Less than Intuitive

Hello, Beafeaters up

I don't know if I've formally welcomed you to CafeHusky or not (I apologize for not being able to keep up with the ever-growing number of new members here) but I do value thoughtful input when it comes to this forum and I'm very interested in what you have to say. Can you be a little more specific as to what it is that makes it hard for you to find what you're looking for? When on the home page, each forum has a pretty clear description of what lies therein.

We've all put a lot of thought into setting this site up, and one of our goals was to make it user-friendly and easy to navigate. We got a lot of input from our early members here that proved invaluable toward reaching that goal. I'd like to hear your constructive input, as well.

Thanks



WoodsChick

Agreed the best way to visit C/H is with the 'New Post' button. (Although overwhelming if you have missed a few days)

Another one I think seldom used is the 'Search Button'. example how many oil threads get started in a year.
I'm not sure if members just forget it's there, not know it's there, don't know how to use it or simply are to lazy too and start a new thread.

Relax

It's Easter time everyone, lets not get out of hand...OK.

I agree...or pretty soon somebody is going to 'fess up that they feel like strangling the Easter Bunny!

Sheesh...keep your kitties locked up folks, or they might get their furry little pencil necks wrung! Yuck, where do you guys come up with this stuff?

I'll go with this, regardless of the time of year.

Some of the posts are a little harsh, if you wanted to tone them down it would be appreciated, but I'm not going to do it.

I agree with you.

While some things are easy to figure out, others are not.

1. I need help rebuilding my wr125 - no problem, it should be in the 2stroke forum.
2. News should go into the Newsroom - but often people like to hang out in just one forum like 2strokes so sometimes they get put up in there. I try not to move things but if it is an actual link to a news article, and I see it, I'll move it.
3. What might be found in the Common Topics could be tires/tubes - but often people specifically state for their 4stroke so if it gets started in the 4 stroke forum, I don't move it.

Again, I agree with you if you are referring to the forum names such as Cafe Diner or Cafe Office. There are excellent reasons for those names - because people that are used to forums sign up on Cafe Husky, and see "Off topic" instead of "Cafe Diner" they would think it would be ok to put up all sorts of things that we really don't want - general news, politics, religion, off color jokes. Most people wanted that forum called "Family Talk", to emphasize the intent of the forum.

So it had to be called something different. We tried our best to use the subtitles. We spent weeks trying very hard to make things as easy as they can be. Seriously - at least 200 hours including many phone calls and meetings in person.

If you are referring to the name Cafe Husky - that took months to think of and I can assure you it was the best that I could come up with given the available names. Short, easy to remember, 'sorta' had a theme to it, and other things. It was not my first choice - at all.

I've explained as best I can the forum titles, they certainly are not perfect. If you mean the thread titles, again, I agree with you "Hey check this out" does not really describe the contents - but people tend to do that on the internet and forcing them to use descriptive names would be like herding cats with a broom. No way to win that game. Fortunately when viewing a list of threads if your computer mouse is over a thread, the first few words of what is in the first post should automatically pop up.


As WoodsChick stated - we are totally open to listening to any suggestions you have.

A few more things...

Just because someone knows how to use a computer well and are used to how forums work is absolutely no reflection on that person - at all. Some of the most important members of this forum are not good with either.

Learning new things is *incredibly* frustrating. I am relatively new to bikes in general, and found the terminology *extremely* difficult to comprehend. Having read and read and read how a carburetor on a modern motorcycle works and still not understanding the terms such as AP, PJ, MJ, LJ, ABCXYZ taper needle, I tore into my Keihin, finally figured out 'what' some of the terms mean and made a few videos to help others. Several people really liked those videos. What made it especially frustrating is that I already knew about carbs for a variety of other engines - just not motorcycles.


With regards to learning new software, I've been shopping for some software to accomplish some things I need to do. Not only do I require their forums to read and ask questions, I also require phone support because I'm so lost I don't even know how to word my questions... and typing "uh.... I don't get it" on their forum, really does not get a useful answer, as you could imagine. So I can empathize completely with the situation.


Beefeater - what I've done in the past is to talk on the phone with people. I'll send you my phone number and if you want you can call. I really value peoples input. For every 1 person that openly says they have trouble figuring things out, there are probably 10 more that simply leave and not say anything, and I want the forum to be as friendly as possible.

That said you should be more specific in your frustrations / needs so Coffee can consider your issues and possibly make this site better.

You have my phone number, I would be interested in your input.

I would also urge you not to buy a bike if it is against your better judgment, regardless of brand. I've not been following your posts but if you are interested in plated dirtbikes ktm and Beta are other options. There are also others as well.

Used is always a good way to go also, that way the depreciation would not be as bad.

I wish you the best of luck.