New "Online Users" Survey

New "Online Users" Survey · 09-27-2009, 12:49 PM

We'd like your opinion on some changes we'd like to make to the main page.

Feel free to comment and vote in the Poll.

1. Remove the "User Settings" and "Contacts" boxes in the right hand column (above the Klingspor Ad).

"User Settings" can still be reached from the Red Navigation Bar at the top of each page as well as the Floating Menu.

2. New homemade version of "Online Users"

We've successfully built this on our test site, so here are some screen shots of how it would look, should we upgrade.

In the new vBulletin phraseology, Contacts are now called Buddies.

We now can see how many of us are online, how many guests and how many Buddies:

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This is the box opened up. There are no Buddies Online at this time:

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This is the box with Buddies Online:

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So, if you have some opinions, please share them. I'd like to push this change, if approved mid-next week.

Thanks!
Jim

Trent Mason · 09-27-2009, 01:04 PM

Maybe some folks would really dig this, but for me, I doesn't really make a difference. I consider all of you my buddies,

so when I look at the online users, I just see who is online that I recognize. If the new option happens, that's cool, but it doesn't really make a difference to me.

froglips · 09-27-2009, 01:12 PM

As is common, what I take for granted might not be as well known.....

Until I looked into this, I never even opened the Contacts box.

Contacts (now Buddies) lets you create your own private list of NCWWers. The "PM" next to the Buddy username is a shortcut for sending a "Private Message". The "X" removes the Buddy from your list.

I might also have omitted the inspiration. I'm on a mission to simplify our site. Some features can be accessed up to 5 different ways from one page. As part of this, we can free up real estate and simplify our support of the site.

Thanks for pointing that out Trent, I do live in a bubble sometimes

Jim

Warren · 09-27-2009, 01:30 PM

Seems to be a good approach. Do It!
Warren

Ken Massingale · 09-27-2009, 02:14 PM

I like it Jim, but if it adds depth to the top of the page before the threads, I'd have to be against it.

froglips · 09-27-2009, 02:29 PM

Ken, good point.

These Boxes are what they call "collapsible". This button

at the far right of each box lets you open or collapse the box. Most boxes remember what you last selected.

So, collapsed, the new proposed box won't take any more room than it does today as "Online Users".

I removed two sections of code from inside Online Users. That reduces some wasted space when open.

This is a long winded way of saying, if you use Contacts (now Buddies) and leave Online Users open all the time, then yes, it would take up more space.

If you don't use Contacts/Buddies Lists, and want to leave Online Users open, it will take less space than it does today.

Clear as mudd

Jim

sapwood · 09-27-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by froglips

If you don't use Contacts/Buddies Lists, and want to leave Online Users open, it will take less space than it does today.

Jim

I don't use the Contacts/Buddies list so I prefer leaving Online Users open.
On large, national bulletin boards I use the Contacts/Buddies list. However, the relatively small number of regular "Online Users' at NCWWer negates that need here.

JMTCW,
Roger

Gotcha6 · 09-27-2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by sapwood

I don't use the Contacts/Buddies list so I prefer leaving Online Users open.
On large, national bulletin boards I use the Contacts/Buddies list. However, the relatively small number of regular "Online Users' at NCWWer negates that need here.

JMTCW,
Roger

+1

gator · 09-27-2009, 11:33 PM

To tell the truth, I couldn't tell you what the screen looked like before/after the change. I have never noticed cause I guess I never bothered to worry about who's on-line or not, I just go to the posts.

George

froglips · 09-28-2009, 10:13 AM

All your feedback is great!

To reduce the "footprint" of the open box, I'm going to go back to the North Carolina Woodworker Labs and combine the two user lists into one list. The end result will be less space than it takes today while retaining the function of Contacts.

Thanks!
Jim

cskipper · 09-29-2009, 04:55 AM

I like it being there without looking for it. Often I check to see who is on line if I have a question, or hope for a quick response. It's also kind of nice to glance to easily see how many folks are "on line". I'm could get by with the other options, but do kind of like it as it appears now.

froglips · 09-29-2009, 08:33 AM

Cathy, can you help me understand how you use these features?

I like it being there without looking for it. Often I check to see who is on line if I have a question, or hope for a quick response.

Is the "it" the separate Contacts box?

It's also kind of nice to glance to easily see how many folks are "on line".

I totally agree, which is why I was inspired to move the how many folks info into the title of the proposed box.

This lets you see a one line summary all the time. With details filled in should you wish to open the box.

Does my change improve upon what you are looking for?

Thanks for the input, my hope is to make this cheaper, faster, better, stronger while letting your run faster and jump higher

Jim

JackLeg · 09-29-2009, 09:41 AM

I like seeing who's online, especially my "Buddies." Just wish I could click on them and communicate. Let's give it a shot. Won't know til we try. BUT, I'm for reducing the header size if possible. On a laptop, I have to scroll down every time I change screens. M2CW. Have a good day everyone!

froglips · 09-29-2009, 10:36 AM

reggie, I share you scroll-downery. My monitor is a 15 year old Acer 13" crt that tends to smoke if left on too long.

Your feedback is very helpful. I think as Flashchat gets better, what you asked about will become a reality.

Thanks,
Jim

froglips · 09-30-2009, 03:44 PM

Ok, based on some wonderful feedback, I've rewritten the code.

Lets start with users who don't use BuddyLists (Contacts).

Your Users box will show a summary in the title

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If you like to open the box, a comma delimited list of users online. This change also reduces the amount of space taken up by the box when left open.

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If you use the Buddylist (Contacts), you will also see " -- Buddies: n" in the title of the box.

Your Buddies who are also online, will show up first in the list of users. Buddies are also in a Bold font. Note, the "PM" and "X" for each Buddy come after the username. PM is for sending a Private Message to the user, "X" removes the user from your buddies list.

View image in gallery

If none of your Buddies are online, the Title will show you a Buddies count of "0":

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As always, input is welcome.

You can change your vote in the poll if I've won you over to this change

Jim