Sidebars are the columns to the left and right of the main forum posting section.

They contain such things as...

Top Posters
Who's Online
Chat Box
Calendar
Recent Posts
Recent Topics
Newest Members
Popular Topics

etc. etc.

Do you read them?
Would you miss them if they were gone?

I'd appreciate comments

Continuing on from Huw's announcement ...

The "look and feel" of pages remains much the same, despite many subtle changes over time. I believe that this is a good thing, especially as the forum is widely used worldwide. Those who use these pages only occasionally don't want to waste time hunting for stuff.

However, to get rid of some of the clutter, I would delete the following sidebars:-

1) Top Posters (at top left, this "prime position" could be put to far better use)

2) Recent Topics (you can always use the Active Topics menu bar)

3) Popular Topics (-ditto-)

4) Jobs (you can always use the Jobs menu bar at the front page if you are interested)

On the other hand, I would definitely retain:-

1) Who's Online

2) Newest Members

3) The Calendar

Personally, I am indifferent about these (but can imagine how they may appeal to others):-

1) Press Releases

2) NHS Orders

3) Manuals Wanted (it seems that, in the main, only "regular users" respond to these requests ... that is, those who would generally notice it within a day or two of it being posted)

And surely the Newsletter subscription box can be safely placed in users Profile pages?

Meanwhile, the Chat Box is (becoming) handy to fire off a quick "off topic" message!

On a related note (and one that has been mentioned before), maybe we need another poll, this time about whether it would be worthwhile having a "place" where members can introduce themselves, should they so wish. Many will know that other forums often include such a feature.

More comments please!!!

or.......

would it be possible to have them as options (ie include or exclude) as part of your login profile?

I think I may be able to preempt an answer to that one ...

Possible, yes (more work for Huw) ... but how could you refer to them (eg, in a post) if everyone's configuration is likely to be different?

Well, I suppose people could go "oh! that looks interesting, perhaps I'll turn that bit on in my profile for a wee bit and see what is being talked about.....)

However, I do admit that the set up to do this could be more trouble than it's (ie, Huw's time) is worth.

Dave, what if? you could leave them on your profile but open and close them either as tabs or bookmarks, would that help?

Dave, what if? you could leave them on your profile but open and close them either as tabs, bookmarks or pull down menus, would that help?

That would be quite neat Neal, yes

In most cases the information shown in sidebars is already available via various menu bars elsewhere within the site.

In my opinion, Huw should be encouraged to simplify, rather than complicate. It's all too easy to add "features" that can end up being detrimental to ease of use.

Huw needs to ask questions like ... what is the site for, who does it serve, what are their needs ... and stuff like that.

Huw might also want to look at why stuff doesn't always get refreshed (eg, Recent Posts on the front page, the Who's Online sidebar and the Chat Box), the Search facility doesn't always work (as is the case - for me at least - right now) and (more importantly) the difficulties we face trying to get a new post accepted - especially first thing in the morning (that is, without having to persevere with multiple attempts, clearing cookies, closing down and starting again ... and other such "dodges")!

Stuff like that often goes on before Huw "comes on duty" and clears the cache (or whatever else it is he does).

And (lastly) Huw might want to poll again, this time enquiring which web browser folk are using (eg, Firefox 3.6).

We need to keep the Top Posters section in the sidebar, got to keep an eye on who is leading the monthly chart. Maybe we should allow some bookmakers to publish some odds and we all bet on who will win it.