yet another new medhelp home page

[mjthewriterdad]

It takes about 3 clicks to get to autism forum.  Gotta click "communities" tab then "go to communities>>" then  "Autism".

It has more ads  or larger ads .Well ads for medhelp partners.  I guuss they pay for the party so they should get in as well. The main box keeps flashing between :"communities"  "Ask a doctor"  "get information and "testimonials".   I think it once was multiple panels on the page but to make room for more ads and whatever else, they make this flash back and forth between it all.

Another page features the doctors and profesionals involved with medhelp.

The pet forums are buried in the third page that lists all the forums.

Okay, let's all scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click "contact us" and let em know what you think!

[MJIthewriter]

Thanks for warning me. I know not to go to the home page...

[chikp]

i bypassed all that by just clicking 'forums' at the top of the page.  i was definitely not expecting to see such drastic changes when i came here today!  as a creature of habit (understatement) it will take some getting used to.  

by the way, thanks for letting us know where the pet forums are, i was wondering where they were hidden!

[MJIthewriter]

Just going to give heads up but there will be even more changes... on the forum pages...I can't say a whole lot yet.

Here's a forum community I found that you can post your complaints.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/110

[MJIthewriter]

I have learned to take advantage of the "join" feature. That way you can shortcut your favorite forum communities so you can bypass the forum page.

[mjthewriterdad]

The top bar is still there.  That does bypass all thet stuff.  I just saw the flashing panel with the multi-purpose menus and was annoyed when I tried to go to the communities..  

[mjthewriterdad]

"Here's a forum community I found that you can post your complaints.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/110 "

Interesting to note, that's not on the fourm menu.  hmmmm

[pennst8r]

I solved my multiple click problem by setting the forum on which I spend the most time in my browser's "favorites" or "bookmark" it, depending on the browser. On Explorer, it is favorites; on Netscape, they have bookmarks. Then it opens right to your favorite page.

Hope this helps with that part of your question.

Penn

[MJIthewriter]

I have it bookmarked straight to my profile...  I also have a tendency to leave my computer up and running. (shhh don't let my mom know) I leave it open on one of the forums, so I just get by by clicking my shorcuts or the forum page.  I'm just bracing myself for the changes they will add to the forums.  From the looks of it, it didn't look major, but expect to see google ads on the left margin if they aren't there already.

[MJIthewriter]

I meant to reply to you with the last message, but I copied the wrong username.

[mjthewriterdad]

I just thought I would give a heads up. Give feedback;  medhelp likes feedback.  I meant to post this but I forgot to sign in.  So I get the "sighn-up/sign-in" screen, then the flashy home page, then I navagat my way back here.  I think I shall join the carpal tunnel group !!

I had a picture on this post, but pending medhelp approval, you may never see it.  It's a picture of me (well, someone like me, I'm more handsome) throwing my mouse at the monitor in frustration.

[swampcritter]

Swampy points out that there is a link to the forum list page at the top of the home page. So its pretty simple, you login (Swampy usually can't remember his password, and hates storing them on his computer, so he has to try this several times), then hit forums, then hit autism or whatever else you are interested in.

[888mom]

Since when do doctors make anything easy, simple, or self-explanatory.  You practically need an MD to navigate this place now.  

[mjthewriterdad]

or need a speed reader to read the flashing panels.

[jdesouza]

Hi mjthewriterdad,
Thank you for the feedback (both here and in the feedback forum).  There are a few ways to get to the "Autism" forum quickly:

1. From the home page, click on "Forums" at the top of the home page and then click on the "Autism" forum.
2. If you have "joined" MedHelp (see box on top right), you can create a "Shortcut" on the left that takes you directly to the forums you care about.
3. Bookmark the "Autism" forum in your browser

If these instructions don't make sense, let me know and we can schedule a call to talk you through them.

We'll also look into increasing the time each of the flashing panels stays up.

Most of all, please keep the feedback coming.  We read it all and use it to help make MedHelp a better place for our community.

Best regards,
- John

[mjthewriterdad]

Actually, Ive done all 3 of these items you described.  I just question the efficacy of the flashing panels.  They are neither informative nor functional.  

As items develop,  be assured I will provide feedback.  I am experienced in web design and understand readability and usability issues.   I have seen the best and worst web pages.  On the whole, tools such as javascript and XML and ActiveX and others can either create a robust, active vibrant site or create a disaster.