What's Coming in Physics Forums 4.0?

[Astronuc]

I hope it goes well.

 

[ShayanJ]

It seems cool and pretty. Thanks Greg and other PF staff.

 

[adjacent]

Looks amazing. PF feels a little different(Maybe because the green colour was missing ;)). Anyway, thanks for the change Greg.

 

[Rocket50]

Looks amazing!

 

[Monique]

Looking good, although I find it a pity that the layout takes up most of the space. I can only see two posts at a time, both with a single-sentence message (see screenshot). I know Greg edited the previous layout to make it more compact, so hopefully it can be improved again. Some questions I cannot figure out:

How do I recognize threads with new posts?
What does it mean when a thread is highlighted blue? (apparently it's not for new posts)
What are the black dots in front of the threads? (apparently it's not for new posts)
(see screenshot).

 

[DataGG]

What does it mean when a thread is highlighted blue? (apparently it's not for new posts)

Light blue is when a thread has 0 replies.

 

[cristo]

Looking good, although I find it a pity that the layout takes up most of the space. I can only see two posts at a time, both with a single-sentence message (see screenshot). I know Greg edited the previous layout to make it more compact, so hopefully it can be improved again. Some questions I cannot figure out:

How do I recognize threads with new posts?
What does it mean when a thread is highlighted blue? (apparently it's not for new posts)
What are the black dots in front of the threads? (apparently it's not for new posts)
(see screenshot).

I think the bold name of the thread, and the black dot both mean that the thread has new posts. But since the forum doesn't know that you've read all the old posts, you need to go to "forums>mark forums read" at the top. Then you should see the difference.

 

[TumblingDice]

How do I recognize threads with new posts?
What does it mean when a thread is highlighted blue? (apparently it's not for new posts)
What are the black dots in front of the threads? (apparently it's not for new posts)

The black dots and the bold title text look like they signify 'new posts'. Better: When I hover my mouse over the black dot or bold text, a context popup tells me I can click there to go to the next unread post. I like that!

 

[Monique]

New posts meaning "posts never read before", not "posts new since previous visit"? The dots don't update between visits.

 

[phion]

Looks great!

 

[dlgoff]

Every time I visit PF, it keeps getting better. Greg ... You ARE The Man.

 

[dextercioby]

Hi Greg, this is a great step forward, it's really a reason to thank you even more for making this socialization possible.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Thanks for the support guys! Keep the suggestions, bugs and problems coming in the other forum so we can refine this baby to perfection! :)

 

[DataGG]

Greg, when are we getting the IRC channel shoutbox?

An IRC channel would be nicer :(

Great idea: If PF had an IRC channel (you could still make it public or private whenever you want, if you only want to open it at specific times, as to not draw too much attention out of the forum), you could give admin to mentors/admins and voice to paying members (gold). Nobel price for me please.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Greg, when are we getting the IRC channel shoutbox?

An IRC channel would be nicer :(

In a few days. I just want to make sure the server is stabilized and performance is generally good because the chat is fairly intensive.

 

[ShayanJ]

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone. I really like the conversations system. Same goes for the alerts system. I can't imagine a way it can be better!
Anyway, is it possible to let users choose their favourite styles?
The current style is perfect, but I'm better with dark styles and the current style is too bright for me!

 

[Borek]

is it possible to let users choose their favourite styles?

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/skin-preferences.772084 (scroll down).

 

[DataGG]

The current style is perfect, but I'm better with dark styles and the current style is too bright for me!

I would also like this, but according to Borek (he linked in the previous post), it's unlikely to happen.

Something I'd also like (not sure if possible) is to have different colors for the "replied", "tagged you", "quoted you", in the alert system.. It would be easier to know which is which with different coloring.

 

[Borek]

@Greg Bernhardt:

Something I'd also like (not sure if possible) is to have different colors for the "replied", "tagged you", "quoted you", in the alert system.. It would be easier to know which is which with different coloring.

Good idea, I wonder if it is possible to implement.

 

[Intrastellar]

Is it possible to sticky somewhere the new features of PF 4.0 ? It is a good idea to make the new features visible in my opinion.

 

[dlgoff]

Every time I visit PF, it keeps getting better. Greg ... You ARE The Man.

Physics Forums 4.0 just keeps on giving and getting better. Thanks Greg.

 

[dextercioby]

Just a suggestion: I understand we're free to <like> valuable posts (great way to acknowledge respectable/smart/helpful members), but can we somehow <like> a thread as a whole? I mean a setup like in the vbulletin's old <thread tools> where members (not necessarily posting in it) can <like> the entire discussion (and confirm its meaning and value for them) and a counter always visible (Thread likes: 7) with a link to see the persons who clicked the like button.

Surely we've got the <feature> option, but it's too official and Greg may use it for the site's advertising, therefore you can't feature 1000 threads over 34 subforums at the same time.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

where members (not necessarily posting in it) can <like> the entire discussion (and confirm its meaning and value for them) and a counter always visible

Good suggestion. This capability is not possible at the moment though. The best we can do is featured threads. Please use the "recommend a thread for featuring" thread.

 

[dlgoff]

Proof that this was a good move.

https://www.physicsforums.com/forums/new-member-introductions.240/

PF rocks.

 

[dextercioby]

Is there any way a thread can be put into a (.pdf) printable format? I remember the old vBulletin had the option to print a thread. Is this here with the new software? If so, where, if no, how could I save a thread without simply copy-pasting into an Microsoft Word (for ex.) file?

Thanks,

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

If so, where, if no, how could I save a thread without simply copy-pasting into an Microsoft Word (for ex.) file?

Currently there is no way of exporting a thread. Hopefully in the next software version.

 

[Wes Tausend]

Is there any way a thread can be put into a (.pdf) printable format? I remember the old vBulletin had the option to print a thread. Is this here with the new software? If so, where, if no, how could I save a thread without simply copy-pasting into an Microsoft Word (for ex.) file?

Thanks,

I'm currently using MS Explorer 8 as a browser on an underpowered netbook. To save a thread-page, I usually just click on a tab named "Page", on the overhead "Command Bar"and select "Save As". It allows several different types of save, and I usually choose "Web Archive, single file (*.mht)".

Mht files are quite complete (and printable) when viewed off-line, including pictures and live links, with only one file per page. (Choosing "Webpage complete, (*.htm)(*.html)" produces an Explorer file, and a supporting folder, of which to keep track.) Perhaps saving all pages at once to a pdf file would be simpler if possible, but some past forum softwares did allow a "View all on one page" option which means only one long mht file.

Save As "Web Archive, single file (*.mht)" also self-names itself with the thread title. I often add a sub title to the file name that reminds me why I saved it and stick it in a library folder called "PhysicsForums". This page, when saved for instance, self-names itself "Physics Forums 4_0 is coming! Page 8" and takes up 892 KB of disc space (after Greg posts #146). If saved to a thumb-drive, I believe it can be opened with any browser (for sure MS Explorer), off or on line, by any computer and I do believe I have also emailed mht files in the past.

I apologise if you already knew the above.

Wes
...

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I apologise if you already knew the above.

This works if the thread isn't multiple pages :)