Way too easy to like a post. I have liked several completely by mistake. The box extends across the entire comment area. Don't try to scroll anywhere on the same line as the thumbs up symbol or you will like something that you may think is not appropriate.
After posting yesterday about the eye strain, I decided to let it clear and try again. I see more issues now why the new site is so hard on the eyes.
Someone apparently doesn't understand or didn't consider visual ergonomics.
1. Look at any of the posts. The name of the poster is less than 1/2 the size of the thread title. The duration since posting, "helpful answer and "reply" links are also smaller, and greyed out.
I always check to see who posted before reading.
It doesn't take an ophthalmologist to determine that eyes make small adjustments that we probably don't even realize when we shift from large to small type. Consistent sizes are easier to read.
2. White vs. colored space. There is far, far too much white space. The toolbar at the top provides some visual relief and is much needed. But the "Looking for Care & Housing" block creates a dramatic contrast between it and the massive white spaces on the pages.
More eye strain.
3. While I wouldn't necessarily disagree that many of the posters here are older, many are not. I also think that there are enough tech savvy people who aren't older to make determinations on adapting to new formats. I don't intend to offend anyone, but the changes here aren't ones that are age challenging; they're not just well integrated in format or design.
And they obviously don't follow a KISS format.
On another aspect, I found a few ways that might help others to get around.
1. Searching for posts seems to be a common issue; I don't disagree. If you have Excel, you can create a temporary data base of posts you've answered, or want to answer, then use that URL to immediately get back to the post.
Index them by category or poster, or topic, and add the URL. You can also use the News Feed function to find earlier posts that you want to index to follow.
Given the eye strain issue, this might be easier than scrolling through sections.
I find the increased need for scrolling to be especially fatiguing on my eyes.
2. Another issue of scrolling and searching is the widened screen that's been created. My monitor is I think 17" wide, but I still have to scroll right and left. While we read English from left to right (and some other languages are read from right to left), we can do that within a certain range.
Add another 1/2 width or so to the screen size, and you have to scroll more than the eye can normally handle. I found that visually irritating and fatiguing.
3. Stacey:
Somewhere up thread I found FF's suggestion on increasing font size, by using the CTRL and mouse simultaneously. You can also increase or decrease the whole page size by using the screen control button (the "gear") second from the right on the address bar in IE, or the 3 dots on the far right of the address bar in Edge.
Another option is CTRL plus + or -, depending on whether you want to increase or decrease the whole page size. Of course, if you decrease to a comfortable text level, you might have a harder time seeing who posted.
I found that for some odd reason the page jumps up to 200% in IE when I switch to this site from any other.
4. Put a calendar with scenery, animals or something relaxing on another open page of your browser, or put a calendar or photos with similar eye relief next to your computer and take frequent eye breaks.
I haven't changed my opinion; the changes don't enhance anything except to provide some nice sea colored sections. I don't have to deal with all this visual exploration on other sites, and can easily use them w/o all the eye strain.
Good luck to all who continue to try to navigate the changes.
try clicking on your icon. go to settings. under settings (plus everything in grey boxes) there are smaller titles. .there are also some grey dots in the message part? to the right . that can let you delete? but I don't see edit.
my topics. caring for. about me. subscriptions. my account. privacy.
also im not computer smart. but I was able to change my icon. under profile. it will show your large icon. on it there is a little camera.
Stacey: Hold down the control key with your left hand and click the plus sign with your right. If you wanted to make it smaller you'd hold down the control key and click the minus sign.
Good Afternoon Everyone, We expected a lot of lively feedback on the day we switched over and want to note that we specifically did not start our own thread because, based on previous history, we anticipated one would be started and were trying to avoid multiple threads regarding the same topic.
There are many caregivers here who are still seeking advice, answers, and support. We did not want this process to interfere with the ability of all those who are here providing answers, and want to thank everyone here who is continuing to do so.
First and foremost, we understand that change is difficult. We tested internally and with members for many months and since April 26 have offered the preview site as a resource in anticipation of this change.
There have been true bugs reported, which is common on "go live" day. Sorting and messaging have been reported to tech and are actively being addressed. Feel free to continue to report other bugs and functionality issues here, or by directly emailing me at Kim.Barnett@agingcare.com . I apologize that I have not been able to reach out to each of you, however we have noted each of your issues.
We are a business, and as a business we need to make decisions that allow us to continue to offer the forum as a free service to all of you and all of the new caregivers who come here seeking your advice and support. Thanks to all of you, the success of AgingCare has grown in great numbers. When this site was started in 2008, we never anticipated the volume of use the forum would receive. That volume necessitated change. As example, a particular feature had to be introduced to respond to the volume. The need to feature questions that "need answers" wasn't necessary before because new questions rarely went unanswered. With the frequency of new posts, caregivers in need are now being missed. Although the look has changed, the functionality of our site, and its mission has not changed. AgingCare is here to help families find answers, care and information. Thanks for your part in that.
Just popped back in the hope it has gone back to 'normal' but NO, still the new site.
Questions for admin - yes we had the new site up for exploration by us masses BEFORE it changed. 1: Did we get confirmation on a date it was changing? I did not see one! 2: What percentage of the masses actually used the new site and ACTUALLY SAID THEY PREFERRED IT. 3. You have probably changed it to accommodate the sponsors (Ads) BUT if you lose a large percentage of your 'posters' (fed up with calling us 'the masses') surely that defeats the object? Less posters to see them = less interest? Yes?
I would appreciate an answer from admin here, so all can read it.
A new feature that I like: Older posts from years ago ...."This thread is closed to new posts." And, "start another question."
The feature to delete a message, or private message on someone's wall is no longer there. Would like that option back. We cannot edit our messages, so if we delete it and start over, that would be helpful.
Using my kindle....when posting, the place to type moves up so I cannot see what I am typing. Touch screen, I have to keep moving it down....Or is it up?
ACCM, Is there one place we can give suggestions all on one thread, moderated by you? As in, "let's get together, yeah yeah yeah". It helps to see if another poster has already mentioned a glitch, or has a solution to a problem. Kinda like the Whine thread for the website?
Any new posters will come here and see only several complaint threads flooding the forum, and hesitate to ask for help.
CWillie, As always, your comments have been very helpful! Thanks!
Not a fan of the new format. It's hard to navigate and find my favorite "sites". Why, oh why o we have to mess with old things when they were working fine.
Then only thing I like is that you can hop into a thread and answer someone personally--instead of posting at the end of the thread.
This new website format is like buying a new car after years of having an older car. You know how to start the car, but the dashboard buttons are all in different places. Totally lost on how to turn on the windshield wipers. Where is the knob for the lights? Etc.
That is one reason I haven't bought a newer vehicle in over 20 some years... the old vehicle gets me from point A to point B, and I could do it my sleep [I know, not a good idea].
This new website format I have run into too many dead ends, wrong off ramps, and way too many left turns where in the past I could go straight ahead and be there in seconds.
I really do not like the new format. Administrators: As soon as Dorker sends MIL off on that airplane, I will probably not come back to the site. Not good for your pop up ads. Just saying...
Bring back the old site option. This is terrible. The colors are hard to read as is the print. It’s annoying to have to stretch and readjust everything.
I also do not like being taken to advertising when my hand passes too close to an ad. This a truly annoying feature.
CTTN55, I agree that it is more "work" to navigate most parts of the new sire, what once could be done with one or two clicks now takes 2 or 3.
I wish I could help those who access the site on their phones, I have a feeling that this major flaw will need to be addressed or the site will be too difficult for anyone not sitting at a desk. :(
What are you all using to access AC? I'm on my desktop and I find the font EASIER to read, and there is now an option to make it somewhat larger.
DeeAnna, you should be following everything you were before, any thread you have previously commented on should show up in your news feed. Sorry I can't help with following a person as I've never found it necessary to do that, I know that searching was made more difficult to improve privacy. If I've lost a particular thread I can usually find it again by searching something close to the title of the thread - sometimes I get better results by searching with google, just include agingcare in your search parameters.
There seems to be more "work" to do to navigate around the new forum format. It's definitely more cumbersome on a phone. I'll probably use the forum less, but that will also be because there will probably be fewer posts now.
I've checked out a few other elder caregiving forums, but I still like this one the best.
Hope2009, Welcome new poster! You must have only been reading all this time? As a new poster, and originator of the above question: "Is it possible to return to the old format? The new one is more difficult to see and use.", I am wondering how you would experience using the website before posting your question?
Not meant to put you on the defensive, and you don't even need to answer my question. It really does not have much to do with you, but instead, the plethora of negative comments (which are ok concerning the website), but it has to do with several posters doing the following: 1) creating several different threads to criticize the new website. 2) threatening to leave if they do not get their way. 3) criticizing other caregivers on their way out. 4) generally being hostile, obnoxious and rude. 5) inviting others to go to another poster's website, or join up somewhere besides Aging Care. 6) What appears to me an overall attempt to destroy or take down the website which is the basis for our community of caregivers here. 7) The above actions seem like trolls.
** I am wondering how you would experience using the website before posting your question?**
A lot of members use the site and it's info, long before posting. Did you ever consider hope2009 has explored and "experienced" the new site's functionality, as well as it's, ease of use? Just like the rest of us did, in the 3+ months it's been available.
I too hate this new format. Way to much work. I use to breeze through it daily to see if anything pertained to my situation or if there were questions I could help with. I do not believe it's just something I need to get use to. I'm pretty computer savvy so that's not the problem. It took me several minutes to find this thread but I kept looking because I knew others had to be complaining. On the old format I would have found it right away. I really think a lot of people will quit using this site. How sad. A lot of knowledgeable people will stop giving advice and new people looking for answers will give up:(
There are several questions that I would like to look at to see if there are any new or additional answers or suggestions. Do I need to "FOLLOW" every question that I might want to look at again in the future???
I tried to "Search" for a person and their postings are not in order according to date written either according to the year or to the month. Some of the posts were from 2018, then 2014, then 2015, then 2018, back to 2014, and I have NO CONTROL as to selecting the year that I want to review--2018. A June 2018 posting or question is followed by January 2014, followed by April 2018, followed by August 2017, followed by July 2016, followed by September 2015, followed by February 2018, etc.......
Why oh why did Pepsee's latest post show up in my news feed but I can't find it on the thread??
To send a message - you should see a message box below the person's profile when you click their name, but some people have set their profiles to not allow messages. (You won't see a message box on your own page but you should be able to see messages that have been sent to you)
Thank you CW- under her name shows. *-follow* . We message back and forth all the time and her last message about two hrs ago was a question. So she might have accidentally hit the refuse messages by mistake. Who knows,
Above the "balloons" in each section you can click on "recent question", "recent discussions" or "needs answers" (if you're logged on) and you quickly can switch to a top to bottom list format. Clicking on your avatar provides a quick and easy way to get to your news feed, activities and profile pages.
Pamz, I think one of the reasons you can't find your favourite threads is that nobody has been posting very much today :(
I am having trouble here too... can't find my normal discussions, etc.. oh well, I may be another long timer who will be leaving if I can't sort this out
It has message option on some. But on the one I'm trying to message it says *-follow* and nowhere else to send a message....even on her message to me, there's no reply option or anything. This is shyte.
Someone apparently doesn't understand or didn't consider visual ergonomics.
1. Look at any of the posts. The name of the poster is less than 1/2 the size of the thread title. The duration since posting, "helpful answer and "reply" links are also smaller, and greyed out.
I always check to see who posted before reading.
It doesn't take an ophthalmologist to determine that eyes make small adjustments that we probably don't even realize when we shift from large to small type. Consistent sizes are easier to read.
2. White vs. colored space. There is far, far too much white space. The toolbar at the top provides some visual relief and is much needed. But the "Looking for Care & Housing" block creates a dramatic contrast between it and the massive white spaces on the pages.
More eye strain.
3. While I wouldn't necessarily disagree that many of the posters here are older, many are not. I also think that there are enough tech savvy people who aren't older to make determinations on adapting to new formats. I don't intend to offend anyone, but the changes here aren't ones that are age challenging; they're not just well integrated in format or design.
And they obviously don't follow a KISS format.
On another aspect, I found a few ways that might help others to get around.
1. Searching for posts seems to be a common issue; I don't disagree. If you have Excel, you can create a temporary data base of posts you've answered, or want to answer, then use that URL to immediately get back to the post.
Index them by category or poster, or topic, and add the URL. You can also use the News Feed function to find earlier posts that you want to index to follow.
Given the eye strain issue, this might be easier than scrolling through sections.
I find the increased need for scrolling to be especially fatiguing on my eyes.
2. Another issue of scrolling and searching is the widened screen that's been created. My monitor is I think 17" wide, but I still have to scroll right and left. While we read English from left to right (and some other languages are read from right to left), we can do that within a certain range.
Add another 1/2 width or so to the screen size, and you have to scroll more than the eye can normally handle. I found that visually irritating and fatiguing.
3. Stacey:
Somewhere up thread I found FF's suggestion on increasing font size, by using the CTRL and mouse simultaneously. You can also increase or decrease the whole page size by using the screen control button (the "gear") second from the right on the address bar in IE, or the 3 dots on the far right of the address bar in Edge.
Another option is CTRL plus + or -, depending on whether you want to increase or decrease the whole page size. Of course, if you decrease to a comfortable text level, you might have a harder time seeing who posted.
I found that for some odd reason the page jumps up to 200% in IE when I switch to this site from any other.
4. Put a calendar with scenery, animals or something relaxing on another open page of your browser, or put a calendar or photos with similar eye relief next to your computer and take frequent eye breaks.
I haven't changed my opinion; the changes don't enhance anything except to provide some nice sea colored sections. I don't have to deal with all this visual exploration on other sites, and can easily use them w/o all the eye strain.
Good luck to all who continue to try to navigate the changes.
my topics. caring for. about me. subscriptions. my account. privacy.
also im not computer smart. but I was able to change my icon. under profile. it will show your large icon. on it there is a little camera.
We expected a lot of lively feedback on the day we switched over and want to note that we specifically did not start our own thread because, based on previous history, we anticipated one would be started and were trying to avoid multiple threads regarding the same topic.
There are many caregivers here who are still seeking advice, answers, and support. We did not want this process to interfere with the ability of all those who are here providing answers, and want to thank everyone here who is continuing to do so.
First and foremost, we understand that change is difficult. We tested internally and with members for many months and since April 26 have offered the preview site as a resource in anticipation of this change.
There have been true bugs reported, which is common on "go live" day. Sorting and messaging have been reported to tech and are actively being addressed. Feel free to continue to report other bugs and functionality issues here, or by directly emailing me at Kim.Barnett@agingcare.com . I apologize that I have not been able to reach out to each of you, however we have noted each of your issues.
We are a business, and as a business we need to make decisions that allow us to continue to offer the forum as a free service to all of you and all of the new caregivers who come here seeking your advice and support. Thanks to all of you, the success of AgingCare has grown in great numbers. When this site was started in 2008, we never anticipated the volume of use the forum would receive. That volume necessitated change. As example, a particular feature had to be introduced to respond to the volume. The need to feature questions that "need answers" wasn't necessary before because new questions rarely went unanswered. With the frequency of new posts, caregivers in need are now being missed. Although the look has changed, the functionality of our site, and its mission has not changed. AgingCare is here to help families find answers, care and information. Thanks for your part in that.
It is a little sad that the 'NEW' features, could not have been incorporated into the existing format, rather than a 'Whole New One'.
Still, I wish you luck.
Buzzy
Questions for admin - yes we had the new site up for exploration by us masses BEFORE it changed.
1: Did we get confirmation on a date it was changing? I did not see one!
2: What percentage of the masses actually used the new site and ACTUALLY SAID THEY PREFERRED IT.
3. You have probably changed it to accommodate the sponsors (Ads) BUT if you lose a large percentage of your 'posters' (fed up with calling us 'the masses') surely that defeats the object? Less posters to see them = less interest? Yes?
I would appreciate an answer from admin here, so all can read it.
Thank you
Older posts from years ago ...."This thread is closed to new posts." And, "start another question."
The feature to delete a message, or private message on someone's wall is no longer there. Would like that option back. We cannot edit our messages, so if we delete it and start over, that would be helpful.
Using my kindle....when posting, the place to type moves up so I cannot see what I am typing. Touch screen, I have to keep moving it down....Or is it up?
ACCM,
Is there one place we can give suggestions all on one thread, moderated by you?
As in, "let's get together, yeah yeah yeah". It helps to see if another poster has already mentioned a glitch, or has a solution to a problem. Kinda like the Whine thread for the website?
Any new posters will come here and see only several complaint threads flooding the forum, and hesitate to ask for help.
CWillie,
As always, your comments have been very helpful! Thanks!
Then only thing I like is that you can hop into a thread and answer someone personally--instead of posting at the end of the thread.
If I can't get used to this....I'm outta here!
That is one reason I haven't bought a newer vehicle in over 20 some years... the old vehicle gets me from point A to point B, and I could do it my sleep [I know, not a good idea].
This new website format I have run into too many dead ends, wrong off ramps, and way too many left turns where in the past I could go straight ahead and be there in seconds.
I also do not like being taken to advertising when my hand passes too close to an ad. This a truly annoying feature.
Give us back the AC we know and love.
I wish I could help those who access the site on their phones, I have a feeling that this major flaw will need to be addressed or the site will be too difficult for anyone not sitting at a desk. :(
DeeAnna, you should be following everything you were before, any thread you have previously commented on should show up in your news feed. Sorry I can't help with following a person as I've never found it necessary to do that, I know that searching was made more difficult to improve privacy. If I've lost a particular thread I can usually find it again by searching something close to the title of the thread - sometimes I get better results by searching with google, just include agingcare in your search parameters.
I've checked out a few other elder caregiving forums, but I still like this one the best.
Is this what my parents felt when they went to assisted-living or when their health began to decline??
UGH!!! Ready to “check out” of this website I used to absolutely love 😕
Mindboggled!!!
Welcome new poster! You must have only been reading all this time? As a new poster, and originator of the above question: "Is it possible to return to the old format? The new one is more difficult to see and use.", I am wondering how you would experience using the website before posting your question?
Not meant to put you on the defensive, and you don't even need to answer my question. It really does not have much to do with you, but instead, the plethora of negative comments (which are ok concerning the website), but it has to do with several posters doing the following:
1) creating several different threads to criticize the new website.
2) threatening to leave if they do not get their way.
3) criticizing other caregivers on their way out.
4) generally being hostile, obnoxious and rude.
5) inviting others to go to another poster's website, or join up somewhere besides Aging Care.
6) What appears to me an overall attempt to destroy or take down the website which is the basis for our community of caregivers here.
7) The above actions seem like trolls.
So sorry if I am wrong.
A lot of members use the site and it's info, long before posting. Did you ever consider hope2009 has explored and "experienced" the new site's functionality, as well as it's, ease of use? Just like the rest of us did, in the 3+ months it's been available.
Kudos for that warm, sincere welcome, Sunshine💥
Sayonara.
I tried to "Search" for a person and their postings are not in order according to date written either according to the year or to the month. Some of the posts were from 2018, then 2014, then 2015, then 2018, back to 2014, and I have NO CONTROL as to selecting the year that I want to review--2018. A June 2018 posting or question is followed by January 2014, followed by April 2018, followed by August 2017, followed by July 2016, followed by September 2015, followed by February 2018, etc.......
To send a message - you should see a message box below the person's profile when you click their name, but some people have set their profiles to not allow messages. (You won't see a message box on your own page but you should be able to see messages that have been sent to you)
Pamz, I think one of the reasons you can't find your favourite threads is that nobody has been posting very much today :(
then change pulldown to oldest newest or whatever.