New Format Sucks!

BTW, thanks for fixing the home page. Also, while perusing a few articles i usually pass by such as any dealing with Time Machine, I note that credit is being given. Must be a recent addition, since my previous experience didn't show that behavior. Better would be links to the applicable postings, but that's me.

baltwo wrote:

...However, further discussion is futile.

Perhaps it is...it seems you've turned to coming down on my efforts here and elsewhere.

Just like baltwo, I generally do not want or need to search for a user. I also rarely ask a question. I come here to volunteer to help and do not wish to waste my time getting to the forums I generally keep tabs on. The one user I was searching for is a special case - he is challenged in several ways (including physically) and has several impediments which makes it difficult to understand his questions. He is not in the top users, he doesn't answer questions - he just asks if he has a problem. Last post was back in Jan or Feb. I try to get to him asap to answer his question before he gets mocked or derided by someone else, so it was important to me that I find him. I've now subscribed to him with emails - not my first choice; would rather just have a list of users I subscribe to and check from there, but that option is not available.

I quote Apple

"Join the conversation. Share tips and solutions with fellow Apple product users from all around the world."

Well this describes the old forum too!!!!

I don't see big differences, the main features are the same: you ask questions, you answer questions, giving tips of course, you receive stars, you receive emails...

So why this change?

Currently it does seem more like a lateral move, but I think it provides a much better framework for Apple to build upon in the future to add new features and make alterations. The previous forums were fine for just having discussions, but adding new features and expanding functionality (whatever they may be) may have taken more effort in the long run than redesigning the site.

...just my guess, though.

"If you see a question"

Aye, there's the rub.

You may imagine that I do have cause to search for users. Haven't tried it yet. Too many other things to think about.

...I'm not sure what you mean. Click any topic...the questions are all listed right there.

Topher Kessler wrote:

...I'm not sure what you mean. Click any topic...the questions are all listed right there.

Finding the questions to which you've responded requires more clicks, more searching. For those of us who answer questions in a number of different forums, it's become a bit challenging to keep track. Some of it is a question of learning how to use the new tools but some of it truly is that, even though some things are better in the new version, some are not.

You're a special person with special needs, as is babowa, and I certainly do know that, but the typical responder doesn't do much searching for users, at least that's my experience.

I've tried searching for a user - frustrating in my case; user is not a top user, only posts when he has a question. Is disabled and needs special attention, so I try to jump in as soon as I can because some people make disparaging remarks. In any case, it took me close to an hour to find him and create a widget. Whooppeee. Won't do that again. I've requested to be able to click on user profile and then click on "watch user" - now wouldn't that be easy.

Topher Kessler wrote:

I think Apple's tutorials for using the site are quite thorough enough, and they're quite easy to locate.

I hate to have to disagree. Take a look at the tutorial on privileges:

https://discussions.apple.com/___sbsstatic___/apple/tutorial/reputation.html

How, exactly, is that thorough? No privileges are detailed.

As far as being easy to locate, I located that one through my browser history.

You can add a widget to your homepage to do exactly that. It will show the most recent posts by that user, and allow you to track them and quickly access their profiles.

Ok so there are some missing details, but that does not say that overall they dont do a good job. Here's the next one on email notifications, which covers how to access two separate email settings: https://discussions.apple.com/___sbsstatic___/apple/tutorial/email.html

One or two people earlier on (I can't remember who exactly) were not finding one of those settings, and this would nicely show them how to do it.

I can see where having multiple discussions going can be tricky to manage, especially if you are a regular contributor. I've found the email notifications here are quite useful in aiding this.