Sure, PG's website (forums especially) is kinda quirky, but unique, and I find that I've gotten used to its quirkiness. So why bother changing the regular website. Now for mobiles and tablets, that's a separate issue that can be handled separately, way I see it.
I'm just curious, what you find quirky about the forums (aside from not being great on mobile). But let's assume you're on a desktop PC using the forums, what do you find weird about it, and what forum do you use that you don't find quirky? (just to clarify I'm asking specifically about the forums not the rest of the site).
I don't find anything particularly weird about the forums. And by "quirky" I mean non-standard. I'm a member of a lot of Internet forums on topics ranging from photography to motorcycles to guitars to composition software. I find that a company that wants to have a unique presence on the 'net frequently has its forums customized. Personally I don't care for this because invariably I have to get used to that particular company's way of getting things done with its forums. There are a few very popular forum software packages used broadly on the net and the good thing about them is, once you've gotten used to one's layout, you're used to them all. I don't see this as a bad thing, okay? Makes life easier all the way around. So, it's possible for an entity to customize the look of their software to any level they desire, while retaining the same function that a forum user like me is used to. PGM doesn't do this. They have their own forum design, and it's one I've had to get used to. But now that I'm used to it, I just really don't see the need to change it. Unless perhaps PGM wants to install one of these popular forum software packages so its forum behaves like the rest out on the net do. And I kinda doubt PGM will want to do this.
As for specific forum softwares, there are several that are popular. They often have commands/menu selections in common.
phpBB is a popular open source package that can be heavily modified Here's an example of a lightly customized phpBB forum: https://www.astronomyhouston.org/forum/
+1 I use a few websites that look pretty much like this. I don't particularly care what they look like as long as I can read the info without going through a lot of clicks.
Last edited by raymb1; 11/17/1708:12 AM.
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
My remark on small screens came from some research on the growing number of users. It's about not excluding the audience. I doubt anyone in this forum visits on a portable device, due to the nature of the program activity. The big display is so helpful. Formatting technology changes so regularly. At one time, web designers thought the displays would change according to the device detected. Didn't that turn out to be an underestime!
How interesting, Matt and John. Your comments took me by surprise, though this is an area I have lost touch with. I did grab the right edge of the screen and pull it to the left & was surprised to see the forum could still be read. Even without liquid CSS, the job gets done.
I haven't looked at Truefire's website in a long time. I noticed one of the instructors is Tommy Emmanuel, I bet that's a treat!
Personally I find background videos to be a distraction from the message imprinted over the video. I noted the background video was only used for the first and last screens of the homepage. The meat of the homepage message, which is a description of what the site offers, has a very simple background and static graphics.
I don't care for the front shade transition between screens either. A simple scroll would be more effective in my opinion.
My website provider, Wix, has an extensive collection of web templates. I sample new templates every couple of months just to keep track of new trends. I like eye candy but it can be a fattening distraction.
I'd like to see PG Music's website restructured so the site would be easier to search and navigate. I'm not sure what changes I'd want made though as I'm not a designer, I'm just a user.
Jim, a comment about searching (not navigating): some of us Google the PG site to find forum topics, rather than use the forum’s built-in search function.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
This forum software has served them well since 2000 when they made the change. Only thing I don't like about the search function is the 5 year limit. Most of Mac's posts have disappeared as a result. However as Matt mentioned this forum is indexed extremely well by Google, often within minutes of a new post.
If this is in regards to the main site, I did a 'view source' on the home page .. warning; this can not be unseen. There's a whole lot of old content just commented out and it is rough to look at. Also a lot of JS 'fixes', it really could use an update.
Quote:
At one time, web designers thought the displays would change according to the device detected. Didn't that turn out to be an underestime!
Can you explain that Ed? Isn't that what responsive design and Google's 'mobile first' initiative is all about? I know more and more devices come along every day but the goal is that the site does just that; change to fit the device.
Last edited by rharv; 07/08/1803:18 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Only thing I don't like about the search function is the 5 year limit.
rharv,
While the default search time period seems to be 5 years, a little while back the 'Advanced Search' function introduced a 12 year limit. I was surprised to discover this not so long ago.
Only thing I don't like about the search function is the 5 year limit.
rharv,
While the default search time period seems to be 5 years, not so long ago the 'Advanced Search' function introduced a 12 year limit. I was surprised to discover this not so long ago.
Noel
12 years is indeed news. That changes a few things. Thanks.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
In Reaper and KVR forums I can still go back and update/edit any old post. In this PG forum you can only edit it for a few days. I think that needs changing so the edit is always on and you can update info rather than having new post underneath like in Chord Picker Tool it ends up so long you have to scroll each post to take in all the info, when I could of just updated the first post.
In this PG forum you can only edit it for a few days. I think that needs changing so the edit is always on and you can update info rather than having new post underneath like in Chord Picker Tool it ends up so long you have to scroll each post to take in all the info, when I could of just updated the first post.
+1
I have written a few threads like that. It would be cleaner to be able to update the first thread.
By the way, although I don't think it has been explicitly stated, I think the limit on being able to edit a post is 24 hours. That's not a scientific answer though.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
..... In this PG forum you can only edit it for a few days. I think that needs changing so the edit is always on and you can update info rather than having new post underneath like in Chord Picker Tool it ends up so long you have to scroll each post to take in all the info, when I could of just updated the first post.
I agree. Also one should be able to edit the subject line. If someone has a problem and it is corrected 8 days later then they should be able to add solved to the subject line.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Also one should be able to edit the subject line. If someone has a problem and it is corrected 8 days later then they should be able to add solved to the subject line.
+1
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
One thing to note is this forum changed format in 2000 (June I think). I wouldn't expect to be able to search the old format (anything over 18 years), but it would be nice if the history on this format could be accessible.
Edit Turns out it was end of May .. yeah, I probably wore out my welcome by now
Last edited by rharv; 07/10/1802:03 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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