Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Since switching to this design, the number of new threads posted daily has decreased by 75%. New posts, new registrations, and traffic has remained consistant.

Is the "new thread" button really hard to locate? Confusing? What is wrong?

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Now that you mention it, the buttons do tend to blend in a bit too much. I know someone probably worked very hard to achieve the chrome look, but the buttons would be more functional (and marginally faster loading) if they were a solid color, slightly bigger with larger text, and responded to hovers.

The postbit buttons work well. Perhaps switch the thread-buttons to match?

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Generally speaking, I think things would be improved with a normal font size, better contrast for all text, and for buttons. Using black instead of gray would help.

With all the gray, low-contrast colors and such, the site seems to be a bit of a ghost town.

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Personally I find it is more difficult to access the Forum Index, than "Post a New Thread", (which I don't see as a problem). Maybe less people are finding there way to the correct forum where they feel confident to make such a post.

Maybe you could try a request for help system, lauched from the main page. Pretty much the same as a new post, but provides the option, of which forum to post in, maybe some extra information to help people solve the problem, like a OS drop down list, ... The drop down boxes, could in themselves, decide where the request is posted.

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Can you believe that this was all just a fluke? There was a server problem in which emails weren't being sent out by the forum system ... including activation emails for new members. No one was able to register on the site for a couple of days! I manually activated the accounts of everyone who filled out the registration form, and emailed them all to do some damage control. It's all fixed now.

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Yet some valid points were raised in regard to overall CONTRAST of the various forum elements. Don't dismiss them!

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

never mind the reasons How do I post a new thread!!!!!

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Did you think about trying the big bright yellow 'START NEW THREAD' button?

Niek

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Hi

Thanks, but that link does not exist except on the forums categories. I have posted a new thread only after deciding where the post should be posted. In my case the Windows XP forum.

A new user will do a search. They might find a thread that meets their need. They might even add to that thread. But on the results page there is not an option to post a new thread.
Daniweb is a very large community and although based on vBulletin is not easy to understand.

When I was here before I might have posted a new thread but could't find how to do so.

If I can think of why it's not easy to find the option to post a new thread I will suggest a solution.

Re: Can't figure out how to post a new thread
 

Well, given the number of new threads posted daily, most don't seem to have any difficulty figuring it out.