Bug thread
Someone wanted me to ask you guys to complain about the new format – the things you like and don’t like about it. The reason I went to a front page type of blog is so that I can tell what you’re reading and what you’re skipping over – it’s to make the blog more responsive to what interests you. It’s not some secret plan to get more clicks – how that would benefit me, I don’t know. All that matters in terms of traffic, is your first click that brings you here.
That default picture, is me in Panama. Someone took it from the skid of a helicopter that was extracting us. I could lie and tell you that it was during some secret operation against Communists, but then you’d notice the blank adapter. That’s my buddy, Bob Nagy, flipping the bird, and my roomie Freddie Brooks behind him. You can always spot me in Panama, because I’m always drenched in sweat. I think we’d just got done hacking out an LZ when that picture was taken;
There are things about the new blog that irritate me, too, and I’m not saying that I’m going to fix everything you don’t like, but I’ll change what I can so you feel at home again.
Category: Administrative
Open a new Monkress/Wickre thread.
+1
If you could find a way where we could just +1 a comment instead of replying to it where we agree – I think it would save time and reading where we just want to say Hear Hear!!!
I agree on the upvote downvote thing. I really enjoy those. Lets me skip to what I need to see.
Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons *would* be cool.
And possibly a numerical identifier to rate varying levels of “dirtbagginess” w/ respect to posers.
I agree, the upvote, downvote thingee.
Agreed. I like that idea.
+1 or [pic of thumbs up] to ChipNASA’s suggestion.
I agree with this, too
I don’t agree. I know I say a lot of dumb shit. I don’t want to know that y’all think it’s stupid also.
It doesn’t mean we don’t love you and care about you extremely much.
But wouldn’t a ‘thumbs down’ give you a wonderful opportunity to milk the snarkiness for all it’s worht?
First day back and I totally forgot about the new layout coming in March and the first, I mean, the FIRST thing, I see is Green Thumb is dicking Phildo and Psul.
I seriously snorted out laughter!!
Good jerb!!
I think almost 4,000 posts. They must hold the record.
Took a sec to get used to the new layout, other than that, no problems noted.
I have a mac and use safari. When I click on a story link, it pops up a new window that opens a message window asking me to “clean my mac”. You have to close the message window before you can close the new window. It does this even though the pop-up blocker is on.
I would like to see more of the story before I click. getting the first few lines does not give me enough info to see if it is worth reading. Mainly when i’m on my iPhone at work.
Thanks for asking. I’m fine with it even though it didn’t “fix” my problem with the older version: keeping up with the posers. I read this as much for the comedy gold in the comments as for the articles. I look to see if there are new comments but they go by so fast that only the last hour or so are shown…maybe. By then, I can’t remember what you called the poser (Round Ranger/Marine, etc) and I cant find the sucker. Maybe I’m doing it wrong and there’s a better system for keeping track?
There have been several mentions of comment #’s and that would be nice.
Thanks for TAH, no matter the “look”.
Have noted one bug, one thing that may need tweaking, and have two observations.
Bug: the comments count is sometimes off by one (one higher than actual) – but not always. Not a big deal, and not IMO worth a big effort to fix.
Tweak: on my system, in articles the color of links (med/dark blueish-grey) is damn near identical to the color of an article’s text. Authors can manually correct for this by making the text for a link a different color, but there might be a way to change the default color for links (or set them to italics or underlined) so that readers can clearly see linked items.
Two observations:
1. I personally prefer the old order for comments (chronological) vice the new embedded/threaded replies. The embedded reply ordering means you have to scan through all the comments to see any new ones. The previous method let a reader pick up from the last comment he/she had previously read. Personal preference, but just thought I’d mention it. No biggie.
2. Site seems a bit slower as well.
All in all, not a bad transition.
The reason for the count being off is usually because there are Facebook comments in the count. That’s a change from the old format because we hijacked the FB comments box, now it’s fully integrated.
That would explain it – thanks. Hadn’t caught that.
The background color in the comments on my monitor appears to be a dark khaki, with the typeface a dark gray.
I don’t have trouble reading it, but there are others whose eyesight is no longer perfect and who will have trouble reading the print copy.
It might be a good idea to lighten the khaki by a one-step shade, to make it easier for them to read.
I don’t find that the calendar slows the site down. I find that it only slows down when someone hits ‘submit’ on a comment at the same time I do.
Otherwise, while it took some getting used to, I’m good with it.
Almost forgot this: for the record, I’m on an older browser with an ancient computer, and a newer monitor that I bought a year ago, but I have no difficulties navigating now, with the calendar in place.
And my number 3 key sticks on my new keyboard. It gives me something to pound. I will enjoy it.
A follow-up question: the Facebook comments used to be visible on the blog page. Are they still visible here, and if so – where?
Disregard – found one article with a Facebook comment, and they’re still showing up like they did previously. (I run my other “system locked” down enough re: scripts that it never shows Facebook comments, so I didn’t see that on the other machine.)
Links to other stories or threads aren’t obvious enough. Maybe change the typeface to BOLD CAPS or something, to make the linkage more obvious?
In the old format, the links were bold type in blue, which made the shortcuts obvious to the viewer. Here, they’re less obvious.
Just an observation, not a criticism.
No problems on my ASUS notebook or my Acer desktop.
The site’s fine and looks great. I especially like the “reply” option.
Oh, there is one thing: My old eyes would like more contrast between the lettering and the background.
Ditto on what SJ said.
+1
+1
What Hondo said in his para 1 re chronological and contrast. He said it more better than me.
I’ll all of what SJ is having and #1 on Hondo’s plate, please.
Second all of the above.
Two comments:
1. When I use the BlackBerry all the sections are stacked on top of each other. I am always on the run and do most of my bloggerisms via BlackBerry.
2. I don’t adapt to change well so there are several other minor things driving me crazy about the site!
Specify, MCPO.
Have. That’s the word that belongs between “I’ll” and “all” in comment number…um, in letter….um
I’m use to the new layout already so I have no complaints but maybe a suggestion. Have a way to view all the recent comments not just the most recent 6 (I’m using an android phone to view now so I only see the recent 6 haven’t seen it from a computer yet.) But with the ability to reply to comments now is awesome but without receiving an email or something to let you know someone replied to your comment you can miss it unless you reread all the comments or check back very often.
That’s all I have but I’m female so you know how much we love to make “suggestions” on what you men can change. Sure I’ll have more later. Haha!
Oh! And maybe a “super secret squirrels” member’s only area. You know for people who you have vetted or that you know who they are. Just to make it easier for people to contact each other without having to ask you powers that be to exchange our emails for us.
See, told ya I’d have more.
I like it so far. Use it at work and home and sometimes on my android phone with no issues.
The comments are still numbered? I don’t see the numbers, it’s just one long string stacked on each other. I do see where you have to click to sorta change the page to view all the comments. It’s no longer one continuing string. If that makes any sense to anyone.
Val: just below an article’s title is a line in smaller print that says “## comments”. That’s what I was referring to. The individual comments for a given article no longer seem to have visible numbers.
Oh, thanks doll.
The default picture threw me a bit, but other than hating change, it looks good. Accessing from a new Yoga 2 Pro laptop and it loads quickly, so no issues there. It looks like this browser still didn’t eliminate the pop ups (that I know help offset the cost).
This string reminds me of the old days (i.e., last week). Everyone gets busy on a thread and it all makes sense. And then, when one of us wants to pop over to another, uh oh.
agree
The only reason that there are only ten “recent comments” is because more make the whole thing slow down. You’ve probably noticed that it’s already slower than it used to be, and I’m trying not to slow it down too much with bells and whistles. That’s one of the reasons the “Blog Roll” is on it’s own page now.
The “Search” function draws from Google searches, too, but if you scroll down, you’ll see the blog searches. I just searched on “Round Ranger” and there he was.
Re the picture: isn’t the 4th guy the Lenoir Round Ranger?
I like it.
Especially the fact I can reply to myself.
Is that because you think no one listens, GT?
I like the reply button a lot, and I do not mind scanning back through the posts to find something.
Not really.
I am just a little slow so sometimes my words and thoughts take a while to come to fruition.
Progression versus randomization.
There is a method to the madness.
I like it, it’s easier to navigate on my phone.
Just for contrast, I also use an iMac and Safari and I haven’t had any problems with pop-ups on this site. I have had problems with pop-ups that linger with other sites until I close them but they don’t prevent me from doing anything.
Love the new look, BTW
Okay, I found one answer for myself to ease up the navigation issues. Every time I am done in a thread, I click the “This Ain’t Hell” banner and start from scratch. It is there that I finally found the “Next page” button too.
I’m glad you found it. I had replied to and answered your question on another thread. I found it completely on accident.
Good! I went looking for where we were talking about it earlier, and forgot where that was, so had not seen if you’d found it.
Guess I need to start writing down anything that I want to follow, or click that infernal button to have it email me when there is a response. If that option is still there. 😉
I like it Jonn. Especially the reply button.
+1 to the Reply button.
I’ve come across a couple videos that tell me “plug in not supported”. Anyone know what this is and how to fix it?
Better contrast between the text and the background is definitely needed, and having the primary replies numbered would be nice.
Otherwise, other than really disliking digital camo I think the site looks nicely updated.
I like the reply feature.
Numbering the comments is useful on this blog, as we have so many long comment threads, and numbering makes it easier to refer back and forth.
So far, the search function has not worked for me – at least not from my office computer – I just get a blank white page. I need to remember to check my home computer to see if I’m having the same issue. Sounds like others are not having this issue; maybe it’s a setting on my office computer?
I also get a blank white page if I use the ‘search’ function.
If I use it in Google, it takes me out of the blog to a new link to what I searched for.
Is that how it’s supposed to work?
Also, I found it simpler to put TAH in my ‘favorites’ section. Then I can just open a new tab or window and I’m here.
Where’s the comment count located? I use an iPad and I can’t see it. I like to use to keep track of where I left off on the thread. Also, the ability to “favorite” a thread would let the reader have instant access to the threads they want to follow.
Hyperlinks in the text need to be visually different than the text. I have problems findIng the source alot.
Your house your rules, I may be (in fact I am) a long winded, opinionated old fart but I am well mannered enough to be polite to the folks who allow me into their place and invite me to speak….
I like the site and have no issues with any of my devices…a little change is a like a sea breeze for the brain, at first it smells different but after a bit you realize that’s a good thing.
My bug is that I can’t add recipes to the recipe tab, dammit!!
Maybe a link in that tab to a new ‘Recipes’ thread would be in order?
Like it. It’s a tighter format. It’s easier for me to see more posts at once if I miss a day or two, rather than having to jump to the bottom.
My favorite part of the new layout is that VWP is having problems commenting here.
vwpissinpants probably can’t even find it, Twist.
Sorry, I do not like the new format. Not enough information on each story to get me to click through. I like the old format of having at least 2 paragraphs and maybe a picture per story on the main page.
Jonn, I appreciate the new blog and I know a lot of hard work went into it.
I like the Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down idea.
The only thing I REALLY miss…are the comment numbers. For some reason I could backtrack and go forward based on them and found them helpful. This is just my opinion and my only desire if it were possible. I understand that with the new Reply to a Post feature, comment numbers could be a hard thing to implement.
In the end, all things considered, it is a good site and I thank you for it.
Maybe the thumbs up could be a Green Thumb?
Only if the “Down Thumb” is brown . . . . (smile)
Have to echo most everyone here.
1. Miss the numbers for the posts. Its hard to follow the treads one posts in especially long ones with over 1000 comments. Its time consuming to re-read two pages back to figure out where you left off.
2. The colour scheme is hard on the eyes after a while so maybe lighten the text block backround.
The search bar is difficult to navigate, especially for new followers. For example, when reading comments that refer to a subject, i.e. Wickre, there are sooo many threads to try to find the first one and then go from there. If you don’t know when the article originally was posted then you wind up skipping around so much and get confused. Well at least for me. So maybe make a section of the most popular threads in a chronicled order so folks can get caught up and know what the regulars are chatting about and not feel left out because you have no idea what is going on.
3. One last thing, when you read an article from the archives, if there are multiple pages of comments, you have to click backwards many times to get to the first page of comments. Kind of weird that it doesn’t start on the first page but the last.
All minor things..over all getting used to the new arrangement. Nice Job to you and your team.
Hmm after re-reading my comment, maybe if its possible, in the archives, title the original thread and then at the bottom put links for the other threads?
There’s a new blog format??? Weird… I still see things the old way. Must be my TRaSh 80 formatting.
Jonn, by the way, nice Panama photo. Take high heat, all the time, plus 100% humidity and Tarzan would sweat! Thanks Jonn, great photo.
Jungle School was a dual mission.
Worked on the LOC’s along the coast and got a short course for our effort.
We decided that if the enemy really liked the jungle they could keep it.
Did some most excellent demo while there.
The biggest problem I have with the new format is that unlike the previous one, it works on the computer in my office. I am now even less productive at work than I used to be.
Back to lurking…
heheheheheeh ……. (won’t say from where I’m commenting) …..
(^_*) wink
–ghp
Every time the home page loads, I first get the background. And that’s fine–except I keep looking for the number or letter concealed in the camo. Reminds me of the test for color blindness.
1. I’d like to see either a “REVIEW” button or an “EDIT” button …. or both.
2. Would like to see the comment numbers.
3. Would like comments in chronological order, not tagged onto the earlier post. Tagging is okay, but I have to backtrack to an earlier post to see the additional comments.
4. How about a “MOST WANTED” page (or in the margins) with the BOLO posters?
5. I’m not a social media type — so the facebook comments do nothing for me. I’d rather not see them.
6. I’d like to see a hotlink to a page explaining mark-up codes (angle brackets? square brackets?) for this blog. Can we post photos using [img]…[/img], etc.
Thanks for your hard work, Jonn!
–ghp
See? If we had an EDIT button I could fix this comment.
Change from: 3. Would like comments in chronological order,…
Change to: 3. Would like follow-up comments in chronological order,…
(^__^)V
–ghp
I don’t think an edit button would be good as some of these dirt bags could come in write something hideous then change it later…there for being able to deny they wrote it…however a preview button would be cool.
Toasty,
You bring up a good point about the edit button being misused. Perhaps if edits were allowed for only 30 minutes? Otherwise, I agree that a preview button would be better than nothing.
-ghp
GHP~
As far as I know there isn’t a way to set a time limit on an edit button. On my web site, I had to eliminate the edit button because members would come in, start crap and by the time I got a moderator report to go see what it said, it had been altered so there was no telling what the original post was…And unfortunately, I don’t have a 24/7 staff that can take a screeny of it or lock it down so it couldn’t be removed.
So unfortunately edit button had to go..I think with all the trolls and trouble makers that come in here, if they had an edit button, they could post their crap and then change it claiming they never said whatever…but I do have a preview button that allows posts to be proofread before posting so I could dig having that. But I think its in TAH’s best interest to leave off an edit button.
This new layout hurts my eyes.
ditto
The only issue I have is sometimes comment updates don’t refresh/track (IE11), especially when using the recent comments section.
A darker font would stand out better in the filled background comment box.
On another note.
Since retiring I have availed myself of the free Army Digital Media Library (books) and RBdigital Gateway (Zinio Magazines). Both are free and only require a login and password.
If there is an interest I can do a short article/how to to be shared with the rest of the unwashed mob.
You can read the media on a variety of hardware such as Kindles, PC’s and smart phones. What I like is the portability. I can start on one device and pick it up on another. Great for unplanned tactical pauses.
For the Apple OS, your’re on your own. The last one I used was a IIe.
H1: sounds interesting, and if Jonn approves I can act as proxy for posting. Mind if I drop you a note at the e-mail address you used when you made this comment?
Sounds like a plan.
Give me 5 min and check your e-mail.
Jonn,
Overall, I like the design and layout but could use more contrast between background and font colors. I chimed in above on several suggestions from TAH readers.
One new suggestion: how about adding pics to the Stolen Valor page? Some names like the Round Ranger are easy to remember, but for others, a pic would be helpful.
I agree with the text/background color, I have one hell of a time reading it. Post count as well.
I think the biggest issue is the lack of contrast between the typeface color and the background color.
Also, the links or shortcuts to other items like threads or stories are not obvious enough. Using a bold faced font and/or a different color like a hideous electric green would make them easier to find and use.
The only time I find it slows down is when I hit ‘post comment’ at the same time as someone else.
I FUCKING HATE CHANGE,( hahahahah.
What’s so funny? Change sucks. That’s why we dump it in a jar.
Just tested on Android Silk, Kindle version.
Only renders the center of the page.
Both left and right columns are not present for duty.
But the colors are much better.
Or, it’s the micro dot.
Wow. That was some definition!
Ah! Easier to read text now.
–ghp
Thaaat was fast.
Yeah … but still waiting for an “EDIT” function.
….. waiting, over.
–ghp
I really did not mind the contrast.