I have used this forum for a few weeks now, so i am reasonably familiar with it. I have been using the CarersUK forum for some years, so I have something to compare this with, also in an area where sensitive information is discussed.
Can we have a link that those of us set up to Auto-login just have to click once? I am having to click to get the drop-down, click Login, click Sign in - have I set up my Preferences incorrectly, or is that it?
There are too many layers - it is taking 3/4 clicks, simply to find out if anyone has posted in an area of interest. I can understand that BCC don’t want to face someone looking for e.g. answers of the ‘is my breast normal?’ with nitty-gritty stuff on e.g. chemotherapy side-effects, as an ‘unread posts’ list might do, but something needs to change so we can find our way around more easily.
The lists of the 5 most recent posts are of limited value, as they tend to be 2 or 3 from a single active thread, narrowing the range of subjects covered. In addition, while knowing about new threads is good, there are some very useful longer-running threads. It would help if the ‘Boards’ had an indication of any new posts since last visit - you have to click each one to find out. I don’t want to fill up my Inbox by subscribing - and the emails often come through after I have already read the post, anyway.
The selection of Category and Board titles is not working well for me, and others seem to get ‘stuck’ e.g. in the ‘Recently diagnosed’ area, while undergoing treatment - understandable that they wish to stay with a group of people who are becoming familiar, rather than starting again in a new Category. I have been diagnosed, had surgery and am waiting to see the oncologist, so most of what interests me is in the ‘Going through Treatment’ section, but because I am naturally curious and also want to be prepared for the next stage, I am also investigating other areas, but don’t want to get into stuff that may or may not be relevant. The large number of subdivisions means that fewer forum users get to each one, even though they might be of interest and more users would give more input. It is particularly noticeable that few discover the section based on location.
I realise the subject headings must have been arrived at after considerable discussion and experience of how the forum was being used, so there will be good reasons for it having the structure it does. It is a valuable part of the website, but I do think it could be made more user-friendly.