CAG Site upgrade - thread 1

[locutus]

So, IMO we need a "new posts" button, and "find all threads started by me" in our profiles.

[locutus]

Quick "smilies" lesson if you can't be bothered to go into "advanced" to find them:

 

: lol :

 

: - ) =

 

: rolleyes : =

 

: razz : =

 

: - x =

 

: - ( =

 

: shock : =

 

: - ? = :-?

 

: - D =

 

(removing spaces, obviously, I had to add spaces so that the smilies wouldn't self-generate)

 

HTH the smiley addicts.

 

 

Here is a full list of smilies (3rd time of posting it )

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/misc.php?do=getsmilies&editorid=vB_Editor_001

[locutus]

I'm sure there are reasons.

 

p.s.

: confused : =

[locutus]

try CTRL + F5

[locutus]

Thanks locutus and everyone else who has replied to my query!

 

However, I still cannot find an easy way to bring up a list of all threads started by me - which was so straightforward before and now seems virtually impossible..............

 

Just like the previously referenced changes to ebay (which, whilst obviously being an improvement on the very first format, are a backward step I believe to how things were 2 or 3 years ago), I cannot see how this is an improvement personally.

 

I'm sure (like ebay) I'll get used to it in time, but for now maybe I'll take a sabbatical and wait for the dust to settle before returning.

 

Landy x

Click "advanced search" then click "search by type" then you have a box that you can put the username in, and a box next to it that you can drag down to say "Find threads started by user"

 

Still, this is currently not working, so not much help until it's fixed although it does work on threads created AFTER the update!

[locutus]

CAG uses a piece of forum software called vBulletin. The old site was using vBulletin 3.7.0 which was quite out of date, as the most recent version in the 3 series was 3.8.6

 

CAG now uses vBulletin v4.0.0 which is a completely newer version of the software with more features etc, however, as people are noticing, things are now radically different. That's because you are comparing between 2 different branches of the software.

 

v4.0.0 is far more up to date, has more features, and most importantly is far more 'secure', especially considering the version number that CAG used to use.

 

I am not convinced that I like it yet, as it is new, but the benefits for CAG far outweigh the loop holes and previous features of vBulletin.

 

On an aside, I am completely shocked that CAG have removed a piece of software called vBSEO as it could potentially destroy all links that are out and about in the land of SEO

 

A good example of broken links is here.

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=consumeractiongroup&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

 

For example the following links are now broken.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/parking-traffic-offences/

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/payment-protection-insurance-ppi/

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/utilities-gas-electricity-water/

 

So basically historic links that have been indexed by search engines, to relevant sections of the forums etc are now kaput, causing people who may click on them to come across a blank page apart from an error message. That has to be the most ludicrous decision that CAG have made on this newer version of the software.

 

Very nice post! That would also explain why :-

Click "advanced search" then click "search by type" then you have a box that you can put the username in, and a box next to it that you can drag down to say "Find threads started by user"

 

Still, this is currently not working, so not much help until it's fixed although it does work on threads created AFTER the update!

 

Maybe webby should look into this aswell!

[locutus]

Hmm posting on my mobile isn't much different

[locutus]

Infact it's a little easier as before it used to tell me "you need to leave 30 seconds between posts" every time I posted on the v.bulletin 3.7.0 using my mobile.

[locutus]

If webby updated the search database to include the old posts it would be a lot better!

[locutus]

it's different, I'm not sure I like the change but it will grow on me.

 

Like a fungal infection?

 

 

I think the main point as to "Why" has been outlined by letsdothis.... the new V.Bulletin has greater security.

[locutus]

Ok

 

Minuses:

1. No 'New Posts' button

 

2. Search facility has no:

a) 'Find posts/ threads started by User'

b) 'Find threads with At least/At most replies, so impossible to look for 0 reply threads

c) 'Show results as post/thread'

 

3. No 'Mark Forums Read' button

 

4. Thread titles are far less distinct, less easy to skim, so far more time consuming to read

 

5. Not having the Forum title in a separate column, again makes it far more difficult to filter out forums that you're not interested in

 

Pluses

Still looking for any

 

In short, as a downgrade, a resounding success. As an upgrade, an unmitigated disaster

Most of your stuff Michael is probably being sorted. As for the plusses, although maybe not as apparent there is greater security with V.Bulletin 4.0.0 over 3.7.0 and also the integration of Youtube is going to make posts more interesting. There is also a "blog" facility integrated (I don't know if webby has any plans to use it or remove it)

 

okay okay, I admit I was vague but you did make me giggle

 

It seems difficult to navigate (even though its the same) and the colour is glaringly painful so maybe a different skin for people to use who do find the white too bright, other than that its mainly because I hate change.

 

edit: oh and the stickies need the blue bar back under them to separate them from the regular threads

any posts like this I'm sure webby will be looking into. I think it would not be beyond the realms of posibility to add customisable colour schemes... I think that would be pretty low on the "To do" list tho

[locutus]

Yes, I can see that's a vast improvement on the previous one click button at the top of each page

I'm sure that will be added soon enough

 

Read loads of threads and posts today since 9am and only on moving to the last page on this thread have I had the advert for the Bailiffs book appear!

 

Curiouser and curiouser!!

You sure you didn't move your mouse over the word Bailiffs?

[locutus]

Make a bookmark and then add this URL to the properties.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/search.php?do=getnew

 

or right click and add to favorites

[locutus]

Press PrtScr button, open paint and press CTRL + V. that'll give you a screenshot of the problem. Load that into an image hosting place like "imageshack.us" and post here for everyone to see.

[locutus]

PS - sorry but the new smilies suck

Maybe thats whay webby likes them

 

Phoenix... have you zoomed in using the CTRL and scrollwheel or CTRL and +?

[locutus]

I think Bo is refering to the actual image rather than the availability of them

[locutus]

If you want familiarity, stick your tongue out at me seems to be very familiar

 

P.S. spellchecked before posted!

[locutus]

Thank you Webby, and I've noticed you online the entire day, and little bits changing every so often. Thank you for that.

 

Here are what I think most people have been concerned with :-

 

Need a "new posts" button

a "mark all forums read" button

Search facility to also include the old archive

Return of smileys to Quick Reply

If a smiley image is the last on a block of text, you cannot click or move the curser to the right of it.

No spellcheck in "edit post"

Maybe a diferent colour scheme or choice of colour scheme in preferences (notice Bo the English spelling of colour:p)

And just for Bo, return of the old smiley images

Edited August 7, 2010 by locutus

[locutus]

Re:chrome. The new software doesn't perform well on it. I'm using Android at the moment and it looks similar to bookies ss. (probably because both are made by Google)

 

Hopefully webby will tweek it some more.

[locutus]

ll, this is the bank one that you can modify for your needs :-

 

http://www.consumerforums.com/resources/templates-library/48-bank-templates/110--data-protection-act-1998-subject-access-request

 

Also doesn't the word SAR automatically hyperlink to it?

[locutus]

how do you find old posts started by you,

Doesn't seem to be available anymore

 

There is ongoing work on the search facility I believe. It will return. Is it a specific thread by you? I'm pretty good at searching

[locutus]

I used the "new posts" link in the CAG toolbar to get me to new posts when I opened CAG that still seems to work apart from a bit of script waffle at the top of the page - don't know if the other links work, I haven't tried them yet, as I probably won't be able to find my way back here if they don't . (embarressed smiley).

 

Had a bit of a nerve racking few seconds when the screen image started jumping aound wildly - but that turned out to be the cat's tail on the keyboard - so I've sorted that out myself -

 

Wils

 

That post deserves a scale tickle (I cant at the moment, I'll remember to do it later, I promise!). Some pretty techie people on this thread and not one of us remembered that button is on the toolbar!

[locutus]

Yes it is a fashion world / jd williams one from a while back, I can't find it anywhere

 

 

this one?

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?115986-Alf-v-Fashion-World-Reliable

[locutus]

That 5 mins really flies doesn't it I still have the option on my last post so I think the time limit is the only factor.

 

Smilies, I'm sure they'll be replaced, but here is a sheet of them that you can learn or print out if you like

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/misc.php?do=getsmilies&editorid=vB_Editor_001

[locutus]

Ahh, new game I believe called "pass the unenforcable debt". Have fun with them alf