Technical Issues After June 25, 2012 Maintenance

bbrowniii

First the comment, relative to the above quote - again it seems like you've replaced something relatively simple with an added layer of complexity. Is there an added benefit?

It's part and parcel with the software upgrade. That's one thing we can't change.

bbrowniii

This isn't actually a quote from Bbrowniii, just an example.

When you quote, you should be able to edit it by just clicking on the text. Make sure that the quote is still between the HTML code.

It's not our choice

bbrowniii

OK, so a comment and a question:

First the comment, relative to the above quote - again it seems like you've replaced something relatively simple with an added layer of complexity. Is there an added benefit?

Now the question (technically a second question): when I typed this reply, I did not want to include the entire quote from both Echo139er and Tim, but I can't seem to be able to edit the portions of the quotes that I include. Is there any way to edit quotes or are you stuck with the whole thing?

Ooops, one other comment - how do I change my settings so that "EMail me replies to this post" is NOT the

OK, disregard that second question. I just figured it out... again, just another layer in the process. Now instead of being able to quote someone with one click, it takes three....

The reason there is an extra step involved with getting to the Rich Text Editor to be able to include quotes is because of the quick reply option included in this version of the software.  If a member wants to quickly respond to a post in the forums (just text with no formatting, pictures, quotes, etc..), they type away into the text box that appears below each post (or when the reply button is clicked), post, and are finished.

However, if additional formatting is desired (bolding, italics, pictures, smileys, quoting, etc...), a separate page is needed to handle the additional functionality.

Yes, you can select parts of a quote instead of the entire thing if you want.  All you have to do is click the "Use Rich Formatting" option (instead of the quick reply), highlight the area of the quote with your mouse and then click the "Quote" button.

For example, here is a small snippet of your original post as a quote:

bbrowniii

OK, so a comment and a question:

Unfortunately, the default setting for the e-mail replies check box can't be changed at the individual user level.  You can modify your e-mail settings though by clicking the "E-mail" tab under the "Community Settings" page located here.

Hope this helps.

Tim Kidwell

When you quote, you should be able to edit it by just clicking on the text. Make sure that the quote is still between the HTML code.

It's not our choice

Bish

I asked this in the thread in the armour forum, but i think it should really be here. Whats the deal with the stars/medals. It seems we all have 5 in two different colours, not sure how they relkate to post count.

Actually, medals range from none to five red. It's a measure of activity on the Forum: none= usually lurkers or new members; five red medals=our most active members. 

Good to know. Thanks Craig.

Tim Kidwell

Bish

I asked this in the thread in the armour forum, but i think it should really be here. Whats the deal with the stars/medals. It seems we all have 5 in two different colours, not sure how they relkate to post count.

Actually, medals range from none to five red. It's a measure of activity on the Forum: none= usually lurkers or new members; five red medals=our most active members. 

Got ur, thanks. And i hope your getting over time for all this

bbrowniii

So, just out of curiousity... obviously we are bringing out the things that have changed, and as you say, many of them are part and parcel with the software upgrade. So, other than changing things up on us, what benefits will this upgrade have?

There's a number of things.  Just to name a few off the top of my head...

A lot of improvements have been made "behind the scenes" to make the community load faster.  In fact a majority of the back end has been completely redone in this version of the platform.

There is also an new search integrated into this version.  It should work a lot better than the old one and can use syntax similar to Google search.  So in other words, things like using double quotes and "AND, OR, etc..." should work.  Also improved filtering.

There's also a mobile version of the community.  If you view the forums on an iPhone, Android, Windows 7 phone, Blackberry, etc..  You'll be directed into a version of the forums optimized for a smaller mobile layout.

A FAQ or help page has also been included.  It might be worth while to scan through it when you have a chance.  There's a lot of good information in there.

There's a lot more too, but those are probably the most important ones 

Craig,

Thanks for that info. Those are benefits that I can live with.

it seems the way to post pictures has changed as well. I cant just copy and paste the IMG code from Photobucket anymore.

Now, I have to copy the direct link code, click the button for adding an image, copy it in there, then post. Before I only had two clicks, now there's 4 or more! Is there an easier way, because the old way was MUCH quicker....

its seems like a very cluttered look....the fact that before you could see all the recent posts regardless of the topic made it more inviting to join other conversations and topics...especially ones that you dont usually participate in but would go because a post would catch your eye....now you cant do that. I dont see that as a very "open" forum format. With the old format, as a mainly aircraft builder, I really wouldnt open say a auto post unless the thread was interesting or like I said caught my eye, BUT it was there to consider. Now only the most recent of each is shown and you have to scroll down through all the topics...I dont know....just ranting....but it seemed more like a community before.

Carlos aka GRL

carsanab

its seems like a very cluttered look....the fact that before you could see all the recent posts regardless of the topic made it more inviting to join other conversations and topics...especially ones that you dont usually participate in but would go because a post would catch your eye....now you cant do that. I dont see that as a very "open" forum format. With the old format, as a mainly aircraft builder, I really wouldnt open say a auto post unless the thread was interesting or like I said caught my eye, BUT it was there to consider. Now only the most recent of each is shown and you have to scroll down through all the topics...I dont know....just ranting....but it seemed more like a community before.

Carlos aka GRL

yeah, I liked that function too.

oh,,,,and how do you post pics now....Im having the same problem as Owl..

Is this the page you are referring to?  This page should display all recent posts regardless of the forum it was posted to like before.

Recent Discussions

It can also be found at the top of the main forums page.

CallSignOWL

it seems the way to post pictures has changed as well. I cant just copy and paste the IMG code from Photobucket anymore.

Now, I have to copy the direct link code, click the button for adding an image, copy it in there, then post. Before I only had two clicks, now there's 4 or more! Is there an easier way, because the old way was MUCH quicker....

Let me do some digging into this one.  I find it strange that this wouldn't work any more.

Craig Kuhlow

Is this the page you are referring to?  This page should display all recent posts regardless of the forum it was posted to like before.

Recent Discussions

It can also be found at the top of the main forums page.

I'm not getting that on the forums main page. I am just getting the different sections. This feature of most recent posts is deffinatly useful, as OWL said, it often leads me to threads i sometimes wouldn't go to.

Another issue i am having is that when i click latest post, sometimes it takes to the last post in the thread, others it take me to the start of the thread.

OK, posting pictures from PhotoBucket by copying the img code should work now.  Here is a test just to make sure.

Let me know if you continue to have problems with it.

I'm not getting that on the forums main page. I am just getting the different sections. This feature of most recent posts is deffinatly useful, as OWL said, it often leads me to threads i sometimes wouldn't go to.

Bish, when you go to the main forums page, click the View Recent Posts button and that will take you to the full listing.

Ye, got it. I misunderstood. I thought Craig meant the recent posts were at the top of the main page.

Thanks.

Here's a quirk. Sorry if already mentioned.  When viewing on my phone... says FSM Mobile at the top... at the Community Activity page and I click on a thread... it takes me to the "Full Site" sized stuff.  Way to small to use.  And when it does that how do you get back to the mobile app?

Is one of the technical issues the look? Because this is ugly. What fit in a few lines before now takes half a page. I don't come here to play with all the little functions, I come to read about models and who's building what. What issues they have, what techniques they use and how they apply them. I thought that's what this place is supposed to be about.

Not that it matters, but there's my opinion.

Tony

do the threads change colors when you read them? Ive read a few and they've not changed. This will be a problem in keeping track of what ive read

In one thread (Your Lurking Stash), I've tried replying to the last post, but the reply box (like the one I'm using here now) does not appear. I've tried reloading the page and using the reply button on several different posts in that thread as well.

CallSignOWL

do the threads change colors when you read them? Ive read a few and they've not changed. This will be a problem in keeping track of what ive read

Threads that have not been viewed should remain bold in color.  Ones that have been viewed should have a normal font weight.  You can also use the "Unread" tab that appears at the top of each thread listing page.  Keep in mind though that the "Unread" tab is only for unread threads, not posts (replies to the thread).  So if you read the thread and someone replies, the thread is still flagged as being read since you already opened it.  

To view all recent activity regardless if it's a new thread or a reply you should use the "All Recent" tab.

Wingman_kz

Is one of the technical issues the look? Because this is ugly. What fit in a few lines before now takes half a page. I don't come here to play with all the little functions, I come to read about models and who's building what. What issues they have, what techniques they use and how they apply them. I thought that's what this place is supposed to be about.

Not that it matters, but there's my opinion.

Tony

An alternative if you do not wish to come directly to the website to view the forum threads is to subscribe to a forum either via e-mail or via RSS.

Each forum has an RSS feed attached to it.  You can usually find the links in the right column right below the advertisements.  

For example here is the RSS feed for the "Aircraft" forum:
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/rss.aspx?Mode=0

Subscribing to the forums via e-mail alerts can be done from the  Email Notifications page.  The link is in the profile box located just above the advertisements.  Same box that has your avatar inside of it.

wing_nut

Here's a quirk. Sorry if already mentioned.  When viewing on my phone... says FSM Mobile at the top... at the Community Activity page and I click on a thread... it takes me to the "Full Site" sized stuff.  Way to small to use.  And when it does that how do you get back to the mobile app?

Not all functionality of the "full site" is included in the "mobile" version unfortunately.  So depending on what the activity was could explain why it pushed you into the "full site" instead.  

There should be a "Mobile" link in the footer that allows a user to return to mobile, but it doesn't appear to be included at the moment.  I will include that on my "to do" list.  Thanks for the heads up.

Tim and Craig,

I know a number of new threads have popped up where people are expressing their opinions about the "new" site. To keep things simple, I'll try to keep my comments/observations here.

Three things that I have observed:

First, as OWL said, the way the threads titles change colors (or don't) after you read them. I know Craig responded to those comments in the quote below. But here is my 'issue': If I am doing a quick glance through the forums, there is no real easy way to tell which thread that I am participating in have had some new activity if the title stays the same. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that if there is a new post then the authors name in the 'Latest post' column is bolded, but that results in a lot of back and forth, big font to small font. I find it to be very fatiguing after a while.

Craig Kuhlow

Threads that have not been viewed should remain bold in color.  Ones that have been viewed should have a normal font weight.  You can also use the "Unread" tab that appears at the top of each thread listing page.  Keep in mind though that the "Unread" tab is only for unread threads, not posts (replies to the thread).  So if you read the thread and someone replies, the thread is still flagged as being read since

Second: there is a ton of white space. In particular, there is no clear boundary between where a post ends and a persons sig line begins. Oftentimes, I have found a signature to be spaced in such a way that it seems like the next paragraph in a post and I'll be half way through it before I realize what it is.

Third: in the "old-new" forum, you could click on a person's post count and a list of all there posts would pop up. So if I was looking for a thread, but could not recall the name of it but, for instance, knew that Manny had posted in it, I could click his post count and scroll back to find the post, and thus, the thread. It was a very useful tool. Is that functionality still there and just 'hidden' somewhere?

It seems like the current logged on users section is not working.  It has not showed more than nine since the site came back.    That is only 0.017%.

Also, where do we search for users?  Is that gone?

As I've stated in another thread:

This is the way I see it using an old analogy...the first format change took us from a 50,000 foot level of looking at the site to about a 30,000 foot overview...most people used that analogy back then.  In the "old" formats you had a sense that you had a good "overview" of the Forum and then could drill down to what you wanted...

Well now, I feel like I am no longer overlooking the Forum at all and seeing the big picture.  Now I feel like I'm at ZERO feet (on the ground) and I'm lost in a maze of weeds...

Echo139er

It seems like the current logged on users section is not working.  It has not showed more than nine since the site came back.    That is only 0.017%.

Also, where do we search for users?  Is that gone?