[IVAN]

Originally Posted by somari

I second this. I would just browse the latest topics without logging in. I think it should be brought back

I am logged in and cannot see any "latest threads" link, besides the one above the list of topics on the homepage, BUT that link doesn't direct to a latest thread list, just to the "forums" page...

[Amyth]

Quick Links>>Drop-down menu>>Latest Threads!!

[batistuta]

Is there anyway to find the the Birthday List of Members on the Main Page? I Can only see it at the bottom of the forums Page.

Thanks,

[nadreg]

Originally Posted by batistuta

Is there anyway to find the the Birthday List of Members on the Main Page? I Can only see it at the bottom of the forums Page.

Thanks,

The Birthday Box is now featured on the Community Page, as well as the bottom of the Forums page.

[tacita]

nad, amidst all our whining, i just wanted to recognize what a great you've done with the server change and then refashioning the site. both were big jobs, the latter being a work-in-progress. rare is the site that is so responsive to user comments and suggestions. the speed with which you're accommodating all our personal preferences and the patience you and the mods have shown in answering (and re-answering) our (in my case, silly) questions is admirable.

so, my thanks to you and the mods for being the mortar that holds all these members' bricks (posts) together.

indeed, we are like this only!

[nadreg]

Thanks so much for those kind words, Janice. I'm sure the mods appreciate them as well. They're so much more encouraging that the usual "Eat crap and die" emails I get occasionally!

[Nick-H]

...and that's just the e-mails he gets from the mods!

[dhans]

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You may indeed. But do remember that these adds are a source of revenue for the site which otherwise has to be paid for entirely out of Nadreg's pocket money.

So if you have broadband anyhow click on an ad once a day and help financing Indiamike!!

Hans

[edwardseco]

Wow, great improvement on the home page. I had suggested this in the distant past and gave up on it. Much better entry..

[nadreg]

Originally Posted by edwardseco

Wow, great improvement on the home page. I had suggested this in the distant past and gave up on it. Much better entry..

FINALLY!!! A satisfied customer!!!

[PeakXV]

I'm use to it now and it's fine but there are areas of the site I won't be frequenting as much. I guess the question is why the need for change? I visit two other sites(both thriving and averaging 500 users at any one time) powered by vbulletin and they seem to be content with the defacto setup/layout with apparently no need for change. Are the changes needed to attract more "new users" or turn "lurkers" into "members" .... or is this just a proven prototype for optimum navigation?

[tacita]

Originally Posted by PeakXV

I'm use to it now and it's fine but there are areas of the site I won't be frequenting as much.

which ones? nad seems to be tweaking things, perhaps he can streamline a few additional areas.

[PeakXV]

I think I'm just a lazy navigator, so if I can't see the link then I'm not going to go search for it. "Unanswered threads", "shoutbox" are two examples and for some reason "photos" even though there are appear to be more links to it now than ever before - certainly the great teaser of the 3 most recent photos are now loading differently(on my system) and are only showing the top quarter(without scrolling down) which does not pique my interest nearly as much to peruse. Again no big deal and acceptable but as the saying goes if weren't broke .....

[nadreg]

Hi Peak,

Originally Posted by PeakXV

I'm use to it now and it's fine but there are areas of the site I won't be frequenting as much.

As Janice says, I'm curious as to which areas you're referring to that you won't be frequenting as much. I'm still tweaking things, and your feedback is valuable.

Originally Posted by PeakXV

I guess the question is why the need for change? I visit two other sites(both thriving and averaging 500 users at any one time) powered by vbulletin and they seem to be content with the defacto setup/layout with apparently no need for change. Are the changes needed to attract more "new users" or turn "lurkers" into "members" .... or is this just a proven prototype for optimum navigation?

Rest assured that I'm not making changes for the sake of making changes. It's a launching point in an effort to better organizing the information on the site. It's in the beginning stages, so the benefits are probably not as evident yet. I'm not averse to the forums type displays. However, sites run purely as forums are harder to navigate for newbies, and the information is harder to get to, since a lot of the good stuff is buried in different threads. This often leads to the same questions being asked over and over again, which tends to become boring for the "regulars".

[PeakXV]

Originally Posted by nadreg

This often leads to the same questions being asked over and over again, which tends to become boring for the "regulars".

This is a big concern but an unfortunate nature of the beast with budget travellers. You can try to control it but you can't eliminate it. When I worked for Club Med you could almost predict the questions from the clients before they asked them - it was that monotonous but so necessary for proper oreintation. I've noticed that "3 letter words" are now an acceptable search entry. That should help the savvy newbie from asking already asked questions.