What went wrong with Android Forums

[Rgarner]

Recently I was trying to use AF but it was down for "maintenance". It's down all right. I finally got on just now and was barely able to find how to post. I know I usually complain about something else but this time it's AF itself. What is up with this? It's really ugly and hard to use. PLEASE go back to the real Android Forums!

 

[Fox Mulder]

Guess you were away for a while. Forum software got updated recently, get used to it. Still a work in progress with some tweaks going on but this is basically it.
At least you missed the part right at the beginning where everyone's logins were broken, that's fixed now.

Big Changes at Android Forums

You've probably noticed that things look a lot different here. Some features are missing. The Blue/Green AF robot theme is gone. What's happening? This is all intentional and a sign of big changes to come. Android Forums started the day that Google announced Android. We built a community when...

androidforums.com

 

[Rgarner]

Unfortunately, I didn't miss it. I was asked to change my password (?!). When I was sent the link, it didn't work. I just got back on today. What's the point of making it ugly and almost unusable? AF was fine the way it was. Change it back, please.

 

[olbriar]

As with all things new @Rgarner there is always an adjustment and learning curve involved. Check it out... it'll grow on you.

 

[ocnbrze]

we get more emojis:


we get gifs:

the most annoying thing is that there are now ads

 

[Fox Mulder]

The forum software was way out of date and needed to be updated. The login problem was an unexpected consequence of the update and it affected everyone, took a day or two to resolve but it's all fixed now.
The complaint dept. is here-
@Rob
But yes this is how it is going forward, it's not going back to how it was although things may change a bit over time in response to suggestions and issues that come up.

 

[PitCarver]

Personally, I also think that it's "ugly" too. Maybe ugly isn't the right word but there's something "off putting" to me. I like the new capabilities and all.
Perhaps it's the XenForo logo on the top instead of the friendly android.
¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

 

[ocnbrze]

I did like the blue from before, but not this kind of blue.

 

[Unforgiven]

I did like the blue from before, but not this kind of blue.

Psst... ...dark mode. Bottom left of the page.

 

[mikedt]

It's been a few days now, and I see AF is still running with a default xenForo theme/skin. Is this what everyone else is seeing?

 

[ocnbrze]

Psst... ...dark mode. Bottom left of the page.
View attachment 165696

 

[Milo Williamson]

yes... Dark mode, turn off the green light saber.... hmmm...

 

[PitCarver]

Psst... ...dark mode. Bottom left of the page.
View attachment 165696

Aaahh, much better, and the little happy android is there too.

 

[nickdalzell]

I love dark mode. I thought the way the forums looked a month or so ago was completely ugly. It was also annoying with the stupid sidebar that hid the forums list behind an extra click.

Wish the stupid round avatars would be square again though.

 

[Rgarner]

I guess it's slightly usable. At least the same people are on it. Haven't they ever heard this: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[olbriar]

The forum software needed upgrading Rgarner.

 

[ocnbrze]

I actually like the new look. It's just gets some getting used to. The only thing I hate are the ads.

 

[Deleted member 2157292]

Just for the record, I don't get any ads whatsoever using Chrome for mobile in Dark Mode for this site.

I can be plagued by adverts and video pop ups, as Moody Blues described elsewhere, on Chrome particularly from a Discovery feed or just some regular websites I visit, despite selecting minimal cookies rather than just hitting Accept.

I don't have a VPN service.

I'm in the UK using an up to date Xiaomi device.
I have a standard membership on this forum.

Go figure? My Mummy did say I was special!

 

[nickdalzell]

The 'new' look actually is more closer to the old vBulletin look than the look before it. I hated how it looked before. Bright white, pastel blue, that sidebar that hid the forum list, and no dark mode. I don't get ads as I use blockers. Story in another thread as to what started me on that train.

 

[Deleted member 2157292]

Is this the thing with XenForo .... that it Live updates all the time, in Chrome mobile for example, if you keep the screen open?

It's impressive.

Can't think of many down sides, if you are not limited on data.

 

[nickdalzell]

Doesn't 'live update' on my machine but I think I got an extension that turns that annoyance off. Kept causing QoS issues and made the Apple TV rebuffer whatever I was watching if the Vostro refreshed the site.

I always manually refresh when I feel the need.

 

[Deleted member 2157292]

I can't think of any other thing / site that would do this on a browser page.

I suppose other forums have been using this for a while.

@nickdalzell I have the forum open on New Posts, if that makes any difference. I spotted it a week or so ago, and started taking more tablets.

 

[nickdalzell]

Oh. Well I'm using the site via Firefox 52 ESR on a Dell Vostro 1700 from 2007 running Windows 7 Pro. I have uBlock installed and I am not sure if it's that or the old software that keeps the site from auto refreshing but I always hated auto refreshing anyway. I used to turn off JavaScript to avoid it years ago.