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Changes to PM procedures

1966satellite

1966satellite

Well-Known Member
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I wonder if I'm the only one that thinks the changes that were made to this site suck! Things are now much more difficult to find and the "conversations" are not as useful as the "PM's" were if you are trying to contact another member.
 
I'm sure it's more techy, though.
 
1966satellite said:
I wonder if I'm the only one that thinks the changes that were made to this site suck! Things are now much more difficult to find and the "conversations" are not as useful as the "PM's" were if you are trying to contact another member.
Click to expand...

How are the conversations not as useful? There are only 2 differences --
  • the name is "Conversation" instead of PM
  • Instead of individual messages with another member, you have all of the messages grouped together in a "Conversation" (hence the name) so you dont have to go hunting for the last PM to see what the other guy said earlier.
If your a gold member you can even upload photos to conversations. So I dont understand whats not as useful?

Beyond that, what is more difficult to find? If there is something you dont understand or cant find, just ask me and I'll do my best to help.

To read more about Conversations and how they work, CLICK HERE
 
Joeychgo said:
How are the conversations not as useful? There are only 2 differences --
  • the name is "Conversation" instead of PM
  • Instead of individual messages with another member, you have all of the messages grouped together in a "Conversation" (hence the name) so you dont have to go hunting for the last PM to see what the other guy said earlier.
If your a gold member you can even upload photos to conversations. So I dont understand whats not as useful?

Beyond that, what is more difficult to find? If there is something you dont understand or cant find, just ask me and I'll do my best to help.

To read more about Conversations and how they work, CLICK HERE
Click to expand...


Maybe I'm just too old to handle changes very well! Can I give out information such as my e-mail address and phone number in a "conversation"?
 
1966satellite said:
Maybe I'm just too old to handle changes very well! Can I give out information such as my e-mail address and phone number in a "conversation"?
Click to expand...

Yes. Its also the safest way to do it. If you post your phone number / email address in a thread, then anyone can see it, including scammers, spammers, etc. You should NEVER post personal information publically on any site. Private conversations are the best way.

As far as being too old, trust me. There arent allthe changes you seem to think there are. The only real difference is that the PMs are grouped together in one easy to find place..
 
Joeychgo said:
Yes. Its also the safest way to do it. If you post your phone number / email address in a thread, then anyone can see it, including scammers, spammers, etc. You should NEVER post personal information publically on any site. Private conversations are the best way.

As far as being too old, trust me. There arent allthe changes you seem to think there are. The only real difference is that the PMs are grouped together in one easy to find place..
Click to expand...
Joeychgo said:
How are the conversations not as useful? There are only 2 differences --
  • the name is "Conversation" instead of PM
  • Instead of individual messages with another member, you have all of the messages grouped together in a "Conversation" (hence the name) so you dont have to go hunting for the last PM to see what the other guy said earlier.
If your a gold member you can even upload photos to conversations. So I dont understand whats not as useful?

Beyond that, what is more difficult to find? If there is something you dont understand or cant find, just ask me and I'll do my best to help.

To read more about Conversations and how they work, CLICK HERE
Click to expand...
I used to be able to add pictures to private messages. Now I cant. That's bullcrap..
 
400sforever said:
I used to be able to add pictures to private messages. Now I cant. That's bullcrap..
Click to expand...

Not true. Uploading images to PMs wasn't a feature of the old software at all. Its available with the new software, but only to Gold Members.
 
1966satellite said:
I wonder if I'm the only one that thinks the changes that were made to this site suck! Things are now much more difficult to find and the "conversations" are not as useful as the "PM's" were if you are trying to contact another member.
Click to expand...

It is a lot better for sure - you can add any number of people into a Conversation, and have an entire group or people with like minds sharing ideas.
Adding pictures, video clips, GIF's etc is so easy, a 5-year old can do it....no more need for Photobucket and the like. I haven't touched my PB in months.
There are a lot of cool features now that the old version lacked.
Even using a mobile phone is easier than it ever was....I hate using my phone on websites, but I still manage to do some Staff duties on my phone during work breaks.

Sometimes it appears that things are worse, when in reality it is simply just the change that you need to give time. I struggled for a few days, but quickly saw the benefits. (No I am not paid to say that) :D
 
Joeychgo said:
As far as being too old, trust me. There arent allthe changes you seem to think there are.
Click to expand...
Agreed...I had a few PM's (conversations) with "older" members at the start, asking how to do this and that. Within days they were nearly replying to say how easy stuff is. Give it a chance....it really is better. :thumbsup:
 
And as a Staff Member, I see a few differences that have made the job a lot easier.....that's another plus for me. :thumbsup:
 
If we are being honest - I absolutely can't stand the new layout. I'm only 45 yrs old, work as an engineer and am around commuters all day and I will tell you the bottom line - since the site changes and me giving it a good 3 weeks of trying, my useage of FBBO has fallen off dramatically. I have logged back on five or six times to give it another go and I can't find anything quickly. It's not intuitive at all. The site worked great before. Why oh why must we change something that's working so drastically?

Props to Joey for all you do and I know you have good reasons but when I go away for two months and log back on and can't do something as easy as quickly locate a post to a thread I made a week ago then something is wrong.

I think if you ran a computer tally on member useage by minute comparing before and after the change you may see a sharp drop off.

Still love all the members here though including the admins. You guys all rock! Now please bring the old format back.
 
And please no instruction of how to do this or that or asking what do you need to know how to do...I'm a big believer in ease of use and intuitiveness of the user interface. No matter how powerful or all inclusive the site is, if it's not extremely intuitive and feels too cluttered, it's a no win for me. Keep it simple is best. It's surprising to me how greatly I feel about the following statement- the old format was one of the best I have come across, while the new one is one of the worst. It didn't just get a little bit not as good, it got MAJORLY worse and not enjoyable at all for me. I miss being on here as much as I used to.
 
68 Sport Satellite said:
since the site changes and me giving it a good 3 weeks of trying
Click to expand...

Its been about 6 months since the site was changed.

68 Sport Satellite said:
Why oh why must we change something that's working so drastically?
Click to expand...

The old software was virtually not supported anymore. There hasn't been a significant software update for about 6 years, just a few patches. It was becoming a security concern. In fact, just a few months ago, VerticalScope, a company who owns many automotive forums, had its servers hacked through the software we were using. see: (http://thenextweb.com/insider/2016/...len-verticalscope-forums-massive-data-breach/)

68 Sport Satellite said:
I think if you ran a computer tally on member usage by minute comparing before and after the change you may see a sharp drop off.
Click to expand...

Quite the opposite.
 
Thanks for the quick reply Joey. Unfortunately you gave just the kind of response I feared- you responded with reasons for this and that, which of course I can appreciate, but with no trace of any sympathy or acknowledgement of the validity of anything I said. This comes across as more defensive than anything. The site is only as good as the users. I am not more important than others here, I was just sharing my honest opinion and didn't even get a "Thankyou for your valuable feedback." At least lie to me:) I hope you don't only want to hear praises or silence just to feel good...
Please don't be offended by what I have said now or moments ago. I just want to be heard like everyone else.


Joeychgo said:
Its been about 6 months since the site was changed.



The old software was virtually not supported anymore. There hasn't been a significant software update for about 6 years, just a few patches. It was becoming a security concern. In fact, just a few months ago, VerticalScope, a company who owns many automotive forums, had its servers hacked through the software we were using. see: (http://thenextweb.com/insider/2016/...len-verticalscope-forums-massive-data-breach/)



Quite the opposite.
Click to expand...
 
And yes I am aware that the change was six months ago. It took me awhile to get up the courage to speak up, but I thought you should hear it.

And the security issues and lack of site background support still does not explain the drastic changes in overall site layout and location of how to access things.
 
Are you an engineer or work as one :D Just kidding :). I'm 65 and even though it was a bit frustrating for me at first, I'm fine with it now. Biggest learning curve was the PM system but after a bit, I got a hold of it. I think it was a harder learning curve for me because I go so many all at once when the change was made. Also, another site I'm on also got a new system and it was even more of a change than here so I got a double whammy lol. Besides, no use in being POed about it because this is the way it is now and it's not going to be like it was. Kinda like real life....nothing stays the same.
 
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