are we minority?or the one true vioce.

[ukdane]

Smiler.uk

You make some valid points. For new users. I have this morning compiled a small piece introducing new users to the site. Easy links to find interesting things, links to the help pages and help with navigation... Keep watching this space.

As for the bugs that you have found. Have you emailed the webmaster about those you have discovered? Please do so if they continue. If any of the regulars found a problem, they normaly email him. (Or start a message thread, eh- Oddboy) At least that way, he's in with a chance of fixing them.

[Wake]

Actually, I think the buttons not working and not being able to post a new message is symptomatic of an browser being incompatible with the drop down menus. I've tried to disable them on all incompatible configurations, but there are probably still more out there.

If links underneath where the menus appear never work for you, follow the link below and let me know what broswer it says you have.

Link: Browser check

[Oddboy]

Hey! The Armitage Credit Error thread was one that Wake himself started!
I just hi-jacked it with my research rather then starting multiple threads on the topic.

[Oddboy]

Wake, would it be easier to have the flashy drop down menus switched "Off" by default? Would that help?

[ukdane]

Good idea! Off as default. You can add it to the interactive features list for new users.

[Wake]

I'd rather leave it on now, since when it works, it makes the site easier to navigate and it would confuse people who currently use it if I suddenly turned it off.

Wake

[Art]

Mmm, pretty and high tech though it is I have to say that I've come to the conclusion that it's more trouble than its worth and disabled it. I actually prefer the site without it, I haven't had any trouble getting around either.

[Wake]

A total of 19 people have chosen to disable the Flash menus.

Several others have it automatically disabled because they are using Macs, or something other than MSIE.

As for the rest, I can't tell if they are using it because they like it or don't know how to disable it.

A poll on the subject suggested nearly 50% of the site's regulars like them.

What do you think of the drop down menus?

POLL RESULTS FROM 103 EARTHLETS
What drop down menus? They must have been disabled for my browser. 9 %
I like them. 48 %
I'm not fussed either way. 17 %
They work, but I don't like them. (You can disable them by going to the chat room) 21 %
I can't click on links near the top of the pages. (Email me) 5 %
I can't even see the tops of the pages. (Email me!) 1 %
     
 

Link: What do you think of the drop down menus?

[Oddboy]

I agree with Art.
I didn't have any problems finding my way around when I first came here.

[ukdane]

I think it's easier to use than before. I feel I'm cutting out the middle man. And can get directly where I want to get to.

But I know that lots of people have had problems with it which is why I suggested turning it off.

I love it, but then I'm biased!

[Art]

Many of the problems occure because the menus are flash driven. It may be worth your while looking into a DHTML repacement.

Link: http://www.brothercake.com/dropdown/" target="_blank">http://www.brothercake.com/dropdown/

[Wake]

I did investigate some other possibilities, but ran into problems with getting them the integrate seamlessly with the existing header.

Of course Robin and I didn't know about the transparency and click through problems with Flash objects when he started work on them.

The site will probably be up for a redesign later this year, so the menus issue can be readdressed then.

Wake

Link: http://www.2000adonline.com/test.php3" target="_blank">Site menu test (disable flash menus to view proper

[Devons Daddy]

SMILER.UK

welcome to the board.

[Queen Firey-Bou]

Drop-down-whats?
Is-my-PC-old_&_thick-then?
(keyboard_awaits_bin_whaahaa)