Russ,

I'm all for better software, what I'm against is splitting the forums by magazine. Why should I have to post the same message in two or three different forums, on the same site? It's bad design.

I have no problem with improvements being made to any website, so they can change what they like if it will make things easier. But I object to splitting the forum by magazine - I also don't want to have to look for an answer or post a question three times on separate boards.

I also appreciate the fact that the information found on this site works "across the board" - I may only have logged on to see if there was information about a crimp bead, but found a reference to a wire gauge that works with it, then read a suggestion about how to use the wire, then looked at wirework by some very advanced designers, who were influenced by a PMC bail, the artist of which was inspired by a PC artist, who posted some great pictures, which were commented on by others who had links to their websites, etc etc. I registered in order to ask a specific questions, but found that ALL the forums offered information and inspiration, and I visit ALL of them when on the site. I don't limit myself to just the folder with my question.

I REALLY don't want to have to check each magazine's forum in order to see if there's something new. I consider myself a beginner, but I don't let myself be limited to "Bead Style" magazine. I was thrilled to find this community where everyone could mingle. I feel like now we're going to be separated into cliques.

Another consideration - will advanced designers want to hang out on the beginners' (Bead Style) forums? We learn so much from them, we all may end up hanging out on the other forums, anyway, so will the Bead Style forums suffer? What if nobody shows up because they know the real knowledge will be found on the other boards? Why would advanced designers WANT to post their work on the beginners' boards? What's the point of separating everything if everybody ends up in one forum anyway?

Lorane (OBCGAL),

Lindsay's posts explained that, if we re-register using the same name and password we WILL keep our old name and number of posts. I was much more worried about losing the content archived in this forum. It will be available in an archive, hopefully in a searchable format.

I must admit the current forums that people come to from different magazine portals can be a little confusing when we post links to earlier posts. I post as if I come from Bead and Button but the next person posts the same link as if it came from Art Jewelry. In any event, the change will come and we'll see how everything works.

I'm an old man, I've seen a lot of change. Change is the only constant. This is a great community of beaders and jewelers. We'll survive in the new forums or we'll go elsewhere. Time will tell.

Russ - YOU'RE OLD?!?!?[:O][%-)][D)] Does that make me OLD too???

You'd better NOT go elsewhere, if you know what's good for you - get the picture?!?[}:)][:(!]

I have voted 'NO' like the most of us.

What I absolutely hate is that there will be 3 (!!!) different forums. How will you ever remember where you posted... or where you saw a certain topic about a certain subject... It's like a handbag. The more partitians, the harder it is to find what you need!