schlange - Posted - 09/05/2017:  10:26:28

Hi Everyone,

This has been a long time coming, but I'm happy to announce that next week we'll be launching a redesigned Banjo Hangout.

You can see and use the new site right now at dev.banjohangout.org. 

The new site is much more powerful and flexible when it comes to mobile devices, which is very important in today's world.

Apart from this mobile responsiveness the new site is functionally very similar to the live site, although it's been given a facelift. Behind the scenes, though, this is a big change which lays the groundwork for powerful new features to come. Once the new site launches, we'll start launching lots of new features including member tagging in posts, real-time PM chatting and the use of secure SSL throughout the site.

I'm announcing this now so we can crowdsource a little beta testing before we go live next week. The new site is using the exact same data as the live site, so you can use the new site right now to post on the forum, browse classifieds, etc, and your changes will be reflected across both versions of BHO.

If you come across any issues on the new site, or just want to comment on it, please post below. Like I said, we're shooting to take it live next week, hopefully Monday or Tuesday.

Stay tuned!

tucsonsean - Posted - 09/05/2017:  10:46:48

At my age, I don't take change easily, but I'll withhold any judgments until I use it a while. Does look a little bare-boned compared to the current one, and it seems you have to go through at least one additional level to access stuff (the sidebar menu is much more general). I look forward to some of the technical improvements, however. Thanks for all the effort you put in for us, Eric.

Cyndy - Posted - 09/05/2017:  10:53:17

Congratulations on the new version of the site! Nice design. i'm looking forward to exploring it.

Happy to beta test! No big deal, but I just tried to edit my profile (remove city) and I got a "Please use the form below to submit your account information" and "Your changes were not saved" error. 



Wishing you quick, obvious fixes for this and any other little glitches that get reported. :)

Thanks!!!

deestexas - Posted - 09/05/2017:  10:53:29

I like the color and design.  But I don't like giving up screen space to comments by friends -I can see them if I want to, but they clutter up the splash page.   I really like current listing of a dozen newest topics, rather than only four or five - even expanding the list is to maybe 10. I like to be able to  select what I want to read from this list and is not helpful for me.   Using a larger font reduces how much information can be on the screen.  

Old Hickory - Posted - 09/05/2017:  11:21:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by deestexas

I really like current listing of a dozen newest topics, rather than only four or five - even expanding the list is to maybe 10. I like to be able to  select what I want to read from this list and is not helpful for me. 

---

FYI:  The "More" link at the bottom of the short list lengthens the list -- and it does it right there without taking you to another page.  And if that expanded list isn't enough for you, the "More" link is still there and can expand the list to even more current topics than the current version gives you.

Yes, clicking the More link is one extra step, but I can't speed read the whole current list at once anyway and the new site's response to clicking "More" is faster than BHO has  ever been before.

I think this one is a plus.

bluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 09/05/2017:  11:26:35

It will feel kind of sad for me to post on the newer, unfamiliar website next week, but I feel that yes, a new design has been needed. It's most likely for the best.

I really enjoy how the new site looks, and the scrolling features, especially! Looks awesome! Great job!

Edited by - bluegrassbanjopicker on 09/05/2017 11:27:57

Old Hickory - Posted - 09/05/2017:  11:29:51

Text in the "quote" style in messages is too small and too faint.  What I perceive as faintness may be the color choice.

In choosing colors, please be aware that as many as 8 percent of men are colorblind -- or, more accurately, color deficient.  Most common is a red-green difficulty.

I can't tell the color of the new quoted text or the background screen tint over which it appears.  All I can tell is that I can barely see the text.

Colorblindness is a genuine accessbility issue.  There are free online color blindness simulation tools that let you upload images or pre-test web pages to see how they will be perceived by people who don't have normal color vision.

deestexas - Posted - 09/05/2017:  11:30:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by Old Hickory

FYI:  The "More" link at the bottom of the short list lengthens the list -- and it does it right there without taking you to another page.  And if that expanded list isn't enough for you, the "More" link is still there and can expand the list to even more current topics than the current version gives you.

Yes, clicking the More link is one extra step, but I can't speed read the whole current list at once anyway and the new site's response to clicking "More" is faster than BHO has  ever been before.

I think this one is a plus.

---

FYI:   I don't know about your computer or connection, but "more" link on the old site is quick, and expands (on the same page) to about twenty topics. 

rickhayes - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:06:56

The current New Media page has Videos, MP3s and Photos.  I don't see any photos on the proposed New Media page.

Old Hickory - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:08:54

I absolutely never noticed!

Still, I don't mind seeing only a few current topics if I can quickly expand the list in a click.

On both my desktop and laptop Macs, the old/current site has almost always been a bit sluggish.  Maybe this is a Mac-only issue.  Response to clicking "More" was faster than anything I had ever seen before.

I appreciate that reaction to the new desgin is subjective and that you or others have reasons not to like it.

My feeling is, I come to the Hangout for the content and camaraderie. As long as the design supports rather than impedes that, I'll keep coming.  I don't know yet whether I'll come to miss any features.

Old Hickory - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:13:06

Where is a link to the Hangout Weekly Newsletter archive? This should at least be in the "More" section in the left navigation column.

Lynne - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:14:18

On the check IP bolt the script that comes up is blue writing on a black background
Very hard to see.

rickhayes - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:19:37

Just looked on my homepage at the three reviews I posted. The name of the item reviewed is not shown.  I guess you can figure it out from reading the review but the item should be clearly stated right at the top.

schlange - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:19:39

Thanks for all the feedback everyone--keep it coming! I'll respond here as we tweak/fix specific things you've mentioned.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:40:10

Eric, I look forward to the new design! You seem to have beta testers a-plenty (and I hate testing so...) As with the bluegrass musicians changing a light bulb, there will always be those who think the old one was better. 

Lynne - Posted - 09/05/2017:  12:41:02

I like the looks of it on my iPhone. On the Simon slick topic there are 2 links, on my phone they run out of the screen. You can see them if you shift the screen left.

Will there be a place for the mods to see reports?

RB4picker - Posted - 09/05/2017:  13:38:15

I like it Eric. Easy to navigate and with a little looking around, all the familiar stuff seems to be there.

Very attractive site.

David

Badweld Banjo - Posted - 09/05/2017:  13:47:34

Eric,
Just went over it quickly and it looks very good to me.
Thanks

wizofos - Posted - 09/05/2017:  13:52:28

Did not find any links to my groups on your new design. 

Cyndy - Posted - 09/05/2017:  14:19:14

Under “Media” in the left menu, I think people would be more likely to view than post. Might be good to bring the most popular item (Newest Additions?) to the top and put the three “post” items at the bottom.

Under Media > Post MP3 Audio, the resulting screen shows instructions with black text on the dark brown background which is hard to read. Same for posting photos but post video looks great!

Tractor1 - Posted - 09/05/2017:  14:54:01

When I go to active topics ,seeing the person that posted last in a thread .tells me if it is new to me,more so than the program  going by  what the site  calls out as my  last visit.I hope you can squeeze  in the one that posted the latest.

Tractor1 - Posted - 09/05/2017:  15:11:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by deestexas

 

I like the color and design.  But I don't like giving up screen space to comments by friends -I can see them if I want to, but they clutter up the splash page.   I really like current listing of a dozen newest topics, rather than only four or five - even expanding the list is to maybe 10. I like to be able to  select what I want to read from this list and is not helpful for me.   Using a larger font reduces how much information can be on the screen.  

---

Yes on this laptop I would rather get rid of the sidebar ,when reading or posting ,thus giving them more space .I really have no need for the personal side bar.

canisminimus - Posted - 09/05/2017:  15:15:36

A problem with the "More" link: If you expand the list of topics using the "more" link and then read a topic, you can't get back to get expanded list.

This was not previously an issue on the iPhone.

On the old site you could click the back arrow and it would take you back to the list as expanded. 

What is odd is that in my desktop browser the old site behaved the same way (reverting to the initial list) and it drove me crazy. 

banjo_brad - Posted - 09/05/2017:  15:32:24

Sorry to be the negative one, but the colors are terrible, and the print is too small for these ancient eyes, even with readers.  It would be nice if I could set a default type size in my profile somewhere. It should be easy, since I only use a desktop iMac (27 inch screen).

Not sure I'm going to like it, but I'll give it a whirl for awhile.

Mark Douglas - Posted - 09/05/2017:  17:18:55

Oooooohhhhhh......LOL......

I'll never get used to the 21st century way of thinking.

It's always out with the old, in with the new.

It will take me some time...guess I'll get used to it.

banjered - Posted - 09/05/2017:  17:39:24

Some folks get along with major new and maybe me after a while. The red print is not as comfortable for my eyes. Have you consulted some "readability" expert regarding color and print for the new site? I also hope the new ads won't be  more in the way than the current set up which hardly bothers me at all. For example Apple has so twisted I-tunes into always steering you to their store that I-tunes is no longer useable by me and I never use it, ever. Their ads end up being counter-productive certainly for me and therefore probably for many others. I like the help section which addresses many common questions that arrise with BHO. I never have found out what most of the icons on "rich text" are for, hope that is addressed too. And maybe a section on how to post songs and tunes and videos.  I could have been posting those for years on BHO if I knew how. I have never volunteered for "tune of the week" because of my lack of computer skills which are based upon my lack of information.

Thanks for you dedication to BHO, Eric. banjered 

Banjophobic - Posted - 09/05/2017:  18:22:28

I love the new color scheme and fonts for the posting on the forums. Hopefully the new version will be more Ipad friendly, too. Thanks for the upgrade Eric. Oh, dont forget to provide the link to the chatroom. 

Edited by - Banjophobic on 09/05/2017 18:25:14

Nick Danger - Posted - 09/05/2017:  18:43:16

Sorry, but I like the current format better.  My philosophy:  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/05/2017:  19:12:27

I'll be honest. I don't like the new page. the new topics window is smaller and that is important to keeping up with the community. I don't see where I add content. There are too many clicks to get to things. I like seeing them all in front. And I don't need the selling emphasized so much. Maybe that is to make this more a sales page.

Old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Eric, I would like to understand what the changes were supposed to do better than they do  now. Maybe I can see the benefits it I understand that. Also I wonder if the chatroom will improve or have easier access than it has now.

And it does seem to be harder to keep up with comments from friends. I could not scroll down past the list on the left. Before I could see many more things on one page and it was easier to see what grabbed my fancy.

thanks,

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 09/05/2017 19:18:23

frailin - Posted - 09/05/2017:  19:26:33

One word:  AWESOME!  

Thank you, Eric for facilitating/connecting, educating and celebrating our amazing banjo community!  

CWB41 - Posted - 09/05/2017:  20:17:01

WAY to much RED.
cb

schlange - Posted - 09/05/2017:  20:22:27

A couple of you have mentioned the chatroom. Are people still using that? I've NEVER seen anyone in it every time I've checked in recent months. Was planning to let it die honorably. Would love to hear your thoughts. 

Tractor1 - Posted - 09/05/2017:  20:55:06

I think the chat room lost a lot of it's deserved appeal when it changed to google for 2 reasons .Some browsers made you jump through more hoops but most of all you could not see who was in there ahead of time anymore.

banjopickingbuddy - Posted - 09/05/2017:  22:41:34

Upgrade forum is a terrible ordeal for the tech staff and owners and it doesn't stop when the new look is up and running. all the add on bits and pieces that don't quite work, the search engine that doesn't search not to mention all the mod tools that have changed. We did a big one on our Invision platform last year on 30th of July and it took six months to get the site to work properly in the meantime we lost goodness knows how many frustrated members, really hope it goes well for you. 

Would really like to see a drag and drop attachment in the reply/quote box rather than add attachment from your profile, that is really very clunky and I am sure stops a lot of people adding interesting and pertinent attachments to their posts.

I like the layout and love the earth shades of the background but have to agree on the red text, red is a look at me color, would respectfully suggest the only place to use red text is to identify a moderator.  or administrator directly under his or her avatar, presently I see no color distinction between moderator and member on the present board text.   They are special people make them stand out and feel good

banjopickingbuddy - Posted - 09/05/2017:  22:50:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by schlange

 

A couple of you have mentioned the chatroom. Are people still using that? I've NEVER seen anyone in it every time I've checked in recent months. Was planning to let it die honorably. Would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

---

We had a chatroom facility for many years, no one ever used it so we took a member vote also a mod vote but so few even bothered to vote and we canned it in the end, been maybe three or five years now and no one missed it and no one complained it had gone.

No one wanted to use it, no one wanted to mod it and  its certainly no loss to the forum.

Mike Rowe - Posted - 09/06/2017:  03:30:53

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned.

Are we going to have the "dollar sign" button to quickly see what a person has for sale?

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/06/2017:  03:43:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by schlange

 

A couple of you have mentioned the chatroom. Are people still using that? I've NEVER seen anyone in it every time I've checked in recent months. Was planning to let it die honorably. Would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

---

I have met some great people and learned much from the chatroom. The reason I have not been on it recently was just too busy with a seasonal job which slows down soon. And it is not supported by firefox but it is by google chrome. so for me, I had hoped to use it again.

very much agree with the following statement by banjopickingbuddy:

"Would really like to see a drag and drop attachment in the reply/quote box rather than add attachment from your profile, that is really very clunky and I am sure stops a lot of people adding interesting and pertinent attachments to their posts."

thanks,

ken

lbartosh - Posted - 09/06/2017:  04:01:42

If there is a way to keep it operating I'd like to see the chat room stay. It was quite busy before google but still is now at times.  Maybe there's an alternate way to have it away from bho but it probably would never last long without members being aware that it existed. For me the current google set up works ok, it just lost a lot of people when it went to that format

fitch5string - Posted - 09/06/2017:  05:33:45

I love it Eric. Ive been hoping for a mobile version but this may work just as well. Thanks for your effort!

rgoad - Posted - 09/06/2017:  07:49:41

I like it layout for posts.  

The layout is better in portrait than landscape on iPhone 6.  

schlange - Posted - 09/06/2017:  08:19:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nick Danger

Sorry, but I like the current format better.  My philosophy:  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

---

Also my philosophy. As I tried to explain in the initial post, this new setup provides much better "bones" for us to build off of. Layout-wise things may still be a bit wacky as, in some cases, we've stuck the old layout onto the new bones. But it will evolve and improve as we build it out, trust me on that!

schlange - Posted - 09/06/2017:  08:21:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tractor1

I think the chat room lost a lot of it's deserved appeal when it changed to google for 2 reasons .Some browsers made you jump through more hoops but most of all you could not see who was in there ahead of time anymore.

---

I completely agree. I wish I could have found a better solution than Google Hangouts when the company hosting the old chatroom went belly-up. But there just weren't any decent solutions.

john bange - Posted - 09/06/2017:  08:26:05

the older I get, the less I like change but this change seems to be fine.  the older format was good too.  I seem to have had no trouble adjusting.  thanks for all the work.

Tradewinds Ted - Posted - 09/06/2017:  08:30:47

banjohangout.org/global/ckedit...png") no-repeat center rgb(255, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-radius: 0px 0px 2px 2px; top: -1px; width: 17px; height: 17px; right: 17px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; position: absolute; z-index: 9999; cursor: pointer; -ms-border-radius: 0px 0px 2px 2px;" title="Insert paragraph here" unselectable="on">↵

I also usually would rather not give up screen space to comments to friends.  I'm OK if it starts out as it is, if you at least would let me push that section out of the way or somehow minimize it to allow room to list a greater number of the newest topics before needing to click "more"

quote:

---

Originally posted by deestexas

 

I like the color and design.  But I don't like giving up screen space to comments by friends -I can see them if I want to, but they clutter up the splash page.   I really like current listing of a dozen newest topics, rather than only four or five - even expanding the list is to maybe 10. I like to be able to  select what I want to read from this list and is not helpful for me.   Using a larger font reduces how much information can be on the screen.  

---

Nick Danger - Posted - 09/06/2017:  08:59:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by schlange

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nick Danger

Sorry, but I like the current format better.  My philosophy:  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

---

Also my philosophy. As I tried to explain in the initial post, this new setup provides much better "bones" for us to build off of. Layout-wise things may still be a bit wacky as, in some cases, we've stuck the old layout onto the new bones. But it will evolve and improve as we build it out, trust me on that!

---

You're a VERY smart guy, Eric, and I'm sure that all the blood, sweat and tears you're pouring into this new effort will pay off handsomely.  Just because I'm an old fuddy-duddy doesn't mean I'm going anywhere when the new format is enacted; I can get used to anything, regardless of the amount of kicking and screaming exhibited by this sixty-year-old!

john bange - Posted - 09/06/2017:  09:56:05

not too hot on the phone

Nashvolk5 - Posted - 09/06/2017:  10:32:37

Could I make a suggestion? I know that it would be more difficult than it sounds, but it would be neat if the current version of the site was duplicated to another URL. That way, folks who aren't a fan of the new site can stick with the old one, but others can go to the new site and get all the new features and bug fixes. I, personally, love the new site and can't wait for the update, by the way. Thanks for all the time and work you've dedicated to this community, Eric!

Banjophobic - Posted - 09/06/2017:  11:10:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by schlange

 

A couple of you have mentioned the chatroom. Are people still using that? I've NEVER seen anyone in it every time I've checked in recent months. Was planning to let it die honorably. Would love to hear your thoughts. 

 

---

Eric

There is a hard core group of hangout chat folks. We have been loyal chatroom folks since there has been one. During the summer months it falls off because of our schedules, vacations, outdoor activity,etc. But by fall it ramps up to "normal" for us,. which is about 10-12 regular users. I for one really enjoy using the chat. The people in it are all good friends now. There is also great potential for using the chatroom for learning, like we used to in the old chatroom. My vote is to keep it, especially since its free, 

As an update, we had 6 in there around lunch time today

Edited by - Banjophobic on 09/06/2017 11:22:31

alfiedog - Posted - 09/06/2017:  12:03:59

Yep i agree with John about the chatroom issue. I for one never use it in the summer, but really enjoy dropping in during the autumn, and winter month's. Please dont get rid of it Eric. As for the new format i coudnt give a monkeys about changing it, i use my cell phone to speak to people, and my computer to go online..