Forum suggestions: layout, features, settings etc.

Any comments or suggestions regarding the DKC Atlas Forum can be posted here.

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » February 25th, 2008, 11:53 am

WHOA. You really do have a lot of food on your plate!...

...Let's eat! :mrgreen:
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 25th, 2008, 1:42 pm

Okay, guest posting is disabled and polls are available, now comes a controversial request:

cfh wrote:Qyzbud, you still haven't changed the links to open in a new tab! :cry:

I've looked into it, and have worked out a way to achieve what you're asking, but it has been recommended that 'opening a link in a new tab' should be an option for the user, not a default link behaviour. Do you think you'd be able to get used to either holding Control as you click, or right-clicking and choosing Open Link in New Tab?

On the other hand, it is tempting to make these changes, as I don't really want users to be taken away from the forum just to check out a link... but I'm thinking it should be the user's choice.

What do the rest of you think?

External links should, by default...
Open in current tab ...or... Open in new tab.

I guess I can always change this back later, either way.
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » February 25th, 2008, 3:08 pm

I can always open it in a new tab manually, but I'm just used to forum doing it automatically which messes me up.
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Genius_41 » February 26th, 2008, 5:09 am

I've got no problem with links opening in the same window, although I guess it'd be much easier to open them in a new tab. :| I'm undecided.
Newcomer
Posts: 8
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » February 26th, 2008, 6:53 am

Qyzbud wrote:I will disable guest posting, enable polls, make links open in new tabs, investigate the auto sign-out problems, allow more URLs per post and make the avatar file size limit a bit more generous... So long as you guys just chill, as I have plenty of things on my plate right now. I will get to all that eventually... but I'm only one person!

Not only that, but you also have the mainsite to worry about, and the map project, and the list goes on and on. Alot of things indeed...

Anyway, I usually like links in a separate window, because if it's like a picture or something I wait for that window to load and continue browsing the forums. If it's in the same window I can't do that.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 26th, 2008, 3:27 pm

I agree with you guys- new tabs are the bright and shiny way of awesomeness!

So I'll go ahead and change the forum code?
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Cyclone » February 27th, 2008, 7:18 am

Sorry if this has been asked already. Will you have the option of choosing different forum skins? like a defualt(this one) and a dkc1 or perhaps a dkc2 etc.
Expedition Leader
Bananas received 559
Posts: 1211
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » February 27th, 2008, 7:52 am

I think that'd be cool, but he has a long list of more important things to do.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 27th, 2008, 10:08 am

Cyclone wrote:Sorry if this has been asked already. Will you have the option of choosing different forum skins? like a defualt(this one) and a dkc1 or perhaps a dkc2 etc.

I don't remember that being asked, but yes; I certainly do plan to release extra forum skins/styles when I bring out the DKC2 and DKC3 sections of DKC Atlas. Needless to say, this might not be for a little while. Hopefully within 100 days!
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » February 27th, 2008, 11:42 am

At least 100, huh? :P

Don't worry about it, that's probably the least important thing "on your plate".
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008


Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 27th, 2008, 12:33 pm

Hey back off! At least I'm strong to the finich!
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 27th, 2008, 6:59 pm

Hey, I'm working on the link-in-new-tab thing, and it may make the forums go funny for a while-

You've been warned!

By the time you read this it'll be back to normal probably...


- - -


Okay, I've tried and tried again - it seems that I can get some links to open in new tabs, but not others. This is strange, because the up-to-date, official instructions I followed gave steps for dealing with all kinds of links, but it seems like only some of it worked.

I'm tired of this for now. Four hours of attempted bug-fixing for one single feature is quite enough.

I hope you guys can handle Ctrl+clicking links until I next give this a go.
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » February 28th, 2008, 8:00 am

We understand, and appreciate your effort.
Spoiler!
Or do we?
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » February 28th, 2008, 8:38 am

4 hours? You spent more time then I would have :P

Some is better than none!
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » February 28th, 2008, 8:39 am

Yeah, it wasn't that important for you to spend four hours on it.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » February 28th, 2008, 9:04 am

Another thing I noticed, though you don't need to worry too much about it: on threads with more than one page, it just goes to the first one, instead of the first unread post.
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008


Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » February 28th, 2008, 9:32 am

Jomingo wrote:Yeah, it wasn't that important for you to spend four hours on it.

...actually it was. As soon as I started changing things, the entire board stopped being displayed. I had to at least fix that or we wouldn't be having this discussion now!

Anyway, I've got a clue as to how to proceed. I'll give it a go later today. :)


cfh, there is a little 'newest post' link you can click for each thread. Default behaviour is to show the first post, so that those who haven't read it before (or recently) can catch up with the whole discussion, and have no excuse for posting something which has already been said! Worthwhile, I think. ;)
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » February 29th, 2008, 8:32 am

You should make a rules thread for forum posting conduct. I would've made it by now, but I am unsure of what you want the rules to be. Then you can just tell people to go to it everytime a new member starts posting with bad grammer, bad language, etc.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » February 29th, 2008, 10:15 am

Yeah, the members now are good with this, but I think if we have things like video ads on YouTube we'll need some rules.
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » March 1st, 2008, 7:14 am

Yeah, it's not a problem yet. We have like 20 members total, and about 4 are active daily. But it will come in handy once we start getting a bunch of newbies.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 1st, 2008, 5:06 pm

A rules and guidelines feature is definitely one for the to-do list.

If only there were two of me. :? ;)
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Kowbrainz » March 1st, 2008, 5:14 pm

Yeah, I guess we're lucky in not having to do rules yet since we haven't had any total forum idiots joining....

'Course... it'll be unfortunate when that changes... :cry:
Treasure Hunter
Bananas received 1
Posts: 490
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » March 2nd, 2008, 9:24 am

Well, I'd say for every three idiots on a forum, we get one person who is passionate about the topic and is able to type better than a drunken monkey, and who can actually carry on a conversation. I'd say it's worth going through the idiots to find those few who actually contribute to the discussion.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 8th, 2008, 10:55 am

I've had to login literally every 20 seconds for the past 5 minutes (About 7 times so far-- err... *logs in* ...8 times ). I don't want to sound like I'm rushing you, but MAKE IT STOP!!!!

Hehe, just kidding, take your time... hold on. I need to login again.
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 8th, 2008, 12:34 pm

Kong-Fu, this is beyond my level of expertise... I'll have to ask on the official phpBB forums to see if they have any answers.

I will do this, but I ask you to do something to help in return:

Download Firefox
...or the little monkey gets it!

Just let me know if the problem persists using Firefox...

If it doesn't, I would suggest that you convert to the overwhelming goodness of the burning fox browser.

Actually, I would recommend that either way.
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby nickp17 » March 8th, 2008, 12:51 pm

I had the same problem till I switched over.
Inked Imbecile
Bananas received 3
Posts: 264
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 8th, 2008, 1:12 pm

Hang on, I just noticed a trend...

What internet browser do you use?
Kong-Fu: AOL
Jomingo: I have AOL 9.0

cfh: Firefox.

. . .

Sign in problems...
Jomingo: ...everyother time I post it makes me log-in again.
Kong-Fu: ...it signs me out at random times.

cfh: Strange, that never happens to me.

nickp17: I had the same problem till I switched over.


Okay guys, seriously...

Image
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » March 8th, 2008, 2:02 pm

Yeah, sometimes when I first get on the site for the day it keeps logging me out right before I try to post. I just close the window and try again.
Qyz: USE FIREFOX!!
Jomingo: But I don't like change!

Seriously though, I don't see why I have to switch. It never happens to me at DKU.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 8th, 2008, 2:12 pm

DKU uses an incredibly dated forum system. This here's the way of the future! ;)

You need to be hit over the head with a baboon's stick. Change is good!

</Lion King reference>


Okay, seriously... I agree that browser/software change should never be forced upon users. I've tried to make things as backward/future compatible as possible, but some things are out of my control. For those things, I recommend Firefox, as it seems to make a big difference. I do apologise for the errors, and for acting pushy. I'd really like things to work perfectly for everyone. DKC Atlas is destined to be a utopia. One day. :D
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008


Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 8th, 2008, 2:21 pm

Mine too! (let's start a thread) I'm glad you got the reference, instead of being offended by it. :P
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Jomingo » March 8th, 2008, 2:25 pm

Wow, is it just me, or does half of my posts inspire you to start a new topic? It's a good one though.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 7
Posts: 2312
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » March 8th, 2008, 2:44 pm

For the longest time, I didn't want to switch because I thought it was a hassle... but when I did, it only took about a minute and the benefits were amazing.
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Simion32 » March 10th, 2008, 6:25 am

In the offscreen platform thread, Qyzbud wrote:Click on the image below to view it in its entirety

I just noticed something: When you do click the image, the scrollbars disappear like they should, but part of the image gets cut-off. I think this only happens in lower resolutions (mine is 1280x1024).

It's not that big of a problem, I just thought I would mention it.
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 332
Posts: 2738
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 10th, 2008, 7:46 am

Thanks Simion, I'm thinking about working to edit that function, so I appreciate the feedback.

1280 x 1024 is certainly not what I call low res. I'd hope this place would look good in an 800 x 600 environment, even...
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Simion32 » March 10th, 2008, 1:42 pm

Qyzbud wrote:1280 x 1024 is certainly not what I call low res. I'd hope this place would look good in an 800 x 600 environment, even...

I meant that the lower the resolution, it's more likely that the images will get cut-off; that particular image wouldn't be cut off on a 1600x1200 screen.

I know 1280x1024 isn't small, I was stating that it was small compared to the problem at hand.

Anything lower than 800x600 is almost impossible to work with. :?
Sage of Discovery
Bananas received 332
Posts: 2738
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 13th, 2008, 4:15 pm

I don't like the way the forum's handling 'oversized' picture attachments at the moment. It seems that anything taller than around 340 pixels becomes a scrolling element, which I really find annoying. I need to work out how to at least extend the size to allow up to, say... 640px. I'll work on that. Of course, that wasn't quite what you were talking about, but it's a similar topic.


In other news: I'm planning to give the forum a new colour scheme, and eventually a complete style update to bring it close to the aesthetics of DKC Atlas, the main site. I'll let you guys know when I've made enough progress to be worth your time checking it out.

Edit: Oh holy snap. I mean crap... I just made a huge mistake and learnt a valuable lesson. Anyone who saw what happened to the forum an hour ago will know what I'm on about... at least I think I've repaired things for the time being. I'll have to be more careful in the future.

:shock:
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby cfh » March 14th, 2008, 5:55 am

...I won't ask...

One thing remaining from whatever you did is that already clicked links are now black.
User avatar
cfh
Veteran Venturer
Bananas received 6
Posts: 617
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Cody » March 15th, 2008, 9:37 am

For the "Upload attachment" tab at the bottom of post submissions, would it be possible to implement a music player of some sorts? It would come in handy for showing some quick audio samples, and I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't upload MP3s when I went to upload the 'Can't By Me Love, Mill Fever' track yesterday.
Treasure Hunter
Bananas received 62
Posts: 497
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 15th, 2008, 9:49 am

I think Qyzbud has a lot more important things on his plate to think about letting us play a music player in attachments (like raising the filesize limit and actually letting upload MP3s as files). I really think I'll have enough energy to move my hand with the mouse and click the button to open the MP3 in the attachment :P (when and if he let's us upload MP3s).
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Kowbrainz » March 15th, 2008, 11:41 am

Use E-snips or another site to upload mp3s, then link to them in your post. I don't think phpBB boards support music upload, and neither do most other boards.
Treasure Hunter
Bananas received 1
Posts: 490
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 15th, 2008, 11:49 am

Even if it would, I think he has too much on his plate for that either. I was just stating that there's no way we're getting a music player.
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 15th, 2008, 2:31 pm

Well as you know, I'm particularly fond of the thread Cody was wanting to post into, and I was hoping to do the same thing once I'd found a usable copy of the song... I am very busy, but it's still a good suggestion, and one which I like the idea of. I didn't realise MP3s were unable to be uploaded. I don't want to have people sharing full songs, but having a 15 second snippet of audio for the sake of musical comparison would be fine. I'll see what I can do, when I can do it.

Cody- maybe you could just zip the MP3, or change its extension, just for now.
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 24th, 2008, 11:22 am

TheKirby's birthday was yesterday, and it still says TheKirby's name on the Index Page.

Happy two consecutive birthdays, TheKirby! :D
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 24th, 2008, 11:43 am

Not sure, but *maybe* it's due to timezone differences?

The 'native' timezone of this forum is UTC + 9:30 hours, which is my local time. I chose that timezone because I'm the centre of the universe.
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 24th, 2008, 11:46 am

Oh, well, are the topics supposed to be in order of when the last post was? Because it doesn't look like it.
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby Qyzbud » March 24th, 2008, 12:23 pm

Yeah, they are meant to be ordered as you said... Which browser are you using?
Atlas Author
Bananas received 682
Posts: 3228
Joined: 2008

Re: Suggestions for DKC Atlas Forum: layout, features, etc.

Postby BlueTronic » March 24th, 2008, 12:25 pm

AOL
Put in spoilers 'cause it's so big.
Spoiler!
772-1.jpg
772-1.jpg (165.18 KiB) Viewed 84757 times
Previously "Kong-Fu"
Bananas received 109
Posts: 1394
Joined: 2008

PreviousNext

Return to DKC Atlas Forum Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron