weird new toolbar that now appears at the bottom of the screen?

[stevebob]

I guess it's an enhancement to this site, but I didn't see any announcement or mention of it.

Tweaks and upgrades can be nice, I suppose, but I would certainly have given higher priority to the ability to change the forum's default appearance to something other than the blindness-inducing white-on-black color scheme.

Of course it's possible for a user to do at his or her own computer by using an add-on or extension to the web browser, but I wonder how many people know to do that.  (I use "Change Colors" with Google Chrome.)  I feel certain that many potential members have visited this site, thought "Who in hell can read that?" and immediately decided it wasn't for them.

In my opinion, optional "skins" need to be offered for this site to be attractive (in the most literal senses of the word) to users.

[birba]

It's funny the way we're all creatures of habit.  I can't get used to that tool bar because I have to scroll down further to get to what I'm getting at.  But when you think about it, it's only 1/4 of an inch high, and like I said, I'll get used to that too.  I thought it had something to do with this shout box we were talking about.  Anyway, I see Rome is on the map, too!

[birba]

Oh, there is something aggravating, though.  When I go to do anything under the post, a not very flattering picture of Pollini magically appears endorsing his concerts and I have to jiggle the mouse to get by him!  

[birba]

I think I've got it now.  You have to be careful not to touch the tool bar with your cursor.

[stevebob]

I found out a bit more, too.  It's a social networking utility called "wibiya"; more information is available through Mr. Google.  (No Wikipedia article about it yet, though.  It must be very cutting-edge!)

[nilsjohan]

Yes, we are currently running a live test with the Wibiya toolbar for a short period of time in order to evaluate it.

[lostinidlewonder]

The minimize button will take away a lot of your fear

[gyzzzmo]

Why do you complain about something that makes the site better, just because you prefer other changes? I personally wouldnt give a 'damn' about another appearance.
And the option to translate, sounds like a great addition to those who cant read english properly, alot more important than another color on my screen

Good job (whoever managed that)!!

Gyzzzmo

[stevebob]

Why do you complain about something that makes the site better, just because you prefer other changes? I personally wouldnt give a 'damn' about another appearance.
And the option to translate, sounds like a great addition to those who cant read english properly, alot more important than another color on my screen

Good job (whoever managed that)!!

Gyzzzmo

If that's directed at me, I didn't complain about anything.  Things that make the site better are A-okay with me, but I'm not persuaded that the toolbar is even in that category for me.  I commented on its sudden existence ... and the fact that its presence was unexplained.  In any case it's easily ignored, but it's always nice to have an announcement when something new is rolled out.

Different people have different priorities.  If you don't give a "damn" about mine, nobody asked you to.  I'm old enough to understand that MFFY is the credo most people live by.

[ahinton]

Yes, we are currently running a live test with the Wibiya toolbar for a short period of time in order to evaluate it.

It almost sounds abit like "Dubya", but that's not the only reason that I would personally not mind at all if it disappeared; I'm not complaining about experimentation here - far from it - but I could do without the presence of that toolbar. That's just my two cents' worth, for what it may or may not be worth.

Best,

Alistair

[Bob]

How about making the default minimized? 

I don't find it that useful.  Unless there's a button I didn't notice.  I'm not seeing anything I would use.

And it might not all be pianists online here.  Not that that's a big deal.

F11 will max out the screen size and remove the upper menu stuff on browsers, at least IE.

[quantum]

Another reason why I absolutely love Firefox.  Never realized there was a toolbar until I viewed  this thread.  Checked out the ABP filters and there it was.  Disabled the filter for a few seconds to see what all the fuss was about.  Decided I liked uncluttered browsing much better and turned the filter back on.   

[john11inc]

White on black is:

A- friendly on the environment.
B- friendly on the servers.
C- less amateur-looking.
D- scientifically proven to be more easily readable than black on white.  Google it.

[quantum]

... White on black would also extend the amount of time a battery charge will last on a laptop. 

It also looks pretty cool on organ and harpsichord keys 

[go12_3]

I don't like that new toolbar, it's annoying everytime I log in here,
and I don't do twitter and all that stuff anyhow.
So keep this site as simple as possible so there won't have to minimize anything here.   

[littletune]

Well it doesn't really bother me  I mean it can be kinda interesting to see all the different countries and cities on the map  Specially if you look at that map where it says how many people are from which country and city. I really didn't think there was so many people from Slovenia here!  I think you can learn geography with this!!! It's cool!  Sorry for being too excited about too many things and for thinking they're cool! 
But it's funny cause it says Zrich instead of Zürich  Oh and Mnchen insead of München 
And there was one funny name of a city in UK that didn't even sound English but I forgot now it had a z towards the end.  So well yes it's really interesting too me  but now it doesn't wanna show my city anymore it just shows one other city from my country... even though I'm online now  probably it just got stuck on that city or something 
Oh and about the colour of the forum! I wouldn't want it to be any other way! It's cool the way it is!!!      I like it a lot! 

[Bob]

I see the dashboard under the people in the world part.  Kind of interesting to see where everyone is.  Not a big surprise though.

It says you can get IP addresses though.  I don't like that.  I hope Nils doesn't have it set for that.

[nilsjohan]

The test is over. Thanks for your patience and feedback!