What Modifications and Features Don't You Like to See on Forums?

Regardless of the forum software, what mods and features instantly put you off joining or visiting a forum ever again?

For me, I'd say it's things like the 'Limited Guest Viewing' hack. Sorry to the person who made it, but only being able to view a certain amount of topics before being forced to register is ridiculous and off putting in my opinion, and it's one of a few reasons a certain other admin forum annoys me.

The other things are just badly implemented or broken features. Like the example I remember where hovering over the thread title gave you a message saying 'You must be registered to view thread content', then the actual thread itself was guest viewable. What is the point in that?

 

The top 5 stats modification. Why do people think I care who has the most posts, uploads, or whatever? That is useful for administrators but not end-users.

Also the User's logged in the last 24 hours mod. I only care who is online and what new posts were made. I don't care that so-and-so logged in within the last 24 hours. Again useful information for admins... Not so useful for the end user.

 

I disagree (obviously ).

No really .... in forums such as the ones im involved in, members do actually like to know if their friends have logged in today, and its far easier to look at that list than view each profile seperately. After one upgrade it went missing, and I got no end of complaints that it wasnt showing. Still, each to their own.

 

I hate (really hate) the mods that say your browser is out of date, upgrade it.

First of all, if Im at work I dont even have a choice, the browser is standard throughout the company (and yes, its IE6). Secondly, if im at home its my choice what I use, and not the web sites.

 

I don't like shoutboxes. They take up too much room and they're filled with inane drivel.

 

Your company's insistence on an outdated, insecure browser does not magically give you the right to demand more of my time.

 

This hack actually has it's good points. For example, if you run a 'private' forum, this is an excellent way to allow a user to preview the forum before requiring registration.

As well, the ability to limit guest viewing is decent. Not everyone will register, and this will encourage individuals to do so. Sure, it'll upset a few people that do nothing but sit on their tail ends all day long, but, really, those people typically aren't the ones you want hanging around your forum anyways. They're dead weight, they don't contribute a thing.

Unfortunately, this is inevitable. If you're using an outdated browser (and yes, IE6 is outdated), then you need to update. If you don't want to, then you can expect problems, it's just that simple.

 

Some people don't have a choice about what browser or operating system they use. People with disabilities, poor people, people in developing countries; they have to make do with the equipment and software they have.

I myself am going to be using Windows XP for the forseeable future, as my obselete voice recognition program won't run on anything newer. (Yes, I've tried newer voice recognition packages like NaturallySpeaking, no, they won't work for me.) Eventually companies will stop supporting it and I'll have trouble getting updated browser software, plugins, etc. Should I give up on the web entirely?

 

Everyone has a choice

That is your choice. You're not required to run XP, but you make a choice to, and IE7 does run in XP. Not sure about 8, as I haven't used it.

Running XP is not a requirement, you can very easily use the "run as" compatability that has been in every Microsoft OS since XP (maybe earlier, but I know for certain that it was in XP), which will allow you to run the program in XP mode, or you can just use an up to date program.

Absolutely, that is your responsibility. If you will not keep your systems up to date, then it is your responsibility to leave the internet, pure and simple.

Out of date systems are the biggest cause of attacks out there. I like my software is not an excuse to not update your systems.

 

There's a problem with this reasoning; most forums that use it are not private forums. They're basically using it for cloaking purposes on a public forum with useful information to guests. Besides, there are a lot more people who would rather read around a bit before actually joining. The standard uses (10-15 posts) are not particularly good at that aspect, especially for people who are generally fickle about what forums they join.

Oh, and the 'everyone has a choice' thing? One minor problem; they don't when they're working for a company that doesn't let them. You could argue a million things, all of which I agree with... but it's whether their boss lets them upgrade the office computers. Secondly, it's not a website's job to say to upgrade browsers. It's annoying, and it's like the sites sending you to sites for using Firefox.

 

Opera runs on everything short of Windows 3. XP runs IE 7, 8, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, amongst others. You can expect people to be supporting XP with the latest browsers until at least 2014, if not longer. As with Windows 98, its support will outlast Vista.

 

I want to do some things that are a pain in the butt to do in IE6. In some cases, outright impossible.

There is also the matter of viral programs and AVG cloaking as IE6 during their scans. I have no reason to tolerate that for much longer.

 

What complete nonsense, no one is "demanding" any of your time.

No, they dont. Thats also complete nonsense. When Im at work I have no choice whatsoever.

 

Actually, that is an incorrect statement. Because of people who want to run vulnerable, outdated software, developers have to spend countless hours making sure websites work with them. Software should be kept up to date, not ignored like this.

Sure you do. Just because you don't think you do doesn't mean you don't. There are plenty of "choices" while you're at work, including bringing issues like out of date setups to your company techs. Any proper tech will keep their software (including company software) updated properly.

 

Excuse you? When you are working, the standard browser for a company is stuck at IE6. The worker has no right to demand a browser to work to their liking when they are supposed to be working. At my mothers job, that will cause the people working under my mothers jurisdiction to have an 'infraction'. So no, some people are not in control of the type of browser they use, not their fault either. Actually, for most jobs, he you get caught online it can lead to a suspension. Pretty silly to think you can demand a better browser to just satisfy your needs. You never know the companies standards.

 

I personally like all modifications by cybernetic

 

Absolutely
All his stuff is fantastic!

 

Those adverts that popup from underlined keywords, that mod annoys me to no end I often will never visit a site again if thy use them.

 

Heh, I find those terribly annoying - I'm in complete agreement with this.

 

Top 5 stats modification, I hate this mod so much its ugly and take up space and I don't care about the stats in that box.