Site Forum verison and updates...

While checking around Forumotion site today, I notice they don't even offer to new users the forum version we have.  So, that being said, I wonder how long until we are forced to BREAK the site to upgrade the forum.  I am toying with creating a (beta) site to do so maybe to make the transition easier.  The current site offers a "temporary theme" where you can change versions, but isn't very friendly.  The biggest hurdle is the newer version defaults to a right-hand user column where we have a more desirable left-hand column on the topics. I did find on their site, that changing that back to left is available in the admin console only when you have that version.

Just a heads up.  Wanting to keep our users in the loop.

I have confirmed I can change this setting.  

HOLY TOLEDO! 


Newer version is SO MUCH more configurable it's scary.  I am sold.  I have a beta site I am messing with so I do not screw this site up.  It is comming along.  Even the mobile is a "tic" just a tic friendlier.

I'll share a little when it isn't a disaster!

...but it is a good disaster!

Good time to clean up some errant code again.

He has the Christmas lights up already and it is snowing! Wish it would snow here.

I could do without the side bar all together. Makes more room for the discussion itself.
Some forum software allows the individual user to turn the sidebar on and off. I wonder if this one does?

No it doesn't...  

Realized the garland messes up the mobile site menu.  Turned it off.

@MightyRaze wrote:

Realized the garland messes up the mobile site menu.  Turned it off.

it messed mine up on a chrome book too, should be a normal dektop site tho

No need to be concerned for the version we are on.  No big plans for site changes.  I did turn off the sidebar in the forum per request for more conversation space per: @Nevadablue suggestion.  They still exist in the portal page.  We'll see if that works out ok.

I'm liking the sidebar being gone from the threads, no more zooming and scrolling over to the right to get it to be as large as possible for ease of reading on my phone!

Thanks! I can live with it either way of course.

Edited to add:

NICE! I just checked the portal and you can see the list of latest posts readily and the individual posts/threads are larger now when viewed as individuals. LIKE it.

I was a fan of the side bar but if yall like it im down to leave it. I gotta zoom anyway lol.

@Budget_gokart wrote:

I was a fan of the side bar but if yall like it im down to leave it. I gotta zoom anyway lol.

Yeah so was I. I honestly really liked the side bar cause I could just keep up with topics easily instead of going to the portal every single time I want to see a different topic. But I mean if y'all like it I'll live lol. I'm not online as much as the rest of you anymore so whatever y'all want I guess.

Please don’t change the display for me. I have no problem with the way it was. I really was just curious if it could be a user change or admin change.
Put it back like it was. Now we know it can be done and can discuss it. Maybe put a poll up for which way? Seriously, it was fine, I was just curious.

I'm on the fence but looking into options.

I liked the side bar thing too, but I won't push one way or another. I'm still kinda the new guy so I'm not about to go talking about how things on here should be. I'm happy either way

Turned it back on, but narrowed it.

Turned it back on, widened the forum, narrowed the recent links and increased font size.

You're really on the ball my man! Proud of ya! Lol

The man with the POWER!    

Something has changed in regards to the message box,  my auto spacing doesn't work anymore and I've noticed when you quote someone it doesn't show the code. It's also now in its own little yellow box.

I may have turned on wysiwyg editor.  If so, you can click that icon at the end that looks like paper to toggle.


Checked, that setting and it is not on by default.  I know it is a user-controlled setting that typically sets itself to last use.

@MightyRaze wrote:

I may have turned on wysiwyg editor.  If so, you can click that icon at the end that looks like paper to toggle.


Checked, that setting and it is not on by default.  I know it is a user-controlled setting that typically sets itself to last use.

Testing testing,.. you rock man that fixed it all up! Thank you!

@Rustbucket Garage wrote:

I liked the side bar thing too, but I won't push one way or another. I'm still kinda the new guy so I'm not about to go talking about how things on here should be. I'm happy either way

OK, I have created a new link in the "Welcome" menu link on the toolbar at the top next to notifications.

This link opens a whole page of Latest Topics!  I know it is one more click, but I do like the forum wider without the side clutter if possible.

I'll keep the new forum width and font size.  I'll give the sidebar a little bit of time before removing.

sounds good to me! id just have a "new" tab idk

OK, I have not abandoned updating the site in the future.  Better to be prepared now than be caught off guard.  Here are a few screenshots of what I have been working on.

Couple desktop and mobile shots.