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Must've been a new update today -- 11-8-2011?

post #1 of 46
11/8/11 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 

Because I'm seeing new things.

 

For one, I'm seeing new time stamps in the blue bars just above the poster's avatar which are formatted differently (40 seconds ago, one day 20 hours ago, one week six days ago) rather than the date and time of the post.  Not sure I'm diggin' that..  I think date and time stamps are much more professional-looking and easier to follow the flow of when posts are added to a thread. 

 

Older posts list a numeric date (8/16/11)...but that's it.  No time references.  I DEFINITELY don't like that.  thumbsdown.gif

 

Also, my "My Subscriptions" page seems to be updating itself rather than telling me there are new posts in my subscribed threads and prompting me to do a manual update.

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post #2 of 46
11/8/11 at 1:41pm

Yes there was, I haven't been on the PH for a few days so I hadn't looked for it.  I need to run out the door to get my son to a Dr. Appt, but when I get back I'll look into what you said about timestamps and post all the details of the update.

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post #3 of 46
11/8/11 at 2:21pm

Every time I go to HTF, starting a couple of hours ago, I'm getting:  "You are logged in and have navigated to the join page."...which just has a big blank spot in the middle.

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post #4 of 46
11/8/11 at 2:49pm

Got to say, do not like the two obvious changes - the date and timestamp, and the new look Preview and Submit buttons on the post page.

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post #5 of 46
11/8/11 at 4:27pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post

Because I'm seeing new things.

 

For one, I'm seeing new time stamps in the blue bars just above the poster's avatar which are formatted differently (40 seconds ago, one day 20 hours ago, one week six days ago) rather than the date and time of the post.  Not sure I'm diggin' that..  I think date and time stamps are much more professional-looking and easier to follow the flow of when posts are added to a thread. 

 

Older posts list a numeric date (8/16/11)...but that's it.  No time references.  I DEFINITELY don't like that.  thumbsdown.gif

 

Also, my "My Subscriptions" page seems to be updating itself rather than telling me there are new posts in my subscribed threads and prompting me to do a manual update.

 

Yeah, not really digging the date/timestamp change either.  Why was that done at all?  Was that actually requested by a lot of users?  Seems like a no-brainer if-it-ain't-broke-yada-yada thing unless the Huddler dev team really has zero things to work on these days -- ahem, how 'bout making the search function work better(?!?!) or the pages load/operate faster(?!).

 

Haven't checked yet, but I suspect I also would much prefer to be prompted for manual update of the recent activity feed in My Subscriptions.  That way would be easier to tell quickly what actually updated if I hadn't been paying attention for a while -- that's really the only reason to have that at all anyway.  OTOH, I suppose there might be a small subset of users who might actually be staring at some version of the recent activity feed (like for all new posts across the entire site) and might want it to work automatically like a ticker.  Either way, would be nice to at least have the option to toggle between the 2.

 

Not sure about other changes so far...

 

_Man_

 

 

 

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post #6 of 46
11/8/11 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chas in CT View Post

Every time I go to HTF, starting a couple of hours ago, I'm getting:  "You are logged in and have navigated to the join page."...which just has a big blank spot in the middle.


When you say go to HTF what link are you using to get that page?

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post #7 of 46
11/8/11 at 6:58pm

This is what my bookmark looks like... now:   http://www.hometheaterforum.com/login/

 

Prior to this afternoon it must have been http://www.hometheaterforum.com -- because that's what I'm used to seeing; i.e., the "home" page.

 

(EDIT:  Replacing the bookmark fixed that.)


Edited by Chas in CT - 11/8/11 at 7:19pm
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post #8 of 46
11/8/11 at 7:09pm

Yeah this new date system kind of.. I just don't care for it

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post #9 of 46
11/9/11 at 6:12pm

Interesting. I hadn't noticed this, but now that it's pointed out, I see that Matt posted 23 hours ago, and Chas commented 23 hours and 11 minutes ago.

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post #10 of 46
11/10/11 at 10:13am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ManW_TheUncool View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post

Also, my "My Subscriptions" page seems to be updating itself rather than telling me there are new posts in my subscribed threads and prompting me to do a manual update.

 

Haven't checked yet, but I suspect I also would much prefer to be prompted for manual update of the recent activity feed in My Subscriptions.  That way would be easier to tell quickly what actually updated if I hadn't been paying attention for a while -- that's really the only reason to have that at all anyway.  OTOH, I suppose there might be a small subset of users who might actually be staring at some version of the recent activity feed (like for all new posts across the entire site) and might want it to work automatically like a ticker.  Either way, would be nice to at least have the option to toggle between the 2.

 


Hmmm...  Seems like maybe the pause/show live update toggle (in the upper-right corner of the recent activity feed display) does what I suggested.  Not too sure though -- and not sure when that was added either.

 

_Man_

 

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post #11 of 46
11/10/11 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ManW_TheUncool View Post

 


Hmmm...  Seems like maybe the pause/show live update toggle (in the upper-right corner of the recent activity feed display) does what I suggested.  Not too sure though -- and not sure when that was added either.

 

_Man_

 


That's been there, Man. 

 

It used to be that you'd open the page and see whatever threads you are subscribed-to had new posts (and how many).  Then, if a subscribed thread got a new post, you'd get a yellow bar across the top of the lit prompting you to update the page to see what new business you had.

 

Now, the stream will pause on its own (due to inactivity).  And if a thread gets a new post it will become "active" and jump to the top of the list on its own...but will NOT "unbold" those threads which you maybe had already checked-out.  It can get confusing keeping track as the thread order on the list can change without prompting by the user. 

 

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post #12 of 46
11/10/11 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 

All right.  I think I've figured out what happened. 

 

As a result of the update, my toggle switch got re-set to "play"...whereas I had kept it set on pause.  Man's insightful post (and the subsequent preparation of my thoughtful response!  laugh.gif ) helped me think that through.

 

So, as the great Emily Latella used to say:  "Never mind."

 

Of course, there's still the issue of the lousy new timestamps...  biggrin.gif

 

304_cold_open.jpg

 

 

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post #13 of 46
11/21/11 at 7:08am

My first (minor) "casualty" of sorts as a result of the new posting date/time representation: thumbsdown.gif

 

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/316324/best-buy-has-shop-early-save-big-pre-black-friday-sale#post_3872711

 

_Man_

 

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post #14 of 46
11/21/11 at 7:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ManW_TheUncool View Post

My first (minor) "casualty" of sorts as a result of the new posting date/time representation: thumbsdown.gif

 

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/316324/best-buy-has-shop-early-save-big-pre-black-friday-sale#post_3872711

 

_Man_

 


Man:

 

Adam has let me know that he and other Huddler owners agree that the new time-stamps are "awful"and are working to get them back to what they once were. 

 

If 'taint one thing, 'tis another.  biggrin.gif

 

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post #15 of 46
11/21/11 at 7:36am

Thanks much for the uber-fast follow-up, Mike. thumbsup.gif biggrin.gif

 

And kudos as well for all the powers-that-be to be quick to recognize the issue and work toward resolving it promptly... thumbsup.gif

 

_Man_

 

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post #16 of 46
11/21/11 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 

The only reason I know is that I was doing some renewed complaining myself about the issue when I went to check on the lasts post made by another member (to compare it against a specific date).

 

But when one looks at a post for when it was posted and sees "3 weeks four days ago" instead of "xx-xx-xxxx x:xx pm"...it makes it rather hard to compute.  At least for me!  laugh.gif

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post #17 of 46
11/21/11 at 7:53am

I'd call it a picture perfect example of a completely unnecessary and uncalled for change.  If you ask me.  (And you didn't.)  The poster child for fixing something not broken.  Change for change's sake.  etc. etc.  Pile those cliches on!  smile.gif

 

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post #18 of 46
11/23/11 at 8:44am

Were there some forum updates yesterday? Did anyone else have to log back in on a few occasions?

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post #19 of 46
11/23/11 at 9:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WaveCrest View Post

Did anyone else have to log back in on a few occasions?


Not me.

 

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post #20 of 46
11/23/11 at 12:38pm

No, but just a while ago I was getting nothing but "connection timed out".

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post #21 of 46
11/23/11 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chas in CT View Post

No, but just a while ago I was getting nothing but "connection timed out".



This happened with my connection recently, and I was thinking I'd accidently pressed a button/icon to disconnect.

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post #22 of 46
12/11/11 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post


Adam has let me know that he and other Huddler owners agree that the new time-stamps are "awful" and are working to get them back to what they once were.


Anything new to report on this front, Adam? 

 

It can't be true that other Huddler sites/users actually like this, do they?

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post #23 of 46
12/11/11 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon View Post
Adam has let me know that he and other Huddler owners agree that the new time-stamps are "awful" and are working to get them back to what they once were.


Anything new to report on this front, Adam? 

 

It can't be true that other Huddler sites/users actually like this, do they?



I lost the battle on this one, since the old functionality/timestamp is still there on a mouse over:

 

ts.png

 

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post #24 of 46
12/11/11 at 7:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich View Post


I lost the battle on this one, since the old functionality/timestamp is still there on a mouse over:


For one, I NEVER would have known that if you hadn't pointed it out.

 

Secondly, are you saying that other sites actually LIKE having the date/time stamped that way?  It seems rather backwards to have to take the secondary step (the mouseover) in order to see the date/time a post was submitted. 

 

Looking above in this thread tonight...WHO would want to know that post #13 was made "2 weeks, 6 days ago?"  Especially if you were hoping to compare it to post #12 which was submitted "11/10/11."  The whole thing is just stupidly inconsistent and makes it really difficult for forum members and moderators alike to use the forum.  Read Man's post above about missing out on a deal because he misjudged when a certain deal was "live" and when it would expire based on the new time stamp system. 

 

The new system makes things harder--not easier--and should be reconsidered by Huddler. 

 

I realize people approach software in all types of different ways and with different mindsets (so what might work better for one works less well for another)...but decisions like these really bug me (surprise!). 

 

Someone would really have to be able to explain to me how using less specific date/time stamps--in different formats in the same thread--is supposed to be better than doing it the same way uniformly across the forum.  Ridiculous. 

 

 

 

**It is also inconsistent to refer to dates such as 11/10/11 when they agreed to list our sign-up dates in a month/year (October 2001) format.  And who uses slashes in dates anymore?  Aaaargh.

 

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post #25 of 46
12/14/11 at 6:58am

If they really want to keep the new date/timestamp format, then this clearly belongs as a user preference option.

 

Any respectable piece of software used by a very wide array of users would allow date/timestamps to be formatted based on user option in that case.  And since Huddler seems fine enough w/ allowing user options in other similar cases, why not do so w/ this, especially since they're even going thru the trouble of having the mouseover feature for alternate formatting?

 

And yeah, I would never think to try the mouseover for the more consistent -- in our opinion, better -- formatting in this case, if nobody told me.  That just seems like a rather user-hostile way to go.  If you're going to do stuff like that, then there should at least be some readily accessible release notes to inform people of *ALL* such changes, but either way, forcing people to use mouseover for this is just plain bad form.  Who the heck really wants to have to do mouseover for something as quick-and-simple as looking at the date/time for a post?  That is just ridiculous!

 

 

So here's my sidebar question then, which I alluded before.  How the heck is Huddler making these (re)design decisions, etc. and prioritizing them?  There are better issues to fix/enhance than something like this.  And if you're going to bother to "fix" what ain't broke, then at least do a more thorough job of it, eg. offer user options w/ proper defaults, no?

 

_Man_

 

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post #26 of 46
12/14/11 at 2:59pm
Originally Posted by ManW_TheUncool View Post

So here's my sidebar question then, which I alluded before.  How the heck is Huddler making these (re)design decisions, etc. and prioritizing them?  There are better issues to fix/enhance than something like this.  And if you're going to bother to "fix" what ain't broke, then at least do a more thorough job of it, eg. offer user options w/ proper defaults, no?

 

My question along these lines would be:  Can they please post the rationale behind the change? -- in other words, how many people had been requesting it, and for what reason?  Or was it just "thought of" and implemented?  Absent any such enlightenment, this one in particular seems just totally across-the-board ludicrous -- at least to the lowly users on this site.

 

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post #27 of 46
12/21/11 at 1:23pm

Was there a new forum update around nearly four hours ago, as the logged out thing happened again?


Edited by WaveCrest - 12/22/11 at 4:06pm
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post #28 of 46
1/5/12 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich View Post


I lost the battle on this one, since the old functionality/timestamp is still there on a mouse over:


I came back to this thread tonight to report an incident in which I was reading another thread in which a poster asked a question and then revceived three responses.  I was REALLY curious about how far apart in time those three responses were made (and how much after the original post)....but they only had the date at the top of the post.  So, I was determined to come here and point out another way in which the new time-stamp feature was flawed.

 

Of course, when I came back and read Adam's post again I realized I had forgotten that I could have put the cursor over the date and gotten the full information.  (Huh.  And it was only "3 weeks, four days ago" that I read about how to do that.  rolleyes.gif )

 

1.)  I still believe it's a valid argument then that it is not a very intuitive (or user-friendly) feature.

 

2.)  What makes their way "better" exactly?  Why should I have to "mouse over" to see the pertinent post data?

 

I hate to seem like I'm being unreasonable

 

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post #29 of 46
1/11/12 at 9:30pm

In terms of why it is "better" its how more and more social networking sites are doing it so its apparently the wave of the future...smiley_wink.gif

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post #30 of 46
1/11/12 at 9:43pm
Thread Starter 

Knowing that you are only the purveyor of that response, Adam...I feel rather comfortable in saying that such reasoning is for crap and indefensible.

 

"But, Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, all the other kids are doing it!"

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