Submitted by 1607681 on Sat, 11/21/2009 - 12:04pm.
Archives back to 1992? this is an immediate draw, but you have failed your members here. Not only are there no abstracts, but every article has a hefty charge. I'm afraid this makes me feel cheated.
Submitted by Patrick Tucker on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 12:29pm.
Re the comment: "Archives back to 1992? this is an immediate draw, but you have failed your members here. Not only are there no abstracts, but every article has a hefty charge. I'm afraid this makes me feel cheated."
I can understand and concur. But for logged in members access to the archives is supposed to be free. Were you logged in when you tried to gain access to the archives? If so you should have seen this message:
"Welcome Member, Search THE FUTURIST Archives Free for material going back to 1992."
If you were logged in when you attempted to access the archives and you didn't see that message, then the error is a technical glitch on our end. Perhaps try again?
Thanks for participating.
Best,
Patrick
About the author
Patrick Tucker is the senior editor of THE FUTURIST magazine and director of communications for the World Future Society.
Dear Sir,
I think the site is very friendly to use. I did not have problems accessing the information. Only one thing I have not found. How can I see the expiration date of my subscription? I think if this information was in the "My Account", it would be better for users.
Regards,
Renato Cafruni
The new site looks great overall and very promising. A quick look in 'my account" finds missing 2 things:
- when changes are made by member, there is no feedback acknowledging that they were applied successfully;
- when entering member's account info, instead of just indicating one year(or last weeks),it would be nice to display the length of time one has been a member (especially when the case goes back decades).
Thanks for the chance to offer feedback on this beta site.
tiralba
I went to this expecting that I really did not need it. The website was very good and created interest for me. I love the "Poll" feature (naturally, I love surveys) and also the immediate feedback on the results so far.
Marlys Grantwit - Minnesota
Submitted by 1585607 on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 12:48pm.
In reply to the member who could not get free archives, my first clue was this prominent statement after clicking the link for archives back to 1992:
"Search The Futurist archives back to 1992. Abstracts are free. Full articles are available at low cost. Are you a member of WFS? Login to get free, unlimited access to all Futurist archives and articles."
So I logged in, and guess what? Free archives! Nice.
(I don't know if this is a glitch, but I clicked "Reply" to their post but my reply is not threaded under their post as was the other member's reply. Instead, it appears as a new post at the top of the forum.)
I was longing for a decent WFS site and an on-line access to archives. So I am more than happy to discover it today. Thanks a lot!
First comments: I would like
1. a better structuration of archives,
2. a better search engine.
Some errors:
1. in archives, some dates are false: several 2010 The Futurist issues (instead of 2009)
2. in my profile, the "Member for" field is erroneous.
Continue the good work.
Warm regards to all WFS members.
Congratulations on a very readable design with SANSERIF TYPE! I recommend trying to stay with 10 pt or larger fonts for our aging readership worldwide -- 12 pt is even better. The wide center display for the articles gives a magazine feel which is great because your graphics are excellent as well. I immediately wanted to forward the Vertical Farming piece to newstrust.com which is my favorite place to read in-depth journalism on many topics.
Jeanne Gates
Writer/Media Analyst - WebsitesWest.Com
Alderperson & Farmers Market Coordinator, Stanley WI
Submitted by 1606579 on Mon, 03/22/2010 - 10:22am.
Excellent idea to have all stuff online available for members.
Do you already want feedback?
1) Don't forget to test for Google Chrome :-)
2) I believe it would be better to have the main second level nav in the left hand side bar, thus to have the links to the pages in the left hand side bar, and to have cross references, suggestions and Ad's (like the congres, or suggestions for email updates) in de right hand side bar. We've done a lot of research on this kind of nav. Check http://www.chatbots.org for the results.
3) Why do you request logged in users to enter a captcha? They can change their passswords, but they can't comment without a captcha. Isn't that security-the-other-way-around?
Thank you for updating the site - as "futurists" we should have a web site that reflects our forward-thinking natures.
The new header graphic is good as is all the new interactive activity - forum, polls, archives, etc - no complaints content-wise. Cheers to that.
STYLE wise, some polish is desperately needed. The top drop-down menus - thin white font against the neonish blue background is very unreadable (may I suggest using a BOLD font taken 1 or 2 px down in size, or perhaps all caps at a lower size.) Also the top tabs taking up two lines is awkward. They don't line up with anything else in the top bar - they should be the same size as the search box. Some font consistencies are also essential for a pro look - throughout the site, sometimes headers are in arial or helvetica, sometimes verdana, same with the text - define these in the style sheet rather than rely on the user's own settings and make all content, including pullout boxes, consistent. Finally, although you are trying to fit a lot of info on one page, the home page scrolls too long - two screenfuls is optimal.
Thanks for the hard work
Dana Campbell
Web Communications Manager, The Urban Institute
Submitted by 1580656 on Tue, 05/04/2010 - 12:53pm.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the honor to be a “member of the evaluating committee”. I am not a professional of ITS, just common PC consumer . Like a “first edition” of the WFS website I think it is very clearly arranged, the result is professional and website is friendly to use. May be one opinion about the design of the pages: I should like to make the choice, to find the headings, myself not vice versa.
A small problem arised also with the link “My Account”. Today it is time to monitor expenses….I should like to be better informed of the expiration date of my subscription /membership fee. The outline information I read remained unclear for me. But the huge and required work is done and the result creates a better and simple IT - based worldwide real chance to contact between specialists and engineers (not only between of opinion leaders!) without “window dressing” and really to leave the world in the future better than we found it. Thank you all you did the website!
Submitted by 1609337 on Wed, 06/09/2010 - 12:22pm.
Site generally looks "clean" and readable. Here are my gripes/challenges:
(1) Your email inviting comments should make it clearer that the WFS.ORG Development topic is found after selecting "Forums Topics" in the right-side navigation.
(2) My last name is misspelled, but no way to correct it as part of Edit Account.
(3) No explanation of what Block Configuration: Syndicate does if selected in Edit Account.
(4) No explanation of how content is added to Files and Track tabs on Home page.
(5) No explanation of the various newsletter subscriptions, just cryptic titles, when managing subscriptions.
(6) No status response (for example, pass/fail) when password and display name are updated.
Congrats on creating a new website. It's daunting task to make a site that everyone will like. With this notion in mind I offer only a few minor suggestions.
1) The search engine needs improvement. Users should be able to type in text strings with wild cards to find items of interest. I find the site map a better substitute tool in this respect.
2) The blog channels appearing on the right-hand side of the home page are distracting and interfere with the message of the home page. I suggest either removing them since they are already accessible in the read and research tab, or, allow users to customize the interface so they can either include or exclude some items from the home page.
Thanks again for efforts to improve service and include users in the evaluation of the interface.
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Archives back to 1992
Archives back to 1992? this is an immediate draw, but you have failed your members here. Not only are there no abstracts, but every article has a hefty charge. I'm afraid this makes me feel cheated.
Logging in...
Re the comment: "Archives back to 1992? this is an immediate draw, but you have failed your members here. Not only are there no abstracts, but every article has a hefty charge. I'm afraid this makes me feel cheated."
I can understand and concur. But for logged in members access to the archives is supposed to be free. Were you logged in when you tried to gain access to the archives? If so you should have seen this message:
"Welcome Member, Search THE FUTURIST Archives Free for material going back to 1992."
If you were logged in when you attempted to access the archives and you didn't see that message, then the error is a technical glitch on our end. Perhaps try again?
Thanks for participating.
Best,
Patrick
About the author
Patrick Tucker is the senior editor of THE FUTURIST magazine and director of communications for the World Future Society.
Suggest
Dear Sir,
I think the site is very friendly to use. I did not have problems accessing the information. Only one thing I have not found. How can I see the expiration date of my subscription? I think if this information was in the "My Account", it would be better for users.
Regards,
Renato Cafruni
missing
The new site looks great overall and very promising. A quick look in 'my account" finds missing 2 things:
- when changes are made by member, there is no feedback acknowledging that they were applied successfully;
- when entering member's account info, instead of just indicating one year(or last weeks),it would be nice to display the length of time one has been a member (especially when the case goes back decades).
Thanks for the chance to offer feedback on this beta site.
tiralba
My surprise
I went to this expecting that I really did not need it. The website was very good and created interest for me. I love the "Poll" feature (naturally, I love surveys) and also the immediate feedback on the results so far.
Marlys Grantwit - Minnesota
I had to LOGIN to get these articles free.
In reply to the member who could not get free archives, my first clue was this prominent statement after clicking the link for archives back to 1992:
"Search The Futurist archives back to 1992. Abstracts are free. Full articles are available at low cost. Are you a member of WFS? Login to get free, unlimited access to all Futurist archives and articles."
So I logged in, and guess what? Free archives! Nice.
(I don't know if this is a glitch, but I clicked "Reply" to their post but my reply is not threaded under their post as was the other member's reply. Instead, it appears as a new post at the top of the forum.)
Site overall look
Unfortunately, the site is too cluttered and doesn't have a clean and professional look.
Prof. David Passig
www.passig.com
At last
I was longing for a decent WFS site and an on-line access to archives. So I am more than happy to discover it today. Thanks a lot!
First comments: I would like
1. a better structuration of archives,
2. a better search engine.
Some errors:
1. in archives, some dates are false: several 2010 The Futurist issues (instead of 2009)
2. in my profile, the "Member for" field is erroneous.
Continue the good work.
Warm regards to all WFS members.
New site and Vertical Farming article
Congratulations on a very readable design with SANSERIF TYPE! I recommend trying to stay with 10 pt or larger fonts for our aging readership worldwide -- 12 pt is even better. The wide center display for the articles gives a magazine feel which is great because your graphics are excellent as well. I immediately wanted to forward the Vertical Farming piece to newstrust.com which is my favorite place to read in-depth journalism on many topics.
Jeanne Gates
Writer/Media Analyst - WebsitesWest.Com
Alderperson & Farmers Market Coordinator, Stanley WI
New site
Excellent idea, nice displays, easy navigation.
Thank you,
D.M. Judkiewicz
Google Chrome
Excellent idea to have all stuff online available for members.
Do you already want feedback?
1) Don't forget to test for Google Chrome :-)
2) I believe it would be better to have the main second level nav in the left hand side bar, thus to have the links to the pages in the left hand side bar, and to have cross references, suggestions and Ad's (like the congres, or suggestions for email updates) in de right hand side bar. We've done a lot of research on this kind of nav. Check http://www.chatbots.org for the results.
3) Why do you request logged in users to enter a captcha? They can change their passswords, but they can't comment without a captcha. Isn't that security-the-other-way-around?
Erwin
Future proof ideas to add more value to people’s lives
Amsterdam & Sydney
http://www.erwinvanlun.com
Actual and timely
The idea of creating a new web site with publication and discussion of actual articles is timely and may be fruitful. With respect A.Idiatullin.
improved, but styling desperately needed
Thank you for updating the site - as "futurists" we should have a web site that reflects our forward-thinking natures.
The new header graphic is good as is all the new interactive activity - forum, polls, archives, etc - no complaints content-wise. Cheers to that.
STYLE wise, some polish is desperately needed. The top drop-down menus - thin white font against the neonish blue background is very unreadable (may I suggest using a BOLD font taken 1 or 2 px down in size, or perhaps all caps at a lower size.) Also the top tabs taking up two lines is awkward. They don't line up with anything else in the top bar - they should be the same size as the search box. Some font consistencies are also essential for a pro look - throughout the site, sometimes headers are in arial or helvetica, sometimes verdana, same with the text - define these in the style sheet rather than rely on the user's own settings and make all content, including pullout boxes, consistent. Finally, although you are trying to fit a lot of info on one page, the home page scrolls too long - two screenfuls is optimal.
Thanks for the hard work
Dana Campbell
Web Communications Manager, The Urban Institute
Digging into the past
I especially like the archive research features. My spouse says that now I can recycle several years of WFS publications. Thanks from both of us.
Suggestion: Would appreciate confirmation message when changing password, etc.
Andres Jagomägi, Chartered Engineer of Estonia
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the honor to be a “member of the evaluating committee”. I am not a professional of ITS, just common PC consumer . Like a “first edition” of the WFS website I think it is very clearly arranged, the result is professional and website is friendly to use. May be one opinion about the design of the pages: I should like to make the choice, to find the headings, myself not vice versa.
A small problem arised also with the link “My Account”. Today it is time to monitor expenses….I should like to be better informed of the expiration date of my subscription /membership fee. The outline information I read remained unclear for me. But the huge and required work is done and the result creates a better and simple IT - based worldwide real chance to contact between specialists and engineers (not only between of opinion leaders!) without “window dressing” and really to leave the world in the future better than we found it. Thank you all you did the website!
AJ
New Site Comments
I like a little bit of "flash" it shows you are on top of technology.
I like the clean look of the site-not too busy.
Maybe more links to social software networking.
Beta Site Feedback
Site generally looks "clean" and readable. Here are my gripes/challenges:
(1) Your email inviting comments should make it clearer that the WFS.ORG Development topic is found after selecting "Forums Topics" in the right-side navigation.
(2) My last name is misspelled, but no way to correct it as part of Edit Account.
(3) No explanation of what Block Configuration: Syndicate does if selected in Edit Account.
(4) No explanation of how content is added to Files and Track tabs on Home page.
(5) No explanation of the various newsletter subscriptions, just cryptic titles, when managing subscriptions.
(6) No status response (for example, pass/fail) when password and display name are updated.
Beta Website
Congrats on creating a new website. It's daunting task to make a site that everyone will like. With this notion in mind I offer only a few minor suggestions.
1) The search engine needs improvement. Users should be able to type in text strings with wild cards to find items of interest. I find the site map a better substitute tool in this respect.
2) The blog channels appearing on the right-hand side of the home page are distracting and interfere with the message of the home page. I suggest either removing them since they are already accessible in the read and research tab, or, allow users to customize the interface so they can either include or exclude some items from the home page.
Thanks again for efforts to improve service and include users in the evaluation of the interface.
Tom Talleur
Forensic Futurologist
Web:http://www.tomtalleur.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/forensicfuturology