Posting from class, Manila discussion finished, “students” playing. Basically, the coolest thing about it is the ability to build a Web site, have ongoing discussions, and maintain a weblog all in one place. The downside is that it’s a bit erratic, at least from what we just experienced, and just not intuitive. Can anyone tell me why we would have to refresh every screen within the site to get it to note the changes we made? Why in some text boxes it suddenly changes html into gobbledeegook that shows up in the post? Why “edit this post” buttons appear in spots where we shouldn’t be allowed to edit? Why some of the templates are missing “recent discussion” links? Why I can’t delete news items? And more to come, I’m sure. The other impression I’m getting is that it’s just a lot to remember to make changes to the config in terms of the way discussions are set up, or news items, or e-mail notifications etc. Should I add members or let them join? Do I set permissions beforehand or after? Is there anyway to set up a template where all of the appropriate configurations are already made so students/teachers don’t have to go all that hassle?…Makes me tired, and stirs up all those original feelings I’ve had about it from the start, that it’s harder than it looks to “get right” (yet, I know it can be done.)
So I’m trying to play with p-machine which just seems more fluid and easier to make work at it’s most basic level. I just want simple, I swear, ’cause even low levels of frustration will drive people away.