Testers wanted

vanderaj · 9 Jul 2003, 11:45 pm

In October, our XMB license runs out. I've found what I believe to be a reasonable replacement for XMB, one that's free (always good), looks good, and importantly, allows us to migrate all our stuff from here to there with minimal pain.

I'm looking for people to test (ie don't put in anything in there you want kept for posterity, cos it will not be staying) the new software.

You can check it out here:

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/phpBB/

This software also has accompanying portal software, which will allow us to do things like a magazine, banners, directory, etc much easier than now.

To use it, click on the register button. Make yourself a user, upload yourself an avatar (!) or choose from one of the many in there already (!) and go for it.

I'm interested in feedback about how it works, what's missing, and what you like. If it gets mostly positive reviews, we'll be moving to it around the September / October time frame. I've already practiced doing a migration of our data to this software on my Linux box at home, and everything seemed fine, but I want to hear how you like the software before foisting it on you all.

There will be more customizations in the next few days to make it more AussieVeedubbers.

Browse here for styles (avatars / themes / etc). I'll upload any themes that people like:

http://www.phpbb.com/styles/gallery/

Please remember - do not expect your posts to this test forum to survive. I'm pretty sure they will, but I can't guaranteee it.

Andrew

Andy · 10 Jul 2003, 12:02 am

Looks cool mate!
:thumb

amazer · 10 Jul 2003, 12:11 am

I'd rather be a tester than a testie 😀

Tazz · 10 Jul 2003, 12:45 am

I'm not touching that amazer!
😀😀😀

VWFOOL · 10 Jul 2003, 3:28 am

andrew i really like it,
much easier to navigate on that one.
reminds me of the LO-RDZ forum which i really enjoy using.
is ther going to be the same image size restrictions with this one? has anythign changed regarding wat we can and cant do in this respect?
thanks for all ur effort with our forum andrew,
dont stay up too late🙂
sam

[Edited on 9-7-2003 by VWFOOL]

The_Bronze. · 10 Jul 2003, 8:22 am

It's quite slow at first to load new pages because the detail but I think once it starts getting residual it should load just fine.

Existing Features and lots of new ones to over XMB.

Is the [ img ] feature still going to be available?

EDIT- Found it.

[Edited on 9-7-2003 by The_Bronze.]

Purple Martin · 10 Jul 2003, 12:26 pm

I've used plenty of other forums powered by phpBB, it's a really good system. I hope you decide to go ahead with it!

Shani · 10 Jul 2003, 1:12 pm

Very nice and a lot like some of the other boards I frequent. I love the 'pick your own password' ability. Makes life easier.
:bounce Will keep peeking in at it

Da Wiz · 10 Jul 2003, 3:18 pm

yeah these forums are sweet - i'm involved with a few others that use this software ...

another advantage is you don't have to have 'Todays Posts' - so ppl might have to look a little harder but means that less '$hit' get posted 🙂 not that there's enything wrong with that 😉

:kiss

vanderaj · 10 Jul 2003, 8:00 pm

Actually, it's better than that - it has:

* Find all posts since you were last there (equivalent to "Today's posts", but better as it works if you've been away for a while, not just 24 hours)
* Find all posts you've replied to (yay!)
* Find all unanswered posts (be first!)

Look at the top right 🙂

Andrew

Tazz · 10 Jul 2003, 8:12 pm

Good work Andrew....
Looks like its a hit!
:thumb

vanderaj · 11 Jul 2003, 12:32 am

Okay, the front page has been rejuvenated. There's some work left to be done - Mick's ad needs to be restored, and I want to make sure we get some galleries going. I might promote a couple of the nicer shots I find in Member's rides temporarily until it's done.

The portal allows us to add "blocks" of content easily, and manage it semi-independantly of here. As you can see it integrates completely with phpBB, so once we're there, it'll be pretty dang snazzy. I'm experimenting with the calendar block - I want it to try and figure out posts in a forum and add events. That way, we can have this month's events easily browsable on the front page. If that doesn't work, more fun for some moderators 🙂

The main reason for using the portal is to allow the Magazine (if it ever takes off!) to add and manage content that will last.

Andrew

waltermitty · 11 Jul 2003, 5:37 pm

It does work .. well and there are some great features.Can we get our current smillies beers trees etc to migrate there too?
MitvcHEll😎
P.S. at least the COOL man😎

cvisors · 11 Jul 2003, 8:36 pm

Its a lot nice phbb, I use it on many other forums that I am on.

Benjamin

555bug · 11 Jul 2003, 9:35 pm

Hey Andrew would you like us to try and hack it? 🙂

I know that the previous version was susceptible to injection attacks and to a glitch in the highlight function. Guess its all old new to you though 🙂 lol

vanderaj · 11 Jul 2003, 10:46 pm

No - please don't do that - we share a server with others.

2.0.5 does one outstanding issue; therefore production (moving us) is unlikely prior to 2.2, which is in the September - October timeframe.

Andrew

amazer · 11 Jul 2003, 11:00 pm

vanderaj wrote:That way, we can have this month's events easily browsable on the front page. If that doesn't work, more fun for some moderators 🙂

Doesnt worry me. Only 2 weeks 2 go and we can unsticky about 10 different nambucca threads.

Brad · 12 Jul 2003, 10:02 am

I have moved a few other boards over to PhpBB and have no real problems with it.

From an Admin side of the house it is a PITA in raw form. It took many mnay hours ot adding hacks to version 2.0.4 to get it usable. I am told that these will all be included in the 2.2 release.... can't wait.

With the photo gallery and upload images. I am currently upgrading my server so should be able to double the bandwidth and storage capacity availible. Will also be able to give FREE full domain hosting to V-Dub clubs if they wish to have it.

Golde60 · 12 Jul 2003, 6:36 pm

i like it so far.
tried a few things, avators are much more user friendly.
tried logging in twice with the same name, but capital G.

seems to be ok

just had a bit of a fart around and liked it

wow, what a huge list of images tto choose form for the ava tor selcetion.

should get some of KKs and Jims pics up there in another gallery
would be cool to have a gallery of bugs, antoher of buses, another of notches etc.

anyway, looks good
i like the idea of a link to a mag too!

Spook · 13 Jul 2003, 6:51 am

Why is it necessary to move again??

pyr0 · 13 Jul 2003, 9:52 am

looks pretty sweet :thumb :thumb

mattie · 13 Jul 2003, 10:27 am

i tink it is preety kool

Brad · 14 Jul 2003, 12:58 pm

Spook wrote:Why is it necessary to move again??

We aren't moving just changing the interface and software. It is still in the same place.

Main reason is XMB has issues and PhpBB is better. Also the money we save on the FREE PhpBB we can put into more space which means more pictures.

Tazz · 15 Jul 2003, 11:19 pm

Also the money we save on the FREE PhpBB we can put into more space which means more pictures.

And thats the good thing!
:thumb:thumb

68AutoBug · 16 Jul 2003, 1:10 am

I have had a few goes on it and its Great, Avatars are easier , and its the same as on some other forums I use... Thanks Andrew... :bounce:bounce:bounce:bounce:bounce:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb:thumb

KruizinKombi · 16 Jul 2003, 4:09 pm

It's a pity that there is nothing in it to limit text size..... :P

Brad · 28 Jul 2003, 10:34 am

KruizinKombi wrote:It's a pity that there is nothing in it to limit text size..... :P

But there is something we can do 😀