Before you jump up and down, I know, I know - it's different. 🤣

20+ years in, I appreciate that change is not always well received. Truly, I do.

So you will have noticed the Home Page of the forums has a new layout and design.

It is very different to what you are used to. At first, you almost certainly won't like it.

I didn't. But I have been using it on Invision Community's own website for some time, and it grew on me.
It does have some social engineering behind the thought, in that it creates more opportunities to click on latest threads of interest. I like that, rather than having to click into each sub-forum first to browse.

Many, very many, forums (discord style) these days take a very different approach where nearly all threads are visible in the index "Feed", regardless of sub-forum.

The traditional layout is ageing a bit in my view.

I am 100% open to whichever format the vast majority prefer, truly. We can even do this for a week, then the other format for a week, then ask the question again.

All I do ask is that you use it for a few days before before commenting on likes/dislikes.

This thread should not be used for reporting bugs or asking how to do things. Please use the Support Forum for that.

Thank you, that’s much better!

Hi Marc.

I'm OK with the new format, just wondering if there is an option to minimise the sections that I don't look at, such as car audio for example.

Perhaps shrink those sections from 5 topics to 1?

It would make scrolling up and down on the desktop quicker.

Oh one other thing. Will the dark screen option be returning?

Edited December 11, 2025Dec 11 by Darryl

4 minutes ago, Darryl said:

Hi Marc.

I'm OK with the new format, just wondering if there is an option to minimise the sections that I don't look at, such as car audio for example.

Perhaps shrink those sections from 5 topics to 1?

It would make scrolling up and down on the desktop quicker.

Oh one other thing. Will the dark screen option be returning?

The light mode and dark mode options are still there, in the bottom left hand corner of the screen (I prefer dark screen too, so have set that option.)

Ah excellent, thanks for that @emesbee 👍

I made a post elsewhere, before being directed to this thread. So I will repeat my post.

A big problem with this new format, Marc, is that you have removed location data from each member's posts.

Talking of things that are ageing, the use of the term 'User' in the log-in tab is very 1980s.

'Member' sounds better to me.

OK have reverted back to the Traditional View, but put the choice in the hands of the Members now.

Of the choices presented:

I am fascinated what people have chosen?

Personally, I went back to the Table, traditional view for the Forum Index.

On 11/12/2025 at 8:58 PM, andyr said:

...A big problem with this new format, Marc, is that you have removed location data from each member's posts.

This was one thing that I noticed, and would feel there is an argument for it to be reinstated, as much discussion and trades benefits from this knowledge.

On a similar track, the member's first name is no longer displayed. I felt this offered a level of personalisation to the forum. And many posts reply to a previous post by citing the user's first name, with the names no longer being displayed it can be difficult determining which post is being referred to.

Update Edit: Just noticed there is a "v" "Author stats" button on the top right corner of each post beside the "..." button. This button will display the poster's region, location and first name, with some other stats. It's good that it's easily available, however, I would prefer the member's first name and location is directly displayed.

Edited December 18, 2025Dec 18 by audiofeline

Must admit I preferred it when you had to click on the type/font to enter a section/thread, now clicking anywhere in free space does it so I'm going back all the time due to accidentally clicking on free space areas.

I'll adapt, no doubt.

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by muon*

On 19/12/2025 at 12:00 AM, audiofeline said:

This was one thing that I noticed, and would feel there is an argument for it to be reinstated, as much discussion and trades benefits from this knowledge.

On a similar track, the member's first name is no longer displayed. I felt this offered a level of personalisation to the forum. And many posts reply to a previous post by citing the user's first name, with the names no longer being displayed it can be difficult determining which post is being referred to.

Update Edit: Just noticed there is a "v" "Author stats" button on the top right corner of each post beside the "..." button. This button will display the poster's region, location and first name, with some other stats. It's good that it's easily available, however, I would prefer the member's first name and location is directly displayed.

Again, you can choose your preferred layout style in your settings. You have the choice between the old and new layouts.

35 minutes ago, muon* said:

Must admit I preferred it when you had to click on the type/font to enter a section/thread, now clicking anywhere in free space does it so I'm going back all the time due to accidentally clicking on free space areas.

I'll adapt, no doubt.

I didn't actually notice that change, but now you point it out, it is more inline with common interface design today.

I do still find myself jumping out to the FORUMS tab at the top of the page just under the big STEREONET banner to navigate to places. That is nothing new though, I used to do the same thing with the old format. I find doing that just helps to short cut my searching a bit, so I am glad that option is still available. I am still a bit undecided about what I think about the new format at this stage, still trying to get used to it.

3 hours ago, Marc said:

I didn't actually notice that change, but now you point it out, it is more inline with common interface design today.

Not with the few forums I go to, but then it is just a few so my data is very small :)

Otherwise no complaints.

Is what it is and I'll adjust 👍

2 hours ago, muon* said:

Not with the few forums I go to, but then it is just a few so my data is very small :)

Given our design is literally brand new, and adopting many of the new technologies available (while being super lightweight), other forums have likely not updated yet.

3 hours ago, Marc said:

Given our design is literally brand new, and adopting many of the new technologies available (while being super lightweight), other forums have likely not updated yet.

Makes sense, all good 👍

Everything new is not the best..................just sayin'............

59 minutes ago, LogicprObe said:

Everything new is not the best..................just sayin'............

I never actually suggested it was "best". But, as we alluded to more than two years ago, this was a necessary step as our forum software was end of life. While some sites (using the same software) have opted to remain on the old version, in time, those sites will simply no longer function (due to server versions requiring updates). We opted to get ahead of it all by bringing in our own developer, and rebuilding everything from scratch (literally, @Adriano Faria has been working on this for more than a year).

This ensures we could continue offering a secure, safe, and optimised website and community well into the future.

We also hired a designer to customise the look and feel to be just like the old one (where possible) and to ensure a seamless as possible transition. Now if you are designing and developing today, you are not going to do so to old standards. And here we are.

New, and maybe not "best", for some. But alive, thriving, and the ability to prosper into the future.

Ahhh.........good on you Marc and Adriano.

I clearly had the wrong impression of just downloading updates etc just for the hell of it!

Please accept my humble apology.