I see no actual benefit about the new format except the greater precision/division of topics, which would be better with a sample of recent subject titles. Also, in the list of threads we should be told not only when each thread was last updated but by whom it was updated.
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We do have a recent activity unit and Recent Activity page
Both the module and the page lists all recent discussions, regardless of the forum in which they were submitted. Which makes it easier to see all activity without having to go into a forum.
There is one update coming soon to both of these (based on feedback) - and that is to also include all new comments, not just new discussions. So one can see all activity happening in a single spot.
Was this what you were looking for, or something different?
>> we should be told not only when each thread was last updated but by whom it was updated.
We do provide an updated time/date stamp. For who updated a discussion thread. I'll pass this suggestion along to our designer.
The old style forums were simple and easy to navigate. Open the forums page, and boom, there was all the info on one page. Open a thread, and it was easy to follow, the visual trail was simple. Open a printable version, and I could copy and paste to study.
This is clunky, takes up too much screen space, is difficult to follow for having to move from page to page in a discussion. There's no NEED on the web for having to click to a new page after just a few replies. Keep it scrollable.
I keep checking in to see who's around, if things have gotten any cleaner and easy to deal with, and it's a big fat nope.
I have not had any major issues with any of the site design changes. Yes, I tend to prefer the simple layout over one with multiple font sizes and graphics everywhere.
That said, what made me lose interest and not be around much was a change in the type of users and questions in the Q&A section.
It was a lot of fun when it felt like we were helping real users. When the questions turned into three bad categories: help desk help, homework, and users trying to get around admin restrictions, I just lost interest in spending time trying to find proper questions to answer.
I pop in from time to time just to see what might be going on.
I might also pop in from a newsletter link, or a search result.
Overall, it is good that TR still exists after all these years.
If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.
You lost the community years ago
Your new format isn't likely to attract new users.