Forum/Server Upgrades - Status updates and questions go here

[SirPeale]

With regards to the calendar, what you like to see with it? Saint and I don't really care one way or the other. It can also be used to post events and other items on it besides birthdays and holidays. If we get some comments, we can consider turning it back on and using it for the community benefit.

Events are good,I was going to post the NEBYOAC meetup, when I found it was off.  Birthdays are always cool too, you can hit it up and see who's just knocked a peg off Death's abacus.

[SirPeale]

Can we get an idea of who liked the refresh page thing more or less?  I liked going back to where I read. The way it is now is like the old boards, but you can really reduce the bandwidth if it doesn't refresh each time.

[Tiger-Heli]

Can we get an idea of who liked the refresh page thing more or less?  I liked going back to where I read. The way it is now is like the old boards, but you can really reduce the bandwidth if it doesn't refresh each time.

Well, I'm pretty sure that using Firefox (which I am), it doesn't refresh anyway, but I prefer having it not refresh and I can always click the "Reload page" browser toolbar button if I want the latest page.

[SirPeale]

I'm using FireFox, and yes, it reloads every time I go back or forwards.

[sirwoogie]

OK, I turned the calendar back on, and it'll post events in the Main forum. Saint didn't really have big problem with it, just to reduce clutter. I guess we can see how it goes.

I'm still going to leave the refresh on for a bit to see how people think it goes, and then we can evaluate whether it should still be on or not.

[paigeoliver]

You do realize that there is still no link back to the main site, at least not that I can find. I have the messageboard bookmarked, not the main site, and I always used the messageboard links to get to the main site.

[SirPeale]

Some of the forum tags don't seem to be working.  Here's an example:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=18352

The table tags should make a table, not display.

[JoyMonkey]

I've a very minor suggestion;
I notice that when I do a search now, the results seem to be out of order. The old search (whenever it worked) used to sort by most recent first. Can it be defaulted back to sorting by date?

[JoyMonkey]

Some of the forum tags don't seem to be working.  Here's an example:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=18352

The table tags should make a table, not display.

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML. So it goes like this:

Code: [Select]

[table]
[tr]
[td]This cell is full of arse[/td]
[td]Don't know what to type here[/td]
[tr]
[/table]

Doing it this way allows more complicated tables to be created, the old software was painfull at handling tables.
Older tables that don't have a TR tag won't display correctly (like yours).

[sirwoogie]

I've a very minor suggestion;
I notice that when I do a search now, the results seem to be out of order. The old search (whenever it worked) used to sort by most recent first. Can it be defaulted back to sorting by date?

Under 'Advanced search' you can set the search order. I'd rather leave it at relevant since it actually is pretty good in it's results on most basic queries.

[sirwoogie]

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML. So it goes like this:

Code: [Select]

[table]
[tr]
[td]This cell is full of arse[/td]
[td]Don't know what to type here[/td]
[tr]
[/table]

Doing it this way allows more complicated tables to be created, the old software was painfull at handling tables.
Older tables that don't have a TR tag won't display correctly (like yours).

Couldn't have said it better myself

[SirPeale]

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML...

Good call!

[DrewKaree]

I may be wrong on this, but I thought when sending a PM to someone, we used to be able to add attachments.  Even if I'm wrongn on this, is it possible to send an attachment to someone via PM with this software?

[Matt, GoC]

Is it possible to add the option to have attachments not appear unless you click on them?  Like during the transition, there was a point where pics would not appear, just links.  This would be handy, as we wouldn't have to scroll past several pictures we've already seen, just to get to the unseen ones.  This would also save saint bandwidth, and 56k users a long wait.  Could this be done?

-Matt

[sirwoogie]

Is it possible to add the option to have attachments not appear unless you click on them? Like during the transition, there was a point where pics would not appear, just links. This would be handy, as we wouldn't have to scroll past several pictures we've already seen, just to get to the unseen ones. This would also save saint bandwidth, and 56k users a long wait. Could this be done?

Since this was the behavior of the old forum software, I will re-enable it. I agree this could help the bandwidth challenged users that would have to wait a long time on attachment loads.

[Matt, GoC]

Cool, but now I don't know where to change the option.

[pointdablame]

I have to agree... is there an option to turn the attachments BACK on.  I understand the need for it with 56k and all, but what if you are on broadband and WANT to see the attachments.   The idea on clicking through 10 pictures in a thread is not as appealing as simply scrolling down.

[RetroJames]

I have to agree... is there an option to turn the attachments BACK on.

[sirwoogie]

Unfortunately, there is no profile specific option to enable. If I turn it back on, it's on permanently. I think I'll just renable it, and look for a way to modify the forum code to make it a profile option

[Matt, GoC]

Don't toil over it too much, sirwoogie.  I'm not quite sure how customizable the software is, but since it's PHP you should be able to hack it.  I agree that having it off is annoying.  Just thinking of ways to help save saint some money by not having to pay for as much bandwidth costs...  If he can't pay for the bills, this entire community will vanish... so you get the basis for my concerns.

-Matt

[saint]

Don't let that worry you. We have 500 gigs of bandwidth a month to play with on this new server and we aren't coming close. Use 1 gig, use 500 gigs, the cost is the same. You're going to see this site become more multi-media oriented, not less. The only thing holding that back is concern over 56k dial up users.

Thanks

--- saint

Don't toil over it too much, sirwoogie.  I'm not quite sure how customizable the software is, but since it's PHP you should be able to hack it.  I agree that having it off is annoying.  Just thinking of ways to help save saint some money by not having to pay for as much bandwidth costs...  If he can't pay for the bills, this entire community will vanish... so you get the basis for my concerns.

-Matt

[vader]

People still have 56k ?....say it ain't so

[DrewKaree]

I'd LOVE to say it ain't so, but with their requirement for a year-long contract and my sketchy work schedule in the winter months and the ability to ditch my dialup for a month if need be....I just can't make the jump until prices come down - and I DON'T mean all the "dynamite prices for 3-6 months, then back to the high prices" deals they pimp out there. 

Others prolly have the same thoughts as me, and others here may not be the ones paying for their ISP, so it sucks, but it won't change.

Just some possible reasons you may not have thought of 

Oh, but for the record, I use Firefox and just open topic after topic after topic and let them open in their own tab - yet ANOTHER reason to like Firefox over IE.

[vader]

Firefox is King.....IE bow before it's knees....... ...you can usually get away from the contract if your provide your own modem, that is what I did with bellsouth....so I can walk out anytime I want......but where would I go...I'm to spoiled now.......3000K vs. 56k......hmm...decisions...

Tim

[Jabba]

People still have 56k ?....say it ain't so

Unfortunately, the answer is Yes from me too. I can only get dial-up or satellite in my home. I am only 1 mile away from the main road but thats just far enought that the cable company/telephone company won't "invest" in a line.

I tried a Satellite connection, but it was cr@p. High bandwidth to download, 56K modem to upload. Plus, it was $70/month plus another $24.95 for dial-up. I lasted 6 months and then reverted back to dial-up.

[mahuti]

I would like to move out in the sticks... but anywhere I move has to have cable or dsl....

ah, the curse of being a web designer.

[DrewKaree]

In using the SMF (is that the right name for that theme?) I noticed that the forum links at the top of any screen are absent.  I'm currently back to the default theme and noticing a few things I'd like to see on the other theme, as I like the look of it

Another question is that at the top of a forum in the default theme, it gives a little "X number of members and X number of guests are browsing this forum".  Is that also possible to implement in the SMF theme?

Lastly, in the SMF theme, it's DARNED hard to tell what is stickied, what is locked, or whatever the icons for each thread are.  Is there another set of icons that can be used for that theme?

I know these questions would only apply to the SIX of us that were using that theme, but if they could be implemented, I for one would really appreciate it, as I'd like to switch back, but this theme currently has more functionality to it.


*edit*
I also JUST noticed, after looking ENDLESSLY for these options in the old theme, that they are right at the top in this theme...again, possible to implement in SMF?

[DrewKaree]

Sorry to be such a PITA, but the SMF default theme has some options I think would be useful for the others as well

The things noted in the pic are what I'm referring to.  I know they already have a search button, but a quick search bar

[sirwoogie]

It is possible to implement the new theme items in the old theme and vice-versa. I just didn't take the time to replicate between the two. That'll be a new years project along with plenty of other enhancements.

[DrewKaree]

SirW, I noticed today the changes to the optional theme - thank you very very much! 

[sirwoogie]

..and to answer your questions regarding the icons in the SMF theme for the thread status, I agree that they are difficult to read. You have to look close, but there is a difference in the sticky icon vs. the real icon vs. the lock icon (sticky has a slight drop shadow, lock has a little padlock in it). The legend is at the bottom of the main index page for your reference. I don't plan on changing the icons in the default theme, but rather offer a different theme that blends aspects of both and some other theme's I'm cooking up.