Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken News & Info! => General Pendraken => Topic started by: Leon on 07 December 2021, 06:15:57 PM

Title: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 07 December 2021, 06:15:57 PM
It's been a few weeks since the forum got it's upgrade so we've been compiling the feedback and Stewart's made some changes for us:

Top Bar Logo - Moved to the right hand side like it used to be.

Member Images and Post Count icons - These will need to be recreated and uploaded again.

Login - Issue fixed where the login popup wouldn't show if you weren't on the www. version of the site by forcing the www.

New Member Registration - Turned back on.

Post Boundaries - Done (this option was well hidden in the admin!)

Auto-Login - Can't find the error on this, unable to replicate the issue?

Forum Time - This should be sorted (it was a daylight saving thing I think)

Blue Colour Scheme - Blue changed to something a little softer.

Font Size - Increased the overall font size of the site slightly, should all be relative but some bits may still be specifically stated at a pixel size (old way of doing it but legacy stuff creeps in sometimes)

Font Colour - No change yet, the colour looks OK on most machines and complies with accessibility requirements by a large margin too (https://contrastchecker.online/4d4d4d/e7eaef).  Will keep an eye on it and see if it's an issue going forward with the bigger font.

Code in Signatures - Signatures are mostly fine but some members still have old html code in their sigs, so people will need to check and edit those themselves.

News Box - This is now working on the home page and will cycle through the latest news.


Keep the feedback coming in and we'll see what other adjustments we can make. 
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 07 December 2021, 07:15:34 PM
Good new Leon

Changes look good, the slightly larger font helps - and probably works with the standard text colour.

Edit - and yes, post time seems to be right now too
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 07 December 2021, 07:44:40 PM
Yes the larger font definitely helps
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 07 December 2021, 07:47:17 PM
Corrected my time, though with my user mane I am thinking about using Troll Time !
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Steve J on 07 December 2021, 09:06:39 PM
It certainly looks better for me.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: d_Guy on 07 December 2021, 11:42:55 PM
It is very crisp and clean - I like it, in fact I no longer remember what the old forum looked like.
Thanks for fixing the banner click to your commercial site.  :-bd
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Scorpio_Rocks on 08 December 2021, 03:08:45 AM
Looking great,
Thanks
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: paulr on 08 December 2021, 07:27:22 AM
 :-bd  =D>  :-bd
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Raider4 on 08 December 2021, 08:41:37 AM

QuoteMember Images and Post Count icons - These will need to be recreated and uploaded again.

My avatar is still displaying fine, without me doing anything. Post 'rank' badges are not working.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: hammurabi70 on 08 December 2021, 10:02:31 AM
Significantly more comfortable to use, although personally I find the blue is still a bit harsh for my eyes but I have the impression there is less of it on a page and is less intrusive.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 08 December 2021, 05:07:08 PM
Quote from: Orcs on 07 December 2021, 07:47:17 PMwith my user mane 

Do you get that trimmed at the local Turkish barbers ?


Only roughly 36hrs but seems to have reverted to keeping me fully logged in.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 08 December 2021, 07:19:06 PM
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 08 December 2021, 05:07:08 PMDo you get that trimmed at the local Turkish barbers ?


Only roughly 36hrs but seems to have reverted to keeping me fully logged in.
;D  ;D
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 09 December 2021, 11:13:41 AM
On the old foprum when you clicked on somones moniker it showed when they last accessed the forum. That does not seem to be on the new version.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: mmcv on 09 December 2021, 11:47:23 AM

QuoteOn the old foprum when you clicked on somones moniker it showed when they last accessed the forum. That does not seem to be on the new version.
It shows "Last Active" on their profile which is the same thing I think
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: hammurabi70 on 09 December 2021, 12:59:31 PM
Spent 20 minutes writing a post but when posted it disappeared.  Was that because someone had added a post to the thread during that period?  Will new posts prevent posting on threads by WIP posts?
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Ithoriel on 09 December 2021, 01:11:02 PM
I've posted things where others have posted while I was writing without problem.

I have, a couple of times, had posts "vanish" and realised I'd hit preview instead of post and then hit 'Unread Posts.'

I know there is this drive for corporate colours and corporate branding but I do wish buttons clustered together were different colours. Red for Preview and green for Post (or some disability aware equivalent) would save the hard of thinking, like me :)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: John Cook on 09 December 2021, 01:59:41 PM
All OK for me - no complaints or comments.  I didn't even mind the previous blue. :)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 09 December 2021, 05:55:08 PM
One thing I have just noticed is that when you quote someone it just shows Quote, whereas previously and on other SMF forums it shows who you are quoting


QuoteAll OK for me - no complaints or comments.  I didn't even mind the previous blue. :)
And at the point you insert the quote it shows both the person quoted and the time stamp of the quote
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 09 December 2021, 09:03:28 PM
Quote from: mmcv on 09 December 2021, 11:47:23 AMIt shows "Last Active" on their profile which is the same thing I think


Yep missed that, THanks
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: mmcv on 09 December 2021, 09:17:12 PM

QuoteOne thing I have just noticed is that when you quote someone it just shows Quote, whereas previously and on other SMF forums it shows who you are quoting

And at the point you insert the quote it shows both the person quoted and the time stamp of the quote

Using the quote button on their post pulls in those details as here. I think the manual quote insert always just showed quote?

Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: mmcv on 09 December 2021, 09:18:20 PM
QuoteUsing the quote button on their post pulls in those details as here. I think the manual quote insert always just showed quote?
Oh interesting it showed the name and date in the quick insert but not when I actually posted...I see what you mean. Though I can see "quote from mmcv" on orcs one above...
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Techno II on 10 December 2021, 07:14:40 AM
The only thing that still happens to me, once every four or five visits, is that it doesn't like my password...and I'm being ultra careful to get it right.

I just leave the forum, and then start again...and (so far) that's always worked.

Cheers - Phil. :)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2021, 07:47:14 AM

QuoteThe only thing that still happens to me, once every four or five visits, is that it doesn't like my password...and I'm being ultra careful to get it right.

I just leave the forum, and then start again...and (so far) that's always worked.

Cheers - Phil. :)
Why do you need to enter your password so often? I think I've only entered mine once or twice in the new forum. 
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2021, 07:50:32 AM

QuoteOh interesting it showed the name and date in the quick insert but not when I actually posted...I see what you mean. Though I can see "quote from mmcv" on orcs one above...

Yep there are definitely two different behaviours
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Techno II on 10 December 2021, 08:51:38 AM
QuoteWhy do you need to enter your password so often? I think I've only entered mine once or twice in the new forum.

Force of habit, Forbes. ;) .....Von and I both log out of any sites we visit.....I'm pretty sure Firefox would kick us off, anyway, when we come off the net.

Means there's slightly less stuff for the PC Cleaner to trawl through, as well. ;D

That does mean that there's yet something else I don't quite understand, regarding the new forum.
Bottom of the home page, we have "users active in the last 15 minutes", with the names of those actually logged in ??
I'm pretty sure on the old forum, people who HAD been logged in, but had logged out, showed up for 15 minutes.

Now it seems that as soon as someone logs out, their 'moniker' disappears instantly.....(Definitely of no matter, at all !  ;)

Wouldn't anyone who hadn't logged out show up permanently, at the bottom of the page ? :-\

Cheers - Phil. :)

Interesting....I just logged out, then came back in...and while I was logged out "Techno II" WAS still showing at the bottom of the page..

Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 10 December 2021, 12:35:13 PM
I'm not even sure I know where to start with this!

Your browser and the server are two different entities. The session you are running is what is showing by the last seen widget on the bottom of the home page. All it is doing is recording the last time someone was active on the site, and listing them if their activity was within the last 15 mins. 

If you log out of your session it should have no impact on this. As Techno's activity was still 5mins ago. Irrespective of what activity you then do either not-logged in, or logged in as another username. 

As to logging out of the site - I really can't see any reason at all to do this on a home computer. Unless you think Von will be sneaking on to post as you. On a shared computer there is a lot of reasons to do this. But this logging in is very much a local thing for your browser. It is just remembering your details to make it easier next time. 
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 10 December 2021, 02:43:26 PM
One thing I miss about the old forum was when you hit read unread it took you to the last unread post...
I don't want to see my own waffle!
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Heedless Horseman on 10 December 2021, 03:21:27 PM
What is the little brown post reference top right for? EG. #26
Have tried putting into 'search' but did not bring anything up.
Not something that I want to use... just curiosity.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 10 December 2021, 04:32:05 PM
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 10 December 2021, 03:21:27 PMWhat is the little brown post reference top right for? EG. #26
Have tried putting into 'search' but did not bring anything up.
Not something that I want to use... just curiosity.

That's just a reply number, so my post here is the 28th reply to the original post.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: John Cook on 28 December 2021, 10:11:05 PM
One thing that I have often wondered about is the use of pseudonyms on the forum. 
Anonymity doesn't seem to be an issue because some sign posts with their proper names, and the proper names of a number of posters are clearly known to each other. 
As on-line anonymity is becoming frowned on these days and forums increasingly do not allow it anyway, is it not time that proper names are used?
What is the purpose of pseudonyms?     
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fred. on 28 December 2021, 10:28:57 PM
I'd say there are a couple of reasons 

1) When registering you are asked for a username - which suggests a made up name rather than your own name. 

2) Search Engines and permanence of posts - there is a big difference between names (and usually only first names) being known to other posters who you have often had multi-year conversations with, versus what some random person with a search engine can pick out. Especially when HR departments can google people at the point of recruitment. I see this as the difference between what you might say in the pub (or at the gaming club) with your mates, vs what you would write in a work email. In everyday transactions people are pretty anonymous in what they do - but there are means to identify people if they break rules. And I think on the internet there should be a similar level of blending in and transience. The problem can be it is far too easy on the internet for people to be abusive due to their anonymity. I don't think we have collectively worked out how this should work yet - and usernames are a simple way of giving some of these benefits - and on a forum such as this there is rarely a problem with abuse of the system.  

Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Westmarcher on 28 December 2021, 10:35:05 PM
Pseudonyms: When I joined this forum (and others, subsequently), being inexperienced in this medium, it appeared to be the thing to do - everybody else was doing it - so I picked a nom de plume that reflected my origins.

My name is David (sometimes Davy, to my pals) Henderson. For those who do know that, hello. Pleased to renew my acquaintance with you.   :-h  :)

p.s. Will I change it? Honestly, I can't be bothered.   ;D   
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Last Hussar on 28 December 2021, 11:18:10 PM
Though some people here do know my real name I use the nickname on the Internet to avoid problems with my employer.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 29 December 2021, 12:06:30 AM
Is there any way to reinstate the feature from the 9ld forum where it would tale you to the last unread post rather than that page?
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: paulr on 29 December 2021, 03:29:06 AM
 :-/

I clicked on the Today at 12:06:30 AM link on the right of the thread and it takes me to the last post

If I click on the Re: Forum Upgrade link in the list of Recent posts or the Latest Post: it also takes me to the last post
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: John Cook on 29 December 2021, 09:22:57 AM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 28 December 2021, 11:18:10 PMThough some people here do know my real name I use the nickname on the Internet to avoid problems with my employer.

God forbid that they found out you played with toy soldiers  :)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: hammurabi70 on 29 December 2021, 09:41:14 AM
Quote from: John Cook on 29 December 2021, 09:22:57 AMGod forbid that they found out you played with toy soldiers  :)

AFAIK a majority of people [i.e. straw poll at the club] avoid mentioning it on the CV in the General Interests section.  For the general public we tend to refer to an interest in military history when pressed (e.g. hiring a hall).
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 29 December 2021, 10:26:59 AM
Quote from: paulr on 29 December 2021, 03:29:06 AM:-/

I clicked on the Today at 12:06:30 AM link on the right of the thread and it takes me to the last post

If I click on the Re: Forum Upgrade link in the list of Recent posts or the Latest Post: it also takes me to the last post
Doesn't for me
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 29 December 2021, 11:44:30 AM
JUst has for me.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Westmarcher on 29 December 2021, 01:11:12 PM
Works for me, too.  :)

p.s. Meant to say above, "For those who do NOT know my real name, hello."  :-[  :-h

Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 30 December 2021, 06:47:35 PM
On the names thing, it's maybe not so much of an issue in the UK but other places are a lot less forgiving unfortunately.  A friend in Germany has to use several aliases and avoid all mention of his real name within the hobby, as he's a teacher and could potentially lose his job if his employer found out that he played wargames.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: T13A on 12 February 2022, 11:09:05 AM
Hi

Just wondering if there is a slight problem (although it could well be me)?

On the home page, looking at the 'Wider wargaming' - 'Genre/Period Discussion', it shows the last post was on 10 Feb 2022, but when I go into it there are several later posts in the sub boards, including some from me. I am missing something?  :-\

Cheers Paul
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Steve J on 12 February 2022, 12:37:33 PM
I've been having similar problems too Paul, as has Ian Shaw. Not sure what's going on really :( .
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 February 2022, 01:09:47 PM
An infestation of insects - ie bugs. The worst type - intermittent ones.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Phil2 on 12 February 2022, 01:50:19 PM
Told you...

No wonder I've deleted myself twice. :P
Get your money back, Leon.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 12 February 2022, 02:07:00 PM
Quote from: Phil2 on 12 February 2022, 01:50:19 PMNo wonder I've deleted myself twice. :P


Sounds painful Phil
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Ithoriel on 12 February 2022, 02:10:21 PM
Looks to me as though the forum is only looking at the first sub-section in the 'Wider wargaming' - 'Genre/Period Discussion' rather than all sub-sections. If so, it shouldn't be beyond the wit of man* to fix.

*or indeed persons of any gender/ orientation whether declared or biological
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: John Cook on 13 February 2022, 02:20:09 AM
Don't worry, man without an article refers to mankind as a whole.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Ithoriel on 13 February 2022, 02:22:35 PM
Quote from: John Cook on 13 February 2022, 02:20:09 AMDon't worry, man without an article refers to mankind as a whole.

I'm guessing you're not on social media much :)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 13 February 2022, 04:25:37 PM
Can someone check that 'Latest Posts' bug again for me?  I've adjusted one of the settings so it should show them all now?
Title: Re: Painting Competition 2022!
Post by: fsn on 13 February 2022, 04:30:14 PM
I get a 4:29 "latest painting comp" ... which seems about right.
Title: Re: Re: Painting Competition 2022!
Post by: fsn on 13 February 2022, 04:31:21 PM
Oh no! It now shows "latest painting comp" ... but 4:30!

Must be a bug.  :(
Title: Re: Re: Painting Competition 2022!
Post by: fsn on 13 February 2022, 04:33:23 PM
Disaster! Now shows "latest painting comp" at 4:31.

It's like the end of the world being nigh.

:(
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fsn on 13 February 2022, 04:34:25 PM
... and I've been posting in the wrong place!

 :o

Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 13 February 2022, 05:31:26 PM
Does that mean it's working or not...?!   :D
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fsn on 13 February 2022, 06:30:25 PM
its working!

Sorry,
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 13 February 2022, 06:34:08 PM
Excellent, that's good to hear!
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: T13A on 13 February 2022, 07:19:03 PM
Hi Leon

My computer is still showing the same as when I posted yesterday, i.e. on the home page under Genre/Period Discussion the 'latest' post is shown as 10 Feb but when you go into it there are later posts.  :-\

Cheers Paul
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 13 February 2022, 07:35:18 PM
I'm not sure what's going on there then, it's the only board that seems to be doing it.  The others all show the correct 'last post' so I don't really know what's happening with that board.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Steve J on 13 February 2022, 09:18:19 PM
Some entries in the painting comp didn't show up when using the Unread Posts button top right hand of the forum. So still not working properly for me :( .
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Phil2 on 14 February 2022, 07:52:39 AM
I just got App identity failure....

But it seems to have let me log in. :-\ \
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 14 February 2022, 05:55:42 PM
Quote from: Steve J on 13 February 2022, 09:18:19 PMSome entries in the painting comp didn't show up when using the Unread Posts button top right hand of the forum. So still not working properly for me :( .

The Unread posts would be a separate bug, I'll go and have a look at that next...
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 14 February 2022, 08:54:22 PM
Quote from: Phil2 on 14 February 2022, 07:52:39 AMI just got App identity failure....

But it seems to have let me log in. :-\ \

Yes the tinkering has vexed some part of the forum, now not only do I forget what I was looking for but the forum forgets who I am..... Intermittently on-and-off identity amnesia
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: John Cook on 20 February 2022, 05:01:18 PM
Quote from: Ithoriel on 13 February 2022, 02:22:35 PMI'm guessing you're not on social media much :)

Certainly not.  I leave that kind of thing to my wife.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Raider4 on 21 February 2022, 08:54:15 AM
When I try and quote an earlier message, the OPs name disappears. It's there in the edit windows, but when I post, "poof", gone.


Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Orcs on 21 February 2022, 05:57:03 PM
Over the last week, when Accessing the forum I reguarly (but not always) get an unformatted page. Sometimes I get on to the main page ok, but on selecting a thread I then get an unformatted page.

If i go back and try again normally its back to the correct format.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Leon on 21 February 2022, 06:53:54 PM
Quote from: Raider4 on 21 February 2022, 08:54:15 AMWhen I try and quote an earlier message, the OPs name disappears. It's there in the edit windows, but when I post, "poof", gone.

Not sure on this one, I've had the quoted member's name not visible before but I can't seem to replicate it now?

Quote from: Orcs on 21 February 2022, 05:57:03 PMOver the last week, when Accessing the forum I reguarly (but not always) get an unformatted page. Sometimes I get on to the main page ok, but on selecting a thread I then get an unformatted page.

If i go back and try again normally its back to the correct format.

That's normally a browser issue rather than the forum, where it's not reading the code properly and displays in html format instead.  An F5 Refresh should fix it.
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: fsn on 14 March 2022, 03:04:53 PM
Is it just  me or has the emoji toolbar disappeared?

I can get on for the whole message ... but not inside a post.  (insert thoughtful emoji here)
Title: Re: Forum Upgrade
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 14 March 2022, 03:19:27 PM
No it seems to be universal, also no format bar