As you can see New Message Board

[gee4]

Susan,

Glad to see the font size has been changed - soooo much better.  I hope you can do something though with the background colour - very pasty and empty looking - perhaps even colour code the tabs above so it's a bit less stark.

[Atlanta Z3]

Here's my two cents - this just isn't working.  I liked desk demon before.  This new format just does not work for me.  Before I was able to zip in for a quick two minutes and read or post questions.  At work it takes too long for the pages to load - here at home is faster but still to slow.  My login doesn't always transfer when I click to another page, so even if I want to answer a post go to login in again go back and find the post - see where I'm going?  I don't think I was a heavy poster before - but don't expect to see me around much anymore, and I will really miss some of the software challenges - I learned a few new tricks from the posts.  Good luck with the new forum

[susan silva]

Atlanta, I would rather get the issue fixed and see you post when you can.  I have forwarded the problems you are seeing to our tech guys and hopefully they can fix them in the next few days.

[duque]

I do hope you do find a solution to the speed the pages load at. I am sure it is something to do with the forum itself as I do not have this problem with any other forum.

[susan silva]

For those who are having issues with the forum board being slow... we need to know a few things.

1) HOW is it being slow... is it locking up half way through, graphics slows,  how long does it take a thread to show up.  Any details on what the problem is would help.

2) What browser are you using and the version.   We are optimized to the latest versions, so it "may" be older versions having a problem?  We don't know, but will figure it out.

Thanks for your help.

[gee4]

Susan,

For me I have to log in twice...once at the top of the page, then a new page appears and a log in appears again in the middle of the page.

Once I type in the log in information, the page goes blank.  When there are about 20 items still to load the page begins to populate but still takes a while to fully load.

If I want to reply to a posting, the page goes blank again until it is fully loaded.

All of the above can take some time and is slow whether I am in work or at home.  I did mention all of this weeks ago when the new DD site changed.  I find it too busy and way too many graphics and effects for a forum of this kind.

Obviously I am not the only one who is experiencing this as others have posted similar.

Bring back the old DD.  It was so much quicker to scoot in, check the new postings in red, and scoot back out.

Why have we got so many features on the site when we don't use them.  What is the Messages service for?   Why have a link to Twitter?  What are the Albums and Video links for?

Not a lot of us have the time to view all that info.  All we want is to keep in touch with a forum where we can share info, get quick answers and perhaps learn new tips about MS Office.

[countrigal]

I know I haven't been around for a while, but today I happened to pop in and just now realized that the new look for the Hub was REALLY new.  It took me a moment or 2 to find some of the functions I was looking for, and I forced myself to pop in and out a couple of times today just to get a chance to use it and get a bit more used to it.  My verdict is that it's new, different, but not bad.

My screens load fast, without delays.  I only had to log-in once, on the homepage, and can post or view in any forum I could previously.  I like the information to the right of the main chat-areas, as it lets you know when and by whom the last post was... helped me zip in and out at lunch because I could tell at a glance I was still the last poster, so nothing new had come in.  (the date and time helps too, in case you just read and don't post)  I like some of the new features on the posting, but do miss some of the smileys (like the clown or the rolling).  As for the messaging and such... I don't expect to be using that, but I think it's a great idea for those who want to network with friends on here, and perhaps get a more personal response to issues than they can in the open forums.

The one thing I think that was good about the old DD... and correct me if I'm wrong... but we were able to do a bit of editing of the look on our own.  In other words, we could set the size of the text, the background colors, and a few other options, so that it was easier on each individual.  For me, the text size and colors are fine, but for some they may want darker or lighter backgrounds in order to make the text more legible.  Is there any way to allow for some options in the individual's view of the forums?  Perhaps a selection that they can choose from?  Don't know a whole lot about the background working of the site, but it's a thought.

I'm not making a final verdict one way or the other... but for now, I'm saying that the new forum is fine.  Could be better (with personalization), but since you can't please everyone, you go for the majority.  Get a good font size/color combination for the majority and run with it.  I think it'll grow on me, like the old "new look" of DD did.  Remember, I've been around since DD first became, and have seen it through all it's renovations.  Each time something has changed, folks have balked at those changes.  The last time was no different... lots of you who've been around a while remember all the grumbles that the look everyone wants back now first brought about.  I think as we get used to the functions and features, this will be ok.

[susan silva]

What browser do you use and it's version?


As for going back, sorry, it is just not an option.

As for the features you aren't using, the point is .. to try them out and find if you do have a use for them.   Some people enjoy blogging and networking or joining different groups, others wont.   

Do you have a group of  PAs in your company that get together, or maybe don't get together but want a way to communicate.    You can create a private group where you can communicate events in your company, brainstorm ideas, streamline company processes just for your organization.    Groups are also popular for specialized topics.  Groups have private message boards, a place for sharing files, photos, videos (files can be common company forms). 

Message system is for those who do build personal peer networks, you can communicate with those you guild friendships with.  (we aren't saying go be best friends!) but if you may want to private message someone with a question or you can have a real time conversation about any topic.

Twitter is for those who do Twitter.  It is gaining in popularity and more and more people are twittering everyday.

Albums came with the network, but it is a nice place you can share photos.   So far most of the pictures are personal but you can post company picnic or the holiday party pictures to share with everyone.

As for the videos, most are training videos, I know you are advanced in MS office, but there are many training videos for solving MS office issues.   We also have soft skills as well.   

It is up to you if you do wan to use the new area.   More and more people are logging on adding to the new area.  It is for user generated content.   

If you want to just pop on the message board and log off fast, that is ok as well.  It is up to each person to decide what they want to take out of DeskDemon.

I will ask about the double log on. 

Susan

[duque]

Hi Susan,

We use Internet Explorer version 6.

In my case, the pages just get "stuck" when loading. Sorry to be a nuisance and thanks for your interest 

[gee4]

Susan,

Not sure if your reply was in response to my previous posting as you didn't say, but I am assuming so....

I am using IE6 in work and 7 at home.  The old forum was not as slow as this one and it was much simpler to use.  I think perhaps with all the new features, the site has become a lot slower and it does take a while to login and reply to postings as most of us have pointed out.

I think some features and links should be kept off the site eg.  Twitter.  I am sure anyone that uses this social networking site has already bookmarked it as you would other sites, so I don't really see the point of it on here.  I mean why not have links to all the others, or are DD just promoting that one?!

As for other message boards and group discussions...for a lot of us, this is a site we use during the day at work and so it's not our main email or networking site.  I for one only started to use DD because of the forum and advice that was being shared as regards MS Office etc. 

In my company the PA's are very clicky so networking on a site like this not an option - they hardly speak as it is!

Again I know I am repeating myself but a user guide would have been ideal in getting to know the features quickly.

[Cathy S]

I use Firefox on my laptop and have no problem with the speed of loading the pages at all.

I also log on using my iPhone and with wireless it is just as fast as the laptop - out of range of a wireless link yes it is slow, but that doesn't surprise me.

Might be worth trying Firefox for those who are experiencing slowness with other browsers.

Cathy

[Cozwaz]

I use IE8 in the office and mainly Firefox at home and have no problems at all with the forum loading

[duque]

I'll give firefox a go at home, but I cannot download it at work.

[gee4]

Ahh another clash with postings... 

What I wanted to say was, I have no control over what software is installed on my pc at work - everything is locked down by IT, so changes are not permitted.

[susan silva]

We want all it to work on all browsers (well current versions).  It is just hard to pin point problems, when we can't experience them.   Gee the log on issue is different and will get back to you on that.   2 am.. will respond to more later!