Forum Defaults

[kemosabe]

admin: Is there any rhyme or reason why certain forums have different default settings for HTML code?

For example, under Clubs, the "Washington DC/Metro Area" and "SF Bay Area" forums have HTML code turned ON whereas the "Hawaii" and "Florida" forums have HTML code turned OFF!!!

Seems to me that they should be the same... Your thoughts?

[florida_guy]

As long as we're talking about the software I would just like to say that number one on my wish list is the ability to maintain the new message pointers.

There are lots and lots of times that I have time to read and respond to a few messages but I don't dare log on because then I will lose my pointers and have to go searching around for all the new ones the next time I log on.

As a result I can only log on when I have a large block of time to devote so I can read all the new ones.

I have several ideas about how this could be done but I know you are pretty much at the mercy of the people who develop the software.

In the ideal world I would control myself when a message/thread gets marked read and not the computer.

The easiest (but not the best) way I see this being changed is to simply turn off the timer and then I'd have to click the "mark all forums read thing" when I get caught up.

Sometimes I have to do some research to answer a question someone asked and by the time I get the message composed and sent my new message pointers have been lost.

Again, I know you are dependant on the software people but if there is some kind of hidden flag in the database that is not available to us through control panel [wink] [wink].

[TheWorm]

I've enabled HTML and IMG codes in the Florida forum.

florida_guy: the timer "timeout" was increased some time ago for slow typers

I'm not sure whether there is any alternative for you if you're logged in and just checking a message or two, then want to come back later and pick up where you left off, other than the "check today's active threads" link on the homepage, which Daniel/Admin put there for just that reason.

You might try modifying your user settings and disabling the "surf site with cookies" part to see what that does.

The other alternative is to SHIFT-click the thread you want to read/reply to, and leave the "new threads" window alone so the list is maintained.

I typically will just multiple-back from a post or reply to "restart" the new thread search. The new threads since you began the session will have that "jump to new post" button, and the new threads since last logon will still appear, albeit without the button.

Make sense?

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by TheWorm
I've enabled HTML and IMG codes in the Florida forum.

florida_guy: the timer "timeout" was increased some time ago for slow typers

I'm not sure whether there is any alternative for you if you're logged in and just checking a message or two, then want to come back later and pick up where you left off, other than the "check today's active threads" link on the homepage, which Daniel/Admin put there for just that reason.

You might try modifying your user settings and disabling the "surf site with cookies" part to see what that does.

The other alternative is to SHIFT-click the thread you want to read/reply to, and leave the "new threads" window alone so the list is maintained.

I typically will just multiple-back from a post or reply to "restart" the new thread search. The new threads since you began the session will have that "jump to new post" button, and the new threads since last logon will still appear, albeit without the button.

Make sense?

I just got home from a hard day at work so I may not be understanding you as good as I could but it is the "jump to new post" button that saves me so much time in reading. I don't have to scan through the ones I've already read. When this does happen to me I do use the today's post thing but I don't have the jump to buttons.

Of course, this is still the greatest forum ever but that is my most wanted improvement.

I don't understand what the shift click will do. It won't leave the new post button up once the timer runs out will it? What is the timer set for anyway?

I'll have to give the cookies thing a try but I suspect that is just going to mean I have to log on everytime I come here instead of it remembering who I am, but I will try. Thanks for the suggestions.

[TheWorm]

The timer is set for 15 minutes of inactivity. If you're doing anything on the site, it won't reset anything (all "new" posts will still be "new"). If you exit your browser and don't return within 15 minutes, or just site idle (no clicks) for more than 15 minutes, then the "new posts" resets to your most recent login.

My best advice for "losing" the "go to new post" button when you revert to the "today's active posts" link is to just click on the arrow next to the membername of whomever made the last post. At least that way you'll go to the end of the thread, assuming you believe the newer messages that might interest you are closer to the end than the beginning.

I know exactly what you're asking for, I think: setting ONLY the threads you actually view as 'read' and keeping everything else as 'new' so you can come back later and catch up when you actually have time. The software (packaged, as you know) doesn't do that. The problem with manual tweaks is that it blows the upgrade path (and there is supposed to be an upgrade by vbulletin to v3.0 in the not too distant future) which might actually provide some of those additional features.

FWIW, checking the FAQs it doesn't appear that disabling cookies will do anything to solve the problem, and will only require you to continually login to the site and will screw up your posting of links. It appears it'll just append a specific session ID to each hyperlink (rather than storing it in a cookie) but the existence of the session ID implies (to me) that the "countdown has begun" anyway.

admin will know about all this better than I, but I think what I've said is the case. Keep in mind this is based on my experience as a user (including stuff I do when I'm in the same position as you) and by looking at the admin control panels -- I'm not a programmer, nor do I play one on TV.

[TheWorm]

Originally posted by florida_guy


I don't understand what the shift click will do. It won't leave the new post button up once the timer runs out will it? What is the timer set for anyway?

No, but it WILL open the thread in a seperate window for viewing, and thus maintain (indefinitely) the "new list" til you get back. If you timeout, even on that screen, you can just hit BACK on the browser to refresh it. The new posts since the timeout will have the "jump" button, and the new posts from before the timeout (which, presumably, you've not seen due to time) will still be there (albeit without the jump buttons). But at least they're there.

Make sense?

[kemosabe]

TheWorm: So... why are some forums defaulted to HTML being OFF while others default to HTML being ON? There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason...

Like this one (Forum Defaults thread), for example... HTML is ON, but IMAGE is OFF???

[FLPilot]

Originally posted by kemosabe
TheWorm: So... why are some forums defaulted to HTML being OFF while others default to HTML being ON? There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason...

Like this one (Forum Defaults thread), for example... HTML is ON, but IMAGE is OFF???

It's a conspiracy to keep you from posting pictures, but what they keep forgetting is that you attach pictures and not attach images like me

[TheWorm]

Originally posted by kemosabe
TheWorm: So... why are some forums defaulted to HTML being OFF while others default to HTML being ON? There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason...

Like this one (Forum Defaults thread), for example... HTML is ON, but IMAGE is OFF???

Beats me!

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by TheWorm

My best advice for "losing" the "go to new post" button when you revert to the "today's active posts" link is to just click on the arrow next to the membername of whomever made the last post. At least that way you'll go to the end of the thread,
...
The software (packaged, as you know) doesn't do that. The problem with manual tweaks is that it blows the upgrade path (and there is supposed to be an upgrade by vbulletin to v3.0 in the not too distant future) which might actually provide some of those additional features.

That's a good tip I hadn't thought of, thanks. I understand about the manual tweaks problem and besides you guys both do plenty of work anyway for all of us. Even if tweaking was practical we wouldn't expect you to devote your life to accomadating our every whim.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by TheWorm

No, but it WILL open the thread in a seperate window for viewing, and thus maintain (indefinitely) the "new list" til you get back.

Make sense?

Ahh!... I'm going to try that right now. Thanks!

[Cajun Pilot]

Sorry for this question.....

I understand how to change print to a different font or color like this:

Honda Pilot


BUT...how do you change color in your signature? The one that is automatic after a post. I went to edit profile and could not find the option to change it.

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by Cajun Pilot
Sorry for this question.....

I understand how to change print to a different font or color like this:

Honda Pilot


BUT...how do you change color in your signature? The one that is automatic after a post. I went to edit profile and could not find the option to change it.

Cajun Pilot: In order to change color/font and what-have-you in your signature, you need to resort to good old HTML (HyperText Markup Language). That's how I was able to add, for example, a table to my signature block.

I don't know what your background is with HTML code, but if you need further assistance, let me know...