Null Parameter
01-30-2009, 08:45 PM
XForgery January Update
Well, here we go. After a long hiatus in this area, I bring you another update for XForgery, and just in time to call it a January Update.
We don't have a massive amount of stuff to update you on, but the few things are welcomed additions/changes.
Site Overview (Can the tortoise beat the hare?)
I know that getting back into school and work after Winter Break has been a difficult endeavor for a lot of people. Sadly, this difficulty has also been rearing its head in our activity level here at XForgery. Don't get me wrong, we still are having a pretty steady stream of daily members (about an average of 20 unique visitors every day), but I think we can do a lot better in the activity of those active members. Not only that though, I think we can easily increase our active member count, so get out there and tell your friends, or complete strangers about XForgery.
Site Updates (Visual Upgrades Abound)
You will notice a handful of mainly visual changes, but there are some other subtle changes as well to help both you and me.
Smilies (Finally, something worth looking at)
We've been wanting (for a very long time) to get new smilies that worked on both styles and had a far better visual appeal overall. Well, now we have exactly that, plus some.
There are now over 50 smilies available for your use. You can access them when you are creating/editing a post (in Advanced Edit) by clicking the "More" button below the listed smilies in the box to the right of the text box, which will produce a popup containing all of the smilies. As seen here........
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/Smilies1.jpg
Also, you may click the little smilie button above and get access to all of them without the need for a popup. Here is how to do that.....
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/Smilies2.jpg
Now, before somebody else does it, I'm going to post all of the smilies.
If I catch anybody doing this (or anything close to it), it will be a very punishable offense.
:) :D :( :p ;) :neutral: :mad: :'( :confused: :o XD ;P :scared: :thumbup: :thumbdown:
:awe: :question: :wub: :idea: :rolleyes: :exclaim: :eek: :arrow: :cool: :twisted: :embarrased:
:sigh: :?: :huh: :ugh: :oops: :duh: :help: :hi: :lol: :thanks:
:offtopic: :threadclosed: :agree: :backontopic: :bday: :google:
:clap: :popcorn: :bs: :curse: :notworthy: :skull: :RIP: :pikachu: :nono: :ninja: :facepalm: :drool: :tumbleweed:
Map Submission (If you make something idiot proof, they'll make a better idiot)
For those of us who have been at Forgery since the beginning, we understand the map system and how to easily submit a map into the right section. Although, I've become aware that, to some people, this isn't as easily understood.
To combat this fact, I've (highly) simplified the map submission process, and also added some handy tips to give people a gentle push in the right direction.
The first big change is that now there is only one submission form. No matter where you click "Submit Map" from, you'll be taken to the same form. Now, the correct forum is decided based upon what Map Canvas you choose and also any applicable Map Category.
This new form is also a little less cluttered, and better put together.
Next, you will notice that the Screenshot section is gone. There was really no need for this section, since most people put their screenshots in the Description anyway because it is simpler with the actual visual representation of the WYSIWYG editor.
Lastly, if you look next to each item you notice a little (?). Mousing over this will give you information about that particular field, and give you a hint about what exactly is supposed to go there. Here's a sample of the new visual overhaul (In the Default Style), along with an example of the hints.
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/MapForm.jpg
But, to get the full effect, you should just go check it out (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/newthread.php?do=form_map_halo3) for yourself.
Secret Visual Update (OOOoooOO, I love secrets!!!)
I decided to leave this update a secret, because I can.
But, to award people who actually read this far, and to those who explore the site, the first person (besides Denominator) who PMs me (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=2) with this Secret Update will win a month of Supporter Status.
Trust me, you'll know it if you find it.
Random Ramblings (What your mother never told you about XForgery)
This time on Random Ramblings....
Here we are again, this time I'm going to give you a few new things to try out, this time it is in the Social Groups!
Many of you are aware of the Social Groups (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/group.php) section of the site, but you may also be aware of how hard it is to utilize this feature. There have been several changes to this area in the latest vBulletin update that will make the Social Groups far more useful and fun.
First off, there is now a forum of sorts for each group. There can be multiple discussions, making it much easier to actually have a constructive conversation. But Wait, There's More! You can also Subscribe to individual Discussions, so you can be notified when people respond and therefore you don't have to constantly go check; those checks will come to you. To Subscribe, simply open the Discussion Tools menu in the Upper-Right corner of the Discussion, and choose Subscribe to this Discussion.
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/subscribe.jpg
If you choose to not have email notifications, you can always check your User CP (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/usercp.php) and the Subscriptions show up there as well.
Hope to see you all starting and enjoying the Social Groups.
I hope to see you next time on Random Ramblings.
That's it for this update. Pika! :pikachu:
Well, here we go. After a long hiatus in this area, I bring you another update for XForgery, and just in time to call it a January Update.
We don't have a massive amount of stuff to update you on, but the few things are welcomed additions/changes.
Site Overview (Can the tortoise beat the hare?)
I know that getting back into school and work after Winter Break has been a difficult endeavor for a lot of people. Sadly, this difficulty has also been rearing its head in our activity level here at XForgery. Don't get me wrong, we still are having a pretty steady stream of daily members (about an average of 20 unique visitors every day), but I think we can do a lot better in the activity of those active members. Not only that though, I think we can easily increase our active member count, so get out there and tell your friends, or complete strangers about XForgery.
Site Updates (Visual Upgrades Abound)
You will notice a handful of mainly visual changes, but there are some other subtle changes as well to help both you and me.
Smilies (Finally, something worth looking at)
We've been wanting (for a very long time) to get new smilies that worked on both styles and had a far better visual appeal overall. Well, now we have exactly that, plus some.
There are now over 50 smilies available for your use. You can access them when you are creating/editing a post (in Advanced Edit) by clicking the "More" button below the listed smilies in the box to the right of the text box, which will produce a popup containing all of the smilies. As seen here........
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/Smilies1.jpg
Also, you may click the little smilie button above and get access to all of them without the need for a popup. Here is how to do that.....
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/Smilies2.jpg
Now, before somebody else does it, I'm going to post all of the smilies.
If I catch anybody doing this (or anything close to it), it will be a very punishable offense.
:) :D :( :p ;) :neutral: :mad: :'( :confused: :o XD ;P :scared: :thumbup: :thumbdown:
:awe: :question: :wub: :idea: :rolleyes: :exclaim: :eek: :arrow: :cool: :twisted: :embarrased:
:sigh: :?: :huh: :ugh: :oops: :duh: :help: :hi: :lol: :thanks:
:offtopic: :threadclosed: :agree: :backontopic: :bday: :google:
:clap: :popcorn: :bs: :curse: :notworthy: :skull: :RIP: :pikachu: :nono: :ninja: :facepalm: :drool: :tumbleweed:
Map Submission (If you make something idiot proof, they'll make a better idiot)
For those of us who have been at Forgery since the beginning, we understand the map system and how to easily submit a map into the right section. Although, I've become aware that, to some people, this isn't as easily understood.
To combat this fact, I've (highly) simplified the map submission process, and also added some handy tips to give people a gentle push in the right direction.
The first big change is that now there is only one submission form. No matter where you click "Submit Map" from, you'll be taken to the same form. Now, the correct forum is decided based upon what Map Canvas you choose and also any applicable Map Category.
This new form is also a little less cluttered, and better put together.
Next, you will notice that the Screenshot section is gone. There was really no need for this section, since most people put their screenshots in the Description anyway because it is simpler with the actual visual representation of the WYSIWYG editor.
Lastly, if you look next to each item you notice a little (?). Mousing over this will give you information about that particular field, and give you a hint about what exactly is supposed to go there. Here's a sample of the new visual overhaul (In the Default Style), along with an example of the hints.
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/MapForm.jpg
But, to get the full effect, you should just go check it out (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/newthread.php?do=form_map_halo3) for yourself.
Secret Visual Update (OOOoooOO, I love secrets!!!)
I decided to leave this update a secret, because I can.
But, to award people who actually read this far, and to those who explore the site, the first person (besides Denominator) who PMs me (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/private.php?do=newpm&u=2) with this Secret Update will win a month of Supporter Status.
Trust me, you'll know it if you find it.
Random Ramblings (What your mother never told you about XForgery)
This time on Random Ramblings....
Here we are again, this time I'm going to give you a few new things to try out, this time it is in the Social Groups!
Many of you are aware of the Social Groups (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/group.php) section of the site, but you may also be aware of how hard it is to utilize this feature. There have been several changes to this area in the latest vBulletin update that will make the Social Groups far more useful and fun.
First off, there is now a forum of sorts for each group. There can be multiple discussions, making it much easier to actually have a constructive conversation. But Wait, There's More! You can also Subscribe to individual Discussions, so you can be notified when people respond and therefore you don't have to constantly go check; those checks will come to you. To Subscribe, simply open the Discussion Tools menu in the Upper-Right corner of the Discussion, and choose Subscribe to this Discussion.
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo114/Null_Parameter/Updates/January/subscribe.jpg
If you choose to not have email notifications, you can always check your User CP (http://www.xforgery.com/forum/usercp.php) and the Subscriptions show up there as well.
Hope to see you all starting and enjoying the Social Groups.
I hope to see you next time on Random Ramblings.
That's it for this update. Pika! :pikachu: