The new MacFixIt Forums: Answering your requests

We are working to address an assortment of issues raised by users of the new MacFixIt Forums. Here are some highlights:

Cant' login? A number of users have reported problems logging in. We expect that many of these problems will "fix themselves" over the next 24 hours, as the new registration system gets into full swing. In that regard, you may get an email from TechTracker listing a new name and password. Using the name/password provided should work. Part of what is going on here is that TechTracker is merging the registrations across all their sites into one database.

Note: if you click on the button that says "I forgot my password," you are supposed to get emailed a new temporary password. Your old password will no longer work. If you don't get one, follow the instructions in the Update below.

If problems persist, you can try deleting any cookie files associated with the Forums. Existing cookie files should work, but occasional problems have cropped up. By the way, it appears that you need to have cookies enabled to post messages.

Update: If all else fails, here's the official word from TechTracker on how to fix login problems for any TechTracker site:

1. Go to this page.
2. Click the login link on the left. [Note: If there is a logout link instead, it means you are already logged in. You should be able to simply check your info at this point.]
3. Enter your email address and click the "Mail Me My Password" button (bottom right)
4. Your "MasterTracker" password will be mailed to that email address immediately. This password will work on all TechTracker Network sites: VersionTracker, PalmTracker, WindowsTracker, and in the MacFixIt Forums.
5. Login with the email address and the password you received in email. This should log you in to all TechTracker Network sites.
6. MFI Forums users only: Once logged in, verify your username (it might have changed in the data merge). To login to MFI Forums, use the username listed in membership on TechTracker.com, as well as the password listed there.
   Note: One source of problems here: If you have multiple accounts (if you have registered on VersionTracker as well as MacFixIt for example), a numeral 1 may have been added to the end of your MacFixIt Forums username. Use the name indicated on the TechTracker page, even if it is different from what you expected, and you should be okay.

IP addresses visible A number of users have complained that user IP addresses are posted with each message. We agree that this should not be the case. IP addresses were only supposed to be visible to moderators and administrators. We are working to get this fixed as soon as possible.

Update: This has now been fixed. IP addresses should no longer be visible.

Font size For most users, the font size in the new Forums should appear the same as it was for the old Forums. However, because the Forums use Cascading Style Sheets and because of some glitches that occur with certain browser setups, the font size may be smaller. You can fix this! Select Edit Profiles>Display Preferences. From the popup menu that says "Normal Fonts," shift to "Large Fonts."

Number of threads per screen Several readers have asked that we increase the number of thread titles per screen in the index page of each Forum. Currently, it lists only 10 threads per screen. This is convenient for going through each screen without having to scroll down. However, most users appear to prefer to use scrolling more and loading new pages less. We will fix this soon.

Nicknames Some users are not fond of the new nicknames that< vary depending upon how many posts you have made (as defined in the Forums FAQ). They prefer simply seeing the number of posts made. We hope to make a change here soon.

Speed Overall, the speed of the Forums should be better than with the old software. However, we have found that, at times, the main index page loads unusually slow. We are investigating this. Also, when clicking on a link that includes the old Forums URL, you are redirected to the new Forums; this can also be a bit slow. We plan to update the links soon so that redirecting will not be required.

Update: This should largely be fixed now. In order to fix it, we had to turn off the feature that indicates how many new postings have been made to each Forum since your past login. We are researching a way to bring this feature back - without the slow down.

New Help Forum We have created a new MacFixIt Forums Help Forum for posting comments and questions about the new Forums.

Also see yesterday's posting.