i think the main problem is the site is considerably slower to access now (at least in my experience) whilst the old site was pretty fast in comparison
i find myself checking the page and making comments much less these days as a result
and unfortunately it looks like i'm not the only one

i agree there's not as many thought provoking discussions on the board these days either - think some of the big hitters have moved elsewhere or gone back to/started blogs like you said

Yes there is a lull at the moment and it's due to a number of factors, some of which CLUAS can control, others we can't. Those we can address will be addressed, and some of them very shortly. For example the speed of the board will increase once:

a) I implement the new version of the technology behind the site (version v4.4.0 of Dot Net Nuke). I had planned to install it by now - and by all accounts it apparenlty will deliver considerable perfomance improvemtns - but a few bugs have been reported in v4.4.0 that are going to be addressed in v4.4.1 which will only be released later this week. I'm waiting for this version.
b) I am going to remove the panel ("About these forums") on the right hand side of the Discussion board which will reduce load times.

Also I am still trying to finalise the script that will place the 5 most active topics dynamically on the site's home page. That will make it easier for visitors to get into threads.

Still no regrets about the change over. It'll build up again over time. I am fully confident of that.

Eoghan

i aint on here so much anymore either... i know this is a farily basic thing.... but personally the visual aspect of the site is prety grating on the ole eyeballs compared to the way it was.... something needs to be done!

...and i still can't get my old username back...

...and i can't express myself anymore - there are no emoticons...

...aside from all of the above, well done eoghan - there was obviously a lot of work involved for you

hahahhaa :-)

Ally, Send me an email - eoghan(at)CLUAS(dot)com - with your old user id and I'll sort it out. Eoghan

Good feedback Benni. I am going to see what I can do. Any particular aspects of the old site that you see missing that would make it better round here? If so let me know. Eoghan

Eoghan

If you need a hand making a few images for the site (Cluas could use a new logo IMO), let me know - I'm handy enough with the ol' photoshop.

me, I like the ear logo - it's simple, visually easy to understand and it helps explain to non-Irish people what the site's name means (and that it's not claus.com).

but perhaps you mean a modern, 21st century ear, TYFS. with ear-rings and stuff. or an i-pod line coming out of it. or if it were a vinyl-only site, the ear could be full of wax.

me, I like the ear logo - it's simple, visually easy to understand and it helps explain to non-Irish people what the site's name means (and that it's not claus.com).

but perhaps you mean a modern, 21st century ear, TYFS. with ear-rings and stuff. or an i-pod line coming out of it. or if it were a vinyl-only site, the ear could be full of wax.

Cheers for the offer. I actually have had a idea for a new logo that does not diverge too much from the existing logo (which i am still happy with), but I suspect it could be an improvement. Making a mock-up of my idea is however well beyond my skills so your offer is much appreciated. I will send you an email about it!
eoghan