Sorry, Bergie, but the new forum just SUCKS!!

[TrainFreak409]

Come on Tom, don't leave us. You offer a lot to this site and all its members. What'll it be like without you?

 

There are a few things with the new forum I do not like, but then there are other things I do like. I think I may have preferred the old forum moreso than this one, but hey, it's a change, and it seems to work a bit better than the old one did, performance wise. So, I don't think I'll even bother listing what I like and don't like, because it's not going to bring back the old forum.

[trainfan1221]

As I said on the Trains forums,  i am not thrilled with the new format either and find some things confusing.  I hope it just takes some getting used to.

[Anonymous]

My opinion on this new forum software... I think this THREAD SUCKS!

The forum is just find... if you can't stand the heat , get out of the kitchen!

[Adelie]

I've got to go with the comment "I mean come on haven't you heard the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?
 

That assumes that it wasn't broken.  The most we could ever say from this end is that it didn't look broken, which isn't exactly true in this case, either.  From the people on the administration/maintenance end of the server, it might have been a complete trainwreck.

I work with a couple of guys that held a web server system together on old software at their customer's request because they did not want to spend the money to upgrade.  From the user perspective, other than sometimes being slow and once in a great while unavailable for a few minutes, but it was not broken.....right up until it gave up the ghost.  They got it back up and running, but it was pretty much a goner.  The truth was it was broken all along, and from the administrator/maintenance end it was obvious. 

The irony of all this is that there was a thread going around about 8 or 10 months ago asking Bergie when they were going to do something about the forum software.  The old system was often slow, sometimes unresponsive for minutes on end and apparently not very secure from attacks.  As I remember, the problem reached its climax with an attack from the outside that shut down the forum for a couple of days.  From a computer perspective, the symptoms do not support the statement that the old system "ain't broke."

As for Spacemouse, he was on vacation but was back last Saturday or Sunday.  I don't know where he has been since.

[Dave-the-Train]

I've got to go with the comment "I mean come on haven't you heard the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

This was a good easy access forum... now it's clunky and a pain... hope it improves soon... i.e. gets back to the old standard.

 

Where'd Spacemouse go????

[marknewton]

Bob Boudreau wrote:

""Everyone is out of step except me!" "So I'm leaving!" he says. Seems to work for hundreds of others, photos and all. Maybe, just maybe, you're not doing something right?"

He's not the only one. I'm having exactly the same problems as Tom described.

"Are you using a MAC?"

Don't know about Tom, but I am. So what?

Mark.

[Guilford Guy]

yeah I want the older forum

[zgardner18]

I may be in the minority, but all I can say is that the new forum style is the pits!   I've been a long-time contributor to the forum, but since July 12, I've had nothing but trouble with it.  Can't post pictures, cant edit replies--and had to delete one post.  So why did I get an e-mail from MR telling me that I'd deleted that post?  I KNOW I deleted the post, I don't have to be reminded of it. 

New and Improved has just left this guy behind, I'm afraid. 

It's been fun, but no more.  Goodbye

Tom

Tom,

First off I think that you need to chill, Dude.  Come'on, the guys are right when they say that it has only been less then a month and I'm sure that all of the bugs aren't worked out as well.  You have to have a little more trust in other people before you go jumping to conclusions.  Personally I don't mind the new style.  The old one was good and all but I see nothing wrong with this one.  In due time it will be great, but "Rome wasn't built in a day."  You have to treat it like moving in with a woman, sure it's different and nothing that you're used to but you see past all of her strange ways and know that she's hot and worth it.  Dude, you have see past all of the short comings that on this forum right now and know that it's "what's on the inside that counts": MODEL RAILROADING.  Nothing else should matter but us sitting at our computers talking about our great passion.  Focus on that!  I say get over it, humble yourself and spread your knowledge of model railroading to us unlearned.

I think that it's just because you're from NORCAL ( ha, ha, funny Southern California joke).  I had to throw that in. 

[Adelie]

Tom, let me state up front I hope you stick around.  This rant is not about you.

Gentlemen,

1) Cleaning out cookies will get rid of settings/logins/preferences in a bunch of sites, not just this one.  I am extremely security conscious, and I am yet to zap out my cookie file.  I will look at it in the browser once in a while to get rid of ones that I do not recognize.  But getting rid of them all creates too many unintended consequences.

2) I'm sure Kalmbach did not engineer this software themselves.  It is an off-the-shelf package.  The idea of creating a package that would do what the survey says would be a fairly costly endeavor, even if you started with an off-the-shelf package and had the rights to modify it.  It is amazing how many latent software bugs get uncovered when someone starts customizing code.  Been there, done that in other applications.  "It ain't fun, and it ain't cheap."

3) If you did survey the users here, do you really think you would get a consensus on anything?  Do we keep the stars or get rid of them?  Do we keep polls, get rid of them or start a poll to decide?  What do they want it to look like?  What are their five most desired features....and least desired (some items might be on both lists at one and the same time).  Even establishing user settings (things as simple as the color and default fonts of the pages) are going to be hated by nearly half the folks, no matter what you do.

I'm certainly not one who blindly sings the praises of anything.  Nor am I a Kalmbach apologist.  I am a born skeptic, some would argue a cynic.  But in all honesty, the new forum is no worse than any others I belong to and is better than several I can think of.

For those having real technical issues, I sincerely hope you hang in there and they get fixed.  I know it is very frustrating (again, been there, done that).  But many others seem to be looking for a custom fit forum in an off-the-rack world.

[hminky]

Yes, the format is really sucky. Working the bugs out is no excuse, lesser forums work. The engine driving the forum is the problem. Probably got it at a bargain.

Just a thought

Harold

 and telling "Bergie" and Kalmbach it is a good forum won't get you into model railroad "heaven"

[james saunders]

The should have asked their Customers (us) what they wanted.

 

Personally I hate the cookie thing - cleanout your cookies and you need top login and set options again.

And when you read a topic it doesn't grey out immediately.  So remember where you are.

What was the main reason for changing?  Ability to access other stuff IF you're a subscriber.

When this forum can automatically provide something like the "compilation of widely useful threads" then I'll be impressed.  And hosting photos would make more sense.

it's been what... three weeks? these things take time to get all the kinks out give them a couple of months to get it straight...
and also on site photo hosting would cost a great deal more to kalmbach, something they probably don't want to do after forking out a few thousand pennies for this new forum..
I for one am grateful we have this great forum to access!

thanks bergie, and thanks kalmbach.

[TBat55]

The should have asked their Customers (us) what they wanted.

 

Personally I hate the cookie thing - cleanout your cookies and you need top login and set options again.

And when you read a topic it doesn't grey out immediately.  So remember where you are.

What was the main reason for changing?  Ability to access other stuff IF you're a subscriber.

When this forum can automatically provide something like the "compilation of widely useful threads" then I'll be impressed.  And hosting photos would make more sense.

[Railphotog]

"Everyone is out of step except me!"   "So I'm leaving!" he says.   Seems to work for hundreds of others, photos and all.   Maybe, just maybe, you're not doing something right?  Are you using a MAC?

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

I agree, this is by far the crappiest website I have seen in a long time. If any of you admin guys are reading this what were you thinking? I mean come on haven't you heard the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? I am all for change and bringing in better technology. I find the website extremely confusing and very annoying. It took me over an hour to figure out how to re-registar from the old forum and another 15 minutes to figure out how to post a reply. And this is coming from a 25year old computer savy person. I would hate to see the less computer savy people try to get on here. This is supposed to be a forum for the free exchange of ideas, not a puzzle to figure out how to log in. Admin, you screwed up big time on this one. There are very few improvements and lots of frustrating, confusing aspects to this site now. I hope the next time you pull your head out and use what brain cells you are obviously lacking when you bring in "redesigned" web pages. I won't leave the site and i'm sure that the bugs will be worked out in the future. But for redesinging a perfectly good web site and creating undo havoc and frustration on what is supposed to a userfriendly site, admin come on down and claim your "dumb choice" award. I hope you proudly display it on your desk. A customer service number just to register - how stupid.

Now that I'm done with my rant, lets talk trains :)

Mike

[trainfreek92]

Hey guys,

I have not used the forum much. Its been summer and also I am on Vacation right now. I also am on dial up and it is slow. (at home I have Comcast) Has any one else noticed that you can not see all of my past posts?? I want the old forum back. Happy Modeling. Tim

[tommyr]

Hi There;

    As one Tom to another I really hate to see you go. I'm an old fart & if I can use this site anyone can. To post pics I use photobucket ( no changes from the old forum) . Below your pic are 3 choices-- left click on the 3rd one & then right click -click on copy then go to this site & click on paste wallah your pics are posted. Hate to see all your exprtise go down the road.

Tom

[cudaken]

 People on the board are great, but the new Form wheels are out of gauge, has a 9% grade and the frogs are messed up as well!

 I have to hit refresh up to 15 times to answer. I like the PM option, but should flag you if you have mail!

 Plus, I miss being able to read all the answer's as I answer the replys!  More than likely that was done away with to help save bandwithe (sorry about the spelling).

 If other people have the problems I have, might be one of the reasons postings are down.

            Refreashing again, Cuda Ken

[jwar]

Modelmaker...I am not a computor whizz but read on a post here that after selecting a picture from the off forum server, one can hold the control down and press v, It worked for me bringing the code from railimages. Then I found that hitting the control v again I got the same sieries of code, I then just changed the number in the second set of code to the second picture I wanted and posted, It worked, have no clue why.

Perhaps some savy guy could start a good thread.on posting pics, Then burgie could slap a stickey on it...John

[modelmaker51]

Actually I agree that the new forum has become a real PITA in certain areas.

I am also keyboard challenged and I find it most annoying that the right -click editing (cut/copy/paste) tools (except paste) are gone.

Also, this is the only forum that I've ever been on, where you have to type in the [ img]...[/img ] to post a photo.

When you're typing and need to go back to a previous poster, unless it's the last one, you can't.

The message tools have regressed nearly back to the stone age - what was wrong with the options in the old forum? I liked having the smiley icons to choose from, (faster), now we have to scroll thru a list just to find the more commonly used ones, (much slower).

And why does the font change in a post?

I realy didn't think there was that much wrong with the old forum except for the speed and hangups, (and the stars too!).

 

But I'm going to stick around anyway and hopefully when Fergie gets back from vacation these issues will get addressed.

[CAZEPHYR]

I may be in the minority, but all I can say is that the new forum style is the pits!   I've been a long-time contributor to the forum, but since July 12, I've had nothing but trouble with it.  Can't post pictures, cant edit replies--and had to delete one post.  So why did I get an e-mail from MR telling me that I'd deleted that post?  I KNOW I deleted the post, I don't have to be reminded of it. 

New and Improved has just left this guy behind, I'm afraid. 

It's been fun, but no more.  Goodbye

Tom

Tom, the forum has changed no doubt but let someone help you with posting pictures and whatever you have need of. 

I have never posted pictures so it has not affected my looking and replys, but the forum is still free and interesting so stay with us.  We can always use the wisdom of the brass that you have given.  

[conagher]

This is the only "look" I know because I'm new to this forum so I can't comment on a comparison with the old. But when compared to other railroad or miscellaneous forums, this is by far the easiest to read, post to and generally navigate around. Well, maybe Trainboard is pretty easy too.

I am keyboard-challenged but have never had any difficulty posting photos here so perhaps some of us can provide online assistance for you. Rather than jumble up this thread, if you'll send an email to me with your address, I'll be happy to tell what I do to get photos here....

Believe me, if an old worn out cowboy like me can do it, anyone can. It's just a matter of doing it a few times before you see how easy it is.

Mac 

[tstage]

Thomas,

Hang in there, my friend.   The "new look" does take getting used to but gets better the longer you use it.  If you are having trouble with something (e.g. like posting pics), drop me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help you along.  I would hate to lose all the input and expertise you contribute to the forum.  C'mon, we musicians have to stick together.  Take a tacet if you need to, rest your chops, and come back in with fingers flying...

That other Thomas

[Guilford Guy]

All I can say is that he probably hasnt worked out all the bug

[jwar]

Tom...I know how you feel and hate to hear it. It is a fact that I couldnt post pictures untill this new change was made and perhaps I felt the same as you, extreamly flustrating. I would be nice if the powers to be,  a tutorial on this forum instead of letting those of us with problems migrate too.

I for one was not going to subcribe to the MR if I couldnt post on this forum.

Anyhow Tom I hope ( I think I can speak for the rest that know you) you stay with us as you have allways been very helpfull to those of us in need, your replys and topis have always shown a TOUCH OF CLASS and were/are full of merit.

Besides we haveent voted yet...We voted and we are keeping the fur ball cat, were voting on you next, just might not let ya go.......Take Care...John 

[AntonioFP45]

Twhite,

Understandable, but please give this a couple of months.  Don't leave, just take a break for a stretch then come back.  I miss the old forum as well (though not the stars) but let's give the Kalmbach guys a chance.

High Greens to you.

[GearDrivenSteam]

Mr. White, I'll certainly miss you. Your experience and input will be missed greatly. I liked your cat, too.

[jacon12]

C'mon Tom, hang in there... it'll get better.  I hate to see you leave.  Like Crandell, I haven't had any problems (so far) either.  Just takes some getting used to the new format.

Jarrell

[selector]

Tom, I hate to disagree with such a long and good-standing member such as yourself, but I have no complaints.  It seems to work better, although I still have to get used to the "look".  It loads much faster with fewer stalls (still get the odd one).

It seems that the traffic is a lot lighter, as Mouse opined a couple of days ago, but that is probably because the better halfs have threatened most of us with unspeakable unpleasantness unless with get on with the summer stuff.

I am very sorry, though, to see you have such a bad time of it.  I wish I could help...

 

-Crandell

[twhite]

I may be in the minority, but all I can say is that the new forum style is the pits!   I've been a long-time contributor to the forum, but since July 12, I've had nothing but trouble with it.  Can't post pictures, cant edit replies--and had to delete one post.  So why did I get an e-mail from MR telling me that I'd deleted that post?  I KNOW I deleted the post, I don't have to be reminded of it. 

New and Improved has just left this guy behind, I'm afraid. 

It's been fun, but no more.  Goodbye

Tom