vBuletin Version 3.0 Beta 3

[Keith Outten]

At approximately 2am this morning we installed vBulletin version 3 Beta 3 here at SawMill Creek. Aaron and I both felt that the Beta 3 release would be stable enough and that the developers had successfully eliminated all of the serious bugs.

There are more changes, improvements and new features then you can shake a push stick at in the new software. We hope everyone will enjoy the new features that are obvious and some other new gadgets we will implement in the coming weeks.

[Bob Wilkerson]

At approximately 2am this morning we installed vBulletin version 3 Beta 3 here at SawMill Creek. Aaron and I both felt that the Beta 3 release would be stable enough and that the developers had successfully eliminated all of the serious bugs.

And I thought that I was the only one who liked to work in the middle of the night.....

It will be interesting to see how the changes work at your end. Beta and initial release software can be lots of fun. From our end, it looks like our cookies will have to be reset as mine didn't remember my name/login when I came back this morning. So far, I like the changes that I've seen. Thanks for all the good work!


Bob

[Mark Hulette]

It will be interesting to see how the changes work at your end. Beta and initial release software can be lots of fun.

Bob

Yep- Ken will have to get busy updating all the SMC User Tips! Are they done yet, Ken? :D

When I first clicked on the site this morning I thought something looked different and when I couldn't find the "View New Posts" button I almost freaked. Gotta have my "View New Posts" but it was cool when after I logged back on.

Looking forward to learning the tricks to this version. Are you done yet, Ken? :D



Thanks for all your hard work, Keith & Aaron!

[Glenn Clabo]

At approximately 2am this morning we installed vBulletin version 3 Beta 3 here at SawMill Creek.

Keith,
This is minor...but can I suggest that upgrades that change the way we log in are announced? It took me a number of attempts, a lock out, and a change in password request to get logged in this morning. It was VERY early and I hadn't had my first cup of brain power so I couldn't figure out what was going on...let alone that I needed to remember my password (one of at least 50) and user name (which in this case only...is my full name).

Again...minor issue...Youse guys are doing an amazing job and I truly appreciate all the work.

Now I'm off to explore the new toys...

[Jason Roehl]

Now that's what I'm talking about! It'll take a little while for the eyes to adjust to the visual changes, but I already see some features improved/changed. One notable absence, though, is the "Top Ten Posters" button. I did find a way to view the top posters, but it's not limited to 10 (it just shows 25 or 30 per page). When viewing the member's list, just click on the table heading, "Posts" and that will list the members in order of the number of times they have posted.

One thing I'd still like to see is the date/time a particular thread was started in each forum, say under the name of the person who started the thread.

[Ken Garlock]

the "mark all forums read" button go :( I use it every time I visit the creek. Maybe I am just being blind this AM, but I can't find it :confused:

Another comment: Is there a way to reduce the noise on the screen. There is a lot of overhead on each page which is of little page-to-page value, IMO. It just takes more bandwidth to xmit for no added value. An example is the 4 line banner at the top of the page which tells me what forum I am visiting, the welcome back comment, and the options to list the contents - linear, etc. Things like the format of the listings should be specified in the user profile, not on every page.

Of course my opinions are worth what you paid

Thanks for the hard work :)

[Bob Oswin]

At approximately 2am this morning we installed vBulletin version 3 Beta 3 here at SawMill Creek. Aaron and I both felt that the Beta 3 release would be stable enough and that the developers had successfully eliminated all of the serious bugs.

There are more changes, improvements and new features then you can shake a push stick at in the new software. We hope everyone will enjoy the new features that are obvious and some other new gadgets we will implement in the coming weeks.

You folks never cease to amaze me. I am, once again, humbled by you dedication

Bob

[Keith Outten]

Bob W,

We did the upgrade in the wee hours to minimize the number of people who would be affected by the Creek being down for such a long time (about an hour). Aaron worked till about 3:30 am configuring a few things but it will take some time before we get everything situated to suit us and correct a few problem areas.

Mark H,

The View New Posts Button and several other functions were replaced by a little arrow at the top left side of the screen. Aaron changed them to text so we could visually see the dang things, it was the first edit Aaron did this morning.

Glenn,

Sorry about not announcing the upgrade but we just found out that the software had been released for public download late last night and Aaron and I were in my office so it seemed like an opportunity to get the upgrade done was at hand. Our schedules have been so hectic lately it has become very difficult for us to get together, even late at night.

Jason,

The date and time is right above your avatar picture on every post.

Ken G,

We're thinking about adding the Mark All Forums Read link to the text links at the top of each page. The banner is for navigation, it lets you know where you are and provides a means of backing up. The Welcome Box also has a Private Email reminder, a nice visual that will become invaluable in time. Although we can edit the templates to modify the software it is a painfully difficult job and very time consuming. We will do some tweaking in time and hopefully improve navigation and features.

Bob O.

Thanks you very much, we really do enjoy running SawMill Creek and it is a labor of love, when people enjoy our efforts it just makes it more fun and challenging. Our members have been very supportive since day one...even when we had major problems everyone was very kind and understanding. (I wrecked the "Main Forum" on the first day we installed SMC and lost a lot of messages) We are much more careful now with our backup strategy and have learned to slow down when using the Admin Back-office to make changes.

To All,

There are literally hundreds of changes in this upgrade, it takes over an hour to read the list describing each new feature. It will take Aaron and I weeks to get acquainted with the Admin section alone. Many of the new features you can see right now but there are dozens of very nice new features that are not visible since we have not configured them yet. Our options for setting up custom groups and forums alone will be beneficial in setting up support activities that will prove to be invaluable over time. The new calendar is just awesome and will help us get the word out concerning woodworking events and items of interest.

This is the most comprehensive software upgrade I have ever seen and the programmers have really done their homework incorporating as many new features as they could based on feedback from their customers. The changes will require a little time to adjust to, it's like getting rid of your old easy chair...it takes a little time to warm up to the new one.

Enjoy!

[Ted Shrader]

At approximately 2am this morning we installed vBulletin version 3 Beta 3 here at SawMill Creek. Aaron and I both felt that the Beta 3 release would be stable enough and that the developers had successfully eliminated all of the serious bugs.

There are more changes, improvements and new features then you can shake a push stick at in the new software. We hope everyone will enjoy the new features that are obvious and some other new gadgets we will implement in the coming weeks.

All of your hard work is greatly appreciated. Playing with it now. Very cool!

Hybrid display looks like the way to go (for me). Has that visual thread list that is easy to follow and all the other cool amenities of vBulletin!!! :) :D :) :) :)

Thanks,
Ted

[Jason Roehl]

Jason,

The date and time is right above your avatar picture on every post.



I guess I probably wasn't real clear on what I meant. I knew about that particular date and time. What I was talking about is adding the date and time any given thread was started on the thread view page, under the column header, "Thread Starter." That would mean that people can see when threads are beginning to become a little "stale" and that it's time to leave the dead horses alone. Just a thought/suggestion--I don't mean to impose--I have really enjoyed the fruits of all your labor there in VA and sincerely appreciate the hard work you guys (and gals!) put into making this site available.

[Ken Salisbury]

Yep- Ken will have to get busy updating all the SMC User Tips! Are they done yet, Ken? :D

Looking forward to learning the tricks to this version. Are you done yet, Ken? :D

Mark -- -- Keith and Aaron sneaked this one in on me also :D. When I logged on my pute this morning I thought that I must have comsumed too much BL yesterday. As a matter of fact - I was on the board after midnight last night and everthing was kosher.

The problem now is -- -- I have to figure out all this new stuff myself :D. As soon as I can do that I will create updates to the Tips page on my website. I will also post tips weekly (or more frequently) when and if I figure all this new stuff out.
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[Glenn Clabo]

Did anyone else notice that when you hesitate over the title of a new thread, in the list of new posts, with your mouse a little yellow box comes up and has the original message in it? Did it happen before the upgrade or was I just too quick to click? That's a cool one!

[Jason Roehl]

Did anyone else notice that when you hesitate over the title of a new thread, in the list of new posts, with your mouse a little yellow box comes up and has the original message in it? Did it happen before the upgrade or was I just too quick to click? That's a cool one!

Yes, yes I did.

[Aaron Koehl]

Did anyone else notice that when you hesitate over the title of a new thread, in the list of new posts, with your mouse a little yellow box comes up and has the original message in it? Did it happen before the upgrade or was I just too quick to click? That's a cool one!

One of the many new feature enhancements-- It'll take a while
to get used to all of them. :D

_Aaron_

[Jim Becker]

I like the new "auto-quote" feature when you reply to a specific post.

Compressing the "where you are heirarchy" near the top of the screen view is a little less intutive than it was before...it now wraps to more than one line when you are in a thread within a forum.

[Aaron Koehl]

the "mark all forums read" button go :( I use it every time I visit the creek. Maybe I am just being blind this AM, but I can't find it :confused:


The Mark All Forums Read link can be found at the bottom of the screen
on the Index page. It can also be found at the end of the page on a
search, (for instance at the end of the View New Posts link).

_Aaron_

[Paul Kunkel]

One of the many new feature enhancements-- It'll take a while
to get used to all of them. :D

_Aaron_
I tried that and well, it doesn't work on my Mac (OSX) Thats OK! I'll read 'em anyway when I have the time. :D