Forum Sidebar

[C. Charles Hahn]

I'm hoping I'm not the only one who has noticed this issue:



The forum sidebar on the right side of the page (with the 3D Training Academy link, Ads, Featured Products, etc.) used to automatically "remember" that I wanted it collapsed when loading new pages. As of a week or so ago (seemed to correspond with the installation of the chat room software, in fact) it no longer stays collapsed. Every time I load a new page, I have to manually click to hide it.



To say the least, this is fairly aggravating/frustrating. Ben (or whoever else has access to the administrative controls and knowledge of vB), is there any chance this can be looked into and corrected?



I've already tried logging out and back in, clearing cookies related to the site, etc. on my end to see if that was the issue, and it doesn't make any difference at all. The fact that it's happening on both my Mac laptop and Windows desktop would seem to indicate the problem is server-side as well.



:nerd1::dizzy:

 

[TLMitchell]

I'm hoping I'm not the only one who has noticed this issue:

You aren't

The forum sidebar on the right side of the page (with the 3D Training Academy link, Ads, Featured Products, etc.) used to automatically "remember" that I wanted it collapsed when loading new pages. As of a week or so ago (seemed to correspond with the installation of the chat room software, in fact) it no longer stays collapsed. Every time I load a new page, I have to manually click to hide it.

Pain in the neck, isn't it?

To say the least, this is fairly aggravating/frustrating.

Understatement.

I've already tried logging out and back in, clearing cookies related to the site, etc. on my end to see if that was the issue, and it doesn't make any difference at all. The fact that it's happening on both my Mac laptop and Windows desktop would seem to indicate the problem is server-side as well.

Been there, done all that too. I'm convinced it's on their end as well.



TL

 

[imported_dfazekas]

I messaged Ben about it. He said its a "feature" of the new version of v bulletin.



Personally, I hate it. A lot. It makes the page so busy that its hard to figure out

what to pay attention to. But I do love this forum, so if thats the tradeoff I have

to pay, I can live with it.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

He said its a "feature" of the new version of v bulletin.

I'm calling vBS on that. There HAS to be a way to disable or override it.



That sidebar has been around for a long time, and it used to function properly (once you minimize it, it stays that way until you specifically tell it you want it to come back). If vBulletin removed the ability to enable that functionality in an update, I would be very surprised.

 

[Accumulator]

I too dislike the new "feature", but, uhm...it's not my website.

 

[tom p.]

It IS a serious annoyance. It's much worse on one of my computers compared to the others.

 

[Bill D]

It's the biggest annoyance of the new Autopia. I would vote to just get rid of it entirely.

 

[umi000]

It's an enormous pain - I usually don't have my windows maximized, so the sidebar compresses the reading area in to a ridiculously narrow size.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I too dislike the new "feature", but, uhm...it's not my website.

Might not be your/my/our website, but that doesn't preclude (us) from giving feedback.



I honestly wonder if we might not get more readers and/or active participants if the browsing experience were made more user friendly and aesthetically pleasing....

 

[white gecko]

I've noticed the bar actually covering over the right hand side of pictures posted in threads. THAT is not cool

 

[imported_ZimRandy]

It is a PITA on mobile devices, too.



Grrr.





Randy

 

[Driven Auto Detail]

Add me to the "highly annoyed" list.

 

[David Fermani]

I too dislike the new "feature", but, uhm...it's not my website.

I'm taking this stance too. The sidebar doesn't bother me for general forum activity, but any time I'd like to view the entire page I've just been collapsing the sidebar.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I'm taking this stance too. The sidebar doesn't bother me for general forum activity, but any time I'd like to view the entire page I've just been collapsing the sidebar.

Where's the "dislike" button when you need one?



:smash:



I don't begrudge 3D the opportunity to advertise via the forum which they own and largely finance, but once someone has seen the ads, they should have the choice to not be forced to look at them again every single time they load a new page, especially when their placement is awkward and interferes with the overall browsing experience in any thread that includes pictures or embedded videos (which on a forum of this nature should be expected to be the vast majority of threads). Blatant spamming is what PBMG's forums are for. Autopia.org is above that kind of [stuff].... or at least they claim to be.



All I am really requesting is the return of functionality that was previously available; the only thing really being called into question at this point is whether the removal of said functionality was a conscious decision, or an as-yet unresolved software glitch. The response given here leads me to believe the former, even though the timing of the change would suggest the latter may instead be true.



David, also keep in mind that your title is "Marketing Manager" of Autopia. Purely by the nature of that title and the appearance it projects, you can't take the stance of "it's not my website." To those who may not know any better, this IS your website. :ballchain:



Just saying...

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

For that matter, let me sweeten the pot even more:



I tend to distribute links to my write-up threads to customers and potential customers. These write-up threads are posted to multiple forums for increased exposure. When I am choosing which forum to drive traffic to by distributing various links, which site do you think I'm most likely to choose? One where 25-30% of each picture is hidden from view unless the end user actively hides the sidebar? Or one where the full images can be seen without any user intervention?



I'll let you take a wild guess.



If you want a hugely successful website or forum with a high level of active traffic, overall browsing experience is right at the top of the list of factors to be paid attention to (alongside SEO, atmosphere/culture, quality of content). No different than in any other customer service setting.

 

[tom p.]

It's strange, but my side bar is always empty; I don't think I've ever seen an ad. Do others see ads in it?





My only complaint is that is takes up precious horizontal real estate

 

[David Fermani]

Charlie - Thanks for voicing your opinion and don't think it's not going unnoticed. Keep in mind that I am indeed this forum's Marketing Manager and one of the Moderators, but am not the Administrator or Owner so I do not have the power/ability to change this. I will however forward this thread over to someone for additional consideration. Please remain patient in the meantime.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Charlie - Thanks for voicing your opinion and don't think it's not going unnoticed. Keep in mind that I am indeed this forum's Marketing Manager and one of the Moderators, but am not the Administrator or Owner so I do not have the power/ability to change this. I will however forward this thread over to someone for additional consideration. Please remain patient in the meantime.

I realize you're not the Admin/Owner and thus can't make changes or have final say, I was just pointing out that to the random viewer who might come across the thread, they might not understand the same. That's all. :wavey

It's strange, but my side bar is always empty; I don't think I've ever seen an ad. Do others see ads in it?





My only complaint is that is takes up precious horizontal real estate

You can collapse each section vertically (and ironically, that much it does seem to store in a session cookie) as well as collapsing the entire sidebar horizontally. It may be that the ads are just collapsed in your browser.

 

[white gecko]

I've noticed the bar actually covering over the right hand side of pictures posted in threads. THAT is not cool

I just put up some new pics and the sidebar has completely cut off the right side of the pictures, including my watermark to protect my images. For now I'll start moving it to the left side, but this needs to get fixed now! Not cool with this at all.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I just put up some new pics and the sidebar has completely cut off the right side of the pictures, including my watermark to protect my images. For now I'll start moving it to the left side, but this needs to get fixed now! Not cool with this at all.

Jeff, rest assured that if anyone downloads the pics they will still get the whole thing including the watermark... but that doesn't excuse the issue in the first place. It makes sense that you'd want the marking visible for everyone reading your posts regardless of where it is in the photo (without them having to collapse the sidebar to see it).