Hi All -

The software currently running the forum, VB 3.8 is over a decade old, and it's time to consider upgrading. We are thinking of moving the board over to Xenforo (http://www.xenforo.com).

A test board is up, and if you have any time, please consider logging in and messing around:

http://xenforo.allaboutcircuits.com (please keep this URL private)

We are still bug hunting and fine-tuning the board, but it's slowly coming together.

If you have any feedback, it would be much appreciated!

There is no set date on the switchover from vB->Xenforo (if it even happens - depends on everyone's consensus)

Thanks

Rob

 

That is an overdue and great decision. Other boards have gone to xenforo, and they are so much easier to use. The aspect I find most useful is image attachments. Just snip and paste.

Another refinement is the memory for responses. No more need to copy and paste. If you get interrupted during a reply, just handle the interruption, then when you return, your draft is still there.

There is a learning curve, but I suspect you are a "fast learner."

As I understand it, xenforo's developers are some of the VB developers. As they say in business, you grow and stay green.

John

 

It seems much better than vBulletin, though it's a little cumbersome on mobile.

It won't let me post there (neither reply nor a new thread),maybe permission error?

 

Hello,

You need to login with your usual vBulletin account details.

The database on xenforo is an old copy of the original.
Posts made there are only for test.
Once the transfer to xenforo is done all that has been changed upto that time will be overwritten.

Bertus

 

Hi bertus,

I did log in. I even got notifications (which I like by the way)for my account saying I have an unread messages that I've been saving.

Here is a screenshot from my phone.

 

I got around to trying the test site this morning. Looks good. I also particularly like that you have implemented going to the first unread post in threads.

The one aspect I do not like is the score system and awards. Maybe an award for longevity or number of posts is not too bad, but awards for likes, points, helpful posts, informative posts, and so forth is just too twittery for me.

Please make AAC the one place on Earth where we can escape from the idiocy of assigning points based on arbitrary assessments by other members. That process is not only useless, it is increasingly proving to be dangerous or to lead to dangerous actions.

Take as an example this signature from a young person on another forum:

<username> Blew It Up,
Shot At It, Remotely Ignited It,Licked It.
All In The Name Of Fun.......And Wager's!!!

Now, I know that most of what he proposes is contrary to AAC's rules, but when you consider that children today -- some even encouraged by parents -- are setting themselves on fire just to get "likes," I don't think any sane person can predict where such social grading will lead.

Even if you retain some form of counting "likes," I am even more strongly opposed to allowing members to give negative feedback. When necessary, that should solely be the option of moderators and should almost always be done in private.

Regards,

John

 

Hello,

I just posted a reply from my iphone.
There was no problem.

Bertus

 

Thanks all,



tshuck - That was a bug! Thanks - You should be able to post now (and Bertus and I both have, so it should be resolved)

John - Appreciate the feedback. Xenforo has a number existing Trophies that come pre-installed . I have removed the ones relating to Likes. Points are now calculated based on post count and membership age milestones. The only effect that these points have is on a member's User Title.

The Likes are Xenforo's version of the vB "Thanks" add-on. To my knowledge there is no way to give a negative feedback?


Rob

 

Hi Rob,

Thanks for confirming your intentions. I have no problem with thanking people or even showing the little banner under a post to show the thank you's. I wish that were done more consistently. It's only keeping the score that I find meaningless and potentially problematic

As for negative rep., when ETO went to Xenforo, Electromaster was able to get negative points (dislikes) recorded. I think member scores there may still show some of the testing results. I believe he disabled it, and I am not sure what the new owners have done.

John

Edit: Just checked, and the negative ratings are still shown. As I recall, all of Electromaster's were received during testing:



Some of the others were apparently earned later.

 

Thanks Rob, I'm able to post now.