[forum news] Forum hints and tips

Started by weekend_camper, July 04, 2008, 12:08:46 AM

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weekend_camper

Alright, I think we're over the switch to the new home.  Hope you guys like it. 


It has some features that you may or may not be familar with.  The "Help" button in the upper left of the screen is better than most and I recommend at least a quick glance to know whats there.


Quick run down of the cool new features:

  • - the user panel at the top of the forum can be compacted with the "-" near the time and date in the upper right.  "+" opens it again.
  • - searching is either quick or advanced.  "quick" is below the time and date.  "advanced" is next to 'home' 'help' and 'profile'.  Only registered users can search.
  • - PM system is improved.  You can delete all your own messages that are over "x" days for example.  I've currently set it so that low post count people (ie, the most likley to spam) have to enter a code before sending PMs.  The only downside is that its not always easy to know that you have a PM ... you can have the system send an email when you have one -- thats set in the 'profile' section.
  • - when posting, there is now a 2 minute window where you can edit the post before it becomes permanent.  Will that change back to the old way of no editing at all?  Maybe, maybe not.
  • - the switch over somehow truncated a character or two from most peoples signatures -- you'll have to go in and revamp yours if it was affected.
  • - custom avatars are still there, but you'll have to reload whatever one you were using.
  • - "profile" in the upper middle is your friend.  There you can find stats, and last posts, as well as change your email and password.  I've made all email addresses private info, as a way to combat spam.  You can adjust your avatar and sig from here.  You can also manage what threads you are subscribed/notified on (neat feature by the way).  You can also manage your PM settings from here.
  • - pictures CAN be posted here (the old site made you link to external photos, this allows you to post as attachments on our server), with some limits on sizing of course.  Less than a 100k, and less than 800x600 is the rule of thumb.  All attachments are subject to deletion by admin staff for either server space issues or common sense reasons.  Depending on volume, there may be time limits placed on their availability -- grab 'em while you can or contact the poster for your own copies.  This is a trial run.




















weekend_camper

Some people have commented that their browser on their machines make the forums look 'squished'.  If you would rather go without the extra menu items, the direct link to the forums is http://www.irocc.ca/irocc/forums -- but there is currently no easy way back to the main site from that page.

WhoDoYouThink


SgRddY

Quote from: weekend_camper on July 04, 2008, 01:54:12 AM
Some people have commented that their browser on their machines make the forums look 'squished'.  If you would rather go without the extra menu items, the direct link to the forums is http://www.irocc.ca/irocc/forums -- but there is currently no easy way back to the main site from that page.


Yes, I like this new link a lot better.  Thanks.

Grinder

How do we view posts we haven't viewed already (recent posts or something like that on the old forum)?
Stryker - "This isn't about you, Logan. Your country needs you."
Logan - "I'm Canadian."

weekend_camper

Quote from: Grinder on July 04, 2008, 12:09:19 PM
How do we view posts we haven't viewed already (recent posts or something like that on the old forum)?


At the upper left, near your screen name,

"Show unread posts since last visit.
Show new replies to your posts.
Total time logged in: 6 hours and 19 minutes."


If you have compacted the user panel, you wont see it.

Tom

Quote from: weekend_camper on July 04, 2008, 01:54:12 AM
Some people have commented that their browser on their machines make the forums look 'squished'.  If you would rather go without the extra menu items, the direct link to the forums is http://www.irocc.ca/irocc/forums -- but there is currently no easy way back to the main site from that page.


Much better!

Gorden

I think the new logo should be a transparent gif to blend in better with the back ground....great looking logo

Like this


Gorden

Gorden

Quote from: light on July 05, 2008, 10:24:53 AM
I think the new logo should be a transparent gif to blend in better with the back ground....great looking logo

Like this



Current gif


you can see how it looks here
Gorden

weekend_camper

#9
RSS Feeds


for those that are into RSS feeds, the direct link to these forums (should be):

http://www.irocc.ca/irocc/forums/index.php?type=rss;action=.xml



link for the main site (results, IROCC news etc):

http://www.irocc.ca/irocc/index.php?format=feed&type=atom




weekend_camper

Adjusted the board so that people with over 5 posts, can access the members list and easily send PM to fellow members.  This quick link is in the upper left, at the same row as "home-help-search-profile".


Also, people with less than a fiver for post count have to type in a visual code before sending PM's as a spam reduction measure.



thanks to Gord for pointing out the missing feature.



weekend_camper

I switched over the "forums" link on the main page to hit the forum without a wrapper around it.

Should help with some problems that people have reported.



Tom


weekend_camper

#14
I have switched over the default skin (or theme) for the forums to make it more functional and to be a closer match to the main site.

This theme will receive the most enhancements from me, and the most updating (such as the IROCC logo and links to the main site).


I have also added a few other skins to the available selection.  If you want/desire to change the look of the forums (ie, use a darker or lighter theme) feel free* -- thats what they are there for.  These extra skins are considered EXTRAS and will NOT receive enhancements from me though.  From time to time I will add more, and reserve the right to remove these at any time.








*You may choose these other skins/looks at your convenience.  Go into your profile and hit "look and layout preferences", the theme changer is at the top of the new page that flips up).  There is a small thumbnail of what the skin will look like.  Click whichever one looks good to you.


Gorden

Very nice Bruce you just moved into the A-main for web site design

Gorden

Tom

There's some contrast issues with the new theme and some displays.  Some links (like next page, etc.) are a blue shade, on a blue background, which is frowned upon in the HCI field.

weekend_camper

Changed a few things today.  Most noticeably the poll on the front page.

If you run into something wonky, let me know.



weekend camper

#18
You can post Youtube videos now.


Just put in the "url" link ie, something like http://youtube_dot_com/watch?v=ZFQyYOtJ_yA
but of course use web standard link syntax.


IROCC Victoria B.C.

weekend camper

Updated the links for the point standings.

Not that we care about points.   ;D

weekend camper

Personal Messages:

if you are receiving PM notifications via email, then the email address sender is NOT the original member's address.  THAT email reply address goes to me (as admin).

If you want to talk via with a member, swap email addresses.


If you want to adjust your account to either get/don't get notes on having a new PM, go into Profile->Personal Message Options and change the option that says Notify by email every time you receive a personal message.  It looks like it defaults to receive.






weekend camper

yep, changed the forums a bit in honour of the start of the indoor season.

the features you are used to will still be available, just maybe in a different spot.

Tom

Quote from: weekend camper on October 26, 2009, 08:22:31 PM
the features you are used to will still be available, just maybe in a different spot.
Can't find the links back to the main site. . .

weekend camper


Falcon

John Bowker
Victoria,BC

weekend camper

#25
Custom avatars:


Some have asked about making their own images on the site for their avatar (mines the cop car right now).


You have three options, the best is to upload the image from your hard drive to the server. You must have at least 5 posts to make the change (ie, be a member of the "forum rookie" group) and for security reasons that is not changing.

1 - get the image you want to be about 80x80px for dimensions. Current max is 150px either way.

2 - in the strip that reads in part "home, main irocc site, help, search", click on profile.

3 - click on "modify profile" then choose "forum profile".

4 - on that page there is the option to upload the image.

5 - done.

weekend camper

With the recent issues regarding one member's personal life, I've taken unusual measures.


One is to place a post off the front page, to the furtherest back page.  Its there in its unedited form for anyone who cares to look for it.  Second, I've reclaimed the password for an account that has been obviously compromised.


These forums need to be all-ages friendly and be primarily focused on RC racing.





Gorden

Quote from: weekend camper on April 10, 2009, 02:00:53 AM
You can post Youtube videos now.


Just put in the "url" link ie, something like http://youtube_dot_com/watch?v=ZFQyYOtJ_yA
but of course use web standard link syntax.


IROCC Victoria B.C.

how do you get the video to show up and play here?

Blake

I really like the new "random pics" thing on the right side of the main page.  Looks great!

Nice job Bruce!


Blake

weekend camper

A few spam bots have attached themselves to the forum in the last few days.  As a proactive step, I've increased the difficulty in registration by a notch.

I can manually register a legit account, if anyone has problems getting set up here.



weekend camper

Added an island rc club link page on the main page via the "resources" button.

;)



weekend camper

Welcome Mick as a new moderator on these boards. 


Also Blake and Haddow have full admin accounts now.   

weekend camper

I added the limited ability to edit your own posts.


- only have 1 minute to edit.
- only for high post count forum members.



weekend camper

Updated the forums with a minor patch -- should be no problem, but as always, let me know if you see something out of place.


weekend camper

This is national "clean out your inbox day"   :P


If you haven't cleared out the PMs you get here (and I know we as a group send a ton) please take a moment and clear out the ones that you don't need anymore. 

Also remember that the "sent" box is likely getting full too, as its automatically checked when sending a message on this board.

QuoteUpon clicking on any personal message, you will be anchored down the same page to the actual written message. This will look just like how a post would look inside of a topic. Next to each message you will see links on the top right to: quote the message in a reply by clicking Quote, reply to the message by clicking Reply, and deleting the message by clicking Remove. Also note, you can report abusive personal messages to the administrator by clicking the Report to Admin link at the bottom right of the message. The checkboxes located farthest to the top right are also used to delete messages upon clicking the Delete Selected button below the messages.

To view sent messages, select "Sent Items" under "Messages" in the button menu or left side panel. Messages are only saved to "Sent Items" if you have put a checkmark next to Save a copy in my outbox before sending the message.

from: http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Personal_messages

Gorden

Hi Bruce

is there a auto prune feature?

GW

weekend camper

Quote from: light on January 21, 2012, 04:37:14 PM
Hi Bruce

is there a auto prune feature?

GW

There is a time based one. 

Go to "messages, actions, preferences" hit "actions".  Prune is there. Not sure if it touches the sent box or not though.

Gorden

Quote from: weekend camper on January 21, 2012, 05:43:22 PM
Quote from: light on January 21, 2012, 04:37:14 PM
Hi Bruce

is there a auto prune feature?

GW

There is a time based one. 

Go to "messages, actions, preferences" hit "actions".  Prune is there. Not sure if it touches the sent box or not though.

it does both but it's not auto prune

weekend camper

Quote from: weekend camper on January 21, 2012, 05:43:22 PM

There is a time based one. 

Go to "messages, actions, preferences" hit "actions".  Prune is there. Not sure if it touches the sent box or not though.

Quote from: light on January 21, 2012, 06:19:46 PM

it does both but it's not auto prune


Say "Hello" to multipass... er, multiquote!!





weekend camper

Updated the forums a little with a portal system.  It should be smooth, as its just pulling existing information out and presenting in a clearer(?) way.

If feedback is positive, the idea is to scrap the current front end (the one with the results maps etc) and move that information into the forums.



valk

Not sure if just my iphone but i cant go to forum main page. The topics field is empty. Have to click the subdorum from the recent topics form.

weekend camper

Quote from: weekend camper on May 23, 2012, 02:13:52 PM
Updated the forums a little with a portal system.  It should be smooth, as its just pulling existing information out and presenting in a clearer(?) way.

If feedback is positive, the idea is to scrap the current front end (the one with the results maps etc) and move that information into the forums.

Got that portal up and running now.  The management team is still debating on if the new format is going to work, so if you have some concerns, let Blake, Mick, Haddow or myself know.  As a user (and admin) it seems easier to have everything in one place, but thats just an opinion.



  • The biggest change is that the race results and points will be on the forums now.
  • The next biggest change is that the front page is going to be highlighted by posts of interest (currently SW2012 and race schedule for the summer)
  • The "old" site is still there at http://irocc.ca/jsite  -- since its still holding the historical race results, its not going away soon.
  • One of the cool features is that you guys can comment on the new threads, like the "newbie etiquette FAQ" thread.
  • The only section is that currently read-only is the race results and thats so it remains uncluttered.

  • Main page has "blocks with minus signs" -- click those to hide/compress any area you don't want to see.
  • Some of you guys like to see the posts that are new since you've been here last -- a) main page, high left with your user panel, there is a link to "recent unread topics" and "updated topics" b) forums page -- double click the (up) arrow at the top right corner, that will pull down the old user panel, where you can click "show unread replies since last visit" or "show new replies to your posts".



Let me know if you like it/don't like it.





@Valk, is the iphone showing this OK now?



Blake

Big thanks to Bruce for all his hard work on this.

The new layout is different, but it's easier for the Admins to manage because everything is in one place (forums basically).  So, the weekly race writeups and points will appear in the Summer 2012 forum each week.  You can see the first few weeks of writeups from this summer are already in there.

Please read through the Newbie Info forum and feel free to Reply to any of those posts with information you think should be added for Newbies.  If a few of you Reply with good info, then I will Edit the original post and move your information up in there.

As Bruce, said, if you're having an issue finding something, or you have a suggesting to improve anything, just let us know.


Thanks,
Blake

valk

My phone might just need a reboot. I was getting gerry's avatar embedded in posts on threads he didnt even post in ha.

I know ive said it before but i wanna write something up outlining the classes and what people need to buy. Super busy lately but i will get to it, unless someone else can make it clearer. I plan to have pics, links to product and links to how to's so its not all a surprise.
Should i post a thread and you move it around? Or should i email you the content and an admin can post it all prolike?

weekend camper

Quote from: valk on June 15, 2012, 01:07:20 PM
I know ive said it before but i wanna write something up outlining the classes and what people need to buy. Super busy lately but i will get to it, unless someone else can make it clearer. I plan to have pics, links to product and links to how to's so its not all a surprise.
Should i post a thread and you move it around?


Sounds great, just post a thread somewhere and an admin will move it to the right spot.



As for Gerry, yeah, he likes to take over when he can.   :D

gotnitro


weekend camper

IROCC forums have just reached 400 members in total.


Thats pretty cool.


weekend camper

I temporarily disabled new registrations, as it looks like its "spambot day" on the internet.

I'll re-engage the registrations tomorrow.




weekend camper

Re: timestamps on posts


The server time is set to East Coast time.  If you are not logged in, or have not set your account time zone, this will be the time you see when looking at post times.


If you want to make sure your account is showing West Coast time ....

Profile -> Summary -> Modify Profile -> Look and Layout ------ time offset (auto detect).  Click auto detect.




BCbud

Quote from: weekend camper on November 28, 2012, 01:18:07 PM
Re: timestamps on posts


The server time is set to East Coast time.  If you are not logged in, or have not set your account time zone, this will be the time you see when looking at post times.


If you want to make sure your account is showing West Coast time ....

Profile -> Summary -> Modify Profile -> Look and Layout ------ time offset (auto detect).  Click auto detect.

Thanks for that, it was bugging me lol!
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Recycled teenager.
XLR8!

weekend camper

Quote from: weekend camper on September 07, 2010, 02:48:09 PM
<snip>

The admin team can manually register a legit account, if anyone has problems getting set up here.


Worth repeating.



Also, was asked offline if it was possible to "hide" a user's posts ..... there is.  Go to your profile area, and click on "modify profile".  At the very bottom of that menu, there is "buddies/ignore list".  Use with caution, as it interferes with PM's as well (for example, buy 'n sell offers).

weekend camper

#51
The main community/support boards for this forums software was hacked/compromised earlier. Nothing that would directly affect you, the users of this board, but it is an interesting read for those that care to brush up on the latest hacking and some pointers to help protect yourselves.

QuoteDear valued community members,


On the 22nd of July 2013, it was discovered that unauthorized access to our website and database has been obtained on the 20th of July.
The method is similar to the hacks that were recently conducted at other websites, even though those sites used other software.
One of the admins account password was discovered, and from there further escalation wasn't too difficult considering admin privileges can do just about anything.

Unfortunately, we are 100% sure that our user database has been stolen.
As such we HIGHLY RECOMMEND, even implore you, to:
1.) Change your password on other websites you are using, if you use the same password there. This is very important to do, as it also will help prevent other websites being hacked through your compromised password, if it is compromised.
2.) Change your password here on our website.
3.) If you use the password you use here anywhere else, say for example to login to your webhost, it is highly urged to change it.
4.) Please note that personal messages may have also been compromised. We don't know for sure if the hacker only downloaded the user tables or not, although that's the only thing he/she is after. If they did: keep in mind that passwords you shared through PM should now be considered vulnerable. It's best not to take the risk and gamble, and just change any password you shared through PM as well.
5.) Charter members, current and past, are encouraged to change ALL passwords if they ever sent any in to us. That would include FTP.

Please keep in mind:
This is !!NOT!! a security issue with the SMF software. If you are running the latest SMF version you have nothing to fear from this hack if you use different passwords.

The method used by the hacker is that a database is downloaded from another hacked website, the passwords are attempted to be decrypted and if it is successful: they try to login to other websites using that username & password, or try to cross-reference by using password reset links.
Unfortunately for us, a Administrator used the same password elsewhere on another site and access to our site was obtained when the password from the other hacked site was successfully decrypted. As a result, the hacker was able to login here with admin rights.
Hundreds of websites have been hacked lately by using this method, so you are highly encouraged to change your passwords...

... And remember: don't use the same password on multiple sites!
It helps to prevent hacks like this.


Thank you for your consideration and we deeply apologize for any inconvenience this causes for you.
By changing your passwords, you will help ensure that other sites do not fall victim to this method of hacking and help put a halt to the hacking spree that has affected hundreds, if not thousands, of websites already.

-edit for clarification-
Yes, the passwords are stored with encryption.
Unfortunately, even encrypted passwords can be decrypted. Hence, the passwords used here should not be considered safe anymore.


Any questions, please do feel free to ask.
Please stay on topic.


Kind regards,
Board of Directors
Simple Machines


http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=508232.0

weekend camper

updated forum to latest version


also grabbed db copy while at it.