Upgrade to v5 is a mess

[speedstox12]

Feb 9, 2013 14:15:02 GMT -8 Celeste said:

Feb 9, 2013 12:25:55 GMT -8 speedstox12 said:

As I have said before "when Yahoo have upgrades THESE SORT OF THINGS DO NOT HAPPEN". Why do they occur on Proboards?

Probably because Yahoo has not totally re-written their forum software for ten years or more.  No major changes means no major update problems.

As a result, Yahoo forums have lost a lot to competitors.  Mind you, I still belong to Yahoo groups, but in the last week there have been only nine new posts for seven forums in which I'm a member.  That outlook is NOT good, since similar forums elsewhere (ProBoards and Facebook, among others) get much more traffic. 

Well that's a different scenario to the Yahoo sites that I visit. They are always busy, regular messages and addition to sections like Photos, Files and Links. But then their members don't seem to have problems logging on to the Yahoo sites!

[DeltaDart]

Feb 9, 2013 16:21:07 GMT -8 speedstox12 said:

Feb 9, 2013 14:15:02 GMT -8 Celeste said:

Probably because Yahoo has not totally re-written their forum software for ten years or more.  No major changes means no major update problems.

As a result, Yahoo forums have lost a lot to competitors.  Mind you, I still belong to Yahoo groups, but in the last week there have been only nine new posts for seven forums in which I'm a member.  That outlook is NOT good, since similar forums elsewhere (ProBoards and Facebook, among others) get much more traffic. 

Well that's a different scenario to the Yahoo sites that I visit. They are always busy, regular messages and addition to sections like Photos, Files and Links. But then their members don't seem to have problems logging on to the Yahoo sites!

Sounds like a move from PB's to Yahoo Groups is in your near future since in your opinion PB sucks and Yahoo is god.  Yahoo Groups is as generic as Yahoo mail is, but good luck with that and more power to you.  Cheers

[speedstox12]

Feb 9, 2013 16:30:47 GMT -8 DeltaDart said:

Feb 9, 2013 16:21:07 GMT -8 speedstox12 said:

Well that's a different scenario to the Yahoo sites that I visit. They are always busy, regular messages and addition to sections like Photos, Files and Links. But then their members don't seem to have problems logging on to the Yahoo sites!

Sounds like a move from PB's to Yahoo Groups is in your near future since in your opinion PB sucks and Yahoo is god.  Yahoo Groups is as generic as Yahoo mail is, but good luck with that and more power to you.  Cheers

Another thing about Yahoo groups: as it doesn't "seem to be broken they see no need to mend it" and have therefore not created a myriad of problems.

I do "own" a Yahoo site already (on a different topic) and have two Proboard forums also on different topics.

[Sophia]

Good for you! Good luck and goodbye

[Shrike]

speedstox12, what specific errors/messages are users getting when they're trying to login?

[tsrwright]

Feb 9, 2013 3:09:03 GMT -8 pawl said:

I'd like to point out two things here;
Firstly, anybody that doesn't have a green, orange or red name isn't Support Staff - they're just members that have been around lately playing with v5, and offering help to people with problems. Anybody in green and orange is a voluntary (read; unpaid and with real-world responsibilities away from here) staff member. Red-named members however are ProBoards Administrators - people whose full time jobs are at the ProBoards office, and who are directly working on v5. Both Brian and Michael have already offered help, Michael going so far as to say that he will sort out any problems you or your members are having. I've tagged both, so I'd wait for one of them to turn back up when they're next working.


And lastly; the reply button is at the bottom of the page, to the right of the Quick Reply title, where it's always been.
Your forum hasn't had that much in the way of modification (none that I can see, actually), so the change-over (and getting used to the slightly tweaked appearance) should be incredibly easy for you, and your members. Regarding the problems logging in, I'll let one of the others handle that (as they have offered to), because I've yet to experience problems like this, and don't really have the knowledge to fix them.

So, could we perhaps stop with the name calling (this applies to ALL parties concerned), calm down a little, and work towards getting you back on track? =]

Let's deal with the detail first. There are some fundamentally flawed ergonomics regarding "reply".

If you want to reply with a quote you hit the "Quote" button; it should be called "Reply with quote" or the 'Quote'  button should be a toggle with a Reply button on each post. Going to the top for Reply or bottom for 'Quick Reply' not clearly differentiated from 'Reply' is very poor.

Anyway, when last night I hit a Quote I did not get the Quote for that message. Bug? Misunderstanding? Christ, how is this thing supposed to work (I ask)?

Problems logging in? A number of examples have been presented here but none of them have had any response that I can see and it is obvious from another thread (where I now know the staff answer questions) that these problems are widespread.

More generally I was sent to this thread by means of the link support.proboards.com/<wbr>thread/446274/upgrade-v5-mess. Note it doesn't give any indication of the sub-board which is General Discussion. I assumed I was going the official support 'place' but it turns out this is just a place for amateurs not the people who run Proboards. This explains, but does not excuse, the seriously snotty (maybe I meant snooty) responses by some here to members of my board (note I am just a member) who are in genuine difficulty.

It appears our board was updated to V5 without any preparation or understanding and maybe while the administrator was in hospital! Whether this upgrade was selected by him or the system defaulted to upgrade in his absence I do not know but I can certainly understand his distress at the situation we are in. This seems primarily to be problems with re-establishing members log-ins to the board on V5. It's clearly far too easy to cock it up as I did myself and it surely needs review.

Clearly queries and general whinges such as ours should have been directed to support.proboards.com/board/44/support-board where there appears to be professional, courteous support by ProBoards staff.

[Sophia]

Ok... even though this is flamebait, I'll bite

Let's take your points one by one, and I'll try to answer them, even though I'm only one of those snotty, snooty just members.

Let's deal with the detail first. There are some fundamentally flawed ergonomics regarding "reply".

If you want to reply with a quote you hit the "Quote" button; it should be called "Reply with quote" or the 'Quote'  button should be a toggle with a Reply button on each post. Going to the top for Reply or bottom for 'Quick Reply' not clearly differentiated from 'Reply' is very poor.

That is your personal preference, and you are definitely entitled to that. Note that most of what you wish for can be accomplished on your own forum (unlike the sacret Yahoo groups your buddy seems to like so much). Ask nicely and people will explain exactly how to do that... problem solved.

Anyway, when last night I hit a Quote I did not get the Quote for that message. Bug? Misunderstanding? Christ, how is this thing supposed to work (I ask)?

When you hit Quote, you are supposed to get Quote. That is exactly how it is supposed to work, your question answered. So yes, it probably was a bug or misunderstanding, good for you to notice!

Problems logging in? A number of examples have been presented here but none of them have had any response that I can see and it is obvious from another thread (where I now know the staff answer questions) that these problems are widespread.

I am not an insider, far from it, but I'd guess there are millions of Proboards users, probably hundreds of thousands who's board admin already converted to version 5.  You have seen, 10, perhaps 20 problems? That tells me that overall, it actually works flawlessly. It does seem though that your (buddy's) board has had a fair share, and you do well to ask if there might be a problem. 
As for the "number of examples provided here", first of all, I don't think at all you had the right to publicly post someone's PRIVATE email address here. Did you have their permission? And even then, no details were given as to WHAT errors they got. Can you answer Shrike, who asked a very civilized question and received no answer at all?

Finally, ans more generally I was sent to this thread by means of the link support.proboards.com/<wbr>thread/446274/upgrade-v5-mess. Note it doesn't give any indication of the sub-board which is General Discussion. I assumed I was going the official support 'place' but it turns out this is just a place for amateurs not the people who run Proboards. This explains, but does not excuse, the seriously snotty (maybe I meant snooty) responses by some here to members of my board (note I am just a member) who are in genuine difficulty.

The proper support board is the "Support board", surprisingly. It is at the top of the Support Proboards forum. Your buddy posted this in the WRONG PLACE, but the snooty, snotty amateurs were kind enough to offer support. You also got at least 2 official responses with a personal offer to help you out. What did they get back? Flack... nice!

Feb 9, 2013 17:14:42 GMT -8 tsrwright said:

It appears our board was updated to V5 without any preparation or understanding and maybe while the administrator was in hospital! Whether this upgrade was selected by him or the system defaulted to upgrade in his absence I do not know but I can certainly understand his distress at the situation we are in. This seems primarily to be problems with re-establishing members log-ins to the board on V5. It's clearly far too easy to cock it up as I did myself and it surely needs review. 

The upgrade has to be done deliberately and can be done by the forum owner alone. See this thread how upgrades take place: support.proboards.com/thread/446070/new-layout No need for repeats as this thread explains it all.

Hope that helps, please take a minute to examine the evidence before you throw all your toys out of the pram. Disclaimer: I have absolutely no affiliation with Proboards whatsoever, I've just been posting lately because I like to help people out who are trying to grasp this update. However I'm done with this thread now, I can't take this bashing any longer.

Have fun with Yahoo!

[dno]

Before getting angry and saying that your forum is a mess?
Maybe someone should point out the steps that were taken?
This was in the admin area:


So you clicked "get started" and didn't bother to test v5 (which was an option given on the same page)
You were then taken here:



After all the advice you still clicked "upgrade my forum".
Then you got angry on the support forum (when people tried to help)
(even people with no vested interest in your forum tried to help)
Getting angry will solve nothing.

[Celeste]

Feb 9, 2013 16:21:07 GMT -8 speedstox12 said:

Well that's a different scenario to the Yahoo sites that I visit.

We've had different experiences then. That happens. Fair enough.

Feb 8, 2013 20:37:34 GMT -8 tsrwright said:

Maybe you can help this guy:



Hello,



I am here in the states and trying to register, Having difficulty. Would like to request

a little help.

Thank you,



Dick O'Dea



(aol email removed)

Can you ask Dick at which point he is having troubles? Does he get an error message? What browser and operating system does he use?

I'm not trying to argue or give you grief. I'm trying to help you and Dick. These are all standard questions asked by IT people when people run into a computer problem.

Help us help you.


Edited to Add:
Once answers to Dick's problem is addressed, we'll move on to the other examples you gave.  The same questions will be asked of those members to pinpoint the cause of the problem.  Just so you know.

Since it wasn't given by the OP, here is the website URL for those wanting to help: midgetcarpanorama.proboards.com/

[tsrwright]

Hmmm, well member posted his email address on the forum so what's the secret?

And I am not a forum administrator.

I feel sure that members purporting to give others advice should first
make themselves familiar with the latest official advice and promulgate
that rather than adding to the bewilderment that is already out there.
See the Support Protocol para 4: Only reply if you can actually help the requester. By not following this you have done ProBoards a disservice.

Quite simply there is a FAQ posted less than 48 hours ago about the time we first started complaining.

It is as follows:

support.proboards.com/post/5157650/thread

As far as I can see it answers, in a clear, professional fashion, all the questions we have raised, or at least gives us an approach to problem solving.

[Sophia]

Feb 9, 2013 21:06:28 GMT -8 tsrwright said:

I feel sure that members purporting to give others advice should first
make themselves familiar with the latest official advice and promulgate
that rather than adding to the bewilderment that is already out there.
See the Support Protocol para 4: Only reply if you can actually help the requester. By not following this you have done ProBoards a disservice.

Quite simply there is a FAQ posted less than 48 hours ago about the time we first started complaining.

It is as follows:

support.proboards.com/post/5157650/thread

As far as I can see it answers, in a clear, professional fashion, all the questions we have raised, or at least gives us an approach to problem solving.

Oh my gosh, I said I'd not post again here, but you are too much... I guess you did not pick up on the fact that Michael himself pointed to his own post - that you just referred to - on page one of this very thread?

Oh wait, I see you did notice that post, you even mocked and snubbed it ...  I think I got your number now. 

Anyway glad all your woes are over, and don't worry, I shall NEVER answer any questions of yours again... learned my lesson... 

[Former Member]

Feb 9, 2013 21:06:28 GMT -8 tsrwright said:

Hmmm, well member posted his email address on the forum so what's the secret?

And I am not a forum administrator.

I feel sure that members purporting to give others advice should first
make themselves familiar with the latest official advice and promulgate
that rather than adding to the bewilderment that is already out there.
See the Support Protocol para 4: Only reply if you can actually help the requester. By not following this you have done ProBoards a disservice.

Quite simply there is a FAQ posted less than 48 hours ago about the time we first started complaining.

It is as follows:

support.proboards.com/post/5157650/thread

As far as I can see it answers, in a clear, professional fashion, all the questions we have raised, or at least gives us an approach to problem solving.

You do realise this isn't a Support board? it is infact a V5 General talk board for General V5 discussions. 

The main support board is located on the home page of this forum. 

Regarding the protocol part. Most of these members were trying to help with the situation. You never answered their questions and only brought another service in like Yahoo, which is by far different than ProBoards. To ensure fast and quality service on both ends of the Members and your self, both need to answer each question given, and answered without snark remarks. 

For me I had an issue with some coding and theme issues. I never bashed on PB being a poor quality service. I asked a question, they answered, when they asked a question, I then answered. Now that I have the issues fixed, I am happy. I was happy all the time, only because these issues will happen.

Just because they upgraded their software doesn't mean they shouldn't upgrade it. If a site stays the same for 10+ years and nothing changes, you'll lose customers. I think this change will be great for the future of PB.

Also this might be a bad analogy, but look at Facebook, they change their look all the time. Everyone complains about how horrible it is, and then once they get used to it, it's great, they love it. Same with YouTube. No one loves change, but it has to be done. With that said. I bid you farewell and hope everything goes well!

Have a good day!

[Celeste]

Ah.  Now I understand.  I thought your group was still having problems with logging in, so I was trying to get to the bottom of it.  Communication breakdown.  Glad your problems were solved. 

Good luck on whatever you and your admin decide to do about your forum. 

 

[Michael]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to lock this thread because it's sort of fell from discussion to something else entirely. 

tsrwright and speedstox12 please feel free to create a thread on the Support Board if you have any questions, concerns, or require assistance. There is always an Admin present 9:00AM-5:00PM Pacific Time (-0800 GMT) We would love to help you, and any other members of your respective forums with any issues they may have logging in. 

I would also like to point out that v5 does not require you to 'reactivate' your account. The primary objective of the 'account upgrade' process is to give users a chance to review and confirm their details. I know that many users have changed email addresses, forgotten passwords, forgotten usernames, among other things. The upgrade to v5 is a good chance to make sure that things like people who are using 'password' for their password are forced to pick something more secure.

Thank you.