Welcome to the Upgrade?

[Frank]

This is an upgrade? The annoying advert filled sidebar is now twice as wide as it used to be , and we are supposed to accept that this is an upgrade? For whom? When this forum is viewed on a phone or an Ipad, it's much more difficult to work with a useable width of 66% the screen.

There may be improvements I have nor explored yet. I does appear that you can attach an image, I will try that. If it works that is a Definite improvement.

edit:- exploring the ability to edit and add an image
I just attempted to upload a test image, didit work?

edit 2. I can see a link labelled image, but when I click on it , I get a blank screen.

 

[Frank]

Well the edit process seemed to time out after a few minutes, just like it used to do. I'm puzzled by the attach image facility, which does allow image upload and display of its link, but there is nothing there when you click on it ? Is it disabled ? Trying again .......


edit:- well the process of uploading and the preview of the existence of an attachment works. The image link does display in your post. It just isn't shown when anyone clicks on it. Is this supposed to happen ?

 

[Icewynd]

T'will take a bit of getting used to. I agree about the size of the ad sidebar -- annoying!

 

[Frank]

I cannot see your image either. Perhaps it's just as well!

 

[Icewynd]

Just a cartoon! But I can attach it. Just can't see anything when I click the link.

 

[Frank]

So has anybody spotted an improvement yet? Please let us know if you find one in this 'upgrade' .

 

[LT]

Thanks Frank and Ice for checking around and offering observations.

First I should define "upgrade" as that term can be confusing.

The purpose of the upgrade is not to provide increased features to membership functions and settings but rather to ensure the continued existence of these forums.

These forums have run on various "scripts" throughout the past 17 yrs eventually settling on arguably the industry standard of forums scripts vBulletin.

"Scripts" are the "digital engines" that power forums as well as most everything on today's internet.

Scripts get outdated fast and stop working. I have been keeping the forums running with duct tape, paper clips and WD40 for a long time setting the server's php version to a backdated one, putting in alternatives to redacted code etc.

Security has also become an intense issue everywhere. The internet isn't the warm and fuzzy place it was in 1994 when I first got into it. Forums are a greater than usual security challenge and "upgrades" are required to secure these types of sites.

These forums should have been upgraded a long time ago but separate from the expense of buying the new scripts, I was avoiding the amount of time and attention needed to do the upgrade.

Well it is finally done and there will no doubt be some glitches between the gazillions of settings combinations. Bottom line the awkwardly large data base survived getting hauled around between orig old, upgrade to a test platform and the new live now condition. We all still have our avatars and posting a message doesn't generate an error.

Re some specifics.

Image uploading is not activated - same as before. That is identified under Posting Permissions at the bottom - code is Off

The ads sidebar is too wide. It is now reduced from 330 px to 160.

Very important point re viewing the forums on a phone or an Ipad. Down on the bottom left there is a new box - Style. Click the dropdown and select Default Mobile Style.
That should provide the best view on the phones.

If you see anything else just let me know.

Thanks
LT

 

[Teufellj]

Great job, Lt! I have found a problem and whether it's mine or the switch I am not sure.
I didn't log in when I did, and then I re-log in to find that the log in didn't have sufficient permissions for access-then of course, I lose all input data on the Pick 3 forum page.
What I am saying is-maybe whatever is going on may be radiating into other parts of this forum!?

Teufellj...

 

[Icewynd]

Thanks for fixing the sidebar. Much better.

 

[LT]

Hey T - Thanks for the notice.
I see you can login and post after the upgrade at the Pick 3 forum. Therefore I believe the login glitch is due to browser cache & cookies adjusting to the new urls of the forums.
Let's see if a little bit of time and use doesn't fix that.

Hi Ice - Good 2 hear. U and Frank were correct. The sidebar was too wide. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Frank]

Thanks for fixing the sidebar. It's much better. Thanks for the heads up about the default setting for mobile phones. Having tried it, I still think the desktop view is better for navigation , especially with the reduced sidebar. It's a shame you won't allow us to post images though. We are not schoolchildren. If you don't trust us, why not put images under moderator approval?