VNC in 3.2

[marklcfc]

http://community.invisionpower.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=blogentry&attach_id=29516

I didn't want to flood the blog with complaints. But I prefer the old tabs over the new filter bar. And I disliked the tabs. Back when 3.0 was made, the new VNC was a disaster but it got fixed due to the amount of complaints.

Looking at the latest blog something is not right with the new VNC image, there are no or images for a start.

Filter bar looks nice but it shouldn't be there. Too many time period options, which wouldn't be a problem if it was at the bottom of VNP invisible unless clicked to see the options, like the filter bar at the bottom of forums in 3.1.

There is only 3 columns now, the column of the topic title has 3 lines of info now due to a lack of columns (thanks to the new filter bar taking up space) so its all squeezed under there. Problem is its better to view a list of topics without an overload of info underneath each one in between topics. At present we just have the topic title and then the topic description if there is one, why change that for the inclusion of a filter bar alone? That is quite damaging IMO. You should have just kept the bar at the bottom

Some great changes have been made for 3.2 but it is quite clear that some changes have been made for the sake of it. I'm now concerned about what normal forums will look like.

I've never been a fan of VNC, I've missed view new posts since the old 2.x series, but I would much rather keep the current VNC look than the new one. Has anyone any thoughts or is it just me that isn't impressed? <_<

[Rikki]

New posts are still indicated, and you can still click through to get to newest posts. But in my screenshot I've read all those topics.

[Donkerrood]

Looking at the latest blog something is not right with the new VNC image, there are no [img]

[/img] or [img]

[/img] images for a start.

This is the only point I agree on with you, but apparently this is already fixed.

For the other points: I like the new look and feel of the VNC, as it is much more user friendly. Those options that are hidden most of the time remain unknown to the users, who then complain that the options aren't there.

:thumbsup: for the new style.

[Nityananda]

Must admit, I like the look of the new design too. Gives far more flexability with the way in which you view new topics.

Would like to add new all with no reply function though. This I think is a big one that a lot like to see.

[marklcfc]

Do you guys actually think the second image is better? Apart from having a cleaner design, too much info is squashed under the first column and it doesn't feel like a forum so much.

I hope the forum view hasnt been changed to something similar, cause I'll have no option but to stick with 3.1 or try alternative software.

[Charles]

There are some tweaks I would like to make to the second image but, yes, I think the overall usability is way better in the second one.

As the blog said: you're looking at pre-release screenshots. I really wouldn't get all :frantics: at this point :)

[marklcfc]

Ok but I think IPB is going in a different direction to what my site requires. Shame because I'm a massive fan of some of the new features.

[Charles]

You can make such a sweeping determination from one screenshot from an alpha build?

[marklcfc]

You can make such a sweeping determination from one screenshot from an alpha build?

Numerous screenshots has given me a good idea which way you're going and its not going to be good for busy sites like mine, too much change to the norm.

[Charles]

Well if a side-column in view new content would be that catastrophic to your community then I'm sure you can easily skin it back to the old style tabs, drop down menus, and collection of icons if that's your preference.

[marklcfc]

It's not just that. Clearly forum view is going to look similar to VNC as well which isn't good. Online users are being changed, pretty much everything is being changed from the way people know and want forums to work. The admins may be impressed with what you're doing but will the average user? That's the way I look at it.

I'm very interested to see what happens when you release it and people upgrade their sites anyway. I hope I'm wrong and it's very successful as I've always used Invision.

[Charles]

It's not just that. Clearly forum view is going to look similar as well which isn't good. Online users are being changed, pretty much everything is being changed from the way people want forums to work.

I'm interested to see what happens when you release it and people upgrade their sites, thats for sure.

You're really, really overreacting :lol:

Online users are a list of online users. How could we change that? Plus we haven't shown what it looks like yet so not sure how you can determine you dislike online users. To prove my point, I'll go ahead and break our rule of not showing previews. Here is online users in 3.2:



I really don't think it is worthy of a declaration of hatred ;)

We also haven't shown forum view yet so again I'm not sure how you can make a determination on that.

I'm confuzzled I am :blink:

[bfarber]

Online users aren't "being changed". We've simply decoupled the statistics from the online users box at the bottom of the page so that the online users area can extend the entire width of the page.

Here, you are making assumptions based on screenshots you HAVEN'T seen. Just because we said "it changed" in a topic does not mean it's for the worse, or that it's a drastic change.

[marklcfc]

You're really, really overreacting :lol:

Online users are a list of online users. How could we change that? Plus we haven't shown what it looks like yet so not sure how you can determine you dislike online users. To prove my point, I'll go ahead and break our rule of now showing previews. Here is online users in 3.2:

[img]

[/img]

I really don't think it is worthy of a declaration of hatred ;)

We also haven't shown forum view yet so again I'm not sure how you can make a determination on that.

I'm confuzzled I am :blink:

Maybe but I'm just voicing my concerns, theres no hatred just after the best for my site and I'm not sure some of the changes would be for the better.

Online list - are the board stats underneath then, as in 2.3? I can see you've added a cut off option, assume that is optional.

As for forum view, you're not going to have a list of forum topics different to the list in VNC surely?

Online users aren't "being changed". We've simply decoupled the statistics from the online users box at the bottom of the page so that the online users area can extend the entire width of the page.

http://community.invisionpower.com/topic/278834-ip3/page__p__1769646#entry1769646

2008 I suggested that. :whistle:

[Charles]

You see we added a cut off option? Where do you see that? Because we didn't :)

I'm again a bit confused. You are talking about how you don't want VNC changed from how it is in 3.1 but then you said "you're not going to have a list of forum topics different to the list in VNC surely" - which is exactly how it is in 3.1. Forum view and VNC view are different in 3.1. They will be different in 3.2 too. So in this case I would assume you would be pleased :)

[marklcfc]

You see we added a cut off option? Where do you see that? Because we didn't :)

I'm again a bit confused. You are talking about how you don't want VNC changed from how it is in 3.1 but then you said "you're not going to have a list of forum topics different to the list in VNC surely" - which is exactly how it is in 3.1. Forum view and VNC view are different in 3.1. They will be different in 3.2 too. So in this case I would assume you would be pleased :)

I thought the see full list meant you wouldn't show all users, I can see thats replaced last click or member name now.

They're only slightly different in 3.1, identical apart from one more forum column in VNC. I'm just guessing but I imagine you've cut down on the columns.

[Donkerrood]

Online users are being changed, pretty much everything is being changed from the way people know and want forums to work. The admins may be impressed with what you're doing but will the average user? That's the way I look at it.

In my view, IPS is making an upgrade users have been waiting for for a long time: a logical and easy to use front end. For example, the interface of the like-functionality and notifications will be much more along the way most of my forum-users use the internet (i.e. Facebook). I think that is the way to go, instead of staying with the typical forum-layout that is becoming a bit old-fashioned IMHO... :rolleyes:

[crabpaws]

I didn't want to flood the blog with complaints. But I prefer the old tabs over the new filter bar. And I disliked the tabs....

Agree with marklcfc on the tabs 200%.

He also has excellent points about the radical departure from the highly readable forum model and the lack of need for this complexity on simpler sites.

I've got a lot of questions about the functionality of this design in

I'm going to wait to see if 3.2 will include an ACP option to turn off the side panel altogether for VNC and revert to the old two-click VNC (with technical improvements) before I decide not to buy it.