minstrel 06-26-2005, 09:53 AM Whether you opt for vBulletin or phpBB or some other forum software, one of my pet peeves is the amount of scrolling you have to do to get around. This issue was raised recently on another vBulletin forum and went nowhere in a hurry.
Your regular posters are going to be people who visit your forum daily and hit a lot of threads every day. Make it easy for them to get around the forum and they will be happier to come back.
vBulletin forums typically don't fare well in this respect: They have one small "Top" button at the bottom of the page and no breadcrumb navigation at all except at the top.
It is a simple matter to add navigation links to the bottom of the page as well as "Top" and "Bottom" navigation links in the header and footer pages (pardon the use of my own site here but in this case it illustrates what I'm talking about): see http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/index.php for an example where this is implemented. Additionally, by default, there is a small "Back to Top" text link at the left bottom of each post in phpBB -- vBulletin has blank space in that same row that isn't being used and it would be a matter of a minute or two to add a "Top" link there.
These may seem like small issues but anything that makes your members' forum experience more convenient is going to encourage them to return. Of course you need to pay attention to the big stuff but don't neglect the small stuff...
ResaleBroker 06-26-2005, 09:59 AM Good Idea! Now I'm off to find a cool icon to fit the bill. ;)
BTW, the link you posted returns a "Sorry! Page not found..."
noppid 06-26-2005, 10:08 AM Damn, I seem to recall a good post on seo links and not including the index.php ;)
ResaleBroker 06-26-2005, 10:19 AM Thanks again... that's a good idea.
I just implemented it on my board. In the top right corner of each post where the "report bad post" icon is typically at I have added a button pointing up with the alt text "Back to Top."
You can see an example here (http://www.salespractice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399).
noppid 06-26-2005, 10:24 AM Thanks again... that's a good idea.
I just implemented it on my board. In the top right corner of each post where the "report bad post" icon is typically at I have added a button pointing up with the alt text "Back to Top."
You can see an example here (http://www.salespractice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399).
Nice job, good article Minstrel.
minstrel 06-26-2005, 10:24 AM BTW, the link you posted returns a "Sorry! Page not found..."
Doh! Fixed now: http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/index.php (I maintain about four forums now and somedays it's hard to keep the folder names straight) :o
Damn, I seem to recall a good post on seo links and not including the index.php
Yes... link for noppids is http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/
Link for AOL users:
<a href="http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/">http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/</a>
minstrel 06-26-2005, 10:27 AM You can see an example here.
Nicely done, Jeff.
I had an icon on one of the forums at one point but actually found some members didn't know what it was so I eventually replaced it with text... but I like the way that graphic fits in woth the rest of your page.
AnthonyCea 06-26-2005, 10:40 AM Great looking design Minstrel, I like the look of the site.
I am not a big fan of phpBB forums but with the right programmers behind them they can be great forums.
The good news is that your link is now working.
PS: Can nutz like me join the forum over there :p :confused:
minstrel 06-26-2005, 10:45 AM Thanks, AC. Of course you're welcome there but I will warn you that the #1 priority there is keeping the forum safe for members who are often distressed and fragile - it's one of those places where there are very strict rules about posting and those rules are very strictly enforced.
AnthonyCea 06-26-2005, 10:49 AM I can be kind and helpful if I set my mind set on it, folks like Noppid turn me into a monster Minstrel and you know that :eek: :p :wave:
ResaleBroker 06-26-2005, 10:52 AM I had an icon on one of the forums at one point but actually found some members didn't know what it was so I eventually replaced it with text...I thought about this myself. I've changed the icon to something a little more obvious.
minstrel 06-26-2005, 10:59 AM I've changed the icon to something a little more obvious.
Actually, I think your first choice was better... at least an up arrow of some sort is intuitive -- the new one looks more like a "Go to Home Page" icon.
noppid 06-26-2005, 11:02 AM Thanks, AC. Of course you're welcome there but I will warn you that the #1 priority there is keeping the forum safe for members who are often distressed and fragile - it's one of those places where there are very strict rules about posting and those rules are very strictly enforced.
LMAO, then I'd be good for business. I can't make that poster have a break down in 2 posts! :wave:
ResaleBroker 06-26-2005, 11:02 AM Actually, I think your first choice was better... at least an up arrow of some sort is intuitive -- the new one looks more like a "Go to Home Page" icon.Your right. I've put back the original icon. Thanks for the feedback. ;)
minstrel 06-26-2005, 11:02 AM I can be kind and helpful if I set my mind set on it, folks like Noppid turn me into a monster Minstrel and you know that
Yes of course I know that AC... :D
My comment wasn't meant as a crack at you at all. I know that some people (including me at times) resent over-moderation. However, the PsychLinks forum is a special place that I think requires strict moderation to do what it set out to do. The other forums I'm associated with are more freewheeling... but there people need to know that they are safe and that rule overrides everything else.
minstrel 06-26-2005, 11:06 AM LMAO, then I'd be good for business. I can't make that poster have a break down in 2 posts!
:D :D
Way ahead of you, Brother Nop. You're pre-banned there... :D
noppid 06-26-2005, 11:07 AM I tend to be too outspoken for such crowds. I didn't take it the wrong way.
Because of my own experiences, I tend to think like Tom Cruise on the shrink thing and especially phsycotropics. They mess people up more then they help. That's a fact no doctor, even a PHD could convince me of.
minstrel 06-26-2005, 11:15 AM Well I won't argue that point here... I'm already arguing it over there ;)
AnthonyCea 06-26-2005, 11:15 AM Well don't join or post over there Noppid, you can always stop in to learn and read along though :wave:
noppid 06-26-2005, 11:22 AM Well don't join or post over there Noppid, you can always stop in to learn and read along though :wave:
No way, I can't keep my mouth shut and I would make them all cry. I aint having a suicide on my conscience. :eek:
AnthonyCea 06-26-2005, 11:51 AM Yeah, what the hell you have crazy people like me that are use to all the abuse and come back for more (you have no need to go push those folks), I am sure Minstrel has a term for those kinds of folks also. :p :wave:
minstrel 06-26-2005, 02:33 PM Back to thje question of enhamcing forum navigation, why are there no jumpboxes on this forum? That's something I personally use a lot - including on the main index page.
Joeychgo 06-26-2005, 02:38 PM No way, I can't keep my mouth shut and I would make them all cry. I aint having a suicide on my conscience. :eek:
Hee hee - Yeah - I can hear noppid posting now - Somthing like this: You friggin whiners - Grow Up, quit crying and learn to deal with life you weak.......
:wave:
noppid 06-26-2005, 02:43 PM Hee hee - Yeah - I can hear noppid posting now - Somthing like this: You friggin whiners - Grow Up, quit crying and learn to deal with life you weak.......
:wave:
Really, even if I was nice, what I know will kill some people. Unfortunatly, to a large degree, they have to stay with the same docs that got them addictied to get where I am. The suicide rate is too high.
That's all I got on the matter. I've said too much already. And no, I'm not suicidal nor a survivor of an attempt.
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