When will the private messaging system be available, and will the buddies we had before the forum was updated be added back to our lists? Really want to get in touch with one person. This is my only way, so please AUK can normal service resume soon?
Private Messaging: When will the... - Asthma Community ...
Private Messaging
19 Replies
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On the case Katina, not sure currently when pm service will be back, will keep everyone updated as soon as I know anything
I don't think the buddies list can be carried over, because the new software doesn't seem to provide that function in the same way the old board did.
Have to say I'm hearing lots of grumblings from people, they don't like the new website, and think the forum has become unfriendly and lack of fully working features is a little amateurish.
Whilst I agree that the lack of Private Messaging is annoying, I'm not sure of what other features it lacks compared to the old board, and conversely there are many new features (such as full support for formatting and adding links and pictures to posts, avatars, signatures, etc.) and lots of extra moderating tools that will help us keep the boards in order much better than before.
As for friendliness, as far as the software is concerned it is much the same as every other message board I use - although the old Asthma UK software was very unique, which means anyone who only frequently used that board will find it harder to get used to this one, anyone who has experienced vBulletin, phpBB or YaBB message boards will find this very easy to get to grips with. We're always happy to answer questions about using the board.
Please remember, though, that Asthma UK is a charity with comparatively limited funding, and this message board is provided free-of-charge. There have been many issues behind-the-scenes with the update to the website (some of which we are still waiting to resolve), but considering the cuts that Asthma UK have unfortunately been forced to make elsewhere, they could have decided to simply switch the message boards off to save the expense of redeveloping them.
Private Messaging is the only not-fully-working feature of the board, and Asthma UK's first message board didn't feature it at all. The only reason why it is currently disabled is because we don't have the PM moderating tools that we had with the old board (which took nearly two years to develop the last time!) and it was felt it would be a retrograde step to have unmoderated private messaging - not to mention the safeguarding issues that this would bring. Asthma UK has to comply with the Charities Commission with regard to safety on message boards that minors can access and use, so for the time being I'm afraid we have to wait until the private messaging system can be made to comply.
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Whilst I agree that the lack of Private Messaging is annoying, I'm not sure of what other features it lacks compared to the old board, and conversely there are many new features (such as full support for formatting and adding links and pictures to posts, avatars, signatures, etc.) and lots of extra moderating tools that will help us keep the boards in order much better than before.
As for friendliness, as far as the software is concerned it is much the same as every other message board I use - although the old Asthma UK software was very unique, which means anyone who only frequently used that board will find it harder to get used to this one, anyone who has experienced vBulletin, phpBB or YaBB message boards will find this very easy to get to grips with. We're always happy to answer questions about using the board.
Please remember, though, that Asthma UK is a charity with comparatively limited funding, and this message board is provided free-of-charge. There have been many issues behind-the-scenes with the update to the website (some of which we are still waiting to resolve), but considering the cuts that Asthma UK have unfortunately been forced to make elsewhere, they could have decided to simply switch the message boards off to save the expense of redeveloping them.
Private Messaging is the only not-fully-working feature of the board, and Asthma UK's first message board didn't feature it at all. The only reason why it is currently disabled is because we don't have the PM moderating tools that we had with the old board (which took nearly two years to develop the last time!) and it was felt it would be a retrograde step to have unmoderated private messaging - not to mention the safeguarding issues that this would bring. Asthma UK has to comply with the Charities Commission with regard to safety on message boards that minors can access and use, so for the time being I'm afraid we have to wait until the private messaging system can be made to comply.
Does this mean there will be no yearly membership as you say its free ?
I can understand the funding issues due to the current economic climate. But surely if costs are an issue why did asthma UK feel the need to change the forum? Surely they could have left well alone and not spent the extra money. Obviously do not know what the issues where behind the scenes at Asthma UK that prompted the changes...
Personally, because I am dyspraxic, dyslexic and have mear irlene syndrome I find the layout and colouring of the new website very painfull to look and gives me a heachache after a short period of reading.
Malawi2 - Asthma UK had no choice but to change the messaging board as the old ones design came to an end. So we should be very grateful to Asthma UK that they put the money into relaunching it!
I'm sorry the boards are uncomfortable for you to look at. Do you have a coloured overlay you could place on the computer screen for it to be more comfortable for you to use? and I think you maybe able to change some settings on your own computer to make it more comfortable for you too. Maybe PeakSteve knows how to do this?!
Glynis- As far as I'm aware the boards are totally free - you don't have to be a 'member' of asthma UK to use the boards,however there is an option to become a member when you sign up for the boards (at least that's what it was like when I signed up- I think!)
oops.. defs on here to much and avoiding revision to know these things...
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I think you maybe able to change some settings on your own computer to make it more comfortable for you too. Maybe PeakSteve knows how to do this?!
Yes, there are settings you can change. Depending on which web browser you use, you can override the colours determined by a web page to ones you have chosen yourself. You can also change some global settings in the Windows control panel (""Accessibility options"" on Windows XP, ""Ease of access"" under Windows Vista and Windows 7) to give a high-contrast colour scheme which may help.
As far as colour schemes are concerned, the old board also used comparatively small text in black on alternating white and grey backgrounds, so I don't see how this board is very different. If text size is an issue, don't forget that you can zoom in on any webpage by holding down the CTRL key and moving the scroll wheel on the mouse up (or holding CTRL whilst pressing the + key). CTRL and scroll wheel down (or CTRL and the - key) will do the opposite. This works in all ""new"" web browsers (Opera, Firefox, Safari, Chrome), but for further details follow this link, which as TJ says can also be found at the bottom of the page:
A note about the reason for the new website and message boards:
Ally18 is correct: the old website was provided by Torchbox on a contract basis - they maintained it, but Asthma UK had to pay them a regular fee for this service. Asthma UK have decided to take the website back in-house (as it was before the Torchbox version came along in 2006) because the Torchbox contract had ended. This will cost more now, but save a lot of money in the long run.
The fact is that some people will like it, some won't. Change always affects someone. Personally, I couldn't stand the old forums and like this much better as it has more functionality is much more like every other forum I visit.
That said, if there are accessibility issues then they should be addressed as far as possible.
The only function that I would really like is a ""view new posts"" button so all posts since you last visited can be seen in a list rather than clicking in and out of the forums.
You can't please everyone and grumbling won't bring it back since the software just isn't available.
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The only function that I would really like is a ""view new posts"" button so all posts since you last visited can be seen in a list rather than clicking in and out of the forums.
I've just discovered that we do have that feature!
At the top of the page there is a blue bar with three options on the left: My Profile, My Topics and Logout. If you click ""My Topics"", the first thing you get is a list of all of the threads that have been posted to since the last time you logged on.
I do wish people wouldn't use colours other than black for their messages. I find it almost impossible to read and it gives me a headache.
I find the new format not as welcoming as the old one but am used to it from other forums.
I do like the fact that posts are in better order and that mods can move posts.
Thank you Ally18.
Im ok with the new forum and so glad we have AUK for help.
Im glad its a free forum and will donate from time to time .
I've really noticed a drop in posting since the switch, which is really sad. I don't have a problem with the layout of the forum etc. although it's taking me a while to get used to the difference. Since it's a charity I don't think it's up to us to complain. Maybe those who miss the activity on the old forum should take more active part in the discussions on this one?
I'm sorry the boards are uncomfortable for you to look at. Do you have a coloured overlay you could place on the computer screen for it to be more comfortable for you to use? and I think you maybe able to change some settings on your own computer to make it more comfortable for you too. Maybe PeakSteve knows how to do this?!
Unfortunately cannot put plastic overlays over a laptop screen as it then causes problems closing it up. Have already tried changing the settings on PC but this is not any help on this type of forum especially with two tones being used.
The current layout is used with free forum software (as mentioned previously) as the forum and website support contract had to change. However, this will be more integrated with the main website once Asthma UK new branding guidelines are released. Hence, it may look ""a little amateurish"" with some teething trouble but has more features generally than previous boards.
As with any change, some people will like, some won't. However, the boards have I feel been busier since the change e.g. with less active users returning more. Do others find the grey background on alternating posts easier to read than the white? Malawi2, is this what you meant by the two tones? With the mentions of font colours, are dark (not just black) colours on a very pale background not easier for many? Can of course understand why bright colours may not be so easy. There was options under Accessibility options (in purple near the bottom of the screen) on the old website but not sure about this
There is still the option of a buddies list under Profile > My Buddies tab.
The yearly membership is for Asthma UK - asthma.org.uk/get-involved/... - not the forum/website use which includes free ordering of information leaflets.
Maybe those who miss the activity on the old forum should take more active part in the discussions on this one? Hear, hear
At the end of the day, these forum boards are what we all make of it.
Excellent! I never looked at that, I just thought it was threads I've posted in.
does the forum text go any bigger?
The asthma uk website text is huge but the forum text is tiny.
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does the forum text go any bigger?
The asthma uk website text is huge but the forum text is tiny.
Yes - my post earlier in this thread explains what to do.
Peaksteve thank you so much for that bit of info re my topics, that's soooooooo much easier!
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