Kath I am pleased your one of TCW big supporters and you talk to a lot of people about this site.
I still feel I did not over-react but it might be hard to tip our Lord Hoop upside down, keep up the good work.

Luckily for me, Lord Hoop does not have sole control of the purse strings

And come on, just because you might think somebody is wearing a silly hat or something, doesn't mean you don't like them. I don't judge people by their clothes - or the look of their websites

I say ladies, this is all getting a bit personal!

If we can get the contents of my pockets out of the way first (feel free to speculate about the rest of the "trouser area", but that's a matter that I'd rather remained a matter for myself and my tailor), death duties and the activities of those money-grabbing swine at the Treasury have ensured that (like the Queen - tight-fisted old bitch) I NEVER carry cash with me - it's just TOO common!

On the more prosaic subject of this web site, I agree with Kath, purely from the utilitarian standpoint - we need to make it available to as many people as possible, not just those with the latest operating systems and browsers. I'm typing this on an old iMac - it's a nightmare even accessing the site, but I know users of modern PCs with relatively up to date software have similar problems.

PLEASE - don't regard any technical suggestion or criticism of this site as a death threat aimed at John - thry're probably coming from his keenest supporters!

Two things to remember - content is ALWAYS more important than style, in the long term, and (if you're still bothered about style) - MORE IS LESS.

.....and as some unpleasant little American said "keep it simple, stupid"...

I think its great.

All of a sudden, accessing the site is a nightmare and its a train wreck.

Not one person has contacted me say any of this, until I started this thread.

Its not just about someone having old machines (and the 4 I use range from 4 weeks old to over 10 years old) , its also someone electing to add an extension that adds to difficulties.

If you were having such big problems, that have clearly caused you problems for sometime, couldn't you have sent me a pm, email, phoned, rather than coming out with comments like,

"its a train wreck"

Sit back and think about it, and maybe, just maybe, you might realise that someone sat on another computer, thinking they are doing the best by all, now feels quite hurt by those comments and by the fact that people have had problems, but never had the courtesy to say anything.

Thank you.

Am I offended, not so much, but my feelings are certainly dented and from now on, i'll not do another thing.

Banners Off
Analog clock Off
TCW Podcasts Off
Shout box Off
Template Chooser Off
Rss Feeds Off
Extended Menu OFF
Translator Off

If there's anything else you don't want, let me know please.

Well, I'm very sorry you're offended, John. I thought you had bigger shoulders than that.

I've heard people complaining about difficulties with the site and thought it was time someone actually came out and said something - I thought as you'd opened this topic it might be up for discussion.

Telling you privately doesn't get over the problem that no-one is discussing the appearance and technical function of the site - again, this has nothing whatsoever to do with the immensely impressive work you're doing or how important the existence of this site is.

If ten people turned up and said they thought it was great (the appearance!) - love the clock, the translator, the video things, then I might think it's just me and a few others who have difficulties. The extension doesn't cause problems, it allows me to block most of the extra stuff you put on as fast as you add it, which means I can at least use the site without constant crashes and delays.

Please calm down John - what you're doing is much bigger and more important than some details about website design. You're a brave man who stands up and says what he thinks - pleases allow some others of the gobby persuasion to do the same without taking it personally.

Also please think - will you ever get honest opinions if you react like this, or will you scare people off from telling the truth?

Kath, its not a case of calming down, because that would suggest anger, that i'm not.

If your ill, you don't wait for a doctor to ask.
If your running a business and do something wrong, you want to be told, not all your customers first.

I have big shouldres that take alot.

If you had so many problems for so long, you could've said something earlier.

I want honesty, yes and if you don't understand that now, then you never will.

Something should've been said earlier, rather than wait for me to say something and leave meswimming against the tide.

As they say,

"A person with BO, is usually the last to know"

Sure, John - but I'm the one who stuck their head over the parapet, I've done it many times before and I'm used to the inevitable headshots Great respect for what you do may have held some people back from pointing out technical difficulties - and that's all they are - but I'm also putting myself up to be told it's all fine, we love the way it works, shut up.

Flame suits on

Oh and Carol - I don't use an old computer, but many people do. They may not have the knowledge or the cash to be totally up to date with their equipment. I favour letting as many people as possible access the site, and I know some people can't, or only with difficulty. I'm sure none of us want to exclude people.

Hows your access now then, you've knocked it, at least say if its improved.

It's fine at the moment, thanks, but then I've knocked a lot of stuff on the head. I don't know if you've removed some stuff.

Once again John, please don't scare people off from letting you know if there are problems. And try not to blame me for being the mouthy one, you should understand that