I have a number of minor problems with the user friendliness of Connect. However my main problem with it that sets it many paces back from the original Forum is the following: 

On the Forum if there's a new post in an established thread, it brings the thread up to the top of the postings. Everyone is then aware of the new posting, new information etc. People, whether previously involved in the thread or not, can get involved with their feedback & comments. This is particularly useful when others want feedback/advice from experienced Olivians or girls that have already taken a particular trip. So frequently Forum people post a note saying "anyone know.....?" Doubt they would get an answer on Connect but they would on the Forum. Unless everyone joins every group Connect?

On Connect, a new posting will not bring a Group or SubGroup to peoples attention that way. For groups other than the personal interest groups I have joined I have to go searching.

Early on, I established a Group for the Danube Cruise. No matter how often I post on it no one will know it's there unless they search. It is now way down on page 2 of Travel & eventually will end up on goodness knows what page. The only people that will be aware of postings are the existing members of that group. There is no doubt in my mind that eventually there will be multiple groups for the same trips because people will not search & will establish duplicate groups.

I hope you understand what I've said here, I did have trouble explaining it!

OK, a very irritating point that I've already identified by e-mail: When we send personal notes to friends it would be nice to have it saved so that when we get a response we can refer back to what we said. Maybe I'm alone in this concern? Maybe it's just my post-menopausal self that has this problem?

Jeri,

Initially I was very excited about the new web site.  I looked forward to having a place to share pictures from trips and maybe even live chats.  I must say that I am underwhelmed.  The old site is so much easier to use and even though I am considered a "power user" I find the new site frustrating and slow.  I am very concerned to loose the valuable information that has been available on the old site.  I still go back to older threads for information.  The old format was very straight forward and easy to use for everyone.  I even had the main forum page set as my "home" so when I logged on in the morning, I could browse the threads and see what everyone was talking about that day while I was getting dressed.  I am very concerned when I hear rumours that it is being shut down.  I can't say that I will end up switching to the new site as it currently stands.  as for email, I can email my friends much quicker using outlook than I can using this site.  about the only thing I like is the text editor now has a spell check!  for that I am eternally grateful!

 Ok, I just tried to use the spell checker and my google blocked at popup, that this program wanted to run.  I guess I'll just continue to use my google spell check.  Once again, underwhelmed with your site!

Jeri,

A number of active forum participants have raised issues and concerns (on the old Olivia Forum) "ask Jeri and Jill" thread regarding this new site.  Are they being heard?  And can you tell us if there are any plans underway to address them or to incorporate any changes in this new site in response to them?

 And is this the best place to ask specific questions about the new site, and it's operation or any issues or concerns about maneuvering through and around it?

Please let us know.

Thanks!

Barbara

Jeri,

 I'm with you on this new journey, even though it will be with great sadness that I leave the original "Forum" behind.  I have a special fondness for how it's "user-friendliness" made popping in quickly to check or post a message so easy.  And, you're right, many of us who met and first got to know each other via the forum are still friends today and feeling closer than ever! 

 When one first thinks of an Olivia "journey" a cruise, resort or adventure trip comes to mind.  Travel via the internet and the Olivia forum has been a journey for many of us too, with very interesting stops along the way and an even greater number of memorable "characters"!

 I hope, in time, that this new site becomes very user-friendly and creates even greater opportunity for the birth of friendships and relationships and comraderie, Q&A, and lots of fun!   Change isn't easy, nor is leaving something you loved or enjoyed behind, but I'm willing to see how this new site evolves and hope others are, too.

 Thanks for being the familiar "voice" that welcomes us here!

Barbara

Hello!

If you are reading this you made it over to our beautiful new site. It's like moving into a new home for me - I remember when we first launched the Forum. I was asked to be the Moderator and I had no idea what that meant or what was in store for me.

I remember logging on to the Forum ten or twenty times a day, just waiting for a new post. It was a slow start with just a few posts a day, but it started growing. Before I knew it, it became impossible to read every single post. The amazing part was watching our past guests reaching out and answering questions by sharing their experiences. Then amazing friendships started to develop, which turned into gatherings on our vacations.

The Purple Women of the Western Caribbean were the first really large group who connected strongly before their trip. They chatted day and night and would use the refresh key to have live conversations with each other like instant messaging. The brought glow necklaces so they could easily spot each other. They had quite a week of fun together. I'm sure many of them have remained friends.

I can't even say Hawaii without the Hordettes popping into my head. WOW -- what a group. They took over the Mai Tai bar at the Royal Hawaii one night, they participated in the Luau the next night, then on to the Olivia Welcome Party the next night ... all that before they even got on the ship for ten days. When I think of that group I think of Indi - how she managed to participate in all the solo events and the Hordette events - she must have had a clone. Every time I saw her she was heading somewhere 90 miles and hour.

They hold the record, and probably always will, for the number of posts under one thread. I love it that they are still chatting with each other today. One of them needs to start a group and a thread on this new site – if you need help, let me know!

There was a reunion of sorts of the Purple Women on our Caribbean Islands cruise. My dear friend Barbara (Brewmax) was one of the ring leader there. I know she took a lot of newbies under her wing. She the Fraiser of the Olivia Forum with her amazing words of advise – she’s on day and night - she’s always listening.

On that cruise they enjoyed a Forum Friends lunch that was filmed by the LOGO channel for a piece they are doing on cruising with Olivia. I can't wait to see it ... we'll certainly keep you posted on when it will be aired!

Up next is the Yellow Women of Caribbean Escapes set to meet up at the end of March when we set sail on our Caribbean Escape cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. I’m joining them on the trip and can’t wait to see their faces as they meet each other for the first time.

So, here I am standing in this new doorway – I’ve got all my love and memories from the old Forum tucked and packed away and I’m ready to move in to this beautiful new home.

Won’t you be my neighbors?

Jeri