Dear all
We’ve been quite vocal in our criticisms of the new forum. Many of us have felt a bit patronised by the ‘badge’ system for using various aspects of the site. We’ve also had trouble with the format and particularly with the brightness.
It does seem that our admin have been listening to us and have been, and are still, making changes.
They have reduced the number of badges. So we won’t get any more silly ones (such as for using emojis! 
)
The brightness has been slightly toned down and Oliver has told me they are still working on the brightness and contrast.
Oliver has also said that comments on the format are encouraged. If there are issues that people want to raise, send Oliver Admin a personal message. He’s really very approachable and will welcome your thoughts.
There are many new members, people who didn’t know the old site. Hopefully you are finding the forum a welcoming and inclusive place. Please tell the old timers if you’re not. As you didn’t know the old format of the forum, you may well be finding the site easier to use than some of us ‘oldies’. Your help in figuring out how to use the site could be extremely helpful!!
I know several people have gone on the missing list since the change. If anyone has personal email addresses or phone numbers for the missing, please contact them and make sure they’re OK and able to access the site if they’re having trouble. I’ve been in touch with Carole (Catwoman) who’s been having computer trouble. So theres one person accounted for. I’ve also heard from TraceyDC - she’s OK, been taking a slightly extended break. If anyone else has news of the missing, please let the rest of us know.
Hopefully you’re all finding the site a bit easier now we’re a few weeks in. Let Oliver know if not.
Sue xx
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I am getting used to it.
I had a method of using the old board that I have found hard to replicate exactly with the new regime.
Normally I only look at the everyday living and would look at new posts and additions to previous posts I had found interesting.
The four line symbol on my top right corner is now my way in. One of my friends said the three line one was knows as the burger, so this must be known as the cheese burger!
I use white on black in my preferences.
I used to read the titles (which were not always informative) to filter my reading. The scanning of the first few lines in latest is the alternative I suppose I will get used to.
The badges give some information about the person who is posting. Some people start topics for their own purposes and rarely offer anything helpful in return. Others are full participants.
I have become used to it. Have tried to use the search to look back, but it seems a little eratic. The advantages of a message board system over Facebook is that information persists and is accessible. I found this helpful when I was first diagnosed and trying to get my head round MRI results. Eventually realised this was best left to the experts and I should get on what I can do (like keeping active).
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I always used the same way of approaching the old forum, head for EL & see what’s new. (Then do the same with the newly/un-diagnosed.)
So I’m using the cheeseburger too. The problem I’m having is that I don’t always see posts because the ‘burger doesn’t always identify them as new (maybe because I’ve seen them, immediately forgotten what they said and that they exist at all! Stupid cog fog!)
It’s taking time, but the more I use the site, the easier it becomes.
I should have said in my initial post that some of the users have been brilliant in helping many of the rest of us out with the new format - ie Crazy Chick and Jen, plus others. So thank you. It’s one of the great strengths of this forum, and always has been, we all try and help each other out; we use the knowledge we have to make the experience of MS easier for others.
(We’ve also been quite good at lifting each others spirits!!)
Sue x
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Just wish Bouds had managed to transfer over.
Sadly it looks like she hasn’t.
A massive loss to the MS Society
Jen
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Nothing personal against anyone else, but I think I miss her the most. Has anyone been able to reach her to at least see if she’s okay?
Someone (Maz? I think) said they’d been in touch with Bouds and she was/is having trouble getting into the new site. Apparently Oliver has been made aware….
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