James Steele wrote: ↑Wed Jan 04, 2023 3:11 pm
I appreciate it. I can't help myself and it's something I have to live with that it really *does* bother me when I can't make everyone happy.
I had considered letting users choose from multiple themes including dark ones, but that presents other challenges. People who use a light theme may specify a text color in a post, oblivious to the fact that someone using a dark theme may not be able to read it. Then there's sort of the identity/branding issue where it's not consistent. So I decided against multiple themes for now.
Speaking for myself, this does indeed seem easier to read, albeit very generic and plain.
The next course of action for me is to re-examine the topics. For example, since there are no current MOTU-branded virtual instruments that I'm aware of, I need to decide what to do with the old forums like MachFive, Ethno, etc. The posts may be of value to people with very old systems.
An overall reorganization/hierarchy is something to look at in the future. Perhaps subtopics for third-party plug-ins classified by manufacturer. If you go to the main board page here, you'll notice that in the black bar that goes across (like MOTUNATION MAIN FORUMS) you will see a white box with a minus (-) sign. That's a button that will collapse the forum and hide those forums inside it. It's a third-party extension I recently installed. This makes me think that I could refine categories so things are a bit easier to find, and the ability to collapse main forums would make it less cumbersome to people who don't have an interest in certain categories. For example, off the top of my head I could have a main MAC category and main WINDOWS category. Although when it comes to DP much applies to both.
So much to think about for so little to no financial renumeration. hahaha. This is why you sort of get what you get with these types of forums. They are indeed a labor of love. Many a time I have somewhat defensively responded to criticism by suggesting that those who have a problem with user-run forums go over to phpBB.com, download the board software, install it on some server space and start their own board. I've had zero takers.
Only when it became *easy* by creating a Facebook group, for example, were there alternatives which ironically may get more traffic than this place. I just don't like the idea of Zuckerberg owning all the content. That doesn't happen here. Technically I suppose may I do, but I think of this place as a repository of knowledge for all users. And sometimes, even that OLD knowledge found in posts years old, helps someone.
Indeed; I agree with all points and your thinking James.
I have the same problem "living with" not pleasing everyone. I guess it's just a price one pays for being a giver by nature.
Yeah, I've used the collapsible-list feature to good effect in the past in forums I set up. Very-handy, but honestly, not really needed except in cases where, as you suggested, sub-forums / categories contain a great number of subs.
On the multiple-themes thing and text colour:
At Rig Talk we have a light and a dark theme. Legibility issues are rare but occasionally one sees a post where, say, a member has specified an alternative black for text using the light theme without considering the fact that others who may be using the dark theme might have to highlight it in order to read it easily.
In the last year and a half there's only been one member who did this, and he did it often. I ignored it, thinking he wanted to say certain things "quietly" and it wasn't until another member just today pointed out to the dude that he ought to consider those who use the dark theme. A D'Oh! moment for me and uncannily-synchronous with our discussion.
As I said 'though, rare and easily-fixed with a heads-up to the poster, one that's likely to be issued by a member even, so I wouldn't worry about that too much if you ever choose to go down that path.
Yes, I agree this font is really-clear; easy-to-read.
I also agree that the old VI sub-forums should stay for their legacy value. Peeps who freeze their systems or run old computers for beloved VIs would appreciate it. I mean, where else are they gonna find this info?
I strongly agree with your FB comments too. I've never joined FB, TwitStar, InstantGlam or any of those big social-media thingies. Don't trust any of them is what it comes down to.
Lastly, and I'm sure you've heard this a lot as it's something we givers are told regularly - maybe try not to put yourself under too much pressure / be too-hard on yourself. Providing the basic service will please the majority; the refinement is icing on the cake... IMHO.
Luv ya man.
