3-8-2014: Major Updates

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Steve Simmons
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3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

Major updates to the site today in both form and function. The new code running the site should be smoother and easier to use, as well as offering some new features or improvements on old ones.

Some items of note include:
  • Wider, reformatted forum pages to make viewing easier and faster.
  • Improved navigation buttons allow jumping around areas of the forum with a single click.
  • New home button (you asked for it) takes you back to main site, while clicking on the header area will return you to the main forum page (while viewing forum) or back to home page when viewing main site.
  • Easier image attachment, located below the reply box when posting messages.
  • Ability to start polls for all users, as seen in this thread (located beside image upload mentioned above).
  • A cleaner, more modern look.
  • Better mobile device integration, for those who post from smart phones or tablets.
  • A new home page with links to interesting discussion threads, to entice new members to join.
More items as well, I'm just too brain dead from coding the past few days to remember them.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Larry Kluss »

Very nice, Steve! The old site was good, but this is even better.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Martin Keller »

Hi Steve,
Nice. Seems easy to use.
:drive
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by tannyo »

Better mobile device integration, for those who post from smart phones or tablets.
What is supposed to appear different on a mobile device. I've looked at the site on my iPhone with iOS7 and my old iPad with iOS5 and the site looks the same as on a desktop browser.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

tannyo wrote:I've looked at the site on my iPhone with iOS7 and my old iPad with iOS5 and the site looks the same as on a desktop browser.
Good! There isn't a "mobile view" but the formatting should be better than the old site when viewed on small mobile screens.

Please let me know if you find any bugs, annoyances or anything else that needs attention. With a change this big, there are bound to be a few.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by tannyo »

The report, quote. PM, and web links do not display on the tablet or phone as the tablet and phone don't support hover very well. The button's actions are there if you know where to tap.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

You should be able to just tap the post and the buttons appear... hopefully. But I hear what you're saying about having to know that. I can make them always on, but it makes the screen that much more cluttered. I'll see about making it an option so users can choose which way they like it to work.

More changes this evening:
  • Added button shortcut for Private Messages to the menu bar.
  • Further widened entire area by 50 pixels to fit more on the screen, especially for those using wide screen monitors. As an added bonus it also made the extra button fit better.
  • Tweaked header image a bit. I'll never be happy with it. It's just how I am.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Martin Keller »

Hi Steve,
New format for the forum is looking good. I just have one question so far.
How can I change the backround colors as the colors are ok but they seem to be gray and at times hard to see with these old eyes of mine.
I know you have put a lot of work into this and it is appreciated a lot.
:drive
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

Dean had a similar comment, but it was only on his old laptop built in the 1800's. On other devices with newer screens it was fine. That said, which colors, or color combinations, are the problem? You can't change colors but I can. The colors are actually the main thing I'm not settled on yet.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Martin Keller »

Hi Steve,
The dark Gray to dark Blue color of the tabs just are hard to see with my LENOVO YOGA 2 PRO Laptop Tablet until you move over them and high lite them with the mouse / pointer but if your using the touch capability they do not seem to highlight until you select the tap. I have found that if I use the back arrow on my screen I can go back and then select another tab when out in bright light.
Maybe a lighter color blue. The color of the highlighted tab or tabs kinda washes out the text in the tab in bright light but is readable.
Maybe I just need new eyeballs.
:drive

PS: Just found the edit tab. Maybe they could be in a phantom outline until you hover over them or click on them.

PSS: I also have had this happen several times. Here is the message I get .

[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/session.php on line 1830: include_once(./includes/mobile.php) [function.include-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/session.php on line 1830: include_once() [function.include]: Failed opening './includes/mobile.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php5')

Fatal error: Class 'phpbb_mobile' not found in /homepages/0/d93550069/htdocs/vm/forum/includes/session.php on line 1831
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Well.... you shamed me into buying a new laptop. I'll stand by the 2002 Cnet review that said it was just fantastic. But came to the realization that this is Vintage Motoring, not Vintage Computing and I need to get with the program. Besides I want to watch those Comedians and Cars episodes.

So I learned today, Windows 8 only supports WPA-2, so I had to reconfigure my router, repeater and access points out of dual mode WEP/WPA-2 to WPA-2 only. I don't know exactly what is happening, but it seems that the new SW detects WEP even of you connect with WPA-2 and if it exists, then in a few moments it disables the WPA-2 connection.

All that said, upgrades cascade... Not sure what I'll do with the barn computer. It's older then sin. Not I am thinking I need a walk up touch screen, and holographic projector for exploded parts diagrams, ala Iron Man.

Back to the point, if there was one, even on the new Lenovo, it would be nice to see a lighter background and darker fonts :). The background while editing (in the reply dialog box) is nice. Maybe that can be propagated without too much trouble.

Dean
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

Martin, the error was me messing around with a mobile specific style, and it wasn't working. The error would pop up each time I tried to activate it. You should never see it again.

Dean, that's pretty funny. But now I feel bad because you're on Windows 8. I would never have wished that on anyone. :hammer:

I will look at the color combos and see what I can do. The dark grey background was intentional because a lighter color seemed too harsh, but I will try to come up with a happy medium.

Any other requests?
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by gorms68 »

The new site looks great so far. The only thing I would like is a bigger icon to see a new post on a thread (the one next to the name of the poster). Other than that I say you get off the computer for a while and enjoy the open roads for a while.

Thanks for all your hard work!!!

Chris
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

Changes / Improvements for March 11:
  • Changed colors of menu bars, navigation bars, icons and some text.
  • Slightly larger "go to newest posts" and "jump to last post" icons.
How are these changes looking? Easier to see for those having trouble? Is the outer background still too dark?
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Martin Keller »

Hi Steve,

Anyway to make the topic button appear a different color so that when a new post is added to the topic it indicates just that but once read it would change to gray or another color?
By the way the tabs across the top are a lot better color now at least to my old eyes.
:drive
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Steve Simmons »

You mean the triangle icon next to the topic? Those should turn red when there are new replies, and once the thread has been viewed they should go gray again. Is it not working for you?

Also remember you can click the smaller red icon that appears just before the thread title to jump to the first unread post. The icon will only appear when there are new replies.
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by HealeyBN7 »

Steve Simmons wrote:Changes / Improvements for March 11:
  • Changed colors of menu bars, navigation bars, icons and some text.
  • Slightly larger "go to newest posts" and "jump to last post" icons.
How are these changes looking? Easier to see for those having trouble? Is the outer background still too dark?
Changes look great. Easier to see the menu bars, etc. But even with my new laptop, I would prefer a lighter backgroud.

Dean
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Re: 3-8-2014: Major Updates

Post by Martin Keller »

Steve Simmons wrote:You mean the triangle icon next to the topic? Those should turn red when there are new replies, and once the thread has been viewed they should go gray again. Is it not working for you?

Also remember you can click the smaller red icon that appears just before the thread title to jump to the first unread post. The icon will only appear when there are new replies.
Working now for me after clearing the cookies from my laptop and re-opening the site.

Thanks Steve.
:drive
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