Site Changes Part IV

bruxy · Last edited by bruxy on Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:57 pm; edited 3 times in total

Well, as most of you know we've moved to a new server.... YAY!!!!!

... and not one single server error since we've been here!!!
What a relief!!!

I'm sure some of you have had errors due to my fiddling around and fixing things up, but that is not the same thing.... and now that i've got things almost back to how they were before, (just a few more mods to go) with some nice new additions, any kind of errors should be infrequent.

So... what's new besides the server???

First of all, the basic phpBB version is the latest as is the biggest moderation to the board, Categories Hierarchy... the format was so different that it did take a lot of backing up, trial and error and tweaking things once it was done to get it all working without losing anything from our database.... it took a little time, but all in all the transition went quite smoothly.

As the Mysql version on the new server is newer, and we're on a Unix rather than Windows server, the old site simply wasn't compiling the php pages.... so i was forced to upgrade, not a bad thing as it needed to be done anyway... there are a lot of bug and security fixes in the new versions, and some coding and sql queries have been made lighter, plus cache improvements, which helps the pages load much faster and with fewer errors.

So those are the kinda boring basics (unless you're a geek like me... only my rock n' roll side keeps me from being a total weirdo hehe)

And i won't bore you further with the admin modifications, thre are about 20 of them... suffice it to say that most of them are the same ones as before, and any additional ones serve to manipulate the site's functions better for your personalisation and enjoyment.

So...... here's the list of what i've put back or added as a new feature that affects your interface and participation on the board:

PUT BACK: (some with updated versions when i could find them)

Topic Calendar
Streaming Audio Radio with 35 stations
Google Searchbar in page footer
Collapsible dhtml Faq menu
Sound on new pm
Mark pm's unread
Register from login page
Word counter button
Smilies Order
Open inbox in New Window from popup
View unread posts as posts
View posts since last visit
Veiw new topics since last visit
Post search from users postcount in Topic view
Post search from users postcount in Memberlist
Author hyperlink in Topic view
Image Mouseover Resize
Bottom aligned signature
PM Replied Image ->
PM Navigation (previous, next)
Forum Clock (i have others for different bg themes to work in)
Restoring styles available after last updates (more changes to come)
Watched Topics List

NEW:
Recent Posts Box on Index
Improved version of Site Warning (top of page)
Improved version of Quick Post
Skype added to profile
PM limits set separately for mods (affects CB members)
Simple image upload (a hit!) lol

Rebuild search (this is an admin mod to shave the db down for quicker search and parse)
Display Username in Topic Reply e-mail
Display Username in PM notify by e-mail
Remove quotes from search results
View Avatar Gallery
BBcode Box Reload (new look and functions on the posting page, needs tweaking)
BBcode Box Reload 'Hide' add-on
BBcode Box Reload 'Thumbnail' add-on
Hypercell (mouseover effects on index pages)
Birthday Events
Search Titles Only option in search page
Search Last xx Days option in search page
Integrated PHOTO ALBUM!!!!!!! Ms. Pink

**********************************

Ok, that's all for the moment folks....

I'll post again when i have a few more.

If you have any questions on or problems with any of the board functions, or notice any glitches... please post em here Smile

bruxy · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject:

Here's an update on the latest additions:

Forum stuff:
- a few admin things (boring).
- Fixed the smilies order mod so they appear in the order i have them on the list, not only in the posting page, but in the quickpost as well.
- Quoteback button: an image appears above quotes that link back to the message the quote is from... this only works from the normal posting page, not with quickpost.
- New arcade mod, but i think i may go back to the old one... i miss the trophy crown!!!! (i think i can put back all the old high scores too).
- Navigation menu in the header.
- Edited some of the language files
- Fixed search latest
- Added Ebay Button

Photo gallery stuff:
Moderation with lots of extras... ie:
- friends lists that can be used for private galleries
- link to send pm's from the gallery
- better quality thumbnails
- mini-pic so photos can be used as avatars (still figuring this one out)
- other options i'm still exploring Dizzy

TO DO:
fix a glitch in the crop and rotate script for photo editing (crop & rotate)
find and fix all other glitches in the most recent mods
add a portal (still trying to decide which one i like best)
add the spellcheck (i have a new one i'd like to try)
put back the rest of the good mods we had before that aren't too outdated for this version of the board.
work on the styles... ie:
- create customised icons
- fix the page header up a bit
- add new templates (and old favourtie ones)

that's all for now folks!!! Putergirl

bruxy · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 2:10 am Post subject: Arcade and Chat

The New version of the old arcade is up and running... with almost 100 games now.... i'm still tweaking it, so if anyone finds glitches or problems, please post them in the arcade glitch topic in the games discussion forum.

there's a small chatbox in there, nothing special, but you can use it even if you're not gaming... i've found a good chat program in here that can be embedded and integrated into the forum.

it works perfectly (you need to have java enabled) but with only the free license, we can't have all the cool options that come with the full version... like being able to add smilies, and have more than one chatroom, for example.

it will be up and running by next week (i hope) Ms. Pink

bruxy · Last edited by bruxy on Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:12 am; edited 3 times in total

okay, so next week turned into several months (omg-summer in mallorca!) sorry about that, but.....

A Chatroom has been added and put into a 'Unique Page' (a very useful mod which i may be using to add other things in the future)

If you use the link in the forums list, it's best if you right click on the chatfest link and choose 'open in a new window' so that you can continue to navigate through the site while you're in there, from the coolstuff menu, this will happen automatically.

I will be in there when i'm logged into gabfest, as long as i'm not really busy doing other stuffff, to chat or to help our newer members find their way around, or answer any questions anyone may have.

I've also made a topic where you can post your online times for chat meetings. Please post your questions and suggestions there:

click here to get to the topic -----> Chatfest!

*******

I've also been working on several fixes for the gaming arcade... but i still can't get a proper page instead of a blank one to show up upon winning a trophy (grrrr), anyway, a few other things have been repaired and added...

Please post any troubles you have with the Arcade either in here or in the Arcade Q&A topic so i can continue troubleshooting.

thanks & enjoy!! brrrrroooommmm

bruxy · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject:

I'm working on the icons for each template, and would like to add a few new templates as well... i know some of the new ones need to be worked on some more... i'm getting there Wink

it's all just testing at this point.

bruxy · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

ok... not a big deal really, just something i've been wanting to do for a while... add a portal or a more personalised entry page.

the one i've got there now is quite simple and has some conflict with other modifications... hence the links to the forums not working... but i want to change that bit anyway. there's another one that's more complicated, but i think it may be a lot nicer, so i'm also gonna give it a go... once i've got something that works properly, it'll be the page you come into from the main doorway page... but of course you can bookmark your entry pages to be whatever you prefer.

the quote thingy... just a simple little thing to have random quotes popping up... i've added a few, feel free to send me pm's or post your favourite quotes (not in this topic... make a new one in here or elsewhere) and i'll add them in!

the spambot thingy... just a simple addition to the registration page that requires a question being answered by a human... seems to do the trick as i've had no fake spambot registration since adding it... and i had between 5 and 25 that had to be examined and deleted every day before (what a relief to be over that!)

Not anything else new really... and there probably won't be for a while as the developers of this forum have a new release candidate that is completely revamped, improved etc... i'm just waiting for the stable version to upgrade as it's a major change.

i also may decide on a very large portal with lots of other features once the new board version is ready.... but that's for later on....

for now... enjoy what's left of summer!

ps... will someone at least challenge me for a trophy... or do i have to delete all my high scores???

staticbrain · Last edited by staticbrain on Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:20 am; edited 1 time in total

http://www.blacklistednews.com/rss.asp

That is an independent media rss feed. I think you will find it interesting.

bruxy · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:23 pm Post subject:

static...
thanks for the rss feed! I'll add it into the list... i change them around every so often.... so i'll put this one in for a bit Smile

staticbrain · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject:

thanks bru for that advice. I will be sure to stay away from the portal for awhile.

oh and um bru? you said "ps... will someone at least challenge me for a trophy... or do i have to delete all my high scores???"

Well i took your tropy in ms pacman. Come and get it back... Ha Ha hehehe

bruxy · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject:

hahaha yeah, i noticed that!!!

you & kittie have been playing some of the new games... it's about time someone did... i recently added a whole slew of 'em!

keep going for my trophies!!! Nya-nya

The portal is ok now... i like to pop in there just for the quotes... some of them are pretty cool, and i'll be adding more... there are still a few glitches, but they'll be worked out, and the links to the forums and topics work just fine now. Wink

bruxy · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject: small security update

I've just added one small security updated that i've been meaning to do for a while... profile can only be viewed by logged in users. Long overdue, sorry about that, i didn't think it would work with this version of the forum, but it does!!!

bruxy · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject:

i just got the news today that the latest version of phpBB (our forum base) has been released! it's the one i've been waiting for.... we have needed to upgrade to a higher version of what we're using 2.x but version 3, aka Olympus, which the phpBB team has been working on for quite some time, has only been available as 'release candidate' versions... today the official release became available...

this means that i now have what i've been waiting for to revamp the entire site... it won't be live until i've finished adding all the mods we're used to in here, plus a few more... this will take some time, but i do believe it will be worth it.

the look and feel is new, the security is better, it's faster and cleaner.
anyone who wants to see the version the developers are using can go to:

phpbb.com

what you will see there is just the 'vanilla' version of the site without all the extras, even as is, it's a nice setup.

i'll keep you all posted on progress.... in a new topic: site changes part V

LoveDoc · Bohemian Dabbler Age: 74 Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 253

You be jammin' my sweet friend Snuggle

lightbringer6 · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject:

Trying to work my way through this new system, hate new stuff!

bruxy · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

and so be you, doc!!! Hug

ohhhh noooo, lightbringer!!!

just when you have it all figured out, i'll be starting to do the updates!

well, i'll try to keep it as similar as possible, navigation-wise, to what we have now, don't wanna be a trouble maker, now do i? Devilette lightning

and and yeah, change can be scary, uncomfortable, a pain in the ass, but it also spices things up!!!!

cool avatar choice, btw... i'm glad you picked a different wizard!!!!