Why proboards... Why...?

[AshFR]

Jan 17, 2013 13:08:38 GMT -8 Camille said:

Ryan Roos, your info-graphic is spectacular!  Very well done!

But when it comes to the part where you say "getting a plug-in is as simple as clicking a link and saving the file" that's when I'm lost.  Save to what file?  I'm pretty much a computer dummie.

I've looked around the Admin Panel of the v5 copy of my forum, and to tell you the truth, I can't figure out anything.  And I don't have time for extensive experimentation.  I'm one of those people, I guess, that shouldn't even have a forum since I know so little about codes, plug-ins, css, templates and Javascript. 

(The other issue I have is not a ProBoards problem.  Because I have an old computer that cannot be upgraded past IE8, I cannot see the v5 conversion of my board properly unless I use Firefox.  And since I can't stand Firefox, I will have to go out and buy a new computer.  That's why I'll be opting out of converting until the end of 2013.  But even then I may just give up and delete my forum.)

Right click the plug-in and click save as (Plugin Name), like when you save an image or better yet, link to you're computer.

Edit : Not sure if that's only Google Chrome I haven't use IE since somewhere in 2012 I was convinced to use G-Chrome and been using it since.

[Michael Hill]

Jan 16, 2013 18:50:47 GMT -8 Willing Sniper said:

It's like Dream Weaver. It is getting so much easier. I still don't like some things, but there were things about V4 that were wonky. I think everything is going to be okay.

I am concerned that my moderator found she could add herself to the admin group in her profile edit area

We're looking into this issue right now, but need a little more information to pin-point the problem:

• URL of the forum
• Member's name
• Was she able to add herself immediately after converting, or did it happen at a later time?
• If you fixed the problem, what settings did you have to change?

Thank you!

[Willing Sniper]

Would it be better if the groups tab was gone altogether

[Camille]

Jan 17, 2013 13:27:03 GMT -8 Ryan Roos said:

Jan 17, 2013 13:08:38 GMT -8 Camille said:

Ryan Roos, your info-graphic is spectacular!  Very well done!

But when it comes to the part where you say "getting a plug-in is as simple as clicking a link and saving the file" that's when I'm lost.  Save to what file?  I'm pretty much a computer dummie.

I've looked around the Admin Panel of the v5 copy of my forum, and to tell you the truth, I can't figure out anything.  And I don't have time for extensive experimentation.  I'm one of those people, I guess, that shouldn't even have a forum since I know so little about codes, plug-ins, css, templates and Javascript. 

(The other issue I have is not a ProBoards problem.  Because I have an old computer that cannot be upgraded past IE8, I cannot see the v5 conversion of my board properly unless I use Firefox.  And since I can't stand Firefox, I will have to go out and buy a new computer.  That's why I'll be opting out of converting until the end of 2013.  But even then I may just give up and delete my forum.)

You save the plugin to your computer. And then you upload the plugin to your forum.

In the future there will be a button in the plugin library that will allow you to directly install plugins to your forum to make it even easier.

ProBoards Version 5 is compatible with Internet Explorers 7 8 9, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera. You don't need a new computer to use version 5. Any limitations you experience are those of the internet itself. For example you may notice that with Internet Explorer you often don't see rounded corners on things, that's just old IE. What you choose to do with regards to your computer is up to you, but it has nothing to do with ProBoards. If something is broken for you in a browser I listed you are allowed to report it as a bug during the Beta so that we can fix it. As long as it isn't a limitation of the browser itself we will fix it. If you don't like Firefox for some reason you could always try Chrome. I personally don't get the loyalty to IE when it's not doing the job its supposed to (anywhere online). Though I am happy that you at least want to upgrade... IE (but not ProBoards?).

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
(see visual on Page 8)
Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

[Camille]

Jan 17, 2013 13:29:09 GMT -8 AshFR said:

Jan 17, 2013 13:08:38 GMT -8 Camille said:

Ryan Roos, your info-graphic is spectacular!  Very well done!

But when it comes to the part where you say "getting a plug-in is as simple as clicking a link and saving the file" that's when I'm lost.  Save to what file?  I'm pretty much a computer dummie.

I've looked around the Admin Panel of the v5 copy of my forum, and to tell you the truth, I can't figure out anything.  And I don't have time for extensive experimentation.  I'm one of those people, I guess, that shouldn't even have a forum since I know so little about codes, plug-ins, css, templates and Javascript. 

(The other issue I have is not a ProBoards problem.  Because I have an old computer that cannot be upgraded past IE8, I cannot see the v5 conversion of my board properly unless I use Firefox.  And since I can't stand Firefox, I will have to go out and buy a new computer.  That's why I'll be opting out of converting until the end of 2013.  But even then I may just give up and delete my forum.)

Right click the plug-in and click save as (Plugin Name), like when you save an image or better yet, link to you're computer.

Edit : Not sure if that's only Google Chrome I haven't use IE since somewhere in 2012 I was convinced to use G-Chrome and been using it since.

Thank you, AshFR.  I save images all the time.  So I can save a plug-in the same way--to be viewed through Irfanview?

[AshFR]

Jan 17, 2013 14:35:55 GMT -8 Camille said:

Jan 17, 2013 13:29:09 GMT -8 AshFR said:

Right click the plug-in and click save as (Plugin Name), like when you save an image or better yet, link to you're computer.

Edit : Not sure if that's only Google Chrome I haven't use IE since somewhere in 2012 I was convinced to use G-Chrome and been using it since.

Thank you, AshFR.  I save images all the time.  So I can save a plug-in the same way--to be viewed through Irfanview?

When you right click for example my name(AshFR) do you see "Save link as"?(For a plugin it should say save file, at least on this computer but it should say either save file or save link as...)

[RedBassett]

Jan 17, 2013 14:33:16 GMT -8 Camille said:

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
mackdaddyslounge.freemessageboards.com/

Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

While I agree with Ryan regarding not understanding loyalty to IE, that isn't an IE only issue.  The forum appears wrong for me, using Canary on a Mac.  The issue can be fixed by more customized coding, which can be provided by members in the Plugins & Codes board, under the template modification section.

[Brian]

Jan 17, 2013 14:33:16 GMT -8 Camille said:

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
mackdaddyslounge.freemessageboards.com/

Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

You've added several plugins (plugins are almost all made by random users, not ProBoards developers) to your forum and manually changed the HTML in several places. Any changes you make do not affect the core functionality of the default themes that originally came with the forum. If you make a brand new forum and it works in every browser, V5 works. If you inject improper HTML or CSS into your templates and your theme's layout breaks, it's the same as if you messed something up in V4.

It's also worth noting that I explicitly stated in the lead post of the thread for the Classic ProBoards Menu plugin you're using that the plugin only works properly in IE9+, Firefox, and Chrome.

[Camille]

It says, "Save Target As" and it takes me to a box that shows a number followed by .htm and it also says it is an HTML document.

[Willing Sniper]

Jan 17, 2013 14:47:34 GMT -8 Camille said:

It says, "Save Target As" and it takes me to a box that shows a number followed by .htm and it also says it is an HTML document.

Not to confuse the issue, but I use Chrome. I just left click the link and it downloads to my desktop.

[Ryan Roos]

Jan 17, 2013 14:33:16 GMT -8 Camille said:

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
mackdaddyslounge.freemessageboards.com/

Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

Why does your forum look like what?
I see your v5 Beta forum... and I see your v4 forum...

Is there something specific that is broken? I see you're running a different theme. And I notice you do have a sidebar. So yes, you would need to take the time to make your sidebar in v5. Though it sure looks like you've gotten close already. You appear to be running a different theme (based on color and images). Your forum looks great in Firefox and Chrome.

In Internet Explorer 8 the sidebar plugin looks like it has a bug in it which is preventing it from running down the let side of your forum, it's all at the top. But that's a bug with that single plugin. So... What exactly about v5 can you not use? If a plugin is broken then you need to ask the author to fix it. The fact that it can be fixed so quickly and easily is reflective of the power of v5. You could literally have the exact same issue in v4 with a sidebar code. There is no difference.

I feel like you are just saying that because your forum isn't pixel for pixel identical in every way that it is somehow broken or incompatible with your browser. It looks like it's working correctly to me (with the exception of something you added to the forum). I feel like you're judging v5 based on a broken addition which could just as easily have happened (if not more easily) with a code in v4.

If a plugin isn't working how it's advertised then go ask for a fix (update). Or go ask for a different plugin. There will be a hundred sidebar plugins by this time next year. All of them made by different authors. Please don't immediately discount v5 in it's entirety because the very first plugin you used during a beta didn't work right away (and then still, only in a single browser which already notoriously breaks things across the internet). If it's the ProBoards Sidebar Plugin I can tell you we would love nothing more than to get feedback so that we could get a fix out.

[Camille]

Jan 17, 2013 14:47:09 GMT -8 Brian said:

Jan 17, 2013 14:33:16 GMT -8 Camille said:

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
mackdaddyslounge.freemessageboards.com/

Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

You've added several plugins (plugins are almost all made by random users, not ProBoards developers) to your forum and manually changed the HTML in several places. Any changes you make do not affect the core functionality of the default themes that originally came with the forum. If you make a brand new forum and it works in every browser, V5 works. If you inject improper HTML or CSS into your templates and your theme's layout breaks, it's the same as if you messed something up in V4.

It's also worth noting that I explicitly stated in the lead post of the thread for the Classic ProBoards Menu plugin you're using that the plugin only works properly in IE9+, Firefox, and Chrome.

I had a dear friend work on my Beta Test board because I was so disheartened (as for myself, I can barely manage to find the Maintenance Mode or Enable Guests to view or not.)  But when the conversion to v5 at the end of 2013 comes, I want to be able to make my board look like my v4, on my own, without help.  So, the plug-in used on my Beta Test will not work in IE8, but is there a plug-in for Side Tables that will work?

[JJ]

Ladyauburn, I suggest you start a new file folder in either your documents or pictures called V5 Plugins, and when you are asked to 'save as' or whatever term your computer offers, select 'save as,' and when it asks "where?" then go find that folder and store all your plugins in there. I also suggest that when you save each one, you right click on it and rename it to something you will know what it is, if it isn't already named something that makes sense. It takes longer to type this than it does to do it.

[Martyn Dale]

As a side note from the discussions of what browser you use, please also factor in other visitors to your forum.

If you use the forum just for yourself, as personal storage space then of course this will not be an issue. The issue is, is that if you have any other users on your site, using things that are IE8 only will cause significant problems for them. As of December, only 6.8 % of internet users are still on IE8, others either use something newer, or an alternate newer browser.

The reason things work in IE 8 but not in others, is because IE8 actually does things incorrectly. The trick is to design it for everything else, then tweak it for everything else. If you make it look right in IE8 as a primary goal, you will never get it working for everyone else and is why you get strange results.

An example is rounded corners for example. If you view this forum in newer browsers you will see nice rounded corners where in IE 8 you will not.

If you target IE 8 only, users who can benefit from the "eye candy" wont be able to see it. This is why its always good to target the majority browsers. This way those that can get the eye candy get it, and those that cant, still have it appearing in an acceptable way. If you start by targeting something old, you can never predict what will happen.

[Ryan Roos]

Jan 17, 2013 14:41:26 GMT -8 RedBassett said:

Jan 17, 2013 14:33:16 GMT -8 Camille said:

So, if v5 is compatible with IE8, why does my Beta Test forum look like this:
mackdaddyslounge.freemessageboards.com/

Instead of the way the forum actually looks like:
www.mackdaddyslounge.proboards.com/index.cgi

Is the Side Table problem a bug that can be reported and fixed?

I'm loyal to IE because it displays everything (at least to me) more artistically, and it has the feature of being able to refresh the page when it is loading slow.  My version of Firefox doesn't allow refreshing while the page is loading.  (And I have about 500 favorites saved on IE!)

While I agree with Ryan regarding not understanding loyalty to IE, that isn't an IE only issue.  The forum appears wrong for me, using Canary on a Mac.  The issue can be fixed by more customized coding, which can be provided by members in the Plugins & Codes board, under the template modification section.

We don't claim to support Canary. And what's more...

From the homepage of Canary, in the same sized font as their explanation of the browser itself.

Be forewarned: it's designed for developers and early adopters, and can sometimes break down completely.

www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/canary.html