you sure have a positive attitude about it Rose! 

Over on MM's blog Draginol did leave a comment about the new forum look..

I'm personally having a rough time with it,  and haven't cared for how it looks and works.  You describe it perfectly!!

Also so many bloggers seem to MIA....that don't help either,  maybe in a few weeks things will be back to normal?...

The word that comes to me for the new layout is cold. It just seems colder than the old layout.

I'm trying to get used to it as well.

Until I do, I just go through my favorite bloggers and other people's favorite bloggers. I have only been popping in for a few minutes though, so I haven't really tried to go through it.

I agree too. It looks like my JU navigation will be done entirely from the margin. I'll be ignoring the forums completely now.

Perhaps I just haven't seen the threads, but I haven't seen much in the way of suggestions for improvement aside from "go back to the old system!"  That won't be happening.

The forums as they are now are a hell of a lot more powerful than they used to be.  They're also more stable and a heck of a lot faster.  We lost the "all at a glance" view but got better organization, and navigation that more closely matches what most every other forum system out there uses, so the barrier to entry for new people is lower.

Constructive criticism is always welcome.  What you're seeing now is a huge improvement over what was originally rolled out to WinCustomize.  The improvements came from user suggestions. 

http://oldforums.joeuser.com

The old forums are still available.

We are also going to let people subscribe to particular forums which will let them see the most recent forum posts.

We are listening to feedback. People were complaining about the old forums as well and they were very slow.

Zoomba:

Sorry, I really don't have any constructive suggestions, it may be all you say, but it's more cumbersome to navigate.

and navigation that more closely matches what most every other forum system out there uses

Didn't know Stardock was trying to be just like everybody else.

Draginol:

We are listening to feedback. People were complaining about the old forums as well and they were very slow.

I'm glad you are listening to feedback, that has always been a strong point here. Thank you for being accessible and willing to make changes when you feel they are warranted.

Trudy
~~Also so many bloggers seem to MIA....that don't help either, maybe in a few weeks things will be back to normal?...~~

Let's hope so, Trudy.

Mason
~~The word that comes to me for the new layout is cold. It just seems colder than the old layout.~~

I just find it so crowded with categories.

LW
~~I have yet to see a single regular here say that they actually LIKE the new format. Most of them dislike it, many of them dislike it intensely, and quite a few, including myself, LOATHE it.~~

I think it stinks that it has driven some of the regs away, or has made them reluctant to write.

Kelly

~~Until I do, I just go through my favorite bloggers and other people's favorite bloggers. I have only been popping in for a few minutes though, so I haven't really tried to go through it.~~

Parated

~~I agree too. It looks like my JU navigation will be done entirely from the margin. I'll be ignoring the forums completely now.~~

The first time I tried it, I saw that it was shockingly different, but didn't have an opinion on it at all. Then when I went through it a few times, I found it all so overwhelming...hmmm..maybe that's the best word to describe how I feel about it: overwhelming.

I am ambivalent about it.  I do like some aspects of it, but then your statement about the recent posts missing is a downer.  But I do like the most recent posts section.

Zoomba

~~The forums as they are now are a hell of a lot more powerful than they used to be. They're also more stable and a heck of a lot faster. We lost the "all at a glance" view but got better organization, and navigation that more closely matches what most every other forum system out there uses, so the barrier to entry for new people is lower.

Constructive criticism is always welcome. What you're seeing now is a huge improvement over what was originally rolled out to WinCustomize. The improvements came from user suggestions. ~~

I agree that it IS faster...I really do dislike, though, losing the "all at a glance" feature. I see that you have written an article dealing with suggestions from users, so I'll definitely check that out to give my two cents worth and to see what the others are suggesting.

Draginol

~~We are listening to feedback. People were complaining about the old forums as well and they were very slow.~~

Like I replied to Zoomba above, I it pretty nice that the new format loads up faster.


I am glad that the designers will be listening to feedback. I hope everyone with concerns or suggestions will take advantage of this.,

~~I am ambivalent about it. I do like some aspects of it, but then your statement about the recent posts missing is a downer. But I do like the most recent posts section.~~

I am just hoping I adjust to it soon...it hasn't happened for me yet. I am glad though, that our concerns will be taken into consideration instead of just dismissed.

I am just hoping I adjust to it soon...it hasn't happened for me yet. I am glad though, that our concerns will be taken into consideration instead of just dismissed.

Zoomba is a good man.  As are all the Stardock people.