Are you getting used to this new format/software in this forum?

L

Lonnie

Active member
Now that we Autopians (well, those of use who still use and post in this forum) have had time to get accustomed to the new format of the Autopia Forum, I am wondering about YOUR thoughts are on it and what are your "likes-and-dislikes" of this new format.

Am I getting used to the new format? NO! But most of this is because of unfamiliarity with it, its layout is "different", AND I just plain have a harder time "adjusting" to using it. (Giving credence to the adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Quit laughing!!....)
I do not miss the now deceased CHAT LINE at the top. It was nice to see greetings and weather reports, but I rarely paid attention to detailing questions from newer members OR the SPAM that occasionally appeared there.
I also am I little miffed (OK, a lot miffed) at the "problem" of past links to posts in this forum not working in past thread topics. I did a lot of that in my posts, and as I have said, I am kind of a self-appointed "forum historian" in that respect, linking past post of relevant information. Now, how much of that is useful or even valid; well, that's subject to discussion and debate.
I do like the "EDIT" features; just takes some getting used to to find it when posts get older.
I also wish they had more "customization" for the display options on the screen. I am using the dark background currently and it is OK, but I wish the software offered more colors or schemes to choose from. Add that to the wish-list of improvements.
That said, I am thankful that this forum still exists, even with it foibles and pitfalls. AND all of you contributing Autopian members who make this forum useful, at least to me. I know I have stated that fact/sentiment repeatedly, but it is true.

AND, I do have a request for someone to consider and that is updating the Acronym De-coder List with "more current" abbreviations. I don't think it will ever get done, BUT you know there have been a lot of new products, equipment, and manufactures for detailing since the "original" list was formed , then modified and updated. AND as I create new one's within my posts, I have tried to define them, usually starting with the manufacturer or brand and then the product name or piece of equipment. I think someone tried a new thread topic for this purpose, but I don't know if it was ever rolled into the original Acronym De-Coder List. Anyway, food of thought......
( I highly dislike the Flex Polishers and all their "Beast" sub-names. Never can figure out which specific polisher model-type they are taking about!)

So going back to the original request, what are YOUR thoughts on this forum format and software??
 
Last edited:
I think it's pretty good, the part about the old links not working is unfortunate, but I'm pretty sure that has happened with previous software changes, also.

As far as the acronyms, are we still using them? I guess we are, it seems less important than it was because, do we really get any new members? I'm not sure "we" are making up a ton of new acronyms for the new products. One that I realized is confusing is that people have been using ADS for Armour Detail Supply, which we used to use for Auto Detailing Solutions (now defunct, thanks for your "service", Rick)
 
One thing that IS a little scary is that the ANY post can be shared on any of the major 7 social media platforms listed at the bottom of the page under "Share this page"by a member. That is just a common and acceptable practice these days for forums and social media. Not really liking it, as I am NOT a member of any of those social media platforms.
 
Last edited:
I've adjusted to it pretty quickly and haven't really had any issues. I participate in several forums on different topics and a couple of them use different forum software, so adjusting to another was not a big deal for me. Some of the things you mention, Lonnie, I don't/have never used, so that might have something to do with it.

Until recently, my biggest gripe was not figuring out how to quote multiple posts in a single response. The old platform had a "multi-quote" button. It took me until sometime in the last couple weeks to realize all you had to do was hit the "reply" link on each post you wanted to quote and it just stacked them up in your reply. I'm happy now.
 
The lack of the multi-quote button tripped me up for a while as well, it also took me a while to figure out how to get to the BB code to make it easier to edit quotes. I think I still like the old VBulletin better for that, but this seems to work fine, and it's surely better than the multi-quoting on another forum I used to be on.
 
I see some members doing the mult-quote in their posts.
I don't know how to do that.
No sure what BB Code is ; Bulletin Board??
Like I said at the top of this topic, " Can't teach an old dog a new trick."
(You ARE an old dog, Captain Obvious!)
 
Back in VBulletin, you could toggle to the BB code so you could insert commands like bold, quote, etc. I guess it's the HTML format, maybe that's not right. If you go up to the ribbon menu line, it's the brackets next to the floppy disk "save" icon.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Back in VBulletin, you could toggle to the BB code so you could insert commands like bold, quote, etc. I guess it's the HTML format, maybe that's not right. If you go up to the ribbon menu line, it's the brackets next to the floppy disk "save" icon.
Click to expand...
Yup, I see it now! Thanks Setec!
Not that I WOULD multi-quote, but the possibility is there. PLUS is see your member number AND the post number assigned by this new software (for what it is worth!?)
 
I guess new posts have to get approved before being displayed with this new format? Wonder why? Any clue how long this takes? I can only assume this approval is going to further hurt this forum. Shame
 
David Fermani said:
I guess new posts have to get approved before being displayed with this new format? Wonder why? Any clue how long this takes? I can only assume this approval is going to further hurt this forum. Shame
Click to expand...


Oddly, I haven't seen anything in the approval queue in months, except for this post. It wasn't there when I looked yesterday, but I saw it this morning. I have no idea why it might be flagged.
 
I'm glad Tapatalk still works. So many forums have lost me as they turned it off.
 
GearHead_1 said:
Oddly, I haven't seen anything in the approval queue in months, except for this post. It wasn't there when I looked yesterday, but I saw it this morning. I have no idea why it might be flagged.
Click to expand...
I have a pending thread too. Can you look into it and approve it if possible?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9315.png
    IMG_9315.png
    305.9 KB · Views: 29
David, I'd gladly do it if I had the administrative rights, since the update I have about zero administrative powers, beyond editing or deleting a post, I can't delete a spam thread, I can't ban spammers, I can't see anything on the back end. I've tried to communicate with the powers that be, but get no response. It shows me as being a Moderator, but I have access to very little. I have a little red dot that shows up as an approval queue notification. It shows nothing in the queue. It showed the post that I replied to this morning but nothing else. I'm sorry, I've tried, but I just don't have the stripes.
 
David Fermani said:
I guess new posts have to get approved before being displayed with this new format? Wonder why? Any clue how long this takes? I can only assume this approval is going to further hurt this forum. Shame
Click to expand...

Really strange. My posts and treads have popped up instantly just like they did on the old platform. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
 
bad penny said:
What is the point of this app?
I tried it and it only made things more difficult
Click to expand...
It's like a manual transmission, seems crazy if you don't get it. I can flip through any forum at 3x the speed of a web interface. But I grew up on BBSs and newsgroup, so I'm after the text not fluff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top