Formatting posts on this board [ Edited ]

[Docraj]

Kevin, Phil et. al. Can you please tell me how to render properly formatted posts on this board? I put in hard returns for paragraphs etc., check it in preview (looks fine in that window), have used both Rich Text and HTML options, but I have never got my posts to display properly. The majority of the posts from other users are displayed as they should, so obviously, I am not doing something right. I am on Windows 7 (64 bit) using IE8. Are there any options in my account settings that I need to turn on?

[Docraj]

What, none of the board admins/mods can answer this?

[icebike]

Use hard return only when you want to break paragraphs.

Just use the Rich Text option, and then use the tool bar at the top of the message entry window to add special effects like Bold and Underline.

If this does not work,  tell us what browser you are using, and if you have Javascript turned on.  Maybe its just your browser.

[icebike]

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Docraj wrote:
What, none of the board admins/mods can answer this?

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Maybe they were under the foolish assumption that the Help link in the upper right hand corner might actually be clicked and the How to Post section actually read.  Silly them!

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/help/faqpage/faq-category-id/posting#posting

[Docraj]

@icebike: thank you for your helpful comments and the reference to the help FAQs. If you had read my original post you would have noticed that I only asked for help AFTER I had tried all combinations of RICH/HTML texts and settings. You will also notice that the link that you have so kindly copied does not answer my question at all; it only tells how to post comments etc. That is not my problem. Mt problem is how do I get paragraphs in my post. You are right that they are under the foolish assumption that their help section is adequate. It is not. This is typical of ALL B&N systems (web page, this board software, the nook and its related issues); their CIO or whoever is in charge of their IT systems should be given proper training in customer experience and designing systems around that premise. The only saving grace here is the dedication of one of the admins (Kevin) who stayed over the holidays holding our hand, knowing that the support was not going to come in a hurry from the technical department. Now icebike, wouldn't my post be easier to read if this was broken down into paragraphs? That is what my problem is and I am sure it is a setting somewhere that only the admins can help and this is not covered under the help section. Thanks, anyway,

[icebike]

But you STILL haven't told us what browser and what type of computer you use.

If I want paragraphs I just hit a couple Return (enter) keys. What happens when you do that?

If you have your browser set up to use a non-standard code page or something that might cause a problem. 

Almost Every computer comes with more than one web browser.   Try a different one. 

[Docraj]

@icebike: as mentioned in my original post I am using windows 7 (64 bit) and IE8 (Internet Explorer 8). Yes, I do put in hard returns (having used a word proccessor for the last 20 or so years) and it looks ok in the preview, but it posts as a single para when I submit it. I have used three dirreferent computers (Vista/IE7 and XP/IE7), but no joy. Now I know you do not have this problem, but I know of others who have that on this board. You could be right, but isn't something as basic as a web page supposed to be checked against all versions of popular browers by the vendor? My code page is correct as I do not have issues on other forums that I subscribe to.

[FrogAlum]

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Docraj wrote:
@icebike: as mentioned in my original post I am using windows 7 (64 bit) and IE8 (Internet Explorer 8). Yes, I do put in hard returns (having used a word proccessor for the last 20 or so years) and it looks ok in the preview, but it posts as a single para when I submit it. I have used three dirreferent computers (Vista/IE7 and XP/IE7), but no joy. Now I know you do not have this problem, but I know of others who have that on this board. You could be right, but isn't something as basic as a web page supposed to be checked against all versions of popular browers by the vendor? My code page is correct as I do not have issues on other forums that I subscribe to.

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I'm running the same setup you are but without the problems...

I have gone through all the profile options available and I didn't find a single one that had anything to do with formatting in this area, sorry. 

[icebike]

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Docraj wrote:
  I am using windows 7 (64 bit) and IE8 (Internet Explorer 8). 

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Well you've tested on multiple machines.  Good.

So next step in determining the source of the problem is to find out if its something in your Browser or something in your Account settings.

Since you are the ONLY one reporting this, you have to expect to do just a bit more leg work to get the attention of the board moderators, as they have much bigger fish to fry.

Two possible steps you can try:

1) Download Firefox.  You will find it a MUCH better browser than IE8, and it may eliminate one source of the problem.  Its free. http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

2) Create another account here on this board.  This may eliminate the problem being in your profile.

For the record, I find this board to have a lot of irritating idiosyncrasies, (such as disabling my browser's built in spell checker and substituting their own lame one,  but formatting is not an issue.

[Docraj]

@Icebike you stated: "Since you are the ONLY one reporting this, you have to expect to do just a bit more leg work to get the attention of the board moderators, as they have much bigger fish to fry." I am sure you are not as naive as your statement makes you out to be! You are a major contributor to this board and that means you must be going thru many threads here. Have you not noticed how many other peoples' posts are in a single paragraph? Yes, I am the ONLY one reporting, but this problem is with many users. Your suggestion about changing my browser so that I can format my messages properly on THIS board which is backed by a comapny with whom I have only had frustrating experiences, makes me laugh. Anyway, thanks for trying to help, but really this is something that the mods will have to fix. If they are busy elsewhere I understand and hopefully we will get resolution to other important issues like Nook registration, basic problems with V1.1.1 (listed elsewhere), the speed of this board and the most important one - timely communications with their customers.

[icebike]

Ok so let me summarize...

You are unable to create paragraphs

You insist on using the worlds worst browser

You insist the site is slow

You refuse to lift a finger to help yourself

You think I'm some kind of idiot because I don't have any of the above problems.

Good luck with that approach.

[Docraj]

Icebike: my responses are just after each of your paragraphs in parenthesis[]. With my lack of formatting I hope that you are able to make some sense out of this. You are unable to create paragraphs [Correct] You insist on using the worlds worst browser [this is the only one I have and since it is still has a majority market share, your comment about it being worst is a personal opinion and not very objective] You insist the site is slow [compared to other boards - yes. it is like wading thru molasses] You refuse to lift a finger to help yourself [hmmm.. and here I was thinking that I had done everthing before asking for help - but I am open to suggestions - what do you think I should do?] You think I'm some kind of idiot because I don't have any of the above problems. [No I don't, on the contrary, I think you are very active in responding to users about their issues; I do think, however, that your responses are done in a hurry without you going thru what the other person has actually written. Now I know that you are not obliged to answer and that is fine by me. My request was not to you, but to the board admins. From your responses, I am wondering if you work for B&N and hence you take all this personally. In any case, lets stop having petty arguments; this is for B&N to respond and I appreciate your proactive efforts, but that has not fixed my problem.]

[Globaltech]

ignore icebike. I have the same problem and I'm using firefox. Go formatting problems. It's only prep for nook problems. Viva la piraten!

[icebike]

@Docraj:

You insist on using the worlds worst browser

[this is the only one I have and since it is still has a majority market share, your comment about it being worst is a personal opinion and not very objective]

Oh come on, Docraj, you can't expect anyone to believe market share has anything to do with speed and quality of browsers.  You can't have missed the fact that Firefox and Chrome win all the speed tests?  Its not my opinion.  Its the industry opinion.  Market share is meaningless when every computer comes with Internet explorer installed.

You insist the site is slow

[compared to other boards - yes. it is like wading thru molasses]

Thats because you insist on using Internet Explorer when three mouse clicks will get you a better

browser for free.

You refuse to lift a finger to help yourself

[hmmm.. and here I was thinking that I had done everthing before asking for help - but I am open to suggestions - what do you think I should do?]

I gave you explicit suggestions on post #9 of this thread. 

First install a better browser. You will be amazed how much faster this site is.  Chrome is the fastest, but Firefox is also very fast.

1) Install Chrome:  http://www.google.com/chrome/index.html

or

Install Firefox:    http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

2) If that does not solve the problem then perhaps it is something with your specific account on this board.

Therefore create a new account, (on this board, not on Barnes and Noble) and try that.

[icebike]

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Globaltech wrote:
ignore icebike. I have the same problem and I'm using firefox. Go formatting problems. It's only prep for nook problems. Viva la piraten!

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You didn't seem to have any formatting problems when you posted your screed:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/Help-write-a-Consumers-E-Book-Bill-of-Right...

What's happened since then?

[Globaltech]

i wish I knew.

All of my posts over the last few days have been the same issue. 

But it's not the browser.

edit:  and just when I post that it's back to normal. 

[icebike]

FYI

The Internet explorer issue is well known.  Even the Administrators recommend Firefox:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/Thoughts-on-the-boards/m-p/453276#M26379

[Docraj]

Icebike wrote: "Re: Formatting posts on this board[ Edited ] posted Friday - last edited Friday FYI The Internet explorer issue is well known. Even the Administrators recommend Firefox: http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/Thoughts-on-the-boards/m-p/453276#M26379 " I saw the thread that you are referring to and I beleive that you are just reading what is convinient for you. If I could I would highlight the exact phrase that I am refrring to, but due to the limitations of this board software I cannot. So I am pasting what the Admin Jon stated in that thread: [Admins comment: "You're right, there's a big different in speed between Firefox, Chrome, and IE. Especially if you are using IE6 - if you are on 7 or 8, it's not quite as bad. There are a few minor graphical differences as well. We encourage our users to browse with Firefox (stictly speaking, we technically don't support Chrome yet, though personally I use it all the time and it works fine), however a majority of people are still using IE and we do the best we can to support it, but unfortunately the limitations of the board software and the limitations of IE itself means that there will probably always be some discrepancy there. I strongly recommend browsing with Firefox.] My interpertation is: He talks more about IE6 and is ok with IE7 and 8 He admits that there ar eissues with the board software. Icebike: you have hijacked this thread as a vendetta against IE (BTW I am not a fan or a shreholder of Microsoft) by giving citing examples that are not entirely relevant. Why do you do it? If you cannot be constructive then do not say anything. Instead you push your point at any cost. It only serves to have a negative effect on your credibility. P.S. BTW this post is done via firefox which I just downloaded from their site.

[Globaltech]

icebike has vendattas against alot of people.. he is a very angry individual and perhaps anger management counseling would be recommended.

He seem incapable of discussing the true facts of any situation that does not fit his world view.

I rather suspect he is a paid shill of the corporate publishing arena.

[Docraj]

Agree with you Globaltech, I think that he is an uncredited employee of B&N to take the focus away from what clearly are their problems and put the spotlight on anything else. [Para Mark] One of the things I would like this board to have is the ability to block out individual users from your account. I am sure that icebike is a powerhouse to many others in helping them to solve their issues, but to me he is just a distraction. [Para Mark] Icebike: I would request you NOT to respond to any of my posts in future. I appreciate your intentions, but it must be a flaw in my personality that I am unable to appreciate that. [Para Mark] Thank you.