Who changed the font?

4/9/2002

[Longlines]

Can't everybody do that?

So.......How do I stop Latest Announcements from appearing at the top of my pages?

[nutmeg]

Just for you, coteblanche, for your great suggestion! (above in post #166): Old Format Free Republic

:-)

[stanz]

I would like to see it put back the way it was and keep the option to view sent mail.
It used to be technically easier for us PC unfriendly types.

[nutmeg]

Yup! That would work well for me.

[firebrand]

You can't. But you can put your favorite sub-forums, like Breaking News, in your toolbar favorites, if that is an option for you. That is what some of us have done. Then you can click on them and see them easily. Of course that means toolbar favorites that you need for your job are crowded out of the lineup.

[nutmeg]

Here's an example of what I mean about "Breaking News" not being current (under the New Format FR): I just checked Drudge. I see "James Traficant to Run for Re-election" via the Washington Post, posted on their site at 2:06 PM EDT.

Here's another one: "Possible Terror Attack Foiled" (on Queen Mother's funeral day). posted on the BBC website at 12:34 GMT and posted on Drudge as a major headline.

Both are a couple of items of interest to FReepers. Why are they not posted in Free Republic's "Breaking News" column/section? (They are not posted anywhere on FR that I can find, actually.)

It is now Friday, April 12, 3:22PM EDT, BTW.

[nutmeg]

"Traficant to Run for Re-Election" also posted on AP, April 12, 2002; 2:49 PM EDT.

[HairOfTheDog]

Because silly - FReepers have to actually post them... Breaking news doesn't appear there just because it is on Drudge... In this case, your confusion has anything to do with Free Republic format.

[stanz]

That's exactly what I mean. Even CNN sends me e-mail breaking news bulletins faster than I see them on FR. In many cases, the news never shows up at all.

[who knows what evil?]

First, I need to offer a profuse apology on one of my complaints. Somehow, in a manner I have yet to ascertain, my preference was changed from 'Latest Messages' to 'Latest Threads'. The FR 'Latest Posts' page has been my home page for several years, so imagine my surprise when I noticed the 'lack of activity' on my home page. Each new post was NOT 'bumping' threads to the top of my page. When I 'refreshed' my page, nothing changed...the priority of the threads remained the same. Where were the 'latest posts'? I was under the impression the option for new posts to be 'bumped' had disappeared. Fortunately, several other Freepers came to my rescue; indicating that I needed to click on 'MESSAGES' (in the upper right hand corner of the 'latest' page), in order to restore the function I had somehow 'lost'. With regards to that subject; all is now well.

I still feel strongly about the original 'free-for-all' thread. Logging in for the first time time has GOT to be more confusing than it used to be. That confusion will stifle the growth of Free Republic, and I don't think ANYONE (save our 'friends" at DU) wishes to see that. When 'first-timers' access the FR home page, and click on 'Latest Posts' for that first time, they should log on to a 'free-for-all' thread, just like the 'good 'ol days'. THEN, if they make the personal decision that they are not interested in 'general interest' topics (such as speculation about the content of Britney Spears' breasts); THEN they can customize the content of their 'personal' Free Republic forum. But let them see ALL the info available from FR; then let them make their personal decisions to pare down to their personal preferences. Most of us that have been around for a while already know how to do so (except me, evidently), but let's not scare off potential new allies in the fight against liberalism with a complex and intimidating (to some) navigational system. Perhaps a line or two of explanation could be added at the top of the 'Latest Messages/Threads' page. Something along the lines of "Learn how to navigate Free Republic and customize your 'personal' Free Republic forum by clicking HERE." Have that link to a page that explains everything you need to know about FR. Those that wish to see EVERYTHING may continue to do so; and those that wish to limit their exposure to certain categories may ALSO do so. Wouldn't this accommodate everyone, and bring even more people into this wonderful forum? Feedback?

[nutmeg]

Because silly - FReepers have to actually post them... Breaking news doesn't appear there just because it is on Drudge... In this case, your confusion has anything to do with Free Republic format.

Well, geez, silly... where have all those "old" FReeper posters gone who used to post these items immediately to "Breaking News"?

[HairOfTheDog]

I guess they are asleep today... The board is hopping with new posts, just not on those headlines I guess.

[nutmeg]

I still feel strongly about the original 'free-for-all' thread. Logging in for the first time time has GOT to be more confusing than it used to be. That confusion will stifle the growth of Free Republic, and I don't think ANYONE (save our 'friends" at DU) wishes to see that. When 'first-timers' access the FR home page, and click on 'Latest Posts' for that first time, they should log on to a 'free-for-all' thread, just like the 'good 'ol days'. THEN... they can customize the content of their 'personal' Free Republic forum.

Excellent comments, excellent suggestions! I'd love to have a choice between "new" and "old" FR. Let's hope there is the technology available to do it. (There's a FreeRepublic.com and a "Beta" FreeRepublic.com available now, right? Then again... I'm not a real techie, what do I know?)

[nutmeg]

We'll see how long some FReepers remain "asleep" while we're forced to slog through this overly-complex format.

[who knows what evil?]

However, when a change brings you to a place that makes your life more difficult or stressful or just plain not as enjoyable, that change is not for the best and it might be time to revisit the situation before the change.

Words of wisdom.

[nutmeg]

I'm not one to pine over the 'good old days'. I like change - if you don't change you stagnate. However, when a change brings you to a place that makes your life more difficult or stressful or just plain not as enjoyable, that change is not for the best and it might be time to revisit the situation before the change.

Well said... I totally agree. I'm not opposed to good changes at all.

[LikeLight]

who knows . . . Wow, THANK YOU for the help! I am home at last!

[who knows what evil?]

who knows . . . Wow, THANK YOU for the help! I am home at last!

It IS a rush; isn't it? Hope you feel as relieved as I did! :-)

[HairOfTheDog]

No offense meant, really, but I am still able to have a very nice time here at Free Republic, and am getting a little weary of your only-negative feedback... Hope you find others to commiserate with, but I have already adjusted and find this horse to be too dead to be worth beating any more.

This is a work in progress, That has been said by John Rob plenty of times, at the same time that he asked for patience along with feedback. As for the changes you want, I am guessing that you have been heard. If it can be done, it likely will be.