It's Different...
John R.
Posts: 1,376
Folks - an editorial comment:
The new forum software is different than the old forum software.
Now, many of you are saying "Duh, what's your point?" My point is that there seems to be an inordinate amount of "this is different, change it so it's the same as the way it was" posts.
I am an "agent of change" for a living. I fully understand that many/most people don't like change.
We have a unique chance here. We have a chance to explore ways to make things better. This may be "different" than the way they were. This might not be all bad.
I would suggest that it's time to let the good folks at Parallax focus on substance. They are working on a number of significant tasks for these forums, including fixing links, attachments and formatting. These items affect the substance of the forums.
They are also working on "skins". By having multiple skins available, users will be able to select a more personalized appearance, based on their preference.
In the mean time, do we really need Parallax to be spending time on stuff like "the avatar isn't in the same place/size as it used to be", and "the colors are different, why can't they be the same"?
Do some of these things need to be looked at? Certainly. Do they need to be looked at NOW? Are some of them so trivial it's ridiculous to waste keyboard wear and tear discussing them? Maybe, maybe not. After all, these forums are here for the members, and if that's what they want, well, that's what they want.
I guess the main point I'm trying to make with my rambling is that Parallax has a limited amount of resources, and a number of tasks they are working on. Let's let them focus on the tasks that have substance, and let some of the more trivial stuff slide for a bit. Some of these items are already being addressed, and will be more easily addressed when the team starts getting multiple skins available.
More significantly, when multiple skins are available, the team can make a couple "test skins", and put different layouts/formats, etc. in place, and we can make comparisons. This might be a whole lot nicer than forcing a change in place for everyone, even those who might like something "different".
John R.
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
The new forum software is different than the old forum software.
Now, many of you are saying "Duh, what's your point?" My point is that there seems to be an inordinate amount of "this is different, change it so it's the same as the way it was" posts.
I am an "agent of change" for a living. I fully understand that many/most people don't like change.
We have a unique chance here. We have a chance to explore ways to make things better. This may be "different" than the way they were. This might not be all bad.
I would suggest that it's time to let the good folks at Parallax focus on substance. They are working on a number of significant tasks for these forums, including fixing links, attachments and formatting. These items affect the substance of the forums.
They are also working on "skins". By having multiple skins available, users will be able to select a more personalized appearance, based on their preference.
In the mean time, do we really need Parallax to be spending time on stuff like "the avatar isn't in the same place/size as it used to be", and "the colors are different, why can't they be the same"?
Do some of these things need to be looked at? Certainly. Do they need to be looked at NOW? Are some of them so trivial it's ridiculous to waste keyboard wear and tear discussing them? Maybe, maybe not. After all, these forums are here for the members, and if that's what they want, well, that's what they want.
I guess the main point I'm trying to make with my rambling is that Parallax has a limited amount of resources, and a number of tasks they are working on. Let's let them focus on the tasks that have substance, and let some of the more trivial stuff slide for a bit. Some of these items are already being addressed, and will be more easily addressed when the team starts getting multiple skins available.
More significantly, when multiple skins are available, the team can make a couple "test skins", and put different layouts/formats, etc. in place, and we can make comparisons. This might be a whole lot nicer than forcing a change in place for everyone, even those who might like something "different".
John R.
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Comments
As I posted in another thread --> I'm are Not fro changes. If them give us better Forum.
And istead of working on trivial changes ---- > THEM need give us functioning ATTACHMENTS system.
Most of work to it is already done BUT.
Them need remove PIXEL rate restrictions from it.
As it is now Them have both File restrictions and Pixel rate and it give unpredictable results.
Ps. After removing Pixel rate restrictions RECOPY all pictures from old to new Form and them after that will look correctly.
If You have Pixel size restrictions on PICTURES that will give big PAY LOAD to Server CPU as every incoming PICTURE need be resized to new PIXEL Rate/Size restrictions ---> and that is Server CPU that need work on it not my Computer.
If You look on JPG pictures that have 1MB file size restrictions ---> Them will never come up to that as JPG 800x600 will never be bigger 270-300KB and give in cases why I send bigger Pixel size Pictures unreadable results.
With no restrictions on Pixel size's It is simple copy work for Server CPU that give very small PAY LOAD to CPU.
Ps. I think I not need mentions as for US who not are English speaking people PICTURES we send else receive have very big value.
Them say much more that 1000 words
The issue that needs to be resolved is one where we optimize the viewing experience for all of our members browsing devices. There are members using mobile devices and downloading 200K images is not very efficient. Yet there are also members who are using large desktop screens that can render bigger images. Thumbnails certainly can help resolve this paradox.
I'm not sure bandwidth is as much an issue as it used to be - the exception would probably be iPhone users on a crowded AT&T network. Still, pages load a lot faster with 20k thumbnails than they do with 200k images. We're open to whatever works for the community.
-Phil
Hi Jim Ewald.
If You have pixel sizes enabled ---- > It is not only Thumbnails that Server NEED resize ---> But every PICTURE I send that are bigger in pixel sizes as 800x600.
And that resizing block for You all possibility's to renew OLD pictures from OLD forum to NEW forum (With have same quality). That give unreadable Pictures in many cases.
As ON IPhones and other that devices NORMALY entire PICTURE loads to Receiver end --> Then it is receiver that resize that picture to window that Shows if You select attachment and push right BUTTON.
No mater what BIG PICTURE are IN pixel sizes it is Receive Explorer that handle it.
BUT ALL Send Pictures handles on Server and if we are many that send same time pictures some are bigger as You restrictions ----> Server will have hiccups.
IF You have only file Size restrictions Server Refuse simply Save that FILE without any other action.
(My one of Professions was PICTURE maker/Server technician AND that problems are not new for me ---> NOW we have BIGGER servers but still them have same problems if we Pay Load them with to much work THEM NOT NEED work on at all.
NEXT: Yours File size restrictions are now correct ---> THANKS ..... BUT You will never receive that big files on Server ( Server will first resize them before SPARE) if You have in same time Pixel size restrictions.
I Have scanned OLD threads and analysed that that file size restrictions are good enough.
Addition ---> BUT if You will download it Explorer give me original image sizes !!!
Hi Jim.
LOOK on this thread and say me if this picture are readable after Server resized it to 800x600.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=124626
To be readable it needs be send in ratio 1:1