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Cloudbringer · 04-01-2001, 10:35 AM

Hey Z! I briefly went in last night. Had some trouble with one thread showing odd symbols (no, Mems, not Simbul!

) instead of the text. Also got a IM while not in the board- gave email notification but when I went to the board couldn't see anything nor find a way to answer such messages. Duh, was I just missing something? Or can't you reply if you are not on the forum at the time? I've seen other IM setups where the message can be clicked as a regular dialog box even if you aren't actively in the forum screen.

The white background is annoying...but maybe it's a customizable feature for our Webmaster?

Most recent message first is more like email, but I do NOT like it for the forums at all. Small problem if you want to know what the whole topic is about and how it progressed: you have to scroll down (eeeff...in a thread of 200+?? YIKES) to the bottom and read up-awkward at best. Could be a spoiler problem too. Suppose I see a topic I think I'm interested in, go to it, and the first thing I see is someone's answer to the thread that includes spoilers? Maybe if I'd seen the whole first post, I'd have realized the questions/topic were going to spoil me and not read any more? Just a thought...not really enough to say yay or nay the whole upgrade, mind you.

Epona: I've been on a few boards where IM is used. Memny is right, you can usually choose to not accept such messages. In fact on one board I used to frequent, you could choose your list of people that you contact frequently (like an address book) and could further choose to accept ALL IM's, or only from that list. Z? is there a feature on this one that allows 'stealth mode' or 'lurk mode'- ie: you can choose to be in the forum and NOT be visible to others (for IM)...well unless you post, of course!

I see IM as a boon in a few ways. Like last night I needed to check if someone had seen my email. That really wasn't something that added to the thread I was in, "Did you get my email?" ends up being a whole post, along with "yes I did" or "no I didn't". Those things can me sent as IM if the other party is online.

Epona, I'm as nosy as the next person (gee, why is everyone laughing?), and I understand your concerns. I do think that if people want private communication now, they manage without posting to the forum (email, ICQ etc) so I don't think that will make as big an impact as we might fear.

Can somebody tell me: isn't IM geared for one-to-one? If so, it would be impossible for a small group to have a separate chat that way as opposed to going to the Inn, or somesuch.

I too have doubts about rating each other. Considering our 'spam for stars' problem with newbies who see some members with titles or stars they envy (yes there are some out there, even now..grrr), I can't even imagine the "ratings wars" that might erupt from something like this.

Bad for a whole lot of egos and that spells disaster for some members staying around.
Note, you are getting that little 'concern' about the system from me, Z! You know I'm the last one who'd worry what her own rating would be.

I do worry about less effusive and prolific members not feeling welcome/wanted.

I didn't spend a whole lot of time testing the upgrade board, so I can't give much more feedback today. Will go in again and play a bit. It's always a bit awkward breaking in a new setup...still I will say this current one seemed so 'user friendly' to me when I got here during the open testing. The upgrade seems to need more 'work' on my part to navigate than the current board.

Ok, there you go..my 20 cents worth

Cloudy

------------------

Storm-Queen
StormCloud of the Black Knight

[This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 04-01-2001).]

04-01-2001, 10:35 AM	#20
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Hey Z! I briefly went in last night. Had some trouble with one thread showing odd symbols (no, Mems, not Simbul! ) instead of the text. Also got a IM while not in the board- gave email notification but when I went to the board couldn't see anything nor find a way to answer such messages. Duh, was I just missing something? Or can't you reply if you are not on the forum at the time? I've seen other IM setups where the message can be clicked as a regular dialog box even if you aren't actively in the forum screen. The white background is annoying...but maybe it's a customizable feature for our Webmaster? Most recent message first is more like email, but I do NOT like it for the forums at all. Small problem if you want to know what the whole topic is about and how it progressed: you have to scroll down (eeeff...in a thread of 200+?? YIKES) to the bottom and read up-awkward at best. Could be a spoiler problem too. Suppose I see a topic I think I'm interested in, go to it, and the first thing I see is someone's answer to the thread that includes spoilers? Maybe if I'd seen the whole first post, I'd have realized the questions/topic were going to spoil me and not read any more? Just a thought...not really enough to say yay or nay the whole upgrade, mind you. Epona: I've been on a few boards where IM is used. Memny is right, you can usually choose to not accept such messages. In fact on one board I used to frequent, you could choose your list of people that you contact frequently (like an address book) and could further choose to accept ALL IM's, or only from that list. Z? is there a feature on this one that allows 'stealth mode' or 'lurk mode'- ie: you can choose to be in the forum and NOT be visible to others (for IM)...well unless you post, of course! I see IM as a boon in a few ways. Like last night I needed to check if someone had seen my email. That really wasn't something that added to the thread I was in, "Did you get my email?" ends up being a whole post, along with "yes I did" or "no I didn't". Those things can me sent as IM if the other party is online. Epona, I'm as nosy as the next person (gee, why is everyone laughing?), and I understand your concerns. I do think that if people want private communication now, they manage without posting to the forum (email, ICQ etc) so I don't think that will make as big an impact as we might fear. Can somebody tell me: isn't IM geared for one-to-one? If so, it would be impossible for a small group to have a separate chat that way as opposed to going to the Inn, or somesuch. I too have doubts about rating each other. Considering our 'spam for stars' problem with newbies who see some members with titles or stars they envy (yes there are some out there, even now..grrr), I can't even imagine the "ratings wars" that might erupt from something like this. Bad for a whole lot of egos and that spells disaster for some members staying around. Note, you are getting that little 'concern' about the system from me, Z! You know I'm the last one who'd worry what her own rating would be. I do worry about less effusive and prolific members not feeling welcome/wanted. I didn't spend a whole lot of time testing the upgrade board, so I can't give much more feedback today. Will go in again and play a bit. It's always a bit awkward breaking in a new setup...still I will say this current one seemed so 'user friendly' to me when I got here during the open testing. The upgrade seems to need more 'work' on my part to navigate than the current board. Ok, there you go..my 20 cents worth Cloudy ------------------ Storm-Queen StormCloud of the Black Knight [This message has been edited by Cloudbringer (edited 04-01-2001).]