Hi guys and gals.
Part of the reason for the outage this morning was to upgrade the forum system to vBulletin v3.5.3. It's the latest version of vBulletin, and contains many significant changes that you should be aware of.
Here's a couple of the new features:
- Product/Plugin system with over 550 'hook' locations strategically placed in the code. Allows modification and extension of vBulletin without physical alteration of the vBulletin PHP scripts.
- Inline moderation allows multiple threads or posts to be have moderation actions performed without a visit to the admin or moderator control panels
- Completely rewritten message editor with ability to instantly switch between standard and WYSIWYG modes
- Thread title editing on forumdisplay via AJAX
- Thread opening and closing on forumdisplay via AJAX
- Super-Quick Reply on showthread via AJAX
- Inline post edit on showthread via AJAX
- Username suggestion for PM recipients and search by user via AJAX
- Database-based thread and forum read marking
- Custom avatar and profile picture resizing
- Each attachment image type can be individually set to generate thumbnails or not
- Each attachment image type can be individually set to open in a new window or not
- New [attach] bbcode tag for placing attachments inline with messages
- Attachment upload via URL in addition to local upload
- Ability to preview signature edits
- And of course, numerous bugs and annoyances resolved.
Some of these won't mean anything to you, but the main one that may affect you is shown in bold above. Previously, a cookie timeout of 15 minutes was used to mark all threads as "read", or you could use the "Mark Forums Read" link to de-activate the "New Post Indicator".
Now, a thread will stay as "not read" until you have actually read it. The 15-minute cookie timeout no longer applies. So the "new post" indicator will stay on until
a) You actually read the thread, or
b) You "Mark Forums Read".
The "hook" feature (in the first bullet point above) means that "mods" or "hacks" for vBulletin can be more easily installed and uninstalled, and will allow me to customise the look and feel easier, and add additional features much easier.
The upgrade may have presented problems for some of you initially, or it may just take some getting used to. If you're having problems with a particular browser version, please let us know the symptoms/problems.
Domain Redirect:
- The iceinspace.com.au domain is redirected to www2.iceinspace.com.au until DNS changes propagate through your ISPs. You will have to login again.
Current Issues:
- Quick Reply box shows a "duplicate post" error when you submit the reply, but your post is still saved properly. Use "Go Advanced" to avoid this for now.
Bear with us as we iron through any potential problems as a result of the upgrade.
Thanks for your patience and understanding, and I hope you enjoy the new features.
L.
