Author Topic: Forum 2.0 - New Features (Read 1159 times)

Jenee · « **on:** May 26, 2011, 02:42:22 PM »

As you have already noticed, we have recently upgraded our forum software from a 1.x version to SMF 2.0. With this upgrade comes a lot of functional changes that we are going to be implementing over the coming weeks.

Some cool things that are built into this software (and thus, already available for use) are going to be listed in this thread, along with a little description or instructions on how to use them.

Message reply view

When posting on the forum, you have always had to either type in BBC code or click the little icons to insert the code if you wish to use bold, smilies, or color in your posts.

Now, you have the option of auto-previewing how this will look by clicking on the "toggle" button when you reply.

If you like this view, you can enable it permanently in your profile: Profile > Look and Layout > Show WYSIWYG editor on post page by default (check the box)

Buddy List / Ignore List

The buddy list is the same as it has always been - you can add members to your buddy list, which will 'bold' their name in the list of members online.

The ignore list features have been expanded. Previously, if you added a member to your ignore list, it just blocked them from PMing you. You now have the option to hide their posts as well.

If you wish to hide the posts of a member on your ignore list, turn this feature on in your profile: Profile > Look and Layout > Hide messages posted by members on my ignore list. (check the box)

You will still have the option of viewing their posts one by one if you wish to.

Add members to your ignore list by going to Profile > Modify Profile > Buddies/Ignore List > Modify Ignore List...

Type in the name of the member you wish to ignore and click 'add' - you can click on the red "x" to remove the member from you list. Members added to the ignore list will not be able to PM you. If you choose to also ignore their posts, they will appear like this in the threads - click on the "show me the post" link to view that individual post

Drop down menus vs Side bar menus

With SMF 2.0 the menus that you used to see on the left side of the screen are now automatically turned into drop-downs. This is the default, but you have the option of changing it if you wish.

You can change it temporarily by clicking on the arrow on the right hand side of the screen:

Or, if you prefer the old look, you can turn it on permanently in your profile settings.
Profile > Look and Layout > Use sidebar menus instead of dropdown menus when possible. (check the box)

Sandra Dee · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:03:59 PM »

Jenee, the auto preview doesn't seem to work for me. Clicking on the toggle button does nothing.

Hale · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:31:25 PM »

Testing 1 2 3
Testing Testing

Wow!!! Even I was able to follow that.

Jenee · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:28:53 PM »

Sandra Dee - what browser are you using and more importantly, did you add any special formatting to your post when you tested it? The toggle button shows you the formatting, so if you don't add any formatting (like colors, bold, or smilies) then it won't look any different.

MapleLeaf · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:36:35 PM »

Thanks for the step-by-step explanations Jen, they've been extremely helpful!!

Sandra Dee · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2011, 08:41:52 PM »

Jenee it seems to work now. I don't know why it didn't earlier.
I am using chrome.

This is a real handy feature. Thanks!!

ETA: a couple of words in my above post were bold. It showed in the preview, but didn't show up in the post after i replied.

Jenee · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2011, 12:18:44 PM »

Jenee · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2011, 01:33:40 AM »

New Feature: Favorite Royal

There is a new profile field where you can enter the name of your favorite royal.

To do this, click on Profile > Modify Profile > Forum Profile and then scroll to the bottom of the page. The name of the royal will appear under your avatar

<----

Sandra Dee · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2011, 01:52:03 AM »

Why can we no longer see 'last edit by' for a post? Can we enable that again?

Windsor · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2011, 01:54:23 AM »

That still appears... Just look at your post.

Savanna · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2011, 03:00:07 PM »

Any news from the old blue theme front, Windsor?

Windsor · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2011, 03:03:12 PM »

I have not heard back from the author yet.

Savanna · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2011, 03:12:44 PM »

Bummer

Jenee · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2011, 04:59:34 PM »

Sandra Dee, it is on the right hand side of the post, rather then the left now.

Windsor · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2011, 10:28:07 PM »

Quote from: Savanna on May 29, 2011, 03:12:44 PM

Bummer

Savanna, the author of the theme has still not replied. I am told by someone else who also contacted him that he has not seen a reply either, and has been waiting a few months now.

I am sorry...

Would you like to go through the Theme Catalogue and point out any theme that you might like added?

Jenee · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2011, 02:28:09 AM »

New feature: Official Harryite and Willite Groups!

This forum was the birthplace of the Ites, and we finally have a better way of keeping track of membership

You can now join and leave the Harryites and Willites at any time through "group membership" in your profile. You can join as many groups as you want, and you can even choose to display your membership via a profile badge (optional).

If you wish to join or leave one of these groups, click on "profile" in the main menu. Under "Modify Profile" click on "Group Membership"

At the top, you will see the groups that you are currently a member of (everyone is in the "regular members" group), and at the bottom, you will see a list of the groups that you have the ability to join.

If you click on "join group" then you will automatically be added to that group. Once you have joined a group, you can leave it by clicking on "leave group"

Ite Badges:

You can display a Willite or Harryite profile badge by:
- joining the group
- select it and click the "make primary group" button

If you decide later that you wish to remain in the group, but don't want to display the badge, make the "regular members" your primary group.

Currently there are two groups that you can join: the Harryites and the Willites. We may consider adding additional groups later if there is high demand (we will never add any "anti" groups)

There is one group that you can request membership to - the Insight Columnist group. This is a group of members who have a desire to write articles for www.royalinsight.net. Membership to this group must be approved by Windsor, but anyone who wants to request membership is welcome to do so.

MissComplexSimplicity · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2011, 02:51:42 AM »

^I like it.

cinrit · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:04:18 AM »

^^ Ah, MissComplexSimplicity, I see you've chosen your group already.

Cindy

Jenee · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2011, 05:07:16 AM »

FYI:

We are beginning to use a new PM warning system as of this week - members may receive PMs from "Royal Insight" which they are unable to reply to. If you ever have any question about the content of those PMs, you can PM any Moderator or Administrator for clarification, as we will all have access to a log of what was sent.

wannable · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2011, 09:43:29 PM »