Forum Feedback?

[Hamish Gill]

Since our kind donation I have been able to spend what was going to be a week but actually turned into 3 weeks tweaking the forum, adding things moving things, changing bits around etc.

What does everyone think?

In general does everything seem to be working as it should?

Any niggles?

Obviously the main stuff has been done to the header...
But what about the navigation on the home page to all the articles?
Does anyone use that part of the site to reference older articles etc?

I'm particularly interested in how you feel that part of the site now looks and works... Does it seem like it is becoming a useful resource for new and current users etc?

I have to get back to working for other clients tomorrow, and that is likely to be the case for a little while... But if there is anything that stands out as needing tweaking I'd like to know!

Also does anyone have any ideas on what else I could add to the functionality?

 

[Paul Lange]

I've been thinking lately how the forum is looking really good. Some forums look quite clunky and utilitarian but RPF is looking quite swish.

 

[Pete Askew]

I think you've done a great job Hamish. I don't use any other forums except to occasionally look things up but, compared with, for example, DPReview, RPF has a much stronger aesthetic, is easy to navigate and to find things. I don't use the new article index etc but that's because I tend to read everything that comes in (hopefully one day there will be too much for me to do that with!). But for new users and people browsing the site I think it will be of use.

I think the front page and the general look and feel of the site is fresh and modern. Once you are into the forums it becomes clear that our main focus is on images rather than equipment. This is not quite so clear from the home page but that is because the articles tend to be more equipment and technique based but that's not really a problem as long as we add the odd portfolio - maybe the results of themes.

All-in-all I think it looks excellent and certainly stands out from (dare I say, above) the crowd. Thanks Hamish.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Thats a good idea to get photos into the home page ... That had not occurred to me!
I'll start a couple of themes today I think ...
I need to remember to do that as I really like it once it gets going ... It's just finding the ideas!
Autumn is a good one ready to go I think!

 

[Pete Askew]

How about another from Tom's (Dan's?) list. Maybe something more abstract so we have a couple to get our teeth into.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Echo everyone's positive comments - the site has really stepped it up in look/feel/function - nice work Hamish!

 

[Darren Turner]

Looks awesome IMO Hamish, you have done a grand job, quite sleek, works well, and not just the normal look of so many other forums.



Daz

 

[Hamish Gill]

Cheers all!
Glad we are getting there now ...
set up a youtube channel today ... or at least started one ...
Video content is the next hurdle

 

[Pete Askew]

How about Vimero as well if people start getting creative?!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

I'm likin the nice look of the site too. I haven't noticed any problems with it either. I do use the New Posts feature all the time and like the little number at the top of the page that tells me how many new posts there are. And there ain't no way I could read them all. Think the forum is really coming on strong.

 

[Brian Moore]

Luv it! Luv it all! Especially though I love the very cool images at the header,...how they expand and so on. Plus,...they are wonderful images.

The site is very easy to use. Intuitive.

I used to go to Flickr constantly,...but now I constantly go to RPF (and go to Flickr from time-to-time).

Great stuff Hamish!

 

[Hamish Gill]

I was genuinely expecting more constructive critisism ... But if everyone is happy then thats great!
I guess from here any new features will be a bonus ...
As long as it doesn't end up like ephotozine ... The most cimplicated photography web site on the net!!!

That's good to hear Brian, I do like a dedicated convert!
It's a sign somthing is going right when it becomes part of daily routine to check what happening on here ... I still read a hifi forum called the art of sound every day, it's like a habit I can't break... That's what I hope people have here ... Unhealthy, un-questioning addiction to the place heh

 

[Pete Askew]

It looks like those subliminal messages in the animated header are working a treat Hamish!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

dunno what your talking about mate ... ... .... ......

(shh)

 

[Kev Pugh]

I'm afraid I can be no more constructive than everyone else, I don't generally use forums other than to find stuff out if I need to, and like Brian Flickr used to be my first call no it's way down the list, Good work Hamish et al involved....and there must be someone bringing you butties hamish well done