought possible.&nbsp; I have to be here on a daily basis, and field trouble complaints from users, and it was a true nightmare.&nbsp; Maybe the new software is different, and you don't like not having your old avatar.&nbsp; I can't address that one at present, as I don't know if custom avatars will come back or not.&nbsp; However, in most other aspects, this is at least a <EM>stable</EM> platform!&nbsp; It works and seems to be working darned well.&nbsp; We are still learning the finer points, but it's a true joy to use a system that doesn't log you off mid-post, or lose your posts, or any number of other things that users were screaming to us about over the past several years.&nbsp; Good riddance to the nightmare that was known as Ideal Softwware!</DIV>
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<DIV>Jeff</DIV>
<DIV>edited for typos</DIV>
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<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><p>Message Edited by JJAlbrecht on <span class=date_text>03-25-2007</span> <span class=time_text>01:03 PM</span>

[JeffA]

<DIV>One other thing... you were labeled as a new user simply because you had not logged onto the board since the upgrade, and once you did, the status of new user came with the number of logins and posts you have made <EM>since that time.</EM></DIV>
<DIV>As it is, you still have a fairly low number of posts, at last count, just over 100, and that includes posts made in the bad old days of the Ideal BB.</DIV>

[OJS]

<div>I've said it before in other posts and still feel the same, this one is great and it works. I had started to spend more time on other forums because of the problems and low activity levels here. Pop is Back! This one is now more active than ever, fun and it is nice to see so many new members learning how to use their new toys...</div>

[Landscaper]

<div><font size="2">There's one other thing I also have noticed. We seem to have gotten quite a few new members in the weeks since the new software has been up and running. I can't imagine the connection between the two, but I don't recall so many newbies in the several months preceding the software switch.</font></div><div><font size="2"></font> </div><div><font size="2">On the other hand, maybe I'm just OD'ing on diet cola.</font></div>

[JeffA]

<DIV>You're right, LS.&nbsp; It is much easier to become a new user with the new software.&nbsp; At the end, it was almost impossible to set up a new account with Ideal BB, for some&nbsp;reason I never understood.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Jeff</DIV>

[flashgumby]

Totally agree with Landscaper and Jeff - not only was the old software difficult for BECOMING a member, but it was DREADFUL for existing members trying to post. If I had a dollar for every time the darn software screwed up a post, I'd have some fine lenses by now.<br><br>While the new software is a long way from perfect, it is most certainly headed in the right direction (even for us Mozilla users!). Give it some time and it will probably win you over a bit more.<br><br>Gordon.

[WD0P]

You're correct....where the good doctor is is certainly none of my business. That's why I used the word &quot;perhaps&quot; since I really have no idea about it. I'm sure we all look forward to his return.<br><br>As to my rather small number of posts: I try to limit them to when I have a strong opinion....I think I might be able to help someone with a question or problem they have.....or I have a bit of info in which I feel the rest of the forum members might be interested. Otherwise....I follow the forum and try to learn by reading other's contributions.<br><br>Finally.....as stated in one of the posts above....everyone is entitled to an opinion. I've stated mine.<br><br>Best to all, Phil