Forum usability questions

[Zanniej]

When browsing the forum today, I started looking and thinking what we actually used. Mainly because I will start working on a mobile-ready version someday soon. When thinking about it, I thought, why not ask the other users as well!

So, first question: The links on the top right . . . does anyone use other links than "View new posts", and what value do they hold?
At this moment I'm thinking of perhaps removing the "View unanswered posts", and making "View new posts" bigger (at least for mobile).

But I'd like some feedback from the players before even starting the work on it.

So bring it! Any and all feedback on usability is welcome.

[Hoihe]

I often use the forums on mobile.

The biggest hiccups I get is with the reply system. To put it short, the submit/preview/save/cancel buttons are a pain in the ass as they are arranged, alongside with the text box itself being rather wonky.

Regarding the buttons, View new posts and view your posts are the most valuable ones. The rest I never used, on mobile or on desktop.

[LISA100595]

I frequently use View new Posts, View your posts and View active topics.

I generally do not like the look of forums when they switch to mobile use type look. Is there a way to keep the forum's look and functionality on the PC as it is and have a separate look for mobile?

This was mentioned in another post... can we also get a "Reply All" button for PM's please?

[Zanniej]

I generally do not like the look of forums when they switch to mobile use type look. Is there a way to keep the forum's look and functionality on the PC as it is and have a separate look for mobile?

Could you elaborate? Perhaps using an example or something.
As I understand it now you're expecting the desktop version to change, which won't happen, the way I see it now. The forum works well for desktop. All that needs to be addressed are screens smaller than the current forum width. That means that when we go down to tablet and mobile sizes, there will be changes, such as button and link sizes, text sizes and perhaps some changes in how the layout is divided over the screen. There will most likely be barely any changes to desktop however, unless a lot of people are bothered by something.

This was mentioned in another post... can we also get a "Reply All" button for PM's please?

Thanks for reminding me, I'll put this in motion (with a little help from Maecius)

Thank you both for your input. That's really helpful

[Akroma666]

Would loooove a Mobil version that's easy on the data. I always use the top links to see what's new on the forums and what's new on my posts.
As long as it has those two and is light on data you got an android user who will gladly pay for it... As long as it isn't a pile of crap.

[Hoihe]

Would loooove a Mobil version that's easy on the data. I always use the top links to see what's new on the forums and what's new on my posts.
As long as it has those two and is light on data you got an android user who will gladly pay for it... As long as it isn't a pile of crap.

Perhaps an option to turn off images, if such is at all possible?

I always advocate people to put images and videos into spoilers so they aren't loaded (i think they aren't), but sometimes they are out in the open... often massive images, too.

[Nomster]

This was mentioned in another post... can we also get a "Reply All" button for PM's please?

Thanks for reminding me, I'll put this in motion (with a little help from Maecius)

Zomg yes please.


Is it also possible to have more than 5 receptions to a PM? I am not sure what this limit accomplishes, as it is possible to add as many groups as possible to a PM so it really does suck when you have to send out separate PMs because you need to send it to 6 people who are not part of the same forum group and then not everyone can see who else got the PM or even have a discussion about certain things (events, for example). Increasing the limit to 10 or so recipients will not open the floodgates for PM spam because as stated, one can easily do that with forum groups already.

[Steve]

Last time I checked, one could only have 3 personal folders for PM archiving. If the new Forum hosting provides more disk space, can personal Folders be increased in number per Account?

But more importantly: a Search tool for PMs. By the Godz, would this be helpful.

[Hoihe]

Last time I checked, one could only have 3 personal folders for PM archiving. If the new Forum hosting provides more disk space, can personal Folders be increased in number per Account?

But more importantly: a Search tool for PMs. By the Godz, would this be helpful.

This on the googooleth power!

[thids]

Has the search function been made better/more effective after the forum transfer? I remember I actually had to google things on bgtscc1 to find valid results before, but now it seems that putting quotations around the desired result does the job, as it should.

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Would loooove a Mobil version that's easy on the data.

Tapatalk integration

[Steve]

Noticed today that the thread The Elfsong Tavern was updated to the title The Elfsong Tavern (surface RP). Same with Glouras but for Underdark RP.

For years now, the Elfsong has not been the main point of entry to the Surface from the Nexus. And really, the Elfsong gets a paltry percentage of RP (unless sitting at tables in the beer garden points to a "main hub" of Surface RP, which I would say is not so).

So though we might have still a nostalgia for the past AND the Elfsong, maybe it is time to change these too thread named to more relevant titles, like The Sword Coast & The Underdark of the Sword Coast.

[Zanniej]

Would loooove a Mobil version that's easy on the data.

Tapatalk integration

Might be a good suggestion. Downside is that they seem to add their own logo's and such to the mobile version. And to get an app into the iPhone app store you need to be an apple developer.

We'll take it into consideration. Thanks!

[Aspect of Sorrow]

Would loooove a Mobil version that's easy on the data.

Tapatalk integration

Might be a good suggestion. Downside is that they seem to add their own logo's and such to the mobile version. And to get an app into the iPhone app store you need to be an apple developer.

We'll take it into consideration. Thanks!

One step in the right direction is turning on the RSS feeds.

[Zanniej]

I'll start listing all requests this weekend. Now, please do keep in mind that I'm both very slow (because I'm a lazy person) and doing this in my free time. So while I'll try to get as much done as I can, I can't promise I can get it all done, nor in what time span I'll get things done.

I'll post status updates in this forum. I know, I still got to update it Will do before next week.

EDIT: And ofcourse, thank you all for your input! It's very much appreciated!

edited by wyatt to fix your link