Hope you aren't shocked too much, but I just upgraded to a new version of the Minibb- forum software.
Unfortunately they haven't introduced advanced anti-spamming measures, so I have to leave the forum closed to casual visitors.
There are some nice new features though, such as the lost password retrieval and advanced search options.

Also, I tried to simulate the look&feel of the main website. And I placed links back so you can easily switch between the two via the main menu.

If you notice any errors, or have suggestions for changes, please add these to this post.

Oh it seems like you can quote things on I-pads/ phones now so that is already an improvement

A classic example of "improved = worse" !!

Oops. Can you tell me what is worse?

When I worked in IT we had a "made up" word "WYLIWYL" (based of course on the well known WYSIWYG). It means "what you learn is what you like"
So the new "design" suffers right from the start from the fact that it is different from what we have come to know. But, that said, everything seems to be scattered across the page making use with an iPod etc particularly difficult. There seem to be large areas of space doing nothing compared with the previous version.
I had presumed that the changes were largely enforced upon you by the new version of the software so was blaming the software company who always try to make out that the new version is "improved" but, it occurs to me that it may be that many of them are the result of your considered design decisions. In which case I apologise!! We will, no doubt, get used to them!!

PS suddenly this morning after use for a couple of days the standard framework of this site has "kicked in" rather than just the "blank page" of the Forum which I was previously getting. Is that because of a "refresh" on my machines or have you made a change this morning? It is better as there is much less "waste space".

Have you tweaked something on the forum today Els?

It feels much nicer, but this is the first time I have used it from a desktop, so it could just be that.

I changed the colour of the letters from Black to Dark Grey, just as they are on the main website, and made them one size bigger. And I also handled the links the same way (not bold anymore). So that makes it less "noisy" or "busy". I am still looking to change the dark grey background between the forum posts into lighter grey, the same design as on the main website.

Overall, the changes to the website and forums are better. I would just suggest, or at least comment that the more streamlined the website/forums are, the better.

What's the point of "Manual", "Reply", and "Statistics" in the selection tab? I can reply anytime, the info in the manual section is not relevant to any user, no? The Statistics tab, while somewhat interesting does not provide enough information to warrant its own tab.

I also have a question that is more for the entire website. In many ways this site can be the unofficial UNESCO website for ALL WHS enthusiasts, but I wonder if that is not within the ambition, time, and limits of what Els can reasonably do by herself when balancing other responsibilities. Right now the website and forums seem to land somewhere in-between the unofficial WHS website, and a fantastic World Traveler Blog. While you are lovely Els, I just realized I see your image perhaps more than any other human alive, except my wife! This is off course, because I very much like this website, the insight by Els and many others, and the shared enthusiasm we all feel toward world heritage/travelling.

I can't login via Chrome... I get:

Sorry, it seems like an intrusion attempt or your server doesn't support HTTP referrers!

Used to work just fine prior to the Migration.

I also use Google Chrome, and it works fine for me!

They were suddenly there in the new version! I'll remove them.


I agree that it is a bit 'in between', but the site still relies on a lot of content that I add myself. Otherwise it would be very static and no fun to follow. (I would like to create a fancy new logo with a variety of iconic WHS in it instead of myself, but have not found out how to do so yet)

I really like the new banner! Great selection of sites!

I note the "De-personalisation" of the banner today with the removal of your own photo Els!! Did you need to be quite so radical and self effacing?
I just wonder now if it is clear exactly "what" the site is? OK it isn't primarily/entirely YOUR travel blog but what else?
You used to have an "About" section - perhaps you could re-introduce it and include a bit about yourself and your objectives for the Site? And also re-introduce the UNESCO disclaimer?
Also - I wonder if it might be worth having a very succinct ( 1 line at most!) statement underneath the words "World Heritage Site" which set out the site's "Mission Statement"/overall objective so as to tell "passers by" what the site is. Perhaps this isn't really totally clear just from the words "World Heritage Site"? There is room for a short line of text smaller than the heading. I haven't given it much thought and maybe some others could come up with ideas.
But something along the lines of "The Web Site for Travellers interested in World Heritage". I guess we must avoid using the word "UNESCO"?? I am not entirely happy with that but can't think of anything else at the moment - it doesn't include what those travellers can do ON/with the Web site but I guess that can be gathered from the list of tabs which would be immediately underneath?

I agree with Solivagant on the subheading ... Perhaps "World Heritage Site - for World Heritage Travellers" might do the trick as Site may be taken as website too

Yes much better