Forums Upgrade... Please Read

[Steve]

I will most likely be upgrading the forums to a newer version some time next week. There is a few things that may change with the forums:

1. The current design - the new version of the forum is not completely compatible with the current templates I'm using. I'm sure that although the design may be nice to the eye, it's really the ability to post and conversate with other members that's more important. I'm just curious, would you mind if the design goes to a very plain, square look and feel to it rather than what I have now? (it would look like this: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/index.php)

-------------------------

Here is a list of all the new features that are part of the new version of the forums:

• 
  General
• Quick registration system...username, password, email and any required custom fields and timezone
• Pop-up auto-refreshing buddylist with ICQ-style alerts when new buddies come online. You'll find a link in the temp buttons top right in the nav bar.
• Show the title of the last posted to thread for each forum on index.php
• Subscription to Threads/Forum without receiving e-mails
• Favorite threads - you don't get email from these either.
• User rating - Karma
• User ranking
• Password break-in watches -- too many failed attempts warning with a preset wait after too many failures.
• Threaded view
• Password protected forums
• Similar threads display
• Send an email "thanks for registering and welcome to .." on user registration (welcome email)
• Validity check for homepages
• Search engine friendly archive of open forums
• Happy b'day emails
• Much improved calander system (too many changes to mention)
• hit counter on announcements
• Digests: new posts/threads in selected forums daily/weekly/monthly
  "excerpt of message:" are now in the new reply email notifications
• 'report post to mod' sends anonymous copy to the original poster of the message
• Restyled FAQ section now looks similar to a forum

• 
  Posting
• WYSIWYG Editor for major text input fields (IE 5.5+Only)
• Minimum number of characters in post
• Insert smilie/vB code where cursor is (IE 5+ Only)
• Preview on edit
• Ability to add attachment when editing a post instead of just when creating
• Reason for editing
• Reason for deleting(for admins and mods)
• User CP - Profile
• User Pictures - user can upload a personal picture. This picture is shown in the profile of the user.
• Completely revamped PM system (currently in work)
• Longer signature field with optional limit

• 
  Search
• Get daily for just one category
• Search only in subscribed forums
• A list of ignored words or words used in a search are added to the results page
• Option to find only started by 'username'
• Display matching forums in results
• Support for searching custom profile fields
• Search for exact username (e.g. turn off wildcards)

• 
  Polls
• Option for users to see who voted for which option (public vote)
• When you vote your name is highlighted when viewing results
• Poll results ordered by most to less voted
• Ability to post a poll AFTER a thread had started

-------------------------

Again, I'd like to remind everyone that there will be NO data loss. All user accounts, posts, private messages will remain intact.

[Xterminator27]

KICK ASS

[TeriB19]

Steve - that works just fine for me. I understand most of it, and whatever it is that I don't understand, I'm sure someone will be more than happy to explain it *coughMulletcough*.

[Dogstar]

Looks fine to me, Steve.

[Steve]

Thanks for your thoughts. I forgot to mention, in that example link I posted, I'd change the colors from purple to something maybe similar to these colors unless I can get the templates working with the new forum.

If you have other comments/questions/thoughts, post here.

I will update everyone beforehand when I plan to upgrade the forums, as they will have to be shut down for a short period of time.

[Dogstar]

Are we going to have reregister and all?

[DangerousDan85]

am I gonna lose my precious posts

[Scutley]

it will look probaly a lot like videopimp.com forum right

[creedlvr]

I think the new setup looks just fine. Thanks for asking our opinion.

[Steve]

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve
Again, I'd like to remind everyone that there will be NO data loss. All user accounts, posts, private messages will remain intact.

[souldancer]

Simple living is my desparate cry! Go for it...clean and easy to read. THANKS for all your hard work and technical expertise - happy camper here

[TeriB19]

What would we do without Steve?

[Flip]

Aye lets go meantal *Translation*Kick Ass!* End translation*

[creedfan47a]

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve
Thanks for your thoughts. I forgot to mention, in that example link I posted, I'd change the colors from purple to something maybe similar to these colors unless I can get the templates working with the new forum.

Funny you should mention this: I was going to say that the colours of the example you posted are good, but not the way it looks!

[DangerousDan85]

atleast i wont lose my posts,