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JamSKahler

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Why is this forum so hard to navigate? None of the links at the top link to the main forum page, and the *actual* forums are 3 tables down once you do get to the home directory.

Can we at least structure this site well? Nothing worse than not being able to find what you're looking for, especially if you're new to the site. Took me 5-10 minutes just to figure out where the home page was.
 
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Damotee

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That big logo at the top of your screen that says JeepKJ.com in white and gold lettering will take you directly to the home page. From there you can click on whatever section youre interested in.
 

JamSKahler

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See, no wonder...

Most sites do not use their banner as a link to their home page. It's usually just a standalone banner.

There should at least be a home page tab in there. Maybe shift the forums up to the top... you know.

Like I'm sure it's nbd once you've been to the site, but for new people it's honestly very tricky to find out how to get to square 1. I do all kinds of web design stuff and it took me 5 minutes just to get to the basic forums, which is the whole point of the site. Lots of stuff going on in the tabs, none of them are a home page.
 

Cardhu

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JamSKahler

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A 3" screen - with very spotty internet, after trying to detach my blower motor with no success, then somehow probe my still-attached blower motor with a multimeter face up in a tight space with very little access to the prongs

Hence the frustration

Yes, feel free to move this thread

:help:

:signs75:
 
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Royy

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See, no wonder...

Most sites do not use their banner as a link to their home page. It's usually just a standalone banner.

There should at least be a home page tab in there. Maybe shift the forums up to the top... you know.

Like I'm sure it's nbd once you've been to the site, but for new people it's honestly very tricky to find out how to get to square 1. I do all kinds of web design stuff and it took me 5 minutes just to get to the basic forums, which is the whole point of the site. Lots of stuff going on in the tabs, none of them are a home page.

You mean something like the "Jeep Liberty Forum - JeepKJ Country" link that shows up directly underneath the "Quick Links" button at the top of the page, any time you're anywhere other than on the homepage?
 

Jim McClain

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See, no wonder...

Most sites do not use their banner as a link to their home page. It's usually just a standalone banner.
I disagree... strongly. Nearly every website I visit, the header's logo is the link to the home page. The main menu should also have a link to the home page, but as you noticed, this one doesn't. However, just below the main menu, there is what is referred to as the "breadcrumb" navigation and the first link in it is to the home page.

There should at least be a home page tab in there. Maybe shift the forums up to the top... you know.

Like I'm sure it's nbd once you've been to the site, but for new people it's honestly very tricky to find out how to get to square 1.
While I agree that there should be a link in the menu for Home, the average forum user doesn't find this site all that difficult to manage. Those on a mobile device have a very different story, unless they use an app called Tapatalk. What would be even better, is upgrading the forum software to something mobile friendly. The developer of this forum software has newer versions of the software, but they are pretty bad, even compared to this older version. Best would be converting to a whole new brand of forum software, but don't hold yer breath.

I do all kinds of web design stuff and it took me 5 minutes just to get to the basic forums, which is the whole point of the site. Lots of stuff going on in the tabs, none of them are a home page.
Well, I don't know what kind of web design stuff you're doing, but I've been working in IT for a lot of years (since the 90s) and hang out with a lot of IT pros on forums just for them and don't know anyone that couldn't figure this site out in less than a minute. Maybe the smoke was in your eyes. ;)

So, relax, it ain't that difficult. Yes, it's clunky, old technology and there's a lot to wish was better, but my experience is that venting will make you feel better, but don't expect much more than that. The site owners don't participate and don't reply to topics like this and don't fix the most obvious issues. Don't be surprised if this topic doesn't get moved to the feedback forum either. I've learned to let go and just appreciate the help here I get with my Jeep projects and enjoy the company of other KJers - even the ones that irritate the heck outa me. :gr_grin:

Keep comin' back.
 

krisP

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if youre looking for specific info or a how-to just use the search function at the top. Sometimes its a little whacky so i usually will use google and just put "jeepkj.com" at the end of my search question/statement
 

Jim McClain

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if youre looking for specific info or a how-to just use the search function at the top. Sometimes its a little whacky so i usually will use google and just put "jeepkj.com" at the end of my search question/statement
The search feature on vBulletin forum software is hit or miss - mostly miss. But the easiest way to use Google to search a specific website is to type it in this way (replace jeepkj.com with whatever domain you want to search):

site:jeepkj.com search term or site:jeepkj.com "exact search term"

I have an unwritten rule on the forums I manage/own: Never tell a member or visitor to use the search before asking questions. Why? Because they already used search to find my forum, now help them with your expertise, or link them to a post, topic or article that will. But the real reason is because people will follow links on search engines to my site because of the title of a page only to find the answer is "use the search before asking questions." :emotions34:
 

Cardhu

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The search feature on vBulletin forum software is hit or miss - mostly miss. But the easiest way to use Google to search a specific website is to type it in this way (replace jeepkj.com with whatever domain you want to search):

site:jeepkj.com search term or site:jeepkj.com "exact search term"

Haven't seen a forum yet where google didn't do a better job on most searches.
some times the advanced search feature is decent depending on forum structure.

Ie you only want to search CRD transmission pan leaks or something. The bigger issues is people doing a piss poor job of labeling their threads. assuming there is something useful inside after 10 pages.

"I got a question"

"Jeep problem"

"I'm starved for attention and have ****** up my jeep"

you know , the usual. Thanks google for scanning most of it for me.
 

Jim McClain

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The bigger issues is people doing a piss poor job of labeling their threads. assuming there is something useful inside after 10 pages.

"I got a question"

"Jeep problem"

"I'm starved for attention and have f...
Oh, I know exactly what you mean. That's why I complained about making a post in the what-did-you-do-to-your-jeep thread only to ask a question. That isn't why the topic was started, but it has become the norm. There are so many great stand-alone discussions in that thread that are actually lost to the majority who search this site for information.

People don't like change. I understand that. I'm 67 and I am familiar with change and not liking it. But what disturbs me more, is the unwillingness to even try even when one has been assured that a little bit of work can have many rewards later on. COUGH...COUGH,jeepKJstaffCOUGH

Oh well, it's sorta like my Jeep. Even with all its flaws, I still love using it every day.
 

Leeann

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See, no wonder...

Most sites do not use their banner as a link to their home page. It's usually just a standalone banner.

Every forum I'm on uses the banner as a link to the homepage. Every one.

This site is no better or worse than any other car forum I visit on a daily basis. And it isn't difficult to navigate.
 

Jim McClain

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And it isn't difficult to navigate for me.
There, I fixed that for you. ;)

If you use a mobile device on a vBulletin forum, versions older than 4.2.x (this is 3.8.7, like my own) and don't use the app Tapatalk, navigating the forum can be difficult or frustrating or both. Yeah, for me, but many of my members have said the same or similar (some have even thrown in an invective or 3). It's not a responsive design - flexible and easily rendered on mobile devices - so using the site can be difficult to many. There are the exceptions, of course.
 

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