Hi What gets me is that we were asked to contribute and vote on new design graphics. (full stop/period) Though no disrespect to the winner (and I think we should stop complaining about the actual graphics , we all had a chance to vote on what we wanted) We were not asked at all how we liked the site or what could be done to improve it. I was under the impression that the graphics were to replace the existing ones to give the site a new look. I believe a questionare should have been sent to every member asking for which aspects they liked disliked and suggestions for improvements with a view to site redevelopment and the results published that way we as members could feel that our points of view were taken into consideration and we were not being ignored. I feel that what has made the situation worse apart from the sudden change is that we have had little communication with the designers or the admins with regard to this. What comunication there has been has been limited and does not have much if any authority to it. Perhaps we could have someone come forward and say why these changes were implimented , was there a reason or was it just a 'good idea at the time'. I also think that it is not too late to conduct a survey of most users to find out what they like/dislike and why this rather than constant threads saying the same things time after time. Just my opinion Dave

Well, as far as the new design graphic, that is just a "every two years or so" tradition to vote in a new graphic that we do. And, a lot of questions are always asked and answered in the Community Improvement Ideas Forum. Believe me, pretty much any post that has something to say about the site one way or another is seen by the Admins and discussed in our forums. Probably, the advent of a questionaire would be time consuming compared to the speed of discussing items within the forums. But, I for like the idea of a "e-poll", or similar, since as you say when you have a number of people each posting a new/different post basically saying the same information. So, good idea, imo. AgentSmith

Hi Thanks for the response AS I for one usually look at the forums a work and have only so much time. One good thing about this 'debacle' is that I have had to find this forum. However if this was going to be discussed perhaps in that case part of the front page could have headlined the discussion so everyone could have had their say. Again thanks Dave

Well, I think what you hit on the head is having an even more streamlined "way" to field all the comments/suggestions/rotten fruit throwing, etc. We sometimes do put issues like this on the front page or similar, (before and after the fact) but even that can't stop people from realizing the threads are really deep, and to be heard is to start a new thread. Can't really blame them too much, I suppose...;o) Thanks Dave. AgentSmith

The administration didn't have to ask our opinion or vote on anything. They could have just changed it and too bad if we didn't like it. I give them credit for giving us a chance to design and vote on a new logo, not to mention letting us change the text, background and link colors. The only color we can't change is the sidebar color...big deal. They own the site and can run it the way they see fit. I know I'll get flamed for this one, but oh well...

Hi Yes I agree Rockets however this is a members site in that you have to join in order to participate rather than like the majority of personal sites where people just browse. also this is supposed to be a community and a commercial site therefore like any other business it makes sense to ask the people who use the site or as in real life people will feel disenfranchised or left out and so will desert the company and not recomend it. An example would be the problems over P5 or the exceptional customer service to had over at Daz Dave

We do want to keep our members happy, We are still reading threads about this. As you all can see, we did give back the options to change most colors.

*And, a lot of questions are always asked and answered in the Community Improvement Ideas Forum.

Believe me, pretty much any post that has something to say about the site one way or another is seen by the Admins and discussed in our forums.*

Hmmmmm...I don't think I ever remember seeing a thread asking:

Please change the site colors and prevent us from customizing them!

:^p

Well, what my thinking behind all that was; By nature, the Community Improvement Ideas Forum is the center for questions and answers. At least that's where I see the most Q&A concerning the site. "Believe me, pretty much any post..."; Lol, no not what I meant. I meant to portray that the posts that state dislikes (and other things) about the site (and other things), are read and discussed by the staff. But, yes I get your sarcasm, it was not lost on me, lol. AS