discussion Feedback needed

[John]

Would that get new members?

I have no idea, I do know that registrations dropped a lot after the move

 

[colin m]

As a user, I've gone with the flow, however, the old software was easier to use. I'll be happy with either, but if we can safely change back, that would be a positive step.

 

[PaulinKendal]

I've had no issues with either version, once the necessary learning had been done.

But I must agree with Tim Marlow that the loss of old pictures was pretty disastrous, as it significantly reduced the value of the site as a massive repository of modelmaking expertise. I would suggest that that in itself may have made the site less attractive to potential new members. As time passes and those posts are supplanted by newer, fully illustrated posts, that issue is receding (although the loss is still felt keenly).

So by all means make the switch, John, if it ensures this precious forum can continue. But do please ensure the archive of old posts (and photos!) is not damaged in the process, if you possibly can.

And more generally, thank-you for running such a brilliant forum - I for one would grieve the loss of such a positive and supportive modelmaking community if it ever went properly pear-shaped.

 

[Jim R]

And more generally, thank-you for running such a brilliant forum - I for one would grieve the loss of such a positive and supportive modelmaking community if it ever went properly pear-shaped.

I'm sure those sentiments are shared by all forum members.

 

[Ian M]

tell tale tit
But its true. :-(

 

[Ian M]

Well... As John has spilt the beans.
I was fighting with the Admin tools to set up the GB that should have started on the first.
I think every time I have been in to set up a new section in the forums tool box the work flow has been changed is some way or the other.
FIVE times I tried to get the section set up for the 2026 GB's so I had a place to open the requested build section. FIVE times it landed in the wrong place. FIVE time I had to delete it and do it again...Also having to tab through the 20 or so choices due to it not registering my touch pad, On the last attempt it had not taken the last key stroke and had, somehow landed on 2025. Which it promptly deleted in the blink of an eye.
Sorry guys. I got hold of John but several attempts from his side a partial back up failed several times.
I am all for migrating back to the old new software, as it has been said, the user interface, (the bit the members see) is pretty much the same but the tool box (the bit we use to run this forum) has just gotten worse and more troublesome with each update. Almost to the point I was ready to jack it in. Please can we go back to XenForo?!

 

[John]

I have sooke to the guy that will be doing the migration and it might be possible to get the old images back to full size in the posts

 

[Tim Marlow]

I was on the last site but I stopped modelling for ages and then recently (last year) started again seriously so I don’t really recall the differences now as there was a big gap in my experiences.

That said, I also used to be moderator on a gaming site and was chief moderator for a year or two but the politics of toxic members made it a nightmare to work with. Some of the extras were great fun, the other side of toxic crap was not. That used vBulletin but a much older version - it was pre-2017 and worked well and I just checked and it still is on vBulletin. As i recall, it was easy to use and administrate but I didn’t use XenForo

What I find annoying here is I can’t see who added a reaction to a post and some pictures are always thumbnails but I can live with that.

However, to throw a question out, if you revert to XenForo will that pull users back to the site or are they lost for good? Would that get new members?

Hi Neil
To see who has reacted, at least on an iPad, just hold the icon down for a couple of seconds. I would assume something similar, such as a held click for a couple of seconds, will work on a PC. A brief click/press will just add you to it though.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I have sooke to the guy that will be doing the migration and it might be possible to get the old images back to full size in the posts

That would be very useful John, but only if it isn’t at the expense of the pictures posted since the migration. I seem to remember you saying the pictures on the different software packages were in different formats. Gaining the old stuff back, but losing the new stuff would be a real site killer I think.

 

[John]

That would be very useful John, but only if it isn’t at the expense of the pictures posted since the migration. I seem to remember you saying the pictures on the different software packages were in different formats. Gaining the old stuff back, but losing the new stuff would be a real site killer I think.

I still have the backup of all the old images in the old format, I'm sure the guy doing it will tell me if it's possible or not, I hope it is.

 

[Andy T]

Either / or for me
I haven't posted anything for a while but that's simply because I haven't been modelling rather than having an issue with the platform.
I have to admit that I did prefer the look and feel of the old place but as far as usability goes, it didn't take long to adapt to things here.

For me, the most important thing is that nothing gets lost if there was another move.

If there's even a remote chance of that happening again I'd advise staying put, but if not then I'm happy either way.

 

[minitnkr]

I have to admit the loss of the old photos was devastating as I couldn't recover some as I hadn't properly saved them in my laptop. Lesson learned, but another such event will certainly be bad. Thanks for hosting this site as I do cherish the participation.

 

[John]

have to admit the loss of the old photos was devastating as I couldn't recover some as I hadn't properly saved them in my laptop

They are still available, but it's a bit of a long-winded way of getting them https://gallery.scalemodelling.co.uk/ this thread shows you how to find them https://www.scalemodelling.co.uk/fo...21-lost-pictures-of-old?p=1256454#post1256454

 

[Miko]

I have no idea, I do know that registrations dropped a lot after the move

Seems like a good enough reason to move back, I'm sure the regular members will follow you wherever you go, and if a better chance of finding new members means going back to the previous system, your choice seems obvious to me, go for it!

Miko (for what it's worth)

 

[adt70hk]

Happy to go with the flow John.

 

[Neil]

Hi Neil
To see who has reacted, at least on an iPad, just hold the icon down for a couple of seconds. I would assume something similar, such as a held click for a couple of seconds, will work on a PC. A brief click/press will just add you to it though.

I use a Mac with Tahoe - and no it doesn’t show with a hold. a single click adds the same reaction but no idea why I don’t see who added it. Ho hum, it is not important in the bigger question of whether to migrate or not - sounds like the work our admins have to do is far too much effort to achieve what should be straightforward enough.

My vote then is to go with whatever makes it easier for them to run the site.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I use a Mac with Tahoe - and no it doesn’t show with a hold. a single click adds the same reaction but no idea why I don’t see who added it. Ho hum, it is not important in the bigger question of whether to migrate or not - sounds like the work our admins have to do is far too much effort to achieve what should be straightforward enough.

My vote then is to go with whatever makes it easier for them to run the site.

I’m sure you’ve tried it, and that’s not a combination I’ve ever used, but what about a double click? Or even hovering over the icon to tooltip it?

 

[flyjoe180]

That would be brilliant John

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I had no issues with the change over last time John and I am happy to go with the general consensus of opinion. Do what you think is best for the forum.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

Late to the party as usual.

The change to the current forum software made no difference to me (other than removing one particularly odious member), BUT if the old forum software was easier to run for the mods/admin and there is no difficulty in changing back, I say go for it. I'll still be here either way.