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Tyler
03-05-2010, 10:55 PM
Over the past several days I have been doing a fair bit of work on CookingForums.net. While you may not have noticed any differences, there have actually been quite a few improvements and modifications.

Here is an overview of what's new or has been changed:

First, I upgraded our forum's software from vBulletin v3.7.1 to v3.8.4 PL4. Most of the updates fixed small bugs and possible security exploits, which you most likely never encountered before anyway, but it's still good to patch them up of course.

While the software upgrade tended to focus mostly on bug and exploit patches, it also added some improvements. Below is a list of some of the more notable ones:

Private message quick reply
Social group discussions
Social group categories
Private message sorting and filtering
Private message history
Quick edit for visitor messages and picture comments
Social group icons
Social group transfers
Private message reporting (to report spammers)
Profile privacy (limit who can see your profile, like Facebook)
Lightbox navigation
Thread prefix permissions
Dismissible notices

In addition to upgrading vBulletin, I also had our skin updated to reflect the software changes, as well as simply update some aspects of it:


There is now a CookingForums.net Partner newsletter form located at the top right. Anyone interested in hearing about special cooking-related product deals and offers can sign-up to get notified by e-mail.
Various areas of the forum have been updated to reflect the software updates, such as the new Community dropdown link located in the top menu.
Our advertise page has been updated with up-to-date stats, prices, and other details. This took a while to do, as it was in bad need of an update.
The text colour on one of the pages during the forum registration process has been changed so that it is easier to see.
The top left login area, when not logged in, now has a "Join Us Now" link to make it easier for new users to create an account.
The top left login area, when not logged in, changed the checkbox that was previously labeled as "Cookie?" to "Remember Me". This is more descriptive and also helps prevent any confusion since we are a cooking forum after all :-)
A little logo and link that used to be in the lower left corner has been removed as it was a link to our skin's designer's website, however his site got infected with malware and was often down as well, and he was unresponsive to any contact.
The top 468x60 banner has been enlarged to show a 728x90 banner instead.

These changes took some time to do, but I hope you enjoy them.

As CookingForums.net continues to grow, I will add more new features and improvements as well.

Thanks everyone!

Mama
03-05-2010, 11:28 PM
Thanks Tyler! I have a request...is there anyway to make a window pop up letting you know that you have a PM when you login? My eyes aren't what they used to be and I don't always see that little notice in the upper left hand corner letting me know I have a PM.

Tyler
03-05-2010, 11:39 PM
Yes. To enable this, go to your Profile (located in the top menu) -> Edit Options -> then click Show New Private Message Notification Pop-up. You can even have it e-mail you when you get a PM should you so desire.

Chowhound
03-06-2010, 07:17 AM
I wondered why I never got sent any cookies when I clicked on Cookie?... ;^)

You took my favorite button away, Todays Posts. It was nice to review the latest posts, even if you had already read them, in case you decided to say something later. They do not show up under New Posts unless there is a new reply. The past couple days I've found myself clicking New Posts, getting the no new posts page, and leaving the forum. Whereas before I might stick around longer and like I said, reply to something I did not have time to before.
Just sayin'... :^)

QSis
03-06-2010, 09:09 AM
Ditto what Chow said - all of it. :-)

Otherwise, though, GREAT JOB, Tyler - thank you!

Lee

SilverSage
03-06-2010, 10:41 AM
It's still there.

Pull down Quick Links, and the first item on the list is Today's Posts.

Chowhound
03-06-2010, 10:48 AM
I'm sure it can still be found, but it is no longer "there" where it used to be.

Mama
03-06-2010, 02:35 PM
Yes. To enable this, go to your Profile (located in the top menu) -> Edit Options -> then click Show New Private Message Notification Pop-up. You can even have it e-mail you when you get a PM should you so desire.

Thanks Tyler!

QSis
03-06-2010, 03:18 PM
It's still there.

Pull down Quick Links, and the first item on the list is Today's Posts.

Yep.

Lee

Big Daddy's House
03-09-2010, 11:12 AM
Tyler, I was wondering if you'll be adding more Smilies someday soon, since you're improving things here for us to make the forum easy & a fun place to visit.

Just thought that I'd ask. :)

Mrs.Whisky
03-09-2010, 04:14 PM
Good question Sherm, I'd like to know the same :D. I love using smileys!

Other than that, thank you for all the easy & nice improvements Tyler!
________
MEXICO CITY HOTEL (http://mexicocityhotel.info)

Big Daddy's House
03-09-2010, 05:02 PM
Thank you, Mrs. Whisky!