The administrator on a different forum I am on a lot is about to go through the same thing. Sounds like a lot of work, I know a LOT of what administrator s do is behind the scenes to keep spambots under control, and that can be a full time job by itself. I will try not to be a grumpy old man and complain too much (relatively new here, so not so set in my ways).
The Garage Journal V3
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
- Status
macgee
Well-known member
Thank you Ryan for all of your time and effort in this; I'm sure its far from easy and tremendously nerve racking.
I for one hate change and enjoy very much using the current version however, I can totally understand the need for upgrading and making GJ more secure. I'm betting that you've also been hating to deal with those late night large scale intrusive foreign spamming threads popping up in the General Tool section?
I guess my request is to Please do not have GJ mimic the same format as Groups.IO. Forums that have moved to that format has become less undesirable to visit and use (at least to me). I loathe at the thought of having to visit them and have stopped going to them unless I have to. My use of GJ has increased dramatically because of this. Of course its your site and your propagative to do what is needed and I'll totally respect that.
Lastly, I want to say a big Thank You for creating GJ and the way you have monitored it. It has been a civil, very friendly and enjoyable forum to visit on a regular basis and that's because of the way you have shaped it. Cheers!
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larry4406
Well-known member
Hopefully the addition of the "Like" button will entice responders to simply click it instead of hitting quote reply, offering a comment, and then all of the pictures repeat again.
OP
Repeating images in Xenforo is no longer an issue...
rlitman
Well-known member
I feel your pain. Upgrades ****. Migrations **** even more, yet when the time comes, the bandage needs to be ripped off. Anyway, i just appreciate the open channel of communication. That alone sets you head and shoulders above other forums out there.
And this deserves a HUGE THANK YOU! Keep doing what you're doing, and we'll follow.
Ryan, I'm assuming there will be notifications like other forums? Like button?
Historically, the biggest issue I have with this current platform is that you never get notifications of replies so you have to go back and search for your post to see if it was responded to or quoted.
Historically, the biggest issue I have with this current platform is that you never get notifications of replies so you have to go back and search for your post to see if it was responded to or quoted.
OP
Yes on both accounts.
This may have been covered already, but this thread is long, so I didn't catch it.
Is all the existing content going to be ported to the new format? Do I have to start backing up my posts having historical information and research?
Also, what will be the character limit per post on the new format?
Is all the existing content going to be ported to the new format? Do I have to start backing up my posts having historical information and research?
Also, what will be the character limit per post on the new format?
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paulsomlo
Well-known member
Can you limit the ability to PM to those with a minimum post count? I'm thinking scammers that register, never post, and respond to want ads.
Strouty
Well-known member
If you think this thread is long, probably won’t have to worry about all the other content being ported over, you would never be able to read it all.....
Wrench97
Well-known member
VBulletin has been my favorite forum interface but Xenforo is currently the way to go for forum software.
As long as you don't sell out to Vertical Scope I'll be happy
As long as you don't sell out to Vertical Scope I'll be happy
I know there's a ton of content. My questions reflect concern over that content. I've written a few historical essays in the forum, and I would like to insure that hard work is preserved, and to find out whether lengthy individual posts will port intact. Since you probably didn't know this, you may have not understood the purpose of my asking. Since your comment does not answer either one, what exactly was your point of the sarcasm?If you think this thread is long, probably won’t have to worry about all the other content being ported over, you would never be able to read it all.....
It's fine that you don't know the answers to both question. I didn't expect you to. Ryan will.
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Strouty
Well-known member
Because I felt that it was pretty lazy to not look at 80 comments to find the answer. If this was dozens of pages or thousands of comments maybe I wouldn’t have said anything at all.
To answer your question, yes all data will be ported, social groups are going away, if you don’t know what a social group is, it probably won’t be an issue.
To answer your question, yes all data will be ported, social groups are going away, if you don’t know what a social group is, it probably won’t be an issue.
Crazyhorse
Active member
In every other forum I have been on that has changed away from Vbulletin to Xenforo or other structures, all old links are dead, and must be edited and rebuilt 1 at a time. since this rarely is done by people because of the extreme time involved, they all wind up as 404's...
I'm curious why the switch away from Vbulletin, instead of just the latest version of it? The board I'm on that took over for Pirate4x4 when it tanked is using the latest Vbulletin, and it seems to run well, and format much better on a desktop than any xenforo or other platform sites do. It seems as soon as the software tries to make 1 layout fit all screen types, it winds up working ok on a phone, but sucking on a desktop...
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macgee
Well-known member
In every other forum I have been on that has changed away from Vbulletin to Xenforo or other structures, all old links are dead, and must be edited and rebuilt 1 at a time. since this rarely is done by people because of the extreme time involved, they all wind up as 404's...
I'm curious why the switch away from Vbulletin, instead of just the latest version of it? The board I'm on that took over for Pirate4x4 when it tanked is using the latest Vbulletin, and it seems to run well, and format much better on a desktop than any xenforo or other platform sites do. It seems as soon as the software tries to make 1 layout fit all screen types, it winds up working ok on a phone, but sucking on a desktop...
Goods question about the new updated Vbulletin.
If I read that correctly? Losing all past links would be a big bummer when needing to search old posts for valuable information/leads to parts and specs as most links posted in GJ are shortened visually in the post, so I'm not sure you could figure out how to get to the linked page on your own from what you can see in the post?
I know it can be important to have a good working format for phones but its a bummer when it's at the expense for desktop users (majority?) when it takes a hit in usability and visually just to suit phone browsers.
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Shiftless
Well-known member
I’m with Macgee on that.
I sometimes use my phone but much prefer an iPad. I can’t even remember the last time I accessed it on a desktop. My wife has a nice MacBookPro but that is “her” computer. By never touching it, I don’t get blamed for any glitch or slowdown that pops up. That happens once in a while. We’ve been an apple household almost since the beginning (late ‘80s) and have never had a system failure or crash that resulted in any loss of data.
I sometimes use my phone but much prefer an iPad. I can’t even remember the last time I accessed it on a desktop. My wife has a nice MacBookPro but that is “her” computer. By never touching it, I don’t get blamed for any glitch or slowdown that pops up. That happens once in a while. We’ve been an apple household almost since the beginning (late ‘80s) and have never had a system failure or crash that resulted in any loss of data.
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Homebody
Well-known member
I stopped reading after this post. Nailed it.
The only thing constant - is change.
Adapt, Overcome, or Go Away.
harley jim
Well-known member
I have been a member at the HAMB since before the change. I heard all the bitching and complaining over there.
I'm sure there were many problems that we never saw or heard about and just the logistics of changing all of the old threads over to work with the new system were probably enough to make most men throw up there hands and quit.
I noticed a little learning curve and a few did leave BUT it wasn't the end of the world as we knew it. I have no problem navigating the HAMB and dont anticipate any problem navigating here.
Gonna loose a couple but it really wont be noticed in the grand scheme of things.
I like GJ and the HAMB because of the way they work, I have tried several other sites and dont use them as it's harder to navigate the them.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
I'm sure there were many problems that we never saw or heard about and just the logistics of changing all of the old threads over to work with the new system were probably enough to make most men throw up there hands and quit.
I noticed a little learning curve and a few did leave BUT it wasn't the end of the world as we knew it. I have no problem navigating the HAMB and dont anticipate any problem navigating here.
Gonna loose a couple but it really wont be noticed in the grand scheme of things.
I like GJ and the HAMB because of the way they work, I have tried several other sites and dont use them as it's harder to navigate the them.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
On a slightly related topic, I've been a member of thefiringline.com and thehighroad.org for ages. thehighroad switched over to this new software a couple of years ago. People complained, but the new features make it a better place. thefiringline never did. I rarely visit there anymore. I support and look forward to the update here.
bczygan
Well-known member
Ooooooooooooo!!!..............A new shiny bauble!!!
Open, Open, Open!
Hey! A dumb question..............How far back are our posts kept available?
Bill
Open, Open, Open!
Hey! A dumb question..............How far back are our posts kept available?
Bill
Strouty
Well-known member
Bill, everyone has to start over, posts and post count will all be reset. Except I might be wrong.
harley jim
Well-known member
You'll cause a heart attack saying something like that.
I dont have a clue what my count is.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
I dont have a clue what my count is.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bill, everyone has to start over, posts and post count will all be reset. Except I might be wrong.
I guess I'll have to have to re-run my 10,000th post sweepstakes in 2028.
toyotadriver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,586
While it's natural to dislike change, change is a part of life. I like this format and will be sad to see it go away since it's pretty simple but I'm sure I'll get used to the new one....heck I might like it better than the old one eventually!!
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I still miss Windows XP.
Thank you. Perhaps the answer to question #1 was already in one of the posts in the thread. Forgive me for not being able to find it. I still feel there was no need for the condescending remark. I have made important contributions to the GJ knowledge base with my work.
But, while I appreciate your trying to answer the first question, you neglected to address question #2. What will be the character limit for each post in the new format? One cannot really answer the first without the second. I assume you do not know, otherwise you would have addressed it. I've published several essays in the forum where I had to continue editing to be under the character limit. I found that VB counts characters differently than Microsoft Word (the program I use to compose essays), so this was a problem, since VB would give results higher than Word. If the character limit in the new format is different, then some essays will not port to the new format. There are other essays in GJ that are also quite lengthy, and so the issue is critical to some content, among which is some very scholarly work by various members.
And so, without knowing for certain what the character limit will be, one cannot say for certain whether ALL content will port to the new format. I know of at least one form with rows and columns that may not port either.
These are questions that need to be answered by Ryan, who is not only the best qualified to answer, but will do so in a courteous, professional way.
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OP
Good example of how people start and contribute to arguments on the internet. I think homeboy was just kidding. And even if he wasn't, just ignore it... What's to gain by addressing it? Absolutely nothing.
In any case, Q&A:
Yes.
No.
I don't believe there is a character limit... and if there is, it will be within reason....
Ditto...
56Mark
Well-known member
What about DOS?
c:\documents\garagejournal.doc
Don't forget to copy to your 5 1/4 floppy a:
just messing with you. I liked XP too. It was pretty solid compared to some other versions.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks for answering those questions Ryan as I had the same ones.
One more if you don't mind. Will the ability to go back and edit remain intact? Some forums I belong to eliminate the ability to edit after about 15 minutes and it *****. I really like the ability to go back and edit whenever I want and would hate to see that feature disappear.
Thank you.
I love this analogy. I was just at the dentist this morning. They want me to change my routine. I don't want to. But i want my teethe to stick around so i guess I'm going to have to.
I don't really look at many forums other than GJ. I like it here, Im gonna stick around no matter. Thanks for all the hard work and effort.
Stewart
stillnostrebor
Well-known member
If it is going to be like the HAMB forum, it is going to be fantastic. That one is easily my favorite to read and navigate of the tens of tens of forums I frequent.
Thanks Ryan for putting an effort into what you do, rather than just phoning it in like most folks seem to do nowadays!
Thanks Ryan for putting an effort into what you do, rather than just phoning it in like most folks seem to do nowadays!
OP
Editing is tricky... Because we have pissed off users do nefarious things on occasion. Right now, for instance... editing after a certain period of time is turned off here... I would imagine we will have the same setup on the new format.
Same format.
I think I reached the current 10K char limit a couple of times (numerous URL links really eat up characters!). I'm told there's a shortcut for linking to URLs within this website, however, but never tried it yet. That would save a bunch of characters. Probably doesn't pay, now that things will be changing soon.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you. That would be a huge plus as far as I'm concerned.
I would hate to have editing disappear as well. I have links in my build thread that let people jump forward, sometimes years later, to the continuation of a specific project I'm working on. That requires me to edit the old reply where I last discussed it and add a link to jump ahead where the next discussion is on it.
Conversely, I also have some new discussions that link back to an old reply discussing it. I would have to add the link to the old reply before the editing timeout period, and sometimes its days before I get around to adding the link.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks, Ryan. I tried to research the character limit on the Xenforo site. From what I found, it does appear there is no limit (virtually, since one moderator stated the maximum field length for medium text is 16,777,215!). But it appears that the default setting is only 10,000 characters for a post. The Administrator can change that as he wishes in the Control Panel. I found references to changing limit in Control Panel to versions up to 2.1, so I ASSUME it's the same for v2.2. An admin was trying to post a long educational post and ran into the limit. Here's the thread:
https://xenforo.com/community/threads/posts-size-limit-issue.181903/
I did run into the VB's character limit with my essays on the GJ RHFT Study I posted back in June of last year. At the time, the VB limit was set to 20,000. I had to continue editing them down to get them under the limit. The three essays (according to MS Word) are two at 19,584 and one at 17,869. I have not checked my Lectrolite or JH Williams essays yet, but I recall they are lengthy too. I'm sure mine are not the only ones. If the limit is kept at the default 10,000, I don't see how these essays can port to the new format.
I am not trying to make things more difficult, Ryan. That we all appreciate your labors goes without saying. But as you're well aware, there can be all kinds of little 'gotcha' things involved with any of these software projects. It's virtually impossible to anticipate and find them all in advance. I just wanted to let you know what I found so that there may be one less. I'm trying to think along and anticipate. Thanks again!
FrankLee
Well-known member
Character limit per post was changed from 10K to 20K in March '17 and now I'm bumping up against that limit in a few of my posts. Glad to hear there should be no limit.
I also edit very old posts often. Glad to hear that won't change.
Please give us a few days notice for the scheduled outage so we can prepare for the temporary withdrawal.
A few of my posts have marquees and embedded youtube videos using iframe syntax. Any issues with those?
I also edit very old posts often. Glad to hear that won't change.
Please give us a few days notice for the scheduled outage so we can prepare for the temporary withdrawal.
A few of my posts have marquees and embedded youtube videos using iframe syntax. Any issues with those?
Strouty
Well-known member
Maybe you guys should consider using less characters, when threads or posts get too long people don't read them.....
Quoted for irony....
Quoted for irony....
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