What I would like to see is what we had before last year that was working. Seems like too many members want so much in the way of extras, which is going to bog down the site more, in my opinion. I’d propose that more of what we did have before last year working for the coming NaNo. And other issues to help the site load as it should.
Size of graphics in sig line is stated but not enforced, therefore some put whatever size they want. I do enjoy the graphics, but there will always be some who don't follow the rules. Put a cap, or whatever, on the graphics. If someone tries to use larger than the site states then it won't be accepted and they will have to resize it.
Lag time is somewhat of a pain.
Number of pages at the top and bottom of threads, and not being redirected back to the first page. I know this has already been stated, but it should make for less reloading in the end.
Knowing what threads you've responded to, or started. Can't remember if that was a feature before but there's always lots of people asking for that and it would help; it would also reduce so many complaints. I'd love to know where I've been, too. :)
I'd just like to see the basics work well, then a few extras added to help navigate and keep the site running smoother. Yes, I know many of these issues are being worked on. It seems to me there are a lot of personal wants but then there will be more and more complaints about how slow and bad the site is.
I love NaNo and will continue doing it, I just feel that some should maybe back off a bit on so much of the extraneous stuff. Would some of them be fun? Sure. But are all of them absolutely necessary?
----------
----------
Melanie A.
jadedragon's muse
You can't edit what you haven't written.
50,255 / 50,000
Jun 20, 2008 - 11 04
Sig Line complaints - yes, I agree that it should be enforced. We're working on a system that simply truncates an image that's too large. Also, it's a huge help when users just report it. Finally, we're going to add a "novel cover" spot in the profile page where folks can put that stuff and folks only have to look at it when they go there, instead of on every post.
Lag time: you mean the caching? Definitely something we're looking to either minimize or completely get rid of. There are several options that we're looking at.
Page numbering bugs - I agree that many of the load issues would be reduced if you could simply skip to the last page or to the most recent post in the thread. It's on our enhancement/bug fix list. (And may be resolved before September.)
Your Activity - once we've corrected the server load issues we do plan to bring back "see all posts by this user". It will also be useful and will show when there have been replies in threads and where the threads are located.
I agree, while everyone wishes for lots of new gadgets & features, the ones we do have should be working. There is a happy medium in there somewhere.
----------NaNoWriMo & ScriptFrenzy Staff
89,004 / 50,000
Jun 20, 2008 - 12 04
Thank you for replying. I love new gadgets and features as much as anyone, but not at the expense of slowing the site down. The staff here works hard to keep the site going and answering everyone's questions, and probably doesn't hear enough how much they're appreciated. You all do a great job!
--------------------
Melanie A.
jadedragon's muse
You can't edit what you haven't written.
60,054 / 50,000
Jun 20, 2008 - 12 05
Any time you see an overlarge signature, hit that "report" button at the bottom of the post, and we'll take care of it... I actually have asked quite a few people to reduce or remove signatures; but I'm only one person, and there's an awful lot of posts. ;) I do agree that enforcement should be automatic, though. I know this is a common feature on message boards, and this is one of my pet peeves.
----------Heather
Forums Moderator
100,233 / 50,000
Jun 30, 2008 - 07 49
I think properly working signatures are more important than properly sized ones...if it's the only way to make it work, couldn't you make it so it's automatically pasted in the bottom of a post? I know it worked like that on Script Frenzy last year so it's obviously doable with Drupal (dunno about now).
I agree that I mainly care about the site being at the same level of functionality it was at prior to last year, and probably I'm being paranoid but I'd like some reassurance. :X
----------58,830 / 50,000
Aug 3, 2008 - 16 33
I'd give up all the other gadgets and gizmos if two things were fixed: signatures (so they show the heck up every time not just when the board feels like it) and posts showing up when they should, not just when the site feels like it. The lag is tolerable now, but come Nano it's just going to crash and burn like last year. i spent signifigantly less time on the boards last year, and hence didn't have nearly as much connection with other wrimos. The whole fun of NaNo is the community of it. Without the community it's just writing in a black hole like every other month.
Please bring the community of NaNo back, with a site that functions.
----------