Updates & Ongoing Work [Last updated 18/02/14]

[Henry Osadzinski]

Hi everyone,

In response to requests for more detail about what we’re working on and how we’re handling your feedback, we’ll be keeping the first post of this thread updated with the latest information about what’s happening regarding UKBF. Whenever the post is updated, a Sift Media staff member will also add a quick bump comment so that you don’t miss any changes.

Wherever possible, we’ve included dates and timings alongside the tasks. These aren’t always set in stone (there are always situations where priorities change based on bug reports etc.) but we’re aiming to stick to our timings in as many situations as possible. If any of these change, we’ll do our best to keep you updated.


Here are the latest details, as of 10/01/2014


Completed Work

• “Conversations” changed to “Private Messages” - this was a manual process of going through around 200 phrases. If any have been missed due to human error, please let a Sift staff member know and we’ll make sure it’s updated.
  
  
• “Messages” changed to “Posts” - as above.
  
  
• Permalink & Reply buttons updated
  
  
• Signatures now visible to logged in and logged out viewers
  
  
• Reported 404 errors are now fixed - any more, just let us know

• “Alerts” changing to “Notifications” - the icon is also being updated - we’ll have a thread asking for your input on the design up soon.
  
  
• Avatars to include post and Thanks counts - more details in this thread.
  
  
• Full Members to have automatic rights to post dofollow links in threads and signatures - if you want a link to be nofollow, just include the rel=”nofollow” when posting the URL. This update is also retrospective - any Full Member links that don’t contain the nofollow tag will revert back to dofollow. Sorry, there are some issues with the way this add-on is working that need to be resolved. Hopefully members will have full control ASAP.
  
  
• Mobile font size & line height reduced - this should improve the layout on smaller screens
  
  
• Insolvency forum going live - many thanks to all who contributed ideas and suggestions!
  
  
• Forum categories to be easier to identify - small tweak to improve the homepage

• Sub-forum visibility on mobile - Now included in mobile view are drop down options to see sub sections. We have also over the last few weeks made a few layout changes to the mobile site so altogether it should be a nicer browsing experience on mobile.

• 800px width page layout - An improvement on how the website appears on some screen sizes - for example if you have 2 windows open side by side there was some tendency for the content to be formatted incorrectly. This has now been amended.

• Search box design - A small colour change to the search box has been made as we found that it was hard to distinguish the ‘main site search’ from some of the other options. We are reviewing improvements to the search which in the future to make it easier to find content throughout the site.

• Upgrade page - We’ve been looking at creating an upgrade page that outlines the differences between free and full member accounts. This is still a work in progress as we look at distinguishing the benefits and potentially adding in more features for full members to add greater value.

• Who’s online box - The box that was originally on the homepage only showing which members are online is now included on thread and forum view pages across the site. We are also working on an 'online' indicator that will be shown within the avatar and also a way to show which members are online within a specific thread.

• 404 page and unauthorised access page - These pages have been updated (find them if you can!) to give more information on why you may have found them and also give further links to sign up page / upgrade page / FAQ page etc.

• Small change to the underlining style of links. Please see the following thread for an example.

Latest updates (13 - 17 January)

• Online status now visible: Based on requests to make it easier to see who is online, we've added indicators to avatars that show when someone is online (the green dot). This will let you know at a glance if someone is currently online, meaning you’ll know if they’re more likely to be up to date with a thread and able to respond sooner rather than later. (Note: You may need to log out and back in again for this to fully take effect).

• Directory Testing: We’re in the final stages of setting up a user testing environment to get more work done on the upcoming directory. Full details in this thread.

• Tapatalk Testing: Having worked through some of the issues, the test environment will also contain the necessary plugins for Tapatalk support. This means we can shortly release details of a temporary test build to make sure a) it works for anyone with the Tapatalk app and b) it doesn't cause anything to break on our end. As soon as we’re happy that it’s safe and stable, we’ll roll it out on the live site and launch it properly

• Notification icon - Based on the feedback we received, the most sensible suggestion that came through was to focus on the number of new items that require members’ attention. This requires a bit more coding than simply swapping the icons but should make it more readable, especially on smaller screens.

In Development / Testing

• Ratings: We still plan on trialing functionality for members (starting with Verified & Full Members) to mark low-value / stub posts so that they’re less of an issue on the site. We’re also taking on all of the feedback regarding the current ratings and trophies and are working to tweak & add to them so that they’re more relevant for businesses.

• Revising info ‘at a glance’ - We are looking into ways of displaying more information - more to follow shortly.

Planned for Development

• Font Scaling: We've had a lot of feedback regarding the font sizes and, while the current font sizes are locked in, we wanted to share some more detail about the current settings and what improvements we are working on making. Currently, fonts are set with pixel values. This makes it awkward for anyone who does want to change the view on their end to reduce the overall size of the text. This is the XenForo default, most likely set because the platform is intended to appeal to hobbyists as well as larger organisations like us. Our designers (like everyone commenting) prefer going with ems – it makes scaling everything much easier and keeps things in proportion. We wanted to confirm that this will be updated in the future. Timescales aren't clear right now as it’s a lot of work – mainly because changing one template item impacts everything that relies on that setting as well. For anyone who does want to experiment with reducing font sizes, Faevilangel has put together a small add-on that you might find useful.

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

Quick note - in the section marked for this week, most of the changes have now been made. The rest are coming in the next hour or so

 

[zigojacko]

Thanks for this, useful to know what Sift are actioning and good to see something happen.

With regards to all the other feedback, requests and ideas that we've posted that isn't included above, what should we do? Is this still going to be considered. I do think something such as a Get Satisfaction board would work well for us to post suggestions/report problems for more effective tracking and user/staff discussion if it is still possible you'd look into this?

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

Sorry - meant to follow up with you about Get Satisfaction. It's definitely a good service but I don't think we'll be adopting exactly that (mainly as it'd be another 3rd party thing to integrate & support). However, Dan and I are looking at options to make bug / issue reporting and tracking easier via the site itself - ideally in a way that's similar to the way spam posts are reported now

 

[zigojacko]

Sorry - meant to follow up with you about Get Satisfaction. It's definitely a good service but I don't think we'll be adopting exactly that (mainly as it'd be another 3rd party thing to integrate & support). However, Dan and I are looking at options to make bug / issue reporting and tracking easier via the site itself - ideally in a way that's similar to the way spam posts are reported now

Okay but it needs to specifically be based on the model of:-

Users raise a suggestion/report a problem.
Other users can vote/agree with it.
Staff can reply and assign them.

If it doesn't work like this, it's not going to be any more effective than the current creating a new thread and member's chiming in.

 

[KM-Tiger]

With regards to all the other feedback, requests and ideas that we've posted that isn't included above, what should we do?

For me the important missing item is mention of the design/layout of thread pages.

Maybe just me, but I cannot read threads at any kind of speed. Cannot see at a glance who is saying what, it just doesn't flow in a left to right, top to bottom way like the old forum did. And that's a major obstruction to participating here.

I don't see a simple fix, as it involves many elements of design. If it was my problem I'd employ a designer who really does understand readability. Right now it looks like something I had designed, and I know I'm an utterly crap designer.

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

Oops sorry - I didn't address this initially. Design is quite a big, overarching aspect but we're continuing to gather all of the feedback and discuss what might need to be done. I'm afraid I'm not a designer so I can't really comment on the process etc. but I'll do my best to pass on all relevant points

 

[fisicx]

On a small screen the avatar sits above the post. This really helps readability. It was mentioned pre-launch but worth repeating.

The eye is very good at vertical tracking. Placing the avatar on the left means left-right and up-down eye movement which is very tiring. If you adopted the small screen layout for the big screen you would gain a huge wodge of space on the left.

 

[GraemeL]

For me the important missing item is mention of the design/layout of thread pages.

Maybe just me, but I cannot read threads at any kind of speed. Cannot see at a glance who is saying what, it just doesn't flow in a left to right, top to bottom way like the old forum did. And that's a major obstruction to participating here.

I don't see a simple fix, as it involves many elements of design. If it was my problem I'd employ a designer who really does understand readability. Right now it looks like something I had designed, and I know I'm an utterly crap designer.

Spot on, this is the very biggest issue.
(I think that the quoted text will go smaller than this note - but it is still perfectly readable)

G

 

[theseomarky]

must say it is surprisingly fast!

 

[fisicx]

What's in Santa's sack this week?

Are some of the issues highlighted by many members going to be implemented? Some of them are really simple fixes so shouldn't take too long (like the huuuuuge fonts sizes).

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

As per the initial post, we've got some things rolling out and are meeting today to go through everything else that's been raised as well. There'll be a full update of the original post either later today or tomorrow with full details.

 

[Dan Izzard]

Hi everyone, I've just edited Henry's initial message to show our updates launched today. These include:

Sub-forum visibility on mobile
800px width page layout
Search box design
Upgrade page
Who’s online box
404 page and unauthorised access page
Small change to the underlining style of links

More info in detail in the first post above.

There have also been additions to what we have in development which I have also edited in the initial post.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[zigojacko]

It would appear that the icons for post/thanks count have broken (probably because the sprite has been edited).

 

[Dan Izzard]

It's working for me. The spirit sheet has been edited so you may just need to hard refresh. Hopefully that should sort it out, let me know if not

 

[zigojacko]

Yeh, that's better now. Cheers.

 

[fisicx]

Thanks for that. When is the font size issue going to be fixed so I can delete all my custom CSS files? If it's not going to be fixed can someone say so please.

Why is the online status thing so complicated, it's a simple addon: http://xenforo.com/community/threads/online-status-indicator-within-threads.8813/

 

[Dan Izzard]

Hey @fisicx,

Thanks for the link, I've actually looked at that plugin but we're confident that implementing our own online indicator should give us a better system.

Font size has been thoroughly discussed, but we don't have any current plans on changing the size. I've read through all your feedback regarding and fed back to the team so I know your reasons for wanting the change but after reviewing with our designers and collating both negative and positive feedback we don't have any immediate plans to change it.

Apologies that this is not what you wanted to hear, but hopefully some the other changes we have made (and are planning to make) have improved the UX in other areas for you.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[zigojacko]

I've got my zoom level decreased in Chrome when browsing the forum. We shouldn't have to do this but at least it is more bearable for me.

 

[fisicx]

Dan,

But what about all the other elements, the post header on mobiles, the tiny links below the signatures and so on?

It's not so much the actual font size, it's the use of pixels to define the font size. If you changed to ems it would simplify the whole responsive thing.

 

[fisicx]

Had another thought. Have you done any user testing at different font sizes? Have you analysed user behaviour to see if the site performs better with smaller fonts or responsive fonts. I'm sure your designers are very good but there is nothing like doing some real testing. As an example, I changed a base font size on one site from 1em to 0.95em and saw a rise in conversions. Sometimes it's the little changes that have the greatest impact.

 

[tony84]

All these little tweaks which have been done... i have noticed no difference.

When i first came on the "new" site i quite liked it. It was quick, shiny and new. After using the site i realised i didnt like it - i gave it a week give or take and still didnt really take to it. I find myself coming on the site a lot less than before the changeover.

Little things like on the old site you had an icon that was a different colour if the category had new posts since you i had last vistited. The design wasnt trying to be all web 2.0 (or 3.0 or whatever we are on now), it had lines and everything appeared in a place for a reason. This just looks like white boxes floating around everywhere.

I realise none of this is really all that constructive and i have not used many technical terms but thats my take on it.

The font is too big and the adverts down the side do not really both me personally, the one at the top is a bit too big (as in height wise). Personally im struggling to like it and find it usable without a permanent concentration frown on my head (which i have just noticed because my gf has asked what im frowning at - ive told her its work) - i cant workout if its due to the layout or the colour scheme or both.

(Here is my constructive input)
I have just come up with an idea, can you not have a theme changer? Your standard theme being this new fancy modern one and then something that looks more like a traditional vb type theme?

 

[Ian J]

After using the site i realised i didnt like it - i gave it a week give or take and still didnt really take to it. I find myself coming on the site a lot less than before the changeover.

One of the sites that I frequent is a footie forum devoted to the club that I support. The software is dreadful as it doesn't even get the basics right like allowing you to join a thread at the first unread post instead of at the beginning yet I still go back because I like the subject matter.

You say that you find yourself coming back here less and less as you don't like the software but a glance at your history shows that you have been posting most days in the last week

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

@tony84 - A theme changer may be tricky, as any major changes would require a full new template but we are looking into what add-ons are available and if any would be useful.

@fisicx - A lot of people are out due to the Xmas break approaching at the moment but I will raise the subject of user testing and the things you've suggested when everyone's back

On that topic, I wanted to let you all know that UKBF will be a bit quiet over the next week due to Christmas and bank holidays. That's not to say our work is done though - we'll be carrying on with as many updates as we can and other developments into the new year. Hope everyone has a chance to enjoy a well-deserved break this week!

 

[zigojacko]

Merry Xmas all!

 

[kelvin1950]

Begs the question why do the upgrade so close to the xmas holidays, doesn't it?

 

[tony84]

One of the sites that I frequent is a footie forum devoted to the club that I support. The software is dreadful as it doesn't even get the basics right like allowing you to join a thread at the first unread post instead of at the beginning yet I still go back because I like the subject matter.

You say that you find yourself coming back here less and less as you don't like the software but a glance at your history shows that you have been posting most days in the last week

I use to come on to the site every hour or 2 if i was quiet.

I find myself coming on maybe once a day, although i dont think i came on at all yesterday (i coudl be wrong though), its probably more habit that brings me back.

I genuinely take no pleasure in saying that as i used to really like the site, now its more like i could take it or leave it. In fact if im being completely honest i actually had a quick look at other business forums and see some members from here on those (although they could have been registered months ago and active on both). Im trying to stick to this site and hopefully i will be a convert but as it stands im not sure.

 

[ianm10]

Completely agree with Tony.

The layout is better on Mercury browser on Ipad than on my Android tablet, but I also now find myself visiting significantly less than before. Still waiting for Tapatalk to be setup and see if this improves functionaility, but not holding my breath...

 

[REVIDIUM]

It's a pity that Forum members are showing signs of resistance to change. Granted that there are some technical / design issues, which are being attended to. However the objective of the forum remains the same, a business forum for everyone to chime in.

@zigojacko suggested Get Satisfied earlier, may I second that suggestion as that way priority items get addressed. If the problem is deploying it, there are plenty of people on this forum that would be happy to help and administer it. Definitely putting ourselves forward if you need assistance with it.

Granted I'm new to the forum, but we invested in the nominal subscription straight away as we see great value and potential in it.

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

Hi folks,

I've just posted an updated log of everything that's been done and some new ongoing items in the original post of this thread. This week there's one visible change and details of a couple of things in testing that we want to open up to users for feedback in the next few days

 

[zigojacko]

I don't even think the online/offline indicators are working properly.

One moment I'm showing as offline, then online, then offline............. I was replying to a post a moment ago and it said I was offline. I've been logged in with a browser open on UKBF on two different devices for at least the last 10 minutes.

Edit: As soon as I hit publish post on this, I went offline. *sigh*

 

[Faevilangel]

I don't even think the online/offline indicators are working properly.

One moment I'm showing as offline, then online, then offline............. I was replying to a post a moment ago and it said I was offline. I've been logged in with a browser open on UKBF on two different devices for at least the last 10 minutes.

Edit: As soon as I hit publish post on this, I went offline. *sigh*

yeah getting exactly the same, me thinks a gremlin is in the system....

 

[fisicx]

Is it even in the right place? Would it not be better in the info below the avatar and have the word 'online'.

Look at the thing on a small screen and it look out of place - would be far better in the blue box to the right (or below depending on your device - which is another annoying inconsistency).

And don't forget those who are colour blind - red and green are the same colour of mud.

See, even the most simple things can cause all sort of isseus if you don't do any user testing (I'm sure I've said this before).

The gremlin could be fixed if you just used the built in xF online status indicator.... Just sayin'

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

Could be the caching catching up with the change across the site. I noticed it at first but it seems to have settled down for me.

One thing to make sure - you can also check your setting in the profile drop down. There's a tickbox to select show/hide online status. If that's set to hide then you'll appear online to yourself but not to others, which could be the cause of some confusion.]

Edit: looks like it affects new posts that come in while you're still in the thread. It's being looked into now.

 

[Henry Osadzinski]

@fisicx The point about colour is one we hadn't considered but, as you say, could affect a reasonable proportion of the people reading the site. We've amended it now so that it just shows a green dot if you're online. No dot = offline. It's a small cosmetic change as well so, while more extensive testing ahead of time would have been the ideal, it's also something we can continue to look at and refine as we go.

 

[fisicx]

Thanks - but unless you know the dot means online it's not much help. Why have a dot? The word 'online' in the info box is much more useful.

 

[GraemeL]

Why have a dot? The word 'online' in the info box is much more useful.

Is that what the green dot is? I was wondering. Am I mistaken or did I see one with a red dot? I guessed that meant it was a reported post?

 

[Ian J]

me thinks a gremlin is in the system....

Did you feed the mogwai after midnight?