How do you access bus? (new poll)

Post by **swirlish** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:33 pm

I'm redoing this poll because I screwed up the last one a bit

I've merged the replies on the other post - those of who you voted already, please vote again (and sorry for the hassle!). We want to find out a little more about how you access bus, how you feel about the different options for accessing bus, what works well and what doesn't, what you think could be improved and how you would ideally like to access bus. Please check all options that apply and describe in as much detail as you can. Please also indicate what kind of device you have (Android, iPhone, iPad etc.) If you're using an app, which one do you use and how do you find it? If you could wish freely, what features would you like to see in an app/browser when you accessed bus? Of course, you're welcome to PM one of the admins if you'd like to talk privately

sojourner_steph · Post by **sojourner_steph** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:46 pm

I use my iPhone's Internet browser to access BUS a lot to read or write short posts/replies, but if I want to post something long I use my computer (there's less of a chance of accidentally deleting it that way).

Oceanic · Post by **Oceanic** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:48 am

deleted as duplicate

SomeOneElse · Post by **SomeOneElse** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:46 am

Smartphone is not a very user friendly option for me.

I use an internet browser on my tablet/iPad. It works well for me personally for reading, and until today posting short responses. It would not allow me to send PM or save to draft. I'm not sure if that was a fluke today, or what.

For longer things, I generally use chrome web browser on my laptop, with adaptive technology. Though I haven't tried screen reader with anything BUS related at this point.

Post by **treasure** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:57 am

i occasionally use the default android browser which can have a little trouble showing the reply box and editing a reply. it works well enough though, when i am out and really want to be on bus.

Post by **childofchaos831** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:00 am

I use my browser for polls cuz they don't show in the app. Otherwise I use Tapatalk. At least on my phone. I'm on my phone more than my computer these days. Get on on the computer once a day and the phone like 5 to 10 times a day.

Coffee

Post by **mande** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:04 pm

I try to access BUS on Tapatalk on my iPhone. I can read, but I can't post. Something about the forum being so out of date.

I also access it via Chrome on my iPad. I have a keyboard for my tablet so I treat it like a computer. I'm rarely on my computer anymore since I'm always running around.

Post by **swirlish** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:24 pm

sar, I remember I deliberately didn't put that option, but I have to admit I don't remember why anymore, I'm sure I had a good thought somewhere!

It's not a poll that will demand any kind of scientific stuff, it's curiosity along with trying to figure out how to meet people's needs, especially when it comes to smartphones and tablets, since that's increasingly what people use to access the net.

For those of you who use Tapatalk, could you describe a bit more how it works? I've never used it myself. Would it be something you would use more if it worked better? (you mentioned editing and not being able to post) mande, do you get an error message from Tapatalk? It sounds like most of you use the phone's/tablet's browser, do you find it easy to use/navigate? Is it "mobile-friendly"? Have you been to other forums that work better with your phone/tablet? Are there features you've seen somewhere that you'd want for bus?

Please note that I'm not after developing an app or some such, I wouldn't know where to start or where to find the time! But we're interested in finding out if there's anything we can do to improve the user experience of bus, within the limits we have.

Oceanic · Post by **Oceanic** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:04 am

I generally use my laptop to access BUS. From time to time I use my tablet (a google nexus), but I generally find it easier to type on a laptop then a tablet keyboard so I don't reply when using my tablet. Occasionally I use the browser (chrome, safari) on my iPhone to check bus, but it's really user-unfriendly. The site is just too large to see and navigate on a phone screen, at least for me and making any kind of reply requires a lot of zooming around and gets deleted too easily. I wouldn't download tapatalk or any other app specifically to use for BUS, but that's just my preference.

Just Pomegranates · Post by **Just Pomegranates** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:36 am

I tried accessing Bus once via safari on my iphone and it wasn't phone friendly at all - the pages didn't fit the phone screen if you get me and I was constantly having to drag the entire screen around to see different bits of it and the text was tiny to the point of almost can't read it - so I haven't done it again. I just use my desktop (or laptop when I had one in the past) to get onto the forum.

Post by **childofchaos831** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:54 am

I'll be using my phone's browser more often instead of Tapatalk because the app is no longer compatible with the forum til the forum is upgraded phpbb wise I think

Coffee

wabbit · Post by **wabbit** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:05 am

i only access bus from my computer as i dont have a smartphone or tablet. i find the screen on my non smartphone too small to use for internet (its old and doesnt zoom in or anything) i can use my home wifi on my ipod touch, but have only done that when ive had computer issues. i hope to one day be able to afford to upgrade my phone and get a smartphone, but i cant justify it atm, esp when i need to save to get a new laptop as this one is slowly dying (i already have to use a wireless keyboard with it because the laptop keyboard is stuffed, the usb ports are getting loose, the battery doesnt charge, it runs out of memory etc etc.)

sorry for the ramble

Eisa · Post by **Eisa** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:27 am

I only access BUS on my laptop, because my phone's web browser is awful and doesn't really load anything, much less a forum. :c And I've never tried to check it on my wife's tablet before.

Scatterbrain · Post by **Scatterbrain** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:39 am

I typically post on my chromebook (laptop). My android phone's chrome web browser works ok for reading and writing short replies, but bus does not seem to be very mobile friendly. I'm constantly having to zoom in and out and have accidentally deleted things several times...

imme · Post by **imme** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:35 pm

I usually use the browser on my windows phone.

Post by **swirlish** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:14 pm

I'm redoing this poll because I screwed up the last one a bit

I've merged the replies on the other post - those of who you voted already, please vote again (and sorry for the hassle!). We want to find out a little more about how you access bus, how you feel about the different options for accessing bus, what works well and what doesn't, what you think could be improved and how you would ideally like to access bus. Please check all options that apply and describe in as much detail as you can. Please also indicate what kind of device you have (Android, iPhone, iPad etc.) If you're using an app, which one do you use and how do you find it? If you could wish freely, what features would you like to see in an app/browser when you accessed bus? Of course, you're welcome to PM one of the admins if you'd like to talk privately

roseleaf · Post by **roseleaf** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:36 pm

Laptop most of the time, but occasionally using my phone's browser from work. It loads fine most of the time but you do rather have to squint to read the writing, for it is very small indeed.

Post by **Butterfly.** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 1:14 am

I generally use my tablet's browser. Occasionally I'll check it on my phones browser but find it really awkward. I prefer to use my laptop for longer posts, or when I'm going to be multitasking. Actually, if I'm honest, I would prefer to be using my laptop all the time I access bus, but I tend to not have it out as much now I have a tablet.

Stellaria · Post by **Stellaria** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 9:49 am

For quickly checking posts or messages, the chrome browser in my android phone works, but posting requires a bit of zooming in and out and it's easy to mess things up in the process.

For writing any longer posts, or more extensive reading, I use chrome or firefox on my laptop.

Post by **Spidey** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 7:36 pm

Unless it is something in-depth, I use Chrome on my phone. I'm rarely on my laptop.

bus