New Rff Software - Help Us Test RangeFinderForum.net

[mconnealy]

Hope there will be continued access to the Classic Cameras Repair Archive.
Although there is no opportunity to post or search within the archive, Google can be easily used to search the archive. I have a little form widget on my blog which makes the search easy using the proper html syntax:
https://connealy.blogspot.com/#ccrf

You would be welcome to use the widget on the new rff if that would be helpful.

 

[TEZillman]

There are two things that I really like about Rff now that do not seem to be on the new site. First, there doesn't appear to be the option to read posts in chronological order as they are posted. Second, I really like the option to have the "VPB Graphite Xpand - White font" colors. Especially when reading at night. I also noticed that no photos are appearing. I've tried viewing the site on both an IPad and on a MacBrook Pro.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Sorry, not a fan. Looks like every other photography/videography website out there. I like the unique look of rangefinderforum.com. The dark background, white type. The way it's laid out. The way the images pop against the dark background.

The new test site looks like "everything else on the web".

Look at sites like:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com

http://www.cinematography.com

They're a dime-a-dozen. I'd like to keep this site unique.

My 2¢ worth.

Best,
-Tim

 

[JB-Dancer]

I also just looked at the new setup.
I DO NOT like it.
I much prefer the way it is now.
Please leave it as it is.
Why?
Because it's present forum style is the best on the web.

 

[rhl-oregon]

I just did a little sandboxing in the Gallery: uploaded an image directly from my iPad, added copyright and search tags, etc.

Here’s the link (let’s see if it auto-links without extra markup required): http://www.rangefinderforum.net/index.php?/gallery/image/22-choice-and-will/

Uploading was no problem, no reminder that images need to be compressed/resized, I could have instead shot/uploaded an image from the iPad or iPhone (scary! Will rffers slouch lazily to the dark side of iPhonea?). Greater ease and flexibility, too, for cross-posting to other sites (I linked the image to my Facebook page, where it will of course backlink to Rangefinder Forum Net).

As Tim says, its look is more generic. Some of us will be nostalgic for the Hexcite Xpando Cellular Whatchmacallit look, etc., but if the user interface is easier across all devices, great— other members will rejoice at the flexibilty.

 

[css9450]

Sorry, not a fan. Looks like every other photography/videography website out there. I like the unique look of rangefinderforum.com. The dark background, white type. The way it's laid out. The way the images pop against the dark background.

The new test site looks like "everything else on the web".

That's to make it useable on mobile devices. I don't use mobile devices, so I am very satisfied with the forum's current appearance. Unfortunately, this new trend towards making sites work on mobile devices always makes them look stark and minimalistic on a regular monitor, this being no exception.

 

[splitimageview]

Having moved a forum from one software to another a couple of years ago, you're going to get about 45% of regular visitors who will applaud the modernization, and 45% that will vehemently hate the changes. The rest won't care.

Best of luck!

 

[jarski]

I much prefer the way it is now.
Please leave it as it is.

changing new software to look like old might not be technically possible, or feasible work wise. and staying in the old software problems are growing, not lessen.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Maybe leave www.rangefinderforum.com as it is and make www.rangefinderforum.net a mirror site that works on mobile devices.

Just a thought.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ptpdprinter]

Please have "New Posts" and "Mark Forums Read" buttons. They are the two buttons I use the most.

 

[benlees]

On the forums menu the most recent posts have the word 'guest' before each members name. Small thing.

 

[Rob-F]

There are two things that I really like about Rff now that do not seem to be on the new site. First, there doesn't appear to be the option to read posts in chronological order as they are posted. Second, I really like the option to have the "VPB Graphite Xpand - White font" colors. Especially when reading at night. I also noticed that no photos are appearing. I've tried viewing the site on both an IPad and on a MacBrook Pro.

Sorry, not a fan. Looks like every other photography/videography website out there. I like the unique look of rangefinderforum.com. The dark background, white type. The way it's laid out. The way the images pop against the dark background.

The new test site looks like "everything else on the web".

Look at sites like:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com

http://www.cinematography.com

They're a dime-a-dozen. I'd like to keep this site unique.

My 2¢ worth.

Best,
-Tim

I also just looked at the new setup.
I DO NOT like it.
I much prefer the way it is now.
Please leave it as it is.
Why?
Because it's present forum style is the best on the web.

I totally agree with all these comments. Sure, maybe incorporate the gallery improvements and a couple of the other suggestions; but I'd like it to stay fundamentally the way it is.

 

[madNbad]

A "New Post" button or the ability to expand recent post. After LUF moved to the current layout, there are only a couple of specific places I look for new post. One of the best features of RFF is the variety of post on the home page, leading to reading and learning more about the subject.

 

[p.giannakis]

If you are looking for feedback one thing I would immediately ask is that you do not lose the key features of the current search function. For example I use the advanced search by my own RFF name to be able to find threads I have participated in or started. its really important I would suggest to have powerful and user friendly search tools.

That is something that is bothering me too. It would be great if somehow there is a tab which could save custom searches.

 

[sepiareverb]

Yes, a new posts button is a necessity, I rarely use any other means of browsing.

Few linked images seem to be working on this iPad via Safari.

 

[Dwig]

The behavior of the "Browse" tab is really annoying.

the submenu appears when you roll-over the Browse tab, but when you click on it the submenu disappears and focus returns to the RFFPortal tab.

Accessing the submenu is a pain and virtually impossible for some of us. You have to carefully move the mouse pointer down to the submenu and then left or right to the item you wish to select. The slightest error in your movement will cause the menu to vanish should you move off of the submenu.

The tab should latch on when clicked so that the submenu can be accessed without undo precision in your mousing. That behavior will also make access reasonable from a touch based display.

 

[Darthfeeble]

It's hard to tell now with the posts being roughed in it looks. One thing for sure I would like is the dark background and white font. Keep us posted on the updates.

 

[Mackinaw]

Haven't had the chance to read all of the comments, but the addition of a "like" button would be nice. At times people write stuff that I agree with. It'd be nice to give them a thumbs up.

Jim B.

 

[rbiemer]

The basic functionality seems fine to me. I do quite like the .com's ability to change background colors when I'm on my computer. The current site is a bit of a pain on a phone. If the .net site makes reading on my phone easier, that's a good thing, I think.
The "activity" tab looks like it could be pretty useful--especially since, it seems, I could customize to suit me fairly easily.
And, I uploaded a photo to the gallery there. That was very simple and straight forward. That's excellent.
Some of the things I clicked on didn't lead anywhere, I'm guessing that's down to this being a test version so not too bothered by it.
If the new software makes RFf more stable, I'm all for it!
If possible, the ability to choose a dark background and white/light text would be the one thing I would like to have.

Rob

 

[lynnb]

Under Browse -> Forums, it would be good to have an "expand all" button to avoid going down and up levels to find a topic, and to get a global view of all sub-forum topics.

I'd prefer to see a larger list of recent topics on the home page. Five is not enough. The current home page is much better in this regard.

I can understand the desire to upgrade RFF software to cater for people browsing and using the site on small screen mobile devices, but in doing so the changes make it more user-unfriendly to people using larger screens and desktop devices. I'd appreciate any design measures you can take to reduce the amount of menu-diving. Maybe two buttons on the home page:
"mobile device view", and
"desktop device view"
which allow visitors to select which interface to interact with (like Tim suggests above).