Please take a moment to review the following FAQ for answers to your questions, if the question isn't answered below, please post a response to this topic so that we can get an answer for you!
Why is FatWallet doing this? There is a dizzying amount of content posted on FatWallet, and finding it can be a challenge. Every day that goes by, this becomes a more and more complex problem. We set out to make the information easier to find and filter.
Where do I start the petition to keep things the old way? No need to do that - simply do the following: 1) click on "My Account" below your username in the upper navigation 2) click on "Preferences" under "Settings and Preferences" 3) click on the circle to the left of "Classic" next to "Forums Version" 4) click on "Save Changes" 5) There is no step 5. (You will now see the same old uncategorized forum content that you've grown to love)
OK, I'll give this new stuff a shot... what is new? Thought you'd never ask - here are a few of the highlights: 1) Categories - Each Hot Deal topic is assigned to its appropriate product category, store & manufacturer. You are only a click away from seeing other similar topics.
2) closable promotion banner - We know that you visit the site a lot - There is no reason to take up the screen real estate for something you have already checked out. click the (x) to the right of the banner to close it. (This closing is set in a cookie on your computer, so if you clear your cookies, the banner will show up again)
3) More compact navigation - Monitors are expensive - we're about saving you some money - Think about the pixels that have been saved!
4) Customized Navigation - You can now put your favorite forum categories just a click away!
5) Topic Tracking - Topics you've read have a gray background, topics you haven't have a white background. On the far right column of topics you've read, there is a quick link to the "unread" messages for that topic. We're keeping track for you!
6) Custom Views - All those really cool categories make for some neat functionality - like to look for DVD deals at local stores? build that view and save it - it'll be just one click away!
What is with the blinding white color background? About half of the people we checked with like the white background, and half wanted it "toned down" - If you're in the "tone it down" category, do the following: 1) click on "My Account" below your username in the upper navigation 2) click on "Preferences" under "Settings and Preferences" 3) click on the circle to the left of "Alternating" next to "Topic Row Color" 4) click on "Save Changes" 5) There is no step 5. (You will now see the an alternating gray/white background color when you view topics)
There are a lot of other user interface bits that I'm sure will come quite naturally, but if you have questions, comments, kudos, please let us know here in this topic. The entire FatWallet staff is standing by to help out! (and there might even be a few goodies for helpful comments!)
FAQ to be continued as questions become frequently asked!
The categories display on the left takes up too much real estate. Can that be turned off? We like the idea of being able to close the left navigation as well. It is certainly on the "to do" list. We designed the site for 1024 pixels in width, so the few percent with 800x600 displays, can I help you find a deal on a new computer and monitor?
Added 2/15/08 @ 4:43pm Many of the performance issues have been taken care of, but we continue to make improvements. We've collected the requests, complaints, suggestions and are working on prioritizing. I would expect that we will see a number of changes over the next week.
If it doesn't "look right" please click on refresh so the browser will hopefully grab the new stylesheet for the site.
bwillette
New Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:27a
FatWallet.Com said: If it doesn't "look right" please click on refresh so the browser will hopefully grab the new stylesheet for the site.
That did the trick, thanks.
ThursdaysChild
Missed.
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:35a
It's extremely slow to load -- about 10 seconds to get into this forum, and the finance forum times out on me.
tubs
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:42a
Load times are killing me. I hope this gets better.
jayK
Senior Member - JayK
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:43a
The Preferences/Customize link needs to be much more accessible, it should be one click from the main topic list as it is in the "classic" view. The toggle for forum view should probably also be at the top of the customize page.
And why isn't the new category feature available with the "classic" forum view?
ThursdaysChild said: It's extremely slow to load -- about 10 seconds to get into this forum, and the finance forum times out on me.
We're aware of the slow page load times and doing all we can to fix it. Thanks, and sorry for the inconvenience.
tubs
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:49a
When viewing a forum's topic page, I don't see the ability to jump to "last page" of a specific topic that used to be there (or to a specific numbered page for that matter). Am I missing something or what this taken out? There seems to be plenty of page-space still available for this feature...
fwjely (Staff)
Design Ninja
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 11:54a
tubs said: When viewing a forum's topic page, I don't see the ability to jump to "last page" of a specific topic that used to be there (or to a specific numbered page for that matter). Am I missing something or what this taken out? There seems to be plenty of page-space still available for this feature...
Hmmmm - if I understand your question correctly, you should have 3 options for getting to the last page:
click "xx Replies" in the forums topic list in a topic, at the top click the "last page" link (top right) in a topic, at the bottom choose the last numbered page you see (bottom right)
just sitting on this page using the latest firefox - refresh times:
65.532s loaded 350+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 103.696s loaded 211+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 158+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 88.250s
as it is now this site is unusable to me
I have a 5MB/s connection
i used firefox because ie7 just timed out
i do use spywareblaster (has "immunization"), spybot with SD helper immunization and advanced windows care with immunization as I sure alot of us here do. this caused only a small issue with the old site but nothing like this. what do i need to "unimmunize"?
i see it goes thru google analytics or something like that...
khorne55 said: just sitting on this page using the latest firefox - refresh times:
65.532s loaded 350+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 103.696s loaded 211+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 158+s (didn't load - got tired of waiting) 88.250s
as it is now this site is unusable to me
I have a 5MB/s connection
i used firefox because ie7 just timed out
i do use spywareblaster (has "immunization"), spybot with SD helper immunization and advanced windows care with immunization as I sure alot of us here do. this caused only a small issue with the old site but nothing like this. what do i need to "unimmunize"?
i see it goes thru google analytics or something like that...
Tried searching withing this thread. Says I have 13 pages of results, but when I try to go to page 2-13, it takes me to the page 2-13 of the full thread instead of the results.
tubs
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 12:12p
jely said: tubs said: When viewing a forum's topic page, I don't see the ability to jump to "last page" of a specific topic that used to be there (or to a specific numbered page for that matter). Am I missing something or what this taken out? There seems to be plenty of page-space still available for this feature...
Hmmmm - if I understand your question correctly, you should have 3 options for getting to the last page: click "xx Replies" in the forums topic list in a topic, at the top click the "last page" link (top right) in a topic, at the bottom choose the last numbered page you see (bottom right)
Ah yes, I see it now. Unread topics do show a "last page" link when the number of replies exceeds the number of replies configured to show per page. However, "last page" is not available for topics that have already been browsed. Rather, the "## unread" link is shown. This seems a little too fancy. I prefer more basic...but that's just me.
bakerzdosen
Broke Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 12:16p
Well now that I got the stylesheet to load (it took 3 reloads) it looks much better. However, it's dragging for me... I'm sure things will get better, and I always like to reserve judgement on the "look and feel" as well as functionality until I've used it for a few days, but it is really slow for me.
fwjely (Staff)
Design Ninja
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 12:19p
tubs said: Ah yes, I see it now. Unread topics do show a "last page" link when the number of replies exceeds the number of replies configured to show per page. However, "last page" is not available for topics that have already been browsed. Rather, the "## unread" link is shown. This seems a little too fancy. I prefer more basic...but that's just me.
Our thought behind this was to make it simpler to pick up where you left off by providing that link that goes directly to the post that is the 1st new one since you last viewed a topic. As I said, you can still go to the end of any topic by clicking the "## replies" in the right column.
I really do pity the FatWallet staff. At least those of you handling the complaints.
The blinding white is so blinding, so tiring, that I'm going to need a nap before trying to fix it, or adjusting my settings back to the older style--per your instructions. Wish you could just do it for me.
It's a strange world because I just can't believe half of the users prefer the retina-burning white.
fwjely (Staff)
Design Ninja
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 12:36p
cga said: I really do pity the FatWallet staff. At least those of you handling the complaints.
The blinding white is so blinding, so tiring, that I'm going to need a nap before trying to fix it, or adjusting my settings back to the older style--per your instructions. Wish you could just do it for me.
It's a strange world because I just can't believe half of the users prefer the retina-burning white.
Don't like all the white - no problem! Just go to 'my account' then 'preferences' -- from there we have an 'alternate' view, with grey alternating backgrounds in the posts.
1) Font size in message view is very small compare to before. If I increase it with my browser (firefox) setting, the topic view font size would be really huge. In classic view, topic and message font size are the same or very close. Also it seems like black font is not completely black.. more like a dark brown (maybe it is the size that makes it look not solid black). The old font was much easier to read in message view.
2) I set to alternating gray and white background, but every other message is hard to read. Couldn't we have a all gray and all white option? There is not need to alternate as each message is separated by a different colored username/date bar anyway.
3) I like the way that the topics I read are in different color, but is there a way I could sort them so they are together on top instead of going thru the pages? It would be a nice feature if it is possible.
UPDATE: The font size issue is only on Firefox. Font size was fine on IE, but on Firefox, the size difference between topic view and message view is very big.
Also IE browser is very very slow compare to Firefox on the new site. If you guys are having problem with the website speed, try Firefox. It is not as fast as before but usable.
jely said: Our thought behind this was to make it simpler to pick up where you left off by providing that link that goes directly to the post that is the 1st new one since you last viewed a topic. As I said, you can still go to the end of any topic by clicking the "## replies" in the right column.
thanks!
I LOVE that!
rjsmith0
Addicted Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 12:55p
I am sure all of these changes are going to be good once all of the bugs are worked out, but the site is pretty unusable for me at this point (taking more than a minute to even load a single page). I am curious as to why it was decided to make this change during a peak time of the day. Wouldn't it be better to do this during off-peak times? Also, this may have already been mentioned, but I noticed some external links pointing back to fatwallet and not redirecting to the external site like they should.
How do I get rid of all that real estate at the top? All I see on the top half of the screen is a bunch of white with links down the left side to these things, everything else is blank.
FatWallet Cash Back & Coupons Forums Compare Prices welcome dcwilbur 0 messages my account sign out help GO entire site forums
dcwilbur said: How do I get rid of all that real estate at the top? All I see on the top half of the screen is a bunch of white with links down the left side to these things, everything else is blank.
FatWallet Cash Back & Coupons Forums Compare Prices welcome dcwilbur 0 messages my account sign out help GO entire site forums
Delete your cached files, or do a hard refresh on your browser.
SecondCor521
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 1:01p
"5) Topic Tracking - Topics you've read have a gray background, topics you haven't have a white background. On the far right column of topics you've read, there is a quick link to the "unread" messages for that topic. We're keeping track for you!"
THANK YOU!!!!!
Other than a tad slow, the new FW is a thing of beauty so far...
2Cor521
SauerDanfossil
Thrifty Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 1:29p
slow slow slow, beauty dont do any good when it comes finding deals....speed does.
Primitive
Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 1:33p
I have my forum sorted by recent messages. The new format shows how long ago the thread originated, but it doesn't show when the last message was posted. Can this be added or am I just missing how to see this info?
RichFinch
Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 1:35p
I switched back to classic. Sorry, I don't like the new layout.
How 'bout adding a switch for classic view for those not logged in. Sometimes I use computers where I want to look, but not login.
Need: >>> The font size issue is only on Firefox. Font size was fine on IE, but on Firefox, the size difference between topic view and message view is very big. >>>
I had the same problem, which pretty made it impossible to use Firefox with FatWallet.
In Firefox, go to "Tools" then "Options" then under Fonts and Colors go to "Advanced." I increased my minimum font size to 20. This pretty much corrected the FatWallet small font problem without affecting any other font size. The other Firefox font sizes were also increased.
EDIT: Of course, Firefox's Ctrl + and Ctrl - font adjustment feature doesn't seem to work now that I've adjusted its font sizes. But, strangely, this problem seems to exist only on FatWallet pages.
EDIT: Seems Ctrl + and - does work. It just takes forever on FatWallet.
jigglypuffy
Senior Member - 3K
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 1:57p
Cannot stand the new design!!!! Please bring the old FW back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jigglypuffy said: Cannot stand the new design!!!! Please bring the old FW back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My account >Preferences >classic
There ya go, the old layout (besides the header)!
sk711
Member
posted: Feb. 13, 2008 @ 2:24p
Well count me in the group that doesn't like it. I understand you can go to the classic version, but I don't really want to sign in all the time. I know you don't have to enter your username and password every time, and maybe it is just me, but I clear my cookies a lot - especially at work.
Instead of having to log to get to classic, I wish you had to log in to get to the new version:
Am I the only one who thinks it wasn't broken and didn't need fixing? I liked the old way and had no problem navigating and finding what I wanted. Now I have to figure out how this new system works. It won't even let me see the Hot Deals forum posts until I select some "navigation" options. Ummmm, I don't want to limit what I see. I want to see it all and let MY brain sort it all out into piles. And I sincerely hope you are going to add some shades of color rather than the stark white and light grey which is hard on the eyes.
Sorry, I should have read the first post, and then I would have known I could just select "Classic" and keep the old way. Now that I'm starting to browse around a bit, I do see that some of the changes will be very helpful. I just definitely want to keep the way the posts appear in the various forums the way the old way.
I think it is an incredibly bad idea to use a default color scheme and fonts that are so hard to look at without eyestrain. It should be an option to choose to switch to the new scheme, not an option to turn it off if you don't like it.
I don't like change period. Is this saving us any time or making the site more usable? Or are you trying to drive people away to SD or techbargains or bensbargains or any number of other sites that aren't UNPLEASANT to look at?
cga said: Need: >>> The font size issue is only on Firefox. Font size was fine on IE, but on Firefox, the size difference between topic view and message view is very big. >>>
I had the same problem, which pretty made it impossible to use Firefox with FatWallet.
In Firefox, go to "Tools" then "Options" then under Fonts and Colors go to "Advanced." I increased my minimum font size to 20. This pretty much corrected the FatWallet small font problem without affecting any other font size. The other Firefox font sizes were also increased.
I used to set a minimum font size, but I found that would mess up the format on some of the websites I visit. It does a brute force override the website specified font size and sometime it made the pages look funny.
SecondCor521 said: "5) Topic Tracking - Topics you've read have a gray background, topics you haven't have a white background. On the far right column of topics you've read, there is a quick link to the "unread" messages for that topic. We're keeping track for you!"
THANK YOU!!!!!
Other than a tad slow, the new FW is a thing of beauty so far...
thanks for designing a new site. Where it use to take less than a minute to post a topic,browse a topic,make a reply, now it takes at least 15 minutes. Congratulations. Good bye.
Skipping 176 Messages...
glxpass
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Feb. 28, 2008 @ 1:26a
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I now see Forum Search, since I customized the subnavigation bar. This seems to imply that one has to register with FW in order to have direct access to Forum Search.
To extend this concept a bit further, have you considered retaining *all* entries that were customized on the subnavigation bar even when not signed in. For example, I'd like the FatWallet forum to always be on the subnavigation bar, regardless of sign in status. Thanks!
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