After spending some time learning jQuery I've created a new version of the sidebar for the forums here.  IMO it's a big improvement over the current version but I'd like you guys to let me know what you think.  To try it out...

-Click your "Profile" link at the top of the sidebar (for logged-in visitors only)
-Click the "Display" link in the right-hand menu
-In the top section under "Select your preferred style", choose "stcforums-new"

It's my intention to soon make this the default version, so I'd really appreciate it if the regular visitors here would give it a try to make sure they're happy with it.

In IE8 the layout gets a tad buggy at times but I still think it's an improvement.  I haven't tried it with Safari or Chrome so I'd be especially interested in feedback from people using those browsers.

Thanks

I think the change is minor enough that had you not mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed.

I remember having qualms with the original side bar, but it was a while ago and I haven't had it turned on in a very long time.

I'm running Chrome, it seems to be working as expected.  I personally won't use it but that's a personal preference.   Since http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/forums … n=show_new is my most visted URL for this domain, all I have to do is type in "sound" and hit enter in Chrome or Firefox and it brings me here, so functionally I have no reason for a side bar that shows me recent posts, and at the top level of "New posts" it shows recently updated reviews, which is cool but I find myself reading the user-reviewed forum posts rather than the other ones most of the time anyway.

I had hoped for a bit more of a response here but I suppose the lack of negative feedback at least means I can make the permanent switch to the revised sidebar?

jb, I just want to mention that aside from the recent posts and related album links, the related topic links can sometimes be handy for browsing previous threads from similar topics.  It seems to me that without a sidebar at all the main text would reach awfully wide across the page, but if you'd rather do without it that's fair enough.

I like this new sidebar especially when I just noticed that when you scroll down on the thread, the bar follows.

Though, I don't like the » symbol, but can't come up with better one, so I'm fine with it.

Also, I wonder if it would be possible to put the forum bar (New Posts, Game Music etc.) to the sidebar, at the bottom part as for example small icon links.

It's not too bad on a 1280x1024 monitor (my secondary).  it's just my preferred method of browsing.  The only time I'm ever interested in the forum sub section is when I have to post something, which isn't that often and I can just use the links at the top of the page.  I like to just be able to read newest posts with the least amount of clicks.

I use the sidebar fairly often so I appreciate the improvement. I have the Game music section bookmarked, so I always arrive there first and then use the sidebar to check out other recent posts that interest me.

Unrelated but sort of related question did playing in Ajax create or update the forum for mobile
phones?  It no longer displays like a normal page for my iPhone and I'm not sure if that was jnteded or not. Did you create a mobile friendly version? I don't see a change in the URL.

It's displaying normally on my phone running Android 2.1.  A mobile STC app would be hot though.  *nudges Adam*

I like it. The only difference I can see is that it stays as I scroll down the page, which is very handy.

Goodness, yes it would.

I like it...
Now if only I wouldn't get logged-out every time I post...

A bit late here but want to catch up on some responses...

I have some ideas for making forum navigation more easily accessible but that is one to consider.  Thanks.

If you're not using the updated stylesheet then jQuery will load but that's all - I'm not sure why that would change the layout on an iPhone.  Has anyone else seen this?  jb could you describe to me exactly what's changed or e-mail a screen capture?

Really, do you think?  Aside from minimalizing the header (and removing the sidebar, actually) I'm not sure what sort of changes would make the forums better for viewing on mobile devices, but I'm open to suggestions.

Yeah, that's the basic gist of it.   And if you want to view more links for the related topics or albums sections you can click to expand them.

You've mentioned this before, right?  Has it been doing that the whole time?  If so try logging out manually and then logging back in - with the www in the domain both times - and see if posting keeps logging you out.  I think it may be switching between domains with and without the www that causes the problem.

Just logged out and back in...
seems to be working fine now. Thanks!

iPhone display is back and working properly I don't know if you changed anything. Previously all the avatar icons were to the right top of a large black presized box for every post the main new posts site also had a weird rectangular box around the forum sections like an old table style formatted HTML. Seems okay now.

I have a general aversion to frames and other implementations of keeping Web page elements onscreen as I scroll down the page.  I would prefer to have an option to stick with the old sidebar.