Check out a sneak peek of our new look & feel

[Med Help]

Hi,

If you take a look at Dr. McWilliams Heart Rhythm forum at http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/91 you'll see a sneak peek of a new look and feel that we have designed for MedHelp. Take a look and we'd love to hear what you have to think.

MedHelp

[wyntre9]

The truth?

It's soooooo different.  Do you HAVE to change things again?

Plus it doesn't show the names of the respondents and why do you have to put the time posted . . . I don't know, medhelp.  You guys do amazing things but the new format looks a little impersonal to me.

Thanks for inviting out feedback,

wyntre

[dperry10]

Seems like it takes longer to load a page.

[Myown]

Thanks for asking but to tell you the truth, I like things the way they are. I agree with what Wyntre said "new format looks a little impersonal to me."

The new design looks too much like other forums and this forum has always been "Unique" in many ways,,,best information, friendly forum AND its "look".

[shastri20032003]

Ditto....
to be honest... what kept me on Medhelp initially was the pleasing appearance of the layout....clean and very simple. Of course, gradually the depth of information here was just like a magnet and held me here
The new format looks more like the format of a dating site...just my opinion

[alagirl]

The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't see who posted last so you don't know if your response has been answered.  And you know, a lot of us are on ribavirin, so kind of impossible for us to keep track of the "number" of answers there have been to suss that information out, lol

And prob a little crazy-making to just keep clicking on headings like mad...

[mikesimon]

I agree that it looks like a very bad idea. This place may be different from some of your forums in that the title of the thread isn't necessarily the prime engine that drives traffic. We look for the members' names maybe more than we do the subject or title - in my opinion. I don't know whether this is aimed at creating more available space for advertising revenue but it doesn't look to me like it is designed to enhance the experience of the members. And I also agree that it looks like change after change after change and I thought this board was fine all along. You really can go too far and if the members don't stay and participate what good is change. I would be careful with this move - I wouldn't make it.
Mike

[Forseegood]

I agree, what I don't like about other forums is that you go into these "drawers" and it feels like you've gone into some other territory that you've been arbitrarily thrown into -- if you're just trying to make a post...what I like about this forum is it's clean lines and simplicity...where the whole things is easily read without a bunch of permutations....With the best of intentions set up to give us more variety....but ultimately is just too confusing.....and at my age and circumstances, I agree with others.....that I'm more easily muddled....

[Forseegood]

wanted to say that I really value this forum and all the great people who participate in it, and who run it and make it available for all of us...thanks so much for all the things you do for us...God I hope it doesn't repeat three times!

[jmjm530]

I have other concerns re the more prominent picture avatar.  That all the pretty women (and men) will get all the responses --  but I suppose there's always Photo Shop.

But more seriously, I think everyone has made some good comments. But on the hand, changes on just about any discussion group are hard to take at first. Remember, not long ago when there was a similar response to the 'new' format that is the one we have now? A lot of folks, for example, didn't like the idea that we would have more than five threads a day, and an unlimited number of posts per thread. I believe the thinking was it would lose the community feel and be harder to catch up. But in fact, at least IMO, it allowed for more on-topic posting and easier navigation, because multiple topics were no longer always in the same thread.

I happen to like the new look. Very crisp. Moodern. Maybe it can be tweaked some, however, allowing things already discussed like being able to see who has already posted in a thread. And maybe a wee bit more real estate for posts (a longer list page for example)  perhaps the ads just a little smaller.

Anyway, hard to stop progress. So time to upgrade Photoshop. And do a little morphing with that Brad Pitt pic I just downloaded.

- Jim

[alagirl]

s'ok, was a point worth making three times ;)

[scratchinghead]

I think for a social networking website the new look would be great. But most people here aren't posting an avatar and don't have a profile. They want answers not fans. It also seems to use more real estate for other things besides the thread. This might work for other deseases. It also takes more time to download with an avatar in every reply. It's too "me too" trying to be like other products on the market. It lends itself less to what it's function is and more to the desires of an adminstrator or committee. Then again, maybe it will help medhep make some money off of this venture.

[jmjm530]

But I just morphed my pic with Brad Pitts. C'mon, let's give this "social networking" thing a chance :)

-- JimPitt

[scratchinghead]

You know you're my hero, right?
I never had the guts to buy an inflatable doll. Maybe you could use a picture of you and the doll for an avatar.

That being said, I still would click on your name to see your picture using the current format. The whole secret behind a streamlined effective webpage is the choices on what to display immedietly and what to have as a link. You picture, young man, is not what you are about!!! It is your precise answers to those humbled by the current HCV treatments phenomena. I for one, am watching what you say like a hawk (ok, buzzard) and going to plan my long term plan on your input. thankyouverymuch.

[jmjm530]

Yes, I've thought about posting Jenna's pic as an avatar, but she's so camera shy, you know. Maybe a few drops of Jack Daniels in the air pump? And while I'm flattered you would click twice to see my picture -- and please don't take this personally -- but 57-year old dudes from Oregon are not my cup of tea :) Now maybe if you were more geographically convenient. Not. LOL. On the other hand, I do enjoy the conversation(s) here and I think that's what is the essence of this place, as you suggest. Thanks for the post btw.

-- Jim

[scratchinghead]

all kidding aside, I look over on the right and if I see your username or HR's (too long to spel) or merryBe's or a couple others I jump and take a peek.

If I want to read a little "Gidget Goes Thru Treatment" I look for alagirl's postings. . . . . .

[SnoWav]

Sure makes the board seem small with ads on 4 sides instead of just 3 sides.

[jmjm530]

That's not fair, and I assume you meant it in jest.  First, she's better looking than Gidget. And second, in a very short time, she's turned into one of the more knowledgeable and helpful members here. But thanks for the nice words.

-- Jim

[scratchinghead]

I would like to take my last post back.

[Myown]

Jim said:Anyway, hard to stop progress.
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I don't know if this is what can be considered "progress" though (no offence MH). I agree with what Shastri said "clean and simple." And mikesimon really touched on things that should be  taken into consideration IMO.

Say hi to Jenna for me.

[Forseegood]

alagirl: thanks, I hope I didn't do that myself, I can such a tard sometimes:)  

Jim: good points too, I was kinda wrong about not wanting to split the forums, that was prob a good idea after all, gives us chatter boxes, who want to talk about all and sundry, a more legitimate place to go. But I still harp on the fact that one of the biggest reasons I come here, is that I can come on the page, see every topic out in front of me, go to that said topic, and post. If I have to go all over the place, like Alice chasing after God knows what, this place will be less attractive to me, for whatever that's worth.

Maybe the place will be better if I do leave. lol...and you know, I'm really curious about what you look like, for some reason, maybe it's because I've known you for so long. I wish you'd post a pic, and not a photoshopped number either! Maybe youre famous, yes, that's it!!! be well....

Scratchy: why, how dare you imply that I want fans! HOW DARE YOU!!! Mr. Demille: I'm ready for my close up!:))

[Myown]

But I still harp on the fact that one of the biggest reasons I come here, is that I can come on the page, see every topic out in front of me, go to that said topic, and post. If I have to go all over the place, like Alice chasing after God knows what, this place will be less attractive to me, for whatever that's worth.
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I agree 100%.

And especially when txing and having to go "all over the place," people might get frustrated and leave the forum, but just my opinion and maybe I'm wrong.

[ladywhy]

Like the majority thus far, I prefer the current format.
...I also want to thank everyone @ MedHelp for this incredible forum. Also, thanks for asking for our imput.

[spcecst2]

Ditto....
If it ain't broke......

[ladybug52]

I'm a BIG believer of "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"....but who's feeding who here? Are we more important to you, or are you more important to us...one way to find out is to change this,
again.
(sigh)
I don't care if someone moves my cheese now and then, but it's been moved too many times already this past year.
Please don't change our safe, reliable, easily navigated community....
Bug