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New forum changes coming soon! A preview

Discussion in 'Forum rules and information' started by flynnibus, May 17, 2013.

  1. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    We are working on an updated version of the site - and I thought I'd share some teasers with you for your enjoyment and for some feedback.

    The site update is a bigger effort, but I'm going to focus on the discussion forum

    We are changing the forum software which brings lots of new benefits for you such as
    • Faster User Interface
    • Animated effects in User Interface
    • a 'like' button where you can share your appreciation/support for a post - similar to Facebook
    • (optional) facebook integration for logins
    • (optional) facebook integration for sharing links and liking posts
    • Alert Notifications whenever someone quotes your post, likes your post, or tags you in a post
    • The ability to tag another user by name in a post so they get notified about the post using an @ symbol - example: @flynnibus to notify me of the post
    • Better use of avatars around the site
    • Thread links automatically take you to the your first unread post (no more clicking on that tiny icon!)
    • A very effective mobile phone interface for using the site via smartphone

    Why are we making this change?
    • We did not like the direction the product we were using has been taking since the company was bought out.
    • The 'like' system meshes well with what people are used to on Facebook and is very popular
    • The Alerts system redefines how you experience the forum - with direct links and notices to activity surrounding you
    • A more modern styling of the site and better mobile interface

    When will the change happen?
    soon :) When all the core elements are ready, we will take the site offline late in the evening and do the migration

    Will my login or posts change?
    Nope.. you'll be able to login just as you did before, and all previous content will still be here. This new product is related to the previous product.. so much of what you are used to is still the same in many ways.. but others have new twists

    Where's this preview?
    Oh.. right here. We are trying to continue the Green style of the site.. but this has some different styling elements to get used to compared the current
    site. Would love to hear your input.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The posting screen
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    Nice, thanks!
     
  3. ALtheHokie

    ALtheHokie New Member

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    @flynnibus Any chance we'll get the option to tie-in 3rd party apps (ie. Tapatalk) with the update?
     
  4. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    We don't plan on integrating that at this time - the mobile skin we are looking at makes the forum powerful via mobile. I'm not a fan of tapatalk give it's nagging and domination of content/etc.
     
  5. cogs

    cogs Well-Known Member

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    I am skeptical about the facebook thingie.

    If I use facebook login and "like" a post, does the post automatically included in my "likes" on facebook?

    One of the reasons I avoid facebook and applications which necessitate me to use the facebook login credentials is the crap like that. When I express liking for a post I dont intent to advertise to the world of that fact.

    If I choose to share my like and dislikes it should be my decision, not facebooks.

    StumbleUpon and Digg might be a better option.

    Please reconsider the facebook "Like" thingie.
     
  6. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    :banana:i'm a top poster! WOOP!!!!

    I like the new look!
     
  7. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    That's why they are optional - you don't have to use the facebook features if you do not want to.
     
  8. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

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    Looks great, Steve.

    Do you want the new masthead graphics?
     

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