Wow! What happened? (Or, Georgia on my mind)

[BaltACD]

I notice that emoticons, when quoted cease to be 'active'.

[PNWRMNM]

Today I wrote a longish post to Fred's recent blog after selecting "Comment" when I was done the software said it could not figure out where to put my comment, and lost the whole thing on the second try.

What is going on?

 

Not a happy camper,

Mac

[gardendance]

I agree it's a pain, but it's not unique to this site, and if I remember correctly, it's not unique to this site's current version, I think I remember a similar exploding menu band in the old versrion.

[BaltACD]

The black band at the top of the page, under the TRAINS logo with 'Magazine News Railroads etc.'  is a PAIN.

If you inadvertently drag your cursor through one of the topics it balloon opens a window about the topic.  All the while you just wanted to place your cursor in the forum.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

K. P. Harrier

[snipped - PDN] . . . I think I WILL take off for a week or two ...

Tired,

K.P.

There's a funny anti-SAP software ad running a lot in the Wall Street Journal's print edition lately that reminds me of this.  It's a thread of messages between an IT guy and his boss about delays in the project, and the ending goes something like this:

Boss: "You're tired."

IT guy: "Darn right I'm tired - tired of [the software]."

Boss: "No, I meant you're fired ! (stupid Auto-Correct)"

This is of like kind.

- Paul North. 

[K. P. Harrier]

MikeF90 (10-11):

Something went even more wacko at the trainsmag.com forums, and I even can't post in Mozella Firefox now with WORD.  I've resorted back to an archaic compostion screen to post this.

I think I WILL take off for a week or two ...

Tired,

K.P.

[ramrod]

Is there any possibility that the default font could be changed to something more substantual? Right now, the capital I pretty much disappears when displayed in the current font. It takes a lot longer to read and understand posts than it did before the change. True, my eyes are not what they were 69 years ago, but this is ridiculous. 

[K. P. Harrier]

Now the 'Paste' function doesn't work!  Will the problems ever stop at this site?

[PNWRMNM]

I am having trouble with Fred's most recent blog. I get the first two pages of responses, but pages 3 and 4 are repeats of two.  Is it just me or is the software bugy?

Mac

[K. P. Harrier]

OK, it worked!

Mozella Firefox DOES work, as MikeF90 said it would, and the buttons remain the same.  Cool!

Thanks Mike!

Now I can tinker with other things at this website ...

[K. P. Harrier]

This is a post test.  Details in a moment ...

[Semper Vaporo]

gardendance

gardendance

 

MikeF90

HOWEVER, I just noticed some regression - this 5 page topic now has '0' and '-1' pages. Is there a useful reason for this? Confused

 

I confirm, and elaborate, it has <<

 

 

What happened to the rest of my reply? I had mentioned something about how the -1 and 0 and other page numbers took me to weird places within the thread.

I also had mentioned why did anybody think "posted n minutes/hours ago" was better than the old way "posted mm/dd/yy h:mm"

 

I noted the "-1" and "0" pages in the list  and that clicking on "3" does take you to about page 3, but at present there are 5 (or more) pages in the thread which do not show in the list until you get to this page 3 and then clicking "5" may or may not get me to the last page.

Even from the main list of topics, clicking on the "posted n *** ago" link does not always take me to the last posting in a thread.

 

As for the "Posted n *** ago"... that mght be an attempt to make sense to those that have computers that are not configured properly to account for local time.

 

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

Stupid "art style" or whatever font geometry, too (  What would Steve Jobs think ?).  In another thread, I just typed "used that" with a single space between the italicized "d" and the regular "t", and as you can probably see, it looks like I forgot the space and ran them together.  To get it to look better, I have to use 2 spaces, viz : "used  that".  "Idiot savants" at work there, I suppose.

That said, I am finding some solace in the similarity of views and philosophy from many of the posters on this thread.  I'm sure I'd enjoy a brewski and a sharing of opinions with many of you !

- Paul North.          

[MikeF90]

K. P. Harrier

Since there was no problem before trainsmag.com changed things, I believe the problem was caused by them, and THEY need to fix it. My inclination is that they are doing something illegal (in the computer programing sense, probably for expediency and / or by inexperienced technicians), so THEY need to correct the problem.

I agree that Kalmbach should take further action, but some things may be out of their control (literally).

The forum software appears to be proprietary so they probably don't have access to the source code for analysis and modification. It is unknown how much and of how high a quality support they get from the software vendor (depends on support costs). Kalmbach may only want to tweak templates or configuration to keep things simpler and cheaper for them. Remember, this is a 'free' forum.

It is very strange that issues turn up seemingly related to IE.  Software vendors usually test with included (default) software such as IE, Safari, etc first.

 

[gardendance]

gardendance

 

MikeF90

HOWEVER, I just noticed some regression - this 5 page topic now has '0' and '-1' pages. Is there a useful reason for this? Confused

 

I confirm, and elaborate, it has <<

 

What happened to the rest of my reply? I had mentioned something about how the -1 and 0 and other page numbers took me to weird places within the thread.

I also had mentioned why did anybody think "posted n minutes/hours ago" was better than the old way "posted mm/dd/yy h:mm"

[Euclid]

Are the page feature sizes much bigger than they were before, or is it just my computer?  This seems like looking at the forum through a magnifying glass compared to any other forum I have seen.

[gardendance]

MikeF90

HOWEVER, I just noticed some regression - this 5 page topic now has '0' and '-1' pages. Is there a useful reason for this? Confused

I confirm, and elaborate, it has <<

[K. P. Harrier]

MikeF90 (10-10A):

Thanks for duplicating the buttons problem, and your assessment of the situation, the bad news.

After pondering the situation, I've taken a different solution position than you have.

Since there was no problem before trainsmag.com changed things, I believe the problem was caused by them, and THEY need to fix it.

My inclination is that they are doing something illegal (in the computer programing sense, probably for expediency and / or by inexperienced technicians), so THEY need to correct the problem.

It will be interesting to see what they will do now since the flack is ever increasing.  Some problems are easy to fix, and have been.  Others are thornier, especially if the problem is tech inspired.

Lets all hope for the best,

K.P.

[BaltACD]

MikeF90

 

K. P. Harrier

MikeF90 (10-10):

Does the video and picture insertion buttons consistantly stay present for you?

For me, they disappear after the first post, and don't return until the computer is turned off and restarted.

Best, K.P.

 

 

Using my worst case scenario (Win7 and IE 11) I have not been able to duplicate the 'missing buttons' observation so far*.

 

*UPDATE - I've got Good News and Bad News.  Good news - I can duplicate the symptom when I reply with IE 11. Symptom persists if I stop and restart IE 11. Compatibility mode on or off does not seem to matter.

Bad News - you will have to install and use an alternate web browser.  For functionality, security and stability I recommend Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, your preference may vary. No need to change your default browser, if that matters.

 

About time for Kalmbach to get a IE11 machine and make the forum work on it.

[MikeF90]

K. P. Harrier

MikeF90 (10-10):

Does the video and picture insertion buttons consistantly stay present for you?

For me, they disappear after the first post, and don't return until the computer is turned off and restarted.

Best, K.P.

Using my worst case scenario (Win7 and Internet Explorer 11) I have not been able to duplicate the 'missing buttons' observation so far*.

*UPDATE - I've got Good News and Bad News.  Good news - I can duplicate the symptom when I reply with IE 11. Symptom persists if I stop and restart IE 11. Compatibility mode on or off does not seem to matter.

Bad News - you will have to install and use an alternate web browser.  For functionality, security and stability I recommend Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, your preference may vary. No need to change your default browser, if that matters.

[Norm48327]

The email alerts when you received a private message were nice.

[Deggesty]

I do not know what has happened: I have received some posts by email from both the Trains and the Classic Trains forums--but they have not come to me on the website.

I agree that the spell czech (check?) is valuable, for now I have to more carefully proof my posts.

[K. P. Harrier]

MikeF90 (10-10):

Does the video and picture insertion buttons consistantly stay present for you?

For me, they disappear after the first post, and don't return until the computer is turned off and restarted.

Best,

K.P.

[MikeF90]

Thank you to the IT staff for some reported progress, I will be testing same.

HOWEVER, I just noticed some regression - this 5 page topic now has '0' and '-1' pages. Is there a useful reason for this?

UPDATE - the Insert Video button worked for me, see topic http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/742/t/229021.aspx 

[K. P. Harrier]

Angela Pusztai-Pasternak (10-10):

Super conspicuous from your 'fix list' is the absence of a "W" (WORD) use button, and a CONSISTANT photo insertion button.

Both may ("may") be a drain on Kalmbach's balance sheet because of their nature, and it may be hoped that they would just drift away and become insignificant for the majority.

Are those two concerns planned on being addressed and fixed, or was the nail hit on the head?

Best,

K.P.

[Angela Pusztai-Pasternak]

Hello!

I have good news. Here are few items you should now notice within your forum experience.

1. Ordering of posts is picking up the old “Sort Posts” option.  This setting is on a users’ profile.  If you’re logged in, in the right column click the “Settings” link.  Under the “Advanced Options” tab the first option is for sorting posts.  Changing this will update the order of posts by default when a user goes to a thread.  I.e. – if selecting “Newest to Oldest” all threads will be ordered in descending order by default.
2. Font styles, font sizes, and font colors have been added to the text editor.
3. Font size in text editor increased from 11 to 16 pixels.
4. Thread title added to replies.
5. Spacing added to report abuse and back to top buttons.
6. Read threads made a dark gray color for more contrast.
7. Time zone setting now getting picked up on threads.
8. New message indicator fixed when you have a new private message that hasn’t been read.
9. Emedding a video should work now.

We are still working toward adding/fixing your other concerns. 

Thank you for hanging in there. Have a great weekend!
Ang

 

[Deggesty]

Yes, Larry, it is wonderful to again select my favorite font and size. I did not notice the change when I wrote my last post using the house selection. Now, if I could only make my selection permanent instead of having to set it up every time I post. (And, if the spell check would return from its retirement.)

[tree68]

Looking much better, and a lot more familiar.

[NorthWest]

Font color has also returned! Thanks!

Now, about the disappearing buttons, I haven't been able to put a picture in a post with the new software.

[K. P. Harrier]

Well, the Fonts Family and Sizes feather has returned, BUT the compaction of the icons still happens the second time around.  Thus, photos still can't be posted efficiently!