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Post by cynical1 on Jun 11, 2013 11:11:45 GMT -5
I'm curious as to what facebook-like features y'all are so railing against? Well, I'm not sure if it's Farcebook, specifically, because it seems the major change from update was to integrate a single logon\account access to multiple forums throughout ProBoards. So, they must see some demographic or business related need to simplify life for users on multiple forums. I will say, the $2.99 "GIFT" concept versus the free EXULT nod to a member that deserves kudos does chap my butt. I admit, my skin does begin to crawl at the thought of anything Zuckerberg. Social media, as a whole, strikes me as the anti-viagra, but I digress... Business is business and anything offered for free will have some some scheme stitched into it. For the time being I don't have a serious problem with anything ProBoards has done with this update, but I haven't seen what newey and sumgai have seen. Something most of you have no knowledge or awareness of is the inherited admin structure newey and sumgai have been working under since RandomHero abdicated power. Until RH, or the space aliens, come back and promote other members to allow admin access it's the two of them out in the storm alone. This blankets over everything from smacking spammers, maintaining order to actually posting and sharing their knowledge and insights. IMHO, if anything would motivate a change this would be top of the list for them. It would be for me. Yeah, I figured playing the devil's advocate would elicit that response from our very own advocate. No objections, counselor. There actually is a lot of talent lurking here. They've just had the good sense to keep their heads down... Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 11, 2013 12:02:11 GMT -5
One of the things that I keep forgetting about PB, and not-so-big a reason most of the time, is that PB does NOT let us Admins have a backup copy of anything, including the membership list. The only way, currently, to communicate with members via the PM mechanism is either all or none - everybody or no one. What if PB had a major crash (they did, a few years ago), and I wanted to alert the rest of the core group? Couldn't do it. What if I wanted to track IP address usage? As it stands now, it's done on an individual basis - no way to analyze from the general side, only individual by individual. (Comparisons can be made, yes, but only as they crop up, there's no way to see any sequences, and therefore predict any trends.) Hosting our own forum would allow all that, and much more. sumgai I wouldn't argue any of those points, and we could both rattle off a bag full of other things self-hosting would offer. Live would be simplified and enhanced in administering this forum. I'm not sure how far down the "self-hosting" wormhole you're thinking of going. Probably a good offline discussion or two. My only concerns would be the time and resources required to pull that off. HTC1 |
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Post by newey on Jun 11, 2013 17:56:04 GMT -5
At Cyn1:
It is for us as well. Day-to-day, it's not so much of an issue, but in terms of the long-term continuity of the Board, it's huge. As it stands, we're basically two heartbeats away from extinction . . .
sg has a better understanding of the technical issues with the new software than I do. He perhaps has more issues with the new software than I do, I'm pretty much in the "let's try to work with it" mode, at least for the present.
But the idea that, sooner or later, we would need to migrate the Board elsewhere has been a long-running topic of discussion between us. Perhaps this is the impetus to do so. But, again, I'll defer to the wishes of the majority.
And to JFP-
sg and I agreed to disable the like feature. We both felt it was too much like fingernails on a chalkboard for we curmudgeons. But if there's a groundswell to activate the feature, we can do so.
"Following" someone, or sending them $2 digital flaming turds, we cannot disable, or so it seems. So, all y'all are free to "follow" people 'til your hearts' content.
I take your point about the "like" feature alleviating the posts just to praise someone, but I don't think we had much of that under the old "karma" system. Usually, someone exalting someone else had more to say about the project than just that. Presumably, they will continue to say those things, even absent a "like" or an "exalt" button.
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Post by 4real on Jun 11, 2013 20:32:41 GMT -5
Hmmm....is it just me, but do you now no longer have the codes and emoticons and such to say, quote or put in a youtube vid link?
All I am seeing is an 'add attachment' (I am in a photo club that went to proborads recently and this allows pics direct if fime is under 1MB) but nothing happens, preview...where nothing happens and BBCode where nothing happens!
Is this something wrong my end or teething problems? ALl I can do is type like this. Links automatically come up as hot...otherwise, nada!
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Post by newey on Jun 11, 2013 20:48:20 GMT -5
4real-
in the "reply" page, you should seea group of eight buttons on the right-hand side at the top of the blank reply page. The first 3- "link", "email", and "insert image" are just as they were previously, simply relocated to the right.
The 4th one over, next to "Insert Photo" is now "insert video". Clicking it pulls down a menu with the various video formats supported, which are no longer limited to just You Tube.
Next to the "insert video" button are ones for "insert user link", "insert code", "insert quote" and "insert smiley".
The "attachment" feature was disabled by sg and I in the old software and remains so in the new software. We did so out of concern for malicious scripts being imported by that route.
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Post by sumgai on Jun 11, 2013 22:07:39 GMT -5
4real,
Sorry, but the problem's on your end of the stick - it's a javascript (imported via a separate file, not hard-coded directly within the page) that lays out those buttons.
Because it comes from an ad server (ProBoards' own ad server, a first as far as I know), I had it blocked automatically. Momentarily disabling my filter set, and allowing all the crap to come through, pinpointed the script for me so I could tell my filters what not to knock out after the filters are re-enabled.
Fine-tuning your browser and any add-ons should solve the issue for you. Ditto for the BBCode/Preview tabs below the text box, and other sundry "missing" stuff - all scripts, most of which are hidden in the d.prbrds.js file. (I think that was the filename.... something like that.)
HTH
sumgai
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 11, 2013 22:07:38 GMT -5
Hmmm....is it just me, but do you now no longer have the codes and emoticons and such to say, quote or put in a youtube vid link? All I am seeing is an 'add attachment' (I am in a photo club that went to proborads recently and this allows pics direct if fime is under 1MB) but nothing happens, preview...where nothing happens and BBCode where nothing happens! Is this something wrong my end or teething problems? ALl I can do is type like this. Links automatically come up as hot...otherwise, nada! If you run NoScript, or any script blocker you'll need to make a few exceptions to get the formatting bar back. HTC1 |
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 0:09:05 GMT -5
Thanks...might need some help on this. I appear to be running Java ok and don't believe I ahve 'noscript' or any ad blockers running...so how do I fine tune the browser...firefox on win 7...as things like Facebook and youtube and other sites on the setup seem to be fine including another PBforum...cheers
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 1:00:30 GMT -5
Updated java to ver7...nope, still no joy!
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 8:10:27 GMT -5
4real- in the "reply" page, you should seea group of eight buttons on the right-hand side at the top of the blank reply page. The first 3- "link", "email", and "insert image" are just as they were previously, simply relocated to the right. The 4th one over, next to "Insert Photo" is now "insert video". Clicking it pulls down a menu with the various video formats supported, which are no longer limited to just You Tube. Next to the "insert video" button are ones for "insert user link", "insert code", "insert quote" and "insert smiley". The "attachment" feature was disabled by sg and I in the old software and remains so in the new software. We did so out of concern for malicious scripts being imported by that route. Nope...I see none of that. there is only an add attachment that does nothing, preview and BBCode that does nothing and a greay create post on the reply page. I can use the same PB version for the photoclub without these issues...but without these features, at best I can only add text to the forum. As I say, updated the latest java and still nothing...unless there is something I don't understand, it works elsewhere...any clues? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2013 9:14:17 GMT -5
4real, java has nothing to do with javascript. Java on browsers is mostly irrelevant as we speak. It is dead now for quite some years. Shockwaveflash is due to follow. Javascript is the next big thing, although its been around since netscape days.
Now go to your firefox location bar and type : about:plugins, also go to "Tools->Addons" and see the listing of addons, extensions, etc... See if there is something blocking javascript. The next step is to install some extension called firebug, which helps debug javascript code. And see if there is some kind of error from whatever cause. It might be URL/IP blocking issues caused by name servers or routers. But that is a wild guess for now.
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 14:57:42 GMT -5
Well, that's ahrd to follow. Bothe 'Java deployment toolkit' (NPRuntime script)and Java platform are updated and enabled as well as shockwave flash. There are no obvious blockers being used intentionally, perhaps it is something in the firewall or the like, not my area of expertise I have to say.
So, I ahve no access to the add atachment thing nor even see emoticons or other tools such as quotes, preview and BBCode are shown but not a small tag in teh bottom of the screens shows "javascript:void(0);" when you hover over either!
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 12, 2013 17:01:50 GMT -5
Ok, in Firefox, go to the Menu Bar, click Tools, then Options. Look for the Content tab. Third checkbox down is Enable Javascript. That's about all you can do directly in Firefox.
HTC1
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Post by ozboomer on Jun 12, 2013 19:50:39 GMT -5
(huh.. the editor trashed the quoted content... Pffft.) I think there's something related to flash/Java... 'coz I also get the behaviour described when I try to use the forum through a no-name Android (4.*something*) tablet. Other then the list of posts, nothing is displayed; columns of who posted it, last date, etc... none of it. When all is said and done, why should us users of a service have to debug it?... unless our illustrious admins have modified something with the Java(script) side of things?  I've also fiddled with a few BBSs in a couple of environments over the years but the thing to ask is how much do we want the bells & whistles compared to actual usability of the site? ...and should we ask PB to provide a system that "fails gracefully", depending on the capabilities of the browser/hardware used...? I would've hoped PB would have a totally "vanilla" test forum that we could navigate and use to test the PB product and not have to wade through our customizations when we have troubles..? John |
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 21:53:09 GMT -5
Ok, in Firefox, go to the Menu Bar, click Tools, then Options. Look for the Content tab. Third checkbox down is Enable Javascript. That's about all you can do directly in Firefox. HTC1 Thanks C1 but looked at that, all enabled...I did notice that there was an 'advanced' box. Java was enabled, but noticed that the menu "disable or replace context menus" was ticked so unticked it...but still no change! |
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Post by sumgai on Jun 12, 2013 22:32:04 GMT -5
... unless our illustrious admins have modified something with the Java(script) side of things? Nope, no such ability for us, we just take it like it comes, like it or not. And therein lays the perfect storm of users (correctly called "buyers") who willingly accept shoddy product, i.e. buggy software. If the very first glitch had resulted in a law suit, presumably won by the victim, then we wouldn't see this kind of thing today. But that's an Alternate Universe, and since we don't get to live there..... Yes, we should, but as just pointed out, that's more likely to elicit a font of mirth and merriment than a satisfactory answer. They did, and maybe still do. The problem was/is, as not-really-Administrators, neither newey nor I were allowed to "play in that sandbox" - only RandomHero could've done that. Ergo, we had to take "slopyy seconds", and what we're discussing now is the result. Yet further evidence that we need to think long and hard about how we present ourselves to our users... and even to guests, who may or may not eventually sign up with us, depending on their perceptions. Since we've been living with an ad-supported "Free" forum for over 8 years now, I don't think it's necessary that we migrate to an ad-free system. (Unless you know of a free, non-ad-suppored service.) Therefore, since searching Google for "free forum hosting service" returns hundreds of results, anyone have preferences, experiences or stories to share with us, to help us make a decision?  sumgai |
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Post by 4real on Jun 12, 2013 22:50:39 GMT -5
Hmm...well this is interesting...using a different browser, google chrome...functionality has returned. While I don't like the changes, there is the ability to host pics directly without the use of firefox...now if I could only work out why it has stopped working in firefox I'd be a lot happier.
As for glitches and proboard, it is the most popular forum and likely troubles transferring data and so sounds like too much of a risk and perhaps expensive. One might expect glitches and problems to be ironed out as so many users use these things...so perhaps give it time.
In the mean time, any ideas as to why these problems are existing would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 3:29:05 GMT -5
4real, 1) open-up your firefox again, 2) enter the following URL : www.w3schools.com/js/tryit.asp?filename=tryjs_eventsclick on "Display Date". If this works, then at least you know you have some basic javascript functionality, so the basics are covered. Go to google, and try typing some text to query. Does autocomplete work? try to enter something you never typed before so neither google or your browser remembers a thing. Does this work? If autocomplete works, then you have big chances your javascript is ok. Does your mail.yahoo.com works? (in the new rich look). Does your mail.google.com/mail work? All those sites are heavy javascript developers and their sites are using their own javascript frameworks. If they work, you can bet javascript works on your firefox. 3) at the same time, from the Firefox (not the page) open : "Tools->Web Developer-Error Console". Click on All. Reload the page above in 2). Do you see any output? 4) Now go to guitarnuts2 forum. Click clear on the Error Console. Click on Errors (to filter all but errors). Reload the page with the guitarnuts2 forum. Do you see any Errors since you clicked on clear in the same step above? Do not focus on neither flash or java. Java != Javascript by large. Flash has nothing to do with this forum besides perhaps some ads, which i presume is to no one's interest. Java has nothing to do with this forum at all. If all above work as expected for you (well besides GN2), then a last resort would be to completely uninstall firefox and then install the latest version available (21.0 as of now). |
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Post by 4real on Jun 13, 2013 3:45:59 GMT -5
Thanks...
Ok...the java test worked, google worked to auto complete... and errors came up on console all related to proboards...
will look at reinstalling firefox or updating but I have auto updates and so running v21...hmm
As I say, is working in 'chrome' so a browser problem it seems perhaps. Perhaps I had an update recently that changed things as no proboards v5 is working now...hmm..
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 9:27:50 GMT -5
So, maybe you could post a excerpt from your console error log (the errors that were thrown while loading GN2 forum)? Also another place is to look for disablement of cookies as a next step.
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Post by ux4484 on Jun 13, 2013 9:49:23 GMT -5
I'm amazed that PB didn't have a "Like" button to replace the Karma system. :rolleyes:
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Post by sumgai on Jun 13, 2013 12:09:47 GMT -5
I'm amazed that PB didn't have a "Like" button to replace the Karma system. :rolleyes: They do, but wonder of wonders, that's one of the few things that Admins are allowed to control - newey and I agreed to remove that, immediately. We'd also like to kill off Followers and Flaming Turds, but those are out-of-bounds for us control freaks (Admins). We're stuck with them, sorry to say. And in answer to JFrank above, who has uses for these craptastic 'features', one could use Bookmarks instead for the same thing(the PB version, not the browser version). And they've been available all along, ever since I started anyways. More later, got lots do do this morning. sumgai |
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Post by ux4484 on Jun 13, 2013 13:45:24 GMT -5
*Like*  |
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Post by cynical1 on Jun 13, 2013 14:03:59 GMT -5
*Like*  HTC1 |
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Post by ux4484 on Jun 13, 2013 14:22:34 GMT -5
Exactly the desired effect... |
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Post by JohnH on Jun 13, 2013 15:34:14 GMT -5
Actually, I'd like to cast a vote in favour of like, which I quite like. The only forum that I go on where it's used is the Marshal forum, but I think it helps when somebody posts something pertinent and it has a few likes beneath it, it adds credibility to the post like a simple form of peer review. Or maybe its just funny, and therefore likeable. cheers John |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 23:23:42 GMT -5
on some other forum that i follow, a computer os forum, forum.freebsd.org , there is the thanx button. this forum gn2 like the aforementioned one are technical forums. thanx is more relevant for tech people than like which targets mostly unarmed civilians.
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Post by newey on Jun 14, 2013 5:36:57 GMT -5
Hmmm. I wonder if a script could be written to rename the button?
More to the point, sg and I are exploring any number of options going forward, we'll keep members in the loop as to any changes.
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Post by lunaalta on Jun 14, 2013 10:37:40 GMT -5
Just a thought...........
You know, reliable hosting can be had for less than $100 US per year, less if you pay a couple or three years in advance. The hosting I'm thinking about includes several top notch forum scripts, plus hundreds of other things, like unlimited bandwidth, unlimited disc space, etc.
I'm sure donations would be freely given, bearing in mind the great assistance you guys give out. $10 dollars from 10 members and all is sorted! Ads can also be placed if there is a shortfall......
I'd be more than willing to help with some of the techy side, if needs be, I was making websites for about 10 years, before I gave up pandering to the whims of idiot clients....LOL.
Just an idea......
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Post by JFrankParnell on Jun 14, 2013 18:36:43 GMT -5
*Like* hahaaha! Now, If there was a like button, I wouldnt be clogging up this thread with another post! |
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I've also fiddled with a few BBSs in a couple of environments over the years but the thing to ask is how much do we want the bells & whistles compared to actual usability of the site? ...and should we ask PB to provide a system that "fails gracefully", depending on the capabilities of the browser/hardware used...?
