Official TUGBBS upgrade complaint/suggestion thread!

[Makai Guy]

OK, thats a new one on me, breadcrumb line...

That's the line at the top showing where you are in the board (e.g. FORUMS > TUG > About TUG BBS for this page). It's like Hansel and Gretel leaving a trail of breadcrumbs so they can find their way back home. It's pretty much standard bbs/website terminology, but probably generally known only to those maintaining the pages.

 

[theo]

There is a thread about this. The new software allows larger avatars. If you don't upload a new one, it will stretch your old one to fit, resulting in the blurred image. I noticed the same issue, and fixed it by making a larger avatar and uploading it to replace my old one.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. Not sure I'll bother to upload a new avatar (..or if I could even figure out how to do so), but it's good info to know nonetheless.

Edited to add: found the same photo, successfully re-uploaded same. There is nothing blurred or fuzzy about German Shepherds, so I feel better now.

 

[Makai Guy]

Question what are Trophy Points.

Oh, it's some sort of social engineering stuff. You get so many points for this and so many points for that (first post, received so many "likes", etc.). That sort of stuff sets my teeth on edge as unnecessary claptrap, but the Facebook crowd seems to like it so "modern" bbs software includes it.

I just ignore the whole thing ...

p.s. Here a link to XenForo's standard Trophy Point List per their support board.

 

[Marathoner]

On mobile phone, here is the screenshot of the new TUG page. The 12pt font makes the page more readable. But compare it to the epicski page which is very well optimized for mobile devices - one of the best I've seen.

You can see the much more efficient use of space on the epicski page on the right vs the the TUG screen on the left.

 

[Makai Guy]

Why don't people just adjust the font size on their own device? Is it because some devices have a fixed font size, or because they don't know how to do it?

I think the latter. In many browsers you can hold down the Ctrl button and move the mouse's scroll wheel to adjust the text size. Failing that, look for a View | Zoom option or something similar in the browser controls, especially on phones and tablets that don't have a mouse.

 

[Marathoner]

I think the latter. In many browsers you can hold down the Ctrl button and move the mouse's scroll wheel to adjust the text size. Failing that, look for a View | Zoom option or something similar in the browser controls, especially on phones and tablets that don't have a mouse.

No, as I wrote in a previous post, some of the text on the forum was on 14pt which is really, really large. Some of the other text like the "Last Post" column on the main forum screen is in small font like 8pt (or less?). Hence, you can't adjust the screen to be smaller to accommodate the 14pt text or else the other smaller font text becomes unreadably small.

People who like larger fonts should simply magnify their screen using the browser controls. But what TUGBrian needs to do is to ensure that all the fonts used throughout the site are proportional (and similar to other websites) so that all the text/fonts can be magnified or reduced together via personal browser controls.

 

[dioxide45]

Why don't people just adjust the font size on their own device? Is it because some devices have a fixed font size, or because they don't know how to do it?

The problem is that on a device it only allows zoom of the entire site. YOu can't really adjust the font size of select text.

If this is available, please point me to where to find it:

On the old BBS I had the option of clicking the drop-down by my username and seeing my posts and threads I'd started. I think it said "Your Posts" and "Your Threads" or something like that. I'm not seeing an option for that here, without having threads marked as "Watching."

My intent is being able to jump onto threads I'd previously commented in. Marking every thread or post as "Watched" seems like it would get to be pretty tedious after awhile.

BTW, I'm really liking the growing appearance of the new BBS. I know changes like this are a huge undertaking, and Brian et al are doing a great job of tweaking things into a very usable format. Thumbs up. (I'd give you an emoji for this, if I could find one. )

Thanks!
Dave

There is the Watched Threads. Just make sure in your settings you have it setup to automatically flow threads you post in.

No, as I wrote in a previous post, some of the text on the forum was on 14pt which is really, really large. Some of the other text like the "Last Post" column on the main forum screen is in small font like 8pt (or less?). Hence, you can't adjust the screen to be smaller to accommodate the 14pt text or else the other smaller font text becomes unreadably small.

People who like larger fonts should simply magnify their screen using the browser controls. But what TUGBrian needs to do is to ensure that all the fonts used throughout the site are proportional (and similar to other websites) so that all the text/fonts can be magnified or reduced together via personal browser controls.

I would agree. I think it is easier to increase the font size vs decreasing it. Smaller font size works better across multiple devices.

 

[TUGBrian]

If this is available, please point me to where to find it:

On the old BBS I had the option of clicking the drop-down by my username and seeing my posts and threads I'd started. I think it said "Your Posts" and "Your Threads" or something like that. I'm not seeing an option for that here, without having threads marked as "Watching."

My intent is being able to jump onto threads I'd previously commented in. Marking every thread or post as "Watched" seems like it would get to be pretty tedious after awhile.

BTW, I'm really liking the growing appearance of the new BBS. I know changes like this are a huge undertaking, and Brian et al are doing a great job of tweaking things into a very usable format. Thumbs up. (I'd give you an emoji for this, if I could find one. )

Thanks!
Dave

it should do this going forward, but for threads or posts made before the change it would likely haev to be "Watched" manually.

 

[TUGBrian]

On mobile phone, here is the screenshot of the new TUG page. The 12pt font makes the page more readable. But compare it to the epicski page which is very well optimized for mobile devices - one of the best I've seen.

You can see the much more efficient use of space on the epicski page on the right vs the the TUG screen on the left.

yea ill have to figure out what they have done style wise to modify the way it looks on mobile devices.

if you are a member of that forum and want to ask the admin what style template they purchased for mobile viewing, id be interested!

 

[jme]

There used to be a "check mark" (or something) in the far left margin beside each NEW THREAD to which I had responded, such that I could look down the list of threads and immediately see which ones I had replied to, but I don't currently see any indicator.
Will there be such an indicator with the new system?

 

[TUGBrian]

yea ill have to figure out what they have done style wise to modify the way it looks on mobile devices.

There used to be a "check mark" (or something) in the far left margin beside each NEW THREAD to which I had responded, such that I could look down the list of threads and immediately see which ones I had replied to, but I don't currently see any indicator.
Will there be such an indicator with the new system?

your avatar should appear next to threads you have responded to (should show up in a super tiny box next to the small version of the avatar of the original poster)

 

[Makai Guy]

There used to be a "check mark" (or something) in the far left margin beside each NEW THREAD to which I had responded, such that I could look down the list of threads and immediately see which ones I had replied to, but I don't currently see any indicator.
Will there be such an indicator with the new system?

your avatar should appear next to threads you have responded to (should show up in a super tiny box next to the small version of the avatar of the original poster)

The small avatar overlay will only show for threads you've replied to, so even if you haven't uploaded a custom avatar and have one of the generic ones you can still tell which threads you've participated in. If there's that little overlay, you replied to the thread.

More difficult, with a generic avatar, is seeing threads you've started but never replied to. With a generic avatar, you can't tell a thread you started from one started by somebody else with that same avatar except by reading the starter name below the thread title.

 

[Makai Guy]

After some extensive screwing around... Looks like XenForo doesn't know which threads imported from the old vBulletin board you had replied to. It only tracks the ones you've replied to since we switched to XF on Nov 17, 2016.

 

[Born2Travel]

In New Posts it used to show the number of new posts count at the top of the page. Now it appears at the bottom. Is it possible to move it back to the top? I like to get an idea of how many posts I'm looking at when I start reading. Trying to get used to the upgrade, most of it works pretty well. I think it will just take some time to get used to. Thanks!

 

[klpca]

I noticed that our real names appear in our profile information. I already deleted mine (I like to keep things somewhat private online) is this a default that can be changed?

 

[pedro47]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[theo]

I'd like to submit two unrelated observations, neither one constituting any form of "complaint".

First and foremost, sincere thanks (and kudos) to those working hard behind the scenes to undertake this "conversion". I certainly don't have the computer skills or knowledge to even begin to know or understand what is involved in such an enterprise, but I'm nonetheless certain that it ain't easy. Thank you!

Second, although it may be simply "built in" to the new software, I personally don't see or understand the point or purpose of the "like" button / feature.
There is certainly no harm or foul in its' presence or use, but it just seems to me that people can process and appreciate (or alternatively, just simply ignore) posted input without overtly announcing an "evaluation" of it. This is admittedly just my own personal opinion. YMMV.

 

[DaveNV]

Second, although it may be simply "built in" to the new software, I personally don't see or understand the point or purpose of the "like" button / feature.
There is certainly no harm or foul in its' presence or use, but it just seems to me that people can process and appreciate (or alternatively, just simply ignore) posted input without "evaluating" it --- admittedly just my personal opinion. YMMV.

I like having a Like button. Used judiciously, if someone says something I agree with, but I don't have anything to add to the thread, then a Reply post doesn't serve any purpose. By clicking the Like, I can acknowledge to the OP that I appreciate what they said, and we can both move on. The Like doesn't always have meaning, for example, on a thread asking about delivery of appliances. Liking the post wouldn't mean much of anything. But on a thread with honest comments about a favored resort, or how someone dealt with a problem they were having, it applies. So it's one of those common sense use things. At least, it is for me.

Dave

 

[SueDonJ]

I like having a Like button. Used judiciously, if someone says something I agree with, but I don't have anything to add to the thread, then a Reply post doesn't serve any purpose. By clicking the Like, I can acknowledge to the OP that I appreciate what they said, and we can both move on. The Like doesn't always have meaning, for example, on a thread asking about delivery of appliances. Liking the post wouldn't mean much of anything. But on a thread with honest comments about a favored resort, or how someone dealt with a problem they were having, it applies. So it's one of those common sense use things. At least, it is for me.

Dave

In addition to showing agreement I plan on using it as a "thank you" when someone answers one of my many questions, without cluttering up a thread with new posts when there's nothing more to say. I like it.

Although I'll admit to having a Sally Field moment when I got a like the other day from a TUG friend, almost made me want to put on a ballgown and celebrate!

 

[TUGBrian]

as stated, its simply just a nice way to say "thanks" in an extremely easy way.

its probably one of the most commonly used features on facebook

 

[theo]

as stated, its simply just a nice way to say "thanks" in an extremely easy way.

its probably one of the most commonly used features on facebook

I couldn't possibly care any less about the whole "Facebook" concept / culture, which I frankly tend to regard as a weak virtual substitute for intelligent human interaction and meaningful expression and exchange, but maybe I need to adjust to the times...

You (and also Doug before you) make very good and valid points regarding the "like" button being an easy and convenient expression of thanks, acknowledgement or appreciation. My "old curmudgeon" view may have been a bit narrow on the matter and I do appreciate the different perspectives.

So....since I'm now adjusting to and embracing the new "millennial mentality", when might I expect delivery of my "trophy for merely participating"?

 

[TUGBrian]

moved the "post new thread" button to a bit better area...still trying to figure out a way to make it larger.

 

[TUGBrian]

I couldn't care less about the whole "Facebook" concept / culture, which I frankly regard as a weak virtual substitute for intelligent human interaction and exchange, but maybe I need to adjust to the times.

indeed...welcome to a new generation of online interaction!

 

[rapmarks]

All I had to do was enter my username/password and voilà. I'm in on Tapatalk.

that doesn't work for me, still can't access from Ipad

 

[TUGBrian]

that doesn't work for me, still can't access from Ipad

yes, this is because we have tapatalk disabled waiting on tapatalk support.