I was really grateful for the initial insight and information some of the people gave her. Unfortunately it became frustrating reading the arguments that would break out with people who did not share the same view point. Shame really, because having a healthy conversation should be a good thing. 

I was a daily reader before the format changed. I tried to continue with the new site but it is not nearly as user friendly as the old version, and as a result I now only peruse once every few weeks, if even that often. I did not even realize that I was not still logged in until just now reading this thread. 

Right on the money, nohstx. Site is visually cluttered with nit-picky features. Very distracting.

Thanks,
pt42

As a relative new comer I don’t believe I ever experienced the old format.  I’ve been following this blog since we got serious about becoming seasonal residents.  Having a forum to learn more about the islands and the community is a great resource.  I no longer have a Facebook account so this seems like my best option.

I don’t find the format horrible but would agree it could be better.  When did the format change. 

Posted by: @cruzaniron

I see more people using Facebook asking the same questions as on this page

Posted by: @the-islander

Thanks Alana for bringing it up. We were just discussing this on Tuesday. So, since the conversation is started, I am going to tag onto it. 

Layout:

1. Can you provide a list of what you don't like about the new layout/format? And what you do like?

2. From the old or previous layout/format: what did you like? 

Facebook:

1. Do you use Facebook as your main "Q&A" place? 

2. Do you prefer the Facebook platform, over message boards? Why yes or no. 

Thanks for your feedback. 

DUH

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

 

I don’t find the format horrible but would agree it could be better.  When did the format change. 

Posted by: @Alana33

Ever since the VI Relocation website changed its format, it seems to me that there's lots less participants.

  Yup, totally agree. Always used to be some kinda reply by a grandiose Helicopter Pilot, a good old girl from Arizona or the Patriotic Horse Whisperer. No such thing as a Free Lunch. Pass a Napkin please.

Got Bots.

And it's annoying when someone posts into the middle of an old thread like

Being a Midwife in St Thomas 

and you can't see the new post without scrolling through the whole thing to find it.

If I’m not signed in, recent posts are not highlighted.

I don’t know I’m not signed in until I attempt to “Reply” to a post or create a “New Topic”

Why do we constantly need to keep signing in? Even after clicking on “remember me”

With an administrator mentioning Facebook, it makes me wonder what’s really going on here. 

Was this site specifically updated like this for an alternate reasons? Is the overriding objective to reduce use to justify shutting down the site? Who pays to keep this site up and running?

I know, sounds like a CNN investigation

@the-islander

Good morning, 

i just read you post about your moving to the island. It was amazing g and so on point. I have been wanting to move to the island for 2 yrs now. I went last Oct to St. Martin and Anguilla and fell in love. I live in Louisiana and ready to make that leap. I’ve been applying for jobs and just not that easy. My experience is in Administration/Accounts Payable mostly in the construction world. I’m open to any suggestions or contacts you my have. I just found this site today and look forward to reading more. 

Thanks 

Kris Weaver

@krisweaver

most companies will not hire unless your on-island.  As many will tell you, review the drop down boxes to find out more info. Also do a Pre-Move Visit (PMV). Depending on which island, housing could be an issue right now with the construction workers and the refinery on St. Croix.  Some great people on here who can guide you more, as I live in NY but have a house on STX.  Good luck.

@singlefin

I think that Islander brought up Facebook because several people mentioned it. Don't think there is any nefarious intent. ? 

FWIW I am sick of WGOST. Really shows why pure democracy doesn't work. People are mean.

@singlefin

I'm on the facebook page, it's totally different than here.  This site is more informational in nature as the facebook page is more of what's happening, finding help quickly with certain needs.  Facebook although I dislike it, is easier to use, more people use it daily (get alerts with new posts and such). I agree with most, the site update is harder to use and much less activity since then.  I'm not sure why but there used to be multiple posts a month asking for moving information to USVI, now your lucky to see one a month.  Not sure if it's not showing in search results.  I think a lot of people never registered onto the new site as well.  Sorry to see this as I always found all of you to have great info and this is an awesome site for those thinking to making the move.  IDK.  

I agree with most everything said so far.  I liked the simplicity of the old format.  This format is visually cluttered to me.  I don't like the member 'ranks'.  The new replies in the middle of old posts are confusing/hard to find.  One of the reasons I enjoyed this site and format so much is because it gave me a different experience than Facebook and TripAdvisor.  I don't have a Facebook page, but my hubby does, so I look at it on his page.  I don't like that format for this kind of info because it doesn't really encourage longer posts with lots of information like this kind of forum does.  I also think people get more snarky and mean on that platform.  

And I don't know if this is the case for anyone else, but I have noticed that I have been less 'talkative' since the storms.  I'm starting to come back a little bit, but for a while there I just didn't have a lot I wanted to share.  

Hello.

Thank you for the feedback. Made some changes.

Some of the extra options were hidden in an attempt to 'de-clutter'

Sign in was added to the top of the message board, one of the first things visible, says Welcome if you are logged in; and Log In / Register if you are not). Those options are also still in the navigation.

Log in timing out (we tinkered with this, will see if it works)

The go directly to last post is something we miss greatly from old message board too. Haven't found it to be an option with new board yet. 🙁

You can go to "last post" from the very top of each thread; and use "unread posts" option to see your unread posts since last visit.

The author of the last post is there now.

The replies to replies within the middle of a thread are gone. All replies are chronological again. 

And the question about returning to old format/layout (assuming you mean the one we used for 15 plus years). We can't. The change was not just format/layout but the actual program that runs the message board. The program we used for years was no longer supported and wasn't being replaced by newer editions of the same, not by us but by its makers. We stalled and stalled until we were forced to move to another program.

Let us know how the changes are working for you, and whether there is more feedback.

Thank you.

Thanks,Islander!

@the-islander

Its looks a bit more organized and similar to the old layout this morning.

I like the changes you made.

Got caught again by the log you out and don't notice problem again.  Now I have to re-open all of the past week's posts to catch up my unread status.

As far as logging-in, I don’t find checking the “remember me” box keeping me signed in for very long. I just don’t see a need for having to log-in on a forum like this.

@the-islander

@Scubadoo @singlefin @pt42

I guess we did not get the login figured out. We have made some more changes that will hopefully keep everyone logged in. 

Things are looking better lately.

We all appreciate the administrators efforts. This was a great site years ago when my wife and I were considering the move to the VI. The advice and information from locals was a great help then, I hope we can all continue to pay it forward.

I think people have become disinterested.

probably exhausted.

no one peeps a single word about the ongoing and prolific WAPA outages, no one speaks about the continually rising costs of electricity or higher  prices because of it while it effects everything in our lives 

My house on STT was unoccupied 

Had the refrigerator, Wi-Fi and Water Heater on which has a timer to run 2 hrs a day.

My bill was $185 plus!

Where's everyone that used to put 2 cents piece in?

@Alana33

I used to contribute much more to the forum the in past, but, I really don't care anymore. I'm now on the long and winding road to the mainland. Its going to be a few more years and hopefully I can escape unscathed by another monster storm. I'm hoping to finally settle with the insurance company on my Maria claim this month, although I've long since repaired all the damages. My other home on the mainland is paid off and although its not in the warmest place, I can live there until I find other place in the sun (maybe Arizona or Nevada) that is a little more organized and not in a perpetual disaster zone. Mentally, I'm done with the VI after being here 15 years. I'm look forward to my next paradise.

I agree Alana,

However, I do not miss the heated political discussions.

This site is far less user friendly.