65 replies to this topic

[Jeff]

Pull the trigger, John, it's ready to go.

The additions made since the original upgrade take care of most of the issues I had the first time around.

Thanks for putting in the different skin options. I really like the classic one, and will be using that.

[John F]

Hey JB
It would be nice to have both forums the same. That just makes it easier for kiters. From a users point of view I don't see a need for a change but don't have any issues with the new Kitelife forum.

Important items to me are
spam less
good crowd
easy search
new posts since last visit
crisp easy to read layout

I learned to fly on the forums. I learned what kites to buy. I learned setup and tuning. I even learned how to wind the stupid string on the winder. So these forums are very important and I appreciate yours and the rest of the crews dedication towards making a good forums.
John

Edited by John F, 11 December 2009 - 09:57 PM.

[Kitelife]

I've heard tons on comments about the default skin at Kitelife, but has anyone taken the time to *look* at the other skins/templates that have been loaded in there?

That was the premise of this whole &^$&W^%$^%$% thread, asking you good folks to try the other templates, to see if any of them work for y'all.

The URL in my first post here takes you right to the Kitelife post that outlines how to try the different templates.

[Kitelife]

Direct comparison... Current "blue" on Rev vs new "classic blue" on Kitelife:

[Kitelife]

Also, for anyone who actually takes the time to *help* by trying the new template(s), you might find that the "classic blue" skin loads faster.

Upgrade is inevitable (security), trust me on this, just a matter of time...

I'm just asking for constructive input based on what we DO have available to us, I already understand the cons.

Sorry, just frustrated... Trying to equalize, to work with y'all, make as many happy as I can... Yet 50% of the posts here are simply "I hate it, so I gave up."

Literally took me MONTHS to find out exactly the extent of how unhappy everyone was, thanks for that, so much.

This is your chance to remedy, to provide constructive input that I can actually use in an instance where change is necessary.

Or if you like, we can leave the door open here (as is), and let the forum get hacked at some point (no forum for anyone)... "Yeah, broke now, should have fixed it".

Yes, I'm a little frustrated and it shows... But please overlook that, read the meat of this and help, or it may be all our loss.

[Stone in Shoe Bob]

I am sure I'll grumble to myself and I'll stumble here and there.
But, I know we must advance and not just sit back in the past just because we are comfortable where we are.
It will be a very short learning stage for all of us and surely make my life easier as an administrator.

Do It!

I think I'm with you on this one John.

Change is sometimes uncomfortable, but where would we be without it?

Click!

[andelscott]

Click!

Wow - Bob - so you *were* a CP/M user then?

John - Classic Blue does it for me, but then if the IP.board remembers each user's account preferences, what does it matter? Lo Fi must be good for those using overgrown telephones too.

Thanks for asking.

[Madquad]

Classic Blue does it for me too John.
And i like the upgraded forum version of Kitelife too, allso love the insert Media option.
So if you want my opinion: Go on with this improved forum as shown there.

I appreciate your effort in this ,

Keep up the good work !!!

[quaa714]

Humble is my opinion.
I am a user of this service.
If/when it changes I too will change with it.
In life there are changes you can control and changes you cannot control.
The key is being adaptive, flexible and open to the changes along the way.

Make the change John!

[Felix Mottram]

Humble is my opinion.
I am a user of this service.
If/when it changes I too will change with it.
In life there are changes you can control and changes you cannot control.
The key is being adaptive, flexible and open to the changes along the way.

Make the change John!

As a 'sys admin' some of the time I would say 'security takes priority' above all else.

Please secure the forum without further delay.

Thanks

Felix

[Stone in Shoe Bob]

Wow - Bob - so you *were* a CP/M user then?

John - Classic Blue does it for me, but then if the IP.board remembers each user's account preferences, what does it matter? Lo Fi must be good for those using overgrown telephones too.

Thanks for asking.

No Andy, you are such an anorak. I hadn’t go a clue what sort of computer it was, maybe I was just being a bit lazy, but I just picked a picture of an old computer to illustrate a point.

But since you asked this is where I started (technologically not geographically speaking).

[Kitelife]

The forum that I spend the most time on is plain text, no avatars, no sigs. It loads in the blink of an eye, even on dial-up.
Clicking a thread takes me to the first unread post.
I can watch or ignore threads to suit my interests.

Sound like the "low fi" option we've always had on both Rev and Kitelife forums...

For anyone who doesn't have a use for "extra" images, videos, or is on dial up, etc, there is low-fi!

http://www.revkites....rsion/index.php

You still get all the post content, but the forum "skin" itself is stripped down to the bare essentials.

Screen shots from this on Kitelife:



To find the same on Kitelife, the low fi version can be accessed in a drop down menu (lower left of any forum page), and it'll stay as your default provided you're logged in.

Once the Rev forum is upgraded, you'll be able to use the same drop down menu here to activate low fi... For now, it's a link bottom center of any forum page.

[Kitelife]

Just one more Low-Fi comparison, using my most recent topic on Kitelife... Regular vs Low-Fi



Actual post is here... http://kitelife.com/...kitelife-forum/

Another serious PRO for the upgrade, search engine friendly URLs...

On the new format, topics have the actual subject in the URL... In this (outdated) version, it's just numbers.

Simply, the search engines can't currently skim the Rev forum as effectively for listing when people search the web for Rev help.

For those who have had issues with, or a distaste for the new format, please try the low-fi version, let me know how it works for you?

[Baloo]

Another serious PRO for the upgrade, search engine friendly URLs...

Just to show how stupid I am, I have been trying to work out where a B Pro comes into this discussion, DOPE!!

I honestly think, as others are saying, despite the fact you will be dammed if you do. You will be more Dammed if you don't change it John.

You have mentioned the best reason for a change. Stop the Spammers, better security, easier admin.

I was put off with the Kitelife change, it was a bit of a shock. However I am back using it again. When this Forum has to change I presume it will be similar to the Kitelife one, this will mean it is not so much of a shock. We should all be more prepared for it.

John, if it has to change, for good reason, change it must. It will not be change for changes sake, or a matter of if it aint broke dont fix it.

Seems it is broke, get on and fix it. Please.

[Bazzer]

As a 'sys admin' some of the time I would say 'security takes priority' above all else.

Please secure the forum without further delay.

Thanks

Felix

Security and spam defense does not stand still. When its needed always move forward.
Do it when you see fit John, you know better than most about whats out there knocking on our door.
Bazzer

[Love2fly]

Hi John-
It has to be done to try and stay a step ahead of the damn hackers of the world. I think we will all get through the changes as a group. The computer geeks of the "family" will take charge and guide us through our dilemmas. I'm quite confident that it will wind up being easier in the long run.
So, I just say: "Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride"!!
-just my two cents!

[dagnabbit]

I'd upgrade, John. Security and code stability are most important. Look at any major gateway, forum or social networking site: users hate change. Period. But, if they really love what it's all about (whatever subject matter that the forum, web site or networking site facilitates), then they adjust and adapt.

All: I'm not trying to be impersonal to everyone's needs- when Facebook went through recent major changes, I hated it. Yet I still use it. I'm speaking more from the viewpoint of a system administrator and network engineer. True, without users, there is no need for a network, so don;t drive off the users- but without a stable and secure platform, then the network (or in this case, the communication application) is doomed to failure. And I'll wager that everyone is here for kiting, and not because the forum is one way or the other (just that it works).

[Kitelife]

True enough Ben, I agree.

So here's my plan...

I'll beat out a few more template tweaks and such on Kitelife, using it as the "skunkworks" for everyone to provide feedback, input, suggestions, etc, before I compile all that together and apply it here on the Rev forum... I hope that's sufficient motivation for everyone who has an active interest in the forum format to get involved in the development at Kitelife, regardless of whether they choose to use that forum on an ongoing basis, just look at in testing terms, stay if you like it.

That being said, maybe 2-3 weeks... Then I'll roll out the upgrades here.

[Kitelife]

I'd also like to thank everyone who has gotten involved thus far, both positive, negative and "I don't care"...

Whether or not it's used and implemented, your feedback is appreciated and invaluable to the process.

I know not everyone will be happy, but I do hope you feel, really feel, that I've tried to find the middle ground amidst necessity.

[quaa714]

True enough Ben, I agree.

So here's my plan...

I'll beat out a few more template tweaks and such on Kitelife, using it as the "skunkworks" for everyone

Cool ideas could come out of everyone being in the "Skunkworks" room!!!!