New website design

[Joe Blow]

Guys, the primary issue with displaying full size images is that they are just not big enough. In many cases people can't read the text that is written on them and after this redesign the width of images would have to be reduced even further to around 800 pixels in width, otherwise it would distort the right side of the forum and I'm not prepared to have images do that under any circumstances. If people want 800 pixel wide images then I will consider changing it but trust me, as soon as I change it people will be saying that the images aren't big enough and that they can't see all the detail or what is written on them, especially when people start with larger images and have to resize them. It is a recipe for disaster. With thumbnails people can attach images of 1200 pixels or more in width if I set it to that.

With the issue with the Union Jack I'm not sure what happened to the seven pointed star beneath it but it seems to have gone missing. It was there yesterday. I will tell the designer to try the Southern Cross only in the avatar area.

 

[Joe Blow]

As for the thumbnails I think this is a backwards looking step in the days of faster and faster internet speeds. As they say 'a picture speaks a thousand words'. For us simpler chartists we probably don't know a thousand words .
But seriously seems a step back in time to be cutting bandwidth at the cost of easy access to rich information.

TH: You do know that you click on the thumbnails to get the full size images right? :

 

[Trembling Hand]

TH: You do know that you click on the thumbnails to get the full size images right? :

Yes. But if you have say 4 post all with a chart or two involved its easy to just scroll the thread and see what each poster is talking about. If you have to click a link on each post to pull up the chart or charts it just makes the Forum LESS easy to read.

Have a look at the last page of the SPI thread which has 9 charts posted. Previously you could read it and compare other peoples analysis easily. Now to read the post you get lost in a mess of external windows.

I don't read elite traders forum for that reason that every chart is a thumbnail. Many times I just look at what people post as charts rather than read all the banter in between the charts. Now the useful info is 1 further click away from the posts and I'm Left just with the banter IMHO.

 

[Joe Blow]

Yes. But if you have say 4 post all with a chart or two involved its easy to just scroll the thread and see what each poster is talking about. If you have to click a link on each post to pull up the chart or charts it just makes the Forum LESS easy to read.

Have a look at the last page of the SPI thread which has 9 charts posted. Previously you could read it and compare other peoples analysis easily. Now to read the post you get lost in a mess of external windows.

I don't read elite traders forum for that reason that every chart is a thumbnail. Many times I just look at what people post as charts rather than read all the banter in between the charts. Now the useful info is 1 further click away from the posts and I'm Left just with the banter IMHO.

I can't win on this issue TH. If I reduce the width of attached images to around 800 pixels I'm going to get people attaching larger images which will then be automatically resized by the forum software. Many images will then be pretty much useless as much of the detail will be lost and text may be indecipherable. There is a very good reason why most forums use thumbnails and that's because it allows people to view images at the dimensions they were originally created in irrespective of their screen resolution. This site has to be optimised for 1024x768 as more than a third of ASF members have their screen resolution set to that. If I change it back I will get people on higher screen resolutions complaining that they can't make sense of many of the attached images due to the resizing.

Like I said, I can't win.

 

[Dukey]

Joe - new site design all good as far as I'm concerned. nice combination of colours, same simple layout which makes ASF one of the easiest forums I've come across.
On the thumbnails - works fine esp if you use 'tabbed' web browser I think, maybe even better for comparing posted charts - just flick from one tab to the next. Might just take a little getting used to for some.

good job and great service you provide here, as always
- Dukey.

 

[Trembling Hand]

I can't win on this issue TH. If I reduce the width of attached images to around 800 pixels I'm going to get people attaching larger images which will then be automatically resized by the forum software. Many images will then be pretty much useless as much of the detail will be lost and text may be indecipherable.

Fair enough. But would people not learn how to post 800 pixel max images or their charts will not work? I have the same problem with my Blog and it doesn't take long to figure out how to do that. But I don't want to bust your nut over this. I just always liked that the images being displayed as part of the post. One of the many reasons that ASF is a winner.

 

[hypnotic]

Thanks Joe for the redesign. Definitely more pleasing to look at than before.

Cheers,

Hypnotic

 

[Joe Blow]

Fair enough. But would people not learn how to post 800 pixel max images or their charts will not work? I have the same problem with my Blog and it doesn't take long to figure out how to do that.

It takes a lot of practice to figure out how to crop and resize charts yourself. Some people find it easy while others never learn how to save and attach an image to a post. It sounds crazy considering how simple a process it is but some people are just not computer people and find everything to do with computers difficult. I still find it amazing that some people find it difficult to use the

tags properly but that's because I take them for granted and am so used to them.

I'm not ruling out the possibility of going back to regular image attachments but I think the advantages of using thumbnails far outweighs the negatives. I think the only real negative with using thumbnails is that many people find it inconvenient to click through to the full size image. On a personal level I will find it very disappointing if we revert to the way things were, but if there is enough pressure on me to do so I probably will.

 

[Captain_Chaza]

Looks Crappy to me on a 30" Computer screen
with 3 " Blank columns/spaces left and Right

Strong Contrasting colours HAS always been best in Headline issues

Miniture Thumbnail sketches /Charts are a distraction to the concentration and an insult to my intelligence when the goiing gets tough and time is of the essence
IMHO

It just doesn't work for me!

Salute and Gods' speed

 

[brerwallabi]

I was amazed to see the UJ, it definitely has to go, would also like if possible when I use new posts to see the stocks shown in a different colour so they stand out easier.
Anyway a great improvement - well done.

 

[doogie_goes_off]

Nothing but sensational, still has the same look and feel but has all the mod cons, just burning my eyes out on my flashy screen. I'll never fall asllep at the 'puter again!

 

[YOUNG_TRADER]

WOW, just logged on after 4 days of boozing and partying, thought I'd gone to the wrong web page, so typed in the web page again, wait a tick this is ASF

VERY VERY NICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :

 

[michael_selway]

Welcome to the new ASF!

Despite first appearances, the site has not changed dramatically. Many of the changes you see are cosmetic and the basic functionality of ASF has remained the same. No features have been lost.

Okay, so what has changed?

Well the biggest change is probably the introduction of tabs. Towards the top of each page you will see a row of tabs: 'Home', 'Forums', 'Blogs', 'Shop', 'Chat', 'Competition' and 'Seminars'. Clicking on any of these tabs will take you directly to the main areas of ASF. The tab you click on will then be highlighted so you can easily see where you are. It is hoped that these tabs will become the primary way of navigating around ASF. For those who preferred the 'Forum Jump' menu as a way of jumping from one forum to another, it has been retained and is in the same spot.

There is also now a search box on every page for those who find it more convenient than the drop down search box. This is in approximately the same spot as the 'Stock Quote' box used to be. So where's the 'Stock Quote' box I hear you ask? It's now on the front page, just above the 'Market Summary'.

If you encounter any glitches or issues with the new design please let me know about it in this thread. Any positive or negative feedback is also appreciated as it is possible for the design to be refined and tweaked should I get a lot of feedback about any particular aspect of it.

But please, give yourself some time to get used to the new design. Take it slow and if you have any questions, please ask.

Hi Joe, nice work on the new design, its great and original!

I have to say that this forum is the best out of all the stock forums I know and the people here bring alot of different and great opinions (from fundies to techies etc) to share about on stocks/comodities etc

Have to admit I leanrt alot being on theses forums since I first joined and have just enjoyed the general atmosphere it has brought etc

Thanks

MS

(PS: Btw is there anywhere on this site that talks a little about yourself? esp your interest in stocks and how and why you got this forum started, I was just wondering if you dont mind me asking )

 

[saichuen]

What a pleasant surprise when I logged into the website today. Gotta luv it!

 

[tech/a]

Joe.
One little feature that was there before but now missing.

The quick search function for a stock price.
Albeit 20 mins delayed was handy for a quick lookup.

 

[nomore4s]

Joe.
One little feature that was there before but now missing.

The quick search function for a stock price.
Albeit 20 mins delayed was handy for a quick lookup.

Tech, it's still there.

On right hand side above the market summary

 

[Joe Blow]

Joe.
One little feature that was there before but now missing.

The quick search function for a stock price.
Albeit 20 mins delayed was handy for a quick lookup.

nomore4's beat me to it. It's now on the front page above the 'Market Summary'. This may be a little inconvenient for some but I thought since more people use the site search function than the stock quote having a search box in the site header would be more useful.

 

[GreatPig]

Regarding the thumbnail issue, maybe just leave it like that and let anyone who's capable use links to an image server to display full-size images (assuming that still works, that is).

Otherwise, is there any way you can make it so that images up to 800 pixels wide are displayed full-size but anything larger is automatically displayed as a thumbnail?

Cheers,
GP

 

[eddyeagle]

The new look website looks very sharp indeed - well done guys!

 

[Trembling Hand]

Joe I can plainly see what your up against here.
https://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=287562&postcount=12

This will need some thinking to get around. A policy about greater than 800 pixel pics pulled if an auto software function is not available? Or I guess you will have to pull that feature as well?