Posted on 03/13/2005 8:44:32 PM PST by Frapster
I've been reading FR for years now and during that time I've always found that the format for FR is rather confusing and convoluted. While I keep coming back I repeatedly find myself asking 'why this format?'
I know that this was custom written by Jim Robinson and that's pretty cool. But having participated in a multitude of online communities I've seen many formats that work and many that don't. FR is unique in that it's need and user interest has overcome the usability issues that would normally drive off a user base but I still have to wonder - why don't we go to a more 'standard' format where we can review thread titles in such a way as to not see the same thread title 100 times on the same page (if I'm browsing posts) or have to peruse threads posted in the order in which they were posted.
It would seem that a more standard approach to this forum would make it more enjoyable than it already is. While I visit every day mutliple times a day I'd sure like to see a change.
Just my thoughts. Flame away.
It took me a long time to get used to it, but now it works for me. I think you should make more use of the search feature, and maybe the various forums if you have particular areas of interest. Now those other formats actually confuse me!
I don't like search features on any package out there. While the search feature was a bit confusing in how they implemented it in the home page and sub-page template respectively - it seems more intuitive now. Either that or I've just adapted. lol
I've never had any problems with the FR format. Not even the older versions.
I use the "messages" view so that I can gauge current interest in a thread. If something's been posted to 5 or 10 times on the page, I can see that's where the current action is. You can't really do that with the number of posts in a thread, as there are always 5,000 post threads out there that get dragged back to life once in a while.
I prefer this format to what DU has
I'd like nested comments a la slashdot myself...
Why not?
"I prefer this format to what DU has"
I find DU's format kind of confusing myself, along with a couple of other conservative sites I visit. I think FR's format is pretty simple to use. I'm not an expert at a computer or using one, so it works well for me.
Because there are better?
I agree. Another issue is that the links at the top of the page disappear or move depending on where you are on the site. When reading a post, for example, the pings link disappears and the other links suddenly are on the left side. A consistent set of quick links would make it possible to get to the most commonly used areas with a single click regardless of where you were.
Because he, (Jim Dad) said so.
I don't liek DU's format either. It's a bastardization of more standard formats. One of the best formats I've found can be seen on a gaming site I visit regularly. I'll have to go check what software they're using.
lol - can't argue with that. :-)
Yeah - I've seen that too.
Have you tried this Latest Articles?
Same here. I find the format so popular and prevalent in other online forums simply annoying and unnavigable.
Try this or this to see what a "commercially available and user adaptable" database program does.
This format works for me, and (obviously) for most users here. If you can do better, develope it and sell it.
I'm sure there are LOTS of sites looking for a better, more user-friendly and intuitive forum format.
I love the banter and information on FR, so I just go with the flow, but truth be told, I absolutely hate the layout.
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