Why proboards... Why...?

[Willing Sniper]

Jan 23, 2013 0:46:19 GMT -8 DeltaDart said:

Jan 22, 2013 22:16:26 GMT -8 Willing Sniper said:

How do I know when our board will be upgraded?

Did you see the announcement yet on your admin page?

Nope. So that's how I know. Thank you

[RedBassett]

Jan 23, 2013 7:54:58 GMT -8 Dave Smith (greyhoundscene) said:

Jan 12, 2013 15:17:19 GMT -8 Brian said:

Yes. You can make an entire layout similar, if not identical to V4's layout in appearance, as I've evidenced here by recreating the default PBV4 layout's index page.

support.proboards.com/post/5006128/thread

Style tags are built into V5. Bonus points there. Add style="insert css here" to any of your BBCode and you can do a ton of crazy stuff.

If an existing code isn't present in our plugin database, request it and I'm sure someone will attempt to recreate it.

hi patrick,i would like to opt out of version 5 and keep everything as i already have it,where can i find out how to do so?

Greetings,

There will be an opt-out option in the admin panel once v5 is released. Note that opting-out will only delay conversion until at least the end of 2013.

[Dave Smith (greyhoundscene)]

thanks for the info

[Celeste]

Dave Smith (greyhoundscene), I can help you with converting your forum to v5, if you like.  It looks pretty straightforward to me. 

[Ryan Roos]

Wow, I just can't believe this is still going on...

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!!!

First, if you don't want to upgrade you don't have to (for now). Like we previously explained you can opt out until late this year.

Second, we're tired of explaining that everything in v4 is in v5 and actually easier (and we added more for advanced users). So we're implementing a new feature (two actually).

The first is a new admin map for navigation. This will include what I am calling a Legacy Map. That will be the literal v5 version of the v4 navigation. So for those complaining they can't find things because they are laid out different. No longer a problem. Use the Legacy Map. Of course the first 9 links all go to the same page because boards and categories all happen on one easy to use page now (and other pages wont show up at all, but that's what you guys want) At least you'll know where to click. There will also be an Action Map where you simply click the action you want and it takes you to the corresponding page.

The second new feature is going to be a toggle on the home page of the admin area.

This toggle will have two buttons.

Simple

and

Standard

Those of you that can't handle all the advanced features will click Simple. Half of the admin area will disappear from navigation for you. It will be gone. No more panicking over the features you don't understand. Everyone else can click standard and all the normal pages and links will still exist.

We've tried to explain over and over and over that we added more functionality for advanced users. V5 has everything v4 had and in a simpler package. But we also added advanced features. You don't have to use those advanced features we explained. But we just keep witnessing everyone saying how confusing and difficult v5 is to use and they directly mention the features that are even labeled Advanced. So now you don't have to see those at all.

In Standard Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
- Theme Export
- Theme Layout
Easy Theme Creator
Colors & Styles
- Theme Style Sheet
Layout Templates

In Simple Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
Easy Theme Creator

That's it. Two pages. Two pages that had all the functionality of v4 when it comes to themes (and a little more because you're stuck with some improvements).

No more CSS. No more Medium Editor. No more Templates. No more confusion. No more complaints.

Only the simplest core feature pages will appear to those of you that are overwhelmed and can't ignore the advanced features.


The admin area in v5 vs v4 is like the following...

You have an old car. We are giving you a new car. But this new car also has a special mods to the engine and some other racing features hidden inside the car. You can still drive it just like the old car. It has every single feature the old car had. They are even laid out better. In the old car the stereo had buttons all over the place, it wasn't logical at all. Now they are all just on the stereo itself in the center of the dashboard where they belong. All the features have been improved like this. Manual windows are power windows. Things are digital instead of analog. We also added some racing things like a spoiler and some nitrous to the car too though. These are for the drivers who like to race. The engine mods are for racers. Not the everyday people like yourselves. But what we're getting is huge blow back because we listened to requests from our racing members who wanted racing features. There's absolutely no reason you have to use any of the racing features. They are all under the hood. From your perspective the exterior of the car just looks a little newer, a little shinier. The engine still runs, the car still goes just like it used to (albeit faster). But a large group of you are freaking out because there happens to be some racing mods to the engine that you are in no way required to use.

So now we are hiding those from you. The car will look as much like your old one as is possible. It will still be a new car, but will look like a regular car, even under the engine because you can't handle that there might be racing feature for the racers. So no more racing features.

No more advanced customization features.

Let's end this complaint train. You don't have to upgrade. You don't really have to adapt anymore. You don't have to use new advanced features.

We are only asking that eventually you will have to upgrade and you will have to put an hours work into double checking that everything on your forum looks great. Thank you everyone for your time.

[Former Member]

Jan 22, 2013 16:49:53 GMT -8 Camille said:

I am very bitter that ProBoards is now putting out a product that simple people like me can no longer use. I'm an artist, not a technical person. Codes, css, javascript and all that gibberish are chicken scratches to me. And I don't have the time to learn it.  The beauty and lure of ProBoards forums was the simplicity of it for non-technical people like me.

I am the sole admin of our forum, and I'm not the most technical person on earth (not the least either, I have to confess), but I must say: I LOVE, love, LOVE this new version. Our 6 moderators are happy too, only one person had a tiny bit of a "grump", but it turned out she is using IE6. I don't even WANT to know what that would do to any modern site

Truly I don't think you need to learn codes, css, javascript and more gibberish to maintain the forum, all I did was change a few colors and add a banner, really no more is needed for it to look stunning OOTB. 

Mind you all changes take some getting used to, and that can be daunting. I remember our first TV set with a remote control, my Mom flatly refused to touch it and when we told her there was no OTHER way to change the channel, she held it at arm's length as if it would explode. Now she won't let my Dad anywhere near it and even programs her favorite shows into the HD recorder

Edit: oh I just see Ryan's post above mine, that wasn't there when I posted this Great news I guess, but I'd say one thing: Proboards team I notice you are bending backwards to please all... don't. People WILL get used (and grow to love) the new features, just give it time, lots of reassurance and a bit of hand holding. It'll be fine in the end

[Former Member]

I've been around for a long time here. I've seen several upgrades. Every time people complain about the changes and the new way of doing things. When the next upgrade comes along those same people complain about the changes and new way of doing things. They want to keep what they have, the thing they didn't want at first. Why complain? Just learn how to use it. Creating these forums is half the fun anyway. V5 crew? Thank you so much for all the hours you have put in to create this wonderful upgrade!! I still don't understand all of everything, but what I've learned so far is great!!!! Looking forwards to learning more

[Thesealion]

Jan 23, 2013 12:04:31 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

Wow, I just can't believe this is still going on...

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!!!

First, if you don't want to upgrade you don't have to (for now). Like we previously explained you can opt out until late this year.

Second, we're tired of explaining that everything in v4 is in v5 and actually easier (and we added more for advanced users). So we're implementing a new feature (two actually).

The first is a new admin map for navigation. This will include what I am calling a Legacy Map. That will be the literal v5 version of the v4 navigation. So for those complaining they can't find things because they are laid out different. No longer a problem. Use the Legacy Map. Of course the first 9 links all go to the same page because boards and categories all happen on one easy to use page now (and other pages wont show up at all, but that's what you guys want) At least you'll know where to click. There will also be an Action Map where you simply click the action you want and it takes you to the corresponding page.

The second new feature is going to be a toggle on the home page of the admin area.

This toggle will have two buttons.

Simple

and

Standard

Those of you that can't handle all the advanced features will click Simple. Half of the admin area will disappear from navigation for you. It will be gone. No more panicking over the features you don't understand. Everyone else can click standard and all the normal pages and links will still exist.

We've tried to explain over and over and over that we added more functionality for advanced users. V5 has everything v4 had and in a simpler package. But we also added advanced features. You don't have to use those advanced features we explained. But we just keep witnessing everyone saying how confusing and difficult v5 is to use and they directly mention the features that are even labeled Advanced. So now you don't have to see those at all.

In Standard Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
- Theme Export
- Theme Layout
Easy Theme Creator
Colors & Styles
- Theme Style Sheet
Layout Templates

In Simple Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
Easy Theme Creator

That's it. Two pages. Two pages that had all the functionality of v4 when it comes to themes (and a little more because you're stuck with some improvements).

No more CSS. No more Medium Editor. No more Templates. No more confusion. No more complaints.

Only the simplest core feature pages will appear to those of you that are overwhelmed and can't ignore the advanced features.


The admin area in v5 vs v4 is like the following...

You have an old car. We are giving you a new car. But this new car also has a special mods to the engine and some other racing features hidden inside the car. You can still drive it just like the old car. It has every single feature the old car had. They are even laid out better. In the old car the stereo had buttons all over the place, it wasn't logical at all. Now they are all just on the stereo itself in the center of the dashboard where they belong. All the features have been improved like this. Manual windows are power windows. Things are digital instead of analog. We also added some racing things like a spoiler and some nitrous to the car too though. These are for the drivers who like to race. The engine mods are for racers. Not the everyday people like yourselves. But what we're getting is huge blow back because we listened to requests from our racing members who wanted racing features. There's absolutely no reason you have to use any of the racing features. They are all under the hood. From your perspective the exterior of the car just looks a little newer, a little shinier. The engine still runs, the car still goes just like it used to (albeit faster). But a large group of you are freaking out because there happens to be some racing mods to the engine that you are in no way required to use.

So now we are hiding those from you. The car will look as much like your old one as is possible. It will still be a new car, but will look like a regular car, even under the engine because you can't handle that there might be racing feature for the racers. So no more racing features.

No more advanced customization features.

Let's end this complaint train. You don't have to upgrade. You don't really have to adapt anymore. You don't have to use new advanced features.

We are only asking that eventually you will have to upgrade and you will have to put an hours work into double checking that everything on your forum looks great. Thank you everyone for your time.

I'd just like to say an amazing thank you to ProBoards for this. I personally don't think it's needed, but I do think it's a huge statement you're making here that you do actually care about your customers. 90% of online companies even close to your size pretend to take input from members while never actually following through with the things that people beg for. Pretty much everything most of us wanted on PB and even some things that only a few wanted have been included in V5. Not to mention you guys haven't even released yet and are already adjusting things to make it easier and easier on people. This is the first time I have seen this from a company like yours and I commend you for it. The reason PB is and always will be the best forum service out there is they go above and beyond to make things easier, even when there is really no real need, just because it can make members happy.

[Vu1canF0rce]

Jan 22, 2013 18:56:32 GMT -8 AshFR said:

Jan 22, 2013 18:47:34 GMT -8 Vu1canF0rce said:

Just my 2c. From working literally and digitally in management and business scenarios and having been with PB since the earlllly days I can say what I want to say with some foundation:


ADAPT!!! I will, however, say that I myself do not like change. But guess what, sometimes it has nothing to do with the person/place/thing (PB in this case); it sometimes has to be the fact that admins and such get complacent with how things are (V4.5). I love ProBoards and loved V4.5 but I strongly encourage their changes to V5 and future releases. Yes, there are also things I disagree with that maybe was or wasn't added and I thought otherwise... but it's not my choice ultimately. But from a birds-eye perspective, V5 is going to be great. Not just because it's got shiny gradients and lots of bells and whistles, but because of it's more tight-knit integration with you and me. What? Yes, Patrick and the admins/devs who wrote (are writing) the V5 (and 5.x) software have us in mind and although this or that feature may or may not exist you have to keep in mind that they can't please everyone. That's a fact ... get over it. Learn to adapt. The whole point of V5Beta was to TEST the software and report bugs not rant and rave how it sux (which it doesn't). Plus it was a BETA that we were using. Move your H/F over, create your themes, test bugs, etc. If a H/F doesn't work and you coded it then LEARN the coding and fix it. If someone else coded it then ask on the dev boards for them to update it (if they haven't already). Therefore, most H/F issues should be resolved in one of these two cases OR by way of the, WAIT!, NEW FEATURES (plugins!). The old adage stands tried and true here "There's more than one way to skin a cat". Thus 99.9% of the things we see and do in V4.5 still exist in V5 and/or are enhanced in some form or fashion. You have to get out of your complacency and live and learn. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made and I trust that the ProBoards staff were wise enough and had integrity when choosing this/that feature to keep/add/remove to V5. So you have to ADAPT. I have and will adapt to all versions PB releases because that's what an admin/owner should do. Stand up in a kind, open-minded facet and work with what you've got.

I'm positive I'll get some who agree and then those who disagree. To each their own.

ProBoards, good job with V5 and keep up the great work!

Andrew

I couldn't of said it better myself.

Thank you AshFR for your kind remarks.

Jan 23, 2013 0:44:31 GMT -8 DeltaDart said:

Jan 22, 2013 18:47:34 GMT -8 Vu1canF0rce said:

Just my 2c. From working literally and digitally in management and business scenarios and having been with PB since the earlllly days I can say what I want to say with some foundation:


ADAPT!!! I will, however, say that I myself do not like change. But guess what, sometimes it has nothing to do with the person/place/thing (PB in this case); it sometimes has to be the fact that admins and such get complacent with how things are (V4.5). I love ProBoards and loved V4.5 but I strongly encourage their changes to V5 and future releases. Yes, there are also things I disagree with that maybe was or wasn't added and I thought otherwise... but it's not my choice ultimately. But from a birds-eye perspective, V5 is going to be great. Not just because it's got shiny gradients and lots of bells and whistles, but because of it's more tight-knit integration with you and me. What? Yes, Patrick and the admins/devs who wrote (are writing) the V5 (and 5.x) software have us in mind and although this or that feature may or may not exist you have to keep in mind that they can't please everyone. That's a fact ... get over it. Learn to adapt. The whole point of V5Beta was to TEST the software and report bugs not rant and rave how it sux (which it doesn't). Plus it was a BETA that we were using. Move your H/F over, create your themes, test bugs, etc. If a H/F doesn't work and you coded it then LEARN the coding and fix it. If someone else coded it then ask on the dev boards for them to update it (if they haven't already). Therefore, most H/F issues should be resolved in one of these two cases OR by way of the, WAIT!, NEW FEATURES (plugins!). The old adage stands tried and true here "There's more than one way to skin a cat". Thus 99.9% of the things we see and do in V4.5 still exist in V5 and/or are enhanced in some form or fashion. You have to get out of your complacency and live and learn. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made and I trust that the ProBoards staff were wise enough and had integrity when choosing this/that feature to keep/add/remove to V5. So you have to ADAPT. I have and will adapt to all versions PB releases because that's what an admin/owner should do. Stand up in a kind, open-minded facet and work with what you've got.

I'm positive I'll get some who agree and then those who disagree. To each their own.

ProBoards, good job with V5 and keep up the great work!

Andrew

Well said Vu1canF0rce

I'm sure one of the many reasons there is hesitation by some is in fact the fear of the unknown and they are just used to doing what they know rather than try something new and unfamiliar that looks difficult.  Let's face it the reason V4 is pleasing and easy to use is because of the years of learning how to create a board in it.  Well, guess what?  After some time with V5 you can all say the same thing, just give it time.

That said, I have little sympathy for any admin who did not take advantage of BetaZone.  BetaZone is a copy of your site!  You can do whatever you want to it with no fear of mucking up anything on your real site.  Talk about hands-on training!  What more can you ask for?  Maybe it's my advanced years, maybe it's my 26 years of military training, maybe it's my 15 years of post military retirement out in the real world or maybe it's just good ol' common sense that when an opportunity like this appears you need to make the time and just do it.  Pre-planning and preporation seem to be words lost in todays fast pace, gotta have it/do it now world, but Proboards putting up BetaZone has made it easy if you just take the time and use it.  It was one of the smartest things any company anywhere in the world could have done.

Bottom Line: ASK QUESTIONS... lots of folks here have the answers.  It's here, deal with it... Adapt as Andrew said.  Would you rather have Proboards NOT modernize, stay in the stone age of technology and just let everyone around them run them over?  I think not.  They wouldn't be around long if they allowed that to happen.  So, complain all you want, complaining is good, but stop the gripping and just get on with it and learn something new.  This V5 really is a good product... buggy yes, but still a good product for a 1st release.

Now, before you Proboards folks start getting big heads... fix my image upload problems!

Oh, one last thing.  I don't think Shrike url in his profile is his forum, looks like a website to me.  I could be wrong, but I don't list my forum in my profile either, just one of my main websites

Thank you DeltaDart first for your service in our military and secondly for your kind remarks.

Jan 23, 2013 13:05:23 GMT -8 @thecaptainstable said:

I've been around for a long time here. I've seen several upgrades. Every time people complain about the changes and the new way of doing things. When the next upgrade comes along those same people complain about the changes and new way of doing things. They want to keep what they have, the thing they didn't want at first. Why complain? Just learn how to use it. Creating these forums is half the fun anyway. V5 crew? Thank you so much for all the hours you have put in to create this wonderful upgrade!! I still don't understand all of everything, but what I've learned so far is great!!!! Looking forwards to learning more

@thecaptainstable, I agree completely.

Jan 23, 2013 13:18:29 GMT -8 Thesealion said:

Jan 23, 2013 12:04:31 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

Wow, I just can't believe this is still going on...

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!!!

First, if you don't want to upgrade you don't have to (for now). Like we previously explained you can opt out until late this year.

Second, we're tired of explaining that everything in v4 is in v5 and actually easier (and we added more for advanced users). So we're implementing a new feature (two actually).

The first is a new admin map for navigation. This will include what I am calling a Legacy Map. That will be the literal v5 version of the v4 navigation. So for those complaining they can't find things because they are laid out different. No longer a problem. Use the Legacy Map. Of course the first 9 links all go to the same page because boards and categories all happen on one easy to use page now (and other pages wont show up at all, but that's what you guys want) At least you'll know where to click. There will also be an Action Map where you simply click the action you want and it takes you to the corresponding page.

The second new feature is going to be a toggle on the home page of the admin area.

This toggle will have two buttons.

Simple

and

Standard

Those of you that can't handle all the advanced features will click Simple. Half of the admin area will disappear from navigation for you. It will be gone. No more panicking over the features you don't understand. Everyone else can click standard and all the normal pages and links will still exist.

We've tried to explain over and over and over that we added more functionality for advanced users. V5 has everything v4 had and in a simpler package. But we also added advanced features. You don't have to use those advanced features we explained. But we just keep witnessing everyone saying how confusing and difficult v5 is to use and they directly mention the features that are even labeled Advanced. So now you don't have to see those at all.

In Standard Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
- Theme Export
- Theme Layout
Easy Theme Creator
Colors & Styles
- Theme Style Sheet
Layout Templates

In Simple Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
Easy Theme Creator

That's it. Two pages. Two pages that had all the functionality of v4 when it comes to themes (and a little more because you're stuck with some improvements).

No more CSS. No more Medium Editor. No more Templates. No more confusion. No more complaints.

Only the simplest core feature pages will appear to those of you that are overwhelmed and can't ignore the advanced features.


The admin area in v5 vs v4 is like the following...

You have an old car. We are giving you a new car. But this new car also has a special mods to the engine and some other racing features hidden inside the car. You can still drive it just like the old car. It has every single feature the old car had. They are even laid out better. In the old car the stereo had buttons all over the place, it wasn't logical at all. Now they are all just on the stereo itself in the center of the dashboard where they belong. All the features have been improved like this. Manual windows are power windows. Things are digital instead of analog. We also added some racing things like a spoiler and some nitrous to the car too though. These are for the drivers who like to race. The engine mods are for racers. Not the everyday people like yourselves. But what we're getting is huge blow back because we listened to requests from our racing members who wanted racing features. There's absolutely no reason you have to use any of the racing features. They are all under the hood. From your perspective the exterior of the car just looks a little newer, a little shinier. The engine still runs, the car still goes just like it used to (albeit faster). But a large group of you are freaking out because there happens to be some racing mods to the engine that you are in no way required to use.

So now we are hiding those from you. The car will look as much like your old one as is possible. It will still be a new car, but will look like a regular car, even under the engine because you can't handle that there might be racing feature for the racers. So no more racing features.

No more advanced customization features.

Let's end this complaint train. You don't have to upgrade. You don't really have to adapt anymore. You don't have to use new advanced features.

We are only asking that eventually you will have to upgrade and you will have to put an hours work into double checking that everything on your forum looks great. Thank you everyone for your time.

I'd just like to say an amazing thank you to ProBoards for this. I personally don't think it's needed, but I do think it's a huge statement you're making here that you do actually care about your customers. 90% of online companies even close to your size pretend to take input from members while never actually following through with the things that people beg for. Pretty much everything most of us wanted on PB and even some things that only a few wanted have been included in V5. Not to mention you guys haven't even released yet and are already adjusting things to make it easier and easier on people. This is the first time I have seen this from a company like yours and I commend you for it. The reason PB is and always will be the best forum service out there is they go above and beyond to make things easier, even when there is really no real need, just because it can make members happy.

Thesealion, I agree with you in that PB staff shouldn't have to make such a statement b/c they do work so hard behind the scenes from what we get to see all to have people rant, rave, and complain. They fail to adapt and move on thus making such ridiculous posts and accusations while the rest of us adapt, accept what is, and enjoy the ride. It won't kill a single one of them/us to take a few minutes (or hours) with the cool new tools/toys we have at our disposal to literally make shorter work of what DID used to take many hours or days.


Andrew

[Dave Smith (greyhoundscene)]

Jan 23, 2013 9:04:50 GMT -8 Celeste said:

Dave Smith (greyhoundscene), I can help you with converting your forum to v5, if you like.  It looks pretty straightforward to me. 

thanks for the offer,im starting to grasp it,its just at my age ,being self taught i dont like change lol

[jani74]

IMHO
as an admin I had ca. 10minutes to learn the new admin interface, I like it


we also had lots of hacks in header&footer but I don't miss them at all (okay, I miss the spoiler button hack).

we all know at least since 2011 that a new version is coming and most of the hacks won't work on v5.

every admin have the responsibility to prep their site and users.

don't blame others if you were lazy to prep for v5.

[Stinky666]

Jan 24, 2013 4:18:49 GMT -8 jani74 said:

IMHO
as an admin I had ca. 10minutes to learn the new admin interface, I like it


we also had lots of hacks in header&footer but I don't miss them at all (okay, I miss the spoiler button hack).

we all know at least since 2011 that a new version is coming and most of the hacks won't work on v5.

every admin have the responsibility to prep their site and users.

don't blame others if you were lazy to prep for v5.

If you have a look in the Plugin board, I do believe there is a Spoiler tag plugin available already, by Todge.

[AshFR]

Jan 24, 2013 5:04:00 GMT -8 Stinky666 said:

Jan 24, 2013 4:18:49 GMT -8 jani74 said:

IMHO
as an admin I had ca. 10minutes to learn the new admin interface, I like it


we also had lots of hacks in header&footer but I don't miss them at all (okay, I miss the spoiler button hack).

we all know at least since 2011 that a new version is coming and most of the hacks won't work on v5.

every admin have the responsibility to prep their site and users.

don't blame others if you were lazy to prep for v5.

If you have a look in the Plugin board, I do believe there is a Spoiler tag plugin available already, by Todge.

support.proboards.com/thread/433410/spoiler-tags

Note that if you meant spoiler tags being there in general

SPOILER: Click to show

they are built in

.

[jani74]

yep, meanwhile spoiler-question has been solved

[Vu1canF0rce]

Jan 23, 2013 12:04:31 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

Wow, I just can't believe this is still going on...

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!!!

First, if you don't want to upgrade you don't have to (for now). Like we previously explained you can opt out until late this year. 

Second, we're tired of explaining that everything in v4 is in v5 and actually easier (and we added more for advanced users). So we're implementing a new feature (two actually).

The first is a new admin map for navigation. This will include what I am calling a Legacy Map. That will be the literal v5 version of the v4 navigation. So for those complaining they can't find things because they are laid out different. No longer a problem. Use the Legacy Map. Of course the first 9 links all go to the same page because boards and categories all happen on one easy to use page now (and other pages wont show up at all, but that's what you guys want) At least you'll know where to click. There will also be an Action Map where you simply click the action you want and it takes you to the corresponding page.

The second new feature is going to be a toggle on the home page of the admin area.

This toggle will have two buttons.

Simple

and

Standard

Those of you that can't handle all the advanced features will click Simple. Half of the admin area will disappear from navigation for you. It will be gone. No more panicking over the features you don't understand. Everyone else can click standard and all the normal pages and links will still exist.

We've tried to explain over and over and over that we added more functionality for advanced users. V5 has everything v4 had and in a simpler package. But we also added advanced features. You don't have to use those advanced features we explained. But we just keep witnessing everyone saying how confusing and difficult v5 is to use and they directly mention the features that are even labeled Advanced. So now you don't have to see those at all.

In Standard Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
- Theme Export
- Theme Layout
Easy Theme Creator
Colors & Styles
- Theme Style Sheet
Layout Templates

In Simple Mode you will see these pages for Themes for example:

THEMES
Theme Manager
- Theme Images
- Theme Groups & Ranks
Easy Theme Creator

That's it. Two pages. Two pages that had all the functionality of v4 when it comes to themes (and a little more because you're stuck with some improvements).

No more CSS. No more Medium Editor. No more Templates. No more confusion. No more complaints.

Only the simplest core feature pages will appear to those of you that are overwhelmed and can't ignore the advanced features.


The admin area in v5 vs v4 is like the following...

You have an old car. We are giving you a new car. But this new car also has a special mods to the engine and some other racing features hidden inside the car. You can still drive it just like the old car. It has every single feature the old car had. They are even laid out better. In the old car the stereo had buttons all over the place, it wasn't logical at all. Now they are all just on the stereo itself in the center of the dashboard where they belong. All the features have been improved like this. Manual windows are power windows. Things are digital instead of analog. We also added some racing things like a spoiler and some nitrous to the car too though. These are for the drivers who like to race. The engine mods are for racers. Not the everyday people like yourselves. But what we're getting is huge blow back because we listened to requests from our racing members who wanted racing features. There's absolutely no reason you have to use any of the racing features. They are all under the hood. From your perspective the exterior of the car just looks a little newer, a little shinier. The engine still runs, the car still goes just like it used to (albeit faster). But a large group of you are freaking out because there happens to be some racing mods to the engine that you are in no way required to use.

So now we are hiding those from you. The car will look as much like your old one as is possible. It will still be a new car, but will look like a regular car, even under the engine because you can't handle that there might be racing feature for the racers. So no more racing features.

No more advanced customization features.

Let's end this complaint train. You don't have to upgrade. You don't really have to adapt anymore. You don't have to use new advanced features.

We are only asking that eventually you will have to upgrade and you will have to put an hours work into double checking that everything on your forum looks great. Thank you everyone for your time. 

Ryan Roos, Although the complainers sadly griped enough to force PB's hand to do this Simple vs Standard option I just wanted to verify something with clarity. We know the simple layout will be the basic V4.5-ish look but will the standard be exactly as it is now with the awesome innovative navigation and big ol' box buttons? I'm sorry, I was not able to discern through your post when I originally read it (and was focusing on commenting to other folks). And also, will there be a feature (or cookie) that will remember our preferences so we don't have to choose either/or every single last time? As you've probably read I commend you guys for moving forward in innovation and I want all the features humanly (or digitally? lol) possible. Perhaps if not a forum-by-forum function it would be a Global Account setting or a setting the main admin (critical power?) could establish in the admin area for (simple,standard, both)? I'm sure you guys have already pegged this out but hopefully you can provide the clarity to these questions.


As always keep up the great work!

Andrew