I admit I'm somewhat computer illiterate but I do have a fancy, dancy Dell. Is it just me or are the posts appearing a page and a half wide making it difficult to read.
Thought this was due to posters with long URL's stretching across the page. Have noted WAFlowers and CharlesJ with long descriptions of their equipment possibly causing this.
Is it just me or what? Help!
Bob F
Wide threads hard to read
Wide threads hard to read
unclebob
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
I think it's the URL to the silverlining software in the description of WAF's equipment (and long product urls in some of the others) that's doing it.
cpap.com is determined to make those Profile equipment descriptions go to product pages, one way or another. First it was the rather useless thumbnail pictures. Now it's text, which is better until it links to long descriptions that include fluff about bags, hoses, cables, manuals, etc., instead of just the name of the machine/mask/humidifier/software.
Maybe Johnny Goodman can fix that. Hope so. I use larger fonts -- a lot of the long URL posts scroll off the side of the page for me, too.
cpap.com is determined to make those Profile equipment descriptions go to product pages, one way or another. First it was the rather useless thumbnail pictures. Now it's text, which is better until it links to long descriptions that include fluff about bags, hoses, cables, manuals, etc., instead of just the name of the machine/mask/humidifier/software.
Maybe Johnny Goodman can fix that. Hope so. I use larger fonts -- a lot of the long URL posts scroll off the side of the page for me, too.
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johnnygoodman
- Posts: 784
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:13 pm
- Contact:
Howdy unclebob,
There are a few different things that could alone or in tandem be causing this problem.
#1 Long "My Equipment" Descriptions.
We will fix this occurring in "My Equipment" profiles.
#2 Long Links
It happens sometimes and can't be made better unless we truncate the link, which will cause it to error out when clicked. Why people make encoded links that long is beyond me. People see amazon and ebay doing it and figure it is a gold standard.
#3 Your screen resolution.
If you head to Control Panel -> Display -> Settings see if you are running 800 * 600. If you are, try moving the bar to 1024*756 or higher. When you do this, make sure you select 32 for color and not 16. This will give you a much bigger screen, but everything is a little smaller. Its a trade off between working space and vision.
Rested Gal
"My Equipment" is a helpful feature for a number of reasons. Its one thing to suggest a mask to someone, its another for that someone to see the whole rig that you are using. It lends much needed accountability in our "random guest posting" type community.
Its also good to be able to get more information about equipment or terms you are discussing right inside the relevant post. This is done through "My Equipment" as well as through CPAPopedia keywords.
We launched a first version of the My Equipment feature. We've always allowed users to opt out. No one PM'd me and suggested better features. Instead, I was greeted to a "Down with My Equipment" thread. We responded to that thread by improving the My Equipment thread to make it more keyword based and less graphical for those who choose to display their equipment that way.
From your post RG, you make some implications that are offensive to me.
cpap.com is a for profit company that has done more good for the Sleep Apnea community in during its short life than companies 10 times its size and 2 times as old. The hosting, coding, maintain and employees required to make cpaptalk.com may be behind the scenes to normal users, but they require much effort and money. That money comes out of my pocket to provide this service to you and to all cpaptalk users. Its a service that depends on the viability of cpap.com as well as the willingness and generosity of our staff.
You imply that the My Equipment profiles are somehow trying to "screw" CPAP users. I can't understand why its such a bad thing to refer those wanting information about CPAP equipment to the CPAP company who is the best at providing it on the board that exists because of it.
That being said, it is a real bummer personally for me to work hard, give the effort it takes to keep cpaptalk running, ask Theo to work extra hours, come home to read posts from people I consider friends and be insulted by a leading cpaptalker about my efforts when every bit of feedback you have sent me has been put in place or is currently being worked on.
RG, we each have our own way of trying to help people out. I have always tried to build you up and help you help others through my actions. I respect you and your words carry weight for me, so it hurts when you use them in the manner you have in this post, and in previous posts.
It is easy to tear things down but harder to build them up.
Johnny
There are a few different things that could alone or in tandem be causing this problem.
#1 Long "My Equipment" Descriptions.
We will fix this occurring in "My Equipment" profiles.
#2 Long Links
It happens sometimes and can't be made better unless we truncate the link, which will cause it to error out when clicked. Why people make encoded links that long is beyond me. People see amazon and ebay doing it and figure it is a gold standard.
#3 Your screen resolution.
If you head to Control Panel -> Display -> Settings see if you are running 800 * 600. If you are, try moving the bar to 1024*756 or higher. When you do this, make sure you select 32 for color and not 16. This will give you a much bigger screen, but everything is a little smaller. Its a trade off between working space and vision.
Rested Gal
"My Equipment" is a helpful feature for a number of reasons. Its one thing to suggest a mask to someone, its another for that someone to see the whole rig that you are using. It lends much needed accountability in our "random guest posting" type community.
Its also good to be able to get more information about equipment or terms you are discussing right inside the relevant post. This is done through "My Equipment" as well as through CPAPopedia keywords.
We launched a first version of the My Equipment feature. We've always allowed users to opt out. No one PM'd me and suggested better features. Instead, I was greeted to a "Down with My Equipment" thread. We responded to that thread by improving the My Equipment thread to make it more keyword based and less graphical for those who choose to display their equipment that way.
From your post RG, you make some implications that are offensive to me.
cpap.com is determined to make those Profile equipment descriptions go to product pages, one way or another. First it was the rather useless thumbnail pictures...
cpap.com is a for profit company that has done more good for the Sleep Apnea community in during its short life than companies 10 times its size and 2 times as old. The hosting, coding, maintain and employees required to make cpaptalk.com may be behind the scenes to normal users, but they require much effort and money. That money comes out of my pocket to provide this service to you and to all cpaptalk users. Its a service that depends on the viability of cpap.com as well as the willingness and generosity of our staff.
You imply that the My Equipment profiles are somehow trying to "screw" CPAP users. I can't understand why its such a bad thing to refer those wanting information about CPAP equipment to the CPAP company who is the best at providing it on the board that exists because of it.
That being said, it is a real bummer personally for me to work hard, give the effort it takes to keep cpaptalk running, ask Theo to work extra hours, come home to read posts from people I consider friends and be insulted by a leading cpaptalker about my efforts when every bit of feedback you have sent me has been put in place or is currently being worked on.
RG, we each have our own way of trying to help people out. I have always tried to build you up and help you help others through my actions. I respect you and your words carry weight for me, so it hurts when you use them in the manner you have in this post, and in previous posts.
It is easy to tear things down but harder to build them up.
Johnny
I think RG's diagnosie is correct - I noticee it was Bill Flower's posts, and even PMed him a few minutes ago - but I didn't pay attention to "all those things" at the bottom of the screen - I hate them so much....
O.
O.
_________________
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
Last edited by ozij on Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
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neversleeps
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:06 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Johnny,
Much as I'd like to slink away and hide, I have to set the record straight and confess I am the one who started the Down With Pictures thread. Not only did I offend you, but also others who liked using the pictures. I apologize. I honestly never meant to offend anyone.
To tell you the truth, it never occurred to me to send you a PM suggesting better features. I assumed the pictures were here to stay and sort of went with the idea of "get enough signatures on the petition and maybe we can get it changed." Again, my apologies.
I have a suggestion. I'd like to see the extraneous items eliminated from the equipment. (Items such as bags, hoses, cables, manuals, etc.)
Thank you!
Much as I'd like to slink away and hide, I have to set the record straight and confess I am the one who started the Down With Pictures thread. Not only did I offend you, but also others who liked using the pictures. I apologize. I honestly never meant to offend anyone.
To tell you the truth, it never occurred to me to send you a PM suggesting better features. I assumed the pictures were here to stay and sort of went with the idea of "get enough signatures on the petition and maybe we can get it changed." Again, my apologies.
I have a suggestion. I'd like to see the extraneous items eliminated from the equipment. (Items such as bags, hoses, cables, manuals, etc.)
Thank you!
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Whoa!
I would hope that your message board has added profits to your company through increased awareness resulting in purchase of machines and masks from cpap.com, rather than take money from your pocket.
Not at all. I'm sorry if it came across that way to you.You imply that the My Equipment profiles are somehow trying to "screw" CPAP users.
I would hope that your message board has added profits to your company through increased awareness resulting in purchase of machines and masks from cpap.com, rather than take money from your pocket.
Johnny, I hope you were just having a bad day when you replied to RG. I, for one, did not get the impression she was in any way disagreeing with your ability or desire to run a for profit site or in any way attempting to "screw" the members of this forum that has so VERY KINDLY been made available to us.
A little resonable profit is what gives you the ability to help the rest of us. I'm all for a reasonable profit - especially if I'm getting some of it.
A little resonable profit is what gives you the ability to help the rest of us. I'm all for a reasonable profit - especially if I'm getting some of it.
Y'all,
Okay, everybody. B-R-E-A-T-H. Better?
Good.
Mr. Goodman >>> Dude! Chill. First of all, let me warn you that if Warren Buffet finds out about cpap.com, he's likely to buy you out. If you know anything about him, you'll understand the compliment. Until reading your post, I thought you were an absolute genius and was happy to send you my credit card number last week. You've found a tremendous market niche that helps people AND makes money. The cpaptalk community you've created acts as a support organization that no amount of traditional investment could provide. Plus, you don't have the insurance company mess to deal with. It's beautiful!
Now, can I offer you a little bit of business advice? Ms. Rested Gal has become arguably THE authority in this community of yours and YOUR BEST REFERENCE. She referred my $1G to you and if you read her posts, countless others. This community has come to adore her and thus elected her as our de facto Leader. Are you sure you want to scold her in public, dude? In most businesses, its the returning Customer that is most valuable. Good Customers complain, bad Customers simply don't come back. Good Customers refer other good Customers and you know the power of word-of-mouth. As your loyal Customers, we WANT you to make money. You're no good to us if you're out of business. You've helped me. I thank you and your Team.
You would have done better to just address the Customers' issue and let it alone. By the way I think you're right-- lower resolution is likely the culprit.
Tell us you were just having a bad day? We can all relate and will understand. You're up.
Chuck
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, Power
Okay, everybody. B-R-E-A-T-H. Better?
Good.
Mr. Goodman >>> Dude! Chill. First of all, let me warn you that if Warren Buffet finds out about cpap.com, he's likely to buy you out. If you know anything about him, you'll understand the compliment. Until reading your post, I thought you were an absolute genius and was happy to send you my credit card number last week. You've found a tremendous market niche that helps people AND makes money. The cpaptalk community you've created acts as a support organization that no amount of traditional investment could provide. Plus, you don't have the insurance company mess to deal with. It's beautiful!
Now, can I offer you a little bit of business advice? Ms. Rested Gal has become arguably THE authority in this community of yours and YOUR BEST REFERENCE. She referred my $1G to you and if you read her posts, countless others. This community has come to adore her and thus elected her as our de facto Leader. Are you sure you want to scold her in public, dude? In most businesses, its the returning Customer that is most valuable. Good Customers complain, bad Customers simply don't come back. Good Customers refer other good Customers and you know the power of word-of-mouth. As your loyal Customers, we WANT you to make money. You're no good to us if you're out of business. You've helped me. I thank you and your Team.
You would have done better to just address the Customers' issue and let it alone. By the way I think you're right-- lower resolution is likely the culprit.
Tell us you were just having a bad day? We can all relate and will understand. You're up.
Chuck
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, Power
The Gal has class.rested gal wrote:Whoa!
Not at all. I'm sorry if it came across that way to you.You imply that the My Equipment profiles are somehow trying to "screw" CPAP users.
I would hope that your message board has added profits to your company through increased awareness resulting in purchase of machines and masks from cpap.com, rather than take money from your pocket.
Chuck
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Guest
Chuck,
Would you consider eliminating the equipment lines from your profile temporarily to see if that stops the too-wide pages on threads where you post? For example, this very thread did not get too-wide until after your entry.
If you feel like giving it a go, find a normal-width thread and add a test comment. Retrieve the same page and see if it got WIDE. Then go to another normal-width thread and add a test comment with your equipment choices removed. Retrieve the same page to see if it stayed at the normal width.
If you feel like it....
Would you consider eliminating the equipment lines from your profile temporarily to see if that stops the too-wide pages on threads where you post? For example, this very thread did not get too-wide until after your entry.
If you feel like giving it a go, find a normal-width thread and add a test comment. Retrieve the same page and see if it got WIDE. Then go to another normal-width thread and add a test comment with your equipment choices removed. Retrieve the same page to see if it stayed at the normal width.
If you feel like it....
Okay, I've removed the equipment descriptions from my profile as requested. At 1024x768, there is no discernable change. The problem occurs at screen resolutions below that.
Dunno much about phpBB so I'll have to defer to the admin, but is there a way to render the equipment descriptions so they "wrap" or limit them 80 character widths or something?
This is definitely a case where there is a technical solution to a social problem. You're not going to convince every user to up their screen resolution.
I will leave out my equipment descriptions until the admin has a chance to look at the trouble.
Chuck
Dunno much about phpBB so I'll have to defer to the admin, but is there a way to render the equipment descriptions so they "wrap" or limit them 80 character widths or something?
This is definitely a case where there is a technical solution to a social problem. You're not going to convince every user to up their screen resolution.
I will leave out my equipment descriptions until the admin has a chance to look at the trouble.
Chuck
Those of us who have been here a bit longer are aware of how responsive Johnny and CPAP.com have been to our suggestions.
A few months ago, cpap.com moved the Auto Links from the text to bottom, which made linking much easier.
As a matter of fact, the addition of URLs as equipment descriptions was a public suggestion of IWannaSleep, implemented very quickly by cpap.com. I saw other things implemented quickly as well.
I was writing my reaction to RG's letter just as Johnny was writing his; His pubic letter - I don't not think it's a scolding, by the way - reminded me how easy it is to forget there are people behind the scenes of this board. Not only that, but I believe the people behind the scenes give far more time and thought to what goes on in it than most of us do... Had I taken a few more minutes to think of my reaction, I probably would not have used the word "hate". I fired off a short reaction - thoughtlessly, and I apologise. And I'm pretty sure that on second thought the usually carefull and considerate Rested Gal would have added a qualification like "in my opinion" to her description of the thumbnail pictures.
Johnny's public letter is a reminder the even though this it the internet, we should think twice before sending out letters that might hurt other people's feelings.
And "people" includes members owners, and programmers.
O.
A few months ago, cpap.com moved the Auto Links from the text to bottom, which made linking much easier.
As a matter of fact, the addition of URLs as equipment descriptions was a public suggestion of IWannaSleep, implemented very quickly by cpap.com. I saw other things implemented quickly as well.
I was writing my reaction to RG's letter just as Johnny was writing his; His pubic letter - I don't not think it's a scolding, by the way - reminded me how easy it is to forget there are people behind the scenes of this board. Not only that, but I believe the people behind the scenes give far more time and thought to what goes on in it than most of us do... Had I taken a few more minutes to think of my reaction, I probably would not have used the word "hate". I fired off a short reaction - thoughtlessly, and I apologise. And I'm pretty sure that on second thought the usually carefull and considerate Rested Gal would have added a qualification like "in my opinion" to her description of the thumbnail pictures.
Johnny's public letter is a reminder the even though this it the internet, we should think twice before sending out letters that might hurt other people's feelings.
And "people" includes members owners, and programmers.
O.
_________________
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed AirSense10 for Her with Climateline heated hose ; alternating masks. |
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good advice is compromised by missing data
Forum member Dog Slobber Nov. 2023
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WillSucceed
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:52 am
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Mr. Goodman wrote:
Clearly, you have pride in both your business and the much-appreciated service that you provide to the CPAP-using community through this forum. I think that this pride is well-deserved and I'd sorely miss 'cpaptalk' if it were unavailable. Further, I believe that many of us would miss this forum and the community would loose a valuable source of information and collaboration. The users of this forum would, however, regroup on another forum and probably take their commerce there.
I don't for a second think that Rested Gal intended you any harm or malice; in the event that you have felt wounded, she has offered her apology. I think, Mr. Goodman, that your emotionality got the better of you for a moment and your response to her was more emotionally-laden than it needed to be to convey your concern -->this can, and does, happen to all of us.
With all due respect, I did not sense any flavour of anybody trying to "screw" anybody. More specifically, when I read the post in question, I did not pick-up any condemnation of cpap.com by Rested Gal. What I read was Rested Gal's usual, clear, direct, unbiased style which comes across as reporting what she observes in a non-judgemental way. After all, the URL's do point to products for sale. Rested Gal has not said that you should not be trying to promote your business and, in fact, she often encourages folk to make purchases from your business; I've NEVER read a post of hers that suggests that customers go elsewhere.You imply that the My Equipment profiles are somehow trying to "screw" CPAP users.
Clearly, you have pride in both your business and the much-appreciated service that you provide to the CPAP-using community through this forum. I think that this pride is well-deserved and I'd sorely miss 'cpaptalk' if it were unavailable. Further, I believe that many of us would miss this forum and the community would loose a valuable source of information and collaboration. The users of this forum would, however, regroup on another forum and probably take their commerce there.
I don't for a second think that Rested Gal intended you any harm or malice; in the event that you have felt wounded, she has offered her apology. I think, Mr. Goodman, that your emotionality got the better of you for a moment and your response to her was more emotionally-laden than it needed to be to convey your concern -->this can, and does, happen to all of us.
Buy a new hat, drink a good wine, treat yourself, and someone you love, to a new bauble, live while you are alive... you never know when the mid-town bus is going to have your name written across its front bumper!