topic Re: How can we improve the Forums? in Forums feedback and updates

How can we improve the Forums?

Sophie_M — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:23:01 GMT

Hi all,

This discussion is a space for all members to share suggestions and ideas to improve the Forums. This can be anything. Navigation, notifications, topics and themes, moderation, community rules, or something else!

We'd love to hear about what you think we can do better. We are really grateful to everyone who has contributed their ideas already, and we're always keen to hear more.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

Please note: This is not a thread for discussing the moderation or editing of individual posts - if you have questions about this please contact the team offline via email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

Re: How can we improve the forums?

Guest_0784 — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:29:16 GMT

Hmmm, this is quite nice! Keep up the great work you all do!

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

redroses — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:58:54 GMT

i haven't been on the forums for a while, well not commenting/posting anyway, but just quietly browsing, i knew about the updates.

while it looks alright, the new forums, i find it rather confusing to navigate, & to find threads that i participated in. when i go to "your discussions", it only comes up with the ones that i made myself.

does anyone else find it rather confusing?

Re: How can we improve the forums?

Sophie_M — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 02:33:16 GMT

Thanks Guest_0784! 💙

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Gambit87 — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 06:43:07 GMT

Love the nice new clean layout!

A suggestion for further improvement would be moving the 'Start a discussion' button/column further to the left, so the main forum/topic screen remains in the centre.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/ <- This screen is perfect.

But once you click on a topic, the screen feels a little cluttered/squished together, the post/reply panels feel a little off centre and I feel the blank spaces on the left/right edges is wasted space.

Thank you for the revamp team!

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Sophie_M — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 07:19:58 GMT

Hi robthomaslover,

Hmm, we're sorry it's looking a bit confusing to navigate. That's not fun. We know it can be difficult to learn how to use new technology when you’ve used something else for a while, but we are confident that it will be worth it!

'My Discussions' only shows the discussions you've started, but you can click 'Follow Post' at the bottom of other people's posts to receive notifications about further replies.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and being part of the Forums, robthomaslover. 🙂

Kind regards,

Sophie M

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Matchy69 — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 08:01:14 GMT

I can't find any of my threads at all.This is very confusing.How do I get onto my threads?

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

quirkywords — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 10:31:18 GMT

Sophie

how can I find new posters or unanswered posts . .?

There was a new threads section before but I can’t find anything like that.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

redroses — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 10:59:28 GMT

agreed matchy & quirky. i didn't notice the notifications at first, that will help finding threads you've participated in, so that's better. but i still did prefer the original forums. then again maybe it'll take some time getting used to & i might enjoy it. it does look cleaner, but it was easier to use previously. but i'll get used to using it here i guess.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Quercus — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:12:34 GMT

Woah. What a shock to return to the forums to this new layout. I'm not much of a fan of change at any time. The new style isn't my cup of tea so far, seems hard to use (granted I'm useless at this stuff).

Biggest drama is that when I click on order posts from newest first it doesn't do anything and on my phone there isn't a skip to page button. Very frustrating. How do I change that please?

Also, I had a bit (ok a lot) of a panic seeing all the threads I've ever written or replied to listed together. I get it's easier for others but from a privacy point of view I'm freaking out I can be identified somehow.

I dunno. Change is hard I guess. I think I'd best log out and try another time.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

geoff — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:25:30 GMT

Yes I do, rather confusing.

Geoff.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

geoff — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:29:03 GMT

No you aren't the only one Quercus, I'm finding it extremely difficult being used to 'New Posts' and 'My Threads'.

Geoff.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

geoff — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:33:01 GMT

The trouble is expert IT's develop a new model, but they don't realise that the average person can't understand or think the way they do.

It may seem to be as easy as pie to them, but many of us will just get lost, the previous version where 'New Posts', All posts' and 'My Threads' was simple to use, sorry but this is extremely difficult and worry many new/old people will not post.

Perhaps if you could provide us with a simple video and bring back 'New Posts' etc then we may be able to adjust to this new format, but I am completely lost because those we have all helped where have they all gone and remember you have to realise many of us are so inexperienced in strange technology.

Geoff.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Beaser — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 19:24:38 GMT

Im finding the new forums very confusing. It was very easy to navigate prior and easy to see if there were replies to your posts.Also new posts from others were easy to see . I am worried if ill get used to it. I understand its been done with the best intentions and respect that .But its a bit unsettling . Best wishes to all Brett.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

geoff — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 19:57:44 GMT

Hello Brett, I know the effort that has been put into developing these new forums has been a massive effort, with tireless work and I do congratulate them for doing this, but to us, it's like changing from driving a mini minor over to be given a Ferrari and I hope that 100k posting on BB doesn't drop by 95% because people don't have a clue on how to use it.

Geoff.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Beaser — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 22:56:51 GMT

Pretty much my thoughts Geoff. I dont understand why it had to be changed. It was really good. Im lost with it mow.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

monkey_magic — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:18:30 GMT

I agree with the others and don't believe the old forum needed to be changed. I don't find the new one to be as user friendly because I was so used to the old one. Bring it back please.

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Moonstruck — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 06:31:41 GMT

I cannot find any of my recent discussions with others on the former My Threads section. I cannot navigate my way to anything at all. The old way was easy and a lifesaver for me. I feel I have lost a vital part of my healing...I am pretty devastated. I have been on Forum for about 7 years. If you are wondering why I have stopped posting its because I can't find you.......why, oh why did you have to change the layout of BB Forum?

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Hanna3 — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:41:41 GMT

Im finding it terribly confusing and I can't find my way around

Re: How can we improve the Forums?

Beaser — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 07:32:24 GMT

Im feeling similar Moonstruck. So disappointing to lose such a user friendly forum. My best wishes to you Bret