I don't really want to speak out of turn and in the grand scheme of things im pretty new here, so maybe should just shut up. however I find that the forum is pretty basic in comparison to most forums out there.

my main bug bear is the fixed width of the forum, on any sort of decent resolution monitor its pretty pointless having the forum maximized. I appreciate you can press ctrl and + to zoom in, but that increases font size also.

Apologies if I have upset anyone and I know someone has worked long and hard on this site, but isnt it time for an update?

I would be more than happy to help.

Being as the site is run "on the side" by some very talented people that work full time elsewhere, i think the forum is very good.

I know what you are saying above, but as said, there is only som much time you can dedicate to a "Free" service.

If youre willing to help im sure the Admins would be willing to listen or gratefully receive funding for development!?!??!?

The fixed width is only an issue with firefox i think, If you install the IE tab pluging it fixes it

I know its not the newest software but what you get for free is amazing not many other places have photo archives etc

There are supposedly rumours of a new update of the site, but i believe its been a rumour for years. Im sure if your willing to help, contact ChrisW and Fozzie and you might be able to sort something out

i am on several forums. Some of the better ones are older, well established with lots of amazing and useful information and users.
Then there are the newer flashy ones, which are usually the more 'socially orientated' sites, ie more chat, less good content.
On a coulpe of the older sites I visit recently there have been suggestions they look old, outdated and we should upgrade them as it will only cost X amount.

No offence, but the look of a forum is pointless. It works, the content is here, everyone is used to the layout. Going to a new format will almost certainly cause problems initially and possibly loose date.

Is it broke? No, then it doesn't need fivxing (obviously all in my humble opinion)

The fix for the firefox width problem is to use the stylish plugin as documented in this thread (sticky in the computer problems section)

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=130664

Using ietab will also work but comes with a bunch of other problems.

[Edited on 12/3/10 by iank]

its like this to keep everything fast. the database is massive. the look and feel of the forum is fine, snazzy buttons and flashy graphics are not going to make one bit of difference to the huge content available, other than to slow it down.

its hard to word this but the forums simple design does make it more accessible for the very very mechanically talented less computer literate people that are out there with loads to offer to all.

I can search for past subjects of discussion and failing that I can ask almost any question and usually get an answer within 10 minutes - that's pretty much all I'm looking for.

Oh, and Flak's avatars too!

I actually prefer this site to the fancy new ones
its much faster than a lot of them and works well on any machine I've ever tried it on
(even mobile devices that don't have full internet support)

The new version has been in the pipeline for a while (we've had a few tastes of it when this one was down)
but the boss needs help to get these big changes made:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=89528

Perhaps a Glitzier forum would be nice and pretty... However I believe it will attract the socially inept and the undesirables.

IMHO keep it as it is. I would rather it be simple and uninteresting to look at.
Simple reason is the PEOPLE and the CONTENT is FIRST CLASS on here.

Make it posh and flashy, and it will attract the idiots, and then the ensuing flame wars, and idiocy that prevails in a lot of other places.

DULL and BORING, keeps these sorts of people away, and I like it that way!

I'm happy the way it is.

For a non computer type person i think the site is just fine the way it is.
Simple easy to navigate and not tons of annoying adverts to get in the way.
I think the the people that give up there talent and free time, which I'm sure could be better spent in the garage !!, should be applauded.
As a first time builder this site has been invaluable with information and answers on hand thanks to lots of helpful and patient people.
Keep up the good work

Newer isn't always better

I like the relative simplicity of the site - it's like an old familiar friend.

When all said and done it's the content that really matters anyway - and the content here is pretty good otherwise we wouldn't so many members.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeFellows
on any sort of decent resolution monitor its pretty pointless having the forum maximized.

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Fine and dandy as it is

The real trick with design a web site is building pages that works on even the most modest hardware --- keep it simple and keep it useable just the way its is.

One of the best forums around for content, people and attitudes - happy for it to stay the way it is.

I fear change... leave it be!