Message Board Changes

[Mike]

As you'll see the message board has been updated and looks a little different. It works the same as before but has some extra features that you might find useful.

Private messaging allows you to leave a message for another board member which they can read next time they log on.

The calendar allows you to put up events and notices for others to see. You can also add private events which only you will see - useful for reminders.

If you go to your profile and add your birthday (year not necessary) the board will list the names of readers birthdays each day.

There's much more but if you click on the 'faq' button near the top of the page many of the new features are explained there.

I've started to consolidate some of the forums and have created a new sub forum in the General section just for Pedro's Chronicles of a New Rider which I think are best kept together.

The horse care section has been shrunk back down to one forum and moved back into General.

I'd like to ask what you think about the Disciplines section - should it be reduced in size - perhaps move the Western section into the Other Topics area?

I still need to save some space so I propose to drop the 1999 archive and trim out some of the older posts in the other forums.

Let me know what you think.

P.S The search won't work properly for a while until we've sorted out all the forums.

Mike

[Yvonne M]

Hi Mike, the new layout is great but I keep getting syntax error everytime I go to a different section. ;)

[FRED]

Hi Mike,well talk about a spring clean, the pages look so much better and some usefull additions.
I loved the army bit, it was good reading.
The the starting out pages are very good.

Any way, I did have some questions about training,I realise you are very busy, but perhaps for future developments.
There are question marks about saftey and training STD's,often I feel for some members.
My training is mixed by my choice,my trainer is BHS qualified,in my opinion she is good and so are the other people who teach me who know more about horses than I will ever know. They understand what I want and we can work together.
I know that it is not conventional,but it suits me and the risks are no greater at all,with good management.
Do you think it may help if a list of do's and don'ts could be put together to help riders through their early lessons.
Its staggering when a rider can't get the horse to even walk at all.And maybe some tips about horses in a group or out in the open and what to be wary of.
Shock horror,I do carry a schooling aid sometimes and its like a magic wond,no need for striking the horse,a gentle tap,or even just letting the horse see this.No need for force.
But I think it a great shame if you needed this in your 1st lessons.
I could say even at all,but who am I to say this.
Anyway,what do you think about some Tips on do's and don'ts for early lessons and advise for when its all gone wrong. Maybe the experienced members could help with this.
Sorry this is long,best wishes from Fred.

[Mossy]

Hi
It's going to take me a while to get used to this! One query, the clock seems confused????

[Kerry's Partner!!]

The look is much better Mike. I can't comment on the other bits yet - I'm a bit worried to explore too energetically in case we ruin something. I'm sure people have said so before but I need to add my voice too: thank you very much - I don't know how you manage to do all of this.

[Miriam]

When I first looked at the site it was a bit of a shock. But I am now used to it. Much better.


Miriam

[Katie_85]

I like the new look. At first, like Miriam said it's a bit of a shock but it really is better. With the calendar feature and birthdays and such we seem to know more about each other, kinda cool!:)

[KarlR]

Like the new look. Very much neater and I particularly like that fact that I don't have to go to another page to check up on the smilies! :D Little things eh? ;) Seems a shame though that it only show 10/11 smilies by default when it could take 12! :)

I'm not sure about dropping the archive though. When I came back after a long break it was really useful to have it to remind me of who people were and to see how we had all progressed.

[Mike]

I've sorted the time.

Yvonne - if you can give me a bit more information about the error you get I'll see if it gives me a clue as to what's going on.

Any more thoughts about shrinking the Disciplines section?

[LindaAd]

I think it would be fine if you put all the disciplines into one, Mike - there's never very much to read in any one of them. It seems logical to me to include Western, and perhaps the Exams and Training one too.

About the new look - I'm sorry, I don't agree with the majority: I find it messy and complicated compared with the old one - too much underlining and grey boxes, and I liked the little horses that changed colour if there were new messages.

The new features are fine, though. Although perhaps we should have a separate section for birthday greetings now, though :rolleyes:

[Katie_85]

About the disciplines Mike, I was thinking on that. The western section seems to be getting a lot of replies. If I may be so bold as to show how I would break it down, here it is:
Western
Dressage
Show Jumping
Other Discliplines

That's based on the popularity of the thread, not on personal preferance! ;)

[Yvonne M]

Hi Mike.

A box comes up on the screen. It has "Internet Explorer Script Error" at the top.
Then;

A yellow triangle with an '!' in it then:

Line 1
Char 1
Error syntax error
Code 0

Do you want to continue running scripts on this page


Yes No: eek:

[Maci]

I like Katie_85's idea about the disiplines. It seems that Dressage, Show Jumping and Western are the most popular, and the rest of the messages (eventing, endurance, etc.) you can put in Other Disiplines.

Also, I think it is a good idea to delete all the 1999 archives, and take out some of the stupid threads in the 2000 archives (but leave the 2000 ones).

Good Work!
Maci :)

[Mike]

I'm not sure I've got the best colour sense in the world :) . So if you think different colours of backgrounds/buttons would work better here do let me know.

[vclay]

Mike, I love the new look message board with its little pictures and our location where it used to just have our names! I also like being able to access all of Pedro's chronicles at once.
The disciplines, I like dressage, showjumping, Western and others.... Vera

[Sue]

Hi Mike

Congratulations - I think the board looks brilliant!!

I agree with previous people about the discipline sections, this would make the board a more manageable size again.

I also think the new features are going to be a great asset.

I also like the colour scheme too - it makes the posts very easy to read.

Thanks for all your hard work.

[sallym]

This site just gets and better. I think you have about the right number of forums now. I don't have time everyday to access everything , so it's good, for example, to have the disciplines separated so I can prioritise. Going to try for a first time smiley now!

Best wishes

Sally:D

[Jaz]

I love all those silly little extras they really add to the quality of the board and keep me amused. I can spend hours on here when i really should be revising. (mentaly tells herself of) but well I need a break thats my excuse:p

[Kerry's Partner!!]

I agree with the comments about the disciplines. I'm also used to the new look and some of the features too. They give a great look and are a big improvement. I wonder about the clock 'though. Mine seems very confused - but it really isn't a problem. I have to say that I visited a horsey site yesterday which made my blood boil. Not the same standard of users as ours - we all seem to subscribe to the philosophy of a kinder way to ride and it seems to be apparent too in the way we discuss and debate!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all concerned.

Sandra

[Mike]

Thanks Sandra. I think it's important to keep a high standard on this board and made it friendly and supportive. Like you I have seen other places which can get very critical and nasty or end up with some very esoteric discussions about training methods and past masters. Fine if you want to persue that sort of thing but does have the danger I think of reinforcing some of riding's clique attitudes.

[Busterbum22]

This has nothing to do with the board which looks great.

But everytime i try and post a new thread it tells me that there was no valid forum selected.
Help please what am i doing wrong

[Mike]

Haven't come across that one before. Does it happen all the time, what browser are you using?

[Busterbum22]

When i read what you said about the browser i though i had it sussed. but no. I generally come in throw Hotmail as i have an email there, and when i have posted a reply i get a copy, so usually i will click on the thread link and enter that way, occassionaly i log on through netscape but i have just tried both of these and it has let me post new threads which it hasn't been doing for a couple of weeks, only letting me reply to threads already on the board. So apologies to all, re my recent threads now its letting me post. so i am still at a loss as to why it wouldn't but if you have any suggestions just in case it happens again.

thanks for the reply it was really good of you.

yvette