I would have to agree with you Coh...
What I was trying to get at with this thread is the old rule of keeping it simple stupid... obviously by this i mean no insult,
But rather a solution to the problems I see in the hopes that they may create a better site.
It would seem to me that the whole goal of the Bnut site is to discuss and communicate about Bonsai. To post comments, questions, ideas and work that is being done on trees. So in essence, this is the product of the site.
With the new format this product now seems to be spread over to many spots. Which in my opinion, just leaves the viewer wondering where to go and what to do... I also understand that not everyone will look at the site the same way and will instead find areas that are of more interest to them than others. So, I think the need to have other areas is important. But, still feel the main product of the site should be fore most.
So, from my personal opinion, I would make the following suggestions, and would put priority to the following...
1. Recent post... I think that for most here this is what keeps us coming back, we want to see what is up and what everyone is saying and doing.
2 Pictures Posted on recent posts... this is an idea that I am offering free of charge here, but I personally think it would be awesome if somehow when recent posts are made, that include photos, that somehow they are also available in the recent posts as thumbnails... Nothing grabs one's attention like a photo, and not only would this gain interest in people's threads that have no views because people see that no one has viewed it, then when one opens it up, you see some cool tree and wonder why... but also, I personally think it might encourage others to post more pics of trees if they see that those being seen more are the ones with pictures. Don't know how many times I have opened up a thread cause it had a lot of views and wondered why? So, in the list of recent posts as part of every listing, if the post includes pics there one would see thumbnails, that could be clicked on and they could view without having to open up the thread if they wanted to.
If a thread has alot of pics, the most recent couple would be attached. Also, while I am here... when one opens up a pic, perhaps there could be some options at the bottom, like see other pictures that this poster has posted, and one could have a bottom scroll of them. As well as a button that one could click to see the thread that the pictures were posted in. Other options could be here like, become friends, like, follow this poster, even external links to personal and business websites, linking this site with a greater community. As well posters could attach links on their personal or business websites back. Etc.
In essence changing the way one could interact with the whole site to one with a more visual interface. Making pictures more than words top priority. This would also eliminate alot of issues... such as what should I do with this tree, even though I have not attached any pics. People who have actually took the time to photograph their tree, their pictures would actually be seen, making their time worth it. And did one actually look at the picture, before posting, and are we all know talking about the same tree. Also, might cut down on the negative content one visually posts if those images have to be attached to someone who might be viewing your profile pics.
3. Instant conversations... let me just say that with all the comments posted shortly after I posted this thread, I think it could have not been much more instant, but OK... with this why not have an instant messenger, where besides one's name where the green bubble appears saying this person is online, on could click a button and start up an instant chat with them, where a separate window opens up. Private messages could be handled this way , but one could always continue to leave a message if not on line. Also, you could still have comment forum on the side if folks think this is valuable, if not put it next to the tea room, and just have a section who shows who is in there.
Lastly, I would have to put events... I mean I think it would be cool if there was some way of notify people especially if an event was this up coming weekend, and perhaps a notification that event was created... but do I really need to read about Noelanders, every time I come to this site? Especially seeing that it is already over? Nothing against the event, I think it is awesome, and would love and hopefully one day will attend... but, anyone slightly involved with the bonsai community is probably aware of these events happening, not to mention then folks post threads about them... For me I just don't think this takes top priority on a site where the product is the communication about bonsai, and feel this info could be on a tab on the side.
Sorry, not trying to insult here.. all about the constructive criticism. ..
