It's time to upgrade the forum software. Lives ruined.

Discussion in 'Ask Baldy, Blame Cannonshot' started byBaldy,Oct 19, 2019.

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  1. Baldy,Oct 19, 2019
    #1
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    Hey everyone,

    The forum software we run is Xenforo 1.5.@SpecialKev一直致力于将我们迁移到2.1,病重吗ns out to be a pretty major change. It's a good opportunity to go full caps lock because if it ain't broke, cheese moved, Mark Zuckerberg...

    I'm excited because I like much more than I dislike. We have a test server with real ADV content I've been playing with so I'll show example changes as we discover them. The central idea Xenforo had was to re-architect the code and interface to be better for mobile users. Also, content discovery.

    Here's a current screenshot:

    Screen Shot 2019-10-19 at 8.35.29 PM.png

    (I have a few things you don't like the edit link. Also, don't pay attention to font size and color. We haven't sorted that yet. But you'll notice some diffs in this view with Xenforo 2.1:

    Screen Shot 2019-10-19 at 8.35.00 PM.png

    So rounded avatars, small avatars for last post in a thread. Notice the what's new pulldown. It feels like that needs some language clarification. I'm trying to get my head around exactly what those 4 menu items mean.
    #1
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  2. Baldy,Oct 19, 2019
    #2
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    One thing I had pressed Xenforo for was link expansions. In other words, if you post a link, Xenforo now expands it with a thumbnail and description so you can see what you would be clicking on. And maybe you save the click because you get enough from the preview.

    Screen Shot 2019-10-19 at 9.19.19 PM.png

    Explanation: The orange popular TED talks link is the way you can do it in Xenforo 1.5, so that doesn't go away. You pick the link option in the editor, type in the name of the link and voila.

    The second one happens if you just post a link in your post. When you submit the post, Xenforo does its best to expand the link like it did in my screen shot.

    The Klim pants image is just me testing uploading images and thinking about a gear purchase.
    #2
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  3. Baldy,Oct 19, 2019
    #3
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    So the Mark Zuckerberg head explody thing: Xenforo 2 has replaced the like link, which many inmates hated until they liked it, with a Facebook-like button and popup that lets you choose reactions:

    Screen Shot 2019-10-19 at 7.50.43 PM.png
    Also, Xenforo 2 supports standard emojis now.
    #3
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  4. Baldy,Oct 19, 2019
    #4
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    As for content discovery, here's a thing:

    Screen Shot 2019-10-19 at 8.38.08 PM.png
    #4
    rathawk,Suncoasterandplumer1ktlike this.
  5. plumer1kt,Oct 19, 2019
    #5
    plumer1kt

    plumer1ktAdventurer

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    Having the "Watched Threads" button working as it does now, what the "Unanswered Threads" button will do?
    Links to quoted posts that i never answer?
    As an example:you quote a post of me ,i get the alert ,see it but if i never answer/post in that thread ,it will be visible in a list?
    If so ,that will be a huge help for those watching a big number of threads.
    Or not?

    Edit: Can we have a "Mark threads read" button?
    #5
    Baldylikes this.
  6. Gerg,Oct 20, 2019
    #6
    Gerg

    GergThe Destroyer

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    Too bad nobody communicates with you Baldy!
    Some things never change...
    #6
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  7. Zoef zoef,Oct 20, 2019
    #7
    Zoef zoef

    Zoef zoefLong timer

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    Why change? I`m sorry to say, but the new version does not bring any improvements to me. Worse, visually speaking it is quite a step back. Too much contrast, not pleasant to read.
    Please stick with the current version!
    #7
  8. SpecialKev,Oct 20, 2019
    #8
    SpecialKev

    SpecialKevIT Screwer UpperAdministratorSuper ModeratorSuper Supporter

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    Because the current software goes end of life in 2 months. After that point, no security updates, no functionality updates, nothing. It's not being done on a whim, I assure you.

    As for the look and feel - That is still VERY much a work in progress. What you're seeing screenshots of is the designer's first go at it. There are going to be significant changes made to it.
    #8
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  9. ag_streak,Oct 20, 2019
    #9
    ag_streak

    ag_streakFailure is always an optionSupporter

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    The current version will be at end-of-life in two months, and the designer of the new version is having his/her "first go at it"??

    That's just crazy, man...
    #9
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  10. ag_streak,Oct 20, 2019
    #10
    ag_streak

    ag_streakFailure is always an optionSupporter

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    Can the reactions to choose from be customized? Can you cut them down to say, just "thumbs-up" and "thumbs-down"?

    Although thinking about it, maybe "ha-ha, that's funny" would be useful too, and cut down on the current number of thread replies with nothing more than a "laughing" emoticon...
    #10
  11. Woody2627,Oct 20, 2019
    #11
    Woody2627

    Woody2627Grey Wobbler

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    I'm still waiting for the "ignore thread" functionality to return.
    #11
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  12. TripleTriples,Oct 20, 2019
    #12
    TripleTriples

    TripleTriplesLong timer

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    Someone will always be mad, can't please everyone.

    In this day and age though, you have to keep your software current, even if it's just for the security fixes. Via con Queso
    #12
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  13. Baldy,Oct 20, 2019
    #13
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    I'm sure this won't be the first time I re-post this: don't pay attention to font size and color. We haven't gotten to that yet.
    #13
  14. LadyDraco,Oct 21, 2019
    #14
    LadyDraco

    LadyDracoKillerSmileIHazIt !!

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    So when does this change happen?


    Thank goodness , I believe I'm already using the updated version on another site.
    So the change will not effect me …:clap
    As I'm already use ta it..

    Thanks for the heads up@Baldy :thumb
    #14
    dad2bike,MrKiwi,Baldyand1 other personlike this.
  15. ozmoses,Oct 21, 2019
    #15
    ozmoses

    ozmosespersona non grata

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    :lol3
    #15
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  16. Baldy,Oct 21, 2019
    #16
    Baldy

    BaldyFounder of ADVAdministrator

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    #16
    simestdlikes this.
  17. MrKiwi,Oct 21, 2019
    #17
    MrKiwi

    MrKiwiLong timerSuper Supporter

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    2.1 is good. Like@LadyDracowe are using it on another site. It did take a little getting used to it, but its a solid platform.

    The key will be how you manage to incorporate your current themes.

    Good luck with the transition.
    #17
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  18. Rudy,Oct 21, 2019
    #18
    Rudy

    RudyLearnin'AdministratorSupporter

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    any specific features with the new software you love/hate and anything else you think we should consider?
    #18
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  19. DCrider,Oct 21, 2019
    #19
    DCrider

    DCriderLive from THE Hill

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    So basically we can expect more annoying ads/SPAM pop ups just like after the last upgrade?
    #19
  20. Rudy,Oct 21, 2019
    #20
    Rudy

    RudyLearnin'AdministratorSupporter

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    the spam ads were from spammers which was happening across the internet even to sites like wired.com and gizmodo etc. We're using a service that works amazingly well to block those ads called confiant. check them out it's a great service.
    #20
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