What was wrong with the way it was?

[canamjhb]

I guess this question is directed to Lamont as this is his forum. Before the "upgraded" changes, this forum was easy to use and predictable. With the "upgrade" I find it not as user friendly. I am one of those who almost exclusively used the "whats new" catagory. I "get it" that after I read something in the "whats new" catgory that it is no longer new to me. But the catagory is "whats new" NOT "whats new to me". There are 20 different catagories plus Home, Store, and Gallery. It is difficult for me to go back to "where I was" in a given day to see responses or make additions to a thread I am interested in. Previously, it was easy because I "lived" in the "whats new" catagory. Now I have over 20 different catagories where my interests could be. In fact, after posting this initial post, It does not come up when I click on "whats new". I also "get it" that there are things I can do to click here, click there. pull up key words, etc. to try to locate what I want. But why? Were there people who were having trouble navigating the forum in it's old configuration? Frankly I found the old configuration easy. The new "upgraded" configuration is combersome and is leaving me with over 8 pages of "Whats New". Sorry to be such a nag but I no longer feel at home in this forum. Perhaps many or most of the members who are more techie than I find it good. I don't. So, what was wrong with the way it was.....?

 

[ARtraveler]

As a person who also lived by the "whats new" section--I am also feeling your pain. I was talking with someone about 1" risers for handlebars. Posted, and then remembered some more information. Poof...the thread is gone and I cannot find it. I used to be able to find stuff at will.

I don't think you are alone here. Maybe another tweek or two in the upcoming days. opcorn:opcorn::thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

As a person who also lived by the "whats new" section--I am also feeling your pain. I was talking with someone about 1" risers for handlebars. Posted, and then remembered some more information. Poof...the thread is gone and I cannot find it. I used to be able to find stuff at will.

I don't think you are alone here. Maybe another tweek or two in the upcoming days. opcorn:opcorn::thumbup:

...:agree:.... I am also one of the " what's new " knowledge seekers !!! …… However I realized quite awhile ago that using the " what have posted on feature " can get you to your most interested in posts / threads...……...Then I go back to " What's New " and browse for other interesting posts …...jmho ….. Mike :thumbup:

 

[JayBros]

As resistant to change as many of us old farts are supposed to be, I like the changes.

 

[Jarred]

I’ve been “bookmarking “ the threads I’m interested in following up on. That seems to work.
I’d say about 85% of my “Spyder knowledge “ has been obtained using this forum. It’s the only Spyder forum I’m using these days. Considering it’s free... I’ll just roll with the changes and be thankful this website exists. A lot of you have provided me with tremendous knowledge/advice that has saved me countless hours of independent research.

 

[ARtraveler]

All good information above. Thanks. :bowdown:

The "view your threads" area will take you to "view all your posts." A round about way of finding what I want--but it works. :bowdown:

 

[canamjhb]

As resistant to change as many of us old farts are supposed to be, I like the changes.

You are helping to make my point. Changes are good as long as they are beneficial. But changes for the sake of change are not. Again, I pose the question; What was wrong with the way it was? It was simple to use and effective. The audiance of this forum are mostly middle age and older. I have no use for a system designed for 20-30 something year olds. And, I have yet to find any changes that I like. But, I am open minded to try to know of any.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Please keep in mind that AnthonyG (the server admin) and not Lamonster (the content admin and board owner) is responsible for the changes. He really had no choice in doing this upgrade as one of the underlying pieces of code (PHP, I think) was running an older version that is going EOL (End of Life) next month. Had AnthonyG not taken the steps to upgrade to a newer version of software that is fully supported, the Spyderlovers forum itself was at serious risk. Bringing it back to life would have been far more difficult than this transition has been. It is the same forum SW, just a newer version with some added / changed features. As a retired Software Engineer, I commend AnthonyG for his efforts and also for taking additional measures to help with the transition (see below, for one of them).

I, too, was a "what's new" junkie and have now found that I flip back and forth between "what's new" and "today's posts" (and AnthonyG has moved this right next to "what's new" … this way, if I have not made any updates yet, I just do as I always did and look at what's new. However, if I have made an update or started a new thread, I then go to "today's posts" to get back to a view that shows me what I just did. In addition, I like changes such as …. the division in the view that says shows posts I haven't looked at (so, technically new to me) but that have no updates. I also like the color coding of the Admin, Moderator, and Peon in the avatar names and the "who's on" display.

So, some of this takes getting used to … I agree. But, AnthonyG really had no choice …. and I am sure he got Lamonts approval before proceeding.

All the best …. Ann

 

[Kiry]

I am fine with the changes myself. I can still use the site, get information, see new threads, respond to ones I've been involved with just fine.

Regarding EOL, I believe that is correct. At my office, they are rolling with new updates before the end of year because of the issues around IE and old windows no longer being supported. Need to roll into the new coding to prevent corruption and possible loss of information, which would be awful for a site like this.

 

[AnthonyG]

I guess this question is directed to Lamont as this is his forum. Before the "upgraded" changes, this forum was easy to use and predictable. With the "upgrade" I find it not as user friendly. I am one of those who almost exclusively used the "whats new" catagory. I "get it" that after I read something in the "whats new" catgory that it is no longer new to me. But the catagory is "whats new" NOT "whats new to me". There are 20 different catagories plus Home, Store, and Gallery. It is difficult for me to go back to "where I was" in a given day to see responses or make additions to a thread I am interested in. Previously, it was easy because I "lived" in the "whats new" catagory. Now I have over 20 different catagories where my interests could be. In fact, after posting this initial post, It does not come up when I click on "whats new". I also "get it" that there are things I can do to click here, click there. pull up key words, etc. to try to locate what I want. But why? Were there people who were having trouble navigating the forum in it's old configuration? Frankly I found the old configuration easy. The new "upgraded" configuration is combersome and is leaving me with over 8 pages of "Whats New". Sorry to be such a nag but I no longer feel at home in this forum. Perhaps many or most of the members who are more techie than I find it good. I don't. So, what was wrong with the way it was.....?

The reason "What's New" is different is because Vbulletin removed an option on the backend, ive been trying to avoid this answer as most arent going to know WTH im talking about.

Thread/Post Marking used to have 3 options, 90% of Vbulletin owners/admins, always used Cookie, Vbulletin decided in their infinite wisdom to remove 2 options, leaving us with automatic database marking, Cookie which is what was used here since i set it up years ago, no longer exists.

What's New can no longer keep track of what you read or didnt read the old way, there is no way to change it back.

I've added a few things to make stuff easier for you all after this change.

It was also posted as to why the upgrade happened, just like past upgrades, it was required to keep inline with php 5.6 going EOL next month, php 7 is now installed on the server, vbulletin 4.2.3 the old version here, dont work on php 7, thus, vbulletin 4.2.5 was installed & is the last of the 4.x.x series.

The site is exactly as it was before, minus the thread marking functions & how Whats New worked.

If you think this version is bad, try a site running vbulletin 5.

As Lamont is laid up due to being Ill, i wouldnt expect an answer any time soon from him.

I took over running the site for him until he is back on his feet.

5 yrs ago i was going to turn options on he always had off, ie quick reply & a few others, at this point, im able to run amuk until he is back lol

 

[AnthonyG]

I also like the color coding of the Admin, Moderator, and Peon in the avatar names and the "who's on" display.

So, some of this takes getting used to … I agree. But, AnthonyG really had no choice …. and I am sure he got Lamonts approval before proceeding.

All the best …. Ann

I never said PEON's in the PM lmfao....

 

[Grandpot]

We all like to live with the "Comfortable Shoe Syndrome" and find change awkward. After awhile we will all get used to the changes. I actually like them.

 

[billybovine]

Once I figured out that using today's posts works almost exactly like the old what's new. I don't really have anything to complain about. Also like the shortcut, view your threads or posts, that AnthonyG added.

AnthonyG since you have added the Quick Reply option. The reply to thread button does not work any more. Why don't you just remove it?

 

[AnthonyG]

Once I figured out that using today's posts works almost exactly like the old what's new. I don't really have anything to complain about. Also like the shortcut, view your threads or posts, that AnthonyG added.

AnthonyG since you have added the Quick Reply option. The reply to thread button does not work any more. Why don't you just remove it?

Technically it will work if you type something in the quick reply box, then click it, it will take you to the full editor page, like clicking go advanced.

Im not sure why Vb left it in the style after quick reply is on, i may remove it later on, not sure.

 

[JerryB]

Hi canamjhb,

Re: Before the "upgraded" changes, this forum was easy to use and predictable.

Think about it as a new wife. She will do the same things as the old one did; but you have to find out new things about her.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[JayBros]

...AnthonyG since you have added the Quick Reply option. The reply to thread button does not work any more. Why don't you just remove it?

On my computer, clicking the Reply to Thread button puts the the cursor in the Quick Reply window.

 

[AnthonyG]

It should do that as well.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi canamjhb,

Re: Before the "upgraded" changes, this forum was easy to use and predictable.

Think about it as a new wife. She will do the same things as the old one did; but you have to find out new things about her.

Jerry Baumchen

:shocked: You've been married before: haven't you?

 

[Highwayman2013]

This is a test.

 

[BryanSD]

The reason "What's New" is different is because Vbulletin removed an option on the backend, ive been trying to avoid this answer as most arent going to know WTH im talking about.

Thread/Post Marking used to have 3 options, 90% of Vbulletin owners/admins, always used Cookie, Vbulletin decided in their infinite wisdom to remove 2 options, leaving us with automatic database marking, Cookie which is what was used here since i set it up years ago, no longer exists.

What's New can no longer keep track of what you read or didnt read the old way, there is no way to change it back.

I've added a few things to make stuff easier for you all after this change.

It was also posted as to why the upgrade happened, just like past upgrades, it was required to keep inline with php 5.6 going EOL next month, php 7 is now installed on the server, vbulletin 4.2.3 the old version here, dont work on php 7, thus, vbulletin 4.2.5 was installed & is the last of the 4.x.x series.

The site is exactly as it was before, minus the thread marking functions & how Whats New worked.

If you think this version is bad, try a site running vbulletin 5.

Anthony, thanks for all your hard work. I think detailed explanations are good (IT is my day job). The bottom line people that still may not understand...if Anthony didn't spend time NOW to upgrade to the new software, SpyderLovers.com likely would have gone bye bye in 2019. The software developers (for vBulletin or PHP) and the web hosting companies are forcing website owners to using newer software that runs PHP 7 (as opposed to PHP 5). So in my book this is a good thing that vBulletin was upgraded now. This isn't just a SpyderLovers or vBulletin thing but also affects other web software out there too. For example, my favorite is Drupal and the developers made similar announcements of the need to upgrade: https://dri.es/the-end-of-php-5