Apparently my browser is out of date, so the forum appears in a very cut-down version with no rich text, no recent posts etc. The newest versions of Firefox, Chrome, Safari etc won’t work in my usual computer, which works perfectly on its current browsers with everything else (all other websites, forums, Facebook etc). I’m writing this post now on a newer computer, but it’s annoying to be frozen out like this in the name of ‘progress’ when it doesn’t seem to have been necessary.
Can whoever took the decision to embrace built-in obsolescence explain why it was done? And can it be reversed?
I know. I’ve got a couple of computers and on an older one, the forum has all but denied anything other than browsing (and makes that harder, too) on it. Interesting, as it’s the ONLY website out of anyone I go on which has done this on the computer. Be a shame if other forum users only have an older computer, and find they are de facto frozen out from contributing.
I’ve got the latest Firefox update on Windows 8.1 and it just gives the same dud site access.
I just find it odd that every other website or forum I go on don’t suffer the same way. I’d never know on other sites if I was on 8.1 or Windows 11 etc. As stated, hopefully forum users/members don’t only have older computers and find they’re pretty much shut out.
It depends on if I want to just go out in the bin and throw away a perfectly usable computer. Compared to this Windows 11 one I’m on, other than this site, I see no difference whatsoever. I don’t use it for buying anything/bank stuff, just general browsing or forums etc. Like I said, other than this site, I can tell no difference. Hopefully all club members and forum members got newer computers, unless they might be in for a rude and potentially expensive awakening next time they log on, well, not log on as it won’t let you lol
If it’s of interest, the computer on which the forum doesn’t now work is a MacBook Pro with Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6., using Firefox 115.28.0esr. Yes, the computer is over a decade old but it works fine with everything else. Intriguingly, if I try to see posts on the now cut-down forum it tells me that I can’t because I’m logged in. Hard to get my head round that. It’s also impossible to log out.
Forums are in danger across the enthusiast car world as people turn to Facebook etc. It seems unwise to hasten their demise by making those less keen on Facebook’s instant disposability, and who are perhaps more likely to have an older computer, unable to use the forum in the way they want to. I’m writing this on my mobile BTW.
A mischievous thought. Has the unnecessary and excluding forum update been pushed through by an ND owner? I, as you might have guessed, have an early NA…
It’s a strange one, I’m surprised this is happening at all.
I’ve always tried to stay on the latest software version, updated a couple of computers from Windows 8 to 10, but there does become a point were the hardware no longer supports the latest version.
You’ve got to pay for that now, given the free update ‘window’ has long gone. Seems funny someone has to pay to get a new operating system, just to access a forum they’ve used for years with no issues!!
Your Firefox would only have received updates until February 2026, after that it’s likely you would start seeing more websites start to fail.
I have the 140xxx branch of ESR (typing on the forum with it) and even it has some websites that no longer work correctly, but I’m a Linux user so I can just upgrade to the next version and I do have the latest greatest FF installed for the few sites that don’t work.
Since your mac is a decade old I presume it would be x86 architecture and probably still has bootcamp support so you could dual boot Linux, though I’m guessing that’s something you don’t want since you probably use alot of Apple based programs too?
Finally as a fellow NA owner I think you’re right about those ND owners
Here’s an example of dedication to the MX-5 forum!
I recently bought a W11P (i5 ultra 32GB) laptop, and its user interface as supplied from M$ is utter obstructive slow pants, and forever interrupting with M$adspam when changing context. And the horrid flat RSI keyboard? Yukk.
It uses ~9GB of RAM doing nothing, most of which (~7GB) is Edge in the background also doing nothing (0% cpu) and supposedly Off-Off-Off. Why?
It needed fixing.
I thought this would be easy, having quickly pruned W10P (i5 32GB) on our desktop machine when we bought it, and that W10P is happy to run the fast early W7 version of Office with all the compatibility updates.
No so. Instead of only a day, it took me the best part of a week to clear out (almost) all the unwanted W11P dross (no Registry hacks, yet) and get it up to almost the same speed in use across three screens as my ancient W7P laptop (10 year old i5 16GB). No more M$adspam, and almost no current M$ “apps”.
I’ve found a way to try uninstalling Edge, but that can wait until Openreach have finished messing with my internet and it is stable again.
I’ll still be using the old laptop with its existing intuitive fast software for my creative work, but it will not be regularly online for much longer. It even has a decent tactile keyboard for fast typing when not plugged into a proper keyboard.
I was able to get the free M$ updates for W7P on my old laptop until 2023.
However the W7 red flag in FF for future updates past the ESR v 115 was the real killer.
And yes this MX-5 OC website is the only one I use that will not run on the W7P machine.
I’m surprised they allowed you to buy a licence tbh, I mean I know it’s still technically supported but they really like to push Win11 at you, then (in the case of my main PC which has win10 as a dual boot) tell you, you can’t have it as your system doesn’t support feature XYZ.
Win11 refuses to activate my old version of Onenote - worked fine on W10 so just a warning about that. I have found a linux alternative that does what I need so it’s not too big an issue but still an annoyance.
This is why we do and will continue to maintain up to date versions of the forum software:
Enhanced Security:
Updates often contain security patches that address newly discovered vulnerabilities, protecting the forum and its users from potential threats.
Improved Performance:
Newer versions typically include optimisations and performance improvements, leading to a faster and more responsive experience.
Bug Fixes:
Updates include fixes for various bugs and issues, ensuring a more stable and reliable platform.
Your approach to maintaining your own software update levels on your personal devices is your own obviously.
My laptop can’t run Windows 11 according to Microsoft.
What I didn’t what to happen was for Microsoft to stop me buying Windows 10 for my current laptop meaning that I’d have to buy a new one to upgrade from Windows 8.
The full story is that 3 years ago I went into Currys/PC World with proper money to spend on a new laptop but the salesman was so repulsive that I ended up walking out without buying one (or an Apple Watch or Ring Doorbell that were also up for consideration, it was Christmas). So I soldiered on with my Windows 8 laptop, which apart from the slow boot up time did everything I needed it to do. 3 years on, the the forum software advised me that my browser is out of date and would non longer be supported, which made me think do I want to return to PC World again and potentially part with £600 or do I spend £120 getting my capable laptop updated. The £120 option seemed cheaper and easier.
Yes, but it has gone unnecessarily too far in pursuit of some imaginary IT ideal. This is, after all, a car club forum, not a cutting-edge computer experts’ brainstorming group. I fear that the club might hsve been bamboozled by an IT provider with a vested interest.
The danger is that people will just not use the forum any more, which would be a shame. The forum was the main reason I rejoined the MX-5 OC after about 12 years away.
Like most people, I suspect, I do the minimum of software updating needed to keep my computers happy. They are a tool, not ends in themselves. One forum not working will not be enough to make me buy a new computer. So I’ll just visit the forum much less often.
