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 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Banjo Hangout 5.0 Launch Feedback


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/334614

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schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  12:20:34


We've launched the redesigned Banjo Hangout and worked out the major kinks... but there are bound to be some bugs here and there.



If you come across an issue that needs fixing, please post it below so we can get it taken care of.



IMPORTANT: whenever possible, try to include the URL of the page you're referencing, as well as the browser and operating system you are using. (And if you have a screenshot you can share, that's a big plus as well.) This information makes our work much easier!



Why the Redesign?

Lots of folks have asked this. There are multiple reasons for this, but here are the big ones:




  1. Mobile users. More than half of our traffic comes from people on smartphones, and the old site, while usable on a phone, wasn't great. The new design gives smartphone users a much better experience.

  2. New feature capabilities: we have a lot of new features we'll be adding like real-time messaging between members and enhanced/simplified uploading. These sorts of features require a more modern "codebase", and that's what the new site has.

  3. A reshuffling of content: as the site has evolved, certain features have seen a lot of use, and others have seen very little. It was time to reorganize things to make the most important features the easiest to find and use.



Thanks everyone for your patience and feedback as we fine-tune BHO 5.0!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/14/2017:  12:31:04


Eric, I like the new design, it's easy to use once you figure out where everything is located.

One problem I have.... still have.... I can't use the rich text. I've cleaned out the catche in my computer, shut it down, turned it back on and I still can't seem to get it to work. It's probably something I'm doing wrong. Could you help me figure out what?
Thanks.

banjoman3 - Posted - 09/14/2017:  12:33:05


I adore the new look

rickhayes - Posted - 09/14/2017:  12:48:24


This isn't necessarily germane to only the new site, but wherever there ar links there needs to be something to click to report bad ones.  For example, I was recently perusing Lesson Links/Banjo Lessons/  Instrument Maintenance Setup/ Building a banjo.  There are 10 links listed. Four of them are duds, but there is nothing on the right side to click on to report them.  In fact, I'm jumping around to several other sub-pages of the Banjo Lesson page and don't see the ability to report any of them.

thisoldman - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:19:48


I have been following (and reading) about the changes on the website.  I find it fascinating that HO members are as passionate about their (yes,their) website as they are about their banjos.  What do I like so far? The page is "cleaner" and "brighter" which makes it easier for me to read.  Search box is bigger and brighter, so it is easier to see what you've type in. I like that when I sign in my friend feed pops up.  Media is there the main page -- I don't always go there, so it is a nice reminder that new media is available to watch/listen.   Pretty easy to navigate once you have learned how to get from one place to another 



I am sure those who post in the classified and our advertisers like the space they have been provided.  



Lastly, I like it when I hit the return key when typing in  a post it actually does a return instead of putting the cursor back at the beginning of the post. Thanks, Eric, for all that you are doing, and do, for this great banjo community.



 

Sleeked - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:42:45


The new site is fine but us "old timers" don't like change.
I had a number of tabs on my homepage and now can't find 'em
Where did they go?

fitch5string - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:46:41


Nice colors for a funeral home website....depressing.  I do not like the layout, pop-up menus (should be dropdown), difficult to read font and narrow center section that contains the actual forums.. It is buggy too, which I would expect on a  new website. I do like the way it looks on my iphone compared to the old one. Eric, is there a possibility that we could choose between this layout and the old one? Some forums I visit offer that option.

Jim Pankey - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:55:54


There seems to be a huge amount of blank space at the bottom of the forum pages.  I pretty often use the "end" key to navigate to the bottom of a page, but if I do that now I need to do 6 "page ups" to get back to the quick reply box.

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:57:41


quote:

Originally posted by Jim Pankey

 

There seems to be a huge amount of blank space at the bottom of the forum pages.  I pretty often use the "end" key to navigate to the bottom of a page, but if I do that now I need to do 6 "page ups" to get back to the quick reply box.






Yeah, this is a weird bug that showed up yesterday... something in the stylesheet. We're working on fixing it!

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  13:58:29


quote:

Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Eric, I like the new design, it's easy to use once you figure out where everything is located.



One problem I have.... still have.... I can't use the rich text. I've cleaned out the catche in my computer, shut it down, turned it back on and I still can't seem to get it to work. It's probably something I'm doing wrong. Could you help me figure out what?

Thanks.






Sure, when you tell me what operating system and browser you're using. wink



Also, a screenshot of what you're seeing would help!

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:00:04


quote:

Originally posted by Sleeked

The new site is fine but us "old timers" don't like change.

I had a number of tabs on my homepage and now can't find 'em

Where did they go?






I'm not sure what tabs you are talking about. Are these tabs you uploaded yourself?

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:03:11


quote:

Originally posted by fitch5string

 

Nice colors for a funeral home website....depressing.  I do not like the layout, pop-up menus (should be dropdown), difficult to read font and narrow center section that contains the actual forums.. It is buggy too, which I would expect on a  new website. I do like the way it looks on my iphone compared to the old one. Eric, is there a possibility that we could choose between this layout and the old one? Some forums I visit offer that option.






No, we won't be offering the choice between layouts.



Re: the narrow center section--working on a fix for that. It all comes down to your screen size--at different sizes, different elements are hidden or visible, and elements change width as well. My guess is you're on a small enough screen that the left and right columns still show up, but they are crowding the center column. 



As for the colors... I changed them again today, so hit Ctrl+R to make sure you've got the latest. It's not as bold in terms of color as the previous site... that may change as we evolve.



Re: popup menus... the old site had popup menus too. These are just larger and more organized. wink

deestexas - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:13:57


I find it distressing that the main reason I come to the hangout -to check  the newest topics in the forums - gets so little space on the home page.  Approximately 1/6th of the center screen space - and even less if you include the navigation sidebar on the left and the largely irrelevant comments from friends on the right.     The ipad and iphone versons are better in that the sidebars are absent.   I know I can use the "MORE" button, but ....... 


Edited by - deestexas on 09/14/2017 14:16:10

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:20:34


quote:

Originally posted by deestexas

I find it distressing that the main reason I come to the hangout -to check  the newest topics in the forums - gets so little space on the home page.  Approximately 1/6th of the center screen space - and even less if you include the navigation sidebar on the left and the largely irrelevant comments from friends on the right.     The ipad and iphone versons are better in that the sidebars are absent.   I know I can use the "MORE" button, but ....... 






I just bumped it up to 7 (from 5) topics in the list. We're working on redesigning the homepage completely, so this may change again!

CWB41 - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:41:31


How can I get rid of the friends ( largely irrelevant) comments on the right side of the pages??
cb

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 09/14/2017:  14:51:00


When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 



Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:27:55


Sorry, Eric, that I didn't give you enough information. I'm on a PC and I'm using Chrome, Windows 7. When I click on the rich text box, nothing happens, the text doesn't bold and no icons come up like they did on the other rich text. I can't make URLs usable, I can't edit, I can't do anything but use the plain text. No use to put up a screen shot because all it would show is a blank for text and the "plain text" in bold and the "rich text" in normal print.

Lynne - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:28:42


Is there an icon showing the classified link on posts?

RevSpyder - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:34:52


I don't like the friend feed taking up space on the right side -- is there some way I can close/opt out of it?

Mac OS Sierra/Chrome

banjo_brad - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:35:12


I still wish the text in the posts used darker type.



By the way (there it goes again), when I use "command B" to toggle between bold type and non-bold type here in a comment, it bounces back and forth and I have no control over going into or out off bold by going back and selecting the sections to put in each.



I am running OSX El Capitan on an iMac (don't do mobile) and using Chrome.  



 



OK, and now it won't let me go back to the stream after posting my reply.  I admit, I "liked" 2 posts, but even using the back key (command back-arrow) many times, I'm still stuck in the Rich Text quick reply composer.  I'm also getting that large blank space at the bottom of the page when I use the "end" key.



 

banjo_brad - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:40:54


Keeps taking me back to the editor each time I try to leave the topic, although I did get to where I could delete the multiple reposts of my comment. Seems like I'm stuck in "Compose quick reply" mode. This happened once before on the forum, a few years back.

This reply is in plain text, and I think that used to work ok, we'll see if it works this time.

banjo_brad - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:41:09


Keeps taking me back to the editor each time I try to leave the topic, although I did get to where I could delete the multiple reposts of my comment. Seems like I'm stuck in "Compose quick reply" mode. This happened once before on the forum, a few years back. This reply is in plain text, and I think that used to work ok, we'll see if it works this time.



Nope!

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:45:41


quote:

Originally posted by CWB41

 

How can I get rid of the friends ( largely irrelevant) comments on the right side of the pages??

cb






You can be a meanie and delete your friends. cheeky



Actually, if you click the little gear for FriendFeed settings on your Friends page, you'll be taken to this page. If you uncheck all of those items and save changes, your FriendFeed will go away.



Eventually we'll have other info over there, like a list of currently online friends so you can chat with them 1 on 1. The idea is for that area to be the "what's happening with people you care about" spot.

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:47:54


quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

 

When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 



Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457






I know this may be a silly question, but... you tried scrolling down? Testing it over here, on a small enough screen size it will turn your view into a 1-column layout, with your first video on top, then the rest of your videos below that if you scroll down. It all works fine for me.

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:48:45


quote:

Originally posted by Lynne

Is there an icon showing the classified link on posts?






Not at this time.

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  15:49:20


quote:

Originally posted by RevSpyder

I don't like the friend feed taking up space on the right side -- is there some way I can close/opt out of it?



Mac OS Sierra/Chrome






Yes, see my reply to CWB41 above.

fitch5string - Posted - 09/14/2017:  16:47:27


quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by fitch5string

 

Nice colors for a funeral home website....depressing.  I do not like the layout, pop-up menus (should be dropdown), difficult to read font and narrow center section that contains the actual forums.. It is buggy too, which I would expect on a  new website. I do like the way it looks on my iphone compared to the old one. Eric, is there a possibility that we could choose between this layout and the old one? Some forums I visit offer that option.






No, we won't be offering the choice between layouts.



Re: the narrow center section--working on a fix for that. It all comes down to your screen size--at different sizes, different elements are hidden or visible, and elements change width as well. My guess is you're on a small enough screen that the left and right columns still show up, but they are crowding the center column. 



As for the colors... I changed them again today, so hit Ctrl+R to make sure you've got the latest. It's not as bold in terms of color as the previous site... that may change as we evolve.



Re: popup menus... the old site had popup menus too. These are just larger and more organized. wink






 



The colors are much better Eric. Why does the right side of my screne show when someone posts a classified rating for someone?

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  16:50:34


Cliff--you can change which friend activity shows up on your FriendFeed settings page.

deestexas - Posted - 09/14/2017:  16:53:42


There is a problem with the option to report an inappropriate video.   When I try that link, I get a messed up screen.  Nothing can be moved or changed, including what I assume to the page for entering information. 

fitch5string - Posted - 09/14/2017:  16:55:35


quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 

Cliff--you can change which friend activity shows up on your FriendFeed settings page.






Thanks Eric. Without saving the link to that page, where is the link or button tio access it? Its not showing up when I click on the gear.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 09/14/2017:  17:26:18


quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

 

When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 



Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457






I know this may be a silly question, but... you tried scrolling down? Testing it over here, on a small enough screen size it will turn your view into a 1-column layout, with your first video on top, then the rest of your videos below that if you scroll down. It all works fine for me.






Of course I tried scrolling down. The screen is all white. And I'm watching it on a large monitor.

Smelly Old Gibby - Posted - 09/14/2017:  18:08:54


I am on a Macbook Pro.  Initially, my homepage was difficult to find, until I saw my icon in the upper right.  However, this icon is hidden on most of the BHO sub-pages.  I can scroll the page down to see my icon, but when I let go of the scroll the icon for my homepage tucks-up under the web browser bar.  The only way I can access is to go back to the BHO main page.  



I consider myself to be fairly savvy, but  the navigation is difficult.  I am sure you are working through some issues, so I want to reserve judgment until you get things worked-out.


Edited by - Smelly Old Gibby on 09/14/2017 18:09:37

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 09/14/2017:  19:09:51


Eric, It is getting better each day but several places (one is when you attach and mps) and it asks if you want to add more music. Where it asks, it has dark blue lettering against a black background and very hard to see.



thanks,



ken

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  20:43:58


quote:

Originally posted by Baltimonkey

 

I am on a Macbook Pro.  Initially, my homepage was difficult to find, until I saw my icon in the upper right.  However, this icon is hidden on most of the BHO sub-pages.  I can scroll the page down to see my icon, but when I let go of the scroll the icon for my homepage tucks-up under the web browser bar.  The only way I can access is to go back to the BHO main page.  



I consider myself to be fairly savvy, but  the navigation is difficult.  I am sure you are working through some issues, so I want to reserve judgment until you get things worked-out.






That's pretty odd behavior that I haven't seen yet. Can you post a screenshot?


schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  20:46:07


quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

 
quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

 

When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 



Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457






I know this may be a silly question, but... you tried scrolling down? Testing it over here, on a small enough screen size it will turn your view into a 1-column layout, with your first video on top, then the rest of your videos below that if you scroll down. It all works fine for me.






Of course I tried scrolling down. The screen is all white. And I'm watching it on a large monitor.






Can you post a screenshot of what you're seeing?


Landcrab - Posted - 09/14/2017:  22:33:17


On HTC phone running android 4.4.2 with chrome the left hand side ribbon stays on the screen obliterating everything else.  It goes away sometimes but not for long.  The ad photos will sometime overlap it.



banjohangout.org/photo/228921


Edited by - Landcrab on 09/14/2017 22:34:35

schlange - Posted - 09/14/2017:  23:12:44


quote:

Originally posted by Landcrab

 

On HTC phone running android 4.4.2 with chrome the left hand side ribbon stays on the screen obliterating everything else.  It goes away sometimes but not for long.  The ad photos will sometime overlap it.



banjohangout.org/photo/228921






Thanks for the screenshot! This is a weird bug we're working on fixing. 


Fretting Fingers - Posted - 09/15/2017:  03:44:30


Ok, unless I am missing it, there is one thing that I do miss and would make a suggestion to add. When someone posts a banjo they wanted to sell, there was a dollar bill sign that would take you to the information page for the instrument, it was fast and simple. If I am missing it, if someone would be kind enough to point it out to me? If it isn't there any longer in the new format, I would suggest to add it back. Thanks


Dave

Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/15/2017:  04:45:36


Eric, rich text is working fine now.  Thank you very much!

Joel Hooks - Posted - 09/15/2017:  05:51:38


Hi Eric, I like the redesign and think you are providing a fantastic service/product.

When I am signed in I am getting (I presume) Google Ads at the top of the page. Did the Union benefit of no ads go away with the redesign?

Thanks, -Joel

FlyinEagle - Posted - 09/15/2017:  06:10:12


Eric,





I think the change is quite nice, including the colors.  The site was way overdue for an update…



BUT…the pop-up menus are extremely frustrating.  If the mouse accidently strays into the menu bar on the left, then boom, big giant green menu pops up.  Can the pop-ups be made into drop downs instead?  Or maybe reduced in size?



As others have been saying, that the page real estate for the actual forum is pretty narrow (which in turn makes it really easy to accidently trigger the pop-up menus).

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 09/15/2017:  06:45:11


quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg



 
quote:

Originally posted by schlange



 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg



 

When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 


 

Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457


 



 

I know this may be a silly question, but... you tried scrolling down? Testing it over here, on a small enough screen size it will turn your view into a 1-column layout, with your first video on top, then the rest of your videos below that if you scroll down. It all works fine for me.


 



 

Of course I tried scrolling down. The screen is all white. And I'm watching it on a large monitor.


 



 

Can you post a screenshot of what you're seeing?


 




Well, I've taken a screenshot, but I haven't a clue how to post it here.



I'm going to try to paste a link here, but I doubt that this will work: Nope - that didn't work.



I'm trying again: Nope, that didn't work either.


Edited by - Marc Nerenberg on 09/15/2017 06:59:27

WayneConrad - Posted - 09/15/2017:  07:02:50


quote:

Originally posted by Joel Hooks

 

Hi Eric, I like the redesign and think you are providing a fantastic service/product.



When I am signed in I am getting (I presume) Google Ads at the top of the page. Did the Union benefit of no ads go away with the redesign?



Thanks, -Joel






 



I second this.  One way to make it better would be to make the secondary menus activated by mouse click instead of by rollover.

Chadbanjo - Posted - 09/15/2017:  07:33:10


Things seems to be settling in fine. One thing im not sure has been addressed or maybe its in a new spot and haven't found it yet..



When going to the media section their use to be the newly uploaded pictures on the right side, i liked the random mess of pictures.

schlange - Posted - 09/15/2017:  07:33:57


Yeah, pics aren't there yet... but we'll show them somewhere, somehow. It's on the list!

caedenspa - Posted - 09/15/2017:  07:42:29


New look is fine, EXCEPT for the classifieds. The old version if you clicked classifieds the first thing you saw was banjos, glorious banjos. Now you have this huge white advanced search thing, and then you scroll down and get all of the classifieds, not just banjos. Yeah, I can go and click and click and find and click to get to just banjos, but it's not nearly as elegant and inviting as the old way.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 09/15/2017:  08:17:00


quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg

 
quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg



 
quote:

Originally posted by schlange



 
quote:

Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg



 

When I try to browse my own video library, using the view all videos function, I can only see the video at the top of each of the 3 pages of videos that I have - and even that is only the top part of that entry.I'm using Chrome on a Mac. 


 

Here's a link to the first of my three video pages: banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...rID=47457


 



 

I know this may be a silly question, but... you tried scrolling down? Testing it over here, on a small enough screen size it will turn your view into a 1-column layout, with your first video on top, then the rest of your videos below that if you scroll down. It all works fine for me.


 



 

Of course I tried scrolling down. The screen is all white. And I'm watching it on a large monitor.


 



 

Can you post a screenshot of what you're seeing?


 




Well, I've taken a screenshot, but I haven't a clue how to post it here.



I'm going to try to paste a link here, but I doubt that this will work: Nope - that didn't work.



I'm trying again: Nope, that didn't work either.






So what I've done now is take a photo of my monitor, and posted that as an attachment. It's as close as I can come to posting a "screenshot". I hope this helps you to see the problem. Thanks

mbuk06 - Posted - 09/15/2017:  09:15:34


I agree with Ken, that the new look site is improving every day. it's a big improvement on the previous version all credit to Eric.

Nice touch that the L/H panel has evolved from the flat 100% black to having a hint of wood grain and the logo colour changed to tie-in. And the active hyperlink text is now a complementing red/brown.

The pink text background has evolved to a more restful grey too which pleases me. Yes, us designers with our obsessive attention to visual detail do notice these things and they do make a difference.

Sleeked - Posted - 09/15/2017:  09:21:50


quote:

Originally posted by schlange

 
quote:

Originally posted by Sleeked

The new site is fine but us "old timers" don't like change.

I had a number of tabs on my homepage and now can't find 'em

Where did they go?






I'm not sure what tabs you are talking about. Are these tabs you uploaded yourself?






I had a little library on my site of tabs I had selected from the main page that I liked and was playing.they've all disappeared and I can't find them anywhere.it's a big miss to me.There's nothing on my page now

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 09/15/2017:  10:29:07


When I mouse over the number of likes on the player, the details don't show up.

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