I understand that there are most likely a lot of people who appreciate the pink and blue display for the trees, but I cannot stand it......never could, never will. To have to look at it actually irritates me! I loved the "classic" display for a number of reasons, one of which being that it was more soothing to the nerves.
The people making the decisions about the changes to the site need to remember that not everyone has THEIR tastes. There are those of us who have very different preferences than theirs, and since we are Premium members paying their salaries, they need to make more than one "display" available. Maybe they found the classic display and navigation of the pages not to their liking, but considering that many of us paying customers DID like it, they need to reinstate it.... quickly.
I would hate to end my subscription to this site, especially after all the work I have put into it, but if the site continues to try to force unasked for changes down my throat, especially since they make me want to almost literally gag from their ugliness and insufficiency, I will have to end up taking my business elsewhere........and I KNOW I'm not alone in this. I've seen others who are also unhappy with the ugly new changes.
I decided not to continue my membership as soon as I saw the clunky vertical tree. All Western, and most world written languages are horizontal. The vertical tree makes the entries extremely wide so they can never be viewed well. Maybe the vertical tree was intended for Chinese data fields. The best sites allow one to choose whether to use a horizontal or vertical tree. RootsMagic, a popular program for home computers, does that, and both Ancestry.com and 123andMe use horizontal trees as well, making them far superior to "MyHeritage" in the amount of information that can be presented on one screen. The name sounds like "MyLolly Pop", and the search routines are terrible, returning zillions of unwanted entries. Unless I'm missing something, MyHeritage is so new and has no significant design history of development to date.
It's understandable that not everyone is going to be happy 100% of the time with the changes and improvements we make.
The design decisions are carefully weighed and planned before they are executed.
We listen to your comments too. We understand, for example, that many people really miss the left side information panel. We are working on bringing it back right now as a result of the feedback you sent us.
There is one thing that I would like to ask of you though. When feedback is constructive, we can use it to get better. If you're into bashing MyHeritage, that's fine too, but we can't do much with it.
It will be a lot of help to us if you want to contribute by telling us what you would like.
I have to agree with Ingrid that the MyHeritage site was my favorite of the two I use, which is why I became a premium member quite a while ago.
Unfortunately I have not had much luck in the "help" department over the years. Ingrid says she has, which is a good thing for her. Whatever issues I have come across over the years have never been able to be solved, and are usually not addressed according to what I ask. I ignored that because I loved the "Classic" theme and its ease of navigation.
I wish I could convey exactly how the pink and blue "Modern" view, with the dim beige background, actually gets on my nerves (meaning it actually makes me antsy and irritated), but apparently I have not been able to describe it in a way that is understandable. Judging from your comments it appears I came across as hostile, which was not my intention, so I apologize for that. I do wish I could express exactly how I feel without "sounding" hostile, but I cannot find the correct words that will accurately convey the emotions that this new view has created. Unfortunately this is one of the shortcomings of computer messaging. The receiver cannot possibly know what the writer is actually feeling when they are writing, so assumptions are made. I've seen SO many times the wrong assumptions being made, including myself misjudging someone else's meaning.
I want to thank you for restoring my "Classic" view, as well as the left side of the page navigating. When the time comes that every single person using the site has no options other than the "Modern" view, then I will have to make a decision whether to continue on or not. I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
I'm really glad that we're having this discussion. It means a lot for us to get feedback from qualified users such as yourself. And I'm glad that you take the time to use this forum as an outlet for your experiences here at MyHeritage. So few users actually take the time to say what they're feeling - like you do.
I commented on Ingrid's post below and explained the process a little bit. I hope it helps to understand the company's plan and intentions a little better.
Basically, we must create a new version of the online family tree editor in order that you will be able to use it on any device (PC, Mac, mobile device, tablet, etc.), which isn't possible with the current designs.
Our plan is to create a Classic view that will be supported on any device as well. It may take some time though, and it's possible that there will be a gap between the time we discontinue the current Classic view and when we're able to release the new one.
We do know though, that the Classic view is loved by many at MyHeritage. If you ever get to the point where you feel you need to make a decision whether or not to stay at MyHeritage please let me know and I will be happy to help you in any way I can.
The new view doesn't work well if you have a large family tree, and the left panel was great, because all of the data was right there.
The new view is terrible if you have a tree with 100's of names, or like ours, over 1000 names. Its like looking at a few grains of sand when in fact there are millions of sand grains. If you zoom out, then all of the names and data disappear. For large trees this is completely unworkable, not user friendly, and for family members who don't know the tree very well, they get lost trying to navigate to parts of the tree where they are most interested.
Please bring back the classic look, or make it an option/choice.
I would have to strongly consider moving our tree once our premium subscription comes to an end... if the classic page plus the left panel were not brought back as an option.
Thanks
Hi Patricia,
I'm really glad that we're having this discussion. It means a lot for us to get feedback from qualified users such as yourself. And I'm glad that you take the time to use this forum as an outlet for your experiences here at MyHeritage. So few users actually take the time to say what they're feeling - like you do.
I commented on Ingrid's post below and explained the process a little bit. I hope it helps to understand the company's plan and intentions a little better.
Basically, we must create a new version of the online family tree editor in order that you will be able to use it on any device (PC, Mac, mobile device, tablet, etc.), which isn't possible with the current designs.
Our plan is to create a Classic view that will be supported on any device as well. It may take some time though, and it's possible that there will be a gap between the time we discontinue the current Classic view and when we're able to release the new one.
We do know though, that the Classic view is loved by many at MyHeritage. If you ever get to the point where you feel you need to make a decision whether or not to stay at MyHeritage please let me know and I will be happy to help you in any way I can.
I'm new to the site, but I'm having an issue that I can't tell if it's the same issue as you are referencing.
When I log in, I get two view options - a Modern view and a Classic view. I invited my husband to the site. When he logs in, he gets a different view that doesn't coincide with either of my views but most closely matches the Modern view. He also has no other view alternatives.
We both prefer the Classic view, but only I have it.
Is this the same issue that you are complaining about? If so, I agree wholeheartedly. If not, then I would like to know how my husband can have the same views as me.
We recently released a new version of the online family tree. We released it to a small number of users in order to gauge user response and be sure this version is completely stable before exposing it to all members.
However, we found that there are some changes that must be made (I mentioned earlier in this thread that we're bringing back the left side info panel for example) before we expose the new tree version to all users.
Your husband sees the new version of the family tree and you see the old version.
I can revert your husband back to the old version (temporarily - at some point we will discontinue it altogether) if he would like. If he will log into MyHeritage and post on this thread that he would like to revert back to the old version I can take care of it for you.
Anyone else who would like to revert back can do so, KEEP IN MIND THIS IS TEMPORARY. Just write on this thread and a support team member will take care of it.
Just joined MyHeritage, and, seeing that my wife got the cool Classic view on her site, I tried to figure out how to get it for several days, until seeing this thread.
I would also like to have the Classic view on my site.
thank you for asking. You have a new look - a new tree in HTML5 technology, which will be implemented in the future for all our users. You wife still have an old look. I would advice to use a new look, you will get use to it. When the new look will be implemented for all users - the old look wont be avaliable anymore. Kindly let me know if you need more assistance.
I also want the old version, klasisk view. The new is impossible to navigate and the members of my tree also has trouble finding around.
Hope we can keep it in the future.
I am also a user, which don´t like the new Interface.
Surprised that you don´t have asked me before you did the change of design.
I would like to revert to the old version of MyHeritage. Please take care of it for me.
I hope it will be forever but I now you said - KEEP IN MIND THIS IS TEMPORARY.
I am now log in at MyHeritage.
I am waiting for support.
I also hate the new display. I have finished working on my husband's tree using his name as site manager and used the 'classic' view which was great. I'm now trying to do my own under myself as site manager and can't get anything but the 'modern' view. I really can't get on with it. Can you please put my site on the 'Classic' view?
Hi Sheila, just went to my website and found the two tabs on the bottom right side of the page in Family Tree View.
When I clicked on Classic View my tree went to Classic View with no problem.
However as a personal opinion I think Modern View Rocks and is much faster in a tree with almost 20 000 names in it.
I also found the Arrow on the left of the page opens and closes the info Pane with no problem.
I also use the zoom bar in modern view to zoom the tree bigger and smaller as you wish. If you use your mouse in the bottom right side of the page the zoom Bar will appear and you can adjust it to your preference.
If this does not help please reply so someone with more privileges than me can assist you further.
You're lucky, believe it or not. You still get the two options.
Most people who have been members for a while prefer the "classic" view, but we have been locked out of it, and have been forced into using the "modern" view. This is the site's alleged improvements. We all hate it. It is not only ugly, but it is nearly impossible to navigate.
The view that your husband gets is the "new, improved" view.....the one that the site staff have decided is best for everyone.... and supposedly we are all going to be forced into that view sooner or later. Unfortunately I am one of the members who have already been forced into the ugly modern view without any say in the matter.
I am seeing more and more people in the forums who hate this modern view we are all being made to use, but I have no idea if the site managers even bother to read anything on the forums. They certainly didn't ask anyone if they wanted a change, or what change they might want if any. I know the "classic" view would have been chosen by the majority had they bothered to ask anyone.
Thank you for backing me up Mickey ...... and for proving to the site managers that the PAYING members are unhappy with their alleged improvements ........ unhappy enough to possibly stop being paying members.
I have to agree with you that their new navigation system is practically unusable. It makes navigation frustrating to the point of questioning whether or not to stay with the site, or just switch over to Ancestry.com completely. At least Ancestry is consistent with their format!
And what were they thinking with the ridiculous puke pink and blue "tree," that looks like some fifth grader put it together? Sheesh!
I wonder if any of the management team even reads these posts? They would be foolish not to considering how many member's posts I've seen who are ready to terminate their membership over the new set up. If they don't give us our "classic" display option back, or at least a comparable choice, they may find themselves back at square one with membership being at a minimum.....and all of them being non-paying.
The "reply" that you just posted on this thread is not a personal reply. It is the exact same thing I read on another thread of someone who has the same dislike for the new view, as well as the answer in the "HELP" section where people ask about the new format, which means it is a form letter. It is obvious that no one has actually taken the time to read why people don't like this "new and improved" tree.
We DON'T like the new view......it is not only ugly, but the colors are irritating. And no, there were NO issues about endlessly dragging anything, because we used the CLASSIC view which did NOT involve dragging. It was navigated by clicking on people in different generations, and the click would take us directly to the person. We all liked the "deep space" look, with the generations reaching out into the distance. HELLO! That's why we chose it! P.S.....we LIKED the information on the left hand side of the page, so removing that option was not an improvement. The classic view was also aesthetically pleasing. That is why we all chose that view over the modern one (aka the ugly, irritating one).
It would be nice if you, or anyone else in "management" took the time to actually read what people are saying, instead of just assuming things and sending out your standard form letter thinking that will appease people. That is NOT addressing the issue! The form letter doesn't even address what we are all complaining about. The content of the letter assumes that people are having trouble navigating/understanding the new format. WRONGO! It's really not too difficult to navigate it. Please do not insult our intelligence, and take the time to read the actual issues.
I'm sorry that you feel I did not address the issues you have raised. I assure you that I nnot only read them but will also forward them to our management for future consideration. We value your input and feedback regarding this change very much.
As an immediate solution, I have the ability to change your tree back to Classic view. Please note the current plan is to discontinue the classic view in the near future, so keep in mind the change I'm making is temporary.
If you confirm this is what you would like to do, I will make the change for you.
The issues were NOT addressed in the form letter that Lior posted, which is the same form letter she sent to my inbox. Considering that she used a form letter, rather than actually addressing what people are complaining about, it proves that no one on the "team" is taking the time to find out what the real issues are.
Can you please revert me to Classic view also. I have posted earlier my annoyance with it disappearing. I didn't get offered the option then to be switched back, if even only on a temporary basis.
As others here have said more eloquently than myself the Classic view was a key selling point to me in signing up to MyHeritage.
Your development team should have a plan for migration to the new Classic View you mention without a gap in-between.
I kindly request you revert our view back to classic for all my site members. We have never used the current extended horizontal view and honestly I don't see the benefit, especially in our 600 member tree.
Rhianna--we do not mean to bash myHeritage Support team--on the contrary. I have always so loved this program and have been so very happy and grateful for the support I received when I was in real trouble, that I am paid up as a premium plus member for the rest of this decade! But why discontinue the beautiful classic view presentation? As far as I can tell no other program can match it. As I said before, it was one of two deciding reasons why I chose myHeritage in the first place (the other being that it enabled me to upload my Family History as attachments to Articles). Can't you at least tell us why you decided to eventually discontinue the classic view? And won't you please reconsider this decision? Won't you and Lior Shaked please be our advocates with the Development Team?
The plan is the following: The original Classic and Modern views are programmed in Flash. This means that they cannot be viewe on mobile devices and tablets. This is a huge drawback for many users and for MyHeritage going forward in trying to offer a more complete and seamless experience for everyone on the site.
In simple terms, it is in our interest and in yours that we create a version of the Modern and Classic views that can be used on any device you might choose to work on your tree with. The first step in doing that was to create a new version of the family tree editor, programmed in HTML5.
This is the version you dislike so well :) As I mentioned before, we have suspended exposure of this version in order to add the left info panel back according to your requests as well as to fix some other issues - most of them came as a direct result of the feedback you gave us.
But this is not the end of the road. Currently the plan is that after the new version of the tree is out and working properly, work will begin on a "new" Classic view, which can also be viewed on any device regardless of platform. Keep in mind that the developers have to completely rewrite it from scratch, so it takes time, but we know you love the Classic view and although we must discontinue the current Classic view, it doesn't mean we're going to get rid of it forever.
There may be a gap in which we discontinue the current Classic view but still haven't released the new HTML5 version and this is the reason we make sure to mention that the Classic view you have is temporary and will eventually be discontinued.
I hope this helps to ease your concerns. We appreciate you too! Very much!
Must say I realy do understund the business reasons. HTML5 is the way to go. (I do work in software development, mind you).
If everybody wants to go away from the new version, nobody will be testing it. Can you make the new version available on a seprate URL? I'd like to give a try, before asking you to move me to the new interface. Please note: I publish from FTB, any issues with the new interface would not affect me to much.
I can put you on the new tree view, but unfortunately I cannot give you the option to have both. If you'd like to try, let me know and I'll change it for you.
Dear Rhianna--Thank you for your explanation and I understand the business reasons. I do reiterate, however, that the classic view is a considerable asset to myHeritage. I have been on the different programs used by some of my genealogical friends. None of them can compare with the beauty of the classic view of myHeritage. So I hope that you guys won't delay unduly and restore the classic view as soon as possible! Please! Cordially--Ingrid Frank.
I can understand that you might have doubts when you find the online tree you're familiar with has changed.
So, what's so great about the new tree?
The look of the tree hasn't changed much so you don't need to relearn how to use the tree. Viewing, navigating and searching the tree is basically the same and editing the tree is very much the same as well.
There are some nice additions though, like the Radar, which allow you to see a "map" of the tree and instantly jump to any place. In the previous version if you wanted to travel through the tree, you had to click and drag endlessly to get anywhere.
The new tree editor only has one style (or view) right now - the Classic view has been discontinued - but that will change as we're adding some new styles so you will still be able to see the tree in the view you like best.
In the new online tree when you hover over a person or click on that person's card in the tree you get their basic information, rather than seeing it on the left hand side in a panel. This gives you a lot more real estate for viewing the family tree in context and it also shows you information about people in a more dynamic, integrated fashion. If before you had to click on each person in the tree to see their basic info, now all you have to do is move your mouse around to anyone and their info immediately pops up.
We streamlined the editing options. For example, in the previous version of the family tree editor you also had a lot of other options that didn't really belong in the ADD phase. All those options have appropriate places now that make much more sense. There are more flexible options for adding dates in the new tree editor. You can add dates like "before", "after", "from...to...", etc. Adding and editing marriages and partnerships is quicker now too as the fields are located in the instant, basic editing fields.
Birthday and anniversary notifications are bigger and brighter, add me cards show you where you need to add more ancestors, you can invite people directly from the tree by adding email addresses and more.
An important change in the new online family tree is that it is now HTML5 based. This means you can access and edit the tree from any mobile device or tablet, which was not possible before. The switch to HTML5 also made it possible for us to offer editing in the MyHeritage app, which is great for people who edit their trees online - you can now truely edit your tree anywhere, anytime.
Family Tree Builder users will also benefit from editing in the new tree as version 7.0 of the program will offer the ability to make edits online and integrate them into your tree in the program.
We're really starting to bring together all the different aspects of MyHeritage to give you a more seamless experience.
There are a lot of good things about the new online family tree. I hope you will give the new online family tree a try and come to appreciate the improvements we've made.
I can understand that you might have doubts when you find the online tree you're familiar with has changed.
So, what's so great about the new tree?
The look of the tree hasn't changed much so you don't need to relearn how to use the tree. Viewing, navigating and searching the tree is basically the same and editing the tree is very much the same as well.
There are some nice additions though, like the Radar, which allow you to see a "map" of the tree and instantly jump to any place. In the previous version if you wanted to travel through the tree, you had to click and drag endlessly to get anywhere.
The new tree editor only has one style (or view) right now - the Classic view has been discontinued - but that will change as we're adding some new styles so you will still be able to see the tree in the view you like best.
In the new online tree when you hover over a person or click on that person's card in the tree you get their basic information, rather than seeing it on the left hand side in a panel. This gives you a lot more real estate for viewing the family tree in context and it also shows you information about people in a more dynamic, integrated fashion. If before you had to click on each person in the tree to see their basic info, now all you have to do is move your mouse around to anyone and their info immediately pops up.
We streamlined the editing options. For example, in the previous version of the family tree editor you also had a lot of other options that didn't really belong in the ADD phase. All those options have appropriate places now that make much more sense. There are more flexible options for adding dates in the new tree editor. You can add dates like "before", "after", "from...to...", etc. Adding and editing marriages and partnerships is quicker now too as the fields are located in the instant, basic editing fields.
Birthday and anniversary notifications are bigger and brighter, add me cards show you where you need to add more ancestors, you can invite people directly from the tree by adding email addresses and more.
An important change in the new online family tree is that it is now HTML5 based. This means you can access and edit the tree from any mobile device or tablet, which was not possible before. The switch to HTML5 also made it possible for us to offer editing in the MyHeritage app, which is great for people who edit their trees online - you can now truely edit your tree anywhere, anytime.
Family Tree Builder users will also benefit from editing in the new tree as version 7.0 of the program will offer the ability to make edits online and integrate them into your tree in the program.
We're really starting to bring together all the different aspects of MyHeritage to give you a more seamless experience.
There are a lot of good things about the new online family tree. I hope you will give the new online family tree a try and come to appreciate the improvements we've made.
Kind regards,
Lior
MyHeritage team
Let me be contrarian and say that I actually prefer the new look for the reasons stated above - the radar and the increased screen real estate. So Lior, please switch me over to the new format.
To Lior Shaked--I am one of the lucky folks who still have the option of viewing the classic rather than the modern view. I also heartily DISLIKE the modern view and use it only occasionally when absolutely necessary, because I use FTB to work on the tree. Please restore the classic view option for those who vastly prefer it and DO NOT take it away from those of us who still have it. For me the beauty of the classic view was a very important reason for choosing myHeritage in the first place!
I have been a premium member since 2009 in the USA. I publish my tree from FTB. So far I still have the option of classic and modern view of the on-line published tree, but dread losing the classic option! Over the years I have begged the development team to at least do a minimal upgrade to the classic view by making profiles directly accessible in the left-hand panel. But even without ever getting that, I would be a very unhappy and angry lady if and when the classic view is denied to me. I have never liked the modern view--it's not aesthetically pleasing and very unpleasant to navigate and work with. I HEARTILY AND UNRESERVEDLY JOIN YOU IN DEMANDING THAT THE CLASSIC VIEW REMAIN AN OPTION FOR ME AND BE RESTORED FOR YOU!!
...... and for proving to the site managers that the PAYING members are unhappy with their alleged improvements ........ unhappy enough to possibly stop being paying members.
