You don't think that the ihub's interface feels antiquated? Do you like the linear style, or is it that you're so used to that model, you couldn't see yourself switching?
Speaking only for myself, "antiquated" doesn't really enter into it. I like a clean, simple interface that makes the tools I'll most frequently use easily accessible. The interface simply cannot interfere, even in minor ways, with "the job". Which is why I still use WordPerfect 5.1 when it'll do the job, which it usually can.
So my preference is for a "clean sheet of paper" interface. Gimme a clean sheet of paper and a pencil and I'm in business. And when I'm reading, I want nothing distracting me from the words I'm processing.
Using a message board is (to me) just reading, writing, and searching. That's it. While gee-whiz features are kinda cool at first, if they interfere, even in subtle subconscious ways, with any of those three functions, I don't like it.
I think that a more casual user of message boards will tolerate and likely even appreciate "cool stuff", but as a serious user who just wants to efficiently read, write, and search, that kind of stuff just isn't for me. No frames, no little-used buttons, and few, if any, graphics.
Personally, I like SI's current interface. As a creature of habit, it did take me a while to like it (change is also a distraction), but I think it's quite good. My issue (expressed earlier) is with how it's done from a simplicity/efficiency-worshipping programmer's viewpoint.
Regarding threaded versus chronological, I prefer chronological only because it's what I'm used to. I think over the long haul I'd prefer threaded as long as it's easily and quickly navigated. The chronological layout here can be a major inconvenience of its own at times. Having a choice between the two (as your software gives) is definitely "a good thing" in my opinion. |
