Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Van's Air Force 2024. A new era.

Here are some thoughts from someone who helps run a different forum...

-This migration was probably a huge job for the staff, and if it had been me doing it, the project would have been extremely stressful. On the whole, it looks like the migration was a resounding success, and I congratulate them on pulling it off

-For some folks, especially some pilots, the only thing worse than change is "the way things are". Not complaining, it's just the way it is.

-Many users might not understand how obsolete the software was that VAF was running before the migration. VB4 was replaced with VB5 like 10 years ago and now there is such a thing as VB6. At the speed software and computers move, the old forum was multiple generations behind in many ways. This impacts efficiency, security, spam mitigation, stability, utility, and so many things, many of which are behind the scenes.

-The folks who don't like the change should give props to the staff for keeping the old system running as long as they did, and not putting you through three other major interface changes in the past 15 years. Doing so would have been totally justified from a developer's standpoint, but I suspect they knew that the audience here has a limited capacity to learn a new interface and worked harder than necessary to keep things the same for as long as possible.

Thanks to Doug and everyone else who keep the lights on around here, even in dark mode!
 
I've decided I like it. Was used to seeing the front page since 2008, but actually don't miss it. What I do like on this new system is dark mode and the dynamic screen that shows big on my desktop and these features are much easier on my eyes. Otherwise, yeah, there are more menus and button pushes to get around and there's more bells and whistles. It's a bit like going from steam to glass.
 
This migration was probably a huge job for the staff…

The staff? Never has so much been owed by so many…to so few.

At least that’s how it seems to me. Which makes it all the more impressive.

Keeping track of read threads alone is well worth the price of admission subscription.

Well done!
 
yeah, there are more menus and button pushes to get around and there's more bells and whistles. It's a bit like going from steam to glass.
Good point. Amazing how many people are commenting on needing to learn something new with the fact many have very complicated glass displays to learn, and use software (like Foreflight) and instruments (like autopilots) that have complicated menus. Functions can be buried deep that causes us to continually review the help manual/menu. Also our rules for flying are continuously changing and force us to read complicated government document that have no definite interpretation.
A new look and feel with more menu option on an internet forum ought to be like falling off a log. I wonder if ForeFlight gets this many opinions when they change a menu.
 
I understand the need for change, but I still miss the home page if you can provide us a link to it. Thanks for all that you've done for us over the years keeping the RV community so close.

N702PL.png Jim in SC
 
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