OK FREEPERS! 7 Days ago FRee Republic had a make over, how do you like it so far?

4/6/2002 | TLBSHOW

[TLBSHOW]

7 Days ago FRee Republic had a make over, how do you like it so far?

Last Saturday free republic changed to beta format for it's web site design and the crowd went mad. Many loved the new site design and others hated the new site design.

Now that the dust has settled and a week has passed. How do you like it now?

This is a question and opinion thread. Thanks!

[TLBSHOW]

THUMBS UP FROM TLBSHOW

[Non-Sequitur]

I will be the first to admit that at first I hated it. But with the peakin' and tweakin' that they have done in the interim I've come to like it. In fact, I like it a lot. So I'll go along with your thumbs up.

[Bad~Rodeo]

Thunbs Sideways....

[xm177e2]

I like the CSSes, FR looks much nicer with a good custom CSS.

[xm177e2]

This really belongs in General Interest, don't you think?

[not-an-ostrich]

Don't.

[WaterDragon]

As of now....the best ever!

[VA Advogado]

Once you get to the thread, its fine. But I hate most of the other changes. Breaking news is too far down on the right. The headline fonts are too big, etc. I still think this was a step back. However I do like that you can read and reply to just the responses to you rather than go to each thread.

[Rustynailww]

hasn't it always been this way?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I like it. The only thing I miss from the original change-over is the red, white and blue flag motif on the left side. That was very eye-catching.
On the other hand, the current motif is very nice for FReeping on the job. Less conspicuous.

[Anamensis]

I'm getting used to it, and there's nothing really wrong with it I suppose... yet I liked the old way a bit better ... EXCEPT I like that when I call up New Comments to Me the comments themselves come up. So I don't have to wait for threads to load to see what someone said. That's pretty cool.

[demkicker]

I'm still trying to adjust. Visually, I prefer the old format.

[cpdiii]

Once you learn where all the buttons and bells are it is a great improvement.

[buffyt]

Login still doesn't work if you aren't already logged on. My friend who is a freeper and wants to use my computer can't because he/she can't login. I am afraid to log off I might never get back on. Maybe that is just a gremlin that has to be worked out on this new system.

[GreatOne]

I agree - I believe that some of the improvements could've been added while leaving the visual format the same. Still hard to read (for me).

[Clara Lou]

Visually: the "latest posts" page is an ocean of text
All other aspects are pretty near perfect-- definitely improved.

[The Bored One]

I like the new "my comments" option ... very nice. But I think the side bar (Breaking News, etc) is a little too thin and should be taken back to the old way. 2 thumbs sideways so far :)

[billybudd]

I like it all right. How do I easily log off though?

[StACase]

It would be nice if programmers would put all the settings in "Settings" but of course they don't and Free Republic is no different in that regard.

Example: "Set My Location" is three or four mouse clicks past the settings button, and you gotta know where to click
(it's not arranged in one neat column) to get there.

But I'll get used to it.

[SamAdams76]

How does one go about getting this new "beta" site? I think I am ready to check it out.

[AngrySpud]

Two thumbs up!

[toddst]

While it required some learning, the FR make-over is excellent IMHO. The more I work with it the better I like it.

[TLBSHOW]

I wanted to put it in breaking news, but I had an after thought! lol

[The Raven]

I like it.

Minor point: I don't like the "latest threads" format....I'd like to see more pertinent info on a page....Perhaps get rid of the "time" and put the other stuff in a single line?

I'd also like to see search capabilities for other than "title" in a pull-down box - especially the article's author and/or the article source.

[spectre]

It's 100% better than it was the first day, when it was unbearable. (I know, I hear all you PC ELITE out there groaning)..

I still can't find the "spell check"? :~)

sw

[McGruff]

You can get to the BETA versions by changing the "www." to "beta." in the address bar. Or click here.

My opinion is that the current version is much better than it was a week ago. I like to have the most text on my screen without it being too cluttered with other stuff.

[Cboldt]

'lynx' user here -- the new format is superior. There is less "clutter" at the top of the screen, and the notifications re: posts to me, mail to me and posts (to Maine) are clear, yet short.

My initial complaint stands, and I'd still like to see this behavior changed . . .

when viewing message titles in "view messages" mode (where each new post makes an entry in the web page - as compared with the "view articles" more where only new articles make an entry in the web page), the number of titles viewed tracks the setting of number of posts to view per thread. My preference is that the number of titles shown in "view new messages" mode follow the setting of number of articles to view; and that the "number of posts per thread" setting is effective only when a single thread is opened.

[Khepera]

The improvements have been great!

[NittanyLion]

The new beta site is here.

[DB]

Is there any way to turn off announcements?

[AppyPappy]

My breaking news is at the top.

[dokmad]

Not bad!! Not bad at all!!

[oldvike]

Thumbs down. I liked the old layout better (kinda nostalgic for the blue border) and don't like the fact that it shows pics on "New Posts To You" because I have a 56k modem and it takes waaaay too long to download that page. Plus, the search funtion is a big pain in the arse.

[oldvike]

One other thing, Breaking News should be at the top of the page, not hidden down at the bottom.

[Blue Eyes]

I don't mind the new format, except for one thing. I lurk at work, so I don't log in. I can scroll through the threads just fine, but I can only get one page of new messages. When I click on the "click for more messages" at the bottom of the screen, it takes me to a new screen, with the top and side columns, but no messages! It's just blank. So, I am left with just scrolling the page of the newest messages.

When I am logged on at home, I don't have this problem; I can get page after page of new messages, no problem. I can't log on at work, so I can't follow the pages of messages (sometimes someone will post to an old thread that I didn't read before).

Other than that, the new format is fine.

[G.Mason]

I suppose, like any woman,a change is needed periodicly just to make her feel good about herself. Like a new hairdo?

Most men, once adapted to something, tend to find change for no reasonable reason quite unecessary. Like if it isn't broke don't fix it?

Gee....there I go again....being sexist!

[Tijeras_Slim]

The first half hour was rough, but adversity is the school of greatness.

[sneakers]

Works for me! Once I got used to it, there was no problem.

[oldvike]

How do I easily log off though?

Go to any FReeper's profile page then look up in the right hand corner. There is a box that says "my destinations" (this used to be in the old format) and there is an option in there to log off.

[Ron H.]

Threads still look and 'feel' okay, but the 'front door' leaves much to be desired and could/should be done better or returned back to its former appearance IMHO....

[Khepera]

The only thing that I would suggest and have in the past is that a link back to the forum be placed on my email pages. Currently I have to press the back button several times or go to my favorites and come in through the front door again.

[Rebelbase]

Tolerable.

[McGruff]

Here is a thread from Jon Robison concerning the state of the BETA testing so far.

One of the thing I'm excited about is a plan to have real time chat. Now that should be fun.

[TLBSHOW]

You mean this isn't real time? Oh no and all the while I thought we were chatting for real.

All joking aside, it can only get better.

TLB

[contessa machiaveli]

anything jimrob does is fine with me. actually, i really like the graphics and of course the content is unbeatable.

[Kaslin]

I like it. However I wanted to post a question in Your Opinion this morning, but it never went through. Perhaps someone can answer my question here.

So here I go. I am getting a new computer and am debating if I should use the Norton Firewall or stick with ZA. I have ZoneAlarm Pro on theis computer and am very much pleased with it. But I am planing to get Norton System2002 and I thought I might try the firewall also.

[genefromjersey]

I LIKE it like that !

[Jim Ralls]

I miss having a distinct identifier for each post. That made it easier when refreshing to know where you were so you only looked at the new stuff. Other than that little gripe, I like it.

[SarahW]

I'm still waiting for the search functions to be fully restored.