ATOT doesn't feel like home anymore :(

[lxskllr]

A very noticeable step change and I don't know what exactly happened.

It's harder to get around. The forum isn't conducive to quickly checking things out. Sometimes I'd get a down minute or so at work, and I could hit a few subforums. Even if I couldn't reply then, I could go back to it later. Now, it's minor ordeal to navigate, and it's easier to say "fuck it", and go do something else.

 

[Kaido]

Yeah, needs the sidebar back. I don't browse here nearly as much as before the update because it's not as convenient to click around the different sub-forums.

 

[darkswordsman17]

The overall post volume isn't terrible but it's split up into too many boards

I don't agree. Most subforums even seem to have fallen off substantially lately.

You think we should maybe recombine all the Social forums?

That would help but it needs more than that.

I agree, but it's not because of the format. It seemed to get even less active as of late... A very noticeable step change and I don't know what exactly happened.

This. There wasn't any big "change of culture" type of deal that I'm aware of. Did something happen in P&N?

 

[Kaido]

Also...ads, ads everywhere. Actual screenshot:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You think we should maybe recombine all the Social forums?

No, I think it's dead, Jim.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Also...ads, ads everywhere. Actual screenshot:

The ads are terrible and significantly impact the experience.

 

[Kaido]

The ads are terrible and significantly impact the experience.

I'm not really an adblock person either because I don't mind tasteful ads that don't interfere with the experience (CNN is a good example of what to do), especially because those ads contribute financially to the ongoing maintenance of this site. But c'mon. I can see one or two posts at a time right now. That's ridiculous.

 

[Ruptga]

I think the forum change was enough of a jolt to make people look around and finally realize that the golden age is gone, and so is the silver age. Also it was stabbing everyone in the eyes for a couple weeks before we had the option of these unofficial themes.

 

[zinfamous]

I haven't seen an ad on AT forums in something like 5 years.

There is a Stylish script thread in technical forums that has a script to remove the entire right sidebar. Gets rid of the useless "info" bar and any ad space. It makes this forum usable.

 

[Crono]

I'm not really an adblock person either because I don't mind tasteful ads that don't interfere with the experience (CNN is a good example of what to do), especially because those ads contribute financially to the ongoing maintenance of this site. But c'mon. I can see one or two posts at a time right now. That's ridiculous.

The bigger issue for me - and the reason I don't whitelist AT on uBlock Origin - is the history of malicious ads making it through every once in a while. Dealing with malicious content only after the fact does not inspire confidence. I generally avoid unblocking sites that use ad networks (rather than hand selecting partners to work with) because there's so much crap that gets through.

 

[Naer]

the dark theme is goat. srs

 

[goobee]

The dark theme reminds me too much of HardOCP.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The VB theme is actually pretty decent. Way better than that sun burn inducing white one. The ones who made the default theme for Xenforo must really hate gingers.

 

[kranky]

Tried the vB style in the Style Chooser at the bottom of the site?

Oh, baby. That is money. Much, much better!

 

[Fritzo]

Its not home, its a fvcking message board.

This is my home, you're my family, and don't you dare be late for Thanksgiving dinner again this year

 

[yllus]

I miss you old fellas. 20,000 posts and happy to keep going, albeit at a reduced pace.

 

[kranky]

20K posts for yllus! Congrats on the milestone!

 

[Mai72]

IMO, forums are a thing of the past. Many young people today are on FB, YT, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.

 

[kranky]

IMO, forums are a thing of the past. Many young people today are on FB, YT, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.

True, and it's a factor in the lack of ability to communicate. Those "social media" apps/sites are not really social - they are mostly one-dimensional (someone says something, others may or may not respond, but in no way is there an actual discussion, back and forth). Great for announcing things ("meet at Joe's at 6"), not useful for a discussion.

I think of how many useful threads I've seen in ATOT about money topics, plus all the topics in other subforums helping people with hardware or software issues. You couldn't even replicate that on mainstream social media. When people want help on something or want to find out something, what do they do if they only use mainstream social media? Are they limited to the knowledge of their social media friends/followers?

 

[Exterous]

I miss you old fellas. 20,000 posts and happy to keep going, albeit at a reduced pace.

Joined Aug 20, 2000 with 20,000 posts and 20 likes? You can never post again or get a like - otherwise it will screw everything up!

 

[zinfamous]

IMO, forums are a thing of the past. Many young people today are on FB, YT, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.

none of that is actually social, though.

 

[Homerboy]

these forums are the only place I actually run AdBlock. That's fairly telling to me.

 

[Exterous]

Joined Aug 20, 2000 with 20,000 posts and 20 likes? You can never post again or get a like - otherwise it will screw everything up!

21 likes. Jerks. This is why we can't have nice things

 

[LikeLinus]

Tried the vB style in the Style Chooser at the bottom of the site?

I don't know what kind of black magic that was, but I bow to you. So much better.

 

[soulcougher73]

yeah its gone down hill since the update IMO. I come here less now as its so inactive.