After exercising a convoluted rigamarole to get myself logged in, I can’t get into discussions. I can start one but I can’t see any of the others. I can get questions, I just cannot get discussions nor, as it follows, can I read any replys, without going through replys from my contacts. Whatever the PTB opted for while I was away, certainly has not made TR any easier to navigate; in fact navigation difficulties have gotten much worse, by at least a factor of three. That doesn’t say much about a site supposedly dedicated to IT and computers.
I have lodged several complaints but the replys that I get bear little idea of what my complaint was about. My last request resulted in a reply that indicated I was a total novice with computers, giving me instructions about how to set my security up. It was accurate except for one tiny matter, in my original request, I had already indicated that I had already taken those very steps, so their reply was as effective or helpful as a screen door on a submarine.
I am even having trouble with White Papers. They tell you a paper is available as a PDF but when you click on the link, you are given an outline but no way to download the PDF. The truly odd part of this is that there is no consistency in this matter; there are some White Papers that [b]DO[/b] have a functioning link to a PDF, others none.
TR has now become somewhat like taking a ride through the House of Horrors; everytime you turn a corner you encounter a new surprise. They don’t frighten you so much as they completely annoy you. I am beginning to think TR is endeavouring to drive the oldtime members, the ones with signing power and/or purchasing power away from this site so they can attract a new species of users; adolescents and the anti-social, those who have yet to achieve or accomplish anything of note or worth. The latter have nothing better to do with their sad little lives except try to spoil the atmosphere and dialogues amongst technical professinals.
Yes a lot of what we do in the off topic section may be perceived as foolish or childish but its like someone said, [b]a vitual water cooler[/b] where we can come and blow off steam with others of a similar background or bent. It’s a pity it seems to be deteriorating rather than improving.
TR should be aware that while we may enjoy it, like it and want it,[b] we don’t need it[/b]. If the site becomes more trouble than it’s worth, a lot of people will move on to other more enjoyable things.
So much for a Thursday morning rant. I’m posting this in hopes that we and the PTB can get TR back to what it was and its original focus. A start might be made if the off-topic forum was renamed “The Water Cooler”
[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)