I think you underestimate what can be done with customization. We have some ideas and plans, but there's a ways to go.
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- Thread starter wrldwzrd89
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Can you give me any specific features from 4 or 5 that you want on MacRumors (besides look/feel)?
And, do you really like vb5? http://vbulletin.com/vb5demo
If there were compelling "must have" features in vB 4 or 5, I'd be far more interested in upgrading. That's why I keep asking for specific features you want. I agree the theme/skin of the forums could be much better, but that's fixable otherwise.
arn
I think the layout of MR is clean and simple. Not full of clutter or fancy images that don't really serve a purpose.
As for features, that's another story. Not sure what people need/want, but this is one of the most successful forums on the net.
As for features, that's another story. Not sure what people need/want, but this is one of the most successful forums on the net.
I'm not sure why it doesn't do this anymore, but the search results used to update automatically. Now it takes up to 10 minutes or sometimes longer(if I make a new thread for it to show up). I like ip board personally. It is really fast and the implementations I've used are very fast.
As far as looks, I think that the forums are full of straight lines, with sharp corners and borders, whereas Mac OS X and iOS (and computing in general) have lots of rounded edges and gradients. It just feels "outdated" to me. (Not because of the age of the software, just the look)
For features, I wish we could implement something similar to the "Reputation" system. Also, post "likes", compared to just voting upand down.
For features, I wish we could implement something similar to the "Reputation" system. Also, post "likes", compared to just voting up
Thank you - that's what I meant. It feels outdated. Also, as I think I've said before, I've heard before that vB3 uses an old, outdated styling system that would make it harder to customise to a modern look. Surely vB4 (or 5) would make it easier for the MR development team?
I personally have no problem with the current forums. A lot of other places I go on are still on v3 aswell, and we're talking about forums as big as MR, or even bigger.
I don't think a message board should have a lot of stuff going on in the background, because it's the content that matters. And obviously, we have to think of the people here browsing on their mobiles who already have a hard time with pages already taking too long to load. With the additional styling that v4 and v5 have, it wouldn't make things better either.
I don't think a message board should have a lot of stuff going on in the background, because it's the content that matters. And obviously, we have to think of the people here browsing on their mobiles who already have a hard time with pages already taking too long to load. With the additional styling that v4 and v5 have, it wouldn't make things better either.
Xenforo is what most vBulletin 3.8 sites have been switching to. Xenforo is software being developed by the main guys who built vBulletin 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 etc. and they left before the release of vBulletin 4.
I'm not blown away by Xenforo by any means. But some people have done a decent job migrating away from vB 3.8 and converting to Xenforo. BigSoccer.com is one of the larger sites I've seen do it successfully recently.
I still think vB 3.8 is still the best forum solution despite its age. It's unfortunate it's now effectively abandoned and no longer getting security fixes and bug patches.
As for vB 5, wtf are they thinking
it looks like they've taken vB 4 and spent a year making it worse in every possible way.
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On this forum I could have sworn that Ctrl-I would make text italic, and the same for Ctrl-B etc. It doesn't seem to be working for me now though :\
On this forum I could have sworn that Ctrl-I would make text italic, and the same for Ctrl-B etc. It doesn't seem to be working for me now though :\
It works in Firefox on Windows. I'll check it on the Mac when I get home from work.
Stick with what you have. if you change the "feel" of the site many people will find it hard to adjust.
Another forum I'mon went from VB to Xenforo (http://xenforo.com/) we lost a few members because they lost the familiarity.
For me I embrace change and the software is very good. From a back end point of view i'm not so sure.
Another forum I'mon went from VB to Xenforo (http://xenforo.com/) we lost a few members because they lost the familiarity.
For me I embrace change and the software is very good. From a back end point of view i'm not so sure.
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On OS X CTRL + I, B, and U:
Chrome: No keyboard shortcuts.
Safari: No keyboard shortcuts
Firefox: Yes keyboard shortcuts
Ahh, Firefox. I use Chrome at work so that explains it. Thankyou!
I do find that feature useful, so it's a shame it's not a universal feature.
Xenforo is what most vBulletin 3.8 sites have been switching to. Xenforo is software being developed by the main guys who built vBulletin 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 etc. and they left before the release of vBulletin 4.
I'm not blown away by Xenforo by any means. But some people have done a decent job migrating away from vB 3.8 and converting to Xenforo. BigSoccer.com is one of the larger sites I've seen do it successfully recently.
I still think vB 3.8 is still the best forum solution despite its age. It's unfortunate it's now effectively abandoned and no longer getting security fixes and bug patches.
As for vB 5, wtf are they thinking
There is some uncertainty about the future of xenforo from what I've read/heard.
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Moving to vb4 or 5 wouldn't make theme styling easier.
arn
Yeah, if moving away from vB was an option, the two great ones IMO are xenForo and IPB. IPB is probably my favourite though
Yeah, if moving away from vB was an option, the two great ones IMO are xenForo and IPB. IPB is probably my favourite though
Any specific ipb features you like?
arn
The flexibility with the editor for threads - the ability to change thread titles (Is this possible in vB? I haven't seen it on any vB forums I use...), the ability to add and remove polls easily, If you click on an image it pops out and the rest goes dark, the layout of the profiles / control panels, the nice animations for buttons (fades, etc). It all just seems very sleek, modern and nice to use. I understand wonders can be done with theming, but still, IPB is such a nice piece of software.
All capable for those with the right buttons to push. Here, you can edit the thread title and add a poll at any time (on a thread you started), but you can't edit or remove the poll (unless you're a mod/admin).
To edit the title:
Original Post > Edit > Go Advanced
To add a poll:
Top of thread > Thread Tools > Add a poll to this thread
Hah, okay. Maybe it's just some vB forums don't have that feature... Regardless, I still think IPB is very polished and simple, and very modern unlike the design of vB3.
This.
I've ran VB forums. I've admin'd others' forums. I've migrated forums. VB5 is a disastrous mess - change for the sake of change by a new company and a different vision.
Arn could hire some professional skin makers and give MR a totally new and updated look, and the function and familiarity would generally be the same.
MR isn't broke (short of the down arrow disappearing :/ ). No need for change for the sake of change. Then again, I'm old and I like things where I left them.