New Tech Admin - Things Changin'!?

[Oti]

Originally Posted by Ravioli

Might help to have a mini-key on the welcome panel [if it's feasible], y'know, for people that can't be arsed to go to the who's online page.

Well, that does create more scrowing (with the legend there and all) but sure.

[Lethe°]

If both users add each other to their "Buddy list", then they will effectively become "Friends".

I don't think Ravioli is presenting anything necessary. I'd go with;

Member's profile - positioning of the stats boxes and such
I welcome the additions, I guess, but as of now they should be reverted to how they looked before (Jun 16th 07). There should only be 1 comment box, too (at the bottom).

For some reason, there is now an outlining around "Profile Views" with another line on top of it. (?)


I think the positioning of the forums should remain as they currently are, i.e keep the "Who's Online" feature at the top of the forums. Whether it should be kept at the bottom aswell depends on...the need to get rid of it, I guess. Maybe considering moving the "Top 10 Stats" box back to the lower of the forums... It's just that despite some slight changes, things seem convenient enough (minus the profiles atm). Constantly adding more stuff to the windows could make the boards messy. If there are some things that warrant adjusting or "fine-tuning", then I don't see a plausable means as to why not. But if it's not broken, then don't try to fix it.
And I don't think there was a need to add:

+ User is on your buddy list
* User is invisible to others

- Under the members box. People would know that already, or come to realise in time.

However, smilies...you got a...quite an array of smilies - some I never even would have thought existed. But now some basic ones are missing, or coding been replaced, like the following: 'sticking out tongue', 'sad nodding', 'lol', 'red faced'...and if you want to enhance the experience at FFE, then I propose the coding be changed on some, as the full smilies window will not show on certain computers due to those frustrating web censors. Bad language in the BBcode, perhaps? I dunno. BTW I do not mean to dictate to anyone on how they should speak, but I thought I'd raise the issue about the smiley viewing nonetheless. Ironically, it's because of this why I welcome the clogging up of the [Advanced Reply] page. This could be solved if all of the smilies are supplied just by scrolling the list which emerges from the icon (upon replying).

I think that notice about the Project Activity/Shoutbox should be taken down now. EDIT> Or is that a permanent notice board? Keep it if it is lol.


I liked the way this place was on my join date. It was like the you knew how the members feel as opposed to being staff on other forums, so set out to create a forum yourselves with your own rules and boundaries. This place looked - and still does look - pretty hi-tech compared to other boards I've seen. But it's beginning to feel like here is getting used as a "test site" of sorts.
Apologies if I sound offensive in any way. I haven't fed yet so I am feeling a bit dreary right now and kind of unable to think properly. In short, *sighs*.

[Oti]

Originally Posted by Lethe°

Member's profile - positioning of the stats boxes and such
I welcome the changes, I guess, but they should be reverted to how they looked was before (Jun 16th 07). There should only be 1 comment box, too (at the bottom).

I agree the Member's Profile pages need some modifications, as in, to how it was before the recent change. Please keep in mind that the profile as well as other templates are still being worked upon.

Originally Posted by Lethe°

For some reason, there is now an outlining around "Profile Views" with another line on top of it. (?)

This is indeed a bug and will be fixed in due time.

Originally Posted by Lethe°

I think the positioning of the forums should remain as they currently are, i.e keep the "Who's Online" feature at the top of the forums. Whether it should be kept at the bottom aswell depends on...the need to get rid of it, I guess. Maybe considering moving the "Top 10 Stats" box back to the lower of the forums... It's just that despite some slight changes, things seem convenient enough (minus the profiles atm). Constantly adding more stuff to the windows could make the boards messy. If there are some things that warrant adjusting or "fine-tuning", then I don't see a plausable means as to why not. But if it's not broken, then don't try to fix it.

And this is exactly what we are currently fixing/changing. We want the forumhome to be as less of a clutter as possible, but still giving the features and information members crave, in a easier way to access. The Top Stats will soon be part of the Welcome Panel, to be located under the "Currently Active Users". Which, like "Currently Active Users", will be collapsible. I'm not sure, however, what you mean about us fixing things that are not broken...

Originally Posted by Lethe°

And I don't think there was a need to add:

+ User is on your buddy list
* User is invisible to others

- Under the members box. People would know that already, or come to realise in time.

Actually, it is either within this thread or another than there was confusion of those signs. I suggested that viewing the Who's Online page clearly states the key for those symbols' meanings at the bottom, but then a few suggested it be part of the top "Currently Active Users".

However, I do understand your feelings on this and have been planned (and will soon implement) a collapse function for the legend, to thus reduce the clutter for experienced users.

Originally Posted by Lethe°

However, smilies...you got a...quite an array of smilies - some I never even would have thought existed. But now some basic ones are missing, or coding been replaced, like the following: 'sticking out tongue', 'sad nodding', 'lol', 'red faced'...and if you want to enhance the experience at FFE, then I propose the coding be changed on some, as the full smilies window will not show on certain computers due to those frustrating web censors I get sometimes. Bad language in the BBcode, perhaps? I dunno. BTW I do not mean to dictate to anyone on how they should speak, but I thought I'd raise the issue about the smiley viewing nonetheless. Ironically, it's because of this why I welcome the clogging up of the [Advanced Reply] page. This could be solved if all of the smilies are supplied just by scrolling the list which emerges from the icon (upon replying).

There is actually many more smilies out there, these are just some of the common. By clicking the star editor button in the Post Reply area, you can edit your "Favorite Smilies" list that allows you to keep track of and have fast access to your most used smilies. There is a limit, of what I believe to be 20, of smilies you can save to your favorites list, however.

About the web censors, I'd say that you should just modify the settings to allow FFExtreme.com to the white list. We cannot prevent/fix this without affecting other members' browsing routines, however. About the other issue with Smilies, are you saying you wish for smilies to be placed on the Quick Reply as well?

Originally Posted by Lethe°

I think that notice about the Project Activity/Shoutbox should be taken down now.

It should be down by now. If you stil lsee this, please visit the following link, which will reset your theme information to the default. This goes ot anyone experiencing this or any issue.

Originally Posted by Lethe°

I liked the way this place was on my join date. It was like the you knew how the members feel as opposed to being staff on other forums, so set out to create a forum yourselves with your own rules and boundaries. This place looked - and still does look - pretty hi-tech compared to other boards I've seen. But it's beginning to feel like here is getting used as a "test site" of sorts.
Apologies if I sound offensive in any way. I haven't fed yet so I am feeling a bit dreary right now and kind of unable to think properly. In short, *sighs*.

Well, we could just place the forums offline for a long time sorting out these things, or we can continue with live updates that actually allow members to still use the forums. Also, a "test site" thing isn't bad, as it allows us to use user input/feedback to modify the forums the way they find pleasing. No matter what site you go to, they are always constantly changing. However, FFE is just during an era where many revisions are occuring at once. However, we don't want to sacrifice access for development time. So, we do live updates.

I'm working with the staff now to ensure the old FFE feel comes back. But we can't do this without user input, so always feel welcomed to do so.

[Lethe°]

Originally Posted by Oti

I'm not sure, however, what you mean about us fixing things that are not broken...

I mean installing things that are not really needed - because someone "can't be arsed" to move a mouse by their hand, while slouching back in a chair. It would add clutter to the forums if everyone got what they wanted. Maybe the next person doesn't feel that idea is necessary...

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3894/online1vo4.jpg (The welcome panel is fine as it is)

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/830/online2xf1.jpg

I WAS going to say: Upon comparing the two above images, which [Currently active users] looks neater? But, on second thoughts, it doesn't seem too much of a big deal. I suppose it is helpful and required.

+ If you want to see who's doing what without changing windows, then just 'mouse over members' at the start (another great feature here).

And a note: I don't collapse anything on the forums (or it's very rare).

About the web censors, I'd say that you should just modify the settings to allow FFExtreme.com to the white list. We cannot prevent/fix this without affecting other members' browsing routines, however. About the other issue with Smilies, are you saying you wish for smilies to be placed on the Quick Reply as well?

I can't get "Show all smilies" visible because I don't have administrative powers in those cases *looks down at the ground*...unless you can provide info on how to hack the sh!t. That would be nice. ^^

There is already an 'add smiley' option on the Quick Reply box:



See, kk?

About me not being able to get to smilies; this was the scroll list I was talking about before (where I suggested all of them should be supplied)



Really, I’d be happy with the ones in there right now, but as I said before, I feel some basic ones are missing. I’ve yet to check out the “Favourite Smilies” feature, though (I just haven’t been able to yet, alright! =P ), so I’ll be sure to do that real soon since you said there are many more. When I joined, there was a wide array of smilies, more practical than the ones I’ve seen so far, when the shoutbox came back. The ones with the different texture. Some of them are good.

…I haven’t found the need to use smilies pics as of late, anyway lol. However, if I do find any emoticons which I think would be “useful” here, I could always submit them to code in, should you accept…

It should be down by now. If you stil lsee this, please visit the following link, which will reset your theme information to the default. This goes ot anyone experiencing this or any issue.

I was talking about this BTW:



And as you may be able to tell, it's still there, I'm afraid. Even after clicking the link you provided. :/

Well, we could just place the forums offline for a long time sorting out these things, or we can continue with live updates that actually allow members to still use the forums. Also, a "test site" thing isn't bad, as it allows us to use user input/feedback to modify the forums the way they find pleasing. No matter what site you go to, they are always constantly changing. However, FFE is just during an era where many revisions are occuring at once. However, we don't want to sacrifice access for development time. So, we do live updates.

I'm working with the staff now to ensure the old FFE feel comes back. But we can't do this without user input, so always feel welcomed to do so.

Yeah, after thinking a little bit more after, I can agree with you on this. I do think it's for the better - the designers so far have been competent and understanding when it comes to users having problems, as well as making sure this site is up to scratch with the latest updates. And it's not the upgrades I'm against. Like Akira mentioned earlier about liking the new look of the buttons, well….I don’t see any formidable reason why I would disapprove (as long as the colours don’t clash, ugh, tragedy!). Same with the shoutbox - why not. However, it’s the needless installing of [objects] that were never required in the first place (unless it is for overall convenience) which can have a reverse effect on how you look at the forums. You may be able to tell from my post before that it was simply focused on the tidying of the forum page. I do not blatantly wish to take anything out which may have had an importance to others. I said in my introduction thread how I liked this place, the layout etc and “I urge you not to change a thing!”. I just wouldn’t like anything to be sacrificed in order to make way for “changes”, as this place is pretty neat and can only grow.

And I don’t want to halt progress. Excuse if I am the sounding like the voice of burden to you, Oti. You seem like a great guy, who is willing to help another dedicated person with their project. That can be appreciated, since it’s kinda rare nowadays that anyone, let alone the staff, can remain focused on something [spoiler]albeit internet[/spoiler].
You’ve yet to fail us, so I is commanding you to go ahead with your method of re/building FFE. *thumb up* Why do I get the feeling that it wouldn’t have mattered what I thought at the end?

Looking forward to the profiles, aswell. They remind of those Myspace pages (minus the oncoming fagg0try). Be sure to install FFVI, too, so I can play it. ^_^

And, Ravi, it was not my intention to attack you in any way, if that what it has sounded like so far. I give my feedback if I feel it would be needed, even on my part.


I must have caused a disturbance in the force.

[Ravioli]

Originally Posted by Lethe

Be sure to install FFVI, too, so I can play it. ^_^

That made me roffle a few waffles.

Oti, if you're gonna fix the profiles today, let me know and I won't touch them.

Lethe: I agree with you about useless hacking/modding and how this all causes more clutter. My goal is to modify certain cluttered areas of the forum so that they will have a default layout, and certain aspects can be added/removed/moved around by each individual user in their control panel. Although, I'm not gonna be here for the next three days, so I'm hoping the other admins don't blow up the site before I have a chance to initiate my plan.

Feedback is always welcome, even if it sounds like it's attacking me. I'm more likely to reply if it is.

[Ryder]

Meh, who gives a **** about the buddy list.

[Oti]

Thanks for the feedback, Lethe°! This does help, while some things might seem a bit strange. Nonetheless, thanks for also including screenshots

I agree that it seems these forums are starting to become a construction site with so many mods being implemented, even those that really aren't needed. But, you must remember that yes, there was always ways to do it before, but modifications are to do as their name suggestion. "Modify" one's experiences on this forum. It's almost like giving someone the choice of a solid loathe of bread, or individual slices, to made their sandwich. The more convenient way wins usually. But yes, I agree too many mods aren't needed. However, Jay has the say-so when it comes to that.

On the smilies part, I can see this happening, but it is more than just a few clicks. In most circumstances, we would have to hard code it, if even possible to do that without massive hauling/bugs. However, I will personally look into this. I actually feel it is the "Favorite Smilies" mod that makes this a bit hard and strange.

About the "Important Notice", I know what you were referring to. However, I do not see the box and I am using the same style as linked in my last post. I looked within the coding, and it doesn't have to do with usergroup, it is taken out by using <!-- --> tags, which tells the browser to skip reading the code. So, if Jay gives the "go ahead", I might remove the code to check entirely... But this shouldn't be showing. Even looking on the forumhome right now, I do not see it. All I see is the menu, welcome panel, shoutbox, and the forums. I doubt it is a usergroup issue when we have plenty of regular members posting in the shoutbox.

About your feedback, don't think it doesn't matter. This is a community forum, so the community plays a big part ya know For if we didn't want the community, there wouldn't be a forum :P Thanks for the compliments as well, as I only try to do what I see and hear is best for the community.

[Oti]

Oh, and although you might not use the collapse feature, doesnt justify removing certain things. If you find the interface too cluttered, just use the collapse. I believe all collapses on forumhome are saved either via cookie or by the database.

Oh, and the "Legend" in the top "Currently Active Users" is now collapsible, so those that know don't need to be bothered with it.

[Exodus]

Not sure if I ever welcomed you as Tech Admin, so I'll do it now. Welcome.

It's good to see you've actually been working on the forums. Keep up the good job, my son.

[Oti]

Originally Posted by Exodus

Not sure if I ever welcomed you as Tech Admin, so I'll do it now. Welcome.

It's good to see you've actually been working on the forums. Keep up the good job, my son.