Forum confusion

[lurkalot]

I have to say that out of all the forums I use on a regular basis, this one is the most confusing one I have encountered.

I don't like the Tree format, so I changed to linear, oldest message first. shouldn't any new replies be tacked on the end ?

I noticed if someone replies to a post further up on the tree, this doesn't go on the end, and I have to go several pages back to see it.

On other forums I use, Say I wanted to reply to someone in the middle of the postings, I would use the Quote function, and the reply I have made should tack on to the end of the thread. This makes it much easier to follow, and you don't miss any post's this way.

Also, anyone know how to enable Smilies ?

Anyone else feeling like me, Or am I missing something ?

[Michael Rowley]

'Lurkalot':

'this one is the most confusing one I have encountered'

Could this be because you're an Essex Man?

Regards, Michael (from Silly Suffolk)
—No offence intended, mind!

[lurkalot]

'Lurkalot':

'this one is the most confusing one I have encountered'

Could this be because you're an Essex Man?

Regards, Michael (from Silly Suffolk)
—No offence intended, mind!

lol... Well it could be. No offence taken. Suffolk, Your not too far away from me then Mike.

Any ideas how to turn the smilies on ?

[ktinkel]

Any ideas how to turn the smilies on ?At this point smilies are not supported here. But a few other members have also asked about them. The difficulty is that several others have expressed horror at the very idea, especially smilies that move.

But we are considering the question.

Sorry that you find the forum software confusing (you are not alone). I think one of the problems is that it is flexible, allowing each user to choose the message layout. Until you settle on a pattern, it can be confusing. Then you can get used to it.

BTW, after some experimentation, I settled on Hybrid. This gives me the thread tree, which helps find replies, but shows the messages in linear older below. I do find new messages at the end there.

Are you using the Get Posts dropdown? It allows you to see only messages posted in the last day or two, which helps avoid reading some of them over and over.

If you have specific questions, do ask.

BTW — enjoyed your photo album. What gorgeous cats you have!

[lurkalot]

Thank you for the reply,

The Smiley debate is always a trickee one, but the typed words can often be misinterpreted, and by using a smiley you can at least tell if someone is just joking or serious etc.

I had already settled for the Hybrid format, just after posting my question. You are right, this does seem the best way to view the threads, (best of both worlds).

Thanks for the kind comments regarding my photos. This is my main hobby, and of course learning to use Photoshop 7, and Elements.

[Michael Rowley]

Mick:

'Well it could be'

Really Essex men aren't silly. You probably know the story, that the men that lived near Essex marshes always took wives from up London way—the women didn't last all that long (probably they died of malaria), so the men had young wives right until they died at a ripe old age.

Kathleen's told you a better choice from the four alternatives for viewing, though I'm quite content with the default. Oh, and please: no smilies!

[terrie]

>>lurkalot: so I changed to linear, oldest message first. shouldn't any new replies be tacked on the end ?

Yeah...it should...that's the way I have have my forum prefs set up...then when I come into the forum, I choose "Get Posts" > "New Posts" which gives me a master list of new posts for the entire forum...

I then rightclick/open new window while clicking on the little down arrow to the left of the thread title which takes me to the first unread post...when I've finished reading/replying to the thread, I then close the windown which takes me back to my master new posts list and right click/open new window again...

I find this approach works nicely for me and if for some reason I want to look at a parent to the individual post I'm reading, I click on "go to parent msg" on the upper right of the individual post...

Hope this helps...

Terrie

[ktinkel]

Thanks for the kind comments regarding my photos. This is my main hobby, and of course learning to use Photoshop 7, and Elements.I live on a river in Connecticut (an estuary, actually, about half a mile from its outlet in Long Island Sound), and I too have many photos of water birds.

In fact, looking at your album inspired me to clean up my collection — hope to have them available this weekend. Water birds are something else!

I am not much of a photo technician, but do like our dramatic birds!

[JVegVT]

Anyone else feeling like me, Or am I missing something ?

Yeah! I have another thread going on my troubles with the forum software. I'm never sure I'm seeing all new messages since my last visit.

I guess we just have to experiment until we find our groove.<g>
--Judy M.

[lurkalot]

Sounds great where your living, I too live near a river, but I bet it's no where near as glamorous as yours.

The pics in my album are a few of mine, just uploaded to test my gallery, this will be updated soon. (if I get a chance to use my camera).

I will look forward to seeing some of your photos. ;)

[lurkalot]

Thanks Judy,

I have settled for the Hybrid setting, you get the best of both worlds with that one. ;)

You get a tree at the top, so you can see all the new posts, and all posts listed neatly below, so they can be followed nicely.

The only other options I can see,

1: Maybe do away with the quick reply function, and use the quote button to reply to someone further up the thread. This should put all new messages on the end.
2: use different forum software, such as the free phpBB see here http://www.phpbb.com/index.php

3: Stick with it, better as you get used to it. ;)

[lurkalot]

Mick:

so the men had young wives right until they died at a ripe old age.



Mike, interesting story,

I think I may have slipped up a bit there lol... (looks over shoulder to see if the missus is watching).

[ktinkel]

… use different forum software, such as the free phpBB …Tested extensively and rejected. Among other things, phpBB relies on a motley collection of third-party “mods” — some of which conflict with each other — to add features that are built into this software.

We found this forum program to be more flexible, more stable, and more secure. We just have to learn its odd little ways, and we still have plans to do some customizing that may make it easier to live with in the future.

[Michael Rowley]

Mick:

'I think I may have slipped up a bit there '

It wouldn't work anyway round Manningtree or anywhere along the Stour: you've got to have plenty of low-lying land near the sea.

[JVegVT]

I'm active in a forum that uses phpBB. It's very simple to use, but there is no threading, just sorting by date.

I'll get used to what we have here.<g>
--Judy M.