Bill Edwards Posted November 15, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Posted November 15, 2015 Dear AllWe are using Version 3 of Invision's Forum Software.Version 4 has been available for some time now, but we have resisted upgrading as I know change isn't always popular.However, Version 4 is a much better version and more importantly Technical Support for Version 3 will be withdrawn some time in the future. As I contact Tech Support on average about once a month, I do not want to be left without support!The Moderator's and Forum Panel have looked at the new software and generally agree that it is different but broadly similar to use. You may need to look around to find the buttons and functions you are used to using, but it isn't difficult and you shouldn't have any problems using it.There will be teething problems, but we don't anticipate any major dramas. I have started tentative enquiries into the upgrade process, but want to keep you informed at every step of the way.The biggest criticism is that the "Preview Post" button is missing in Version 4. I've already inquired about this and the answer is that the Editor in Version 4 is "WYSIWYG" - that is your post will appear in the Editor EXACTLY as it appears in the post, so the "Preview Post" button is unnecessary. Not sure I agree, but I understand the reasoning.Apart from that, it's powerful, yet simple to use, has more features and will be fully supported by Technical Support for years to come.Watch this space, we will be upgrading soon If anyone wants to look at the new software it is in use on Invision's own forums at https://community.invisionpower.com/The Admin/Moderator Team will be available throughout to assist should there be any problems!All the bestBill
Tom Gorman Posted November 15, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 0 Topic Count: 52 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 631 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 824 Achievement Points: 709 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/04/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: Friday at 13:52 Posted November 15, 2015 Your right, change isn't always good. But I've just had a look at it and it looks fantastic- really modern, and it brings the forum forward with the times. Good luck, and I can't wait to see and use it!
Bill Edwards Posted November 16, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 16, 2015 I am going to ask Tech Support to upgrade the software for us. I'm aiming for the weekend, but as they can't be specific about day/time, it will be a bit fluid The process will be almost painless for members, but to give you an idea of timetable here is the process:- 1) I will have to remove a couple of the Modifications we have on the forum just before we update - some you won't notice as they are back room stuff, but we will lose the "Predefined Fields" on the fair reports, the recent posts/topics from the index page and the links directory (there may be others, but nothing major) 2) Tech Support will upgrade. The forum will be offline and unavailable for about 3 to 4 hours 3) Once up and running, there may be a few "formatting issues" as some of the upgrade runs in the background. This could take a couple of days, but the forum will be usable. 4) I will replace the Modifications we use. The only exception is the "Links Directory" which hasn't been released for Version 4 yet. It is expected and as soon as it is available all our links will be back. I will keep you fully informed every step of the way either here, or if the forum is unavailable on our Twitter Feed (https://twitter.com/atfotf)
Bill Edwards Posted November 18, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 18, 2015 I have arranged for the upgrade to be done Friday Afternoon (American Time), so it should be done Friday Evening (UK Time). That should give me Friday Evening/Night, All day Saturday & Sunday to get things how we want them & to see through any teething problems
Bill Edwards Posted November 18, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 18, 2015 The forum will be unavailable for 3 to 4 hours in the evening of Friday 20th November 2015 whilst the software is updated.I will keep our Twitter feed updated with progress - https://twitter.com/atfotfAny problems or delays will be announced on Twitter - I will not be in a position to update members who inquire by email!If I've announced on Twitter that the forum is back and working and you are unable to access the site at all, you may email me at bill@fun-fairs.co.uk - for all other "teething problems" with the new software, please post in the Help Forum.Many thanksBill
Bill Edwards Posted November 19, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 19, 2015 In preparation for the Software Upgrade tomorrow, I've removed all the Modifications from the forum:-Recent Topics/Posts (The list on the right side of the index page)Pre-defined topics (The template for Funfair Reports)The note that shows the date you joined at the side of your postsThe number of Likes/Thanks from the side of your posts (Like/Thanks is still there and working, but you need to look at a members profile to see their current count)The preview when you hover over a topic in the forumThe indication of which topics have photosThe software should be upgraded tomorrow evening and I will then replace the Modifications we need.Your patience over the next couple of days is appreciated.All the bestBill
Tom Gorman Posted November 19, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 0 Topic Count: 52 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 631 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 824 Achievement Points: 709 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/04/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: Friday at 13:52 Posted November 19, 2015 Quick question- when we update will our likes/thanks be returned to zero or will they be carried over?
Bill Edwards Posted November 19, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 19, 2015 (Like/Thanks is still there and working, but you need to look at a members profile to see their current count)Quick question- when we update will our likes/thanks be returned to zero or will they be carried over?All basic forum functions will be carried over - forums, posts, post count, likes etc.By default the number of likes a member has is displayed on their profile. I installed a Modification that showed the number of likes under Member Information to the left of each of their posts. It is the Modification that displays the total I've removed, not the likes themselves. I won't need to replace this Mod, as it is a standard feature of the next version. Your likes will be carried over!
Tom Gorman Posted November 19, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 0 Topic Count: 52 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 631 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 824 Achievement Points: 709 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/04/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: Friday at 13:52 Posted November 19, 2015 Many thanks Bill, I look forward to the new version very much Good luck with the changeover 1
Bill Edwards Posted November 19, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 19, 2015 I've been playing with the new version for a while now and I am impressed!At a basic level, although it looks different and one or two things are in different places, it is broadly similar and I don't anticipate members having many problems adapting.However, once you delve a little deeper, it is much more powerful.Just the way it handles Photos alone is worth the upgrade - you can add as many as you like in one go (no more 10 uploads at a time). As the editor displays the photo and not a text it makes captioning so easy. If you don't "Add to post", it does it automatically so the photos are always displayed correctly.
Bill Edwards Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 20, 2015 And we're back From Tech Support:- There are a number of Background Tasks running, to rebuild content slowly so as not to cause server resource issues. Those tasks are triggered by forum activity (people browsing the site), and until they finish, some of the layout may not be correct, such as quotes, signatures, lists, images, etc.
Tom Gorman Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 0 Topic Count: 52 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 631 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 824 Achievement Points: 709 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/04/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: Friday at 13:52 Posted November 20, 2015 Agreed Adam, very simple to use and fantastic looking. And it was very quickly updated too! Well done Bill & Team, good decision!
Chunkie Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 60 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 772 Content Per Day: 0.11 Reputation: 2,317 Achievement Points: 1,180 Days Won: 6 Joined: 05/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: July 28, 2017 Birthday: 18/07/1949 Posted November 20, 2015 Working okay down in rainy Hailsham.
Shaun Martin Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 300 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 2,573 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 16,012 Achievement Points: 2,445 Days Won: 139 Joined: 12/05/03 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Posted November 20, 2015 looking good over in Yorkshire tonight
Steve Barton Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Root Admin Followers: 1 Topic Count: 510 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 5,820 Content Per Day: 0.75 Reputation: 22,096 Achievement Points: 6,905 Days Won: 152 Joined: 11/01/03 Status: Offline Last Seen: 5 hours ago Birthday: 10/12/1961 Posted November 20, 2015 Looking good
Chris Asplen Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 21 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 179 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 514 Achievement Points: 214 Days Won: 4 Joined: 09/02/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2023 Birthday: 10/09/1972 Posted November 20, 2015 I assume the photos should display as thumbnail size in posts then click on them to see in correct format? Have to agree its a nice step forward ;o)
Bill Edwards Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 20, 2015 2 hours ago, Bill Edwards said: And we're back From Tech Support:- There are a number of Background Tasks running, to rebuild content slowly so as not to cause server resource issues. Those tasks are triggered by forum activity (people browsing the site), and until they finish, some of the layout may not be correct, such as quotes, signatures, lists, images, etc. 4 minutes ago, Chris Asplen said: I assume the photos should display as thumbnail size in posts then click on them to see in correct format? Have to agree its a nice step forward ;o) No, they should display full size, same as before. As above, it will take a couple of days to rebuild the content.
Roger Peatman Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 0 Topic Count: 92 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,348 Content Per Day: 0.28 Reputation: 3,953 Achievement Points: 1,858 Days Won: 7 Joined: 08/02/11 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Posted November 20, 2015 Very impressive so far -- Well done Bill, and all concerned in the update process
harry m Posted November 20, 2015 Group: Root Admin Followers: 0 Topic Count: 235 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,124 Content Per Day: 0.16 Reputation: 1,194 Achievement Points: 3,643 Days Won: 6 Joined: 18/04/08 Status: Offline Last Seen: 2 hours ago Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Well its up and running and looking good. Obviously it will be a few days before we see the full functionality of the forum again while tweaks and mods are added. But first impressions are GOOD Edited November 20, 2015 by harry monk spelling/typo
Chris Asplen Posted November 22, 2015 Group: Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 21 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 179 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 514 Achievement Points: 214 Days Won: 4 Joined: 09/02/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2023 Birthday: 10/09/1972 Posted November 22, 2015 On 20/11/2015 22:17:39, Bill Edwards said: No, they should display full size, same as before. As above, it will take a couple of days to rebuild the content. Thanks Bill. Got to say now the images are back to normal the site is really top notch! Thank you for this wonderful website!
Bill Edwards Posted November 22, 2015 Group: Supporter Followers: 7 Topic Count: 2,446 Topics Per Day: 0.30 Content Count: 5,894 Content Per Day: 0.73 Reputation: 2,865 Achievement Points: 7,692 Days Won: 10 Joined: 12/09/02 Status: Offline Last Seen: 4 hours ago Birthday: 08/02/1963 Author Posted November 22, 2015 1 hour ago, Chris Asplen said: Thanks Bill. Got to say now the images are back to normal the site is really top notch! Thank you for this wonderful website! They aren't back - at least not the ones I've checked! New image are displaying correctly, I'm waiting for the previous images to be restored
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