On the left hand side of the messages page you have:
your profile
networking
settings and options
private messages
subscribed threads
and misc

i usually go there to read messages and not to make changes to my profile. but the way it is set up i have to scroll down to get to messages if i dont sent a reply - to get to the "private mesage" link, to read another message.
people probably change a profile or setting very little - they dont need to be at the top - you can scroll down to get them.
networking is probably used by members more than everything else except subscribed threads but i would bet that people just use the pull down to get there - but maybe not. so i would switch their order.
misc has the attachments and we are always posting things so i suggest that it be higher to be more user friendly.
i would bet that your system can tell how many times people use each item on their page - so have them dump the count for each category and i would bet it will be pretty close to my suggested changes.
so here is my suggestion - next time your it guy comes in he change the order to this:

private messages
subscribed threads
networking
misc
settings and options
your profile

 

You are describing the UserCP main page, which stands for User Control Panel. You don't have to go to the UserCP to read your PMs. Click on the "Your Notifications" link in the upper right corner. The drop-down box will give you a direct link to your PM box.



Note: Even if you don't have any unread PMs, the link shown in the above will still take you to your PM box. It's a link to your PM box.

If you don't have any "Your Notifications" (this changes depending on your account activity), you'll have the following:



You can click on the Private Messages link, shown above, and it will take you to your PM box.

So why go to the UserCP when you can do the same as shown above? The latter one is one-click than your method. It couldn't be much easier?

 

i realize i dont have to go there initially, but if you have more than one message and the one you open first does not require a reply - you just read it - then you are already there and need to read the next.
the fact you can do it a different way does not change the fact that the page is poorly laid out for use while you are there.
but i dont own the site and they can do it however they want - but it does say SUGGESTIONS - if they dont want them maybe they should eliminate it.
and it is obvious that you find the page important as its the second link in the red line on the top of the page - user cp.
and you said nothing about the ease of use when you are on the page.

 

ThirdGen.org did not not design or build the software, vBulletin did. Also, we run one of the most popular community based forum software (vBulletin) for a few reasons. Ease of use and familiarity for our users is one of those reasons. You will find that "poorly laid out" page is "stock" for vBulletin on hundreds-thousands of other Internet websites that use the software. We could change things, but as I said, we cannot change them just for one single person (or even small group). The software does not allow that customization to be stored in your preferences.

With that in mind, there are only two options as follows:

1) We create another style, using the suggestions you made, and you use that style. But that is not a scalable solution.

2) We could change our main style sheets, but then the thousands of other users we have will be impacted. In addition the familiarity will be impacted as well. This is because those users who use vBulletin on other sites will have to recall that we're "different" and it's not in the same location. This isn't rocket science, but is one of those thoughtless processes for most because they are use to the procedure.

We listen to reasonable suggestions. I merely mentioned that you don't have to use the procedures that you do, and that your method is slightly inefficient.

Due to various reasons, which range from technical to preferences, we can't fulfill some requests. I'm sure you understand the meaning of "suggestions" and that, such as life, suggestions will be turned down. We (staff) are in place to make the decisions we feel are best for the website. I'm also here to let you know what is, and what is not, technically possible.

The location of the UserCP is stock vBulletin install. We didn't change it, nor did we place it there. The UserCP is important, nor just for PMs, but for being an avenue to controlling several aspects of your account.

The UserCP has been around for many years in the vBulletin software. It may be due for an update, given some of the functions in the UserCP can now be updated/changed elsewhere. A few months ago, that was not the case. But ThirdGen.org did not design the UserCP layout.

Personally, I find the page easy to use. It's the same way across all the other dozens of websites I visit that also use vBulletin. It's easy to use for users because they don't really have to think where the links are, they are familiar with them because all other websites they visit, that run the same vBulletin software, are most likely the same (in that area).

That all said, thinking of the suggestion and issue you raise, I think a better solution might be to place "Previous" and "Next" links in the PMs itself so that it makes it easier, and right there, to move between PMs. This is what some web-based email clients do, which is comparable.

 

its your site - do as you wish - but even the builder might like to know about ease of use. software is designed to be user friendly. software should always be controlled by the user not the other way around.
i am sure they are a fine company but programers are programers and end users are end users.
it was just a suggestion.
you could just have easily said - nothing, or thank you we will pass it along, but you chose the 3rd choice - lets get defensive.
so my suggestion has been made, you wil do what you do - you will post what you post, and i will drop the topic as i did my part in making a suggestion i thought would help.

 

A few things to note. I can, and often do, make such changes to (ThirdGen.org) with consideration to feedback given from users and staff. However, not all suggestions are easily implemented or can be implemented due to technical reasons or preferences. Some users (ThirdGen.org and beyond) don't care to be concerned with, or would not know what is involved with, such suggests. We (staff) are here to do what we believe is best for the website (within our control) and I try to address such issues.

I do not believe I got defensive. At first, I pointed out an alternative option as it appears you were not using the site efficiently. I also made an effort by providing screen captures to help illustrate this.

I then broke down the options:

1) Create a new style, with your suggestions, that can be used. Simple fact is, this is not a scalable solution.

2) Make the changes to our existing styles - which means the changes would be forced on ALL users. This changes the familiarity and ease of use for ALL users. We cannot please everyone. Simple matter of fact is that some will like the change, and some not. That's why we're here, to make the decisions we feel are best.

In addition, I then made an alternative suggestion, which you did not address, of adding "Previous" and "Next" links in the PMs. Given the userCP is a "control panel" and does more than PMs, I'm not convinced about the need to change the links. You could use your browser's back button.

I'm not suggesting it is a bad idea. But you need to understand that we can't please everyone, and while some might like the change, others will not. When they don't, it's us that will hear from them, not you

If you feel I was defensive, to be fair and honest, your response above would be in the same category.

Finally, I'm listening and willing to make (reasonable) changes when I believe it is best and has support from staff and/or users.

Thanks.

PS. Programmers are also end users.