I'm working on the forum over the next few weeks

[Dan]

Working on the forum over the next couple of weeks. Noticed a few people have mentioned problems in this forum category in general so I'll collect those. But let us all use this thread to suggest fixes or improvements and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks
Dan

 

[Dan]

First problem to fix, Google Advertisements showing over forum posts, for some people, using certain devices, some of the time.

I think I've just fixed that, but I'll need to see over the coming weeks.

It may still be happening for some people as it's loading from a browser cache. So if you can either clear it, or just wait until the standard browser settings amount of time clears it.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Thanks Dan. One thing I noticed,but probably can’t be improved is site traffic/members.

When new members join, their posts are active, but their user profile is black? Are they waiting approval?

 

[gpbeck]

The google ads are obtrusive but easy to close if using a mouse. Touch devices often mean the link is clicked instead because the close controls are too small.

 

[Chuck]

The 'directory' of plumbers needs some way of making sure that the 'reviews' are genuine. For example, one company listed has received about 50 enthusiastic reviews from 'customers' in two batches of ca 25 within 48 hours of being listed and has received no further reviews in the following ten months.

In my opinion, the 'directory' should be got rid of. There is clearly no demand for it and it's a potential Trading Standards liability for the forum.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks Dan. One thing I noticed,but probably can’t be improved is site traffic/members.

When new members join, their posts are active, but their user profile is black? Are they waiting approval?

I think that’s like a guest account/ not registered

 

[Robert Bell]

I was going to mention the ads but you do seem to have helped with that as they were making my screen self scroll but seems okay right now.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Censorship for the word/place C.umbria (***bria)?

 

[BN9Pete]

There seems to be far too many different sections, I think some could be grouped together, for example plumbing advice could be grouped together with DIY plumbing forum seeing as both sections have non plumbers asking for advice.
I’ve noticed many non plumbers coming onto this forum asking for advice don’t seem to know which section to post in (see recent post on plumbing tools 😬)
Plumbers arms could be grouped with plumbers cafe (nobody seems to bother with the cafe anymore)

 

[Steve57]

I think that’s like a guest account/ not registered

Adverts, adverts, adverts and I’m signed in. Never seen so many. Bye.

 

[Martyn]

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

was unable to post my actual reply =-/

 

[Dtonge=95]

If your reading the thread through an Iphone it seems to jump up and down the thread meaning you have to scroll back to where you was reading and try to finish before it jumps up or down again 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Deleted member 120897]

If your reading the thread through an Iphone it seems to jump up and down the thread meaning you have to scroll back to where you was reading and try to finish before it jumps up or down again 🤷🏻‍♂️

I think that’s because of the adverts?

 

[sargan]

First problem to fix, Google Advertisements showing over forum posts, for some people, using certain devices, some of the time.

I think I've just fixed that, but I'll need to see over the coming weeks.

It may still be happening for some people as it's loading from a browser cache. So if you can either clear it, or just wait until the standard browser settings amount of time clears it.

Adds when using IPad or Android phone are awful. … Intried to reply to this post 4 times on Android phone each time adds were onto of entry field - unusable.

Attached screen shows how bad it is on iPad.

It’s not this intrusive on any other form I use, Adds totally cover text fields, makes use very difficult.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

 

[Spinball]

Adverts, adverts, adverts and I’m signed in. Never seen so many. Bye.

Agree. I’m very conscious about balancing revenue with user experience on AVForums.
Here I think you have too many ads. They are intrusive and interfere with the experience of using the forum.

 

[cromwell.4]

First problem to fix, Google Advertisements showing over forum posts, for some people, using certain devices, some of the time.

I think I've just fixed that, but I'll need to see over the coming weeks.

It may still be happening for some people as it's loading from a browser cache. So if you can either clear it, or just wait until the standard browser settings amount of time clears it.

Hi, I can still see the Google ads and this is the first time on the site using this phone (Android Chrome). It could be that the server cache needs to be cleared?

FYI The ad covers half of the screen.

 

[DJKent]

There seems to be far too many different sections, I think some could be grouped ..

Two ideas:

• When new people join: could their Intro emails, explain he difference between the groups? And email the same again - some days/weeks later to reinforce that.
• when new users make their first New Thread - could there be a popup before it saves to check: "Are you sure this is the right section to post this in - as a reminder - the main sections are A..B..C"

 

[Ric2013]

Agree. I’m very conscious about balancing revenue with user experience on AVForums.
Here I think you have too many ads. They are intrusive and interfere with the experience of using the forum.

I'd pay to use the forum, but since I'm tending to give more advice than I ask for, I don't expect to pay a lot.

When I was a member of 2CVGB, the forum was included in annual membership (currently £34 a year and includes the cost of printing and posting a monthly colour magazine), so £24 (£1.99 a month) for plumbersforums seems extremely dear.

As far as the forum itself goes, there no longer seems to be a non-gas boiler or even a heating category that isn't for RGIs, so questions like 'What temperature should I run my boiler at?' or 'Will a programmable thermostat really save energy?' can only really go in the general plumbing section, which seems odd when we consider the number of niche categories that DO exist. Perhaps this could be rationalised somewhat?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I'd pay to use the forum, but since I'm tending to give more advice than I ask for, I don't expect to pay a lot.

When I was a member of 2CVGB, the forum was included in annual membership (currently £34 a year and includes the cost of printing and posting a monthly colour magazine), so £24 (£1.99 a month) for plumbersforums seems extremely dear.

As far as the forum itself goes, there no longer seems to be a non-gas boiler or even a heating category that isn't for RGIs, so questions like 'What temperature should I run my boiler at?' or 'Will a programmable thermostat really save energy?' can only really go in the general plumbing section, which seems odd when we consider the number of niche categories that DO exist. Perhaps this could be rationalised somewhat?

Gas Engineers Forum

Questions and plumbing advice in the Gas Engineers Forum - This is a PUBLIC Gas Engineers Advice Forum. Anybody who is a Gas Engineer can chat in this forum. No need to supply details to the forum to chat in this area. We do have an out-of-public forum for those wishing to seek advice out of the...

www.plumbersforums.net

Also ch forum below this one

?

 

[Ric2013]

Gas Engineers Forum

Questions and plumbing advice in the Gas Engineers Forum - This is a PUBLIC Gas Engineers Advice Forum. Anybody who is a Gas Engineer can chat in this forum. No need to supply details to the forum to chat in this area. We do have an out-of-public forum for those wishing to seek advice out of the...

www.plumbersforums.net

Also ch forum below this one

?

Well, yes, but I thought that was for Gas-Safe installers seeing as it's in the Gas Engineers' Advice Section. Is it open to all?

 

[oz-plumber]

Gee, I wish I could get into the exclusive Gas Section of this Forum.

70% of my work is gas related - from domestic to commercial boilers, fault finding, repairs & maintenance.
Also includes works with many other gas appliances.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Well, yes, but I thought that was for Gas-Safe installers seeing as it's in the Gas Engineers' Advice Section. Is it open to all?

Open to all that one is there is a section for reg only

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Gee, I wish I could get into the exclusive Gas Section of this Forum.

70% of my work is gas related - from domestic to commercial boilers, fault finding, repairs & maintenance.
Also includes works with many other gas appliances.

Is there a reason why you can’t?

 

[Chuck]

Is there a reason why you can’t?

Think about what his username tells you about where he works @oz-plumber

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Think about what his username tells you about where he works @oz-plumber

I thought that, but I also thought he was just from Oz and worked over here, must have imagined it 🤣

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Is there a reason why you can’t?

You can only ask

 

[sargan]

First problem to fix, Google Advertisements showing over forum posts, for some people, using certain devices, some of the time.

I think I've just fixed that, but I'll need to see over the coming weeks.

It may still be happening for some people as it's loading from a browser cache. So if you can either clear it, or just wait until the standard browser settings amount of time clears it.

It's still happening ... bad enough on a PC .... but makes forum vary difficult to use on iPad.
I use plenty of forums, really bad here.

 

[oz-plumber]

You can only ask

I have asked before.

Got knocked back due to not having required qualifications.
I don't have an UK qualifications.

You could always let me in and if I'm not up to scratch - boot me out.

I could be helpful and maybe learn something

 

[oz-plumber]

PS: I use Firefox when on this forum - don't get any adds, except for a black 'X' on the screen, which disappears when you click it. You really only know it's there when the screen freezes.

 

[Martyn]

unsure when you did the adsense changes, but

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

this doesnt look good, how much do you actgually make on adsense? why not sell geo ads? your'd probably make a lot more money, and its guarenteed income.
look how much better it looks without ads, and that's just a simple ad blocker??...

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

I'd rather not use adblocker to make a site usable, and i guess its to get people to sign up to the 1.99 thing,

but I'd rather see an add there for a few of my local plumbers, then cex / web hosting -.-

just as thought

ref: xenforo.com/community/resources/ads-manager-2-by-siropu.6153/ We've been using it some time now, works well. (had to remove the h t t p s as it thinks I'm a bot...? why not just manually approve the first 3 posts of people? if links etc?)

 

[djenson]

It's unfortunate that this forum with very useful content is ran by people who seem to care about money more than helping people. Ads are needed - absolutely, but you're forum is beyond a joke. I thought it might be an accident, but the complaint have made it clear to you there's an issue. just look at this (Android 13 in chrome). It took me i kid you not 10 minute to navigate here though all the ads.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

 

[Martyn]

It's unfortunate that this forum with very useful content is ran by people who seem to care about money more than helping people. Ads are needed - absolutely, but you're forum is beyond a joke. I thought it might be an accident, but the complaint have made it clear to you there's an issue. just look at this (Android 13 in chrome). It took me i kid you not 10 minute to navigate here though all the ads.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

You don't have permission to view attachments. Attachments are hidden.

It's unfortunate isn't it, better off selling actual ad space with geo.