Some different issues:

[seafsee]

I'd like to report separate issues viewing this forum using different browsers.

My normal choice for browsing is FireFox. I have the latest version and rarely go more than a day or two in between versions.
When viewing this forum with FireFox and scrolling down the page, it responds like it's in quicksand. (This does not happen with Internet Explorer but they are different issues with that.)

Also on some pages, the user panel across the top of the page stretches down to cover almost the entire visible window. Refer to the attachment.

Using Internet Explorer 6.xx.?? (I won't/can't get version 7), the scrolling issue isn't there, but neither is a poster's name visible next to their post. Some of the buttons in the bottom pane

("Reply"  |  "Notify"  |  "Mark unread"  |  "Send this topic"  |  "Print"  )

also do not show - there is no text. While this may be an issue with my PC, this is the only site where I have seen either of these behaviours with either browser.

seafsee   

[Thorolf]

Hi seafsee,

I am running firefox without all of the same issues, but the vertical text one does show up for me. If you refresh, it goes away... so I'm frankly at a bit of a loss as to how to fix it.

I am considering changing software for the forum in the near future to something that integrates a little more cleanly with the site software. I have some more prep/research to do on it before implementing, though. In the mean time, I apologize for any frustration with these inconveniences.

[seafsee]

Thanks, but please no need to apologize. I do have one more browser I can try.   

Kudos for the table code. Few forums have it.

Charles

[suzukihime]

I don't use Firefox, and I am having some of these problems...

I can't see any of the members' names, so I am posting blind most of the time. Also, I cannot seem to see any of the links...


Suzuki

[Acumen]

It's the settings on your computer.  Eluminati had the same problem, but I think he resolved it.  You might want to check with him.  Or ask Thorolf.

[Thorolf]

Okay... it seems that the problem with the names is related to internet explorer 6. The names are actually there, but IE6, for some strange reason, displays them for a second then drops the layer to the back so it's not visible.

I can't seem to find anyone else that has had this issue, so I'm looking around for a solution - while still researching a possible change in forum software.

I'd rather not change the forum software if possible, because I like it overall - but I think its integration with the site theme is a bit buggy, which is unfortunate.

For what it's worth - I know there are those reluctant to change, but IE6 is a putrid little (and I use that term loosely) program that has more security holes than you can shake a stick at. That's not to say that everything else is perfect - far from it... but IE6 was released about 8 years ago and has significant problems handling the more recent web technologies in general... it might be time for an upgrade.

As for the firefox issue - I'm still not sure what's causing the scrolling and header weirdness. That is probably related to some modifications to the forum theme that we're using. I'll be looking into that a little more deeply, as well.

Sorry for any frustration and the general lack of solutions thus far... it's a bit more complex muddling through other people's software than it may seem.

Plus, I've picked up a new vice since Christmas that has monopolized way too much of my time.

[suzukihime]

LOL.... I would be the last one to judge on a vice... I have several.

If it is the internet browser that is causing all my probs, I guess I will just have to live with it since they won't let me tinker with the work puter... 
Thanks

Suzuki.

[Thorolf]

I have a possible solution in the works that will not require a browser upgrade... but I have some things to hammer out before implementing it.

Sorry for any delay and frustration.

[suzukihime]

I have a possible solution in the works that will not require a browser upgrade... but I have some things to hammer out before implementing it.

Sorry for any delay and frustration.

[seafsee]

Okay... it seems that the problem with the names is related to internet explorer 6. The names are actually there, but IE6, for some strange reason, displays them for a second then drops the layer to the back so it's not visible.

I can't seem to find anyone else that has had this issue, so I'm looking around for a solution - while still researching a possible change in forum software.

I'd rather not change the forum software if possible, because I like it overall - but I think its integration with the site theme is a bit buggy, which is unfortunate.

For what it's worth - I know there are those reluctant to change, but IE6 is a putrid little (and I use that term loosely) program that has more security holes than you can shake a stick at. That's not to say that everything else is perfect - far from it... but IE6 was released about 8 years ago and has significant problems handling the more recent web technologies in general... it might be time for an upgrade.

As for the firefox issue - I'm still not sure what's causing the scrolling and header weirdness. That is probably related to some modifications to the forum theme that we're using. I'll be looking into that a little more deeply, as well.

Sorry for any frustration and the general lack of solutions thus far... it's a bit more complex muddling through other people's software than it may seem.

Plus, I've picked up a new vice since Christmas that has monopolized way too much of my time.

As for IE6, I would normally have updated that (ahem) program by now if I were able to. However Microsoft has been holding both my computers hostage for quite some time now. This one, a laptop experienced a very unusual and unique problem when I tried canceling an update because I saw no need to run the Genuine Advantage Program a second month in a row and because my online time was limited at that time. Since then I've needed to use third-party software to keep it updated! I've stayed away from IE7 because of it's reputation of breaking less than perfect Windows installations which it appears I have.

As for Firefox header issues I also sometimes have them on MyYahoo page. As noted above a refresh usually takes care of that problem. The scrolling issue is something I have never experienced in this way before.

I do normally have ten tabs open at any given time though and thought it might have been a RAM issue on my end but even in a new window I have this issue with FireFox. I have another browser which uses the IE engine. I should see what happens with that one.

I really appreciate you looking into these issues but please don't knock yourself out. When I first looked into Web Design, the differences in browsers was enough to make your head spin. I never made it to different operating systems but can only imagine how difficult it is trying to keep up with all the nuances.

If you're happy with the forum, chances are you can still tweak it to remove minor annoyances. Those of us in the minority can  find a way to get by.
We have a similar decision to make on our forum concerning an upgrade. Though I like many of the new features, accepting them will mean the loss of using html for table code and since a lot of what I do and have done is statistics for the many teams, loosing that will create a hole that will need to be filled. Moving from a free hosted to a paid hosted board will require a steep learning curve in things I am only marginally acquainted with.


If I may inquire about a reference to your signature....

[Thorolf]

Actually, the easiest fix is going to be the use of a different design on the site. It appears that this particular design is using a combination of CSS layers that end up burying some things in IE6, and seem to be the culprit for the Firefox bugs, as well.

I'm going to be discussing some of the alternatives with Superman in the next day or two, and will likely implement a different design shortly thereafter.

Chances are that the clouds will be going away - but we will get some improved readability over the white text on the clouds, and the bugs we've been discussing should be eliminated - at least for the most part.

As for my signature - it's a line from perhaps the greatest movie of all time.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail

 

[suzukihime]

Yay! I can finally see who I am posting to. And I can see the links now so I am not entirely clueless...

Ok, I am still some what clueless, but I believe we all are in certain areas..


Suzuki

[seafsee]

Actually, the easiest fix is going to be the use of a different design on the site. It appears that this particular design is using a combination of CSS layers that end up burying some things in IE6, and seem to be the culprit for the Firefox bugs, as well.

[snip]

As for my signature - it's a line from perhaps the greatest movie of all time.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail

 

Sorry, I can't offer any suggestions for CSS issues. I have a blog I don't use because of those!

I think the design is great. It's a shame you couldn't sort the CSS issues before changing. I wish you much luck either way you decide to go.


Thanks for clarifying the signature. Unfortunately, I remember very little from that movie.

P.S. The scrolling issue I previously reported seems to have disappeared. Perhaps something you're attempting is working.

C