Hi Symantec folk,
I've returned, after a long break, and the forum 'feels' and works so much better than it was about a year ago.
For example, it's a snap to include a graphic into a post compared to what I used to do (post the image to Photo bucket, copy the link and insert it into the message. Now all I need do is save an image to my desktop and I can choose size and alignment. Great time saver - plus it minimises the potential for broken links down the track. People might move an image in Photobucket and break the link to it on the forum - a pain, especially if the image captured something really useful / interesting.
I noticed that when I previewed my post, it (the forum software?) identified a broken link or other HTML fault and corrected it properly. I did not notice until advised during the preview. This must be a great time-saver and helps ensure external links (resources) aren't lost to the forum.
There are a few other minor technical issues that are incrementally helpful too ... but the most significant thing (achievement?) that stands out concerns the language (tone?) of the discussions. Perhaps it may be my imagination? It's just that the overwhelming majority of posts are respectful as opposed to being outright abusive (flame wars) to other forum users and Symantec staffers. It used to drive me nuts when the odd (mostly transient) forum user would think nothing of using highly personal, deeply offensive and derogatory comments about named Symantec staffers or the company. They appeared uninterested in working a problem and rather keen to verbally beat up others. Bullying is ugly and to the extent that it is tolerated, we are all diminished.
It isn't tolerated here at all and we are all the better for this.
Now, I see users taking time to help explain complex issues very respectfully. The forum culture continues to evolve - and it is very much alive and well. Such things don't happen by accident ... cue drum roll: you folk 'guide' the development of the forum this way. (If anyone was interested, the forum would be worth studying as a real world example of quality customer care applied in a real world, real time environment - must be worth at least one or two papers on business and HR practice, no?)
The forum was the single best web-based desktop security resource available ... and you folk have made it much, much better. It's not too hard to imagine that in the near future, we might see user initiated guides and research papers on the forum ... open to paid up Symantec clients??? Or the general public too I suppose.
To any new Symantec customers ... might I suggest that you return often to the forum? If you add this fantastic real-time resource onto your Symantec software purchase then perhaps you might agree that you have scored a windfall gain. Because the forum is so active, most people receive help very quickly from a number of different directions. Plus ... Symantec staffers monitor discussions constantly and intervene as required: either to you personally and or to the forum.
KUDOS to the forum designers, moderators and Symantec staffers. [See ... the KUDOS! button is ticked]
Cheers.