Announcement Moderate software update 4/10

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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The core software update for PF was implemented, resulting in significant backend changes and various issues, including broken links and editor malfunctions. Users reported problems with the toolbar, duplicate posts, and notification alerts, indicating potential caching issues. A dark mode feature was introduced, which some users appreciated for its eye comfort, while others preferred the regular mode. Ongoing fixes are being addressed, particularly for the editor and symbol dropdown, with updates expected in the coming days. Overall, the community is engaged in troubleshooting and providing feedback on the new features and issues arising from the update.
  • #31
renormalize said:
Just want to point out the the super- and subscript icons in the toolbar above the edit window are now invisible! But you can still hover the cursor over the blank spots and select those functions. (Windows Chrome)
got them back in, thanks
 
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  • #32
I am getting very weird interface when I go on PF (Mac, Chrome), it's been a week:
Screen Shot 2025-05-07 at 09.50.29.webp

Same for the icons near the search bar.
 
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  • #33
Introducing dark mode! If you choose "system" your system will manage when light and dark mode switch.

1746623681914.webp
 
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  • #34
I use dark mode on my iPad and iPhone, so the forum switched automatically for me yesterday. It made me do a double-take!
 
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  • #35
Greg Bernhardt said:
Introducing dark mode! If you choose "system" your system will manage when light and dark mode switch.
Thanks for this one! I prefer dark mode so I was happy to see this
 
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  • #36
There are a number of small design/color fixes for dark mode. I'll be chipping away at them throughout the next few weeks.
 
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  • #37
What happened to the link to symbols? That was previously on the edit bar next to the "table" icon...
 
  • #38
Style Variation - the different lighting or colorations modes

Visitors who not normally visit the site might not recognize the lighting or coloration arrangement can be changed.
They might think that the site will be black background with some blue and white text, and a few other colors
to symbol icons. We members may notice that when logged-in, we see the ordinary coloration, mostly bright pages
but upon logging-out, the style variation changes to the black background arrangement.
 
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  • #39
DrChinese said:
What happened to the link to symbols? That was previously on the edit bar next to the "table" icon...
Similar issue with the latex previewing. The editor changed and I'm struggling to figure out the fixes.
 
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  • #40
Badges are now looking better in dark mode. Thread prefixes will be next.
 
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  • #41
Been using dark mode on sister site CivicsWatch since inception. Seriously prefer dark mode on PF. Easier on the eyes than bright mode and, subjectively, appears more profound. Noticed a few quirks but generally seamless. (Windows 11 on Framework 16 laptop)

Great job, Greg, on both websites. Thanks.
 
  • #42
I just find regular mode (not the dark mode) looks ordinary and easier to see. I did not ever know Physicsforums had any other coloration mode until a couple days ago when I saw that new symbol button between the bell icon and the "search" tool icon.
 
  • #43
Current "style variation" finding:
Visit the forum, it shows in dark mode initially.
Sign-in, and forum is in regular mode.
Sign-out, and pf returns to dark mode is still in regular style mode.
 
  • #44
Coming back again to PF, presently with Firefox brzr.
Starts in regular style mode.
Sign in and is still regular style mode.
Sign out, and is still regular style mode.
 
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  • #45
I far prefer the regular mode, don't like dark mode at all. Thanks for making this user choice!
 
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  • #46
There is an issue with a section of the profile for dark mode. That and dark mode prefixes will be fixed next week.
 
  • #47
gmax137 said:
I far prefer the regular mode, don't like dark mode at all. Thanks for making this user choice!
With you most of the way. I find dark background easier on my aging eyes than bright white. Colors and details stand out better in white mode along with most typing and editing features such as selecting a word. Dark mode seems more soothing for protracted reading. Last night I toggled my Android E-book tablet to dark mode for easier reading at night (called "Invert Colors" toggle).

Edit to previous post: I view PF and CW with Chrome browser on Windows 11, sometimes MS Edge.
 
  • #48
The Styles Variation is inconsistent. Just now on Google Chrome (incogn. mode) visiting PF showed in dark mode. Once signed in, mode is regular normal mode; the light blue gray background and black text.
 
  • #49
The toolbar for "Post reply" isn't working. Nothing happens if you click any button (Bold, italic, insert image, whatever. Is it due to the maintenance in progress, or is it just me? Chromium on Raspberry Pi.
 
  • #50
Swamp Thing said:
The toolbar for "Post reply" isn't working. Nothing happens if you click any button (Bold, italic, insert image, whatever.
Is your toolbar mostly red or mostly grey? If red, you need to click the "[ ]" toggle BB Code icon to make them grey/active. Red version seen here:

1747149187631.webp
 
  • #51
My toolbar still looks like this (even in dark mode):
Screen Shot 2025-05-13 at 17.16.41.webp
 
Last edited:
  • #52
berkeman said:
you need to click the "[ ]" toggle BB Code icon

Thanks, that was indeed the problem.
 
  • #54
Greg Bernhardt said:
cleared all caches?
Yep, still happening. It is only in Chrome though.
 
  • #55
pines-demon said:
Yep, still happening. It is only in Chrome though.

I don't usually use Chrome, but my toolbar looks normal in Chrome 136.0.7103.93 (Official Build) (64-bit) on Win10 laptop:

1747178565506.webp
 
  • #56
Regular mode style happening about a day now, signed in, signed out; Google Chrome incognito mode

EDIT: NO! I wrote too soon. Back to unpredictable again. Opened PF and came in dark mode. Signed in and came to regular mode. ....
 
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  • #57
To quote a horror movie from many decades ago,
I'm BAAAaaak!

Sort of anyhow. The tool bar for creating posts has disappeared so I can't preview this. Blind clicking in the Tools area has no effect.
UPDATE, the tool bar shows when Editing this post.

Also, when creating a post, highlighting a word then executing a control-C to copy it to the scratchpad doesn't work; your URL gets copied instead.
UPDATE, control-C works in an existing post and when editing one, just not when creating a post.

Haven't tried other features yet.

And I'm still fighting a new browser, the most recent version of Mypal 64.4.14 dated August 2024 (9 months ago).
The browser is a take-off of Firefox written to support Windows XP, and as with most "updates", layout has changed and some features have disappeared.

If this posts I will try to Edit it and will add a line noting success.

Here's Hoping,

Successful Edit, if you see this line. BUT the Post Time shows "In 3 minutes".
UPDATE, after editing, Post Time shows "In 5 minutes"

Cheers,
Tom
 
Last edited:
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  • #58
@Tom.G super great news, welcome back!

The white profile block is fixed. Next is the reaction emojis and prefixes in dark mode.
 
  • #59
I know there are some issues with the editor, like the preview, MathJax, and symbol dropdown. The upgrade changed the editor significantly and broke what we had. I'm struggling to fix it on my own. I've reached out for some help and hopefully can get this resolved in a week or two. Thanks for your patience!
 
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  • #60
New emoticons have been added that look nice in light/dark mode + added an "agree" emoticon!
 
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