Software update

Started by Dungeon Master, November 22, 2022, 10:31:20 PM

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Dungeon Master

Hi all

The GMG forum software has been updated to the latest version 2.1.3. This is a bare-bones install with no modifications of customisations. As such it will look a little generic. The functionality remains the same, and all boards, topics and posts should have been transcribed. Over the next few days, I will customise the forum to improve the look and tailor it better for our members.

Why was the update necessary? The old version was not being maintained with bug fixes and security patches, so it was becoming vulnerable to bots and malware. The old version was never designed to be viewed on small devices, such a phones and tablets. The buttons were too small for fingers, and some functionality was not available. The new version flows smoothly from full desktop size to tiny phone size, while keeping functionality.

New features:
Alert notifications
WYSIWYG editor
Draft messages (write now, revise and send later)
Mentions of @otherusers
Drag and Drop attachments
Improved moderating functions
GDPR compliance (essential for European standards)
Security updates
Backend server compatibility improvements

Please let me know if you notice any issues.

cheers
Rob

Madiel

Goodness, it looks different!

But logged back in no problems. And I don't think that's just because I'm so local.  :laugh:

EDIT: Actually, the location field seems to have gone, which is interesting.
I finally have the ability to edit my signature again. But no, I've no idea what I want to say here right now.

Herman

It's been so long ago, I don't even know what my password is...
Let's see if this works.
Herman

Florestan

Quote from: Madiel on November 22, 2022, 10:52:13 PMGoodness, it looks different!

Very different, actually.

I don't see my avatar at all but this is the least of the problems. I don't see "Read Unread topics" and "Read Replies to Topics You Visited" anymore. Honestly, it's worse than the previous version but what option do I have except get used to it?  ;D
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

Dungeon Master

Many of the changes will take a while to get used to, especially for oldies such as myself. You may need to enable or re-enable certain features within your profile. 

Papy Oli

Joining the queue of old folks having to get used to the new (neater) layout  ;D

Working ok so far this end (UK). Definitely seems faster on the laptop. Will check the mobile later.

Only had to re-set my local time in the profile settings for now.

Olivier

Madiel

Quote from: Florestan on November 22, 2022, 11:28:43 PMVery different, actually.

I don't see my avatar at all but this is the least of the problems. I don't see "Read Unread topics" and "Read Replies to Topics You Visited" anymore. Honestly, it's worse than the previous version but what option do I have except get used to it?  ;D

I can see your avatar, and both of those things are in the top right hand corner.
I finally have the ability to edit my signature again. But no, I've no idea what I want to say here right now.

Florestan

Quote from: Madiel on November 23, 2022, 12:58:21 AMI can see your avatar,

I can see all avatars too. What I mean is that in the old version my avatar was permanently displayed in the top left corner. Now in the top left corner it's only my username and if I click it a pop up appears with my avatar and the forum settings.

Quoteand both of those things are in the top right hand corner.

Thanks. I had noticed them right there earlier.

Actually, the new layout is the same as that of Talk Classical. It will take a while to get used to it but it's not really a big problem.


"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

pjme

"Many of the changes will take a while to get used to, especially for oldies such as myself. " - indeed....

But it all looks nice & neat. Reading is easy.

Peter - the Low countries.


Madiel

Quote from: Florestan on November 23, 2022, 01:25:33 AMI can see all avatars too. What I mean is that in the old version my avatar was permanently displayed in the top left corner. Now in the top left corner it's only my username and if I click it a pop up appears with my avatar and the forum settings.

Ah yes, I see what you mean.

Technically, the avatar IS there next to your name but it's absolutely tiny. If I squint I can just make out my glowing lyre.
I finally have the ability to edit my signature again. But no, I've no idea what I want to say here right now.

Spotted Horses

That was a surprise! Good to see it's back, I was concerned that Elon Musk had taken over GMG. :)

Florestan

Quote from: Madiel on November 23, 2022, 01:34:40 AMAh yes, I see what you mean.

Technically, the avatar IS there next to your name but it's absolutely tiny. If I squint I can just make out my glowing lyre.

Ah yes, I see it now. A magnifying glass would help.  :)
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

Lisztianwagner

Wow, surely different, but not bad at all! After a little confusion because of the new layout, it's easy to get used to this.
"You cannot expect the Form before the Idea, for they will come into being together." - Arnold Schönberg

Harry

#13
Unmtil now I do not get emails from GMG, although I put all the settings in the right position I think!
Not all postings has a reply button
Quote from Manuel, born in Spain, currently working at Fawlty Towers.

" I am from Barcelona, I know nothing.............."

Jo498

My pw was remembered through the change, so this worked well. The new features sound nice. The new look will take me some time getting used to it, although for some reason it does look oddly familiar, I think I was in another forum with a similar design years ago, in some ways it seems more old fashioned (like early 2000s) than the old look
Tout le malheur des hommes vient d'une seule chose, qui est de ne savoir pas demeurer en repos, dans une chambre.
- Blaise Pascal

Florestan

Quote from: Jo498 on November 23, 2022, 03:30:41 AMin some ways it seems more old fashioned (like early 2000s) than the old look

Yes, the old look was decidedly better.
"Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory." — Thomas Beecham

George

QuoteThe old version was never designed to be viewed on small devices, such a phones and tablets. The buttons were too small for fingers, and some functionality was not available. The new version flows smoothly from full desktop size to tiny phone size, while keeping functionality.


For this reason alone, thank you, Rob! This new one looks and works so much better on my phone!
"It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously." –Oscar Wilde

Pohjolas Daughter

Thank you so much Rob for all of your efforts in keeping this forum alive, safe, and functioning well.  :)

PD

Spotted Horses

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 23, 2022, 04:16:14 AMThank you so much Rob for all of your efforts in keeping this forum alive, safe, and functioning well.  :)

PD

+1

Brian

Quote from: Dungeon Master on November 22, 2022, 10:31:20 PMAlert notifications
Draft messages (write now, revise and send later)
Mentions of @otherusers
These three features are especially exciting. I write long messages occasionally that could use a draft feature, and know there are some GMGers who write messages in MS Word first before posting. Mentioning other users so that they see something (a long-delayed reply, for example) could be really helpful!

One more feature that is new and good is the one I am using now to type this: "quick edit," where you can edit your post without having to reopen the composition webpage. Saves a little bit of time/web traffic/data on mobile.

I think this new version also supports a positivity-only "likes" feature for posts (i.e., no "dislikes"), which on other forums people use either to express thanks for a comment or to simply acknowledge its helpfulness without fully replying. Something we could think about, at least.

Looking forward to the customized look instead of this very blue situation.  8)

Maybe profile modifications like location or subscriber badges are settings that just need to be toggled, rather than "bugs".