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MG TD TF 1500 - Suggested site changes
| In light of the recent changes to the site I thought it might be a good time suggest other changes that the members might find useful. I'd like to see a notification in my email every time someone posts to a thread I started or one that I posted to. I know you can get an initial email notification but I'd like to see it for the entire thread. Tim |
| Timothy Burchfield |
| I opened up this site today and found my old style layout gone. I do not like how it is formatted now and went to customize and still can’t figure out how to return to the old style format. I d not like this new thread display at all. I did not like the Beta test and went back and now I want to get back to where I was yesterday. |
| W A Chasser |
| I don't like it either. I live by the rule, If it ain't broke, Don't fix it! I just came back in and it wouldn't work by clicking on my bookmark, done this twice after resetting the URL. Pain! |
| PJ Jennings |
| I would like to have the possibility to upload pdf files and more than one photo at a time like on the other site which is much more user friendly. Regards Declan |
| Declan Burns |
| Declan, that is an excellent idea. Tim |
| Timothy Burchfield |
| I might be wrong but I think these ideas really need to be presented or sent to the Webmaster Mike Plumstead as you can't really expect him to see them here and be looking at all threads and posts in all sections of the site. You could email or try a post or new thread in the 'Beta Testing' section with a copy & paste from here. I've no idea of what's practically possible and what isn't but I, rightly or wrongly, think of the site being more like a TD-TF than a Tesla. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| Posting them on the web site will give the members a chance to comment on them and agree, disagree or add alternatives. Sending them directly to the moderator eliminates those options. And what moderator doesn't moderate his site? Tim |
| Timothy Burchfield |
| Tim,
sorry I misunderstood the intention of your post and thread but isn't this also the purpose of the Beta Testing section. I've no idea about monderating the site but I expected it's automated in some way as who could spend every minute of everyday watching a site that I expect barely covers its costs and wouldn't provide enough income that other full-time work elsewhere isn't needed. As a member I agree with both yours and Declan's ideas, I've no idea how possible they are on this site, probably be best to have an opt-in on the email notification or I for one would have lots to scroll through in my Inbox. Do we wait to see if the moderator picks up on our posts or does someone contact him or post in the Beta Testing, if so who and when. I'm not being awkward I just don't see how it operates. I don't know about these things and I could as happens many times a day be wrong. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| There is a specific "Beta Testing" forum where the new site, potential features, etc are being discussed. Posting there is exactly like posting here in the TD/TF section, except that the site admin is a lot more likely to see them there. Much discussion has already taken place in the Beta Testing forum threads. |
| Steve Simmons |
| I'd understood that the beta testing was for those who used mobiles (cells) to access the BBS and that the proposed changes had nothing to do with the rest of us. I was surprised to find the lemon background on my PC, but with some help I was able to get back to pretty much what the TD/TF site used to look like. With the white background the previously read threads were almost impossible to see though, so I went with the pale blue. I can live with the changes as it seems to help those with mobiles. Cheers
Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| I've gotten quite a bit older and eyesite is less than great. I am finding I have to wear my 300 reader glasses and sit closer to the screen. Would prefer a slightly larger font. Maybe a little darker also. But for me and my TF I'll take what I can get. |
| Peter Dahlquist |
| If you look over at right, you will see "Customize", click on that, I suggest you select "Arial Large", then scroll to the bottom and click on "Save Changes". That should give you a larger font for easier viewing. Let me know how it goes. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| ETA: (the other) Peter posted whilst I was still typing, just a note, Veranda comes up larger than Arial on my set up.
Peter(D), have you tried selecting 'Verdana large' and 'Blue' in your 'Customise' font and colour settings as they come up quite big on my PC monitor (even at 100% monitor zoom). On mine I can also zoom-in on the monitor screen by by holding down the 'Ctrl' (Control) key on my keyboard at the same time as turning the wheel forward on my mouse. There will be other ways to do this no doubt by I always like to use the easiest way rather than trying to remember a combination and sequence of pressing keys or going through menus. I also like anything that arrives by simply pressing the right-click button on the mouse and I always try that first to see what comes up. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| Holding down "Ctrl" and hitting the + key will give zoom, even 2 or 3 times, "Ctrl" and - key takes you back, if you need. Corect, "Verdana large" is even BIGGER. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| Peter,
thanks for another way of zooming in. This is one area where "computers" are good in that there are several ways of achieving the outcome you want so you can choose the one that suits you. It does show the difference between yourself that knows about "computers" and the likes of me that doesn't and just uses one. My wife learnt typing so delights in having keyboard shortcuts, pressing three different keys at once with the fingers of both hands spread like a pianist. But both yours and her methods are not good for people like me that don't type or are not interested in computers as both require remembering a combination of keys and their location on the keyboard (some rarely used by me). As a non-computer person it's easier to remember holding down one key at a very easy to find and remember location on the keyboard (very bottom left) and combine it with turning the wheel on the mouse as that is also very easy to remember and find. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| Peter,
my apologies, having thought about it and tried your 'Ctrl' and '+' or '-' would possibly be easier to remember for those new to it, I'm just used to my method. The 'Ctrl' obviously is in the same place and the '+' and '-' and quite easy to locate and remember being diagonally opposite the 'Ctrl'. Unlike some of the other keys that I forget where they are and have to look around for them but they've vanished! I had to ask my wife where the '%' key was only last night as I'd totally forgot and couldn't see it. I'll see if I can remember your method and practice with it. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| I have 87 yr-old eyes that don't work like they used to.
This new format is troubling. In order to accommodate all data on-screen, I have to invoke ctrl - or ctrl --. In doing so the font has now become smaller and frankly, I cannot read it. Plus, I don't see any benefit. Perhaps someone can tell me. I don't know why we, the users, weren't first consulted. I don't like it and will probably access it less. But I do like Tim Burchfield's idea of flagging the writer, when response is registered. Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
| Gord Clark |
| I don't understand the new line that says "You had previously read up to here". It seems to come and go and actually doesn't relate to what I have or haven't read. Is this just a glitch in the new system? I'm trying to ignore it but I do find it annoying. Previously (and as is the case now) threads that I haven't read were in a darker print and were easy to identify. Why this new line? Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Gord,
If you can’t see the whole page maybe there is a “screen resolution” or “browser magnification” issue at your end. Modern monitors display at 1920 X 1080 and the whole page would be displayed, readability then depends on your eyes and the size of the monitor in inches, today 24 inch monitors are cheap. The first issue would be to ascertain why the whole of the page is not visible without the “Ctrl” and - combination. Maybe somebody nearby can help with that. As to consulting with users, if you do so, whose input would you follow, those who view progress as a good thing or those happy to hang with the status quo. Been there, done that, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Browsers change over the years and the software that produces the page has to stay in step with that progress, such progress is necessary as security holes are found and patched. If it wasn’t for that we could all be using Netscape as a browser still today. Additionally there are options for the viewing impaired which involve reading part of a page at a time, an option I don’t know, possibly. I can’t comment as I only use readers, not distant correction. Increasing the font to Verdana Large as suggested does really increase font size when you are able to view the whole page. Good luck, I hope I am driving my T when I am 87. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| Peter TD 5801, could the 'You had previously read up to here' be changing depending on your clearing of browsing history or other computer cleaning, or viewing on different devices? Remember I am definitely not knowledgeable about computers (or much else really). |
| Nigel Atkins |
| No Nigel. I try not to mess with the thing at all. No cleaning or different devices. My old Nokia does me (apparently big brother can't locate me) and I've had this tower for a while now, though I did have the hard drive upgraded a couple of years ago, apparently with way more memory than I'll ever need. I'll readily admit my IT knowledge is a long way below basic. I do know a little about TD's though. I'll just smile as it moves up and down all by itself. One day it might make some sense, unless someone can shed some light in the meantime, but I'm not fussed. I'm also actually liking the sky blue background. It's kind of soothing. Cheers
Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Peter,
I'm sure you'd not think about using your TD without having it serviced, servicing often just boils down to clean and lubing, you can do the same for your tower, not messing with it just cleaning. You're just giving it a bit of internal dusting, perhap a slight wipe and lube - all very, very easy or I'd not be able to do it and it does help your machine. You can do 'Disk Cleanup' on your computer and clear your browsing history on your browser (is it browser? well Google or whoever you use). You're showing off to me if you have something as sophisticated as an old Nokkia but I do have a set of two 25-year-old cordless landline phones, they only do audio but I've dropped one once so that it came to pieces and left the same one out in the rain overnight and it still works fine (except now it doesn't backlight but the monochrome display still works). |
| Nigel Atkins |
| Hi Peter, Thanks for the info with suggestions. I may be ageing, but I can still build my own computers. I'm just finishing what will ostensibly, be my last (but one can never be sure), and am treating myself to a really nice Eizo 4K 27" monitor. Ever since I had my cataracts removed, its been one problem after another; so with my new PC and monitor, those problems should be GONE! Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
| Gord Clark |
| Hi Nigel. Every so often my son does something with the thing and probably cleans it up as part of whatever it is that he does. Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| That's fair enough Peter. |
| Nigel Atkins |
| I use CCleaner, often, free, and it works. Used it in the corporate IT world, Also used Malwarebytes in the corporate world. Lots of surfing fouls up the system quickly, a good clean out really speeds things up. The page seems to be operating well now, always felt that the search of the archives here was the best, just have to be specific in words entered and use “contains all words”. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| Declan Burns Düsseldorf Germany I would like to have the possibility to upload pdf files and more than one photo at a time like on the other site which is much more user friendly. Regards Declan ----------------------- This functionality has been added. Size limit is 4MB per file initially, but can be increased if it is insufficient. |
| Mike Plumstead |
| I say "Congrats" to Mike Plumstead!
When the new mobile format was first introduced, the thread topics were cluttered and difficult to see. The spacing in the threads was large. I switched to desktop view on my iPhone. >>> But now - it's really good. I know that many hours were spent doing and re-doing the update. On my iPhone: Thread titles are easy to see. Text in the threads formats well in portrait or landscape. On my desktop: Formatting is much as before the change, and I haven't changed any settings. Looks good. Moving to another forum is fast and easy on mobile and desktop. Best of all - PDFs and two photos can be uploaded at once. Thanks for creating and updating the best forum on the web for TDs & TFs. (I'm sure the forums for other marks are equally good.) Lonnie TF7211 |
| LM Cook |
| I agree Lonnie, at first it was confusing and different than what we were used to, but with a better understanding of it's settings and how to personalize it, I like it very much! Also congrats to Mike for the work it took to modernize the site. It is now the fastest loading site on my computer. PJ |
| PJ Jennings |
| One of the biggest challenges for any web designer is resistance to change. People almost never like it, even when the change is better in every way. Mike has done a great job here on a much needed update. The site is far more modern now and easier to use. |
| Steve Simmons |
| Congrats Mike-much appreciated Regards Declan |
| Declan Burns |
| Is there a way in the site settings to display conventional time 12hr verses military 24hr time? PJ |
| PJ Jennings |
| I have added a customise option: 12 or 24 hour clock If you choose 12 it will turn 15:27:02 into 03:27PM |
| Mike Plumstead |
| Looks like time zones added and clock gone now. Was that the plan? Thanks, Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| I wasn't, but having been asked for it - I did it anyway. There is a TZ selector in customise. If you choose your TZ it will adjust the post dates. If you find any irregularities please post here or in the Beta area. Posts will be stored with GMT data but adjusted according to your customise option, so if you want Kimber time you can still have it. |
| Mike Plumstead |
| The site will not allow me to 'customize'. I geta red message saying This username or one very similar is already in use - please select another. But, it's my name. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| This happens when you register more thane once Bud. The control is there to stop me changing my posting name to "Bud Krueger" or "P G Gilvarry" adding some posts, changing my name back and then saying #wasntme. I've made some adjustments to your accounts so it works now. |
| Mike Plumstead |
| Thanks, Mike. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| Slight problem, Mike. Customize is grayed out. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| Bud, mine is somewhat lighter than some others, I guess you tried to customize it by tapping on it? I am loving Mike’s changes every day. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| That worked, Peter. Thank you. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| Thank you Mike for the clock hour change! PJ |
| PJ Jennings |
| One thing that we have lost is the actual, current GMT clock. This was important as it enabled users to get some idea of how long ago the previous post was made. I've scoured the page but I can't find it. Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| If you set the time to your local time you won’t need the UTC clock. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| ...Or set your local time to GMT if you prefer that. Go to the customize page to find the settings. |
| Steve Simmons |
| Problem solved. Now showing local Sydney time. I'm also appreciating the two pics at a time if required and the calming effect of the pale blue background. Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Mike the Australian East Coast times are reversed. I have to set my screen to Qld time, not daylight saving time here in Sydney, to get it to read correctly. Cheers Peter TD 5801 |
| P Hehir |
| Something is messed up, I read a post that was posted at 1621EDT, but it was only 1530EDT. Looks like it is off by and hour somehow. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
| We are calculating from UK time and went into BST (1 hour forward) last Sunday. You can adjust your timezone to be -1 temporarily if your local daytime saving change hasn't happened yet. |
| Mike Plumstead |
| Mike, would it not be better to calculate from GMT/UTC, as time zones are calculated from that. 7AM EDT here, 1100GMT/UTC is the 4 hour difference. Peter |
| P G Gilvarry |
This thread was discussed between 24/02/2020 and 02/04/2020
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