It's Getting Rather Tiresome...

[Jim14409 448]

Warning: rant ahead...

 

I'm sorry to have to say so but It's getting rather tiresome to click on a topic or a picture on this site and find it has to do with SC2013 and not SC4. Sometimes I have to read a entire post before I figure out it is about SC2013 and not SC4 and sometimes I'm never sure what they are talking about (which is nothing new ).

 

I come to this site for SC4 info and to mingle with fellow enthuasists and don't give one whit about SC2013. I'm not interested in the SC2013 gameplay and never will be. As far as I am concerned SC2013 is totally foreign from SC4 it has nothing to do with SC4 and should not be mixed in with SC4 topics and comments. Earlier I posted a thread on doing something about this same thing and got no response as to whether or not anything would change.

 

My apologies for ranting but I think it is a valid point as I don't like spending my time waiting for a page to load about something I don't want to read and then having to wait for another to load that may or may not be something in my interest category ie SC4.

 

SC4 and SC2013 need to be separate on this site. There are MANY of us that are not interested in investing time in watching a bonfire burn up when SC2013 is the bonfire.

/rant

Thank you.

Jim

[Gringamuyloca 47]

You can filter what you see. 

 

Click on the forum tab 

Click on browse new content

Scroll down to the lefthand box that says Other

Click on Filter by Forum - a drop down box will appear

Click on the forums, etc that you want to follow.

Click Save.

 

Pretty simple. 

 

PS: Save this as a bookmark.

[Cyclone Boom 16,982]

It isn't currently possible to filter sidebar content.

But specific forums can be hidden by clicking the small icon at the top right:



This will be saved as a preference, meaning it should remain hidden the next time you log in. If you ever want to unhide a forum, simply click the icon again.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Actually, I have a drop-down menu of short cuts for SC4 forums.  There is not reason you could not do the same.  As for the side-bar stuff, I hardly ever use them, and if I do, I always look at the address line of my browser to see where I have wound up.  You simply have to use your browser to be selective.

[His Divine Hand 244]

Well, you are not running this website, this is Dirk's website.  He pays for it and he runs it.  He wants this to be a website for all city-builder/simulation games, hence why in the past there have been sections for Sim City Societies and for CXL when they were the new big thing.  Heck, he didn't even start this website for SC4, he started it for Sim Golf!  

 

If you do not like the fact that Dirk is willing to focus on other games besides SC4, there are other websites you can go to that do.

[SimCoug 5,973]

I think this site is very well organized, and while it may be easy to get lost in all the different forums, that is the case with any website, especially one like Simtropolis where the content is growing by the second.   I think Cyclone Boom had a nifty trick i didn't even know about, but one that can go along way in customizing what you see when entering the forums.  

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

This is a very large board, and you should always be selective or you could be here for many hours.

[Jim14409 448]

You can filter what you see. 

 

Click on the forum tab 

Click on browse new content

Scroll down to the lefthand box that says Other

Click on Filter by Forum - a drop down box will appear

Click on the forums, etc that you want to follow.

Click Save.

 

Pretty simple. 

 

PS: Save this as a bookmark.

 

While I certainly appreciate your reply and efforts to help, I don't see much hope for your method in my case. It seems I have to pick just one thread or constantly be going back to change. I'm just not interested in that as I like to jump around and respond where the urge strikes.

 

Actually, I have a drop-down menu of short cuts for SC4 forums.  There is not reason you could not do the same.  As for the side-bar stuff, I hardly ever use them, and if I do, I always look at the address line of my browser to see where I have wound up.  You simply have to use your browser to be selective.

 

Thank you for your response. I suppose I could do anything I wanted to do couldn't I? However we are not all the same and we don't all look at or use things in the same way. Most of my navigation has always been in the side-bar and since so many seem to indicate that it is unwise to use it or in anyway rely on it then perhaps it should be removed. (?) Too bad if true.

 

Well, you are not running this website, this is Dirk's website.  He pays for it and he runs it.  He wants this to be a website for all city-builder/simulation games, hence why in the past there have been sections for Sim City Societies and for CXL when they were the new big thing.  Heck, he didn't even start this website for SC4, he started it for Sim Golf!  

 

If you do not like the fact that Dirk is willing to focus on other games besides SC4, there are other websites you can go to that do.

 

Thank you for your sweet response and efforts to be of help. I will henceforth consider myself as having been slapped across the face. It may or may not help. By the way, I never said I did not think other games should be ignored or neglected. I merely asked for a better and more clear navigation so as to know easier which pool visitors were jumping into when they clicked on a topic or comment. I'm sure Dirk pays a good bit for this website but I also know he solicits donations. Thank you again for your sincere opinion.

 

I think this site is very well organized, and while it may be easy to get lost in all the different forums, that is the case with any website, especially one like Simtropolis where the content is growing by the second.   I think Cyclone Boom had a nifty trick i didn't even know about, but one that can go along way in customizing what you see when entering the forums.  

 

I would not say it is not well organized, I really have not given that any thought. As some have said it has a lot of information, however I think a lot of it could be better condensed so as to be more useful and accessible. My complaint in this posting is with navigation, not organization. As for what I see when I enter the forums I want to be able to see the whole site, not have to blind myself like an ostritch who sticks his head in the sand.

Thank you for your response.

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

There are specific sections for SC13 and SC4.  Just click on the SimCIty 4 section and only read posts there.  It still tells you what the most recent posts are, off to the right of each subsection.  I don't see what the problem is.

 

Even if you're stuck on using the sidebar to navigate, you can instantly tell which game the post is referring to by looking at the navigation string at the top of the post (it tells you what section of the forums you're in)

 

You also might want to check out SC4Devotion, which, as the name implies, is devoted to SimCity 4 only.

[Jim14409 448]

Of course leaving is always an option is it not? However I was hoping for solutions instead of politely being ushered out the door.

I know how the menus work, thank you though. The sidebar is and has ever been the object of my criticism. Sorry if I have failed to convey that.

@Cyclone Boom

I failed to thank you for your suggestion. It is one I was unaware of and will employ but unrelated to my original complaint. Thanks.

[Cyclone Boom 16,982]

Of course, Simtropolis is a community for all types of city-building simulation games, not just SimCity 4. So it's important that it caters for everyone.

 

With any forum software, there are limitations to how it can be customised. Overall, in my opinion, I do like the general look and feel to IP Board. But there will always be aspects that can be improved upon. Yes, I agree, it would be useful to have options that filter specific content, as not everyone is interested in following or discussing the new game. But for a webmaster, adding an option like this wouldn't be an easy task. It would probably require some input from the software developers themselves -- such as with an updated version.

 

As you probably know, the past few weeks have been very demanding, mainly due to the increase in site traffic. Lots of time has gone into optimising the server side of things, which should be much more stable. Now things have settled down, further attention can go into maintaining and improving the forums. I can assure you, Dirk and the administration are always looking to improve aspects of the forums, which are essentially the core of the site. Finding new ways to present and arrange SC13 content is on the "to do list".

 

So I'm sure suggestions like this will be welcomed.

[Jim14409 448]

Of course, Simtropolis is a community for all types of city-building simulation games, not just SimCity 4. So it's important that it caters for everyone.

 

With any forum software, there are limitations to how it can be customised. Overall, in my opinion, I do like the general look and feel to IP Board. But there will always be aspects that can be improved upon. Yes, I agree, it would be useful to have options that filter specific content, as not everyone is interested in following or discussing the new game. But for a webmaster, adding an option like this wouldn't be an easy task. It would probably require some input from the software developers themselves -- such as with an updated version.

 

As you probably know, the past few weeks have been very demanding, mainly due to the increase in site traffic. Lots of time has gone into optimising the server side of things, which should be much more stable. Now things have settled down, further attention can go into maintaining and improving the forums. I can assure you, Dirk and the administration are always looking to improve aspects of the forums, which are essentially the core of the site. Finding new ways to present and arrange SC13 content is on the "to do list".

 

So I'm sure suggestions like this will be welcomed.

Your INFORMATIVE post is much appreciated. I did not know what is and is not possible or simple. All I was really asking for was to know IF, and if so, was it going to be done. You have addressed these concerns. I do know how to get around on the boards and so will "make-do" and manage quite well I am sure.

 

Despite what some may have mistakenly come to believe, I am glad Simtropolis does cater to all types of simulation games and I have come to love this site but I still like to gripe once in a while.

Thanks again

[Larks2242 251]

This is a very large board, and you should always be selective or you could be here for many hours.

 

Or years for that matter

[timmie 988]

I think it is clear for most threads where they belong. Of course, there is the forum homepage, where everything should be in the right subforum, so if you start there and go to the SC4 subfora, you should see only the threads that interest you. In the 'Browse new content'-section, the location of the thread is also indicated (this is a completely random example):

 

So if you use these methods you should be able to only see the threads that are of interest to you

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Yeah, but as far as I understood him he is absolutely focused on navigating through the sidebar, so whatever solution you suggest that doesn't involve the sidebar will not be of much use to him.

 

Of course, there's always the option to scroll to the top of a page to see what section you're currently in before you reply, but then you may already have wasted a precious click and some loading time, only to find out that you're in the wrong section after all.

 

I guess it would be more to his taste if the sidebar displayed a tag for the respective forum section (or better: game) in front of the topic/post, but I have no idea whether this is possible with the forum software or whether it would be hard or tiresome to implement.

 

Maybe a simple description of the problem, followed by an equally simple question would have done a better job of setting the background for a constructive technical discussion than a rant.  How about this:

"I always use the side bar to access threads and write replies, but I often find out that I ended up in the wrong forum section. For example, I'll click on an entry and think it's related to SC4, only to find out that it's actually related to SC2013, wich I'm not interested in. So... can the sidebar be improved somehow so that I'd see beforehand where I end up?"

After a long discussion with drama, feelings of having been slapped in the face, confrontation, and subsequent explanations, this is what I gather to be the actual topic here.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

If people post in wrong forum, we try to moderate and move them to the appropriate boards. I don't spend too much time concerend with SC2013, and the posts seldom get in the way of what I wnat to see.

[Jim14409 448]

No I am not "focused" on navigating through the sidebar and in fact most of my navigation is through the main menus. Seems I have asked before but met with silence hence the rant. One time you appear to understand and the next you exhibit that you don't and add mocking.

 

If I was so completely unclear why didn't anyone ASK? Assuming is what most have done in this thread. And a little "drama" once in a while lets you know you're still alive so get over it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Cool it friend.  You should be able to roll with the design of any web site.  This one is a contract package, very complex and we don't always have the rights to change things without going back to the owner.  It is fine to state any problems you have, but try and be more constructive.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

I understand less with every post, I fear.

 

If you are not focused on navigating through the sidebar, then how come you discarded every advice, suggestion, and input that was given to you as long as it was centred on a different way of navigating?

 

And if you mostly use the main menus (where SC2013 and SC4 are clearly separated), then how come you end up where you didn't mean to?

 

Finally, why do you write

Most of my navigation has always been in the side-bar

in whereas now you say

No I am not "focused" on navigating through the sidebar and in fact most of my navigation is through the main menus.

in your latest reply? What now? I am confused. 

[Jim14409 448]

Cool it friend.  You should be able to roll with the design of any web site.  This one is a contract package, very complex and we don't always have the rights to change things without going back to the owner.  It is fine to state any problems you have, but try and be more constructive.

 

Cool it friend.  You should be able to roll with the design of any web site.  This one is a contract package, very complex and we don't always have the rights to change things without going back to the owner.  It is fine to state any problems you have, but try and be more constructive.

 

I don't know where this stuff is coming from...Oh yeah, more supposition instead of reading what has actually been said, or asking when it seems unclear. I never expected any "rights to change things". I voiced something that I found increasingly frustrating and then it takes on a life of things I never said, intended or thought. In fact in another thread I DID post constructive suggestions to this very problem.

 

 

I understand less with every post, I fear.

 

If you are not focused on navigating through the sidebar, then how come you discarded every advice, suggestion, and input that was given to you as long as it was centred on a different way of navigating?

 

And if you mostly use the main menus (where SC2013 and SC4 are clearly separated), then how come you end up where you didn't mean to?

 

Finally, why do you write

Most of my navigation has always been in the side-bar

in whereas now you say

>

No I am not "focused" on navigating through the sidebar and in fact most of my navigation is through the main menus.

in your latest reply? What now? I am confused. 

 

So I will eat those words. Yum! Didn't realize I said that but the fact is I probably use both 50/50. Frankly I don't really know. The only time I use the side bar is when I see a comment that looks inviting to read. Many times it leads to 2013 as of late. When I log on I always use the main menus and visit most of the topic areas.

 

I don't know how you can say I "discarded every advice" when I even thanked you for one of your suggestions and told someone else that their efforts were appreciated but I did not want to select only one thread at a time  or something like that.

 

The general attitude here is less than stellar in my view and not constructive in the least even though SOME were early on. I really don't understand other than perhaps most who have commented of late were too distracted to thoroughly read and comprehend what I was complaining about.

 

For those of you who only want to kick sand or find fault then I can't do anything against that attitude so have at it. The clamor is totally incredible.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Really?  I hope you are not including me in the sand kickers.  I try to be civil even in the face of vituperation.

[Cyclone Boom 16,982]

Nobody is right or wrong here.

 

It's a personal choice how one chooses to browse the site. Of course, there's no textbook method of doing this -- sidebar or no sidebar. Though sometimes, I think it's best to accept the limitations and attempt to make a compromise.

 

However, it's always good to make suggestions. If you don't ask, you don't get.

[Dirktator 2,320]

Warning: rant ahead...

 

I'm sorry to have to say so but It's getting rather tiresome to click on a topic or a picture on this site and find it has to do with SC2013 and not SC4. Sometimes I have to read a entire post before I figure out it is about SC2013 and not SC4 and sometimes I'm never sure what they are talking about (which is nothing new ).

 

I come to this site for SC4 info and to mingle with fellow enthuasists and don't give one whit about SC2013. I'm not interested in the SC2013 gameplay and never will be. As far as I am concerned SC2013 is totally foreign from SC4 it has nothing to do with SC4 and should not be mixed in with SC4 topics and comments. Earlier I posted a thread on doing something about this same thing and got no response as to whether or not anything would change.

 

My apologies for ranting but I think it is a valid point as I don't like spending my time waiting for a page to load about something I don't want to read and then having to wait for another to load that may or may not be something in my interest category ie SC4.

 

SC4 and SC2013 need to be separate on this site. There are MANY of us that are not interested in investing time in watching a bonfire burn up when SC2013 is the bonfire.

/rant

Thank you.

Jim

 

I appreciate the issue you brought up, and I believe others have chimed in with some suggestions that may or may not be to your taste.

 

I would point out that starting a post with the title "It's getting rather tiresome.." and then prefacing your concerns with "Warning: Rant head..." may result in colouring the tone of your post in a way you might not have intended and invite certain types of responses. In any case, I would not excuse bad manners, but it's an observation.

 

The "Browse New Content" feature might help you when looking for recent posts and updates and tailor it to your tastes. In fact, this is feature is updated in real-time compared to the sidebar blocks which only take snapshots every so often.

[NCGAIO 562]

Just to supplement remember that besides being able to see the topic of the subject to which it relates can also get a preview of the topic by clicking on the button between the Last Post and message.

 

It's the best way to navigate if you just want to read news about certain subjects.

[Cyclone Boom 16,982]

Just noticed the sidebar now lists the forum section:

 

 

Good job Dirk on adding this so quickly -- it'll definitely improve the sidebar's functionality.

IPS should really incorporate this as a standard feature!

[Jim14409 448]

Warning: rant ahead...

 

I'm sorry to have to say so but It's getting rather tiresome to click on a topic or a picture on this site and find it has to do with SC2013 and not SC4. Sometimes I have to read a entire post before I figure out it is about SC2013 and not SC4 and sometimes I'm never sure what they are talking about (which is nothing new ).

 

I come to this site for SC4 info and to mingle with fellow enthuasists and don't give one whit about SC2013. I'm not interested in the SC2013 gameplay and never will be. As far as I am concerned SC2013 is totally foreign from SC4 it has nothing to do with SC4 and should not be mixed in with SC4 topics and comments. Earlier I posted a thread on doing something about this same thing and got no response as to whether or not anything would change.

 

My apologies for ranting but I think it is a valid point as I don't like spending my time waiting for a page to load about something I don't want to read and then having to wait for another to load that may or may not be something in my interest category ie SC4.

 

SC4 and SC2013 need to be separate on this site. There are MANY of us that are not interested in investing time in watching a bonfire burn up when SC2013 is the bonfire.

/rant

Thank you.

Jim

 

I appreciate the issue you brought up, and I believe others have chimed in with some suggestions that may or may not be to your taste.

 

I would point out that starting a post with the title "It's getting rather tiresome.." and then prefacing your concerns with "Warning: Rant head..." may result in colouring the tone of your post in a way you might not have intended and invite certain types of responses. In any case, I would not excuse bad manners, but it's an observation.

 

The "Browse New Content" feature might help you when looking for recent posts and updates and tailor it to your tastes. In fact, this is feature is updated in real-time compared to the sidebar blocks which only take snapshots every so often.

 

I just escaped from reallife and while this thread has not been anything like I had hoped I do realize you are correct Dirktator. I colored my own post in a negative light but not intentionally. There are times I admit I should just keep my mouth shut. Due to some long standing health challenges some days just seem to be all uphill and I sometimes feel as though I am surrounded by mountains. Those days I should just keep quiet. Usually in a day or two those mountains are shown to have been only mole hills.

 

I do appreciate everyone who took time to respond and for all the suggestions, and especially glad (as are the censors) for those suggestions that never got conveyed.   Please forgive me if I have offended any as it was not my intention. My only intent was to convey that it might be worthwhile to consider changes and I agree it was not well executed.

 

 

Just noticed the sidebar now lists the forum section:

 

 

Good job Dirk on adding this so quickly -- it'll definitely improve the sidebar's functionality.

IPS should really incorporate this as a standard feature!

 

I have not been there yet to check it out but this looks like a fantastic change in my opinion. Thank you Dirk. I hope it will also be a help to everyone else as well.

Now I hope this thread dies a peaceful death...

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Now I hope this thread dies a peaceful death...

 

Thread closed.

 

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