Is it just me, or has the forum changed dramatically over the last few months? Many of the individual subject threads seem to have disappeared, and hardly anyone seems to be posting these days. What is going on?
No clue old bean.
Nothing's disappeared as far as I can tell, although the layout has gone squiffy on my machine and the boards are all in a funny order.
Posts have been a bit up and down through the pandemic but have dropped slightly last month:
June to date: 758
May 1858
April 2123
March 2234
February 2636
January 2764
Dunno.
I want to see more discussions about the relative merits of lace in the armies of Eugene; of how wonderful it is to add trees to your bases and how the League of Ausberg range needs a grenadier in a mode of quiet contemplation.
I yearn for the days when the number of rivets on a cast-hull Sherman were discussed.
I've also been terribly, terribly busy so probably haven't been as active. :-[
For example, I was sure the genre/period discussion section used to have a series of subsections. Now it only seems to have Ancient. Has my memory played tricks, or is this only manifested on my iPad?
Quote from: mollinary on 15 June 2021, 12:40:53 PM
For example, I was sure the genre/period discussion section used to have a series of subsections. Now it only seems to have Ancient. Has my memory played tricks, or is this only manifested on my iPad?
There are 5 subsections showing here on my PC using Chrome browser....
Maybe it's an iPad update messing with things.
I see the following sub-sections
No New Posts
20th Century For any discussions related to the 20th Century! Moderator: GordonY 7411 Posts in 807 Topics
Last post on 2021-06-11, 11:49:51 in Re: Movie Viva Max by Nirnman
No New Posts
Firelocks to Maxims (1680 - 1900) For discussing anything from 1680 through to 1900! 10761 Posts in 872 Topics
Last post on 2021-06-12, 14:57:32 in Re: Napoleonic Proxies by fsn
No New Posts
Fantasy & Sci-Fi For anything to do with Fantasy or Sci-Fi! Moderator: Maenoferren 3473 Posts in 235 Topics
Last post on 2021-05-15, 18:34:58* in Re: Dothraki Proxies by Heedless Horseman
New Posts*
Dungeons For all your Dungeon discussions, and any pics! Moderator: sixsideddice 1723 Posts in 90 Topics
Last post on 2019-07-31, 12:58:27 in Re: Full Dungeon Set by Leon
No New Posts
Ancients to Renaissance (3000BC - 1680) From any discussions from Ancients right through to the Renaissance! 5653 Posts in 435 Topics
Last post on 2021-05-17, 11:56:57 in Re: Does size matter? Bo... by FierceKitty
*New Post is 2019-07-31!!?? Say wut!? :)
Does seem to be a bit quiter of late.....
Perhaps everyone is lying exhausted after the excitement caused by the recent move with all the pictures together with the general chuntering about Covid, gathering their strength to prior to re-entering the melee.
I don't like it sergeant, it's too quiet! :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 15 June 2021, 01:56:09 PM
I don't like it sergeant, it's too quiet! :)
TWANGEEEEEEEE
Thanks Ithoriel, that is really worrying. None of those sections shows on my iPad, and none of those last posts appears when I search the forum. Hmmm!
Just accessed the forum on my PC. Exactly the same as my iPad - the plot thickens!
Sounds as if your iPad is not fully compatible...and try changing browsers on the PC. Is it Windows or Mac ?
Quote from: fsn on 15 June 2021, 12:22:07 PM
of how wonderful it is to add trees to your bases
Tis wonderful indeed how those troops replant them after each move. Obviously want to build back greener. But I am proud of the squirrel on a tree stump wot I did last month.
as to the forum. The sun is shining, relatives were threatening to visit until I got Boris to put the off 4 more weeks and other distractions.
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 15 June 2021, 03:35:12 PM
Sounds as if your iPad is not fully compatible...and try changing browsers on the PC. Is it Windows or Mac ?
Windows 7
Quote from: mollinary on 15 June 2021, 03:57:48 PM
Windows 7
Moi aussi but I see them. Colour me confused.
Very odd. I see all the sections on all my devices from PC (Windows 10) to iPhone and iPad.
The usual advice about clearing cookies and cache may apply here.
Otherwise "Have you tried logging off and loggin on again".
Hello
I've noticed that the number of posts is a seasonal thing, where, as the weather improves (ie the rain gets warmer :)) that means that the number of posts decreases!!
I was worried that people were falling off the perch at one stage, but I now see it as a natural progression of the seasons.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Yep, Summer tends to be quieter, especially when the school holidays kick in etc. Add in the lack of gaming opportunities, shows to visit etc due to the lockdowns, then I think this goes some way to explain why the forum has 'changed'.
I think you're absolutely right, Vic.....
I'm sure each 'summer' the number of posts drops.
I've not been about so much, 'cos I'm rushed off my feet....making the wee men and helping Von with the sorting out her Mum's 'estate'. (HAH !!)
I'm also coping with my eyes going VERY weird over the last few months.....They seem to be 'improving' from the last time I had my eyes tested.
My newest glasses work fine with the optivisor for making the wee men.....But anything beyond a few feet away is pretty blurred.
I noticed this the most when driving....and watching TV.
Going back to specs that are two prescriptions old works fine for driving, and watching the box.....But doing things like typing on the PC is a pain....which is why I'll pop in and have a look at the forum, first thing, before I start pushing putty...(With the newest glasses)......But at the end of 'work' I really want to put on the specs that let me focus on things more than a few inches away !
I can't believe that this is some sort of weird side effect from the COVID jabs......Just a bit of a strange coincidence time wise.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Doubt it's the Covid jabs Phil. You may need varifocals (sp) given your long range vision is better with an old precription.
Yea Phil
sounds like your eyes are changing due to old prescription better for driving.
on your last eye test did they check both short and long?
Regards
Sean
Crikey! The last thing you want to do is compromise where eyesight is concerned, and, according to my optician (though they have an ulterior motive in selling me new specs), that includes using old prescriptions.
I've had a pair specifically for the PC for more than 20 years (it's a Health and Safety requirement for PC users in the workplace). I also use off-the-shelf reading specs up to 4x magnification when I need them. Have you considered watch repairers' spectacles, with separate adjustable lenses up to 25x?
None of my business, I know, but if I were you I'd get to the optician and get those symptoms checked.
Isn't the prescibed test for any possible eye problem nowadays is to drive your wife to a local beauty spot, at least 30 miles away, on her birthday?
Does get you sacked that !
Quote from: sean66 on 16 June 2021, 08:25:47 AM
Yea Phil
sounds like your eyes are changing due to old prescription better for driving.
on your last eye test did they check both short and long?
Regards
Sean
Oh....Yes.....
I am truly
VERY short sighted.
At my last test, the 'operative' said....."Oooh...your right eye has deteriorated quite a lot in two years.....and you've got the beginnings of cataract in that eye, as well.".. (Deep joy) X_X
Right eye at that point was minus 11 diopter.....deteriorating from minus 9 and a bit.
The complete sod, at my age, is that I also DO suffer from 'long sight'......I really couldn't wear bifocals, making the wee men.....The dear old optivisor has to help with that.
No wonder I get headaches. :(
Phil.
I forgot to mention.......
I'm STILL 'the man'.......You should have seen the trail of blood, outside.....from me catching the back of my hand on the cover of the boiler's vent, a couple of days ago.
CSI would have about a dozen yellow triangular markers, marking the trail.
Phil. :(
Ouch!
Painful
It was...right across the knuckle on the 'middle' finger of my right hand.
It's not opened up again for a couple of days now....So it seems to be knitting together.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Hope you regenerate quickly.
Likewise
My own observation on recent posts is that they are declining in number but also the threads are becoming very diverse - not sticking to the original question or subject matter and drifting off (often into other interesting areas - but still 'off track'). NB: I am as much a culprit with this as anybody else.
I'd also note that the numbers of actual wargames related threads is dropping.
No longer do we see threads started with the title: "How many buttons on the cuff of a Saxon Voltigeurs?" or the such like. It is more likely to be us 'oldster' wittering on a our Covid-jabs or how the council's are only emptying the bins every 3rd month now to save money etc.
Maybe that lack of engagement also reflects a wider change in peoples behaviours towards social-media/forums and general on-line communication more widely, due to over exposure throughout lock-down? Maybe the lack of face-to-face gaming has also stifled discussion? I have noticed a couple of other wargames forums I am on have also seen a significant decline in posting recently - one of them has actually 'died' ... I posted a question on it 3 weeks ago and whilst it has been read 100+ times nobody has replied/acknowledged it but mine was the only post to the forum in the last 4 months anyway! However, I think that in that instance the community has migrated to a new Facebook forum on the same subject. I don't 'do' Facebook so cannot tell if that is more active or not.
Maybe as we head off into the 'new normal' post pandemic things will pick up? I hope so.
Mark
With much less opportunity for face-to-face gaming ( or tabletop pvp as someone called it the other day on a Twitch stream I was briefly watching) there is surely much less chance that someone has a rules query or a question as to whether the officers of 2nd Battalion, Queen Gertrude's Own Mounted Shirkers and Deserters should be depicted holding champagne flutes or rum bottles in a diorama set on the morning of the Battle of Hucaires, during the Neverois War of 1824.
Playing solo, if playing at all, one is less likely to realise there might be another interpretation of the rules than ones own.
I can't be the only one who, with no opponent available finds their painting mojo (limited in the best of times) severely depleted.
While thread derailment is rampant here (part of the forum's charm IMNSHO) it is usually consigned to those parts of the thread when the OP has been answered and where not, is usually brought back on track by the more sensible members.
The lack of physical opponents the last year has increased my painting mojo, less to do and an opportunity to reduce the mountain (range).
Quote from: Orcs on 17 June 2021, 12:07:19 PM
The lack of physical opponents the last year has increased my painting mojo, less to do and an opportunity to reduce the mountain (range).
Mine too. More painting than I've done for a long time, and my garden hasn't looked better. No distractions elsewhere I suppose. As for opponents, I only have a couple, plus my wife who will wargame as long as the armies are 'pretty'.
Books, movies, TV, virtual versions of board games, online RPGs, cooking, eating, chatting on phone to stay in contact with friends and family. Who has time to paint? :)
House arrest has moved Lee from "OK, I'll give you a game every ten days" to "We've got time for a rematch before dinner." What have I done?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 17 June 2021, 04:34:37 PM
House arrest has moved Lee from "OK, I'll give you a game every ten days" to "We've got time for a rematch before dinner." What have I done?
Lost enough to lure her in - that was the plan wasn't it?
My painting is certainly down lately, I think for a variety of reasons. But gaming has held up to much the same frequency over lockdown, we got into remote 'Zoom' games pretty quickly (though we prefer Google meet over Zoom).
Quote from: fred. on 17 June 2021, 08:57:55 PM
Lost enough to lure her in - that was the plan wasn't it?
This is the bit where the Villain suggests "Why don't we make the next round a little more interesting, Mister Bond".
Quote from: Big Insect on 17 June 2021, 11:45:34 AM
My own observation on recent posts is that they are declining in number but also the threads are becoming very diverse - not sticking to the original question or subject matter and drifting off (often into other interesting areas - but still 'off track'). NB: I am as much a culprit with this as anybody else.
Where have you been for the past decade or more? ;D
My personal observation is thet thread derailment has been a speciality of this forum for many years! :d
Stop bullying the junior ranks Graham
I can't find any of the photos sections in the forum. The layout looks different as well...
Quote from: streetgang on 28 June 2021, 04:00:55 AM
I can't find any of the photos sections in the forum. The layout looks different as well...
Same for me.
Can you access it through a direct link to the board?
Examples:
Photos: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/board,8.0.html
18th C: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/board,52.0.html
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 18 June 2021, 01:35:32 PM
Stop bullying the junior ranks Graham
I am sorry, I thought the reason to get promotion was so you could buy the other ranks, up to and including "waterboarding" :)
Quote from: mmcv on 28 June 2021, 08:43:38 AM
Can you access it through a direct link to the board?
Examples:
Photos: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/board,8.0.html
18th C: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/board,52.0.html
Oddly enough, for the photos link I get "The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you." but the 18th century link works. None of these links are visibly seen however on my main board. I am using Google Chrome and frequently clear my cache.
Streetgang, I get exactly the same result .
What if you open the links in an incognito window? That way there'd be no caching or logins at play. You can right click on the link > open in incognito window.
Might be something about your logins has gotten corrupted and locked you out of certain areas! If you can access it in incognito mode (where it'll be signed out and publically available) then that would indicate a user specific issue. Not sure if the users can be configured with permissions to certain areas? One for the admin/moderators perhaps.
Sorry, but what is "an incognito window"? :o :o
Quote from: mollinary on 29 June 2021, 01:44:02 PM
Sorry, but what is "an incognito window"? :o :o
One where you are not identified to the site
Yeah, it basically opens up a new window without any caching or cookies or login details or the like, and doesn't save any history. It's handy for if you want to browse without leaving any trace on your computer of it (though will still be a trace on the actual ISP so it's not fully private) but means you can see how things would look to someone who was maybe running on a different computer.
It's also used for people perhaps wishing to do some browsing they don't want their significant others seeing...ahem.
You can right click on a link and open it from there or access it from the menu (or Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome at least).
What I do not understand is why I should have to jump through hoops I didn't have to negotiate previously? The IPad Air is hardly an esoteric piece of kit, so why the sudden change? HELP!
Quote from: mollinary on 20 July 2021, 07:03:51 PM
What I do not understand is why I should have to jump through hoops I didn't have to negotiate previously? The IPad Air is hardly an esoteric piece of kit, so why the sudden change? HELP!
I'm not quite sure what's happened I'm afraid, the site is still working fine without any changes here so I'm not able to replicate it at my end. We need to get the Forum passed over to Stewart Leonard to look after going forward so we'll be updating the software and fixing any bugs at the same time. We can check for any layout issues on Apple devices at the same time.
Have you seen any changes on other sites? It might be worth a quick check to make sure that your iPad hasn't missed any software updates itself, that might cause the browser to display things differently?
The forum and site generally behave exactly the same, and as expected, on all my devices, iphone, ipad, desk-top and lap-top. No problems found.
No problems from either my PC on Chrome or iPhone on Safari that I can see...
Mind you I'm in software support/testing and "it works on my machine!" is pretty standard ;)
But it does not seem to be an ipad problem, as I have exactly the same results on my pc. Could it be an account problem?
Probably - you've logged out, cleared cache and logged back in I take it?
Try a fresh browser as well (eg if you use Chrome try Firefox or vice versa), and maybe even create a new account?!
Quote from: mollinary on 21 July 2021, 08:42:47 PM
But it does not seem to be an ipad problem, as I have exactly the same results on my pc. Could it be an account problem?
I'm not sure at all on that, it's an odd one. So there are boards where you're not seeing all of the threads? If we can find an example of something that's missing at your end, we can try to replicate on other machines and see what the problem might be? Obviously it's hard to see something that's missing but if there were any boards in particular with issues we can try there?
The photos section was one a couple of people reported issues with earlier:
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/board,8.0.html
Quote from: streetgang on 29 June 2021, 03:57:44 AM
Oddly enough, for the photos link I get "The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you." but the 18th century link works. None of these links are visibly seen however on my main board. I am using Google Chrome and frequently clear my cache.
Which does seem to be some sort of permissions thing in the account if there's something that locks people out of certain areas?
Just out of curiosity, I checked my own profile and found a whole bunch of settings under several headings including "look and layout". It might be worth seeing if your account has something other than defaults that is affecting what you see. Sometime, somehow, some might have been set in a way you dont want.
Thanks for the idea Dave, I had not looked at my profile before. Unfortunately, however, there appears to be nothing out of the ordinary there, so the hunt goes on!
Mollinary has sent me some screenshots of the Forum homepage at his end, which actually match mine, so can anyone else have a look at this for us? If you go to the Forum homepage and scroll down to the 'Wider Wargaming' section, do you have the sub-boards visible underneath 'Genre/Period Discussion'?
Or does it just look like this:
Genre/Period Discussion
For discussion of different genres of wargaming or specific periods of history.
Moderator: Lord Speedy of Leighton
Mine looks good - 5 sub boards showing is that right ?
Quote from: Leon on 22 July 2021, 11:37:28 AM
Or does it just look like this:
Genre/Period Discussion
For discussion of different genres of wargaming or specific periods of history.
Moderator: Lord Speedy of Leighton
Mine just looks like that - no sub-forums
Logged in as Guest I see them all - same as logged in as me. See attachment.
Must be a profile issue?
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 22 July 2021, 11:44:13 AM
Mine looks good - 5 sub boards showing is that right ?
I make nine sub-boards in Wider Wargaming...
Quote from: toxicpixie on 22 July 2021, 12:01:01 PM
Logged in as Guest I see them all - same as logged in as me. See attachment.
Must be a profile issue?
It's specifically the 'Genre/Period Discussion' board we're looking at here, so you're not seeing them either from your screenshot? There should be sub-boards showing underneath the 'Moderator: Lord Speedy of Leighton' bit?
If anyone clicks into 'Genre/Period Discussion', how many sub-boards are you seeing at the top of the page? There should be 5?
I still see 5 so whatever it is that's happening it's not happening to me ..... I feel excluded :)
Perhappes you should be excluded (from the nastiest forum member) - yes still 5 sub-boards for me. I'm on Chrome. Could it be browser specific althoiugh that is unlikley
Ah sorry!
It's *within* Genre/Period; I'd misread that as being the only one you could see within wider wargaming :D
No, I see five there as per Monsieur Speedy ;)
Yep I also see all 5 sub boards both as Guest and logged in as me.
I see the expected 5 sub-boards under Genre/Period Discussion on all my devices.
I see what Toxicpixie sees according to that screen shot - ie only see sub-boards(5) if click on "Genre/Period discussion"
So, it gets curiouser and curiouser. On recent posts up came one of AWI photos, which I can read. So what you ask? Well I go up a level to 18th-19th century photos, and I can see that level too. So I go up a level again to photos ............. and I get the off limits to you message!
Go figure!
Hello
No can only see the Genre/Period Discussion without sub-boards but can see sub-boards for other boards.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan (Windows 7, Firefox 90.0.1)
Even on the new forum I can only see the Ancients/Renaissance sub board in genre/period discussions.
Andrew, I just checked and I can see all the usual sub-boards. I don't know what is causing the problem you are having, browser maybe?
I see what's shown in the attached screenshot
Quote from: d_Guy on 15 November 2021, 01:58:40 PMAndrew, I just checked and I can see all the usual sub-boards. I don't know what is causing the problem you are having, browser maybe?
Safari?
Have you tried Opera or Chrome. I have no problems on Chrome exceptr having to occasionally push the home button to remind it that I'm logged in. :(
Chrome yields the same result
QuoteSafari?
Safari's I can see - no.
(I also use Safari and no such issue experienced)
This is really odd mollinary, I've not had anyone else with the same issue so I'm not sure what might be causing it, especially across multiple browsers. Do you ever have problems with other sites?
Can you have a try on this 40K forum, which uses the same software: https://www.40konline.com/index.php?board=32.0
Quote from: Leon on 15 November 2021, 11:23:46 PMThis is really odd mollinary, I've not had anyone else with the same issue so I'm not sure what might be causing it, especially across multiple browsers. Do you ever have problems with other sites?
Can you have a try on this 40K forum, which uses the same software: https://www.40konline.com/index.php?board=32.0
This shows me 34 boards, but no sub boards.
Quote from: mollinary on 17 November 2021, 08:10:40 AMThis shows me 34 boards, but no sub boards.
That one's working OK then, so the mystery deepens! Are you coming to Warfare this year? And would you have your iPad with you? I'd be interested in having a look to see how it's appearing on your device and then we can try and see what'll fix it.
Pendraken level customer service :-bd =D> :-bd =D> :-bd
Don't like but I'll get used to it I'm sure.
For anyone curious, we had a look at mollinary's iPad at the Warfare show and the mystery continues. There's nothing in the settings of either forum or device that would explain why some of the boards are missing. I've referred it to our webguy to see if he can figure it out!
:-B :-/ @-)
Quote from: Leon on 01 December 2021, 05:34:23 PMFor anyone curious, we had a look at mollinary's iPad at the Warfare show and the mystery continues. There's nothing in the settings of either forum or device that would explain why some of the boards are missing. I've referred it to our webguy to see if he can figure it out!
As someone with several decades in Technical support I can confirm that the most likely reason is that either the new server just does not like Mollinary! ;)
It's clearly gremlins
My wife's i-pad has also recently decided that it wont let her view Channel 4 - no real reason apparently - she can still view BBC and Netflix but C4 is a no go - she logs on but cannot see of hear the feed.
I'm wondering if there has been some sort of upgrade and that my wife & maybe Mollinary ? Just a thought.
Well, thanks to the tenacity of Leon and his minions we have now, after six months, solved the problem, and I can see the entire forum in all its glory. 2022 is looking better already! Thanks Leon.
Quote from: mollinary on 12 January 2022, 04:40:42 PMWell, thanks to the tenacity of Leon and his minions we have now, after six months, solved the problem, and I can see the entire forum in all its glory. 2022 is looking better already! Thanks Leon.
No worries, just glad to have you back fully!
Would you mind sharing the essence of the problem should it crop up for others?
Welcome back to a fully functioning forum, Andrew, may you continue to move from victory to victory in 2022. :)
QuoteWould you mind sharing the essence of the problem should it crop up for others?
Unless, of course Andrew it is an mildly embarrassing PEBCAK problem. In which case feel free to mumble something largely inaudible and entirely incomprehensible and rapidly change the subject. :)
Anyway, as d_Guy said, glad normal service has been resumed. Onward and upward!
Point taken.
As a frequent victim/producer of headspace errors I find the term, "the parity bit in the frazzle short stack buffer was stuck on 1" to be useful.
QuoteWould you mind sharing the essence of the problem should it crop up for others?
It was a membership setting behind the scenes, which was restricting which boards were visible for mollinary. A quick click and all fixed.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 12 January 2022, 07:41:00 PMUnless, of course Andrew it is an mildly embarrassing PEBCAK problem.
Aka PICNIC problem.
Please get with the programme.
QuoteIt was a membership setting behind the scenes, which was restricting which boards were visible for mollinary. A quick click and all fixed.
You should know that you should not comment until Sue Gray has completed and fully published her report. ;)
Cheers Paul
QuotePoint taken.
As a frequent victim/producer of headspace errors I find the term, "the parity bit in the frazzle short stack buffer was stuck on 1" to be useful.
Try reversing the polarity. That always works.
QuotePlease get with the programme.
You should know that you should not comment until Sue Gray has completed and fully published her report. ;)
It give me no pleasure to realise that the old joke about politicians - "How do know one is lying? Their lips are moving" - has finally come true. Especially when it's the guy right at the top. Rather depressing, in fact.
Quote from: Raider4 on 13 January 2022, 10:10:31 AMIt give me no pleasure to realise that the old joke about politicians - "How do know one is lying? Their lips are moving" - has finally come true. Especially when it's the guy right at the top. Rather depressing, in fact.
Bojo is a major disappointment who has squandered a massive opportunity but lets not paint all politicians with the same brush.