New RFF Under Construction - take a look

[JoeV]

I typically explore the legacy RFF via the New Posts tab at the top, so I can read a smattering from every forum, but only the latest posts. On the new website there doesn’t seem to be as many new posts on the Latest Activity tab; and using the filter function I can get posts from a week ago or a month ago, but not all of them. Also, I don’t see a shortcut to posts from the last day or 24 hours.

On the plus side, I really like the readability of the new forum.

EDIT: Comparing the New Posts on legacy RFF with Latest Activity on the new version, the list of threads that are returned don’t resemble each other at all. Hmm…

 

[JoeV]

Another minor nit, but clicking on an external link in someone’s post, the browser leaves RFF for that link, instead of opening it in a new browser tab.

 

[CameraQuest]

This version of RFF will be replaced by the new version, within 30 to 60 days.

Which means save your feedback on classifieds - the old classifieds can NOT be carried over to the new software.

Avatars, messages on the forum (not the classifieds) will be carried over to new version.

 

[CameraQuest]

For those who complained about the old version and do not like the new version...
the old adage
be careful what you ask for ... oh well.

anyway the old software had to be replaced as it was outdated and would likely eventually stop working.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I am in absolute agreement with Dogman. Please make it simple to upload a photo file directly with drag-and-drop. Perhaps I'm the only one here who does not post images on Flickr, etc. (for my own luddite reasons) but I suspect not.
And thank you for your continued efforts to improve the site!

 

[bluesun267]

I did a screen grab of my feedback. But I hope you can find some way to port the feedback over to the new version.



Could you possibly offer a way for users to re-populate the feedback themselves on the new site?



Classifieds are a fundamental attraction for me on RFF. And my decade's worth of good reputation as a seller is really important to me. I suppose I can just use this screen grab as one of the images on the next ad but it's not ideal

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Really? Who else likes the FredMiranda style classifieds?

Yes, really. And you are asking an audience who, through no fault of their own, mostly is going to be unfamiliar using with the FM classifieds. So, any lack of overwhelming agreement shouldn’t be construed as the Classified section here being as good or better than at FM. Just saying.

Let’s go to the FAQ here on how to leave feedback. There is a section in the FAQ on “Classifieds”, but it’s mostly generic warnings and doesn’t mention feedback. If someone thinks, unintuitively and out of frustration, to look for a sticky for his own “frequently asked question”, after finding it’s not in the FAQ, he will find a thread which addresses that: https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113406

Reading that thread pretty much is a lesson in confusion and on what needs to be addressed if changes are to be made. Unnecessarily convoluted is why you see the quizzical responses in that thread. There’s even a suggestion somewhere here (https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23762)

that people more or less just give up and instead of trying to leave feedback where it makes the most sense, next to the person’s name in the ad, they should just leave a comment as a post in a thread named “user feedback”, which no one looking for feedback on a seller before buying will ever see because it goes to the bottom of the page and quickly disappears as soon as you post to it.

And then there’s the bit that you can’t leave feedback if the ad is gone. I bought a Hasselblad SWC here from someone who doesn’t post here much, and he blatantly lied about the condition to the extent that I had to send the whole thing into David Odess to get it straightened out, almost doubling the cost of the camera, after the seller refused to accept a return. I would have posted negative feedback to that effect but he immediately deleted his ad after I contacted him, which made that impossible. He’s later posted at least one other ad here.
You won’t find anything like that over at Fred Miranda, because it just works. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, they’ve already done it. Just copy it.

That’s my suggestion anyway, and you did ask. Not trying to be unnecessarily annoying🙂

But the ad cost here is nice, there’s that.

 

[Gerry M]

Another "Like" for Fred Miranda classifieds.
Drag and drop for posting photos would be great. Even tho I use Flickr.

 

[farlymac]

Stephen, it has been my experience that when folks redesign a website without user feedback it usually winds up looking like what the programmer thinks is good, and what the owner wants to pay for, not what the users want to use it for.

I and probably quite a few others understand it needs to be overhauled, and have been waiting for this day to come. But a little heads-up earlier in the process would have been nice. It's a daunting task to rebuild something that cannot just be ported over in it's entirety, but to then have to go over and over making more changes before switching day only makes meeting the deadline that much harder to achieve.

So please don't take it personal when folks compare certain facets of the new construction with what works well on other sites. You won't be able to please everyone, but at least try to make the site more amenable to those who are used to how the Internet works everywhere else but here.

Thanks for all you do here, and keeping this little community going.

PF

 

[BillBingham2]

Stephen,

While I see the need for updating, I'm a simple sort who loves B&W and text done right. To me, RFF has it right currently.

That said, I do love my tablets and phone where the new approach to graphic rocks.

I have to spend some more time with the new site. The key is making easy for the existing folks to do what they do while making it attractive for new folk.

B2 (;->

 

[willie_901]

Change Your Passwords!

Change Your Passwords!

Please implement the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) as soon as possible. Encryption of the communication protocol is essential - especially if this site is networked to Camera Quest's business current RFF website.

Anyone who has logged into the test site with the same password they use on other sites should change their passwords ASAP.

 

[rschenker]

As a contrarian, I have to say I hate dark backgrounds for reading text. Hopefully you will offer both as choices. Otherwise it looks good to me. Just going for cleaning up site organization will be very helpful on its own.

 

[Rob-F]

Please implement the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) as soon as possible. Encryption of the communication protocol is essential - especially if this site is networked to Camera Quest's business current RFF website.

Anyone who has logged into the test site with the same password they use on other sites should change their passwords ASAP.

What's wrong with keeping the same password for both? It's hard to keep track of all the passwords I have to have, so I like to use the same password for several sites if I don't think they are critical ones for security.

 

[Rob-F]

The directory of sub-forums is now much easier to use.

The Gallery is wonderful!

 

[splitimageview]

Should be simple to transfer the member classified feedback scores even if they are entered manually into the database after the new site launches.

Multiple themes will satisfy those who prefer light, or those that prefer dark. 🙂

FM classifieds is excellent but definitely NOT a trivial development; that will be a major effort.

Good to see this project underway!

 

[Bingley]

I find white backgrounds very difficult to read and prone to glare. Much prefer a dark gray with white lettering as the easiest on the eyes.

I agree. I strongly prefer the black background (or dark gray) with white letters. Not only is it easier to read, but I think it shows off photos posted to threads better.

 

[peterm1]

I agree. I strongly prefer the black background (or dark gray) with white letters. Not only is it easier to read, but I think it shows off photos posted to threads better.

in general I agree. But I think dark grey is a much better than black, which is actually too stark making the white lettering itself a bit too glaring.

 

[Bingley]

A simple drag and drop of photo files would be helpful to those of us who would like to post images but don't use photo hosting sites or the galleries here on RFF.

^^^^^ 100%!! I would love to be able to drag and drop photo files so as not to be dependent on other photo hosting sites like (in my case) Flickr. Also, I’ve noticed in some older threads that are still active (or are resurrected) that photos copied from a photo hosting site disappear from the thread if the owner deletes the photo from the host site. If there’s a way to avoid this, that would be great. One of the great things about RFF now is how long it’s been going on; sometimes a thread on a particular topic becomes relevant or interesting years later. And if the photos posted to the thread were still visible, that would enhance RFF as a repository of informed discussion on all things photographic.

 

[peterm1]

^^^^^ 100%!! I would love to be able to drag and drop photo files so as not to be dependent on other photo hosting sites like (in my case) Flickr. Also, I’ve noticed in some older threads that are still active (or are resurrected) that photos copied from a photo hosting site disappear from the thread if the owner deletes the photo from the host site. If there’s a way to avoid this, that would be great. One of the great things about RFF now is how long it’s been going on; sometimes a thread on a particular topic becomes relevant or interesting years later. And if the photos posted to the thread were still visible, that would enhance RFF as a repository of informed discussion on all things photographic.

Though hosting photos costs money, these days most hosting costs are not in storage costs (which it used to be - storage was very expensive say 15 years ago) it is in security, bandwidth, ISP costs, other service fees and maintenance .etc.

I would love it if RFF could host images and allow members to upload reasonably sized images to it. As a compromise, I would not mind if all my photos were automatically downsized upon uploading so long as the size restriction is not too small. Other than that I do not mind linking my photos from Flickr where most of my photos go in any event.

 

[CameraQuest]

Stages

Stages

Once we start the transition both new and old RFF sites will be online,
viewable, but not available for members to post.

Once most new site basics are operational, members will be able to post on the new version, but not on the old RFF.

Still, there will be many rough spots, for at least a few weeks.

Eventually the new RFF site will be complete enough for the old RFF site to be taken down and save the cost.

We are limited by what the new software will allow us to do.

Many asked for changes in this thread are not possible, while others are.

Fasten your seat belts, there will be a few bumps.

Stephen