If you could change one thing...

Hoopty · 01-24-2006 -- 12:48:59

If you could change one thing about the PMEL Forum website, what would it be?

I am about to undertake another update to the forum and CMS software. Newer revisions have been released, so the older versions aren't being updated anymore.

The old (current) theme will not work afterwards and I will have to begin work on a new, custom theme anyway. So, I figure, why not see what the community likes/dislikes about the current theme. And since I have to get a theme working in the new setup, that would be the best time to make those changes.

Suggestions can range from layout, look, feel, content, colors, logos, etc... don't be afraid to speak up. Also, let me know if you like it just the way it is. I can always duplicate the existing theme if necessary. Sometimes I forget that not everybody spends as much time as I do here, so maybe I'm just bored with the look and ready for a change...)

Anyway, thanks for the input, and as always, thanks for the support.

Jesse

Gatdula · 01-24-2006 -- 13:53:37

I would incoperate games for members like www.3c0x1.net

NRA4Life · 01-24-2006 -- 16:12:44

I like the feature of being able to check unread posts since my last visit.

flamy78 · 01-24-2006 -- 22:09:59

expand the recent activity list to say 15 threads for those heavy days

Hoopty · 01-29-2006 -- 00:07:40

bump

Still looking for feedback...

(got games for the new layout Gat)

docbyers · 01-30-2006 -- 12:32:16

It would be useful to see real names on the members' list, if the user chooses to share it, for those who venture here looking for old PMEL colleagues. You can't always tell who someone is by their login name...

Gatdula · 01-30-2006 -- 13:33:13

since my other idea was in the works, how about chicks in birdcages? ahhh A-Town.......

Hoopty · 01-30-2006 -- 18:36:39

Quote from: docbyers on 01-30-2006 -- 12:32:16
It would be useful to see real names on the members' list

Believe it or not, that was something I tried to do originally, but it wasn't an option with this version of the forum. The good news is, that it does appear to be do-able with the new one. I haven't had a chance to prove that, but I will see what I can do to make that happen.

And Gat, sorry dude... only one request per user. So it looks like the games will just have to go. Hello birdcages!

Thraxas · 02-08-2006 -- 18:50:49

How about a front page feature that shows where visitors surfed in from (search engines, web page links, etc.). One of the blogs I read used to do this. It was interesting to visit the pages that linked to the blog, and it was really funny to see what outrageous search terms the engines would point to the blog.

Thraxas · 02-08-2006 -- 19:33:37

Quote from: Hoopty on 01-24-2006 -- 12:48:59
The old (current) theme will not work afterwards and I will have to begin work on a new, custom theme anyway. So, I figure, why not see what the community likes/dislikes about the current theme. And since I have to get a theme working in the new setup, that would be the best time to make those changes.

How about a user selectable option to select from a list of many themes?

Hoopty · 02-08-2006 -- 21:27:02

Well Thraxas, I would love to offer that option (and I did when I first started up the site), but it's not that easy. What I really have to end up doing is to customize 2 separate themes. One for the CMS (Joomla), which handles the content (handbook, glossary, downloads, etc...) and the other for the forum (SMF). I am actually bridging the two pieces of software and hopefully making it appear seamless. If they aren't matched for each other, they can get real ugly (tables overlapping, fonts all jacked up, modules missing, you name it). So as you can see, it can be a real pain in the arse (not to mention time consuming) to match them both up and make it look good and that's why I have disabled that option. Sorry.

BTW, if anybody wants to 'beta test' the upgraded site by giving it a quick spin, send me a PM and I'll give you the link. I feel as though it is close to going live, just needs a few more tweaks and some different eyes on it might not hurt!

Thraxas · 02-09-2006 -- 14:45:06

That's alright Hoopty. I just thought it might be interesting.

BTW what do you think of my other idea?

Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 02-09-2006 -- 09:45:29
Hoopty rocks!

Ditto.

Hoopty · 02-09-2006 -- 18:18:22

Sorry Thrax, I guess I missed that post...

Yeah, that one sounds doable. I'll see what I can do about finding a module for that.

Hoopty · 02-10-2006 -- 12:15:29

Quote from: Hoopty on 02-08-2006 -- 21:27:02BTW, if anybody wants to 'beta test' the upgraded site by giving it a quick spin, send me a PM and I'll give you the link. I feel as though it is close to going live, just needs a few more tweaks and some different eyes on it might not hurt!

so nobody wants to be the first to get a sneak peek at the new layout??

PM me if you do (don't want the search engines getting ahold of the temp location).

Thraxas · 02-11-2006 -- 17:02:29

Quote from: Hoopty on 02-09-2006 -- 18:18:22
Sorry Thrax, I guess I missed that post...

Yeah, that one sounds doable. I'll see what I can do about finding a module for that.

Cool.

If you could change one thing...

flamy78