I’ve come back to have a look around after having previously been a very regular poster. But since the forum changed a few years ago I have had real issues with the inability to subscribe to get emails about new threads. It used to have this function. And it meant that I could see what was being discussed and join in. Looking through some of the forums and comparing with Natural Mamas (which I use instead because it has this facility) - the forum use is very low. It is a great pity because it has such potential and such a small thing makes such a huge difference to return rate to the site.
Please, please - could this time someone have the courtesy to respond as I’ve posted about this over the years - only to have tech ignore what I am actually saying the first time, or have no response at all.

I’m not sure that there is a “tech team”! The impression I get is that there are a team of *volunteer* mods, and Jez, who is also involved in producing the actual magazine. That might be why there is a more “homespun” feel here than at Natural Mamas (which, incidentally, I don’t use because it feels big, anonymous and confusing to navigate, and you can only read posts when you have signed in). Horses for courses I guess…..

Angie

hi what angie said about the tech team,i use both forums but again NM is rather impersonal and cant seem to fit in there,so this is my ‘home’ forum,xx

Hi - I think at the moment there is only 1 active mod (Coconut)  and Jez who are the “tech” team here.  I have never been on the natural mamas forum (hadn’;t even heard of it until now), so can’t comment, but I find this place to be my home online community - it is small, and sometimes, yes it is a bit quiet at times. Everyone is busy at the moment, so I am finding it is good to be able to just pop on and catch up quickly then scoot off again, rather than trawl through lots of forums and threads and emails. Also, I really feel that I “know” everyone here - and in fact I do - lol. 
I did like the old style forum, mind you, and sometimes I think I miss things here, because of the way the home page is set up, but this is definitely my virtual lounge. xxx

Yes me too! I like it here because it does seem quite small and I recognise names and feel like we’re a little community! x

I hadn’t heard of natural mama’s either. I came across this forum by accident when I was looking for ideas about natural baby toiletries and found the posts so interesting I stayed and subscribed to the magazine. I like the forum because everyone seems to respect other people’s opinions even if they don’t agree with them and so you don’t get slated for stating your opinion which I have found to be a problem on other forums.

My sister introduced me to this forum and I love the fact that no matter if you are having a good day or a bad day, there is always someone out there that can offer a little ray of sunshine or a personal piece of advice.  It’s the personal touch on here that’s involved and that makes this a special community to be part of.  Also, as it is small, you get to know everyone and there is a great sense of trust on here and that for me is really important x

I originally used NM but found it wasn’t for me…. I love home spun and cosy and this place is it for me!  I’m not a big techie person so am happy to log on when I get five minutes.  Each to there own I guess.

San

I also prefer it here at GP.  Natural Mamas is just too big - and for me, just not that natural!  Lots about baby wearing though.
Like it here and here I’ll stay   Each to their own.
Lou

knorman - 26 November 2011 10:11 AM

I’ve come back to have a look around after having previously been a very regular poster. But since the forum changed a few years ago I have had real issues with the inability to subscribe to get emails about new threads. It used to have this function. And it meant that I could see what was being discussed and join in. Looking through some of the forums and comparing with Natural Mamas (which I use instead because it has this facility) - the forum use is very low. It is a great pity because it has such potential and such a small thing makes such a huge difference to return rate to the site.
Please, please - could this time someone have the courtesy to respond as I’ve posted about this over the years - only to have tech ignore what I am actually saying the first time, or have no response at all.

I have no idea about this function sorry :(

I have asked Jez to take a look though. As others have already said he has so many balls in the air it baffles me as to how he keeps everything going so please don’t feel you are being ignored.

Ooh ooh I may be having a techie moment! I have just had a look in “Your control panel” at the top of the page and in email settings I think or your preferences you can tick or untick a box next to “Enable email notifications by default when you post messages” I didn’t do it cos i don’t really want notifications, but could this be the thing you’re after??? I do hope so cos it’s not nice to see familiar “faces” leave

Let us know if it works!! x

Thats just notification for any posts you respond to.  Knorman is talking about a daily digest email of all new threads.  But as the site has view new posts function which ok does mean coming onto the site to use it, but hardly a hassle, i think the gripe and its tone is simply rude.  Also email functionality adds to band width usage making it more exspensive to run the forum, which is free to use?

Agree entirely…

Ooh I see! I knew I’d never be a techie!!

*scratches head bewildered* Is it really such a big deal to click on the new posts button?

Hi knorman, thanks for your post. Please don’t feel like you are being ignored, just PM me in the future if you need a quick response to a techie question and I’ll do my best to anwer it straight away
The forum itself is part of the software used to create the entire website so I can’t use any other forum software. The features are a bit limited compared to other forum programmes but it is very safe and secure compared to SMF which I used previously which was plagued by spammers and hackers trying to shut it down (I’m sure some of you will remember when everything went black ). Hope you’ll stick around as it is an amazing forum for information, support and fun My only suggestion would be to check the forum home page every day and see what new topics are being discussed.
I’m off to juggle some more balls now
Jez