New Discussion Board

[Kazoonerd]

It would be very helpful if folks would use a subject line that actually describes what the post entails. Single word subjects like "Saginaw" or "Maumee" can have multiple meanings (the boat or the place, for example). If the post is about a vessel "coming out," it would be helpful to include that in the subject since many readers have no information on that and may not be interested in the post or the answer. Longer subject lines seem to be permitted on this new board and using a longer subject will allow other boatnerds to find the subjects they are interested in. Thanks.

[Mark O]

I like these new ones, a lot easier to follow what is new. I fall into the old folk category, AARP card upon request ;)

[canalman]

Do not like the new format. The older version is much easier for us old folks.

[Chris M]

Well eventually the old board will be phased out later this year, so everyone will have to get use to it.

[sworm]

What format is going to be kept? It seems everybody still posts on the older discussion boards. I pesonally have no preference. Nobody is posting on the new boards.

[visitor]

Sorry guys, some of us like the old boards better

[Mark M]

One thing I have noticed is that people don't look at the posting date sometimes the previous post is a year old. But that said I think the new boards are great because the new posts move to the top and things will only get better.

[Les Weston]

I'll jump in here on this subject, I too find the new boards more to my liking, but agree with you that there needs to be some work done. I go to the new boards (and the old boards) every day and have found them generally to be easier to use. I think we will have to play along for a while and offer suggestions where applicable. As a subscript, I have never used the search function, but I can understand the frustration

[Castaway]

I understand your concern. I think the administrator needs to rework these boards. Right now, they're practically locked up with no customization. This software allows a lot of customizing, and they're not taking advantage of that. If they let you change your profile and settings, you could view these boards in a linear mode just like the old boards.

I think that's the reason the search isn't working too well. I searched for "Sandusky" because I know there's at least one thread on it, and I got no results. With it working properly, you could do an advanced search for "Ryerson" and find it in thread titles or search by post or entire topic. Right now, it's on the most basic setting.

Compare that to the search on the old discussion board. If you search for Ryerson, every single result comes up, and it's difficult to tell if a post is the first in a thread asking a question ("Where is Ryerson?") or one in the middle that just says "Upbound."

The administrator should come back allow more access to these message boards. I've been e-mailing about it, but I think they're really busy. It's also a little difficult throwing yourself into new software.

If they allow the customization and unlock some things, I hope you'll change your mind.

[Lefty]

To each his own. The example you gave of why you find these boards easier to use (because new posts move to the top) is the main reason I hate them. With the old format, I know were posts are likely to be, based on when they were first posted. Here I don't. And things get duplicated, confusing things even more. For instance, in this new regional board, there are two posts about the New Board, and they keep shifting in order. On the new main board there are at least 4 posts dealing with the Ryerson, and again they shift around in order whenever someone posts something new. Yet the search won't let you search for Ryerson, since that is too common a word already. The old search would take you to ALL posts with the word Ryerson.

[Castaway]

There's so much more to these boards. If there's a new topic, you don't have to search to find your old topic hidden far down. Topics get bumped back to the top with a new reply. You can keep track of everyone's posts (if the administrator unlocks that. Not sure why it's hidden). You can put images in your posts.

These are just like the old boards in the sense that you can post topics and information and stories and words. These are just more modern and easier to use. I like them. I visit many sites with forums like this, and they're fantastic. Just get used to them. I'm sure they'll work out just fine.

[KZOnerd]

I frankly don't like the new boards. The old ones worked just fine and were plenty intuitive and much less complicated. I hope that they keep them. Not everyone is a computer nerd.

[Marcel]

I just opened this new format and like it a lot better than the old board.I know this is new and it might take a lot of people time to get used to it.If you are an old sailor like me you aren't used to new technology.I have only had a computer for 3 years and am Still getting used to it.

[Andy S]

They need to kill the old ones first. Just pick a date to shut down the old ones post it for about a week and just do it.

[Castaway]

If they get rid of the old discussion boards, people will be forced to come here. Those seem like they still see more traffic, even with this better system.

[Fuller Johnson]

I just signed up mainly to help a regular member get hooked up to the new forum. He was trying to fill out the forms on the directions pages. So I sent him a link to the correct sign up page so he could fill out forms that worked.

I Do Like this format better than the old one... Thanks...

[superdraft]

I check both new boards every day and have been on here for a couple of days. I hope pthers will start posting. I think once they catch on they will be preferred

[bbqbull]

I just found this forum this morning.

Thanks for building this board.

[Guest]

No one knows about the page

[Katnip]

I was wondering the same thing!! Maybe too busy watchiing boats?? LOL
Katnip