New/Unread Posts

[skb]

I think all members access new/unread posts through the Main Menu as shown

[attachment id=0]

And no one is using Category specific options shown below;

[attachment id=1]

That being the case, we'd like to get rid of the second option and improve site visually, unless we hear otherwise. If you want this retained, please let us know.

[rocky]

skb,

If it helps, I don't use either of the options that you have shown. I rely on the box to the right -> to see new posts.

[Shanny]

Hey! Leave that unread posts link alone! That's what I use for my bookmark! Why would I go the long way around when the unread posts are all I need to see?

[skb]

OK. I thought no one was using the Links in the Category headers (image 2).

[skb]

If you want I can put it in the Welcome blurb (below the logo) like this;

[attachment id=0]

[Shanny]

Whatever . . . as long as there's a direct link to unread posts. I've never seen the purpose in having to click around the site umpteen times before you can finally get where you're going if you can bookmark directly to unreads.

[walkerwally1]

I am a bit confused.  I have never seen the first version and never used the second.  When I log in to the forum I use the column on the right that shows Recent Topics / Posts and any new posts are shown with a NEW marker. 

[skb]

I am a bit confused.  I have never seen the first version and never used the second.  When I log in to the forum I use the column on the right that shows Recent Topics / Posts and any new posts are shown with a NEW marker.

Let me elaborate.
The forum structure is Category / Board / Topic / Posts. We have 4 categories, General Discussions, Forum Related, Diabetes & Food and Nutrition. Each category has a number of Boards and each Board has a number of Topics.
There are a number of ways to see the unread posts when you log in.
(1) By clicking the Posts button in the topmost Main Menu. This has a drop down choice of 4 options when you hover over it. These options are (entire) forum specific. That is what is shown in Image 1.
(2) The same 4 options (as in 1 above) are also available in the Category header bar. Only this time, they are Category specific.
(3) The Recent Topics Block in the right panel also shows the recent Topics that have been posted in. This block shows only the last 10 Topics. So if someone is logging in after two weeks, there is a chance you may miss some posts.
(4) On the Index page of the forum, there is an icon (like a scroll) to the left of the Board name. If is has a green + sign, that can also take you to the Board specific unread posts.
(5) There is also a View Recent Posts link in the Forum Info Center below all the Boards on the Index Page.

The category header with the 4 links (image 2) gets a bit crowded with those links, therefore I thought to remove (all or some of those 4) the links. I can add the New Replies and Unread links to the User Welcome blurb as shown in image 3.

All of this is the SMF design, and not of our choosing. We do have the option of redesigning the Forum layout to that of our choice.

I think, for the moment though, a status quo is called for.

[bigskygal]

I use the first option myself. Posts/New Unread.

[skb]

I use the column on the right that shows Recent Topics / Posts and any new posts are shown with a NEW marker.

JFYI everyone. The [attachment id=0] icon can be seen in the Right Panel as mentioned by Rocky / Wally. It is also present in the Topic view in the Boards (as below)

[attachment id=1]

The difference between the two is that, if there are 7 new posts in the thread, the one from the Right Panel it will take you the last post in the Topic. But, New icon from Topic view will take you to your first unread post in the topic. 

[skb]

If you want I can put it in the Welcome blurb (below the logo) like this;

[attachment id=0 msg=12764]

Link to "All Unread Posts" added to the User Welcome.