New Boards (Verdict?)

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I'm not sure why everyone complained about it either. Since now it's almost impossible to tell (without moving the mouse over) what is a link in someones .sig now. Strange.

I agree. I'd prefer them to be turned back on, if possible, like they used to be.

 

[uv23]

Underlining does not need to be turned back on. What needs to be turned on is different font colors for links and visited links, just as it was done before.

 

[Emiricol]

I agree. I'd prefer them to be turned back on, if possible, like they used to be.

I'd prefer underlining ON. If they don't like it, let 'em eat cake! (Or change their browser settings.)

 

[robaustin]

I'd prefer underlining ON. If they don't like it, let 'em eat cake! (Or change their browser settings.)

Actually, the point is - it is entirely the USER's option if you program your web page properly.

I do agree - links should be a slightly different color, as should visited links. Should be able to put that in quite easily.

--*Rob

 

[Morrus]

How about that?

 

[Zenon]

How about that?

Better! That really BRIGHT yellow nearly burned my eyes out!

Keep up the good work, Morrus - and ignore those idjuts who think running this place is a snap. The new boards look great!

 

[uv23]

How about that?

[ash]Grooovy![/ash]

 

[Psionicist]

I have a bad feeling about this. This is a beta version of vBulletin 3.0. It is called beta because the developers themselves know there are bugs and possibly exploits in the software. You should never install beta software unless you are 100% sure what you are doing, that is, in this case 1) You know PHP and want to hack around with the software to find bugs before someone else does or 2) You are very well aware of at least basic administrative precautions, because beta software is always full of bugs, and people exploit software full of bugs just because they can and because the information is freely available how to do so on the Internet.

I would switch back to 2.x.x and wait for at least vBulletin 3.0.0 RC1 (RC is for release candidate, that is when the developers have fixed most bugs and are ready to call the release stable, that is the step right after vBulletin BETA but right before vBulletin 3.0.0). Why? Soon someone will find a major security hole in the software, and as soon the vBulletin people knows about it they will post information about it on their website. Unless Morrus then shuts down his forum and upgrade the software, anyone can wreck havoc on ENWorld. That's the problem with beta software. You ALWAYS HAVE TO install the latest beta when it becomes available, or you are in big trouble.

Regarding the features. The more features = the slower software. The more users = the slower server. The more features = the messier code = the more bandwidth wasted. Final verdict = vBulletin 3.0.0 will cost Morrus lots of money, it will be a slow experience for you and me, and there will probably be lots of bugs and trouble.

The short version: All these "nifty features" are a nightmare if you know something about programming and how Internet works.

The D&D anthology: The only book you really need to play Dungeons & Dragons is the SRD. In forum software terms, the SRD is equivalent of reading a thread and being able to post a reply on a webpage. Nothing fancy. If you want a cute forum that is enough for most people, compare it with PHB. If you want features like "search", "smilies", "signatures"… Throw in some splatbooks…

Your typical gamer will probably bring some 5-6 books to his gaming buddies when he plays Dungeons & Dragons. 5-6 books is your typical forum without that many features, like www.phpbb.com (say 5-6 books), www.invisionboards.com (say 5-6 books) or www.punbb.org (about 2 books, very fast and light-weight).

Your typical gamer can carry his 5-6 books in a back-pack. VBulletin on the other hand is the kind of gamer who drives his car 100 yards to his friend’s house so he can bring all his 45 lbs worth of books to the house. Slow and horrible experience for the rest of the gamers.

 

[Psionicist]

Although I always enjoy Psionicist's opinions on computers (mostly because it seems like he know's some stuff), they always come across as... well... not humble.



I want to add that, although that may be the case, I'm sure Psionicist is just trying to help. Hopefully no one jumps down his throat for his suggestions.

Maybe Morrus knows about all these issues and has decided to give it the "Good To Go" anyway?

Who knows what kinds of tricks The Man has up his sleeve!

Sorry.

I always write WAY too analytical when I discuss computers. I mean no harm.

We realize that there are many people who just want to use the software we write, and have no interest in learning technical details. For most people, a computer is merely a tool, a means to an end; they have more important things to do and lives to live. We acknowledge that, and don't expect everyone to take an interest in the technical matters that fascinate us. Nevertheless, our style of answering questions is tuned for people who do take such an interest and are willing to be active participants in problem-solving. That's not going to change. Nor should it; if it did, we would become less effective at the things we do best.

 

[orbitalfreak]

Never mind, it didn't have the same effect at home that it did at work... Must have just been perceived change. Sorry guys and gals.

OK, now I've got a real wierd thing going on. (not a complaint, just throwing stuff on the "bugs pile" )

In the message I've quoted (#80), the text size is normal for what I have my browser set to, but the rest of the messages are still forum-default small.

Also, only the text that is in the actual post is the larger, "normal" size; the sig / member info / everything else in this message is small. The part of his post that includes a quote is also large.

In message #79 (same user), he quotes another post made by himself. The quoted portion here is enlarged, but the message is small.

The enlarged font is also present in post #57, again by Brother Shatterstone. Weird... all enlarged posts by the same user...

*edit: The portion of the text I quoted in my post is also large, while the part that I wrote is small.