Comment: This UI doesn't work

[Guest]

I don't know what this says about Microsft, but this little community
discussion application we are using is pretty screwed up.

First, it does not expand horizontally to take advantage of wide screen
resolutions. I have to interact with the subject lines and postings side by
side in a tiny box centered in my giant screen.

Worse than that, if you hover the mouse pointer between the area showing the
discussion subject list and the messages...

<--- this little grey vertical strip over here

....the strip turns yellow, and the pointer turns to a horizontal resizing
pointer, telling me that I can resize the window to so that I can allow more
room to see the full message subjects. But when I go to resize the windows
the entire display collapses. Worthless!

This happens on both my Vista and XP machines using IE7.

Lastly, a small, but annoying aesthetic flaw. The border around the header
of the page stops abruptly and becomes a much thicker border for this content
area. Did the designers just run out of time? I'm embarrassed for them.

 

[David B.]

The web interface is the worst way to access these groups. A better way
would be to set up Outlook Express and/or Windows mail to access them using
the news server address of msnews.microsoft.com

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Do you mean Windows Mail?

No problem here using the full screen on my 21-inch widescreen display. I can
use the Maximize button or drag to perfectly fill the entire screen.

The blue line is hair thin, but the CURSOR turns yellow.

My display does not collapse.

Perhaps you are screwed up?
Perhaps we should be embarrassed for you?

 

[Mac]

The clue is in the OP's email address CB. He's posting to the newsgroup from
the MS web interface instead of using a proper newsreader.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Ah ha,

Now I KNOW he is screwed up and I AM embarrassed for him.

Why would anyone use a web interface to read newsgroups?

 

[Mac]

A lot of folks newer to computers only use the web interfaces...

 

[David B.]

Mainly because they don't know that they can use a news reader to access
them.

 

[Ian]

Really, I have found it depends on the ISP used. AOL uses web mail and new
users get used to just that, but so many others just set up OE automatically
and users continue using that system.

 

[gls858]

Mainly because they don't know that they can use a news reader to access
them.

Most would ask "What's a news reader

gls858

 

[Ian]

Guess that is why we help them to use easier systems.

 

[DP]

Why would anyone use a web interface to read newsgroups?

I don't fault the OP for using a web interface. It's his/her choice.

I do fault him for assuming everyone else does. And for assuming his problem
with the web interface is a Vista problem.

Lot of assumptions made by the OP. All of them wrong.

 

[Guest]

I am fully aware of how to use newsreaders and I am able to use Outlook
Express to do so. However, I prefer to access and post to the forums using
the web interface. Personal preference, that's all.

Thank you for letting me know I'm an idiot and a newbie. I've been using
computers since 1980. How much longer do I need to use them before I'm not a
newbie?

I think Outlook Express is dull and drab. I don't like to use Outlook
Express for my email either.

I prefer to use the web interface. Why does it make me an idiot? In any
event, I apologize for not meeting your standards.

Have a nice day.

C.B.

 

[Ian Betts]

Not one should be called names because they use different methods. We all
chose over time what we are comfortable with but if you ask for advise and
someone suggest what they copnsider a way out for you or even a better way
they also are not wrong or here to be called names.