Well, there's been some "behind the scenes" changes, as well as "subtle" changes, as well as "noticeable" changes, as well as "soon to be noticed" changes.
First off, the most noticeable change is the ability to embed a map within the thread. To use the map software, type [map]address[/map] and it will embed a map like this:
Secondly, a somewhat subtle change is in the navigation bar. Under the "Welcome, (your username)" you should see how many unread posts there are since your last visit. To make it so there's no new threads, you can click on "Quick Links" to have the drop down menu show, and then click "Mark Forums Read."
Third, a noticeable change has been the doing away of the front page that we had. I intend to eventually bring it back, just a matter of time because I do not see vBAdvanced like we used to use for 3.6.5... go figure.
Fourth, I have changed the settings for all of our sponsor forums so that when someone posts a new thread in a sponsor forum, the sponsor (moderator of that forum) gets an email that there's a new post. There are some sponsors that are only on once in awhile, and do not see the new posts as often. Granted, there's also others that are on the site alot too, so this will just make it easier for them to know when there's new posts.
Fifth, quite a few of you probably saw an error message when you would post that would say something about a Database error where something was ambiguous. I think I disabled the modification that was causing this error, and it shouldn't come up as often anymore.. if at all.
Sixth, I have been slowly but surely upgrading our modifications that were on vBulletin 3.5.4 and using the versions meant for 3.6.x, so while some parts of the site might be a little weird, I'm working on it. Likewise, if you run into any error messages, or add-ons to the site that do not work please shoot me a PM or let me know in this thread so I can make it a point to work on it. The only way I've found what does work and what doesn't has been watching out for Database Errors (I get emailed when people get that error page) and browsing the add-ons myself, which doesn't always prove to be effective because some things work for me that might not work for you, and visa versa.
Seventh, out of all the members on our site, less than 50% are active. I installed a new add-on that queries what users haven't posted in the past 60 days and sends them an email reminding them that they are registered on the site. HOPEFULLY this will get some of our old members back.
Eighth, I forgot to mention and wanted to add it... most of you probably have already noticed this. When an image is posted to the site that is larger than a set width, it shrinks it down to size. While before people already knew this happened, now there's a handy nifty bar at the top of each image where you can click on the bar and the image will enlarge to the full size. It's pretty fluid and I think it's just KICK ASS the way it works. Hope you guys appreciate that one as much as I wanted to install it.
Ninth, also forgot to mention this... I have to do some testing on this one, but pretty soon I'll be announcing an incentive to donate to the site to become a Contributing Member. We've talked about this in the past when the site changed over to the dedicated server, and with the upgrade to vBulletin 3.6.5, I finally can add something that I've really been wanting to add to the site. I'm not going to go into too many details on this one because I feel once it is added it will deserve an entire thread of it's own, but I'm really excited for this one also.
Needless to say, I've been working a crap load on the site lately and I know some things aren't as noticeable, and some things are. I just wanted to explain all of them in one swoop. If you guys notice anything and want to ask/talk about it, express your feelings about add-ons you don't like, whatever... post up or shoot me a PM.
Thanks guys.
First off, the most noticeable change is the ability to embed a map within the thread. To use the map software, type [map]address[/map] and it will embed a map like this:
Secondly, a somewhat subtle change is in the navigation bar. Under the "Welcome, (your username)" you should see how many unread posts there are since your last visit. To make it so there's no new threads, you can click on "Quick Links" to have the drop down menu show, and then click "Mark Forums Read."
Third, a noticeable change has been the doing away of the front page that we had. I intend to eventually bring it back, just a matter of time because I do not see vBAdvanced like we used to use for 3.6.5... go figure.
Fourth, I have changed the settings for all of our sponsor forums so that when someone posts a new thread in a sponsor forum, the sponsor (moderator of that forum) gets an email that there's a new post. There are some sponsors that are only on once in awhile, and do not see the new posts as often. Granted, there's also others that are on the site alot too, so this will just make it easier for them to know when there's new posts.
Fifth, quite a few of you probably saw an error message when you would post that would say something about a Database error where something was ambiguous. I think I disabled the modification that was causing this error, and it shouldn't come up as often anymore.. if at all.
Sixth, I have been slowly but surely upgrading our modifications that were on vBulletin 3.5.4 and using the versions meant for 3.6.x, so while some parts of the site might be a little weird, I'm working on it. Likewise, if you run into any error messages, or add-ons to the site that do not work please shoot me a PM or let me know in this thread so I can make it a point to work on it. The only way I've found what does work and what doesn't has been watching out for Database Errors (I get emailed when people get that error page) and browsing the add-ons myself, which doesn't always prove to be effective because some things work for me that might not work for you, and visa versa.
Seventh, out of all the members on our site, less than 50% are active. I installed a new add-on that queries what users haven't posted in the past 60 days and sends them an email reminding them that they are registered on the site. HOPEFULLY this will get some of our old members back.
Eighth, I forgot to mention and wanted to add it... most of you probably have already noticed this. When an image is posted to the site that is larger than a set width, it shrinks it down to size. While before people already knew this happened, now there's a handy nifty bar at the top of each image where you can click on the bar and the image will enlarge to the full size. It's pretty fluid and I think it's just KICK ASS the way it works. Hope you guys appreciate that one as much as I wanted to install it.
Ninth, also forgot to mention this... I have to do some testing on this one, but pretty soon I'll be announcing an incentive to donate to the site to become a Contributing Member. We've talked about this in the past when the site changed over to the dedicated server, and with the upgrade to vBulletin 3.6.5, I finally can add something that I've really been wanting to add to the site. I'm not going to go into too many details on this one because I feel once it is added it will deserve an entire thread of it's own, but I'm really excited for this one also.
Needless to say, I've been working a crap load on the site lately and I know some things aren't as noticeable, and some things are. I just wanted to explain all of them in one swoop. If you guys notice anything and want to ask/talk about it, express your feelings about add-ons you don't like, whatever... post up or shoot me a PM.
Thanks guys.













I was going to say -- my main browser that I use is FF2 and I test in IE7 at work
I just enjoy installing more and more features to the site.
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