Generally, I like when the text background is something else than white. That why I liked the original version. I think white is too bright for the eyes. Once I even changed it for Reddit. Can't we have maybe a light grey/blue background???
Feedback on forum software upgrade
- Thread starter MacGyver1968
- Start date
Since the upgrade, two problems have appeared. First I noticed that page-loading won't terminate (even though the page loads, the scroll bar in Firefox gets 'stuck').
Today I can't edit my posts, the edit box is blank.
Hmm, the edit problem seems to have cured itself (??)
Today I can't edit my posts, the edit box is blank.
Hmm, the edit problem seems to have cured itself (??)
Definitely. I've already had an issue with there where I linked to some papers to illustrate a point and no one noticed my 'here' words were URLs. Colour change or underline would be needed.
images are dynamically resized to fit browser
no more mile long scroll bars accommodating hi-res pics
see?
Yep. :worship:
Seems great. As a web designer I would say it's about time. The format layout etc can be tweeked in time but there should be loads of new and better tools available for admin and members. BTW Any news of a post archive dump to file and download capacity? [ should be there in the massive new list of features ]
The hyperlink style fix should be easy once the team have the time...
The hyperlink style fix should be easy once the team have the time...
I like fact that reply is available for each part of a post; but when quoting from external site I some times make insert in it text. Then I always place my insert between {my insert} but may make it blue as I tried here Hope it is blue in the post. If it not look at what I typed by starting to edit my post and see I used and ended it properly. replying by "quick reply"
I like fact that one click reply is available for each part of a post; but when quoting from external site I some times make insert in it text. Then I always place my insert between {my insert} but may make it blue as I tried here Hope it is blue in the post. If it not look at what I typed by starting to edit my post and see I used and ended it properly. replying by "submit" after having used "Go advanced"
later by edit: color to mark off my inserts in a quote does not seem possible any more. And book title properly given in italics is lost when all the quote become italics, and underlined text, when quoted, dies too, I think, so I still think new format is net step backwards, even if it gives computer smart guys some new tools to play with.
Two cents on font colors
I think it's just a matter of getting the entire font color function restored. I cannot imagine it was deliberately canceled or removed. My advice, as such, is to continue to tag your colors as you have; to wit, none of my Mod Hats are in green at present. Or, at least, they weren't on day one of the new update. I'll double check. Meanwhile, I'm continuing to tag my posts as I always have, including the color=black inside my quote tags. I will change my tag structure once I'm convinced the update, tweaks, patches, and bugfixes are generally complete, and I know what I need to do.
Billy T said:
I think it's just a matter of getting the entire font color function restored. I cannot imagine it was deliberately canceled or removed. My advice, as such, is to continue to tag your colors as you have; to wit, none of my Mod Hats are in green at present. Or, at least, they weren't on day one of the new update. I'll double check. Meanwhile, I'm continuing to tag my posts as I always have, including the color=black inside my quote tags. I will change my tag structure once I'm convinced the update, tweaks, patches, and bugfixes are generally complete, and I know what I need to do.
Symptomatic
The aesthetic redesign was not specifically needed. The system update that included the aesthetic redesign, however, has certain benefits, though I'm unable to enumerate them all. It is my understanding that database function is smoother, which seems like a good thing; and that we have better bot repellant, which seems like a good thing. I do know that as of vBulletin 4.1.4, at the very least, the software integrated a new post editor, which while not strictly necessary, doesn't hurt.
Perhaps at some point, we can get some further insight from the Company about the other behind-the-curtain benefits of the upgrade. To the other, we could probably figure it out ourselves if we just head over to the vBulletin website. There are numerous upgrades, including CMS, widgets, asset management, and alleged search engine improvement, just to name a few. We'll see how the search engine issue goes as they iron out the wrinkles. And, perhaps, we'll see new features installed over coming weeks and months that utilize these features.
I am uncertain which package they have installed, though; CMS, for example, is part of the 4.x Publishing Suite, but not, it appears, the 4.x Forum Classic.
It is my opinion at present—and will continue to be until informed otherwise by the ownership-administration—that the aesthetic redesign was simply part of the software installation, which is why I've been asking people to lighten up about how much they hate the new look. There are aspects of the update that are clearly not settled, and we can probably manage to be constructively influential if we choose to be. To wit, I would prefer a serif font, and I loathe Verdana in particular; but telling the owners they've completely fucked up isn't going to be helpful, especially as I am aware that all of my minor unease with the new presentation of the site can be addressed.
Thus, my specific answer to your inquiry is that it would seem the aesthetic changes are symptomatic of the system upgrade, and the aesthetics can be tinkered, smoothed, and otherwise adjusted as we go.
Syzygys said:
The aesthetic redesign was not specifically needed. The system update that included the aesthetic redesign, however, has certain benefits, though I'm unable to enumerate them all. It is my understanding that database function is smoother, which seems like a good thing; and that we have better bot repellant, which seems like a good thing. I do know that as of vBulletin 4.1.4, at the very least, the software integrated a new post editor, which while not strictly necessary, doesn't hurt.
Perhaps at some point, we can get some further insight from the Company about the other behind-the-curtain benefits of the upgrade. To the other, we could probably figure it out ourselves if we just head over to the vBulletin website. There are numerous upgrades, including CMS, widgets, asset management, and alleged search engine improvement, just to name a few. We'll see how the search engine issue goes as they iron out the wrinkles. And, perhaps, we'll see new features installed over coming weeks and months that utilize these features.
I am uncertain which package they have installed, though; CMS, for example, is part of the 4.x Publishing Suite, but not, it appears, the 4.x Forum Classic.
It is my opinion at present—and will continue to be until informed otherwise by the ownership-administration—that the aesthetic redesign was simply part of the software installation, which is why I've been asking people to lighten up about how much they hate the new look. There are aspects of the update that are clearly not settled, and we can probably manage to be constructively influential if we choose to be. To wit, I would prefer a serif font, and I loathe Verdana in particular; but telling the owners they've completely fucked up isn't going to be helpful, especially as I am aware that all of my minor unease with the new presentation of the site can be addressed.
Thus, my specific answer to your inquiry is that it would seem the aesthetic changes are symptomatic of the system upgrade, and the aesthetics can be tinkered, smoothed, and otherwise adjusted as we go.
"Responsive" web development is a relatively new feild so it may take some time. I am confident though, that VB Bul. would have a developed plugin that could be purchased or an app that may be available for download onto your phone of tablet. Just takes time. Also VB Bulletin is a pseudo commercial software application [not pure Open source] so it has to be purchased If I am not mistaken and all mods may come at a cost. [there is no doubt, tech support available for an initial period]
@ tiassa
One of the most common reasons for upgrade is to prevent malicious hacking of usernames and passwords therefore personal details and email accounts.
The old board would have been sitting pretty for hackers and was probably hijacked by them any way. A way into the server via out-of-date software is also what they look for.
I recently had 6 sites hijacked with out any reason to suspect they had been and only found out when one of my customers complained about a Russian pharma site he was redirected to. Forums like this one are prime candidates for full or partial hijacking because of the numbers of members and email addresses involved.
IMO the upgrade is essential if Sciforums is to have a future on the net,. And I woud like to *congradulate* the admin team for what they are attemptng to do.. takes courage!
*an in house spell checker would be nice too
"Responsive" web development is a relatively new field so it may take some time. I am confident though, that VB Bul. would have a developed plugin that could be purchased or an app that may be available for download onto your phone of tablet. Just takes time. Also VB Bulletin is a pseudo commercial software application [not pure Open source] so it has to be purchased If I am not mistaken and all mods may come at a cost. [there is no doubt, tech support available for an initial period]
@ tiassa
One of the most common reasons for upgrade is to prevent malicious hacking of usernames and passwords therefore personal details and email accounts.
The old board would have been sitting pretty for hackers and was probably hijacked by them any way. A way into the server via out-of-date software is also what they look for.
I recently had 6 sites hijacked with out any reason to suspect they had been and only found out when one of my customers complained about a Russian pharma site he was redirected to. Forums like this one are prime candidates for full or partial hijacking because of the numbers of members and email addresses involved.
IMO the upgrade is essential if Sciforums is to have a future on the net,. And I would like to *congratulate* the admin team for what they are attempting to do.. takes courage!
*an in house spell checker would be nice too
There is also another reason for upgrading. I already know some competition that has more advance forum software, and the current upgrades here still don't measure up to the competition yet. These current upgrades might be necessary first steps to get caught up to the competition.
yep.. no doubt...a steep learning curve for admin, at least it's a start. Being aware that every new feature requires moderation policy formation and that it is the posting and moderation policies and general focus of the forum [forum philosophy] that are some of the primary keys as to it's success in securing and maintaining members or not, IMO.
I've been involved with large upgrades that both needed to be completed on time and working when implemented. It can be a real adrenaline experience, and not something you ever look forward to doing but once done quite a relief. I'm sure some of the complaints hurt a bit, but I'm sure they were expected as a natural response to unexpected change.
I think the biggest software issue for most forums from a poster point of view is the editor software. IMO.
This one I think is a CK CMS editor which IMO has proved to be one of the better ones but as all of them are full of bugs in some form especially as you start to use more advanced features, it is hard to tell how it will go and needs to be trialed in a way that means little disruption or confusion to forum members. Idealy running a mirror forum to try out the changes before implimenting them. This is highly unlikely here of course. So knowing the admin over the years, they will probably be very conservative with what they introduce to the members.
Example: Newsletter software is a common feature for admin to use for member benefit and promotion, but can take a bit of work to set up and a lot of policy to run. Template and styling but mainly content and policy. [ and server issues as well]
This one I think is a CK CMS editor which IMO has proved to be one of the better ones but as all of them are full of bugs in some form especially as you start to use more advanced features, it is hard to tell how it will go and needs to be trialed in a way that means little disruption or confusion to forum members. Idealy running a mirror forum to try out the changes before implimenting them. This is highly unlikely here of course. So knowing the admin over the years, they will probably be very conservative with what they introduce to the members.
Example: Newsletter software is a common feature for admin to use for member benefit and promotion, but can take a bit of work to set up and a lot of policy to run. Template and styling but mainly content and policy. [ and server issues as well]
I would urge the Admins to look into - Tapatalk - to better facilitate mobile device posting. I would also suggest that they consider a - Digital Point/Sphinx - based search engine.