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Yep, same Android typing issues here.
I've found the android issues are very much related to which keyboard you're using. Swiftkey is almost unuseable, Swype is fine for example.
Yeah, there's no such thing as an "Android typing issue" as there's 357 different Android keyboard alternatives, it's an issue with whatever keyboard you're using. Swiftkey has been reported as being problematic, we've discussed this previously. Try a different keyboard. I appreciate this isn't an ideal workaround but realistically I'd expect it to be near the bottom of the devs' priority list to look into.
If you're getting issues with something other than Swiftkey, we need to know what keyboard you're using (with the caveat as above, at least I can document it).
@Cougar - to be fair I've had problems with Swiftkey on here well before any in the current issues and I've found other sites are problematic as well.
I've never got on with it...
I'm using Google's own g-board. I'd say any issues when using this are an issue with the site not the keyboard, it's hardly some shonky 3rd party app.
Interesting re the android keyboard. My out the box oneplus3 is terrible for spelling ion here on the rare ocoasion I can be bothered to troll I mean reply to a thread .
I thought it was me being especially fat fingered/drunk.
Was my request to turn off the editor for a user noted? A long term "nice to have", perhaps? An option in the user settings to just have a plain txt editor? It means hand typing the tags, but it means that we'll be able to edit posts on mobile handsets that the editor is broken for? And that's not just rare 'droid set ups… it's frustratingly poor on the iPhone. When the editor wasn't loading for some of us, yes we had to write the tags ourselves, but we could get to the submit button all the time, and use copy and paste in a normal fashion.
I’m using Google’s own g-board.
In which case I wasn't aware of that, I'll add it to the list.
I’d say any issues when using this are an issue with the site not the keyboard
You miss my point. It's a compatibility issue between the site and a specific keyboard, rather than STW and "Android."
Was my request to turn off the editor for a user noted?
Not by me, I must've missed that. You can still hand-type tags in the WYSIWY(broadly)G editor, if that's any help?
I’m still getting typing issues on android. It doesn’t always auto correct and I can’t select half typed suggested words. Not always, just sometimes. Can’t say for sure it isn’t my phone but it only happens on here.
As STW is the place I probably do most typing on my iPhone I’d been dismissing some typos as hamfistedness on my part. But a few times I’ve caught it doing weird things such as autocorrecting in the last two or three words as repeats. I’ve never seen it do this anywhere else but here since the change. Putting 2+2 together with the android issues and may be getting 5 here, but there does seem to be something funky going on in iOS too that is specific to this site.
Happening across all of the ones I've tried, walks like a duck quacks like a duck and all that..
it’s an issue with whatever keyboard you’re using. Swiftkey has been reported as being problematic, we’ve discussed this previously. Try a different keyboard. I appreciate this isn’t an ideal workaround but realistically I’d expect it to be near the bottom of the devs’ priority list to look into.
As one of the aims of this whole exercise was to get away from stacked bespoke code mess I (obviously mistakenly) thought you would just have a nice simple interface for text entry like the rest of the internet uses here.
Sorry to say each time this thread gets refreshed I look back to see if we actually have some updates or fixes. I'm looking less often now.
Or maybe something is going on behind the scenes
Is what I've said when I've made no visible progress and spent all day speccing a bike or trip away, yeah been working on the backend stuff, difficult things there cheques in the post.
You can still hand-type tags in the WYSIWY(broadly)G editor, if that’s any help?
You misunderstand me… I don't want to hand type tags, but it would be a price worth paying to not have the current editor code load when editing posts, and making what should be such a simple quick task so painful. Try editing a post with an image, a URL or a long string on an iPhone… try a bit of copy and paste…
As one of the aims of this whole exercise was to get away from stacked bespoke code mess I (obviously mistakenly) thought you would just have a nice simple interface for text entry like the rest of the internet uses here.
No one is listening.....
You misunderstand me… I don’t want to hand type tags, but it would be a price worth paying to not have the current editor code load when editing posts, and making what should be such a simple quick task so painful. Try editing a post with an image, a URL or a long string on an iPhone… try a bit of copy and paste…
Thanks secret mod...
What’s your point, druidh?
Someone at stw clearly decided 'you know what,**** these people,they don't deserve any input into our money making advertising board',and that's fair enough:)
How can you say that? They changed the font! They got rid of the Facebolok feed! We should be grateful! 😆
I very much doubt the owners have deliberately sabotaged their main revenue stream. Think about it for a minute, just makes no sense whatsoever. None.
It's still not working very well for me on Android, especially the cut/paste issues, but it's getting better.
A simple user's guide would be good, the old one was an excellent resource.
The updates from Mark have stopped though, which is disappointing - it would be nice to get some feedback. I can understand his frustration, but I think it would help massively.
I notice a lot of regulars have stopped posting. A huge shame as it decreases the pool of knowledge which, combined with the humour, made this place unique.
Where have they all gone, anyone know?
And there's still a u in favourite. 😉
Where have they all gone, anyone know?
Mumsnet.
For the fanjos.
I notice a lot of regulars have stopped posting. A huge shame as it decreases the pool of knowledge which, combined with the humour, made this place unique.
It does feel like a good holiday ban hammer session has taken place 🙂
A simple user’s guide would be good, the old one was an excellent resource.
+1000, with a quick list of known issues and problems, in a sticky at the top to avoid loads of repeated questions & posts
It works well on my BlackBerry Z10 with no pop up .
A bit slow to load but that is it.
The updates from Mark have stopped though, which is disappointing
The last update is that the dev focus is on migrating to a new host, in between day-to-day running of the site. That's what they're doing.
No one is listening…
I get that impression also, despite us replying to folk on here for 70 pages.
despite us replying to folk on here for 70 pages.
With all due respect Cougar, most of your (and drac’s) posts have been semi-patient deflections with the self-evident caveat that you can’t do much more than we can. I don’t doubt your genuine intent (or why else would you do it) but nonetheless it has had at times a tinge of “your call is very important to us”, especially to those who haven’t studiously read this thread.
Having said that, mark’s interventions have been, at times, erm, eye-opening 🙄
I understand that Cougar, but it would be nice if someone could just give us a clue as to how long it might take.
If we had an idea of where we're going it would make the journey more bearable.
I get that impression also, despite us replying to folk on here for 70 pages.
As much as you and Drac's input is insightful from a slightly more informed than the great unwashed most of the posts are saying stuff is going on, it's in the background, my guess is etc.
Simple things like some definitive instructions, some idea if issues will be fixed or we should just get used to what is here etc. As Mark told us all this is going according to plan so whats the rest of the plan look like? Who will be there first this or the NHS IT system...
What would be useful is a thread/page that lists the known problems and a quick update/status report on what's being done. A bit like the GoogleDocs document you mentioned some time ago. Rather than people, including me, posting something along the lines of "There's a bug in ..." when Mark and his minions already know about it.
List the problems in order of severity or intention to fix so:
Speed of Forums
Known about, we are moving the hosting to ... We expect this to be completed by dd/mm/yyyy etc.
List the problems in order of severity or intention to fix so:
Speed of Forums
Known about, we are moving the hosting to … We expect this to be completed by dd/mm/yyyy etc.
Bothersome Users
Known about, we are doing everything we can to discourage them from using the forum and replace them with advert viewing drones.We expect this to be completed by ...
😉
I thought that had already been done PP 😉
It's an ongoing issue.
Known about, we are doing everything we can to discourage them from using the forum and replace them with advert viewing <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">drones.We</span> expect this to be completed by …
I think we need to remember that the purpose of the forum is to generate advertising revenue in order to subsidise a loss-making magazine. It's akin to the relationship between The Guardian and Autotrader.
The mag is actually better than it's ever been.
I may have mentioned it. 🙂
Why DO I come here?
The quality of the editorial content, the opinion pieces and the archived mags would keep me visiting.
The forum itself is an odd one - how much does our input actually matter? Would a clearout of cynical old timers actually improve the place? How do you put a value on the knowledge of the users?
Not a regular on any other forums so have little experience of how these things evolve.
it would be nice if someone could just give us a clue as to how long it might take.
I expect the problem here is twofold. Firstly is the age-old "crystal ball" IT paradox of not knowing how long a problem is going to take to solve until it's actually been solved (doubly so when you've got a day job to worry about in addition to all this extra work). Secondly, as soon as you nail a date to the mast then a minority of usual suspects will be braying at the doors fifteen seconds after that deadline is (inevitably) exceeded saying how it's all shit.
And I'm not saying that to be controversial or to be a dick, rather it's been self-evidenced repeatedly on this very thread. As soon as any actual information is provided it sparks two pages of complaints around how it's not good enough / the site owners are focusing on the wrong thing / I could knock up a better forum in an afternoon / I'm cancelling my subscription because I don't like the font / etc etc. If I were Mark I'd probably be keeping quiet as well. (-:
For every person who goes "that's great, thanks for the info" there's another who gets their jollies from taking pot-shots at the site and / or moderation team at the slightest opportunity. I understand the frustration, and I'd guess that there's none more frustrated than the site owners themselves. Just, eh, cut us / them some slack, please?
I’m cancelling my subscription because I don’t like the font / etc etc.
Yeah, that's definitely at the root of users' frustration with the forum. I'd reach for the rolled-eyes smiley if I knew how...
Absolutely Cougar silence is a better option....
Trying to be fair an honest here but as posted above your putting a lot of time and effort into this thread but in reality you are not able to give any information to people or make anything happen. I know that must be frustrating.
Again, at a very simple level
A list of what works, how it works and how to use it
A list of what is broke so no need to keep reporting it
Some kind of Dear Valued customers communication with some feeling attached from those collecting our payments would go a very long way.
If Mark and the team don't want to engage then I'd suggest you guys follow their lead have a less stressful life away from this thread.
doubly so when you’ve got a day job to worry about in addition to all this extra work
Surely looking after your income stream IS the day job?
#AndAnotherThing:
One of the things I was pushing hard for when I agreed to the moderator gig was transparency and communication - it's why I decided to be "out" despite strong recommendations to the contrary. It felt to me back then that there was very much an "us and them" mentality on both sides of the fence. I'd like to think that this has changed greatly, and for the better. (I'm not taking credit for this, rather just highlighting that I think it's improved.) Though there's a way to go still, IMHO.
My point here is, well, the fact that this thread exists at all. We're having an open and frank discussion, in public, about the upgrade and growth of the forum and wider site. Warts and all. I'm struggling offhand to think of anywhere else that would happen; I can't hop on to The Independent's website and find the page discussing how people don't like sponsored content, or the thread on the BBC full of folk saying the logo is the wrong colour and the body text isn't wide enough. It'd be very easy to replace this entire thread (pushing 3,000 comments) with a quick link saying "report a problem" and then start actively deleting any threads daring to voice criticism. That's not happening, and I think that's a Good Thing.
Simple things like some definitive instructions, some idea if issues will be fixed or we should just get used to what is here etc.
These are no doubt simple things if you've got spare resources. Instructions would be great, I agree. Who's going to write them? When? Would you take a developer off the task of migrating to a new platform / publishing content which keeps a roof over your head / squashing oft-reported bugs etc., in order to sit writing a user guide instead? A guide which of course needs to cover all the different platforms and browsers. A guide which, as the site is still being developed (assuming they've got anyone available to still do so) will probably be out of date by the time it's published. Still simple?
As for whether things will be fixed or not, again, that would require an amount of time for a dev to go through every reported issue be it important or trivial, work out how easy or difficult it would be to change, and assess the risk and impact on making that change. By which time you could've just implemented it and the question becomes "simple things like fixing all the things that have been reported."
Some kind of Dear Valued customers communication with some feeling attached from those collecting our payments would go a very long way.
I don't disagree here.
I’m cancelling my subscription because I don’t like the font / etc etc.
Yeah, that’s definitely at the root of users’ frustration with the forum.
It's a real-world example, someone actually said that quite early on.
A guide which of course needs to cover all the different platforms and browsers
What ? So depending on what device your using you have to do things differently?
I don't use many forums, but I've not heard of that one before!
The mobile and desktop sites are laid out quite differently, for a start.
Issues people have reported have sometimes been specific to their choice of browser / virtual keyboard / OS choice. And so forth. Maybe it's not a big issue, I've not really given it a vast amount of thought TBH. I was thinking more that an instruction like "hold down your finger" would be meaningless on a PC. Any "guide" would have to cater for people using the site in different ways, and it's abundantly clear from this thread that people access the site in ways I'd never even remotely considered.
[Posted using IBrowse on my Amiga A500]
Instructions would be great, I agree. Who’s going to write them? When? Would you take a developer off the task of migrating
Honest answer? I'd have written them as part of the implementation of the new features or at least copy/pasted from the part I had lifted it from (or are STW writing a complete forum from scratch?)
A guide which of course needs to cover all the different platforms and browsers.
Do we really have different methods of inserting pics/videos/quoting for every platform? If so back to square 1 with the ideas...
A guide which, as the site is still being developed (assuming they’ve got anyone available to still do so) will probably be out of date by the time it’s published. Still simple?
If all the new buttons, link posing stuff is going to change again why was it implemented in the first place? It's sounding less like a plan and more like a screw up.
As for whether things will be fixed or not, again, that would require an amount of time for a dev to go through every reported issue
Perhaps I read too much into your posts about things being low on lists and lists of bugs/errors/features existing. It's more work if you have left it this late.
Also (as polite as I can be about it) I'm not that interested in your opinion as to what is being done or what you think is happening. these are questions for the owners/developers who can provide some information on this.
It’s a real-world example, someone actually said that quite early on.
The real problem is that the font/ colour change made the forum harder to read for some people (me included), which goes a bit deeper than a style preference, wouldn't you say?
Belittling users' experiences and your/ Mark's inability to avoid having a dig (while asking to be cut some slack) are a useful demonstration of ST's attitude problem.
If all the new buttons, link posing stuff is going to change again why was it implemented in the first place?
Migrating to the new platform was a big job. That had to happen before anything else could be done. As for what may or may not change in the future, I don't know.
Perhaps I read too much into your posts about things being low on lists and lists of bugs/errors/features existing. It’s more work if you have left it this late.
I'm merely speculating, and as you said:
Also (as polite as I can be about it) I’m not that interested in your opinion
... I'm probably wasting my time. (It's a fair comment, mind, no offence taken.)
The real problem is that the font/ colour change made the forum harder to read for some people (me included), which goes a bit deeper than a style preference, wouldn’t you say?
Belittling users’ experiences and your/ Mark’s inability to avoid having a dig (while asking to be cut some slack) are a useful demonstration of ST’s attitude problem.
Sure. Point was, there are valid issues being raised, and there are (a minority of) toys being thrown out of prams for ridiculously trivial reasons.
As for people's attitudes, well, there's an irony. It's difficult not to be gently sarcastic occasionally when people are being entitled dicks (and I have an overactive sarcasm gland generally anyway, I have a note from the doctor). I'm not on the payroll, I reserve the right to be a git for the preservation of my own sanity. (-:
Sure. Point was, there are valid issues being raised, and there are (a minority of) toys being thrown out of prams for ridiculously trivial reasons.
Yeah, but it's the tiny minority of trivial complaints that you chose to reference.
As for people’s attitudes, well, there’s an irony. It’s difficult not to be gently sarcastic occasionally when people are being entitled dicks (and I have an overactive sarcasm gland generally anyway, I have a note from the doctor).
The irony was intentional: simply that it's a bit rich to complain when you're guilty of similar behaviour.
I’m not on the payroll, I reserve the right to be a git for the preservation of my own sanity. (-:
Fair do's. I've never thought that you're the problem here, and I don't think anyone would blame you if you chose to duck out of an issue that is not your fault.
Trolls gonna troll, innit? Especially when they know they're winding people up. They'll be the last to leave too, they're enjoying this too much.
Luckily, you have the power to do something about them. ☺
Personal opinion, but a few people acting like dicks isn't a valid reason for keeping everyone else in the dark.
And some of the 'whining' has had a positive effect - the font is now readable, the Facebook stuff has been toned down. Not huge things, but probably enough to have worn me down eventually to the point I'd just not bother. So some good has come out if it.
Instructions would be great,
Shouldn’t be necessary, especially considering the forum has so few options/functions; it’s not even Acera-level - the Tesco Basics of fora, if you like. If the interface were well-designed it wouldn’t need instructions.
Yeah, but it’s the tiny minority of trivial complaints that you chose to reference.
Largely for comedic effect TBH. That's just my writing style I'm afraid. There's more coming up, stay tuned.
And some of the ‘whining’ has had a positive effect
I don't necessarily see all that as "whining." It's entirely possible to provide constructive feedback - even if it's negative feedback - without being a plum about it. Many people have managed it successfully, and as you say the net result is positive change.
However there's a vocal minority - and thankfully they are very much a small minority - who could have an argument in an empty room and for whom nothing is ever good enough. The ones who complain loudly and vociferously about how much they hate the place, yet are still here; the ones who have been predicting the death of the forum for the last ten years despite it being busier than ever; the ones who don't understand why everything isn't being done to their exacting requirements in the next fifteen seconds, whilst proudly boasting about their ad blocker; the ones who threaten to flounce every other post or deploy the "well, I was just about to subscribe, honest, but now I'm not" gambit every time they don't get their own way; the ones who delight in trolling and game the system because they know exactly how far they can push the envelope without actually crossing the line into meriting a warning / ban. If they ever do decide to actually flounce I'll hold the bloody door open for them.
Everyone else (the vast majority), you're all lovely, the reports and feedback isn't considered "whining" but rather is helpful and gratefully received, and you're all invited back to my house for tea.
#BadModeratorAttitudes #EverTheDiplomat
If the interface were well-designed it wouldn’t need instructions.
Totally agreed here.
you’re all invited back to my house for tea.
Before I commit, will there be adverts?
Will it all be live streamed on Facebook?
What size and colour will the cup be?
How long will it take and will there be biscuits?
I demand a premium user experience dontcha know. 😉
However there’s a vocal minority .......... If they ever do decide to actually flounce I’ll hold the bloody door open for them.
Just ban them then. It's not a democracy and it might make it a nicer place.
Respect for everyone is paramount. If we see evidence or have good reason to believe that you are looking to get a rise or to deliberately force a reaction from any other users (Trolling) then we will stop you.
Largely for comedic effect TBH. That’s just my writing style I’m afraid. There’s more coming up, stay tuned.
Up to you, but to me it just comes across as casual indifference from ST Towers. Though it's a poor show that you've been left as the de facto public face, when you're not even an employee.
Seriously though, I hope Mark appreciates you doing his online PR operation for him for free. If you were to aggregate your reading and replying time, you must be spending hours on here every day, evening and night.
I think a locked and stickied thread with all the known issues listed might cut down some of your workload. Although the forum seems to be running a bit quicker now, previously it was taking up to a minute to open a page, so no-one was going to check through 60 pages before posting their observation about Swiftkey being ****ed.
Everyone else (the vast majority), you’re all lovely, the reports and feedback isn’t considered “whining” but rather is helpful and gratefully received, and you’re all invited back to my house for tea.
Will you be serving Trifle? Not with green jelly though.. the proper pink stuff, and the biscuit fingers soaked in brandy would be nice..ta.
Well, I'm so upset about, I'm going back to Bikemagic!
oh! 😮
you’re all invited back to my house for tea.
What is the vegan option?
[i]Cougar wrote:[/i]
A guide which, as the site is still being developed (assuming they’ve got anyone available to still do so) will probably be out of date by the time it’s published.
😆 - I'm pleased to see you haven't lost your sense of humour!
Although the forum seems to be running a bit quicker now, previously it was taking up to a minute to open a page,
Really? Its taking an age to load for me.
Yep. The forum seems to be grinding to a halt now 🙁
And last post is taking me to the previous page at the moment, very slow here too.
The server hasn’t moved yet so it will get slow at times, you know this.
Lol I think if the last few pages say anything it's that we don't actually know anything that is going on.
Did you just say Lol?
Yep. The forum seems to be grinding to a halt now
I don't know if this has already been noted, I suspect it will have been, but if you cut and paste / quote something with one of the forum emoticons included, it appears at its original size as above. I think you may need to downsize the images you're using...
Ah, but im not pasting images. I just typed : followed by ( like the old bloke that I am
🙁
edit: unless of course you are referring to whoever makes the ‘magic’ happen on this site of course
edit: unless of course you are referring to whoever makes the ‘magic’ happen on this site of course
Yeah, sorry for any confusion, was aimed at STW's tech guys rather than you. It just happened that your post above was handily cut-and-pasteable 🙂
I'm starting to quite like the effect though... Seems to be a free Wordpress thingee.
Hmmmm!
For me it won’t let me copy a smilie with the text.
Anyone have a clue how to paste into the reply box on Android?
Try pressing return a couple of times before pasting, works in Firefox.
Right, I know Mark has been at pains to say that [s]ads[/s] links within the forum to elsewhere within the STW empire are [b]not[/b] ads, but do we [i]really[/i] need that mahoosive Singletrack picture every few posts? It's not as if we don't know where we are, and it's particularly jarring when it looks like it's just added to the bottom of people's posts. Case in point: the Hawking tribute thread.
Edit: interesting - it goes away when you log in. Pity I never logged out in the first place...
For me it won’t let me copy a smilie with the text.
Just highlighting the text block it's contained within works for me. I'm no techy, but what seems to be happening is that the original images - a free Wordpress one I think - is automatically inserted at a reduced size when you type in certain emoticon variations: 🙂 🙁 😉
But if the original text is copied and pasted in a reply, the image reverts to its original, sumo-like, dimensions. I don't know if that's built into the forum software or if it's something that can be edited. All on a MacBook Pro running Safari under OS 10.12.6 btw.
<div id="singl-b57cb2941b1d99e94268a70b0db862bd"></div>
Like this.... sorry, I'm getting a little addicted here 😉 I get that it's an oddity rather than a major issue.
Just highlighting the text block it’s contained within works for me. I’m no techy, but what seems to be happening is that the original images – a free WordPress one I think – is automatically inserted at a reduced size when you type in certain emoticon variations: 
forum main page text is still tiny compared to the side text, when I click on a post the text enlarges on the open post is this a feature here to stay?
Sums up the whole shitty experince 🙁
Doesn't work Edukator.
On Android and Chrome, can copy but not paste. Tapping the reply window does nothing.
On Windows 10 and Chrome I can paste using CTR and V, but right clicking does nothing.
Anyone else have a workaround?
tap the cursor in the reply box on android to get the little blue dot then tap that to get the paste option (Latest Chrome/Android version)
tap the cursor in the reply box on android to get the little blue dot then tap that to get the paste option
Cheers Mike, much appreciated.
You back in Manchester now?
Drop us a line if you're up around Burnley way and I'll buy you a pint.
yeah back here, not getting outside of the ring road at the moment but cheers, took a while to work that one out....
On Windows 10 and Chrome I can paste using CTR and V, but right clicking does nothing.
Try right clicking in the very top left corner of the reply box...
Works a treat, thanks!
is this where people talk about redirects?
never had one before but my auto-refreshing page just ended up at
I've amended it slightly as a warning had popped up saying "please treat this URL as a password and do not share it". All a bit bloody weird