MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556
Posts: 556
Posted:
Is there any reason this forum is using formats decades old and cumbersome?
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Just why is this forum stuck in 1997?
Started by MarkM31 • 15 replies • 2185 views
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RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067
Posts: 5,067
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MarkM31 on 12/30/2014 7:29 AM
Is there any reason this forum is using formats decades old and cumbersome?
Is there any reason this forum is using formats decades old and cumbersome?
yes
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
What would you suggest?
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
It works well as it exists.
Therefor, as per the OP: let us change it.
Lowes mentality at work:
Never stop improving.
Even if it works well.
Therefor, as per the OP: let us change it.
Lowes mentality at work:
Never stop improving.
Even if it works well.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Well, lets face it, we have all desired an edit feature (even if it's only available for a few minutes after initially posting). Therefore, the OP's question isn't invalid.
We should keep in mind that:
This forum is free use.
The forum provides a service that is utilized.
There isn't another free service currently available on the internet that provides the same thing (at least none that I know of).
Therefore, should we look a gift horse in the mouth?
We should keep in mind that:
This forum is free use.
The forum provides a service that is utilized.
There isn't another free service currently available on the internet that provides the same thing (at least none that I know of).
Therefore, should we look a gift horse in the mouth?
CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457
Posts: 457
Posted:
97'??? say it ain't so! Now I feel old!
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
The first post on the forum is dated 9/1/2005.
hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603
Posts: 603
Posted:
Hi Everyone,
I thought I would chime in here since we provide this forum.
The forum was indeed started in 2005 with current software in use at the time.
The design has not changed much since then.
Why Not?
(1) It works as is:
As another poster said, it works as is. It's not a fancy design, but it works for the purpose intended, which is to allow people to talk and share information.
(2) Cost:
We already run this site at a loss and don't charge for access to it.
The cost to migrate 180,000 posts and over 30,000 user accounts to a new design would be $tens of thousands.
There is also a lot of backend code and functions on this site that you don't see like security protection, offsite backups, monitoring, troubleshooting, etc.
For example, we just got done fending off over 30,000 robotic hack attempts/day....not cheap and our members never see that work.
(3) Keep it Simple:
We use features like a plain text editor and simple menus so the site works on the most browsers with the least problems and maintenance.
(4) Change is not always good:
Thousands of people are used to the site as is and it's viewed hundreds of thousands of times a month. If we change everything to a new design, some people will be confused/turned off and may use the site less.
Take a look at one of the world's top sites: craigslist.com (it looks like it's from the 90's and it's wildly successful).
How about the most popular site in the world and one of the simplest designs? google.com
'Pretty' is very expensive to support and not always the best option for the intended purpose.
Thanks for the feedback and thanks for using HOATalk.com!
I thought I would chime in here since we provide this forum.
The forum was indeed started in 2005 with current software in use at the time.
The design has not changed much since then.
Why Not?
(1) It works as is:
As another poster said, it works as is. It's not a fancy design, but it works for the purpose intended, which is to allow people to talk and share information.
(2) Cost:
We already run this site at a loss and don't charge for access to it.
The cost to migrate 180,000 posts and over 30,000 user accounts to a new design would be $tens of thousands.
There is also a lot of backend code and functions on this site that you don't see like security protection, offsite backups, monitoring, troubleshooting, etc.
For example, we just got done fending off over 30,000 robotic hack attempts/day....not cheap and our members never see that work.
(3) Keep it Simple:
We use features like a plain text editor and simple menus so the site works on the most browsers with the least problems and maintenance.
(4) Change is not always good:
Thousands of people are used to the site as is and it's viewed hundreds of thousands of times a month. If we change everything to a new design, some people will be confused/turned off and may use the site less.
Take a look at one of the world's top sites: craigslist.com (it looks like it's from the 90's and it's wildly successful).
How about the most popular site in the world and one of the simplest designs? google.com
'Pretty' is very expensive to support and not always the best option for the intended purpose.
Thanks for the feedback and thanks for using HOATalk.com!
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MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Thank you HOATalk for everything you do. This has been one of the best HOA forum sites. I find the site adequate for our needs. Keep up the good work! Enjoy being here!
Former HOA President
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
RIGHT ON
" If it ain't broke, don't fix it. "
" If it ain't broke, don't fix it. "
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MelissaP1 on 01/05/2015 7:14 AM
Thank you HOATalk for everything you do. This has been one of the best HOA forum sites. I find the site adequate for our needs. Keep up the good work! Enjoy being here!
Thank you HOATalk for everything you do. This has been one of the best HOA forum sites. I find the site adequate for our needs. Keep up the good work! Enjoy being here!
I agree.
JackB8 (Virginia)
Posts: 141
Posts: 141
Posted:
Did you ever get anything you liked for Christmas?
JackB8 (Virginia)
Posts: 141
Posts: 141
Posted:
Did you ever get anything you liked for Christmas?
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001
Posts: 1,001
Posted:
YES - EVERY CHRIST MASS
KarenP1
Posts: 41
Posts: 41
Posted:
I am grateful for this site just as it is. Thank you for providing it.
KarenP1
Posts: 41
Posts: 41
Posted:
I am grateful for this site just as it is. Thank you for providing it.
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