New Forum!

[GatorJustin]

Well I finally convinced the keeper-of-the-cash that he should invest in vBulletin... so here it is. I have several years experience with the vB software, and I am quite partial to it.

We will be making some changes over the next few weeks, adding features, forums, etc. so please excuse any error messages during that time (although I doubt there will be any problems) I also intend to ditch this standard vBulletin skin and design a custom HostGator theme in the near future.

Please take some time to familiarize yourself with all of the new options that are now available to you. You can now elect to "subscribe" to any post or any forum so that you can be notified of new posts. This will be very helpful.

For now, I'd like to ask each of you to update your forum profile by clicking UserCP link at the top. Once inside, please click to Edit Profile and also Edit Options. I have added a couple new fields in there for you to select which HG plan and server you are currently using. Having this information readily available will help to provide support.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them in here.

I will also have additional forum-related announcements to share soon, so stay tuned...

[jlgreer1]

I preferred the old forum. It was less cluttered and the indicator icons were easier to identify. (I'm visually impaired.) Remember the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." What was wrong with phpbbs?

[Curtis]

Phpbb was better

[GatorJustin]

The adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" does not always prove true. For example, if we were to hold off on upgrading the CPU's on our servers for a few years, I'm sure you wouldn't be too thrilled. Upgrading software and hardware is a necessary practice. As for the forum software, consider vBulletin a, whereas phpBB is a Volkswagen. Both will get you from point A to point B, but vB is simply superior in every respect - security, functionality, useability, and more.

I have no doubts that if we had been using vB all along and then switched over to phpBB, there would be the same amount of trepidation among users here. People seem to fear change (though I don't know why), but I ***ure you if you will just give it some time, you will come to appreciate all that this new software has to offer.

As for the visibility of the icons, that will be changing (as will the entire look of the forums) as soon as I get some free time to re-skin the interface.

[awibble]

I dont like phpb2, and vb was the first forum service i ever used. Im fact im not even sure if i have noticed any extra features. You said you could subscribe to posts, you can in phpbb2 as well.

Whats vb got that PHPbb2 hasn't, coz i carnt tell the difference in fuctionality.

i dont like vb as i think it looks ugly.

Anyway your the hosts were just the clients

--MATT

[GatorJustin]

Originally Posted by awibble

You said you could subscribe to posts, you can in phpbb2 as well.

Whats vb got that PHPbb2 hasn't, coz i carnt tell the difference in fuctionality.

i dont like vb as i think it looks ugly.

Anyway your the hosts were just the clients

--MATT

Yes, you can subscribe to posts in phpBB, but you cannot subscribe to entire forums. You also cannot choose multiple notification options for those subscriptions.

phpBB is free software.

vBulletin is licensed.

I'm not about to go over ever advantage vB has ocver phpBB - that would take too long.

If you are just a casual forum poster, you likely won't notice any difference at all, other than appearance. To those who are more knowledgeable, I doubt you'll find anyone who would recommend phpBB over vB as vB is far superior in every respect.

[haggis]

Well, just to go against the flow, I'm pleased as I find VB easier to use.
Maybe I'm just more accustomed to it, but I find the navigation around new posts easier than with phpBB.

[Stef]

As for the forum software, consider vBulletin a, whereas phpBB is a Volkswagen.

a...? couldn't come up with a better car? (nothing wrong with VW btw).
I'm glad you switched to vBulletin. Forum subscription is one of the great things (I think it will also be available in the next phpBB though).
I do agree something should be done about the icons, so if you ever get some free time

Bye,
Stef.

[jlgreer1]

No trepidation. I just prefer phpbbs2. I'll still use the forum because the information available is worth reading.

I'm legally blind and the icons are not as obvious. I'll just have to muddle through.

Jeff

[GatorJustin]

As I mentioned previously, this is not the final look of the forums. I will be creating a custom skin for the board, complete with different icons. I'll agree with you on the point that the default appearance of vB3 is pretty atrocious. Hopefully I can make something better for you soon.

[3Cell Hosting]

Hi Justin

It's good to see the new forum is generating more good debate

Is it just me or is there an issue with the board and how it shows the 'not read' icons? I have just been through the board, as I do most days, and use the 'go to unread postings' icon and check out the info. When I return to index (via the menu link not the back button) that category still shows unread mail. It only clears on my second visit to the category. Rather annoying as I tend to think someone has just posted and I go back to check.

Apart from that niggle it seems ok. Keep up the good work.

David

[Stef]

Originally Posted by 3Cell Hosting

When I return to index (via the menu link not the back button) that category still shows unread mail. It only clears on my second visit to the category.

I have the same problem.

[GatorJustin]

The first thing to try would be to logout, clear your cookies, and then log back in to set a fresh cookie.

[3Cell Hosting]

Hi Justin

Logged out this morning, booted machine - same issue. Just tried again this time deleting cookies - would have been nice to have an ID for it to save me ditching everything

Still no change. I even tried visting a different category to see if the refresh would occur on second menu instance, but no luck. I still had to go back to the category to clear down the indicator.

I know it is a tiny issue but it is frustrating nonetheless

Cheers for now

[rickchil]

All I have to say. It works and if Justin likes it I am happy

[GatorJustin]

I went ahead and quickly made up some new indicator icons for the main page. These will likely be changing once the new skin is designed, but hopefully these will be easier for you to interpret at a quick glance.

[Stef]

Originally Posted by GatorJustin

The first thing to try would be to logout, clear your cookies, and then log back in to set a fresh cookie.

Tried that already: same problem. Occurs in IE as well as in FireFox.
But it seems to be a known issue at vBulletin:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showt...ight=mark+read
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showt...ight=mark+read

Bye,
Stef.

[jlgreer1]

The new icons are much easier for the old guy to see. Thanks Justin.

[Curtis]

Actulay it will be better when you make the skin sorry gator justin.
i did'nt realise there was a skin being made.

[Archertech]

Ummm ... sorry .. but i hate this new layout too .. i think PHPbb was a MUCH better choice. Staright forward, simple and easy to use. Not to mention the lyout was sleek and catchy too.

[Hawkedge]

Im an avid user of both PhPBB and VB, with VB being by far superior. Looking forward to seeing the customisations you have planned

[3Cell Hosting]

Hi Justin

I have noticed something that may help you to sort the icon showing as new post once read.

Originally Posted by GatorJustin

The first thing to try would be to logout, clear your cookies, and then log back in to set a fresh cookie.

If I read a new post then use the 'jump to forum' GO button at the bottom of the page it takes me to the board list and if I then go to the main menu/list the icon now shows as read. No longer requiring 2 visits or x-minutes for cookies to clear etc.

Simple thing - but it does make using the board more enjoyable for me

Cheers

David

[LandonCowling]

I personally prefer vB

[programmer]

This is kinda an old thread; you probably shouldn't reply to such old threads...but that's not my decision just commenting