This topic was created by Roland6 .
This thread I have started to make it easier to comment on the changes made and seemingly continuing to be made. I am a little surprised ElReg didn't create this topic back in May and instead wrote an article:
We've only gone and done it: Changed what you're used to
I created it as I wished to comment on some further discoveries but discovered this obvious approach to feedback had obviously been (deliberately?) missed by ElReg.
I seem to remember on the old website it was possible to go directly tot he forums from the home page, now the only way I can access the forus is to:
1. Goto an article with comments open
2. Goto the Comments page
3. Select the forums from the top right forums menu.
However, once in the User topics section I can't create a new topic, I have to return to the Comments page and Create a new topic and within that dialog select which part of the forums it is to go in. Then having made the topic return to the relevant forums section to be able to add comments.
I suspect this hiding of access is probably a contributor to why the forums don't get used very much.
The (segment of the) first page of the normal web home page ( https://www.theregister.com/ ) has all headlines in red text, this is confusing as I seem to remember previously the titles were in a different colour and turned to red after you had read/accessed the article. This colour change does not happen at all on the new homepage even on the subsequent segments where the titles are in black. However, on the archive page: (https://www.theregister.com/archive ) everything works as expected.
I've never used El Reg's comments as a forum before, only ever added snark to the bottom of an article. Finding this topic list was excruciating and involved fiddling with URLs and CTRL F. The site nav is terrible.
As mentioned in my previous comment at https://forums.theregister.com/forum/all/2026/06/04/2026/ the lack of topic headlines (On Call etc.) in the article list is weirdly stupid. The front page is annoying and the only way I can use the site now is via the Archive list.
Other than that, great update El Reg!
Your homepage is no longer honouring the "dont display article images" (or whatever its called) in the users profile.
I don't mind if the picture is of the place or person in the article, but when an article is about helpdesk problems, do we really need a stock photo of someone shouting at their phone?
This is the first time I am in the user forum instead of comments for articles...
First: Why less than 80 characters per line? With massive black space to the left and right? Some say "easier to read", which applies to PRINTED ON PAPER, where the paper stands still and you move your eyes. On computer we scroll, narrower lines means more scrolling, which is more strain to the eyes.
Did ElReg upgrade from C64 to VT100 and want to adjust to "wohoo, new tech, we can use 80 column now!"? Seriously, I started reading only 2/3rd or half of longer articles cause I constantly have to scroll. Especially after work I am way more sensitive to such stupid layout, and after work is the time I loved to read TheReg.
Stop following that "latest fad" many other sites were doing, think and really test how much difference that makes.
Second: Where is the PWNED tag? Security tag? Networking tag? Bork tag? BOFH tag? The scream about On Call and Who Me was big enough you restored them fast, but where is the rest of it? Who decided such a design change? My German directness says: Fire, instantly, for not even remotely understanding the readers.
Third: Why are there no tags at https://www.theregister.com/Week/ and https://www.theregister.com/archive/ ? What is wrong with TheReg forgetting such important details?
Fourth: Delayed forum discussion for each article, sometime over four hours until the "forum" link apprears. The Fecesbook, the shitterX, Linkedout, I-am-so-drunk-I-see-bluesky, bottitreddit, Whatsgone, those are instantly always active, but the discussion link is delayed. This is so obviously dark pattern, pushed entshittification by some "higher manglement" which should be instantly fired.
Last: Yes, I am from THAT European country famous for opening their mouth to complain, only one other EU country is more direct that we are :D.
