Let's Discuss

[Creature]

Okay so, this whole V5 thing I really didn't want to get involved. I didn't want to discuss because I was pretty sure it wouldn't get this far. Not because the staff at proboards aren't capable (because I know they are) but because I figure the uproar would be heard. I'm looking on this discussion page and not seeing many people complaining, but I know I am dissatisfied. I know many people that are dissatisfied. So, why aren't they talking? Truth is I don't know. I feel like the staff here at proboards are messing with a good thing, trying to make it better when it was already pretty great. The codes and that have come out for V4 are outstanding and I love every second of V4 coding. Now I know what you're going to say, have you tried V5? the answer is, yes I have. No, I didn't find anything major wrong with it, other than the fact that I have to download plugins which could prove a hassle in the long run. There is also the fact that everything just feels more complex, and I am finding it is taking me hours to do something that would normally take me minutes. Sure, it could just be me getting used to the newness of it all, but to be perfectly honest I don't like it.

I feel that proboards will lose so many members of it's community due to this change, because I know many users are already moving to new hosts. I am already looking for a new host to become familiar with as this change begins to take place. Something that will be easier for me to comprehend. I am not saying that V5 is a bad idea, I'm saying that we should have a choice. Sure opting out until December is great, but what about after that. Then we all need to get used to this coding that is making most sites look messy and gross. These once beautiful sites are terrible looking and it breaks my fragile heart. After all of the pre-made coding, templates, and skins that have been created, well they're all just going to go to waste. Sure some things can be converted over, but what about the things that can't?

My rambling will probably nothing to you guys and the change will probably still continue. Good luck to everyone who switches to this new more inconvenient (in my opinion) style of proboards.

[VS Admin]

Apr 4, 2013 16:30:50 GMT -8 Creature said:

No, I didn't find anything major wrong with it, other than the fact that I have to download plugins which could prove a hassle in the long run.

Our Plugin Library is going to be launching within the next two weeks, which allows you to install plugins without even downloading them. We will have a list of plugins on our website and you just click a button to install it. This is much easier than v4 where someone gave you a code, then you needed to go into various Headers & Footers to install it.

There is also the fact that everything just feels more complex, and I am finding it is taking me hours to do something that would normally take me minutes.

Can you be specific about the areas you are having trouble in? We're always looking to improve, and our goal with v5 has been to simplify everything and make things available with less clicks. Some new "advanced" areas were introduced in order to provide you with more power over your forum, but these areas are not places you need to use to customize your v5 forum. You can still use just Headers & Footers if that is what you prefer.

I feel that proboards will lose so many members of it's community due to this change, because I know many users are already moving to new hosts.

What doesn't make sense from this argument is the idea that because the forum software is different, therefore people will move to different forum software. See what I mean? We've taken multiple years worth of input from our members in regards to this upgrade. This upgrade brings our software into the modern age, and surpasses that of what is offered by third parties. We've taken the slow approach as well. We ensure that you have a proper testing environment. We are even giving everyone all of 2013 to opt out, so you don't even need to use v5 until 2014 if you don't want it.

I am already looking for a new host to become familiar with as this change begins to take place. Something that will be easier for me to comprehend.

I'm really sorry to hear that. Have you been posting on our Support Board with any problems you encountered? We literally quadrupled our support team to ensure we have enough people here to answer ANY questions you have. We're more than happy to help you with anything you need.

I am not saying that V5 is a bad idea, I'm saying that we should have a choice. Sure opting out until December is great, but what about after that. Then we all need to get used to this coding that is making most sites look messy and gross. These once beautiful sites are terrible looking and it breaks my fragile heart. After all of the pre-made coding, templates, and skins that have been created, well they're all just going to go to waste. Sure some things can be converted over, but what about the things that can't?

I don't know of anything that can't be converted over. v5 provides more options, not less. More control for forum admins, not less. More and more codes will come with time. I'm sure by December we will have a TON of plugins and themes that you can install with a single click. There already are many to choose from.

As I said, we're here to help. We definitely listen to you, our members. Let us know how we can help you achieve your goals with your forum. Our staff are available 7 days a week.

[JJ]

Rockets, I understand exactly where you are coming from. Please don't give up. I'm not going to say it gets easy, but it does get easier. I am still floundering. I created some beautiful skins in years past and I was reduced to kindergarten.

It doesn't take a genius to know that V5 was created by coders with coders in mind, Patrick. When I joined in the original Beta program, I spent just a few days in there and got run out by all the talk about CSS this and HTML that. It's like a brand new supersonic Lego toy to coders, but not the the majority of the members here. I know members that are now more comfortable with the program, but it took them MONTHS to get there.

I also understand what Rockets means about the sites that look... well, I won't say gross, because they aren't, but they are really bland. That's because it is so very difficult to understand what the heck all those areas in the admin area really mean.

I agree with you Patrick, moving from Proboards to another server means another learning experience, and also not knowing the staff makes a difference. That is why I elected to tough it out, and I do mean tough it.

I was an accomplished skin maker... oh well, now wait, that's called a Theme with the new Proboards. Now, after almost eight years of having a website, I have to ask for help about just about everything I want to do. Now, you might tell me that the staff are here to help us, and that's great. But you see, I didn't need any help. I had reached a stage, with a really nice stash of codes from all over our Proboards sites that I had been gathering for years. Now, I have to get in a queue and hope that the reader understands what I am asking for.  Because the truth is, I don't know the words to describe what I am looking for nor where in the Admin area the particular function is located. I feel somewhat powerless.

I have been really fortunate to have some very talented individuals that can understand my gibberish when I am asking for help and have been really patient with me.  But that doesn't mean I like having to look so ignorant and helpless.

I do understand that this is 2013, and I know about Html5 and browsers and so forth. You need to change, you needed to evolve. I really don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is the presentation. There is no manual. Oh sure, there is the so called "view" on the right. Yeah, well, that doesn't always work. Half the time it is hung up in Neverland. Also, we don't know exactly where we want to go see what is being changed. You asked what specific areas were a problem. I have one. Why can't we have a simple thing that says, "To decorate you Quick Reply area... go here."

Patrick, you mentioned that we could use our headers and footers...really? For what? We have been told that the majority of codes will no longer work. I tried a few and got nothing. Will there be a list of codes that actually DO work? I don't understand how you can say you do not need to acces the advanced areas to customize your look! Seriously?

So, yes, I do understand you, Rockets. You are frustrated, I am too. But it gets better the more you go into the admin area.  Not easy, at least not for me, but not so intimidating. Please give it a chance, please ask for help in the areas you need help with. I know it's galling, but what is, is.      

[Creature]

Apr 4, 2013 17:07:15 GMT -8 VS Admin said:

Can you be specific about the areas you are having trouble in? We're always looking to improve, and our goal with v5 has been to simplify everything and make things available with less clicks. Some new "advanced" areas were introduced in order to provide you with more power over your forum, but these areas are not places you need to use to customize your v5 forum. You can still use just Headers & Footers if that is what you prefer.

I just feel like I need a tutorial on how the heck you use the thing. When changing the colors of my forum, it was just difficult. I am hardly a beginner at coding but I even tried the beginner templates. They did provide me with what I needed. I still haven't been able to successfully change the colors of my forum. Which may sound silly, but It's pretty heartbreaking. I spent a lot of time in the intermediate section getting the "visual" preview to look exactly how I wanted it and then It would not save the colors. Another thing that my forum desperately needs is the side table, but none of the plug-ins seem to want to work correctly for me. I like the clean look of my current forum and how everything is easy to find and such, I fear that I won't be able to mimic it's clean feel. I do prefer just using the coding that goes into the headers and footers, but I have only find plug-ins and the codes from V4 do not work. If there was some way to make more of the coding from V4 word, you would have me back in a heartbeat.

What doesn't make sense from this argument is the idea that because
the forum software is different, therefore people will move to different
forum software. See what I mean? We've taken multiple years worth of
input from our members in regards to this upgrade. This upgrade brings
our software into the modern age, and surpasses that of what is offered
by third parties. We've taken the slow approach as well. We ensure
that you have a proper testing environment. We are even giving everyone
all of 2013 to opt out, so you don't even need to use v5 until 2014 if
you don't want it.

It is difficult to please everyone. I am very happy about the fact that we don't have to use it until 2014, but what about then? Then I will be forced to switch to this modern approach. I love proboards, and I do hope that maybe it will gradually get easier to use. It just frustrates me that I have such a beautiful layout and I cannot mimic it. I would just love to see some of the V4 coding work with V5 because some people spent so much time working on those codes and I personally love the look and feel of them.

[VS Admin]

Apr 4, 2013 17:44:15 GMT -8 Creature said:

Apr 4, 2013 17:07:15 GMT -8 VS Admin said:

Can you be specific about the areas you are having trouble in? We're always looking to improve, and our goal with v5 has been to simplify everything and make things available with less clicks. Some new "advanced" areas were introduced in order to provide you with more power over your forum, but these areas are not places you need to use to customize your v5 forum. You can still use just Headers & Footers if that is what you prefer.

I just feel like I need a tutorial on how the heck you use the thing. When changing the colors of my forum, it was just difficult. I am hardly a beginner at coding but I even tried the beginner templates. They did provide me with what I needed. I still haven't been able to successfully change the colors of my forum. Which may sound silly, but It's pretty heartbreaking. I spent a lot of time in the intermediate section getting the "visual" preview to look exactly how I wanted it and then It would not save the colors. Another thing that my forum desperately needs is the side table, but none of the plug-ins seem to want to work correctly for me. I like the clean look of my current forum and how everything is easy to find and such, I fear that I won't be able to mimic it's clean feel. I do prefer just using the coding that goes into the headers and footers, but I have only find plug-ins and the codes from V4 do not work. If there was some way to make more of the coding from V4 word, you would have me back in a heartbeat.

What doesn't make sense from this argument is the idea that because
the forum software is different, therefore people will move to different
forum software. See what I mean? We've taken multiple years worth of
input from our members in regards to this upgrade. This upgrade brings
our software into the modern age, and surpasses that of what is offered
by third parties. We've taken the slow approach as well. We ensure
that you have a proper testing environment. We are even giving everyone
all of 2013 to opt out, so you don't even need to use v5 until 2014 if
you don't want it.

It is difficult to please everyone. I am very happy about the fact that we don't have to use it until 2014, but what about then? Then I will be forced to switch to this modern approach. I love proboards, and I do hope that maybe it will gradually get easier to use. It just frustrates me that I have such a beautiful layout and I cannot mimic it. I would just love to see some of the V4 coding work with V5 because some people spent so much time working on those codes and I personally love the look and feel of them.

This all sounds like things that our support team would be able to assist you with. If you create a support topic, I'm sure our support team will be able to assist you. We are here to help!

We are working hard right now on getting our v5 help guide online. We're also working on some videos and other materials to help out. V5 is still in "beta" until the end of the month, so not everything is put together yet. We plan to launch v5 with a full written help guide (and we're working on adding lots of visuals to it to make it simple).