Pryce
12-12-2003, 03:36 AM
Welcome to the new forum software, a customized version of YaBBSE.
Well, we're done for day one and the forums are complete enough to re-open. While there are a few more tweaks to add - most of the forum should be operational. Please let us know if you run into any trouble. There is an known incompatibility with instant messaging and Norton's Internet Security, so you may have to disable it if you wish to send private messages for now.
We're happy to finally let everyone see the new boards we've been working on for a while now. Here's a quick overview:
Chat - The new chat lists how many users are in it on every page of the forum. You will notice a small line of text directly under the forum navigation (you can hide this if you wish by checking the option in your profile). The chat itself has also changed - the software is much better - try it. =)
IM Preferences - You now have several options for your Instant/Private Messages. You can get a pop-up notice to let you know when you get new messages, you can get an email, you can ignore members, you can select an audio sound for notification.
Moods - You can now select your mood. You mood will be displayed in your posts and profile.
Boards Collapse - You can collapse categories you don't read often so its boards don't take up room on your screen. Click the category name next to the [-] picture to collapse. To expand click the category name that will then be next to the [+] picture. I'll explain this better later.
Avatars - We have added many more avatars, we have also removed some. If you used one of our standard avatars, it probably still exists, but has just been moved. Look through them to find it. If your avatar is linked to (you checked the "I have my own pic" box) then your avatar will be displayed at 100x100. If you'd like to use your own picture we suggest you upload it using the new "Upload own picture" in your profile. It makes adding pictures very easy - you just have to resize them properly. If you don't know how to do this, we will have a help file later.
Bio's - The old bio's have been lost. The new system works differently, so you'll have to retype it in your profile.
IM Preferences - You now have several options for your Instant/Private Messages. You can get a pop-up notice to let you know when you get new messages, you can get an email, you can ignore members, you can select an audio sound for notification.
Hide - The old board showed everyone who was online. You can now set yourself as hidden if you don't wish to be seen.
Online - Your online status is also shown in your posts - so other members can see if you're online when they're replying.
Language Packs - You can change the language of the YaBB buttons if you choose.
Disable Quick-Reply - If you don't like to use the quick-reply box, you can disable it in your profile.
Secret Question - To recover your password, you now have the option to add a secret question and answer.
Karma - This allows members to give credit to members the enjoy and take credit from those they don't. Karma is displayed in each users posts. I'm not sure about keeping this though...I like to keep things positive and this could easily turn bad. We'll demo it for now.
Member Map - You can now display where you live or work using our member map. It's a little weird to use, but do-able. Play with it if you'd like - in the future I'll explain it better.
Couple Gender - We also added a couple gender for those that share a computer with their spouse...no need for two accounts any more.
Polls - The old polls have been lost and the new ones work a little differently. Try 'em out.
Go Down and Go Up - There are now go up and go down buttons on the topic pages. This makes it easy to go to the last post (they basically scroll for you quickly).
Search - There is now a simplified search, the old search still exists if you wish to use it (click advanced search on the search page).
Memberlist - The memberlist is a little different.
Notification - You can now have the forum email you for messages you want to be notifed about. The old board allowed this, but the new version has more options - I'll leave it to you to check it out.
This is getting long huh?
Smilies - We've added many more smilies, we think these are much better and fit the board better. They are now displayed in a box to the right of the post area. We've also changed the "standard" smilies. Right now they're construction workers - because we're working over here. We will be changing the "standard" smilies seasonally from now on. ;)
WYSIWYG - The post page has a "What you see is what you get" editor. This makes it easy to create fancy posts - it is similar to Word.
Attachments - Attachments are back! You can again add files to your posts...like Karma, we're testing this out. If it get's abused or greatly increases our traffic, we will disable it.
That's it for now. It's 2:30am, GirlFriday has a flu and I must sleep. Enjoy it and we'll see you around the boards. I'll post more details on how to use the features as time permits. Again, if you run into any trouble, post it in Site Issues or email me if its personal - [email protected]
Take care,
Pryce
Well, we're done for day one and the forums are complete enough to re-open. While there are a few more tweaks to add - most of the forum should be operational. Please let us know if you run into any trouble. There is an known incompatibility with instant messaging and Norton's Internet Security, so you may have to disable it if you wish to send private messages for now.
We're happy to finally let everyone see the new boards we've been working on for a while now. Here's a quick overview:
Chat - The new chat lists how many users are in it on every page of the forum. You will notice a small line of text directly under the forum navigation (you can hide this if you wish by checking the option in your profile). The chat itself has also changed - the software is much better - try it. =)
IM Preferences - You now have several options for your Instant/Private Messages. You can get a pop-up notice to let you know when you get new messages, you can get an email, you can ignore members, you can select an audio sound for notification.
Moods - You can now select your mood. You mood will be displayed in your posts and profile.
Boards Collapse - You can collapse categories you don't read often so its boards don't take up room on your screen. Click the category name next to the [-] picture to collapse. To expand click the category name that will then be next to the [+] picture. I'll explain this better later.
Avatars - We have added many more avatars, we have also removed some. If you used one of our standard avatars, it probably still exists, but has just been moved. Look through them to find it. If your avatar is linked to (you checked the "I have my own pic" box) then your avatar will be displayed at 100x100. If you'd like to use your own picture we suggest you upload it using the new "Upload own picture" in your profile. It makes adding pictures very easy - you just have to resize them properly. If you don't know how to do this, we will have a help file later.
Bio's - The old bio's have been lost. The new system works differently, so you'll have to retype it in your profile.
IM Preferences - You now have several options for your Instant/Private Messages. You can get a pop-up notice to let you know when you get new messages, you can get an email, you can ignore members, you can select an audio sound for notification.
Hide - The old board showed everyone who was online. You can now set yourself as hidden if you don't wish to be seen.
Online - Your online status is also shown in your posts - so other members can see if you're online when they're replying.
Language Packs - You can change the language of the YaBB buttons if you choose.
Disable Quick-Reply - If you don't like to use the quick-reply box, you can disable it in your profile.
Secret Question - To recover your password, you now have the option to add a secret question and answer.
Karma - This allows members to give credit to members the enjoy and take credit from those they don't. Karma is displayed in each users posts. I'm not sure about keeping this though...I like to keep things positive and this could easily turn bad. We'll demo it for now.
Member Map - You can now display where you live or work using our member map. It's a little weird to use, but do-able. Play with it if you'd like - in the future I'll explain it better.
Couple Gender - We also added a couple gender for those that share a computer with their spouse...no need for two accounts any more.
Polls - The old polls have been lost and the new ones work a little differently. Try 'em out.
Go Down and Go Up - There are now go up and go down buttons on the topic pages. This makes it easy to go to the last post (they basically scroll for you quickly).
Search - There is now a simplified search, the old search still exists if you wish to use it (click advanced search on the search page).
Memberlist - The memberlist is a little different.
Notification - You can now have the forum email you for messages you want to be notifed about. The old board allowed this, but the new version has more options - I'll leave it to you to check it out.
This is getting long huh?
Smilies - We've added many more smilies, we think these are much better and fit the board better. They are now displayed in a box to the right of the post area. We've also changed the "standard" smilies. Right now they're construction workers - because we're working over here. We will be changing the "standard" smilies seasonally from now on. ;)
WYSIWYG - The post page has a "What you see is what you get" editor. This makes it easy to create fancy posts - it is similar to Word.
Attachments - Attachments are back! You can again add files to your posts...like Karma, we're testing this out. If it get's abused or greatly increases our traffic, we will disable it.
That's it for now. It's 2:30am, GirlFriday has a flu and I must sleep. Enjoy it and we'll see you around the boards. I'll post more details on how to use the features as time permits. Again, if you run into any trouble, post it in Site Issues or email me if its personal - [email protected]
Take care,
Pryce