Browsing the forum from your phone or tablet computer? [Archive]

vintagemxr

12-28-2011, 11:33 PM

Jay (Pacific) has inquired about adding TapTalk (http://www.tapatalk.com/index.php) support to the forum. TapTalk makes it easier to browse the on-line forums like Motorcyclist Cafe, AdvRider, etc. from your smart phone or tablet computer. Yes, Jay is at the leading edge of technology and you should all be impressed. In fact, since I didn't even know what TapTalk is, please address all future tech questions to Jay. :webers:

Anyway, is this a feature that would be of interest to you guys? The addition to the Cafe site would be transparent, no changes that you would see during a normal log-on. The cost would be $25 to have Anthony install the software. He tells me that it is stable and works well. The app for your phone or tablet computer is $2.99.

Lemme know what you think.

the other Doug

JCsman

12-29-2011, 12:18 AM

I only use this computer because you guys don't send out mimeograph copies. I do have a touch screen phone. But have zero apps. Can you tell what "edge" I'm on?

Yet, when I'm on a long ride, having access to the Cafe would be a good thing.

Yes, sez I.

1MPH

12-29-2011, 12:20 AM

Yes, sez I.

Ditto.

Sir Limpsalot

12-29-2011, 02:17 AM

I often look in on the Cafe using my smart phone so anything that will make it "easier" would get my vote.

jamming

12-29-2011, 07:24 AM

I'm on my phone now (Droid X) and I've found tapatalk a pain. That's just me though. Maybe I should revisit it.

Deans BMW

12-29-2011, 08:40 AM

Sounds good to me, I know that a lot of people use it on other sites............

I don't have a clue what Tapatalk is however..........................And I have less of a clue what a smart phone is.

Pacific

12-29-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm on my phone now (Droid X) and I've found tapatalk a pain. That's just me though. Maybe I should revisit it.

I'm not an advanced Tapatalk user by any means, but it makes navigating forums a little friendlier, at least from an iPhone, by automatically indicating new posts and by automatically formatting the posts for a small screen. I've never tried to post images from the app, though, or anything advanced.

I brought it up to OD because I use it for ADV and recently found it also works with a Tiger 800 forum. I wondered if it might be useful to make us visible and easily accessible to more moto enthusiasts in the world wide interweb.

Jay

HappyCRNA

12-29-2011, 10:53 AM

I have Tapatalk on my iPad but still go to the forums themselves rather than go through Tapatalk. You miss the general feel of the forum, but T streamlines the posts and threads to a very easy to read format.

If I had a smartphone I would be more apt to use T due to the smaller display. On the iPad it's six of one, half dozen o' the other.

jpenney

12-29-2011, 11:30 AM

I prefer just going to the site on my phone (iPhone 4S). The browsers on the iOS and Android are really good.

DarthRider

12-29-2011, 01:28 PM

All the young Bucks & Buckettes use the highest FI they can get and will continue to, so I say it's well worth $25 if it will help attract or hold them.
No to mention making it easier for the old boots stylin' with their iPhones & showing off for the rest of us with 9 year old flip-phones!

vintagemxr

12-29-2011, 01:45 PM

Dean, the phone company will be obsoleting your old phone when it dies. My ancient flip phone began acting up a week or so back and when I went to the phone store my choices were a fancy-schmancie smart phone or something old school that looked like it would break in a week. I'm pretty sure that's part of the phone company marketing plan. Anyway, my new phone is okay, only a little bit of a pain, and some things about it are nice. I've switched off the GPS, and most of the fancy features because I don't need them but the large screen dialer is nice for old eyes and fat fingers, and the phone does display pictures very nicely so it's snazzier way of showing pictures of my dog and kid than sweaty old wallet.

Anyway, it sounds like TapTalk is worth exploring for the benefit of some of the folks here, maybe even me, and might be appreciated by new members who are not mired in 1992. :gerg: Goodness knows we've all spent $25 on worse things.

the other Doug

Donson

12-29-2011, 02:26 PM

Doug, I am very comfy here, in 1992.....:004:

Deans BMW

12-29-2011, 05:44 PM

OD, I am barely out of the '80's

Deans BMW

12-29-2011, 05:47 PM

OD, do you use Verizon??

vintagemxr

12-30-2011, 03:30 AM

OD, do you use Verizon??

Yup. Over the years I've tried other companies (AT&T, Alltell, Sprint) and Verizon is the least bad. They also give a nice discount to VW employees and retirees.

the other Doug

vintagemxr

02-10-2012, 04:14 PM

Deans BMW

02-10-2012, 05:20 PM

I'm looking for something to tap on. I tried using two pencils tapping on my desk a nice drum beat....and I couldn't hear anyone talking.

Must not work very well.:umph:

Donson

02-10-2012, 05:39 PM

I'm looking for something to tap on. I tried using two pencils tapping on my desk a nice drum beat....and I couldn't hear anyone talking.

Must not work very well.:umph:
Hoon....It has to be done with drums. In the jungle. At least that is how it worked in the Tarzn movies. Geeze, buy Him books, and send Him to school......

Pacific

02-10-2012, 06:13 PM

Just an update, guys. TapTalk (http://www.tapatalk.com/) is now installed on the site so browsing the Cafe with your smart phone should be a little easier. I don't use TapTalk myself but I'd be interested to hear how it's working here for you guys that use it.

the other Doug

I've been using it on my phone and on the iPad. It immediately shows the new threads and sorts for updates. As Roger said, it's not perfect, but I find it makes things MUCH easier on the phone. It would sometimes take me three or four taps to hit the tiny little "What's New" button on my phone, but Tapatalk does the sorting for me and is much easier to read on the fly.

Thanks for your effort in getting it up and running, Doug.

Jay

Sir Limpsalot

02-11-2012, 02:34 AM

I agree with Jay. I don't have an i-pad so can't comment on that, but it makes the site much easier to use on the i-phone. Overall, a very worthwhile addition. Thanks.

jamming

02-11-2012, 08:40 AM

It's different ..but I'll adjust

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Sir Limpsalot

02-23-2012, 02:20 AM

jamming

02-23-2012, 05:28 AM

vintagemxr

02-23-2012, 12:17 PM

I'm getting a message:

"Cannot connect to forum. The forum is either restricting access from Tapatalk or the installed Tapatalk plugin is not working. Please contact your forum administrator."

Doug, oh Doug..

Si, if the problem persists let me know and I'll pass on the info to Anthony. He did the TapTalk install and frankly, I know less than zero about how the feature works or is configured. Or alternatively, you could just upgrade to an Android based phone. :pot:

the other Doug

Pacific

02-23-2012, 12:28 PM

Might just be a temporary problem at your end, Si. I had a similar message once a couple of weeks ago, but the issue quickly passed.

Jay

Sir Limpsalot

03-01-2012, 01:44 AM

I finally got it sorted out. There was an "upgrade" ready and waiting, all I had to do was find out about it. How are you supposed to know this shit? Instinct? It would be more helpful if in staed of flagging up "Contact your forum administrator" it said "Update your phone, prick." Sigh.

Griffon

03-01-2012, 05:28 AM

Simon, I also have an iPhone. I'm in the habit of checking the app store every few days. If you go into the app store there should be a button to click in the lower right hand corner to check for upgrades. Also, you should get little red number icons in the upper right hand corner of the app store app.It's astonishing how frequently some apps update!

Sp far, I quite like Tapatalk. It definitely allows for easier browsing of the Cafe! Between my recent decline in vision and the interface through the browser, I'd given up trying to get to the Cafe by phone. It's nice to have a bit of technology that facilitates a return to hearth and home! It also makes for opportunities to live blog rides and tours, but I'm sure you lot have already been applying that...

DarthRider

03-01-2012, 10:24 AM

Jeremy, what's wrong with your eyes?
Artists are only allowed to go deaf or cut off an ear, not go blind!

Griffon

03-01-2012, 11:04 AM

In addition to the injury I've had in my right eye, I'm experiencing the heartbreak of bifocals for the first time. For a little while, I was having trouble reading from my phone. Thanks to the magic of bifocals, I can read again!

DarthRider

03-01-2012, 11:50 AM

Jeremy, for years (until last year's cataract surgery) I wore Varilux brand lenses...so-called "line-less" bifocals.
Except mine were actually trifocals. The advantages are huge and the absence of "the line" is the least of it.
The downside is cost, of course. I am hearing of some far less expensive line-less bifocals though...:eusa_shifty: