Not the same

[Splitpin]

Maybe its just me ..... but since the "migration" this place just hasn't been the same .
I know the new format may have confused a few (as it did me) .... but to be honest , its boring ..... whats going on ??
If it was just to save a few bucks on hosting , then i think its a fail ..... i for one , would have paid your hosting fees for a year or so to keep it the same .... had you had asked .
This is NOT the forum it used to be ... initially , i thought otherwise .... but now ..... boring.

[Ian Warren]

I've put forward some suggestions and findings .. sent these to Dan , It has definitely lost its spark , "Boring" was the word I used two weeks back .. still go for a search for the word and it gets lost .. maybe ideal for the app's but have found it boring , just not as striking as what it was before.

[Fozzer]

I'll tell you the bit I like...

Any Private Messages I get are displayed in big red letter at the top of the heading....
....so no chance of missing them, each time I pop in!

The rest of it seem to work OK for me....if its simple.. I like it... ...!

Paul...mostly simple... ...!

[Ian Warren]

With postings and with playing, I have found on this PC screens fit the 19" monitor .... go to the 28" they expand so I'm guessing it a lot easier to follow on tablets , phones and other apps ... these are things I don't have but I can see the advantages.

[gojozoom]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying the new forum - but to be honest I don't really understand...
Actually it's somewhat saddening that after all that time and effort we've put into this migration I see more and more "I don't like the new forum" posts.

This forum has a more modern look, more features, faster processing, etc, etc.

Is it about the "look and feel"? We can change that anytime.

Is it because it's just different from what we used to in the last couple of years?

Regarding hosting costs - we're talking about a 50% cost-cut, which I think is significant enough for a jump.

The change over wasn't something out of the blue either, we've shared the meeting minutes with all members.

I guess, what I'm trying to say is that we had very good reasons for the update and worked hard to get it done hence a "subjective" feedback like "it's just boring" is not something I'd consider constructive nor helpful.

If you can specify exactly what you don't like about it please do let me know and we work something out, but please try not to dismiss it just because it's not the same as the other one.

Regards
Dan

[Ian Warren]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry to hear that you're not enjoying the new forum - but to be honest I don't really understand...
Actually it's somewhat saddening that after all that time and effort we've put into this migration I see more and more "I don't like the new forum" posts.

This forum has a more modern look, more features, faster processing, etc, etc.

Is it about the "look and feel"? We can change that anytime.

Is it because it's just different from what we used to in the last couple of years?

Regarding hosting costs - we're talking about a 50% cost-cut, which I think is significant enough for a jump.

The change over wasn't something out of the blue either, we've shared the meeting minutes with all members.

I guess, what I'm trying to say is that we had very good reasons for the update and worked hard to get it done hence a "subjective" feedback like "it's just boring" is not something I'd consider constructive nor helpful.

If you can specify exactly what you don't like about it please do let me know and we work something out, but please try not to dismiss it just because it's not the same as the other one.

Regards
Dan

Appreciate all the work done, don't get me wrong on that - I think the small numbers who now visit or posts are a good rating regard to the changes, I sent a list/email and thought that would be an idea so the other admin/moderators maybe in the 'Mod only thread' so all can see my findings so we don't get crossed wires then from there the tweaking and adjustments, one other was maybe a news letter regard to the new features to the NZFF members.

[toprob]

I didn't get the impression that Marty was referring to the forum changes so much as the fact that members have kept away in droves.... this is an issue which I pointed out to Marty, it's the simple things which kill forums, and unless we can get members back to contributing regularly then it doesn't matter if we have the flashest, most powerful and beautiful forum about, it'll still be dead.

It does seem that human nature is at fault here -- members probably stop by, notice the changes, and are not in the mood to learn something new, so they go somewhere else. Or they can't remember their password, so they pass by.

I've said before, members need to login and stay logged in, and then it will be a lot easier for them to contribute. You normally only need to login once, click the 'remember me' box, or whatever it's called, and Rob's your uncle.

I use a bookmark directly to the 'new posts' on most forums, so I just check that during the day, but a lot of members probably don't even know that they can do that. They just see a wall of sub-forums, and don't know where the good stuff is.

Maybe it's time for an announcement email to every member, with a few simple ideas on how to make the most of the new forum.

[scaber]

I guess my brain must have different wiring as I find this new layout much improved. It's got a cleaner consistent look to it and just feel better to me.

The only tiny niggle I have is that the permanent posts at the top of topics look too much like regular messages. I'm not sure if there is a way to change that or to separate them in some way from the regular posts. It's not a major issue for me, and overall I'm pleased with the new layout.

I like the fact that There are several ways to catch up with new posts (and I can jump straight to the first unread post in a topic) so that makes it easy to keep up to date.

Your work has been well worth the effort imo.

[gojozoom]

Fair point Rob, I might have misunderstood his statement.

Scaber, we'll be working on cleaning up all the stickies throughout this month. The dificult part is it has to be a "team decision" I can't decide what goes to the rubbish bin by myself.

Dan

[scaber]

Another point that might be a contribution to this.

When I visit a site and there is nothing there I usually try again a few days later and if there is still nothing I will delete the bookmark on the assumption that it has closed permanently. We had several days with the site not working and this may have resulted in similar responses from other users.

To counteract this (if in fact this is what has happened) I would support the idea of an email going out to all current and past members explaining the situation and maybe listing a few points about how to use the new setup.

Let's raise the flag a bit and blow our own trumpet - please excuse the mixed metaphors, I've been lead to believe that it's not a good thing to do!!

[Ian Warren]

All these points were made in my the list, one point Rob made was encouraging people to post a challenge to my postings, I guess its not all lost , think what it comes down to is having the interest, when you think.. look at the scenery for example per capita and how much off the country is done .. that is the driving force with this forum that is known internationally, I've seen long standing forums fizzle away .. Idea .. stick your heals in and keep posting even if its a sagging banana at the mo.

[Fozzer]

I've been a regular Member on a number of different Sites and Forums since the 1990's, and I make a point of never signing out.
The "Remember Me" box is ticked on all of them, So each time I fire them up in my "Bookmarks", they are always instantly available!

I could never see any point in; "Signing Out".

Paul....stopping in.... ...!

[toprob]

It's hard to word this so nobody feels offended, but I think that one of the problems is that only a handful of old regulars are posting -- so it can come across as a bit of an GOB club. This is partly our own fault, as us GOBs can come across as a bit set in our ways, and intimidating to newbies. Just recall all that kerfuffle over one young guy recently, when really we might have been better off sucking it up and just letting them have at it.

There's a fine line between stopping members from being annoying, and driving them away.

So we need to put the word out that anyone and everyone is welcome, and if they come, we need to give them a fair run. So give some thought to any aspects of NZ simming which could be covered here, and get them started.

[Ian Warren]

Just recall all that kerfuffle over one young guy recently, when really we might have been better off sucking it up and just letting them have at it.

I do know off this Kerfuffle and I charged to mentor him, It was not hard and he leveled out and started flying straight and actually replied without any offense to anyone and believe started to enjoy it .... but I think he's more interested in chasing girls now at his age ....

[emfrat]

It's hard to word this so nobody feels offended, but I think that one of the problems is that only a handful of old regulars are posting --

Rob, there is a lot of truth in what you say. The young'uns are looking for a different type of simulation, RPGs, FPSs or whatever, and they are very well catered for. They are not too concerned about fine modelling and accuracy, because most of the vehicles etc which they use are entirely fictional. They may know about tactics for a dogfight, but the niceties of flying an ILS approach in thick weather have no interest. They want it all automated, except the bit where you blast your opponent off the planet

I had a quick look at the board stats for other sites I visit daily, and NZFF is not doing too badly at all, considering the small population.
CBFS: Members 1357, Posts 233786, Topics 21813, Most online ever 88.
CalClassic: Members 1468, Posts 60717, Topics 6765, Most online ever 172.
NZFF: Members 733, Posts 212891, Topics 22823, Most online ever 51.

I also looked at SOH, which is not really comparable with those three, but it was interesting to see they claim 18360 members, of whom 4331 are classed 'Active'

[Ian Warren]

Mike, showing those stats like that .. not to shabby at all .. now were are those planet blowers

[Splitpin]

Oh dear , i missed all the follow on to my original post .
If i may try to redeem myself ..... I'm 100% comfortable with the new site now , and enjoy it . I've always been one to resist change , but I'm over that ( i really am .... over that )
But , it seems to me that patronage has dropped , and that's sad .
I must confess , i haven't read all the preceding posts , so this may be irrelevant .... as are most of my posts

Dan , Doug and whoever else .... good job , ignore the old fart in the corner.

[Ian Warren]

Oh dear .... good job , ignore the old fart in the corner.

That's Doug

[Splitpin]

Oh dear .... good job , ignore the old fart in the corner.

That's Doug

Shhhhh ...... he may be small , but he's vicious (straight for the throat) wont know what hit you

[Ian Warren]

I have put a large bucket on me head ... sure he could not reach around that ....