Forum upgrades this weekend

[minki]

There will be upgrades occuring tonight through Sunday. Minimal downtime is expected (and I apologize for the inconvenience if you get caught in it), and I'll try to keep it to the hours where no one's on...but here's your heads-up :) Oh yeah, you may need to log in again.

PCO

[Goldie]

Thanks for the heads up, Minki. And thanks for all you do here !! :worship::beerchug:

[Cat_Lover]

Thanks a lot for the advance warning.

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

Thanks for the heads up, Minki. And thanks for all you do here !! :worship::beerchug:


I second that !!!! ;)

[Eva]

Thanks for the heads up, Minki. And thanks for all you do here !! :worship::beerchug:

I agree :D

[minki]

Thanks :oops: But it's all of you that make this place a success, not me--I ought to be thanking you! Y'all keep me and this place going :D

On that note, the upgrades are done--sorry for any inconvenience they caused. I'll explain some of the new features later, after lunch and my final exam.

[Goldie]

Thanks Minki!! :wave:

[Cat_Lover]

Looking forward to the explaination of the new features. Thanks for setting up this great place for us to come and discuss the best show in the known universe (IMO anyway).

[Lucas The Tucas]

What Minki didn't tell you was .... {that I brought her from Frankfurt} that bottle of German wine, was calling out "Drink Me !" :lol:


:lucas01:

Ps .... Thanks, Minki !

[minki]

What Minki didn't tell you was .... {that I brought her from Frankfurt} that bottle of German wine, was calling out "Drink Me !" :lol:


:wine:

[minki]

So, here are some (not all) of the new features. They are being tried out on a trial basis to see if they fit into out forum.

Some of our new features:

Thread tagging: you can tag threads to make them easier to search. This works with a search cloud which I haven't figured out yet :) Tags are visible to everyone, so mind how you tag things ;)

Reciprocal friending: users can now request that people on their buddy list (now called "contacts") confirm their friendship, after which time a person's list of confirmed friends will be viewable to other users. It will also help you control who can view your albums, send you public messages, and a couple of other features. Think of friendships as going public with your buddy list.

While friendships can be one-way, a friendship won't display on public profiles unless both parties have friended each other. And like with the old buddy list, you're not obligated to use it, nor are you obligated to respond to every friend request made to you.


Albums: members are now allowed to have photo albums. The number of pictures depends on your rank at the forum and the size limits can change at any time. You need at least 10 posts to have an album.

Public messaging: you can now leave public messages for each other in your user profiles. Remember that these messages are PUBLIC, and anyone will be able to see them. You can restrict public messages to just your contacts (friends and buddies) and staff, or turn the feature off entirely--that decision is entirely up to you.

The same rules that apply to posts at the forum apply here (no flaming, no spamming, etc.) and public messaging abuse will not be tolerated.

Thread prefixes: you'll now have a selection of thread prefixes that you can attach to your thread...once I think up some prefixes, that is :)

Member profile page improved: your member profile page is jazzed up, making more information available as well as making it easier for you to make changes to it.

There's tons of little changes too, so if something seems a bit different, that's it.

*******************
Coming soon:

Social groups: a way for members to interact further through taking part in member-created interest groups (e.g., "Mollie Fans", "Red Dwarf Addicts", etc.). I haven't beaten all the details out so it's not active. I will tell you that all members will be able to join social groups, but social group creation will be limited to Staff and Members of the Board only.

Social bookmarking: if I can figure out what the hell it is, I may activate it

Shoutbox: public chat room

A proper chat room: since there are now modules that work with this forum :)

[sonosun]

:thumbup:

[Goldie]

shoutboxes are awesome!! On another forum I go to they have a shoutbox and it's alot of fun.

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

I can't find the "Shout Box".

[Lucas The Tucas]

Wibby wrote ..... I can't find the "Shout Box".

:lol: Goldie, took it ! :D


:lucas01:

[sonosun]

The shoutbox is being worked on:D

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

It should be called "The Bulletin Board" for the show. Everyone else has a "shout box".

[minki]

It should be called "The Bulletin Board" for the show. Everyone else has a "shout box".

Not bad...

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

I didn't think so myself. :lol:

It would be like the Staff's bulletin board in the store. :D

Can you put graphics around it ??? I'd have a field day with that.

[Goldie]

Wibby wrote .....

:lol: Goldie, took it ! :D


:lucas01:

:wildeyes: .. Dude, I thought you were my friend..



:goldie:

[Goldie]

I meant to mention that everytime I try to confirm all the friend requests I've received, I get logged out and a message saying that I don't have permission to do whatever I'm trying to do. It seems I can't do any of the new features. :(

[minki]

I'll check into it, Goldie. I'm sorry you're having problems :(

From what you tell me, it sounds like you're having problems staying logged in. Try logging out, deleting the minki.net cookies, making sure sure your browser security setting isn't set to High and/or minki.net is addded to your Trusted Sites list, rebooting your computer, and logging in again--make sure that "Remember Me" is checked.

[Goldie]

I will give that a shot, minki! Thanks. :wave:

[minki]

It seems to have worked, Goldie :)

I'm still beating the Shoutbox into submission--I haven't forgotten about it!

[Goldie]

It seems to have worked, Goldie :)

I'm still beating the Shoutbox into submission--I haven't forgotten about it!

Actually, it's still doing the same thing. In order for me to do anything, I have to log into this board through IE. I hate IE but I can't do anything here except post of I'm not on IE. :shrug:

But it's all good.. I'll just use IE for here and then get off it.. :lol:

[minki]

What browser do you normally use?

[John Inman Fan]

It should be called "The Bulletin Board" for the show. Everyone else has a "shout box".

Not to be confused with the Bulletin Board I've had set up for a few months now that covers AYBS Cast/Crew Events, etc. ;)

Marlies

[minki]

Not to be confused with the Bulletin Board I've had set up for a few months now that covers AYBS Cast/Crew Events, etc.

I think you have nothing to worry about :lol:

[minki]

Actually, since it's here for all of you, I want the forum members to name the Shoutbox! :D

I know we have some creative people here: I know that just from reading all of these posts ;) So post your suggestions here, or PM them to me if you're shy. Only rule is keep the name TV-14 or under. Also, it doesn't necessarily have to have an AYBS/Grace Bros/store theme, so don't let that stop you if you have a good idea or two!

I'll wait until Tuesday evening or so, take a few of the suggestions that I like the most, and leave it up to a member vote. The winner will be announced when I launch the Shoutbox, obviously ;)

OK everyone, get cracking!

[Goldie]

I like Greg's idea of The Bulletin Board.. I'll be thinking.. :D

[minki]

I knew I could count on you, Goldie :D

To avoid confusion (and this is for everyone), it's only a suggestion if it's posted in this thread or sent to me via PM. Name suggestions made in other parts of the board such as The Night Club are discouraged, because the odds are good I'll not see it until it's too late :(

[Goldie]

I knew I could count on you, Goldie :D


I'm not creatively (is that a word? :?) gifted in this kind of thing, so I'll just ride on Greg's coat tail.. :lol: .. unless something pops into my mind, which is unlikely.. :D

[John Inman Fan]

Actually, since it's here for all of you, I want the forum members to name the Shoutbox! :D

I know we have some creative people here: I know that just from reading all of these posts ;) So post your suggestions here, or PM them to me if you're shy. Only rule is keep the name TV-14 or under. Also, it doesn't necessarily have to have an AYBS/Grace Bros/store theme, so don't let that stop you if you have a good idea or two!

I'll wait until Tuesday evening or so, take a few of the suggestions that I like the most, and leave it up to a member vote. The winner will be announced when I launch the Shoutbox, obviously ;)

OK everyone, get cracking!

I can help, but I need to have a better idea what the "shout box" purpose will be here...

Marlies

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

I like Greg's idea of The Bulletin Board.. I'll be thinking.. :D


Me too !!!

[John Inman Fan]

Looks like "The Bulletin Board" is a winner already! 2 votes, not including PMs on it, so far. :lol:

Marlies

[sonosun]

"The Water Cooler" would be even better as it denotes people gathered around talking . Whereas the bulletin board conveys the idea of folks reading stuff all on their own. :D

[John Inman Fan]

"The Water Cooler" would be even better as it denotes people gathered around talking . Whereas the bulletin board conveys the idea of folks reading stuff all on their own. :D

Very good point. Looks like there's a contender here! :yes:

Marlies

[Goldie]

"The Water Cooler" would be even better as it denotes people gathered around talking . Whereas the bulletin board conveys the idea of folks reading stuff all on their own. :D


:thinking: .. The Water Cooler sounds good.. that has possibilities.. :D

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

The was never a mention of a "water cooler" on the show whereas there was mention of a "bulletin board" in "The Hero". Not only that but a "Shoutbox" is where you post a "HI" or "What's Up?", you don't chat on it like you do at a water cooler.

[Goldie]

The was never a mention of a "water cooler" on the show whereas there was mention of a "bulletin board" in "The Hero". Not only that but a "Shoutbox" is where you post a "HI" or "What's Up?", you don't chat on it like you do at a water cooler.

:thinking: .. good retort, Greg. I think I will have to agree with Greg's assertion and not vote for The Water Cooler..

that is, unless sonosun comes up with something better.. :lol:

And I still haven't thought of anything remotely fitting yet.. so I have to banter between Greg and sonosun.

[John Inman Fan]

The was never a mention of a "water cooler" on the show whereas there was mention of a "bulletin board" in "The Hero". Not only that but a "Shoutbox" is where you post a "HI" or "What's Up?", you don't chat on it like you do at a water cooler.

Now that I have a better idea what the purpose of the Shout Box would be here-I agree with Greg, but Minki said that it didn't have to be related to AYBS..

Marlies

[John Inman Fan]

Putting my creative cap on; here are some in case any of these would really matter anyways :roll::

In case Water Cooler is still an option:
'round the Cooler
AYBS WC (No not that WC-Water Cooler!)
Water Cooler Bubbles

AYBS Post-It Notes
AYBS Sticky Notes
AYBS Secretary's Notepad

Shout Out
Tiddles Pad
Mr. Grainger's Bits & Bobs Drawer
Mr. Rumbold's Clipboard

Marlies

[Goldie]

Excellent ideas, Marlies. :thumbup:

[Jeff Humphries]

I go with the bulletin board, sounds so much better then the water cooler

[minki]

Since we have two names that seem to stir up conversation, then those will be the ones.

And even though one seems to be favored, I promised a member vote, so...

[Cat_Lover]

I don't really mind what the as yet un-named shoutbox ends up being called. I'm just keen to start using it once it gets up and running.

[minki]

It's nifty. I'm beating out the final kinks right now.

[Cat_Lover]

Don't beat it too hard. You might break it. :lol:

[Greg WibblyWobbly]

Don't beat it too hard. You might break it. :lol:

When I popped on the this thread this was the only post that was showing. Can you imagine me sitting here with my eyeballs popping out of my head ???

Read the above post from Aussie ..... :shock:

[minki]

Your mind is in the gutter, Greg ;)

[John Inman Fan]

When I popped on the this thread this was the only post that was showing. Can you imagine me sitting here with my eyeballs popping out of my head ???

Read the above post from Aussie ..... :shock:

Yes I can; poor guy! You made it all the funnier with that response.:emotlol: What a way to start the day!

[minki]

We have a main name, thank you to everyone who voted!

If you are a Member of the Board, you are invited to beta-test the shoutbox...if you haven't been in there already, that is ;) From what I've seen from them in there so far, it looks like it'll be a hit! And be sure to report anything that needs tweaking to me so I can get on it.

Everyone else will have to wait until the official launch tomorrow, time TBD. But it will be on Tuesday, never fear.