Topic: New features, updates and bugs

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Updates are due to be installed for the main site content management system (CMS) which at some point I am thinking I am going to get over with today. This will likely mean the site will be offline for a few minutes, then look pretty ugly for a few minutes, then look sort of okay with a few things missing for a few minutes/while, and finally back to normal. Its a pain in the butt in other words. Additionally, there is a new beta version of the forum with some nice new capabilities. I have been waiting to move to this new version until the bridge between the forum and the CMS was updated for the new version and some of our modifications (chat, donation center, gallery, etc) were updated. Now, the bridge is updated and most of the mods we use. So, I am not sure when I will do the upgrade but it might be soon if I get inspired (want to get it over with).

Thanks for your support

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I made some tweaks to the site home page. You can now search the forum from the main site. Also, there is now a random, rotating display of member's gallery photos on the front page. Clicking on the thumbnail on the home page takes you to the member's gallery. Also, you can easily get direct links to your pics for use elsewhere. Its very easy to start your own web gallery here and other members can rate your photos, share them, comment, etc. The pictures you submit will display on the home page, you can set up your gallery if you want so that a forum post is started automatically when you add a photo to your gallery, your gallery will be searchable, and you can set tags in addition to detailed descriptions, credits, etc. There are many more features. 

Let me know if you have problems and have fun!

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Couple updates/fixes completed:

* Added several missing donation amounts in the donation center
* Installed new comment system on the main site for greater speed and more formatting options for members

As always please let me know if you run in to problems or have questions, and enjoy.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I added the ability to save new posts/threads and replies as drafts. A button will now appear next to the "Post" and "Preview" buttons for "Save as Draft." Drafts will be visible only to the author, in their profile, and can be deleted, modified, or published at any time there. When a draft is published, all drafts are removed automatically. It looks like a useful feature allowing one to work on a post over time and make backups as you go if your post is long so you don't lose the whole thing with a break in your internet connection, power outage, etc.

Please enjoy and let me know if you have any problems of course. 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Forum software (SMF) updated from version 1.15 to 1.16. As always, please report any problems.

Cheers

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Major changes and new features to the gallery:

+Added simple slideshow feature. Starts at the current picture and does up to 50 next images in the category.
+Added RSS feeds for main gallery categories
+Added an unviewed images tab to the gallery. Where you can view images that your account has not viewed yet.
+Added builtin support for lightbox. Option to use Highslide, lightbox or neither
+Improved the comment display under view picture to include more information on the commenter
+Added Blocks for User Galleries. Most Recent, Most Viewed, Most Commented, and Top Rated
+Added option to use total point totals
+Added sorting options for categories in user galleries
+Added EXIF support which allows you to get information from images taken with cameras. This is a setting that can be enabled and you can customize what EXIF information you wish to show on the view picture page.
+Added a setting to require a comment for ratings. Also if enabled shows the rating next to the comment date
+Updated Gallery layout on many of the pages.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

WE have upgraded from 1.16 to 1.17 with no problems despite being a HEAVILY customized and modified SMF forum!

Enjoy!

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

A couple bugs were fixed with the auto-embed audio/video clips feature. One significant improvement is that a text message will appear next to non-working (embedding disabled) Youtube videos explaining that embedding is disabled. Then you will know you need to copy the video link from inside the Youtube player menu and paste it in your browser address bar. An example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTIViMQQ3IE (The video's owner prevents external embedding)