Time to reassess ?

[Byron]

Has post appeared ?

[Byron]

Post again:
Interesting to see some progression in contributions to the new board and that
readers have woken up a little - though sad to see lack of some old names from the fantasy board who could be relied upon to enliven discussion.

Have they had their fill of posting to the forum and feel that the new format is not for them - or do they simply not have a clue where the old board is reincarnated?
Unless they are reading this I guess we shall never know.

We have seen a variety of comments ranging from "Great new board - love it" to "Where is the simplicity of the old board which could be operated without a lot of the hassle now involved".
I will stick my neck out and say the former is largely from the younger generation and the latter from the older (in broad terms I hasten to add - before I am attacked for a lack of statistics).

My own stance is for simplicity of operation. A quick visit to the forum whilst on the computer is certainly not possible now, as in earlier days, and so much is on offer that extra information can be too much information.
Do we really need to read all those running statistics for example - or are they just there for the site administrator ?

PS: I still wait to see a thank you to Louis for saying Aussie Bum floral on
the thread "what is this suit?"

[SpeedoAZ]

I have no problems with the new board. It really is not difficult to figure out. For people who belong to other forums on the web, they will notice that the new board is using a common standard format that is considered the norm in forum layouts.

People are quick to complain at any change. Hey, the board is free and I would guess that most of the complainers have not contributed a dime to the boards operation this year.

[LongIsland Tom]

While everyone who post here is entitled to their own opinion, if its one thing the new Board does not need, at this time, it's comments that are critical of other members. The membership continues to grow but the number of post have not shown a like increase. Negativity is not going to help correct that situation.

[Byron]

Quoting from your own post of 11-13-2011, I see "....not a good sign..." and "....prospects are dim..." - and they sound to me very much like some of that undesirable "negativity" you so dislike.

[LongIsland Tom]

My remarks were very clearly directed to the new Board layout and the negative effect it has had on activity and participation. The lack of that participation indicated to me that I was not alone in my feelings. I never made any negative comments about of the members and never would. I hope the Board can stay positive and be a place people can come to for pleasure and enjoyment. Given what's going on in the world today we can all use it. With fewer members it's even more important not to give additional reasons for poeple to turn away. Let's just try and keep it light and cheerful until the Board can revive itself so more members are willing to participate.

[jaberwock]

I agree it sucks that the replies have dropped off, but I always wondered why it didn't go to this format like 10 years ago when this became the standard for any message board on the internet. Honestly the old format was the reason i kinda dropped off. but now i'm back :) hope all the members start posting again.

[CalifFitnessSwimmer]

Separate sections on types of suits, picture puzzles, speedo stories, speedo beaches, suits for sale and Rate the Speedo Picture, my first speedo stories are probably the way to go.

Also discussions about technical suits, Speedo wearing sociology and news snippets which people never seem to tire of talking about

Fans can navigate straight to the sub topic that interests them and skip the stuff they don't care about.

So far the new board barely has a pulse, especially compared with the always controversial Dave Evans - his site has grown and his discussion board has special sections for pictures, etc. but I think this site has always kept a loyal core.

[Byron]

OMG - not MORE sub divisions - if this
website is not to become a nightmare
of navigation we need LESS !

Will a member simply intending to post
on speedo wearing sociology but maybe
wishing to include a news snippet to
illustrate a point, feel bound by imposed
subject categories to post TWICE ?

The Forum is called general chat
- let's leave it at that.

[Crail]

My checking out the old site was almost a daily routine; and each post read was changed to a different color to let me know it had been read.

IMHO, there was better continuity of subjects and responses. There was no necessity to change screens to find general chat, puzzles, etc.

Now my visits are few and far between.

Yes, it is realized that Mike is working against the odds in trying to switch from "Speedo" Fantasy Board to the current board and, more than likely, many former readers are not aware of the new board.

It is hoped that the board succeeds and many of the former readers return to the fold.

For me, it has not reached the daily routine that was enjoyed before.

Best wishes to all

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

I have a different view. The old site was virtually dead, IMO. The only posts were from the same regulars, but often the site went days with no activity, especially at the end. This site is getting activity and steadily growing. I think the sign in requirement may be an issue for some, but it also limits the trolls who shoot venum at everyone. I like that posts stay active and can keep floating up with new activity. I also like the break out that we have now. Puzzles, stories and general chat seem to make sense.

[Lap Counter]

What's not to like about the new forum software? It is much easier to navigate, looks more contemporary, doesn't require monthly archiving, and most important - lets stories have paragraph breaks, which makes them much more readable.

I'm a fan! :D

[Byron]

In response to points made:

Easier: not for me I'm afraid - too many procedures for getting
around to check on what one might have missed.

Contemporary: so what? - does style count over substance and
simplicity ?

Archives: monthly "clearing of the decks" was not a bad thing.
Posts could still be found by those who wanted to
check back - now the board will be clogged up with
pages and pages of threads which can go on forever.

Paragraphs: couldn't agree more - long overdue innovation.

[CalifFitnessSwimmer]

"Stickiness" ( in the clean sense ) means the Web Master can choose to make certain informative threads "Stick" to the top, instead of getting lost in ancient archives.

I'm a little reluctant to say it but Dave Evans has done a good job with his board. It has an attractive, modern look and feel. It has separate sections for stories, pictures etc. I'm not promoting his site, I still check with this board more often but I'll jump over to other blogs and discussion boards occasionally.

[Byron]

Yes - stickies good for new members (and a reminder for old too)
Seems to be general practice on all www message boards now.

Agree on DE - he is maybe too good at this for Speedo Corp's comfort ?

[sebbie]

put up some posts, read some other, even received a few private messages. I'm doing well withthe new site, I think...blue patterned nylon arena last nite.

Sebbie

[Byron]

Happy birthday of two weeks ago.

Your post illustrates a couples of points.

I was late to see a post and it could be argued
that your post above belongs under your thread
"What I'm wearing today".

That's what concerns me about any request for
even more topic sub-divisions on the board.

PS: I was looking for some reaction to Mike's
possible withdrawal of Lycra Forums.
Nothing so far - seems likely they won't be
missed.

[Byron]

Where exactly was spell check required ?
(re.post on Lycra Chat)

[louis]

I have jest red all the treads and I agree and not agree to, different opinions.
I tend to mostly agree with crail.

Never the less however when Mike suggested this new post I was sure I would never get use to it, however at first wene Mike suggested this new post I was sure I would never get used to it but bit by bit I am beginning to master the different options.
I agree with Byron wene he says no adding to options there is to much as it is.

[dorcas3]

Guys: Just relax and let time take care of it. Soon it will began to feel like an old shoe or your favorite suit.

[Byron]

LOL - my old shoe needs a new sole and my favorite suit is threadbare - hope we are not to take you too literally !

[Lap Counter]

Where exactly was spell check required ?
(re.post on Lycra Chat)

He's corrected it now, but Mike misspelled Lycra when he started with the new software, with the result that it was titled LYRA CHAT. ;)

[Byron]

Thank you.
What was a little mystery for me is solved
(and Torchwatch may also be interested to
read your post as the former one immediately
followed one from him on that forum).

[Byron]

To illustrate the point my nightmare would be this:

http://forums.anandtech.com


:confused:

[Lap Counter]

Byron, Come on!!!

Don't you find overclocking CPUS to be like the biggest turn-on you've ever had?


:D

[Byron]

If attempts to resurrect the dead are a big turn-on the answer must be yes for the CPU here.
Necrophilia is not my ball game however so the answer to you must be no, as I can think of far better turn-ons.

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Wow, have we diverged off the swimwear track.... CPU's, over clocking and necrophilia... my oh my... ;)

[Byron]

.........:eek: ...and a bit of BDSM too (see ozropeman)

[Byron]

This one on topic and topical?

http://www.torontosantaspeedorun.com/TorontoSantaSpeedoRun.com/Home_files/shapeimage_1.png