New Format of BCO is a DISASTER

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited May 2012

    Mods, you're asking for feedback and making little tweaks here and there, but it seems like the vast majority of us are saying little tweaks just aren't going to do it. 

    You really threw the baby out with the bathwater.  

    Why not rethink this?  Bring back the old forum.  Find out what people *really* want, and then make those changes in a well-planned and thoughtful implementation.  

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2012

    Yes, and I clicked 'remove e-mail notification' on each one....which didn't make any difference.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited May 2012

    Ok, the over all look is just hard on the eyes. It actually makes my eyes hurt.

    Some of the new features I don't mind. The Dashboard is ok.

    The user index is ok.

    Yes my avatar looks squished but I will deal.

    I won't leave, but I will spend less time, it just hurts my eyes. Maybe in the morning it will be better.

    I can't explain it, the fonts and spacing are just odd.

    It is cleaner looking though.

    And yes too much scrolling. 

  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited May 2012

    Too much empty gray space to the left of the screen, among the many things that I do not like about this format. 

    Most important is that we can no longer see the individual categories listed under each topic, unless we click on each topic- I can't always remember where I saw what - do you mods not know about chemo brain?Frown Too broad for newbies.  Too broad for anything "new" for us old timers too - bring back the full listings.

    I understand there are mobile users out there - but what about the majority of us who still use the old fashioned desktop and/or laptop? 

    A big thumbs down from me...

  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited May 2012

    OMG ... thanks for the heads up ladies.  My inbox had 116 emails ... and I have never selected email notifications.  I'm hoping they were all generated by this thread and that I have them stopped.

    I think I can navigate this to get to things that are already in my Favorite Topics but using the All Topics or Active Topics the way they are now is a no-go.  I always just popped in and checked out the main page quickly.  I simply don't have the time it will take to scroll through pages and pages of stuff.  I think a lot of newbies are going to find themselves with no responses because nobody is going to see their posts.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    I think bookgirl said it best- we've faced enough change. Most women on here are in the midst of treatment and this is way too stressful. Maybe a better idea would have been to implement change more slowly if at all. A lot of us are middle aged or older and may not be that tech savvy. I'm guessing the person who came up with this format doesn't fit that profile. Think about your audience here.

  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2012
    Getting rid of some of my favorites so my e-mail inbox won't overload while I'm sleeping Frown.
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2012

    Sure hope all the blank space on the left will NOT be used for ads.  That would really be a disaster.  As it is, it's just wasted.  Let's stretch everything back out again.

  • pteney
    pteney Member Posts: 109
    edited May 2012

    Hi Mods,

    Thought I might add a thought, I noticed that when you click on a member name to see their recent posts, now I have to click on each post listed and find their words (tho I can use the time it was posted as a guide to finding it) instead of just read it.  I found it interesting to read a bunch of posts by the same member in the different threads to see how they are doing.  Now it's too many clicks and back and forth to accomplish that.  Just my two cents.  I agree with many on the changes, but am hanging in there to see the final results.  I love this board and the people and hope it will all work out.  Hugs to all, Patti

  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited May 2012

    There is no way I can see where to go without scrolling.  For me its not so much about change--the problem is the design of the new website--the function is missing.  I'm so glad i'm almost 3 years out.  I check in here but there's no way I could find the posts like I used to. 

    Does anyone know what happened to the "My Home" feature?  There are a couple of gals I follow--i get so much out of their posts. 

  • Lindissima
    Lindissima Member Posts: 239
    edited May 2012

    I already had one demoralizing BC experience today--my MO abruptly informed me I was being put into a "Survivorship Clinic" after  only 3 years NED and now get to see a nurse practictioner for  my follow up appointments instead of a bonafide medical oncologist. (Yipee!)

    I felt depressed and disoriented  by this news, so I came running home to BCO.  My heart just sank when I saw this  radical new design.  It just doesn't work for all the reasons so eloquently stated previously.

    Note to whomever designed this:  BCO is not just some cool app that we stumbled upon to join some hip social network.  This is a serious lifeline  of support and information for its members and we are hurting.

    Moderators, I know you are trying really hard to make things better  and we do appreciate all your efforts. Please do your utmost to communicate to the powers that be that we want our old, homey and inviting BCO back as it was.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2012

    Cowgirl, if you go to the darkish blue Menu button, one of the choices is called Dashboard, and it's the equivalent of "My Home." All of those Menu links are also ar the very bottom of every page too, in white in dark grey.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited May 2012

    How do I get rid of those articles - I don't want to see them

    Where is My Home page - sorely missed!!!

    Sad that women here are being stressed by this while in treatment.

  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2012

    Wow, I'm not crzay about the new format, but don't feel anywhere near the vehemence most of you are experiencing.  Not crazy about the gray that covers 1/3 of the left side of my page.  The colors don't bother me at all.  Just saying...

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited May 2012
    If you don't want to receive email messages about new posts on your favourites threads, you have the option - in the email message itself -- to turn it off.

    Actually, I've been reading through all the comments, and I agree with some, disagree with others.  I like the calm colours, and wonder why some of you are experiencing a glaring white.  I've got soft grey and soft ecru!
     
    I suspect that the reason for the space on the left is potential ad space -- good idea (although I know some of you don't want to see ads on this site -- but please, be realistic!).
     
    Major complaint with the design is that it will not be easy for newbies to negotiate it.  We know the stuff we're looking for, but they don't.  Some changes must be made to keep easy navigation in mind for those totally new to the site. 
  • justagirl
    justagirl Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2012

    DEAR MODERATORS.

    I DON'T WANT TO GET USED TO A NEW FORMAT.  HAVING TO DEAL WITH BREAST CANCER AND ALL IT'S PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL THINGS IS ENOUGH OF A CHANGE.

    THIS FORMAT HURTS MY EYES AND SEEMS HARSH.

    YOU WASTED MONEY RAISED TO RESEARCH, TREAT AND PREVENT BREAST CANCER FOR SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T NEED A CHANGE.

    THIS FORMAT SEEMS UNFRIENDLY AND YOU SHOULD OF ASKED US, THE USERS, IF WE DIDN'T LIKE THE OLD FORMAT.  I DIDN'T ESPECIALLY LOVE THE PINK COLOUR BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH WHITE - BLAH.

    DONATED MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER WAS WASTED ON MAKING THIS CHANGE.  SHAME ON YOU!!!

  • Stormynyte
    Stormynyte Member Posts: 650
    edited May 2012

    Ok, so it's been all day. I've tried to get used to it, still hate it! It does hurt the eyes after a short time.

    Why not leave the site as it was and make an app for mobile users if that was the main point in the massive changes?

    I'm not seeing anything that was regularly requested to be added in this new mess, just a horrible design that not many of us at all seem to like.

    And I wish there was a "like" button for the post above mine!

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2012

    The developers will awake to a vast list of questions, suggestions, constructive criticism, and even some kudos. We do appreciate all of your comments - they'll make for a better result when everything's been reviewed.

    Thank you!

  • truebff
    truebff Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2012

    I hate to complain because this site has been so good for me, but I hate this new format. Why mess with what is  and has been workable and healing???

    Are our donations going for paying for THIS? Please just go back. Many of us are just too old or tired or worn out from cancer to want to learn new formats. 

    Do you have some new hired young geeks trying to be hipper or what?

    This site needs to be about user-friendly or you will lose so -too many- many of us.

    And all of the space on the left is disorienting. I liked being able to read and write in center so much better.

    Please go back to the original format. Please. 

    PS Thanks for at least returning the spaces between paragraphs that helped "see" comments.

  • celia088
    celia088 Member Posts: 2,570
    edited May 2012

    ok....i just don't get how the concept of "Dashboard" is the equivalent of the concept of "My Home"....???

    Dashboard makes me think of my head smashing into the dashboard during a car accident.  Plus, i don't live in my car, and when i am driving i am not accessing the BCO website.  Is this supposed to be some kind of hip, coolness?

    This is just a small, weird complaint, but i hate the idea of the "Dashboard" as "My Home".  Totally unnecessary.

  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited May 2012
    I notice that if you put anything in the "My Diagnosis" or "My Treatment" areas in your profile, that will be used to send you MORE "recommended articles"! Phooey. And why, since the recommended articles were defaulted to "OFF", did I have 58 recommended articles in the first place? If the recommended articles option is OFF, does that mean I could put something in the My Diagnosis and My Treatment areas WITHOUT it triggering a new onslaught of recommended articles? Really, can I not just opt out of those completely?

    I don't mind the colors - better than all the pink. They seem to be shades of light grey for me, not glaring white. That would be annoying. I hadn't noticed any difference in the fonts, but maybe that was fixed before I came here today? I haven't tried to navigate through active topics yet. I do agree all that wasted space on the left is unfortunate. Put the navigation tabs back up on top and use the whole width of the page for posts, please. Not crazy about the notion that the left quarter of the page will be non-stop ads.
  • truebff
    truebff Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2012

    BTW How do I delete the "articles" I don't want -i.e. all of them.

  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited May 2012

    Go to My Profile. Click on See All recommended articles. There should be an option over on the right to "archive" each one, which will get them out of your face.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2012

    truebff, for now, archiving the articles will move them out.

    Thanks, everyone, for continuing to send us your comments. Knowing what specific things members like and dislike will help guide the developers.

  • truebff
    truebff Member Posts: 642
    edited May 2012

    Does "archive" mean saving them or deleting them?

  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited May 2012

    I think they're able to be retrieved, but otherwise, you won't see them any more. Not really deleted, but close enough, I guess.

  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited May 2012

    I requested that my account be deleted a few weeks ago and it was. Just popped in here today and I was able to login into my deleted account and everything has been restored. I wonder how many past members are out there that don't know their accounts are reactivated. 

    I also have 51 related articles. Not sure how articles on infertility relate to me except that I recall posting a couple of years ago that my son is an embryologist that deals with infertility patients. I'm 51 and had a hysterectomy 20 years ago so fertility issues aren't on my mind. I don't have lymphadema; never had radiation; and I don't have mets but I have recived articles on them.

    This is a support and information site but I feel like every word we post is being tracked just like facebook so they can get marketing (articles) sent to us.  I probably typed the words mets, lymphadema and radiation in posts at some point in the past three years and that is why I am getting articles on those topics. 

    I would venture a guess that the big blank space to the left will be used for advertising. Tracking keywords in posts will allow BCO to have very specific demographics to present to potential advertisors.  I understand the need for advertising $$ to help support this site but tracking like this is a bit creepy. That's why I don't like facebook. 

    This is so disappointing. The old format worked and changes that members really wanted such as a like button; easier way to post pictures etc haven't been implemented in the new format.  i appreciate the efforts and hard work of the Mods but I have to ask...What is the goal of this new format?

    My eyes hurt.. Goodnight! 

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited May 2012

    Interestingly the font is small on my work pc but not on my home one - colours are different too.

    I agree Dashboard is not My Home in any way.

    Move the navigation back up the top to free up the blank space on the left.

    I am a user interface design expert (software engineer) and obviously your devs aren't - sorry

  • NNBBFL
    NNBBFL Member Posts: 89
    edited May 2012

    Wow, I guess some people really don't like change. Maybe first this should have been rolled out in a Beta version for some to test for a while and give feedback. I have only been using this site for a couple of weeks so it is not such a big deal to me I guess. I kind of like the idea of the recommended articles and you have an option not to make the treatment or diagnosis sections public (I think it is having the treatment section "public" that drives the articles) . I actually like to see the diagnosis of other posters since those of the same stage seem more relevant to me. There is a lot of scrolling thru topics but you can jump to a particular area. I have noticed some topics that haven't had new posts for a long time so maybe they should be deleted after a certain amount of time goes by or moved to another section. The emails also are optional (must be the default setting of the new version was to have them on or some glitch if you were in a section when the system went down but that can be resolved by just turning them off again. Maybe we should just give this a little time and let them get the little glitches resolved before making judgement. What is that saying about the only thing certain in life is change? Patience is a virtue and adaptability an asset.

  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2012

    lol. Dashboard = developer speak. I agree with many here. This site is a support site for women with breast cancer. The demographic for this group is mostly middle-aged or older. The changes made here have been made by someone who has used design strategies aimed at a younger demographic.



    - too much white space on the left.

    - threads in blocks that are too large, requiring excessive scrolling for anyone wanting to do more than see what the most recent thread topic is.

    - colours used are not colours that will market the site as a caring community site.

    - all or nothing choice for recording treatment options. I may be OK with sharing my drugs but not with sharing specific dates of treatment. That's not an option right now.

    - slow server response. I hooked in here very soon after the change and the site was painfully slow. Now I can see the speed has been improved however it is still sluggish - probably due to the additional traffic because of extra index clicks to get to anywhere by everyone.



    I am a smartphone, PC and iPad user. This new format has been solely designed with smartphone convenience in mind. For the same reasons I don't use the Facebook app on my smartphone I would never have chosen to download and use BCO as an app...



    regards Jenn (finally worked out how to stop the email notifications and now off to try and get rid of these inappropriate article recommendations)

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