Bulletin Board ver 4.0.1 Upgrade

[Bill Archibald]

As you can all see, this Bulletin Board has just changed in appearance and some functionality. It has been upgraded to version 4.0.1

It is different. And I am sure quite unsettling to some :devil: We ask that you give it an honest try. Like anything new, you will get use to the different ways of using it in due time.

And don't worry, us administrators are also still trying to get used to it. If you have any CONSTRUCTIVE comments, we would love to hear them. We can not guarantee we will be able to act on them, because, heck, as I said, we are still getting used to it.

have fun exploring :2thumbs:

-Bill.

[Chris Nelson]

So far, no problem, except where are the smilies? I am going to miss the dancing llama, etc.

[My-T-Fine]

You have to click 'Go advanced' tab then you'll see them although I don't see a llama :bs:

[Chris Nelson]

I do not see "go advanced" anywhere

[Chris Nelson]

Never mind,found it :disco: this one is a so called llama:llama:

[Chris Nelson]

have a more "dynamic" and easier to read skin, also the signed in page is confusing, it says you basically are not allowed to see this page, makes you want to go elsewhere.

[Bill Archibald]

Thanks Chris,

We think we have fixed the sign in confusion.

When you suggest "have a more "dynamic" and easier to read skin" can you be more specific?

We are looking into different skin options and would love to hear suggestions.

[knockaert]

I had a similar problem logging in. After several tries to re-register on the site, I finally got it right. I saw a "Welcome" page that immediately went to a page telling me I was not authorized to view the page. After a call to Bill (Thanks Bill) he suggested I look around the page a start clicking. I clicked on "Forum" and I was in. Today when I logged on the "not authorized page" did not appear and I was in immediately.

[Dick Wilson]

Could have a bit larger font... and a bolder color for the topic headline.
I finally got logged in after reading how on delphi. I don't understand why the members only sections were labeled private after entering use rname and password.
This reply is like reading the directions on a quart can instead a gallon can.

[Bill Archibald]

I agree Dick about the larger font, and thank God we are not the only ones with aging eyes, or we would get no sympathy :roflmao:

And in the compose pane, the size font is REALLY a "pane in the compose". I'll put that on the list to figure out.

As far as bolder colors, scroll down to the bottom of the page, on the left you'll see a drop down menu that now says "--vB4 Default Style" I've spent a little time uploading a few more styles. Test them out and settle on the one you like best.

I know what you mean about the irony of having the directions within, that wasn't lost on me when I started this thread. :coocoo:

[Chris Nelson]

Thanks Chris,

We think we have fixed the sign in confusion.

When you suggest "have a more "dynamic" and easier to read skin" can you be more specific?

We are looking into different skin options and would love to hear suggestions.

I am not exactly sure but this is kind of bland but the other ones at the bottom are to bold,especially the red.
I got to immediatly go to the forum this morning without the confusing not authorized to view page.:notworthy:

[Dick Wilson]

Thanks Bill,

I knew you couldn't pass up that small print opening, but, I know you are laughing with me not at me!

Seriously, thanks for the tips. As with any change, people of our vintage seem to have a more skeptical view of something we are not familiar with. However the more we play with it the easier it becomes to use.

Does this board still go to the first unread post when you enter a topic?

Again, Bill, thanks for your knowledge, your willingness to share it and the work you do to manage this.

[Bill Archibald]

You know it, Dick. I was NOT laughing at you, I was CRYING with you :cry:

I don't know if this answers your question, but it appears if you are looking at a thread with some unread posts, there will be a choice to "view first unread" in a small navigation bar at the top.

I do not see that choice when there are no new posts.

[Bill Archibald]

I am not exactly sure but this is kind of bland but the other ones at the bottom are to bold,especially the red.
I got to immediatly go to the forum this morning without the confusing not authorized to view page.:notworthy:


Tell me what you'd like, I'll look for something that might fulfill your preference. I am growing partial to "StudioStyle"

[Bill Archibald]

Couple of things, if you want a full featured reply pane, double click the large rectangulart button that says "+Reply to Thread" That button is on the left at the top of the thread and at the bottom of the thread - the color will vary with the style you choose.

Second, I have found the control in increase the font of the posts. I've enlarged the one for the "pink" style. You may not like the color scheme, but look at the font size and see if it is big enough. This control only works on one style at a time, I'm sure I could find a global style change, but haven't yet.

-Bill

[Chris Murphy]

I still have to log in, and still get the message "If this is your first time....," meaning that I'm not allowed to post.

[Eunice, PRS Reporter]

I was able to access the forum but had to log in to post. Really dislike the color choices. Default is too pale and unreadable, the others are 'in your face' bold. Like the font upsize on 'Pink', that's comfortable. I did like the color of the forum Cliff posted a link to on his site - would like to see a green option.

I find the number of threads info too dominant in the center and the topic on the far right hard to pick out. I'll keep playing with it, but tell me what some of the advantages are so I can be won over.

[Bill Archibald]

Chris,
Sometimes the message "if this is your first time....." is in error. If you see the posts try clicking on a thread in the member section and see if you are allowed. Dave DiBacco had this same trouble, but then it cleared up miraculously.

Eunice,
I'll keep my eyes open for that color scheme. We are only going with the free ones at the moment, so it might not be EXACTLY like the Palm Pre - also that was vBulletin ver 3.8 so it will not be exactly the same. I'm almost feeling confident that I could tweak some colors on one of the "out of the box" styles ....... ALMOST !

Every version has more security patches, but this is a "suite" which has options for a blog and a home page that can contain news and other pieces of information. Take a look at vBulletin's use if it, http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/content.php

We have not attempted to take full advantage yet as we want to iron out the newness and bugs of the bulletin board first. In this age of internet communications, it is usually wise to have a toy ..... ah TOOL...... that can do more than you need so you have room to grow.

I am not exactly sure what you mean by the thread info being too dominant, I think I know, but I guess you pick up information in a completely different way than I do.

And don't worry, I'm not totally comfortable yet either. The more I use it, the more confident I am.

[Chris Nelson]

Here is another thing that bugs me and I do not know if I can explain it but some of your posts, especially the first ones come in a long thin (vertical) format containing 3 or 4 words a line. It is hard to read and annoying. I tried to copy and past what I am talking about but when pasted it goes to a normal paragraph.:2cents:
just like this!

[Jim Seymour]

The Guild logo link no longer takes one to the home page. It takes you to the BB. Neat idea.....:headslap:

[Chris Murphy]

Chris,
Sometimes the message "if this is your first time....." is in error. If you see the posts try clicking on a thread in the member section and see if you are allowed.

It's still doing it: I have to login (my computer remembers my username and password), and then I am taken to the BB, as a member. I didn't get notification that there were other posts in the thread, either.

[Chris Murphy]

As far as the "style," I'm using "SimpleRed," and that seems easier to read, but to be 'stylistically correct,' the color should be the same as the logo (I think), and all the other color print should be the same color. As it is now, the logo color outlines the page, SimpleRed fills most of the body, but the grayish blue is on the "Reply to Thread," "Page X of X," First, etc. Not consistent, makes it look like design flaws. In a visual business, details matter, right?

[Chris Murphy]

The Guild logo link no longer takes one to the home page. It takes you to the BB. Neat idea.....:headslap:

I don't like the fact that it takes you to the BB front page. I think it was better when it went to the site Home page: if and when that page is updated with regularity, it'd be a way to spread new items and Guild news. If you're on the BB already, you can get back to the BB front page with other buttons.

[Chris Murphy]

How do I change items in My Profile, like adding a picture or web link to my signature? There were some items I could change on that page, but the others had no 'button' that I could find.

[Bill Archibald]

Chris N,

Do you mean
something
like this ?
If so, and
the person, is
not doing it
intentionally,
I think it
must be some
setting in your
browser.


Jim,

Hopefully we will have our web developer fix that this week. Like the old version, we should have it go back to the ngpp.org homepage. That's a tweak that I am not comfortable making.

Chris M ,

You are going to the ngpp.org homepage first and then here? If that is so, try bookmarking the forum and come directly to it without linking from the ngpp homepage. I have a button on my browser (Opera 10) that goes to ngpp.org/lounge. If you are already coming directly to the BB, then I am at a loss to what the problem is.

As far as getting auto email notifications of threads that you are participating in, that should be a setting within your own settings. Let me see if I can find a global setting for that.

And yes, we would love to have a custom style that uses the same red as the NGPP logo. If I knew how to make a style template, I would use that red, some black, and larger fonts. As it is, we are using what we can find.


Anyone,

would people like a style that is black background and white letters? Here's a link to one that is accented with green:

http://www.australiangate.com/demov4/forumdisplay.php?2-Main-Forum

and there are others without the green.

[Bill Archibald]

Chris M,

Explore the "Settings" - just to the right of "My Profile" at top right of page. Signature, avatar, etc are controlled there.

Also, you can set a preference to subscribe to and receive email notifications for threads in which you participate.
On the left of the settings page, go down to the third box "My Settings", then down to "Forums" and click on "Forum Settings". Now in the main pane, in the "Messaging & Notification" box there is a drop down box titled "Default Thread Subscription Mode", choose "Instantly, using email".

[Chris Murphy]

ou are going to the ngpp.org homepage first and then here? If that is so, try bookmarking the forum and come directly to it without linking from the ngpp homepage.

I like seeing the homepage first. I often am the first one in my chapter to be notified of announcements, sometimes to the consternation of our chapter president (KL Conner, a great American). So, I guess I'll be logging in everytime. It used to wrk on the old system, where I could enter from the homepage without logging in, and was much more convenient.

[Chris Murphy]

Chris M,

Explore the "Settings" - just to the right of "My Profile" at top right of page. Signature, avatar, etc are controlled there.

Also, you can set a preference to subscribe to and receive email notifications for threads in which you participate.
On the left of the settings page, go down to the third box "My Settings", then down to "Forums" and click on "Forum Settings". Now in the main pane, in the "Messaging & Notification" box there is a drop down box titled "Default Thread Subscription Mode", choose "Instantly, using email".

Thanks, got it. (I'd suggest that the button label be "My Settings," but it probably can't be changed.)

[Bill Archibald]

I like seeing the homepage first. I often am the first one in my chapter to be notified of announcements, sometimes to the consternation of our chapter president (KL Conner, a great American). So, I guess I'll be logging in everytime. It used to wrk on the old system, where I could enter from the homepage without logging in, and was much more convenient.

The way it is now, is NOT the way it should be.

This is a common problem with many. And once they do log on (usually taking a couple of tries) they can not see the committees they are supposed to see.

This definitely needs to be fixed, but until then, the work-around will allow proper access.


Thanks, got it. (I'd suggest that the button label be "My Settings," but it probably can't be changed.)

I may be able to change that. I'll fiddle. Gary and I are having fun seeing how we can play with this.

[My-T-Fine]

Just curious why my times are ahead an hour. I checked my forum setting and it seems to be correctly set on Eastern Time Zone..

[Bill Archibald]

Just curious why my times are ahead an hour. I checked my forum setting and it seems to be correctly set on Eastern Time Zone..

Hmmm, I'll bet there's a daylight/standard time setting that's off. Let me test .

Nope, mine posts the correct time. It's 4:33 right now. I have no idea.

[Bill Archibald]

I just did some tests.

When I go to the main NGPP web page NOT using "www" (http://ngpp.org) and then click the link to this Bulletin Board, I end up at
http://ngpp.org/lounge/forum.php
and nothing about me is remembered. I then log on and can not see committees that I should.

NOW, when I go to the NGPP home page USING "www" (http://www.ngpp.org) and click on the Bulletin Board link, I end up at:
http://www.ngpp.org/lounge/forum.php
(notice the "www")
and all is as it should be.

Also when I type into my browser ngpp.org/lounge/forum.php (no "www") I get the evil forum. When I use the "www" I get the good forum.

Who besides me is confused? This ain't right, but at least we are on the track to fixing it.

[My-T-Fine]

Hmmm, I'll bet there's a daylight/standard time setting that's off. Let me test .

Nope, mine posts the correct time. It's 4:33 right now. I have no idea.


This is copied and pasted from the time of your post

Today 05:31 PM

Must be something on my end...

[shelw]

Bill,
I logged in, but do not have access to the members only area!
Thanks,
Shelly

[Bill Archibald]

Shelly, I'll bet you are not including the www in your address.

try clickling on this link

http://www.ngpp.org/lounge/forum.php (www.ngpp.org/lounge/forum.php)

[Bill Archibald]

This is copied and pasted from the time of your post

Today 05:31 PM

Must be something on my end...

Yah, see if your computer's clock is off by an hour. That's always a head slapper when and if it happens :headslap:

[Chris Murphy]

I got in through the home page, so whatever was causing the glitch is gone, at least on this computer.

[Gary Lucas]

I got in through the home page, so whatever was causing the glitch is gone, at least on this computer.
It should be fixed for all. Yesterday Mr Bill (aka The Spaminator) discovered that going to ngpp.org as apposed to going to www.ngpp.org (http://www.ngpp.org) resulted in no cookies being retained and thus no log-in information being remembered. It is apparently a bug in vBulletin 4.0.1. As a work-around, our programmer setup an automatic redirect, so that when ngpp.org is entered in the address bar it is re-directed to www.ngpp.org (http://www.ngpp.org).

[Bill Archibald]

Now for the next issue,

who's got some? http://billarchibald.com/smilies/rofl.gif

[Jim Seymour]

Anyone,
would people like a style that is black background and white letters? Here's a link to one that is accented with green:
http://www.australiangate.com/demov4/forumdisplay.php?2-Main-Forum
and there are others without the green.

Bill,
The white on black is a fresh change but it becomes harsh on the eyes rather quickly.
The green skin: about the same as above but the green on black mouse overs will be lost on those with a degree of color blindness. There's no contrast.

Just a thought.
Aren't you glad you're fixin' what wasn't broke?:roflmao:

[Bill Archibald]

Bill,

Just a thought.
Aren't you glad you're fixin' what wasn't broke?:roflmao:

Yah, and I still wish I had my old 68 Dodge van with the slant six. It was REAL easy to work on. Upgrades are never just plain simpler

[Jim Seymour]

I hate to be serious but, to you and all working behind the scenes to make things better for us all and taking guff in the process
Thank you!:D

[Bill Archibald]

We appreciate that Jim.

and I hate you BEING serious :roflmao:

'cause you know I thrive on a well measured amount of guff :2thumbs:

You coming up to MM7 ??

[Jim Seymour]

As of now I'm leaning to Media to be certifiable. MM7 is a good possibility. Roger said something about gas, getting tanked and just putter on up..... I'm ready!

[Bill Archibald]

Chris M,

We have learned a few little tricks in the past two days. On a couple of the styles, including "Simple Red", the header now has a background color of black (no clashing reds), the guild logo links to the main website, and "Settings" has been changed to "My Settings".

If people like these changes, we can enact them for the ALL other styles.

The opinions of users are welcomed on the Bulletin Board.

[Chris Murphy]

Yeah, that's better.

[Jim Seymour]

Now for the next issue,

who's got some? http://billarchibald.com/smilies/rofl.gif
Not to be a PITA but:
Users active in the past 96 hours claims 46 members visited; 44 are listed. Who got snubbed and why.

The colors for those visiting? I get red/orange for the Pres, dark blue for admin, pink for registered users and brown for guilders. What the heck is light blue for?

Did you know clicking the last post only works if you log in? :hide:
You're still doing good!

[Bill Archibald]

Not to be a PITA but:
Then how can we be assured it's you :roflmao:





Users active in the past 96 hours claims 46 members visited; 44 are listed. Who got snubbed and why.
That's just a test to see who can count beyond their fingers and toes
AND who has too much time to do so. You win.




The colors for those visiting? I get red/orange for the Pres, dark blue for admin, pink for registered users and brown for guilders.
Another test - you need a new monitor




Did you know clicking the last post only works if you log in? :hide:
WOW, stunning news. I'm on my way to DC with that revelation. Perhaps now they will explore both sides of every issue !




You're still doing good! Don' that just make you so happy ??

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

(sorry, cabin fever)

[TooledUp]

Where's the scrolling dancing girls? :tiphat: :lol:

[Bill Archibald]

Where's the scrolling dancing girls? :tiphat: :lol:

They're over on your side of the pond.
How is everyone at the Pit Stop? I gave up on the interface of that software. The toys are nice but finding recent posts was not as easy as I had hoped. Ya know if by any chance you ever thought about going a different direction, there's an open source bb, http://www.phpbb.com/ . Looks awfully similar to vBulletin

Give them all my best.

[TooledUp]

That's easy Bill. There's a link just under the stats near the bottom of the index page "View the most recent posts on the forum." :headslap: :lol:

phpb doesn't really have a lot of functionality Bill. It's a simple one to use but not as many functions as vbulletin and smf :thumbup:

[Chris Murphy]

How do I change display colors? Mine was changed to a steel gray, and I can't find the button to get back to Simple Red.

[Bill Archibald]

Yes, where are all the custom skins we made? And the hack that I made to display "today's posts" are gone.

And I can't change type faces or sizes?


WHO & WHY?

[Bill Archibald]

And all the "banned" users can now been seen. I know Gary wouldn't have done this and I know Tim wouldn't have.

Why is "someone else" screwing up all the work we've done? Aren't there enough productive chores they have to do?

[ProWallGuy]

Apparently our web company did all the recent upgrades to the newest patch version. The hacks and custom templates were causing havoc with it so they were wiped out. And there you go.

[Bill Archibald]

"causing havoc"

I do not believe that. Causing us to have customized tools and user friendly apps is more like it.

See my avatar

This is BS