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Welcome to our new website

3:10pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008 in


WELCOME to the new-look Swindon Advertiser website.

There are a number of changes and we hope you enjoy exploring.

Here’s a brief overview of some new features:

The navigation of our site has changed – the sections are now listed across the top of the page, rather than down the left-hand side.

You will find weather, up-to-date travel information and what’s on listings on our homepage, making it easy for you to keep an eye on what’s going on.

Blogs, columns, letters and the forum are now grouped together under Your Say – just click on the link on the top navigation bar.

Also in Your Say, we have a new feature – Ask The Editor, which gives readers the chance to grill Adver editor Dave King about any issues relating to the newspaper or the website.

Due to popular demand, we have introduced a new Your Neighbourhood section, which allows anyone in our area to put their items of news and pictures straight on to our site. All you have to do is email us and we will send you a password and instructions. Later in the year, we aim to give all areas of our patch their own dedicated mini-site, but in the meantime we hope you will enjoy using the general Neighbourhood section.

Where Are They Now? and Lost And Found have moved to the forums section.

Our new, improved homepage allows you to see what’s newest and best on our site at a glance – you can see pictures, video, the editor’s choice, breaking news and much more.

You may find some sections have moved, so please have a good look round – you can click here for a site map.

If you have any problems or questions, leave your comments below or email us by clicking here.

Comments(55)

LordBelacqua says...
3:54pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Although it does look fantastic, it is a little crowded now...

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The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man says...
4:33pm Tue 22 Jul 08

1) Looks better than before, although too much information and no seperation between elements is not easy on the eyes! I guess we'll get used to it.
2) Lost my old account info, could not sign in with my old account as it said it no longer exists. However it wouldn't let me sign up with the same user name because it exists(?)
3) I could sign in before with email address. I can no longer do so, so I have to use my impossibly long user name that I created because of (2).
4) what's with the security word captcha? I've already confirmed my email address/user name is valid, so what is the purpose of this? Certainly not to prevent spamming!

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emmylou83 says...
4:36pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I'm confused!!! - Doesn't take much, but it does look very very posh now

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cfa says...
4:36pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I don't know if it's just me but the revamped site would not accept my user name or password so I have had to re-register.

Anyone else ha problems?

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emmylou83 says...
4:48pm Tue 22 Jul 08

bioth me and lordb had to re-register

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yiddo says...
4:49pm Tue 22 Jul 08

cfa wrote:
I don't know if it's just me but the revamped site would not accept my user name or password so I have had to re-register.Anyone else ha problems?
You are so right and bleeding confusing. Sorry Adver you have got it so wrong, whats the saying "if it aint broken dont fix it"

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LordBelacqua says...
4:49pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I have to say, some of the security words are rather amusing. The one I've got now is "wife-skin". One for you Grumps I think ;)

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Web Team says...
4:59pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Hello all

Hope you're getting used to the new site!

Unfortunately one of the things with the new system is that you have to re-register - but you only need to do it the once. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Grumpy Old Man (now known as The Artist Formerly Known As...) the reason you have had to change your name is because one of our bloggers has the username Grumpy Old Man, and he is already registered with the site and we cannot have duplicates.

If you have any other questions, you know where we are.

Web Team

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yiddo says...
5:10pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Web team, would'nt let me in as steve-o, you cant find Forums on the list ,honest mate its tosh

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Web Team says...
5:15pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Hi Yiddo (aka steve-o)
Forums can now be found under Your Say, and if you scroll to the top of this article there is a quick overview of the new site and where you can now find things.

Hope that helps

Web Team

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PeeGee says...
5:17pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Sack the web designer.

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yiddo says...
5:29pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Thank you wb team tried and was ok, still dont like new format tho

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The Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man says...
5:41pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Hi Web team - yes I know there is a blogger called "Grumpy Old Man", he's me, or at least it was on the old site! Point is it wouldn't let me log in with my existing user-name and password, the "forgot password" does not recognise my email address, and so the long and the short of it is that I am now "the Artist formally known as Grumpy Old Man". I'd have thought the user name would have given it away!

And the rest of my comments still stand!

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tibbie says...
5:51pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I've also had to re-register, time will tell though on the design of the new site

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the poster formerly known as Crosspatch says...
5:54pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I have also had to change my name as would not let me log in yet claims another poster with same name... rediculous. Not sure about new site, far too crowded certainly. Sure it will grow on me... like fungus on a tree

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Donkey says...
6:00pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Just re-signed in ... not really any trouble in doing that.

The site is new, fresh and other than a mis-spelling of the word 'Successful' on activating the log in, I have no obvious gripes ... and that is a bit of a shock coming from the keyboard of the Donkey!

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The Builder says...
6:31pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Maybe it is just me but I think the new site looks terrible. The stories on the left had side look squeezed right to the edge. The page looks really cluttered and doesn't size itself automatically. Unless you open the window fully you have to use the horizontal scroll bar to see what is on the right hand edge.

I can't see how to resize the text - is the site DDA compliant ?

Overall opinion - you have wrecked the site. Would a simple colour rebrand have been enough ?

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RFM says...
6:38pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Love it!! Not as good as UKIP's site though.

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Sir Fawn Maker says...
7:21pm Tue 22 Jul 08

URRRGGHHH

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Big Mac says...
7:25pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Very American looking - I'm guessing it's based around an open source content management system?

I don't mind it though, it's certainly less dated looking than the old version.

Just a shame that 15% of the top of the site is taken up with lame advertising.

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I Too says...
7:52pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I had the same problem as most.
Wouldn't recognise my previous log in, on password retrieval.
Yet it claims somebody of the same name exists etc.
PANTS
If it ain't broke...don't "fix" it

as for having to type "head-milk", to re-confirm my existence....
That surely is PANTS

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Sashstaff says...
9:19pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Hmm... site is a bit 'busy' for me now TBH, bit of sensory overload going on here! I think you might have put an end to my late night tipsy comments, I won't be able to figure out to post 'em.

I bet there is a poor work-experience web designer crying his geeky little heart out now!

Are these security words made up deliberately.... I have to type in lazy-king! Surely the editor isn't that bad.

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src says...
9:25pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Dumbest web page design I have seen for a long time. Splitting the page into three columns and leaving a large percentage of two of those columns blank - what were they thinking?

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Malkym says...
10:30pm Tue 22 Jul 08

What a load of old guff just to leave a comment on how "pony and trap" the site is

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Rocky Raccoon says...
10:46pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Possibly the worst revamp of a site I have seen in a while. The old design was far more usable, even if it was a little dated in design.

I just hope you are not paying over market rate for your web designer (or paid a lot for the QMS package, delete as appropriate)

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Malkym says...
10:48pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Web Team wrote:
Hello allHope you're getting used to the new site!Unfortunately one of the things with the new system is that you have to re-register - but you only need to do it the once. Sorry for any inconvenience.Grumpy Old Man (now known as The Artist Formerly Known As...) the reason you have had to change your name is because one of our bloggers has the username Grumpy Old Man, and he is already registered with the site and we cannot have duplicates.If you have any other questions, you know where we are.Web Team
Guys I don't want to pour more oil on troubled waters but!! - if you want to make a comment on the sports section which is still in the old format but linked to the new site by the link at the top of the page you have to put your old log in details in presumably because I just tried to input new login and it rejected-- smell that manure!!!

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Grimaldi says...
11:32pm Tue 22 Jul 08

Heavy bread man, whats with the new design web team? There is no spacing between stories man - its like one long jumbled up story - bit like Eugene Vuvuzela's latest number - 'Couldnt say no'. Heavy bread man!

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Phantom Poster says...
11:32pm Tue 22 Jul 08

I've worked on web design for many years and I must say that the front page is way, way too cluttered. You are trying to convey much too much information on the front page. Even then you leave the bottom third right-hand section of the page mostly blank!

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SaneSwindoner says...
1:39am Wed 23 Jul 08

usability has gone out the window, form over function i'm afraid!

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SpeakUp says...
2:13am Wed 23 Jul 08

Well, thankfully I managed to re-register by only removing a space from my old name.

Quite like the site myself. It is a bit busy but certainly looks more modern than the old one.

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Malkym says...
7:31am Wed 23 Jul 08

web team - why do we have to play Catch Phrase every time we post a comment!

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Always Grumpy says...
7:53am Wed 23 Jul 08

I lost mine as well which was a bit of a nuisance. There are going to be lots of Grumpys on this site I suspect.
I can't say I'm overly impressed by the new layout, but I daresay I'll get used to it. If not then I'll go and be miserable elsewhere.

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Still Claire says...
8:27am Wed 23 Jul 08

I couldnt log in on my old user name either! However, like the new site, it much more up to date!

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Damien says...
9:02am Wed 23 Jul 08

Maybe I'm in a minority, but I like the layout. Would like to see the 'Leisure' section get a similar revamp though. At the moment, it's exactly the same as the old site, but with a new header. The format hasn't changed. Swindon has so much going on with arts, culture and music and it'd be great to see The Adver championing what's going on!

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PaulD says...
9:19am Wed 23 Jul 08

the new layout looks great. It is slightly better on a pda, but still not perfect though

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The Mancunian Way says...
9:31am Wed 23 Jul 08

It seems ok but I would prefer it if the comments all ran down the middle of the page instead of being off to one side.New site so thought ooohhh new name

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The Mancunian Way says...
9:36am Wed 23 Jul 08

Do I have to enter thats stupid security code everytime I wnat to add a post to the site, thats a bit poo..

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doug@homefarm says...
9:52am Wed 23 Jul 08

Finally i'm in. re-registered but it wouldn't take the password I gave it, every time I asked to be told my password a load of gibberish turned up in my email.

No sorry web team don't like this at all.

GRIMALDIIIIIIIIIIIII
III

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Geoff Reid says...
10:17am Wed 23 Jul 08



Sorry web team, it's not an improvement on the old site.

Usually I'd spend at least 30 minutes surfing the site before visiting Talkswindon, but today the board is staying on the roof of the VW....

It's visually too busy and flashing banner ads are a big put-off for me.

I know the paper is called the Advertiser...but come on!, it's looking like party-poker dot com.

Less really is more.....

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PaulD says...
11:41am Wed 23 Jul 08

Geoff Reid wrote:


Sorry web team, it's not an improvement on the old site.

Usually I'd spend at least 30 minutes surfing the site before visiting Talkswindon, but today the board is staying on the roof of the VW....

It's visually too busy and flashing banner ads are a big put-off for me.

I know the paper is called the Advertiser...but come on!, it's looking like party-poker dot com.

Less really is more.....
Ads - what ads?
Firefox Browser + Adblock Plus and thos pesky ads are gone!

http://adblockplus.o
rg/en/

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The Mancunian Way says...
12:06pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Ok WEB Team if the new site is sooo good why cant I leave any comments in the forum I am obviuosly logged in as I can comment here when I try and post a comment there It asks for me username and password and when I put these in I get a message saying invalid.. NO THEY ARE NOT come on eh lets get it sorted I am not messing about changing passwords again etc I just wont bother...

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Malkym says...
12:25pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Malkym wrote:
web team - why do we have to play Catch Phrase every time we post a comment!
....and it's as quiet as the grave in Webteam HQ - a hushed silence greeting all the comments, mostly negative! on the re-hashed web site as Manc says "The Mancunian Way, Swindon says...
9:36am Wed 23 Jul 08
Do I have to enter thats stupid security code everytime I wnat to add -yeeper you do and isn't it asd you say poo, poo, barney mcpoo!!

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Web Team says...
12:30pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Hi The Mancunaian Way,

Unfortunately the forum is seperate from the comments facility so you also have to register for this.

It's just the way the new system works, we realise it's a bit of a hassle.

Web Team

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The Mancunian Way says...
12:43pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Ok tried that and guess what Web Team I cant register as that e:maill address has already been taken, YES by me I dont have another e:mail address this is my work one that I use constantly. I was able to re-register my username on the comments with that e:mail address so why not the forums.
To be honest I think its to much hassle and people will just give up and not bother, so well doen guys now your losing readers whoever came up with this idea BIG PAT ON THE BACK...ITS CRAP

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toryrouge says...
1:25pm Wed 23 Jul 08

I find it jolly well inconsiderate of the Swindon Advertiser to change its web page but only days after I registered. Why couldn’t you have transferred my account to your new web page instead of making me go through the rigmarole of having to re-register , like the majority I am not amused, but I dare say that I will get used to the layout like the rest of the readers.

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toryrouge says...
1:35pm Wed 23 Jul 08

From Reading the vast majority of the other comments, it would seem that the Swindon Advertiser has made its page dam(n)ed pretty difficult for everyone, what on Earth do you think you are playing at? I think you folks at the Swindon Advertiser have been jolly well daft and silly in your judgement in changing this web page.

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Trend says...
2:27pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Re-registered with no problems. Agree with comments about the new site though. It is very busy there does seem to be wasted or overused space. I'm sure I will get used to it but will take a while!

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Parks and Proud says...
4:40pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Sorry, just re-registered with the same name and email and password easy peasey - does this mean I'm unique

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emceemikey says...
4:52pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Yeah - had to re-register also....
A question for anybody or big-brother of this website. Why is it on certain probably politically sensitive articles we are not allowed to comment on.
The articles in question are the dad with the stick and the youths he was maybe having issues, the woman possibly being kicked out for having a criminal record and the 'government' doing their bit.

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cfa says...
7:05pm Wed 23 Jul 08

Will get used to new site but it still takes ages to load, and as i'm typing this it's automatically moving down the page (like it's starting a new paragraph)Does this happen to anybody else?

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Jo-Ent says...
2:43am Thu 24 Jul 08

Quite like the new site - the old one did look rather 2003. But all this re-registering is a huge pain, as being said above. It's bad enough having to do it at all, but it's a really clunky process. It ignores your chosen password and makes up a completely random one. You only find this out by trying (and failing) to log in and then saying you've forgotten your password. Then it emails you with the random password so you can at last log in. Then you can change your password.....to the one you entered in the first place!!

Hey I know it's only once, but really guys, no big commercial website would put its customers through this. Surely you have the technology......

Anyway moan over, glad to be back, will get used to the redesign. Acknowledge that a lot of hard work has gone into it.

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Home Boy says...
9:32am Thu 24 Jul 08

Registered again with no problems or password shenanigans.

Really not sure about the front page, it looks like they've taken a Facebook page and thrown a few tins of bright coloured paint at it.

Thanks for the tip on Adblock!

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Lanky says...
3:37pm Thu 24 Jul 08

This is the most cluttered website I have ever seen! I managed to re-register fine, but I cant get used to this site - why is there two inches of white space between the top of the page and the adver logo?
As much as the old site needed a revamp, it was FAR more user friendly.

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Oxford says...
7:46pm Thu 24 Jul 08

I must admit this site is very crowded and have you noticed how all the security words are four letters. I'm just wondering when I will get the PHUC-KOFF one.
Roger and out, deny-over.

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dihydrogenmonoxide says...
2:57pm Fri 25 Jul 08

The site wasn't great before, but it's awful now. Lot's of people have said it looks more up-to-date but it looks very 1997 an cobbled-together to me. Still, I suppose it's in keeping with the Town it serves.

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