What's with this new Houzz thing?

I was/am exclusively GW and really know nothing of Houzz. Not being very tech savvy, I don't even really know what to grouse about other than this is "different". Spend my time on Hot Topics and it's slow, but I suspect the regulars will find their way back after a period of adjustment and there will, once again, be some topics to discuss.

There are some things I'd like to see - a Preview Option since many of us like to review what we write for punctuation and typos, etc. before submitting. An unopened or new thread should be highlighted so you know where you've been.

Got an email a couple weeks ago announcing GW and Houzz would be merging. Evidently GW was absorbed by Houzz, therefore the Houzz appearance. Cruise the posts enough and you'll find many familiar names still around along with a few unfamiliar ones. Guess the new names are with Houzz, familiar ones came in with GW. Expect everything to still chug along just fine after a period of getting used to the new look. But, I DO agree, not too impressed with this format. I would really like to see a preview option and a few more whistles 'n bells for the text/reply window.

Hopefully the management will READ what is going on, and adapt accordingly, do you think that would be possible? I do hate to lose this wonderful computer group, I have belonged since I found it in 99 when I first came online, and hate to think of not having a place to come when I need help, as a senior, that seems to be more often lately.

Thanks for your response, shaddy

I never received the notification email and had to jump through hoops to get back on here.

When I requested help, they came back saying they couldn't find my email etc.

After much clicking and searching, finally found a "Did you get your notification" message and was able to reestablish myself.

On the new site so far: 1) I couldn't sign in, 2) the security capture, the one that makes you type words to prove you aren't a web bot, wouldn't work (with 2 people trying...), 3) I had to set up a new account...

4) The site's new look, resembling Google's new design theme, is boring and ugly; the old design was better. The new one looks flat, drab, and like it was designed by someone who likes text lists. I hope the new site owners will forget about emulating Google. Google's new android Lollipop OS design look is so dull and unexciting I hope it never appears on my phone or tablet...

5) If anyone on staff is reading this, I'd like my old account back. My email address is

ooo_hal_000@yahoo.com. My user name is hald. Can you send me an email to reset the password in my old account? I can't access it...

What a battle. I hope it is temporary.

My user name and account would not confirm. My e-mail address was recognized as active already as was the my user name, but constant error. Houzz responded to an e-mail and only questioned the status of my GW account. After I assured them with information and examples that the account was valid I haven't gotten a reply. I just broke down and created a new account until all is resolved.

Shaddy I understand your wanting to keep the same user. My original 1998 user name was lost in the early 2000s when THS/GW had a malfunction. Others did too. I had to create another account. I've since used that user name, e-mail address and password. They kind of grow on you.

As it says, still DA

Glad you are still here DA, I was fortunate I guess, didn't have any trubble getting back to the group here, seemed a bit redundant to be tho, after being a user all these years, having to "prove" who I really am? Please stay, want to feel comfy again with the old group, hope that can happen. Is Grams around somewhere? Haven't heard from her in a while that I can see, if she is gone, there goes the whole down the drain.

thinking back a bit, seem to remember the glitch you spoke of just now, which led me to doing my handle in small letters, not a capital s, wasn't there some issue that GW couldn't support itself, and was selling subs to those that could afford it, and remember folks stepping up and purchasing for others just to keep things good on the computer forum. sure hope that doesn't rear it's ugly head again.

I know how to reach Bobbie. I will see she gets your concern and maybe a confirmation status for her.

DA

xx

thank you give her my best.

Yesterday I went to this forum page, and what a shock! Had no idea this was happening. Haven't been using this forum much in recent months, and not sure I'll be using it any more than I have been. Have to get used to the new format, etc.

I joined so far back, we had to pay for certain "member accounts" to use some of the forums. I had no trouble verifiying my account. Am not happy with the new look, it's hard for my old eyes with new glasses to read. Boring too. Guess the stark look is what every one in the tech field thinks is appealing. Way way bad, they took off the preview option. No way to edit your post either. Maybe they read some of these and will make some needed changes. We can all hope.

You can edit your comment after it's submitted. To do so, look for the pen (pencil?) at the upper right corner of your post, then click it. You're now in Edit Mode.

I've been here since the old Virtual Mirror days and have been through a few changes here but nothing like this one. I didn't have a problem confirming my user name or email address but I know of some others that did have problems much like DA's. Like the comments above this format is rather washed out and dull. Hopefully those in charge will read the comments and change things up in the near future.

Bob

I got an e-mail from Houzz. They claim a Houzz member had already registered my old user name. I was directed to go into the new user name profile and edit the public display to what I want. I used the antique from 1998. Now all I have to do is remember the new user name and password.

They have my e-mail address tagged to the ghost account and I have asked them to remove it so I can use it here. It's still mine and I have been communicating with them on it so I hope they will do it. For those of you folks that have that address it it is still GOOD. We will see.

DA

Hi shaddy101,

I'm here yet. I just chose to 'follow' you, in case I ever want to message you via the site. You would have to 'follow' me though before I could ever message you.

I've read though (per the terms of use) that messages sent via the site are not necessarily private or confidential.

still_da, weren't you dacoy or something similar?

I recognize grandms and secsteve. HI!

I'll be back later with computer questions.

Sue

In spite of the change, good to see some of the oldies back, wonder is Cat out there somewhere too? Know she gave up but then came back cuz I spoke to her via emails a couple times. good to see ya Grams, missed you, and want to hear about the wedding for sure.

Chemocurl, how nice of you to stop in, think of you often in the spring when things start to turn here, but have downsized a great deal, so not any iris left, sad to say, but lets stay in touch? I know there are others that perhaps are lurking behind other stage names, that were in the really old group, but always good to see even just ordinary GW members back, and don't care for the format myself, hoping we can get that changed somewhat.

Stick with old friends, they are always the best, looking forward to catching up with others as well. Talk soon?

Shaddy

I tried to get to the Computer Forum this morning and what a surprise. Houzz told me I had to log in but when I tried to they said that someone else had my user name--which I have had since 2002. Ginny12. So I am now Ginny12first.

Most of all, I'm glad to see some familiar names and hope I'll soon see others.

Ginny you could do what I had to do if you want.

Upper right corner click on Your Houzz. Select Edit Profile. Under Profile Information Is First Name (Publicly Displayed). Type there what you want members to see. Click on update.

Your user name, password, and e-mail address for ginny12first will remain the same as when you created it. What members see on threads will be this new edit.

DA

Thanks for that, DA. Just followed your directions so this is a test. I do wonder who that other Ginny12 is tho....

What a turmoil this is. Need a GPS to find our way around."LOL"

Took it in stride. No sweat.

My guess for what's happening is (as I posted once elsewhere) :

Gardenweb user's names were already on file as always, waiting for them when they came into Houzz.

But Houzz put up that very innocuous looking alert - if you can even call it that - at the top of the page that says "Trying to access your GardenWeb Account? Confirm Your Account".

Because it doesn't stand out, and there was no forewarning of the move to Houzz, most people arrived on the new Houzz page a bit in shock and confusion, and their first thought was, "Ok, I guess I have to register with Houzz now," and looked around for a registration page. Some of us even thought the gardenweb site had been hijacked.

But that fresh registration without going through the "Confirm your Account" made it look like you were a separate and additional user to the Houzz registration process.

I emailed Houzz about this yesterday.

The main problem to me is that Houzz does not make that "alert" stand out enough to capture people's attention, especially when you arrive on a page for the first time, where everything looks 100% different. It just looks the typical noise on a page that we've all learned to ignore.

It would have been a lot better if there had been some kind of lead in to the big change (email alert ?), and a much more prominent and user friendly welcome and "alert".

As it is, for me personally, the whole thing is a bit of a turn off, and I'm contemplating leaving the site for good. I mean, it looks like I'm in some insignificant nether corner on some silly shopping site.

Please don't leave, hopeful things will work out for the better, as we have been thru this sort of upheaval before, and many of us weathered the storm, and were glad we did. I am not thrilled with the format, and as you stated, would have been nice if an alert were sent out, or sumpin, to come here from my bookmarks and find this site, thought I had done the wrong click. What a shock to see this is what we get! If we all hang tight, and keep pestering for decent site, am hopeful we can get what we want, if not, then the exodus can start for all of me, but sure would hate to lose my good help here on the GW site, as it will always be to me. Been here 15 years and counting, should stand for something I would think?

KB,

Whether your guess is accurate or not it is logical. However, in my case I began getting an "Error contact customer service" since the first day, and that was without me doing anything but trying to confirm my account that one time.

I agree that the site appears more commercially focused. Time will tell.

DA

I got an email about it and offering me a gift which I forgot to claim in time. I thought it was a Phising email since there is so much of that going around and hadn't had time to read the boards much then saw the change. I am 51 and wear glasses and the old forrmat worked better for my eyes as the print was bigger and bolder but will adjust. Mary

Hi there Shaddy. I am still here. I had a time too getting everything straightened out. My problem though was my own fault. They couldnt send me a confirmation email, because, I had never changed the email I registered with when I had to re register, years back. I ended up creating a new account with Houzz, and tried to use the cat_ky name, and they kept telling me, it was being used already. Well, of course, it was, it was me, but, rather than mess around, I just reversed it to ky_cat and it went through just fine. Once that was done, I edited it in profile back to cat_ky. I actually thought about going back to my original garden web name, before the pay to post, and all the other glitches, which was just Cat, but, I left it at what I have been using lately when I post on gardenweb. I agree with all, it is boring, no doubt about that. I have poked around a bit, though, and have figured out the features that I use, and the ones, I have no interest in, I just ignore. I guess, we will all get used to the new site, but, we dont have to like it. :-))) Cat

Good to see your "handle", perhaps you have been posting, and I hadn't seen it, not always visiting often, but when I do, seems to be of gigantic porportions. I forget so many things that I could/should do to help myself, cuz I don't do them that much anymore. Makes me feel like I am home again, to see so many familiar names. I also remember a Paul that was so kind and helpful, as well as Mikie, many surely have left long ago. Also Madhuri was a good fella too.
Just learning sometimes is a real process. Yes, we will learn to adapt to this new format, but I am hopeful there will be some changes due to the griping of the users. We should count for something!

If you want to bounce a couple of old timers' names around, how about Wolfgang and my sweetheart Dreamweaver.

DA

There was also many many years ago Win. I am betting, that some of those old email addresses with names are on the hardrive of my old windows 95, if I hooked it up, with a lot of names from way back when. The hardrive is in a box in the closet somewhere.

DA, I do not recall Wolfgang, but Dreamweaver was my idol, she made things happen for me I never would have thought possible. Step by step she did the scans, the upkeep I never knew was needed and it was so appreciated. I do believe I have a couple of the original emails from her, cut and pasted in my book, and really cut and pasted! She was so good about explaining things, and so clear too. Someone sent me a picture believe it was Grams? I never knew what the angel known as Dreamweaver looked like, but she was a real doll wish I had known her even better. I feel I missed something there/

Also, CAT, I used to have access to believe it was pages on the Wayback machine that featured some of the oldies, and the info they provided us for taking care of the machines. I lost them when I got W7, but I used to go back and read them for old time's sake.

Dear Haldd - I just sent you a private email asking for help getting back into the forums. It has been hell the last few days to the point I decided I had no more time for this. However, just now I see I can post. a Miracle Although my screen shows a message ordering me to CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL. Let's see if I'm in or not -- under my new screen name.

You are in Shaddy. :-)) Somewhere I have the link to the wayback machine. I will look for it tomorrow and post it for you, unless someone else posts it first.

Oh, now, to remember how the darn thing works, but this is a wonderful surprise Cat, thanks so much, you have made my day!

Hi Cat...................

How about a few more old-timers from way back... Tiger_SunnyFla... Cynic... TxKen... Roselvr...RockyRose...Mickoz...PaulMYoung and Biloxi.

I can hardly say how great it is reading all the posts. I hope evereyone stays. I come here for the conversations. They'll improve the wallpaper. I agree with Kbar (please stay) and also think the pc/android/mac/ stuff is being worked on. The site didn't render correctly on my win8 laptop. The site looks nice and functions well on my android tablet. I hope the site is a great success.

Bob,

I find interesting the names you shared. I just checked and I still have five of those names in the addressbook of the e-mail account that I have tagged to the forums.

DA

Love that Ivillage is no longer. They shot themselves in the foot with their over the top nannyism and censorship of even the most benign everyday words, not to mention all the pros who were giving excellent advice on their own dime being pushed off. It's great to see GW enter the 21st century at last. Kicking and screaming perhaps, but long overdue.

Dont forget Saugen48, Ken E, Karen, Pinecone, Tim in NC, JamesS, and Andy B52, among many others. :-))

Hi Emma. How is everything with you?

Shaddy, here is the link for wayback for you. https://web.archive.org/web/20020206200216/http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

Hi Cat, Been sleeping in my recliner hopefully the pain will stop.............. eventually.

Cat, got nowhere with the link says not there, wondering...

The link that Cat posted takes me to the wayback machine. You will need to copy the url and open in a new window.

Will try again, fingers crossed.

I didn't get the complete address, got it this time, and am tickled with the results. Thanks PK, repeats are good sometimes!

I had trouble getting back here also. first signed on thru Facebook then changed things a bit. have been coming here sense 2002. Have not posted much but do come and read. Nice to see all the oldies.
jshultz

Hi Jim. I dont remember when I first came here, but, Computer help was fairly new. I have looked at posts from 2001 that I made, havent gone beyond that. Been a long time, anyway. LOL

Shaddy, glad you got the link to work.

Emma, will email you when I get an extra 5 minutes around here.

DA... funny thing... 5 of the names I posted were people I had emailed with at one time or another. I think Biloxi changed his username to Marooma we know him as Terry.

This post had me reading some of the threads I had saved dating back to 2001 that were most helpful at the time.... or even a little controversial. lol

Do ya remember when we got banned sometimes for saying the wrong thing? I believe that was before it cost money to belong? or maybe afterwards? So many changes, and still people stuck around, seems it always works out somehow. Anyway good to see whomever back again, always good to have an old friend at your back.

We weren't banned, but rather banished to Disney. If you were being punished by Spike and you clicked on any THS hyperlink you were re-directed to disney.com. Sometimes you were never allowed to come back.

I remember the only time I got banished. A member went to Spike because she didn't like my answer to a post. Nothing mean, or derogatory. I think she was embarrassed as she was corrected. (There were thin skinned, always-look-through-rosey-glasses, overly sensitive, and yes even rude and know-it-all members then too.) So without discussion I got banned. Several weeks later iVillage took over and my good friend Poohbear went behind the scenes with the truth. I was allowed to return immediately.

I was sent to Disneyed for a year thanks to Spike. This site stinks. I couldn't log on but I have shortcuts to orchids and computers and was on when I used the shortcuts. Where's Mikie??

Oh, another change! Why is it when we have a "change for the better" it is always worse and we hate it.

I have been on Computer Help forever. Many years ago, during Spike's time, I learned so much from this forum. Now I just pop in once in awhile. I guess getting older makes me not too receptive to change.

Remember when we could post using different names each time if wanted to?

Like one time I used the name Alice to ask a question I was too embarrassed to ask coming from me.

Then the wise ones looked at Source and seen several names belonging to the same IPS so our disguise was shot down the drain. "LOL".

How wonderful to have these memories, and of those that have left us as well, lets hope for good things to come, and I still come here to ask questions, and learn something new, even seniors can use help, still skeered to do some things, the darn machine is far too smart sometimes.
What an interesting post this has been, keep up the hope folks, we have to make it happen, and it will if we think good thoughts.

I am terrible at remembering names. There have been so many good helpers here at CH. One man who was so good at helping everyone used to say a lot...."if it aint' broke, don't fix it". I have thought of that a lot and have used his good thoughts.

Another fella said, and I have it still on the desk here,
"Never show fear to a computer...they can smell it. Boldly go to Start, Settings, Add/Remove programs, and shout, "For God and country". If your heart is pure, and your quest rightous, all will be well."
I believe he signed his comments, as PaulMYoung, and he sure helped me a lot.
I can't begin to imagine how old that message is, but stands me in good stead always.

Good Grief, Leave awhile & things seems to be turned upside down & sideways. I AM LOST.

I come here & read as I learn.. I have been given a LOT of HELP to which I sure appreciate.

I never received an E-mail. At least I am able to keep my old handle.

Where is all the rest of the pages? Surely all subjects are just crammed into one page.

I was here when Spike was.. had a trip or 2 to Disney Land.

I have used this handle since 2000..So long ago but seems like yesterday. I think I was just plain Sugar till I moved to FL.. I'm in Alabama now.

I guess I'll go & look around & see if I can find my way.

sugar_fl