Excuse me if this has been discussed before... why does the forum never change?

[StackGambler]

What I mean is, the same archaic style that has been status quo for years continues, and I have seen no updated visually or otherwise to the forum, other than the introduction of the Merit system, which is quite cool. Why doesn't theymos update bitcointalk's UI to something that matches 2019? Is it for nostalgic purposes? Maybe, if it ain't broke, don't fix it? I don't know. I would really love a revamped bitcointalk with a sexy new UI; maybe something like Reddit's redesign which users can opt out of if they don't like it. Just wondering.

[Steamtyme]

You may want to check the Child Board "New Forum Software"

It's a project that has been ongoing since long before I got here. It does appear to have been gaining traction. There isn't a release date slated right now, but people have been testing it out.

[Silent26]

Bitcointalk forum is a SMF (Simple Machine Forum) that's why you can see the UI so simple as it is not created to attract people by putting different kind of design on it. The main purpose of the forum is to connect people to each other in the digital world which is already happening as we can see. So, why do we need to make it more attractive if the main purpose is achieved?

Also, design is not too necessary. Why do we need any 2019 theme or anything and what's so bad in the current theme? If you would ask I love it than reddit. Simplicity is beauty (what other people used to say here).

[Jet Cash]

Bitcoin Talk still manages to achieve many of its basic objectives. What would you like to see the forum adopt to bring it into the practices of the modern internet. Maybe the hijacking of laptop and mobile cameras to capture facial images? That would certainly help to cut down on spamming and fraudulent ICOs. Or perhaps we should introduce fingerprint checking at the time of registration - we could run that through police records.

One possible addition would be a blockchain based currency. It seems that merit and Trust rankings are being used as currency. In view of this, it may be worth considering a currency for use in payments to sig spammers and similar projects.

[LoyceV]

I really dislike "modern" websites with an overload of design, where the actual information seems to be less important. I don't need a "sexy UI" that takes longer to load.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

It's a project that has been ongoing since long before I got here.

Yeah, me too.  It's been in the pipeline for so long that I see it as kind of a pipe dream, although apparently now it seems to be moving toward becoming a reality.

I'm a bit torn as to whether I'd like to see an upgrade (not that it makes a difference to whether it's going to happen), because the forum as it is is very simple and does basically everything it needs to do without being bloated or overly complicated.  It's very easy to use, very intuitive, and there aren't a lot of moving parts that lead me to be confused.  I guess I'm just worried that a new design won't improve anything and that it'll take time to get used to.  Basically there's some fear of change on my part.

One of the things I can't stand about eBay is that they've changed their design and mechanics so many times over the years that just when you're getting adjusted to new changes, they change something else and the site is way different.  I'm glad Theymos hasn't done that with bitcointalk, because I think it's very important to have a consistent user interface, something that's familiar to people.  I don't like websites that keep changing their design when the changes aren't really improvements, just changes.  Having said that, there are some things I'd like to see added to this site, but overall I'm very happy with how it is.  Even the trust and merit systems, which are sort of complex, aren't even that bad.  Hopefully the new software will be a step up and won't make it more difficult to use the site--but I trust that Theymos knows about good web design, and that's not too awful an assumption.

[Strufmbae]

Well, bitcointalk is better than reddit, it may not be the colorful site but, it is quite informative than reddit when it talks about cryptocurency.
can also negotiate peer to peer with highly recommended escrows, and comments in threads are organize than in reddit.

HAIL Bitcointalk!!!!!

[gentlemand]

I'd be very happy if this forum remained as is forever. It delivers info quickly, painlessly and cleanly. I can't really think of what other bells and whistles would arouse me. I find it hard to think of many things that have undergone a significant upgrade that felt like a vast improvement. Most applications I use on my phone seem to get worse and worse until I'm forced to abandon them.

Well, bitcointalk is better than reddit, it may not be the colorful site but, it is quite informative than reddit when it talks about cryptocurency.
can also negotiate peer to peer with highly recommended escrows, and comments in threads are organize than in reddit.

'new' Reddit is a case in point. I find it a pain up the arse and much less clean. If old reddit is extinguished I can't see myself bothering with the new one.

[Daboy_Lyle]

Less Color More Learning. This forum is build of informations and it is eye-friendly. Design is simple and unique so can took a long topic as long as you can without getting hurt of your eyes. This is all about Cryptocurrency and this is not a modern based website because bitcoin is 10 year old so the forum too. You can also check this section for additional learning about the forum(updates) https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=167.0

[DdmrDdmr]

<...>

You can already get a glimpse of what Epochtalk looks and feels like. Epochtalk is meant to enable the implementation of a variety of forums, being Bitcointalk eventually one of the instances running on that software.

@lulucrypto has set up a forum to test Epochtalk (see Cryptos-Currencies.Com : First forum using Epochtalk), with around 40 registered people who have performed some testing and bug reporting. It’s got some good things going for it, but also some apparent bugs and feature lacks in comparison to the current forum software, but it’s an indication of which way the progress is moving, and it is fully testable (note, it is not a test environment of a semi-migrated Bitcointalk forum though, but rather of the underlying-to-be software).

[DooMAD]

Echoing the sentiments of everyone who likes the layout as it is.  It's perhaps not ideal on a smartphone, but that's the closest thing to a complaint I have about it.  Most modern "layouts" just involve adding an unnecessary overabundance of white-space to make it look "clean".  Definitely not a fan of those.

[StackGambler]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I'm inclined to agree. The only problem I think that needs urgent change is the mobile version of this site. It's hard as fuck to read. 

[gentlemand]

Echoing the sentiments of everyone who likes the layout as it is.  It's perhaps not ideal on a smartphone, but that's the closest thing to a complaint I have about it.  Most modern "layouts" just involve adding an unnecessary overabundance of white-space to make it look "clean".  Definitely not a fan of those.

Actually I would prefer a total revamp of the mobile version. There seem to be differing versions but all the ones I've tried like wap2 and others meant you couldn't quote other posts and ignore didn't work. There seem to be third party iterations here and there but that's not my bag. I wouldn't change a thing about the desktop version.

[hugeblack]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I'm inclined to agree. The only problem I think that needs urgent change is the mobile version of this site. It's hard as fuck to read. 

You can try puffin browser, it's the best in browsing when the site does not support mobile version.
Personally, I like this version. It gives a little different, as it is much faster than other sites. Plus easy access to news.

[Silent26]

The only problem I think that needs urgent change is the mobile version of this site. It's hard as fuck to read.  

How can you say so that it is hard to read it in mobile? I've been using mobile phone in browsing Bitcointalk for almost all of my time logged-in in here but I never experienced such thing. To be honest it's really handy and convenient. Are you having difficulties to read because the words are too snall in mobile? If yes then you can try to zoom it buddy.

You can try puffin browser, it's the best in browsing when the site does not support mobile version.

Actually there is no difference between other mobile browsers and puffin. I have tried different browsers before to access Bitcointalk but there are no difference. Anyway, puffin's interface is much better than chrome and the others.

[lobcmt2]

I really dislike "modern" websites with an overload of design, where the actual information seems to be less important. I don't need a "sexy UI" that takes longer to load.

Not only overload issues, but also simplicity is the best for older, traditional users.
With strong, and efficient devices, fast Internet connections today, loading is not big issues.
Of course, young generations might prefer new, modern, colorful designs, but I dislike all those features.
I think it is issues between generational preferences.
And, theymos is not a young man, I guess based on the recently disable animated avatars one or two weeks ago.

[UserU]

Not only overload issues, but also simplicity is the best for older, traditional users.
With strong, and efficient devices, fast Internet connections today, loading is not big issues.
Of course, young generations might prefer new, modern, colorful designs, but I dislike all those features.
I think it is issues between generational preferences.
And, theymos is not a young man, I guess based on the recently disable animated avatars one or two weeks ago.

The latest version of SMF (2.1 RC1) makes the whole forum even better and mobile-friendly for the first time in history by excluding mods and themes. Loads of interesting new features such as refreshed profile header and alerts.

One of major gripes I have is that there are no notifications when I'm being quoted.

[BlackMambaPH]

For some reason its good to be a friendly-user forum. No need more explanation.

[cestmoi]

And, theymos is not a young man, I guess based on the recently disable animated avatars one or two weeks ago.

Pardon ?
Theymos is under 30, hopefully he still qualify as "young man".

Cheers

[Harlot]

You might be also a Redditor asking yourself why other forums cannot update their U.I. like what they did but to tell you honestly I like the forum's UI design as is as its straight to the point with no sophistication needed for 2019. This is a forum and not a social media website which needs to be fancy in order to attract members, all we need is simple a way to create a thread and post in it which BCT has been giving since day one. But to keep the conversation going I am curious to hear what changes "visually" you are wanting to see in the forum?