I have tried since this new design was implemented, to get a handle of things here and I just have to say it is really one of worst user experiences I have had. I have no idea how to get to the gallery for one thing and believe me I am not a newbie at this.

From a user stand point it is not laid out near as well as the last site. As I mentioned I have tried for the past couple of months to basically figure things out but find myself coming here fewer and fewer times, as you may have noticed from my postings dropping off.

I can't speak for anyone else here but I thought it was your best interest to hear from a fellow member but also an experienced forum user. So if I'm having difficulties just navigating trying to locate different areas of your site can you imagine a brand new user with very little forum experience.

QMaze aka 'Stands With Torn Musky Thumb'

I agree it's a mess.  I've been on andy but he can't find time to work on it. I wish I new more on the tec. stuff.  Need to get rid of that weather across the top. Most valuable space on the home page and it's got all those states that don't even have ppl using it. Sometimes I just want to give up.

h2o

Well all the moderators and admin are doing a great job and if I come across a suitable forum design I will let you know. I was experimenting with a forum last year but due to other priorities have had to put that project on hold.

This was the software.
http://www.xmbforum.com/

It's not perfect, but I understand that this site is designed by only 1 person, and one person who has very little time between work, school and a family.  I love this website, and have never felt more welcome than right here.  I agree that there are some things that need to be changed, but will deal with it because I know Andy has litle time to fix things, and is paying for this by himself.  So I just want to thank Andy for everything he does, along with all of the moderators.  Keep up the good work.

Yes Mark. Thanks are definately in order for Beermaster.

Well Qmaze, I share your sentiment on things being more difficult to navigate. But you also have to understand that move to a new format was required to combat spammers. We were down more than we were up due to their activities and we had to delete countless users and countless viagara posts.  The old system could not handle the amount of traffic we were receiving either.  In addition, we wanted to turn this site into more of a community like myspace,rather than just a forum, allowing for more user interraction which was accomplished  by the way.   Peple stay signined in for hours versus minutes as before.

Now, having said all that, we have so much crap, its unimaginable.  And like others have said I am just one guy - with alot of responsibilities. 

At this point, the community should step up to the plate and help.  So as much as I appreciate constructive critiscism, how about some concrete suggestions here Qmaze.  Make a suggestion, if everyone thinks its a good idea, I will implement the changes.  You too perhaps should contribute to the community perhaps in the form of articles, links etc.  Work on a portal page with one of the mods...

The basic layout stays. But if you can come with things to enchance navigation, please be sure to let me know and I will implement it right away.

Everything that was done, was done to insure long term survival and growth of this site.  And please dont be afraid to click on an ad or two, as of right now I am plunking down around $150 every month. If 10 visitors would click 2 ads each every day, things would be paid for.

Personally what I think needs to be done is a big map of the great lakes like e had before, and clicking on a state would take you to thet state's portal page which would contain forums, etc for that state.

Thanks for your understanding and support guys. IF we all work togther we can make this the BEST site in the region.