New version of the forum coming - please test it for us...

[Mark]

Hi

The forum's over nine years old now, and it's time to upgrade the software, in fact we're going to change to new software. This will cause problems and we apologise in advance but with the change comes additional benefits. Some of the known problems will be:

- During the switch over the forum will be offline for a few days, probably in October, maybe sooner, maybe later it depends on how this test goes.

- Private messages will not be carried over however we'll keep the old forum open so you can access them.

- The layout will be different and a bit confusing initially, for example the profile, register and login buttons will be in different places.

- Your password cannot be copied over, so you will receive an email telling you what your new password will be.

- The design will still be a bit rubbish however we have more flex to change it.

- You'll have to get used to new icons instead of text links, e.g. the quote this message will change to a " icon

Some of the benefits

- The site will work a lot better on mobile, when we first started mobile use was less than 1%, now it's over 50%

- It will be more future proof, we have been limited by the current software's constraints.

- There are new features, like adding users to be 'friends' or 'foes', so login and have a look around your profile to find out more.

We don't have team of technical developers and we'll make changes gradually, so first of all we're going to run a test version of the site. We'd be grateful if you could have a look around so please go there have have a look and test it. Is anything broken? Can you post a message? Are things as expected? Do you get any errors?

The test forum is a snapshot of the site from August but please let us have feedback either here on better still on the test forum.

On the test site, you will have to go through the forgotten password process to get your login. When the site goes live properly you'll get an email telling you of your new password.

Any new messages will be overwritten when it goes live properly so don't use the test version as a replacement for the real thing just yet.

The test version of the new site: www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/testforum

Remember to get your new password sent to you from here

Your help is greatly appreciated

Mark & the EDF Team

[Magic Moments]

Hi I'm Lynda I run 'Magic Moments' we currently have spaces for children aged between 1&5 years. If you are interested and would like to look around then text me on 07973360068 or email on [email protected]

[Melihoople]

Web Links don't work? Is this because it is a test version?

[Mark]

Could you give me an example of a web link that doesn't work please?

[tfwsoll]

The web link didn't work for me last night but it does now

[Mark]

Ah sorry, I thought you meant the links on the site don't work but you mean my links (above)to the new site. I'm not sure why they didn't work, what happened when you clicked on them?

[Alan Medic]

Mark, when you say 'test it', I take it you are not looking for comments on how it looks. Is that right?

[Mark]

Well, how it looks is subjective ;-) but yes, please let me have any feedback even if it's about how it looks. One thing to bear in mind is that the new one is a, off-the-shelf template with the colours changed so I may be limited as to how much I can make it prettier, but I can try.

The main thing now is to find out if anything is wrong, I'll put cosmetic things on the todo list.

[OD]

I think it looks really good - don't knock the simplicity.. its easy to get around!! The EDF old farts (oooh.. yeah I said it!!) will just need to get used to it...progress is a good thing!!lol

Do the same pic size limits still apply? Got a 'too big' error when I tried a random pic!

OD

[Mark]

Thanks OD. The picture limits do apply but I see that it doesn't tell you there's a limit, or what it is. I'll see if I can change that, something for the todo list.

[DadOf4]

no time to test properly yet - but the mobile experience is 1000 times better than current

[@Woodwarde]

Talking of attachments, why the same file limit. It is a barrier to photos etc.

[Mark]

It's to do with the server size, if there was no limit people would upload their 2mb photos and with about 20 photos a day added it'll use up a Gb in a few weeks. A limit on attachments stops them filling up the server and slowing it down and breaking it.

[phobic3000]

Much easier to use on phone, which is what I usually use.

[edhistory]

Got a CloudFlare screen.

Check the interface?

John K

[Mark]

edhistory Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Check the interface?

Could you explain what that means please? What interface?

[bargee99]

Hi Mark,

The new site doesn't recognise my username and e-mail address.

Chris

[Mark]

Hi bargee99

I assume the snapshot of the site was taken before you joined, perhaps you could use the registration process and see if that works ok for you. Thanks for trying!

[edhistory]

Mark Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> edhistory Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Check the interface?

>

> Could you explain what that means please? What

> interface?

This is the error screen:

https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/articles/200171936-Error-520-Web-server-is-returning-an-unknown-error

[Mark]

We can't replicate this so please could you send a screenshot of the error to the team as it'll help us investigate. The support page in your link unfortunately only tells us what a 520 error is not what the cause is. Press 'print screen' when you see the error page and then paste (Ctrl and v) that into an email to [email protected]

Alternatively a HAR file would be great https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/articles/203118044-How-do-I-generate-a-HAR-file-

If anyone else has this issue please let me know.

Thank you.

[bargee99]

Hi Mark,

I used the registration process and the confirmation e-mail and it worked fine Thank You. The new site seems to work OK and will just need a bit of getting used to. I hope the new site will still feature the ability to view new posts by clicking the "new" icon in each thread which I find most useful. Thank You.

[Penguin68]

This thread (and the intention to revise the forum) seems to have gone very quiet - is there still any intention to change the underlying software driving the forum, or are we where we are, for the foreseeable?

[Mark]

Sorry, it was meant to happen in February but a house move got in the way. There was a also problem with displaying the advertisers on the site, the module didn't work and that also needs to be updated, the developers reckon it'll be within the month. So apologies, it's a time thing but I'll try and keep you updated.

[Penguin68]

Thanks for the update