What's Coming in Physics Forums 4.0?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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Physics Forums is set to undergo a significant upgrade to version 4.0, transitioning from vBulletin to Xenforo, with the migration scheduled for September 19th. This update will introduce numerous new features, including an alert system, improved search functionality, and enhanced security measures. Users are advised to save any important private messages and blog entries, as these will not be migrated. The forums will experience downtime during the transition, and initial post-migration functionality may be limited while adjustments are made. Overall, the upgrade aims to enhance user experience and modernize the platform significantly.
  • #61
I don't fear change. I just welcome change if it's necessary, not because someone can do it. But I understand that Greg needed to make changes that VB didn't have, so a drastic change was necessary, although not ideal. I think due to this need we all need to get behind Greg because of the need, even if what comes with it is not what we really want. We need to understand this isn't something Greg is doing lightheartedly and he is doing all that he can to have as little impact as possible on our members. And I say kudos to Greg for what he is doing and not taking credit for.
 
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  • #62
Just want to remind users to backup their PMs they wish to keep. I'll be making a more prominent notice in the near future. The plans are going well and we are still on target for next weekend.
 
  • #63
I wanted to speak of a couple interesting alert features.

One is the tagging system allows for watched tags. So if you are interested in photons, you can watch the tag photons and when a user tags a thread with that, you'll get an alert.

Another is that the system will check if you have new alerts without refreshing the page or even having the window in view. You can be at a different tab doing your banking and look over and see the number of new alerts in the title. Facebook does this.
 
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  • #64
Unfortunately for me, the alerts never refresh by themselves. :(
 
  • #65
Rocket50 said:
Unfortunately for me, the alerts never refresh by themselves. :(
We haven't upgraded yet :)
 
  • #66
Greg Bernhardt said:
One is the tagging system allows for watched tags. So if you are interested in photos, you can watch the tag photons and when a user tags a thread with that, you'll get an alert.
Tag photos with photons, okay. *scnr*

Sounds very nice.
 
  • #67
mfb said:
Tag photos with photons, okay. *scnr*

Sounds very nice.

oops! proof reading has never been my strong point
 
  • #68
Evo said:
I don't fear change.
But there may be many old members that do?
 
  • #69
Greg Bernhardt said:
We haven't upgraded yet :)

I meant on all the other XenForo forums I've been on.
 
  • #70
That is a setting or tweak. The addon that Greg is referring to makes more calls to the server to update the alert notifications, specifically for the tab alert.
 
  • #71
dlgoff said:
But there may be many old members that do?
I should say that I pretty much hate change if what I have works, but I don't fear it. Now, that doesn't mean I don't like something better, but what I think is better and what someone else thinks is better often aren't the same. :smile:
 
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  • #72
Evo said:
I should say that I pretty much hate change if what I have works, but I don't fear it. Now, that doesn't mean I don't like something better, but what I think is better and what someone else thinks is better often aren't the same. :smile:

As an example, pretty much everything Microsoft did to Excel, Word, and Access after version 2000 made things more complicated, even if they were supposedly "easier". You shouldn't need a learning curve to upgrade.
 
  • #73
LCKurtz said:
As an example, pretty much everything Microsoft did to Excel, Word, and Access after version 2000 made things more complicated, even if they were supposedly "easier". You shouldn't need a learning curve to upgrade.
Exactly, older versions of many things were far better. All of the bells and whistles that are added are, for me, just junk that I don't use, and in many cases the great things I really loved went away. Oh well. One man's meat is another man's poison. :smile: I will be quiet now.
 
  • #74
You could show us a screenshot of PF 4.0 homepage...
 
  • #75
I don't know if this has been asked before: how will the urls of threads/posts change? Will it be possible to easily adapt old bookmarks?
 
  • #76
What the hell is going on I can't understand the ANYTHING.
 
  • #77
kith said:
I don't know if this has been asked before: how will the urls of threads/posts change? Will it be possible to easily adapt old bookmarks?

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=4834828&postcount=26 --> Page 2 of this thread.

Mr.maniac said:
What the hell is going on I can't understand the ANYTHING.

Have you tried reading this thread? Perhaps it might help..
 
  • #79
DataGG said:
You could show us a screenshot of PF 4.0 homepage...

No, I don't want the complaining to start early :D

kith said:
I don't know if this has been asked before: how will the urls of threads/posts change? Will it be possible to easily adapt old bookmarks?

All thread URLs will be automatically redirected to the new address
 
  • #80
Greg Bernhardt said:
No, I don't want the complaining to start early :D
:smile:
 
  • #81
Awesome news. I can't wait to post on the new forums :D. Everyone here is very helpful and this is my go-to place to learn more difficult math/science.

Thank you.
 
  • #82
Evo is opening chat on Thursday. I'll be in chat hosting a Q&A Thursday night from about 8-9pm -5 GMT.
 
  • #83
What are VMs and Blog-entries?
 
  • #85
Mayank_Jha said:
What are VMs and Blog-entries?

VMs are visitor messages (i.e. messages people post publicly on your profile).

Blog entries are posts you created in your blog, found at https://www.physicsforums.com/blog.php
 
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  • #86
Rocket50 said:
Blog entries are posts you created in your blog, found at https://www.physicsforums.com/blog.php

Attention Blog Owners: The blog system is scheduled to be removed September 2nd. Please copy your blog entries that you wish to save. Feel free to post them in the forums. Thanks!

:confused:

Isn't this September 16?
 
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  • #87
adjacent said:
:confused:

Isn't this September 16?

I think they are getting removed with the PF 4.0 update.
 
  • #88
When somebody posts to a threat that I have already been in I tend to not take any alert of knowing it. Also when I receive a private message I don't usually get informed after having refreshed my browser. Does this upcoming version improve these weaknesses at all?
 
  • #89
PaulDirac said:
When somebody posts to a threat that I have already been in I tend to not take any alert of knowing it. Also when I receive a private message I don't usually get informed after having refreshed my browser. Does this upcoming version improve these weaknesses at all?

It's amazing that none had picked that username until you came, just about a month ago.. Good Find!

I've also noticed that "MY PF" seems to be bugged for the last few days.. I'm positive the new version (xenforo) will address that. I'm a member on some Xenforo forums and the alert system is flawless. I'm not sure about the PM thing though. Just wait a day and check for yourself :P


EDIT: For example, in the new PF, you would have been notified that I quoted you in this thread..
 
  • #90
Nice one, Greg. Can't wait for 4.0!
Now, back to lurking...
 

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