Navigation issues

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post these comments, but it seems to be. Since the revamp of Trainboard, which I find mostly positive, I have noticed a few issues which negatively affect how I navigate the sight. I don't know if these can be changed, or indeed if others would want them to be changed, but I'll mention them and let the powers that be decide. Thanks for listening and for providing a valuable service.

-Gary

1. On long multi-page threads, the link boxes to individual pages can be obscured by other icons. This makes it difficult to click the desired link page (generally the current page). I can provide a screen shot example if this is not clear, but the icons I'm thinking of are the paper clip (attachments) and the little blue luggage tag looking thing (keywords?). I don't think those icons add any real value to the user.

2. At the bottom of each page is the quick navigation pull-down. In the previous incarnation of TB, there was a Go button next to it that would take you back to the current forum. Now there is a Top button that takes you to the top of the current page. Go was useful for getting a fresh look at the current forum. Now you need at least two clicks to achieve that, especially on multi-page threads. (Picky, I know.)

 

Hi Gary

Yes, this is the exact forum for these types of questions / concerns / feedback...

I believe I understand your #1 concern as I have reported the same / similar issue to Charlie. I'm not sure if he can fix it or not since this is purchased software that runs the forum so customizations / configurations are limited. What I think you are seeing is that the Topic Title is no longer wrapping onto a second line like it did with v3 of the software so it looks like the icons are covering up the longer titles. Are we talking the same issue?

As for your #2 concern the new v4 software did alter allot of navigation (Good / Bad / Indifferent) and Charlie is working on adjusting what he can but I'm not certain that he can adjust that area or not.

Either way, thanks for the constructive feedback!!!!!!!

:thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:
​

 

Thanks Darren. Here is a screen shot illustrating item #1:



As you can see, the Current Page link in the big threads is obscured by the two icons, making it hard to click. It turns out that this depends on the width of the browser window: widening the window slides the icons over. Neither item is a show stopper...

Cheers,
Gary

 

Hi Gary,

There are a few ways to navigate around the shown problem.

1. You can click the blue arrow icon on the far right to be taken to the very last post of the thread (and by definition the last page).

2. If the thread has some posts that are "unread", there will be another blue arrow icon pointing downward just before the title of the thread. Clicking that will take you to the first new post.

3. If the thread has some posts that are "unread", you can click on the title which will take you to the first page. From there, just above the first post there is a link that says "View first unread".

In the case of the screenshot you attached, option 1 is the only option since all threads are shown as "read", where vBulletin thinks you've already seen everything new in each thread.

And of course, you can widen the browser window to give everything more room.

 

Good tips Mark, and thanks to everyone for the feedback.

-Gary