PF Upgrade: Next week

[Greg Bernhardt]

Well folks, it's here finally! The new version of our forum software is out and it's beautiful! This weekend I will start planning for the upgrade and I hope to start either Monday or Tuesday. During the upgrade the forums will be done and you'll find the site password protected. I'm not entirely sure how long the upgrade will take, however along with the upgrade we will be reinstalling the LaTeX hack and a few other hacks I am excited about. To make the upgrade time shorter we will use the forum default skin and work on that later. Just think, all the annoying bugs and terrible layout errors [6)] will be fixed!

So recap:
Forum upgrade
Downtime Monday or Tuesday for most of the day
Default skin
A few hacks will be added initially

[Loren Booda]

Do we need do anything like reapplying to PF (a la last year) to maintain our member status/information?

[Greg Bernhardt]

Originally posted by Loren Booda
Do we need do anything like reapplying to PF (a la last year) to maintain our member status/information?

Good question (considering our past). You won't need to reregister, everything will be preserved and carried along with the upgrade.

[Greg Bernhardt]

I hope to start this afternoon. If I do the forums might be down for a few hours.

[Zero]

Woohoo!!!

[Zero]

Very nice, Greg...easy on the eyes, too!

[Greg Bernhardt]

Very nice, Greg...easy on the eyes, too!

Thanks zero, lots left to do, but I have enough done to open it back up [:)]

[DarkAnt]

It's all so....different. I like the change

[DarkAnt]

So many buttons!!! I like this quick reply

[Integral]

Very nice!
I missed the notice of the change over, was caught by surprise when the fourms suddenly disapeared! Looks like the upgrade went smooth. Congrats Greg!

[Dagenais]

So many buttons!!! I like this quick reply

I love quick reply. I wish more forums would have that feature.

[Loren Booda]

Pretty! Where's the centerfold?

[dduardo]

Greg, I found a little problem. Something went wrong with the cookie system after I did an advanced reply. Got the following message:

Unable to add cookies, header already sent.
File: /htdocs/www/includes/functions_bbcodeparse.php
Line: 1467

I had to clear my cookies and sign back on.

Btw, very nice improvements to the site

[Kerrie]

the site looks great! the only thing i sorta wish we had is a shout box, similar to what philosophyforums has...it's a small chat box in real time, and it's kinda neat.

[ShawnD]

It isn't going to look like this for long is it? The excessive amount of white makes it really hard on the eyes.

[dduardo]

I think the color scheme is very good. ShawnD, you should try to turn down the brightness and contrast on your monitor if the white bothers you.

[Evo]

The excessive amount of white makes it really hard on the eyes.I was thinking the same thing. I had to dim my screen. I really liked the soft blue.

I also noticed everyone except the mentor's avatars now say "registered user".

[Dagenais]

It'd be great if the boards were password protected.

Like, you can't see inside the board without a membership. Once you click on General Physics, General Discussion, Software it'll say, "Membership required"

More private and less 1 post members.

[Greg Bernhardt]

the site looks great! the only thing i sorta wish we had is a shout box, similar to what philosophyforums has...it's a small chat box in real time, and it's kinda neat.


A shoutbox can be added, maybe for contributing members? [;)]

[ShawnD]

It'd be great if the boards were password protected.

Like, you can't see inside the board without a membership. Once you click on General Physics, General Discussion, Software it'll say, "Membership required"

That would suck. Whenever I see a forum like that, it tells me they are desperate for members. The last 3 or 4 forums like that I have joined only had like 20 members and had very little activity.

[Dagenais]

That would suck. Whenever I see a forum like that, it tells me they are desperate for members. The last 3 or 4 forums like that I have joined only had like 20 members and had very little activity.

Why would keeping your forums safe(r) and private give you that impression?

There are close to no disadvantages to it.

[chroot]

Greg, I found a little problem. Something went wrong with the cookie system after I did an advanced reply. Got the following message:
Don't worry, I'm pretty sure you just happened to load a page right as I was modifying the bbcode parser for LaTeX. Shouldn't happen again.

- Warren

[Loren Booda]

(from "Cheap Sunglasses" by Z Z Top)

When you sign on Physics Forums and the light is hurt your head
The first thing you do when you get up out of bed
Is hit that streets a-runnin' and try to beat the masses
And go get yourself some cheap sunglasses

[Monique]

Very nice, Greg...easy on the eyes, too!
You think so??? I just woke up and I am scrabling to find some sunglasses! :S

[Monique]

mm... really.. the page is so busy it hurts my eyes :( I liked the other layout better..

[ShawnD]

Funny you should say that. I really am wearing sunglasses as I view the board.

[Greg Bernhardt]

I changed the white background, that should help a little bit for now.

[Ivan Seeking]

I'm not invisible and I should be.

Now they all know where I am! [o)]

[Monique]

Oh, that sure helps a lot! Thanks Greg :)
I hope the page is going to be compacted (like getting rid of the big blue bar between the posts), but that can be discussed later.

[gnome]

Hmmm...
What was wrong with the old look?

Aside from being much more comfortable to view, it was easier to see at a glance the thread title, thread starter and last poster. It was also convenient to see who was at each forum, and to be able to jump directly from one forum to another.

[ahrkron]

I really like the new color scheme and the general look better, but I agree some features were more practical before the upgrade.
Anyway, great job!

[FZ+]

Go greg! Go greg!

Much better, thanks!

[Gara]

if there isnt, how about a user side custom theme colour settings?

i also had to readd my avatar. and omg wheres my sig message gone!?!? [*(]

and i like the blue bar. it helps to know when one post ends and another starts.

[Njorl]

!sdrawkcab tuo semoc epyt I gnihtyreve ,yeH

lrojN

[Monique]

and i like the blue bar. it helps to know when one post ends and another starts.
You actually LIKE the blue bar? I think it is too much scrolling, too chaotic and too contrasting (not very easy on the eyes)..

[Evo]

The option to be invisible is gone.

We can't customize avatars anymore either? I didn't see an option for it.

[Greg Bernhardt]

The option to be invisible is gone.

We can't customize avatars anymore either? I didn't see an option for it.

As you already have seen I am setting up to offer paid memberships, which will include certain perks [:)]

[Dagenais]

As you already have seen I am setting up to offer paid memberships, which will include certain perks

The perks are features you ripped away from under the "free" users' noses? [:((] [:(]

[Greg Bernhardt]

The perks are features you ripped away from under the "free" users' noses? [:((] [:(]

Some yes, some no. Ripped away eh? Nice drama touch [6)]

[Evo]

As you already have seen I am setting up to offer paid memberships, which will include certain perks [:)]I had a sneaking suspiscion that was what you had in mind.

Very clever! [:D]

[Gara]

wtf? avatars and sigs will have to be paid for? thats just wrong.

______________________________________
Theres something here from somewhere else.
It's all over and i'm standing pretty,
In this dust that was a city.

[Greg Bernhardt]

wtf? avatars and sigs will have to be paid for? thats just wrong.


I'm sorry you feel this way. If you enjoy and appreciate PF you'll sign up for the paid memberships. Give back to your community, the fees will be about as much as a bag of chips per month.

[ShawnD]

Can we at least keep the avatars? I recognize most people by looking at their avatar, that's how I remember who Doc Al, Monique, Chroot, Hurkyl, HallsofIvy, Zero, russ_watters, enigma, Phobos, and Chen are.

[hypnagogue]

It may seem dictatorial or unjust, but you have to consider the other side of the equation. PF does not exist in a vacuum; it needs funding to continue to exist, and the money pulled in from the banner ads does not cover it. The prices being discussed are not prohibitive in any sense. If you badly want an avatar and signature, you can pay a small, essentially negligible fee and in the process contribute to the continued existence of PF; if not, you can still disucss ideas, share information and the like without paying.

In an ideal world perhaps it would not be like this, but the fact of the matter is that there are financial requirements that need to be met in some way or another. The idea is to ensure that these requirements are met while not sacrificing the spirit of free discourse. For this reason I think it is entirely reasonable that peripheral features such as avatars and signatures, which are attractive and nice but which nonetheless are not essential to the basic workings of the site, require a small fee. It makes one more likely to offer badly needed financial support to PF while at the same time not making the cost of refusing to pay prohibitive.

[jimmy p]

Yeah, uh how is this paying thing going to work cos i know a lot of you are in USA but what about your foreign visitors?. I feel so regular. A "registered user" with no Va Va Voom....dont take that away from me Greg! Oh yeah, colour scheme is brightish, quite pleasing to the eye, it will take some getting used to however. Congrats

edit...oh wait, im still Chopnik. WOOT!!!

VA VA VOOM!!!

[Tsu]

edit...oh wait, im still Chopnik. WOOT!!!

VA VA VOOM!!!
You'll ALWAYS be Chopnik! [;)]
I notice there are no signatures anymore, either. Will these be among the 'paid member only' items?

[Tsu]

Why does the Quick Reply give you the option to 'quote message in reply' but NOT LET YOU CLICK IT? And whose message would be quoted if we WERE allowed to click it? I realize it's kind of a moot point, but I was just curious. [:D]

[Greg Bernhardt]

Why does the Quick Reply give you the option to 'quote message in reply' but NOT LET YOU CLICK IT? And whose message would be quoted if we WERE allowed to click it? I realize it's kind of a moot point, but I was just curious. [:D]

Yes. And see that icon next to the quote button for each thread? Click that and then proceed to the quick reply, the checkbox will be enabled.

[Gara]

i know a place like this has to make money in some way.

it just makes Gara sad :(

______________________________________
Theres something here from somewhere else.
It's all over and i'm standing pretty,
In this dust that was a city.

[chroot]

The payment structure that Greg is proposing here is one that I've seen work successfully on a number of other forums. It's the fairest way to deal with it, IMO. Not having a custom avatar does not make the site any less useful to you -- you're really paying the fee not to use pf, but to support it. The custom avatar and so on is just a perk.

- Warren

[Dagenais]

I'm sorry you feel this way. If you enjoy and appreciate PF you'll sign up for the paid memberships. Give back to your community, the fees will be about as much as a bag of chips per month.

But I don't have the money!

I must have my Montreal Canadiens logo!


Ripped away eh? Nice drama touch [6)]

Thanks, I'm working on my writing :rolleyes:

[Evo]

So, when do we get to sign up & pay and get all the spiffy perks?

Have you considered accepting Western Union money transfers? Just about anyone in the world can pay cash & have it sent to you. It's much more wide spread than Paypal. Paypal is also limited to credit cards and bank transfers.

[Gara]

okay.

1) through donations, PF is secure, and not in any great need for money.
2) a bag of crisps per month is about 30p.

this is just stupid. the action of paying such a tiny amount outweighs the amount you are paying!

[Monique]

okay.

1) through donations, PF is secure, and not in any great need for money.
2) a bag of crisps per month is about 30p.

this is just stupid. the action of paying such a tiny amount outweighs the amount you are paying!
Feel free to give more.. in the past there have been members who have donated to this forum, which keeps it up and running for everyone to enjoy. It should be the bussiness of everyone who enjoys the forums to chip in a few cents. If one doesn't have the means or the feeling to donate, you'd still be able to enjoy and participate in all the discussions.. sounds fair.

[Monique]

This new layout is already starting to grow on me :cool: so who made the new PF banner and what does the equation stand for? It looks really good!! :biggrin:

[Greg Bernhardt]

okay.

1) through donations, PF is secure, and not in any great need for money.
2) a bag of crisps per month is about 30p.

this is just stupid. the action of paying such a tiny amount outweighs the amount you are paying!

Ok Gara just for you the membership will be $100 :biggrin:

This new layout is already starting to grow on me so who made the new PF banner and what does the equation stand for? It looks really good!!

I made the banner :smile: I don't know what the equation stands for, just thought it looked good there :redface:

[Monique]

I made the banner :smile: I don't know what the equation stands for, just thought it looked good there :redface:
Good work Greg :smile:

[chroot]

I like the banner too -- well, the left half of it. I would have rather seen the equation on the right simply made gray or white, to make it visible against the background, rather than using that awful white glow effect.

My 0.02.

- Warren

[jimmy p]

lol looks like Greg is strategically ignoring mine and Evo's question about european payment, maybe i wont have to pay...WOOT

CHOPNIK LIVES ON!!

[Dagenais]

Since I am French Canadian, I deserve special treatment.

I get all the paid features, without having to pay.

How about it?

[Loren Booda]

DagenaisSince I am French Canadian, I deserve special treatment. Please, then, pay in pelts.

[enigma]

*chuckle*

pay in pelts...

[Loren Booda]

Greg,

Where did my signature go? It shows on "preview," but not on posts. I've got it checked under "Miscellaneous Options."

[Greg Bernhardt]

lol looks like Greg is strategically ignoring mine and Evo's question about european payment, maybe i wont have to pay...WOOT

CHOPNIK LIVES ON!!

Paypal can handle several european currancies

[Gara]

dont get me wrong i love PF, and proberly will donate. im just saying the price is so low, it seems like meer red tape. since the price to reg isnt a case of "if people dont reg PF will close :(" why not make sigs and avatars free to all? plus im like that other guy, i know people by their sigs and avatar. with out them, whos gonna recognize them? short of looking at their name, but that's a last resort when it comes to identifying people.

[Greg Bernhardt]

Gara we want the price to be so low it's trivial. We want it to be so low that it would be ridiculous not to sign up for the membership. It doesn't seem like a lot for each person, but if a couple hundred people sign up, that results in a good amount of support. It's a little strange now with everything new, but in a month you'll be fine and like this format better, trust me.

[Nereid]

How about free for people in China, and other countries where Paypal is either very difficult to arrange or downright impossible?

AFAIK, in many places the theoretical ability to be able to sign up for something like Paypal is almost useless because of all the other things that one needs to do, or have. For example, there may be 'credit cards' in China, but few private individuals can use them. Even if they have them, they may not be able to do internet transactions using them, and even if they could, they may only pay for things in RMB (renminbi, the Chinese currency), not USD (US$).

While it would certainly be a good idea to ask Paypal about this sort of thing, IMHO the answers you'd get would be only partial, at best, since their will (naturally) be interested to put a positive spin on it, and because it's likely they don't know all the difficulties involved.

[Greg Bernhardt]

How about free for people in China, and other countries where Paypal is either very difficult to arrange or downright impossible?

AFAIK, in many places the theoretical ability to be able to sign up for something like Paypal is almost useless because of all the other things that one needs to do, or have. For example, there may be 'credit cards' in China, but few private individuals can use them. Even if they have them, they may not be able to do internet transactions using them, and even if they could, they may only pay for things in RMB (renminbi, the Chinese currency), not USD (US$).

While it would certainly be a good idea to ask Paypal about this sort of thing, IMHO the answers you'd get would be only partial, at best, since their will (naturally) be interested to put a positive spin on it, and because it's likely they don't know all the difficulties involved.

Basic use of PF will always be free. If someone wants to send me a check that would be fine too if paypal doesn't work for them. :smile:

[Monique]

Actually (correct me if I'm wrong) but online transactions -at least with credit cards- are prohibited all together in Romenia :O, or maybe it was just Amazon who doesn't ship anything to Romenia anymore.. don't remember the details.. my Romenian roommate told me that once.

[Dagenais]

Okay, I don't you seriously considered my French Canadian proposal.

How about reconsidering?

I need that Habs logo under my name. Especially come playoff time.

[Gara]

i have neither paypal, a bank account, or a check book :(

[Tsu]

I really like almost everything about the new format. But would it still be possible to add a 'thread tools' button to the bottom of the page? That's the point where I decide whether or not I want to subscribe to a thread, and I have to waste valuable PF time :eek: scrolling ALL THE WAY :rolleyes: back up to the top of the page. Also, it's become 3 times more labor intensive (3 clicks instead of 1) to subscribe to a thread now. :frown: Oh well... Not complaining, mind you. You guys have done a GREAT job with it!!! Just wondered if it was still possible to add a button... :wink: :smile:

[KLscilevothma]

I haven't been here for a while, and oh, the banner is really eye-catching! I love it. I really miss my Yoda avator, though my new one looks good too. I think we will not mix up Hurkyl and HallsOfIvy after the upgrade. :)

[jimmy p]

Paypal can handle several european currancies

CURSE them!!! they think of everything!!