DIBB Upgrade Last Week

[Stu]

Hi,
We upgraded the DIBB today and there are a number of changes as a result of this upgrade and also the work we have been doing over the last few days.

Most of the changes don't affect the general running of the site and a lot of the changes were security and admin based but some you will notice....

1. We have changed the Search function to help speed up the site and the search results. You can also now search for 3 letter words.

2. User Profile has changed.

3. Users can now upload picture galleries in their user profile and use these pictures in the forums. Normal members are limited to 20 images and 2Mb of space where as DIBB AP Holders (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/dibb-subs.php) get 500 pictures and 30Mb space

4. DIBB AP Holders can also modify the look of their profile page.

[chlobo29]

Thanks Stu for a fast and efficient upgrade, you are a star :pgig:

[loadsapixiedust]

Thanks boss ;) some new things to play with!

[gala]

Sounds great Stu. Can you tell me if the AP Holders now have an increased storage capacity in the gallery.What was the storage capacity before? I ask because my gallery space is full and I was wondering if I am able to add more this summer without having to delete.

Margaret

[pongo]

so is anyone able to upload photos i always thought it was only pass holders could do that?

[Fiona]

How do we upload photos please, I`m not sure how to do it? Thanks. :-)

[Heather1957]

How do we upload photos please, I`m not sure how to do it? Thanks. :-)

I went into user CP and there's now a picture choice on the left.

Click on there, give the album a name and then start browsing your home computer and add pictures.

I've given mine a name but as yet haven't added any pictures.

So glad we now can - thanks Stu.

:grin:

[Stu]

DIBB AP Holders still have their 50Mb of Main Gallery space.
Normal members can not upload to the main gallery.

DIBB AP Holders have an additional 30Mb of Profile gallery space limited to 500 images.
Normal members have 2Mb of profile gallery space and are limited to 20 images.

All members that have been a member for a few days and have posted a couple of times will be able to use the Profile Gallery.


As an AP holder you will also have the ability to modify your profile page, you can change the colours, fonts etc, even upload a background image.

Members can also leave messages in another users profile, AP Holders get extra features here as they can edit and delete messages left in their profile.

[Heather1957]

I've just discovered some small changes to the pm format too.

[Jax1970]

Oooh, it all sounds exciting, and a little bit scary too!

Thanks Stu for all your hard work!

[parris]

Cool upgrades :)

[Fiona]

I went into user CP and there's now a picture choice on the left.

Click on there, give the album a name and then start browsing your home computer and add pictures.

I've given mine a name but as yet haven't added any pictures.

So glad we now can - thanks Stu.

:grin:

DIBB AP Holders still have their 50Mb of Main Gallery space.
Normal members can not upload to the main gallery.

DIBB AP Holders have an additional 30Mb of Profile gallery space limited to 500 images.
Normal members have 2Mb of profile gallery space and are limited to 20 images.

All members that have been a member for a few days and have posted a couple of times will be able to use the Profile Gallery.


As an AP holder you will also have the ability to modify your profile page, you can change the colours, fonts etc, even upload a background image.

Members can also leave messages in another users profile, AP Holders get extra features here as they can edit and delete messages left in their profile.

Thanks Heather and Stu. :grin:

[Fiona]

Just tried to upload a pic into my album. It was quite slow and then said, "Up-load of album failed." Any idea why that could be - thanks?

[disney dave]

thanks stu, looking good, off to have a play:thumbs-up

[gala]

Thanks for your reply Stu. Tinkering around at the moment. The changes look really cool.

Margaret

[Mazzy]

Thanks Stu - off to have an explore! :d:

[Vabeth]

Brilliant! I love the changes!!! :thumbs-up

[Fizzy Fish]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but what is the tags function for?

[mcknigma]

Looking good :)

[Stu]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but what is the tags function for?

TAGS are like Keywords,
When you make a post you can add your own TAGS (keywords) that relate to the content of the post, these then go to create better search results. If you use Tags you can also search on Tags.

Click the search link at the top and you will see a new Tag Search.

Tags will also appear at the bottom of posts.

It's hard to see until they build up.

[Fizzy Fish]

Ahh, I see. Thanks Stu!

[lanceneoman]

great stuff

[lesley1960]

Is there anyway we can make it private? , not too happy everything is open to view tbh

[Stu]

Make what private? what bit is concerning you ?

[Leanne1977]

Sorry thicko here.:blush:

When someone sends me a message on my message board, do I reply to that message on my board or do I have to click on their name and do it that way?:blush:

I don't want people to think I am ignoring them if I am posting in the wrong place.:blush:

[Chelle27]

How do I funky up my profile??

[Vabeth]

Sorry thicko here.:blush:

When someone sends me a message on my message board, do I reply to that message on my board or do I have to click on their name and do it that way?:blush:

I don't want people to think I am ignoring them if I am posting in the wrong place.:blush:

Hun, when someone sends you a message click on the view conversation button to reply and your message will show on their page! :wave:

[Leanne1977]

Thanks hun. I bet everyone who has sent me a message thinks I am really ignorant. I was posting it in the wrong place.:blush: :d:

[MickeyMouse]

How do I funky up my profile??

Only DIBB AP Holders (subscribers) have that facility.

[gala]

Is there anyway we can make it private? , not too happy everything is open to view tbh

I think the whole point of it is that it is an area for open friendly conversation. Anything private, I would imagine could be sent by PM or email. :smile:
I quite like the openness of it.

Margaret

[Vabeth]

I think the whole point of it is that it is an area for open friendly conversation. Anything private, I would imagine could be sent by PM or email. :smile:
I quite like the openness of it.

Margaret

So do I! I think it makes it nice and friendly and keeps the general banter away from the main boards, which is something a lot of people complain about! :wave:

[Saratoska]

Just tried to upload a pic into my album. It was quite slow and then said, "Up-load of album failed." Any idea why that could be - thanks?

thats whats happening to me Fiona

[Chelle27]

I c. Thanks Stu.

[Clare]

Thanks hun. I bet everyone who has sent me a message thinks I am really ignorant. I was posting it in the wrong place.:blush: :d:

Glad I've just read this - because I've done the same Leanne :blush:

[Leanne1977]

Glad I've just read this - because I've done the same Leanne :blush:

:d: :d: From what I hear there are lots of us doing it!!:D :wave:

[Fiona]

When someone sends me a message and I reply, should my reply just be showing in that person`s message bit or mine also? It`s getting me a bit confused now!! Thanks. :-)

[WTP]

WOoooo. This all sounds very exciting. I've spent the past couple of days writing another letter of application and haven't had time to have a good nosey at the new upgrades. My letter/application form is finished now but it is a bit late as I'm up at 6 in the morning. I can't wait till tomorrow night when I can chill out and have a good play around. Thanks Stu...you are a genius.

[Stu]

Guy's
There is a little confusion over the new message system.

1. The PM system: This hasn't changed and still works the way it use to, messages sent between two or more people that can not be seen by the public.

2. Profile Messaging: (Visitor Messages) This is new and you can leave a message for someone in their profile. Please note these messages are open to the public, they are not PM's. The best way to think of these is a Thread full of posts that just happens to be in your profile. It's like everyone has their own personal thread.

These are designed for people who visit your profile to leave you a message, they shouldn't be used as an alternate to the PM system as everyone can see the messages.
If you don't want people leaving messages on your profile then you can switch it off in your UserCP, Edit Options.

3. Friends: This has replaced the Buddy Lists that we used to have, if you make someone a friend then they are shown in your profile and you are shown in their profile.
If you don't want people to see your friends then you can add them to your contacts instead.

4. If you wish to dissable these features then you can do so from your UserCP Edit Options.

[Villainlover]

hmm sounds a bit cliquey to me but hey ho .... thanks for the update Stu

[rusty30]

Thanks hun. I bet everyone who has sent me a message thinks I am really ignorant. I was posting it in the wrong place.:blush: :d:

Me too...sorry to all those who think Ive been ignoring them...:blush:

[Fiona]

When someone sends me a message and I reply, should my reply just be showing in that person`s message bit or mine also? It`s getting me a bit confused now!! Thanks. :-)

Anyone?? :)

[Vabeth]

Anyone?? :)

i think it only shows in their profile! :wave:

[Fiona]

i think it only shows in their profile! :wave:

Thanks. :)

[matthews_mum]

Only DIBB AP Holders (subscribers) have that facility.

Ah, that explains why I can't see how to change it! Thanks :)

[Lesley_Perschky]

What are the notifications for? I had two this morning and thought I had upset people!

[D15NEY]

Thanks Stu :thumbs-up

[Stu]

What are the notifications for? I had two this morning and thought I had upset people!

Hi,
If you click on Notifications at the top of the page under where it says Welcome .....
It shows you what the notifications are for, either new PM, new Visitor message, comment on your Album/Photo etc..

If you do not have any notifications then it just shows Personal Messages instead.

[Andre]

Well I'm well confused... LOL

I have managed to agree to be someone's friend though, so it can't be all bad. What does that actually mean though, do we have to send each other birthday cards and everything? :)

It all seems a bit "social networking" to me, which I thought the DIBB was rather against promoting a while back? (e.g. XXXXXXXX)

[Oops, it seems the DIBB is still against even mentioning that particular site! It was the one about the part of your body where your eyes, nose and mouth are located, plus reading matter... :)]

Andre

[Stu]

I've posted about Friends a couple of times and there is a notice at the moment when you first visit the DIBB.

Friends just replaces the Buddy list, virtually the same just a bit more visible.

[Andre]

Friends just replaces the Buddy list, virtually the same just a bit more visible.

But I never really worked out what the Buddy list did either.... :blush: :blush:

What does being someone's buddy (or friend, or contact) actually mean - i.e. how do those users differ from non-buddies in day-to-day DIBBing? Can you, for example, display all new DIBB posts made by your Friends?

Or is it just me being thick, which is quite likely?

[Edit: While I'm being thick, I'm also a bit confused about the two different types of photo galleries / albums - why are there two different personal photo storage locations, and can you copy between them, etc?]

Andre

[Stu]

Main Gallery is a full feature packed gallery, it is on public view and is also indexed by the search engines etc.

The pictures in the Profile area isn't a full featured gallery, it's just an easy way to store some pictures without all the features associated with a main stream gallery.

I'm hoping people will use the profile gallery or the main gallery instead of the likes of Photobucket etc. As people delete or move their pictures on photobucket it affects the pictures being displayed here on the DIBB. Also when a thread has to download pictures from photobucket and the connection is slow, it affects the speed of the thread loading.

The Main gallery is quite large and can look complicated, hopefully we can reduce some of the off site picture useage by allowing an easy upload via the members profile.

Also the member profile galleries can be made private.

[purple myra]

i like the new feature, i like the fact you can have a bit of 'chit chat' with other members instead of threads getting derailed.
I've used it on another forum and it works very well

[madwife]

Thanks Stu :wave:

[Bozza]

It all seems a bit "social networking" to me, which I thought the DIBB was rather against promoting a while back? (e.g. XXXXXXXX)

I'm assuming what Stu has done is upgrade vBulletin, the software that underpins the Dibb forums.

A cross-site security issue was exploited recently and Jelsoft, the company behind vBulletin, have encouraged all users to upgrade in order to ensure they are not victims of the security issue.

A number of the things people are discussing here are other functional elements that are in recent vBulletin releases so they come 'for free' as it were (ie don't really require Board Admins to do anything to implement them).

You're quite right Andre, Jelsoft have very much gone all 'social networking' recently. Presumably they are trying to retain customers for whom a FB group could suffice.

[Stu]

(ie don't really require Board Admins to do anything to implement them).


Urmmm, I guess the 4 hours of upgrading, customising templates, removing things we didn't want and adding things that don't come with the software, plus the week of testing on our backup server didn't really require me to do anything.... I guess I was just imagining it all then ;) If I'd known that before I started I'd have sat in the garden having a beer instead :)

[Lesley_Perschky]

What do you drink Stu and I send you some round:beer2::beer2:

Got to admit the chat part is good, the new features will take getting used to but if it makes the DIBB more secure then thats fine by me.

[Stu]

What do you drink Stu and I send you some round:beer2::beer2:


Can you make my garden look like this too :D

http://www.condorjourneys-adventures.com/images/honduras_endoftheworld2.jpg

[Fiona]

What is puzzling me is when someone posts as message on my profile page and I reply, my reply just shows on their profile page. Should my reply be showing on my page also? Hope that makes sense! Thanks. :-)

[Vabeth]

Can you make my garden look like this too :D

http://www.condorjourneys-adventures.com/images/honduras_endoftheworld2.jpg

Now that would make a fabulous profile page pic!!! ;)
I've suddenly become profile picture obsessed!!! :pgig:

[Super Ali]

The new profile pages are so cool, thanks Stu and team,
Can someone tell me how to put a fancy background on:cry:I've try but can't find out how it's done:blush:PLEASE

[Stu]

Find a picture you want to use from your profile gallery. View the picture and copy the address from the browsers address bar.

Click Customise Profile
then in the Main section paste in the address you just copied into the background image box.

{edit to remome incorrect instruction}

[Super Ali]

Thanks stu, your a star:thumbs-up

[Super Ali]

Stu, the box keeps going red and nothing is happening:blush:am i doing something wrong ?

[Stu]

Stu, the box keeps going red and nothing is happening:blush:am i doing something wrong ?

Apologies,
Background images must come from your albums. Enter the URL to a picture in one of your public or profile albums.

[Super Ali]

Apologies,
Background images must come from your albums. Enter the URL to a picture in one of your public or profile albums.

:pgig:Thanks again, i know i'm a pest;) give me a signature any day:pgig:

[Super Ali]

Hi, my recent visitor list on my profile page doesn't show me how has had a look :(I'm just getting a + , and ideas ?

[Stu]

Hi, my recent visitor list on my profile page doesn't show me how has had a look :(I'm just getting a + , and ideas ?

Is this just a ploy to get members to look at your profile ;) :D

Drag your mouse over the box and you'll see all the names as you highlight them. You must have set one of the custom settings to be the same as the background colour. White text on White background :D

[Super Ali]

Is this just a ploy to get members to look at your profile ;) :D

Drag your mouse over the box and you'll see all the names as you highlight them. You must have set one of the custom settings to be the same as the background colour. White text on White background :D

Stu your so bad;):pgig:

[grumpys wife]

Hi Stu, sorry to be a pain but can you tell me why some of my photo's won't upload:confused2 I bet you don't get silly questions off of the younger Dibbers:blush:

[Stu]

I take it you are trying to upload large images, probably straight from a digital camera.
I have increased the file upload size on the server, hopefully this will allow you to upload the large images now.

[grumpys wife]

Thanks for that Stu, it now works fine. I am really enjoying playing with our new toy. Thanks for giving it to us to play with;)

[ursula]

Is this just a ploy to get members to look at your profile ;) :D
:D

It made me look;)

[rusty30]

Ive had a lot of fun pimping my profile - love all the new features, thanks Stu & team!!

[AndyJ]

Hi Stu

Nice work on the upgrade.

I have found, being a dark background kinda guy, that various graphics/smilies are very white orientated even though they use the transparent features of GIF/PNG.

Can this be fixed? I'd be happy to help edit the non-animated ones if you agreed to use them.

A.

[Andre]

The trouble is the anti-aliasing (for light backgrounds) would go out of the window. That's the trouble with GIFs, no subtlety in transparency.

Andre

[jeanwales]

Can I just say how fascinating it is to check out peoples profiles. It seems far more personal and helps you get to know each other better.

Great fun
xxxxx

ps. Love playing with the new toys too!

[AndyJ]

The trouble is the anti-aliasing (for light backgrounds) would go out of the window. That's the trouble with GIFs, no subtlety in transparency.

Andre

So anti-alias to a mid-grey?

The problem with the DIBB gfx is that they have bright white pixel outlines.

A.

[Stu]

The main problem was due to IE6 and below not recognising Alpha Transparency in PNG's so we had to use gif's, now that IE7 recognises 24 bit png's properly I have edited the ears and the ap plaques so they are now png's.

Any IE6 users wil get a blue background, but our stats show that most people are either using Firefox or IE7 now.

[summertime85]

Absolutely loving the new profile pages. Thanks Stu. :d:

[matty]

Must admit, as someone has already mentioned, for a site that goes as far as deleting the name out of peoples posts of a certain social networking site, to then introduce a 'friends' facility on this site, doesn't seem right....

[purple myra]

I've just notice since the upgrade that my gold ear has a black outline...it now looks like Ratners gold :(

[Stu]

Must admit, as someone has already mentioned, for a site that goes as far as deleting the name out of peoples posts of a certain social networking site, to then introduce a 'friends' facility on this site, doesn't seem right....

The friends feature has always been on the DIBB, it use to be called the Buddy list. The friends list just enhances the buddy list and makes it easier to use.

I find it really strange that anyone would compare the friends feature here with the social networking sites out there. There is a massive difference. Here on the DIBB kids aren't going to get groomed by some pervert. We aren't running an un-moderated free for all!!!!!!

[Stu]

I've just notice since the upgrade that my gold ear has a black outline...it now looks like Ratners gold :(

I can easily remove it for you :)

[Clare]

The new features are fab Stu, you've made a great site even better, thank you :)

[matty]

The friends feature has always been on the DIBB, it use to be called the Buddy list. The friends list just enhances the buddy list and makes it easier to use.

I find it really strange that anyone would compare the friends feature here with the social networking sites out there. There is a massive difference. Here on the DIBB kids aren't going to get groomed by some pervert. We aren't running an un-moderated free for all!!!!!!

OK, fair point! ;);) I think it's the deleting of posts and words from posts that I really have a dislike of, especially as it is based on a 'point of view' of the forum owner.

The Dibb can be used by perverts too, as a member you a free to contact anyone on here and get chatting. it states ages, unless the user specifies they don't want it displayed, just like a social networking site. Please don't think the Dibb is any different. It's just smaller, not less vulnerable to the internet's evils.

I'll get my coat..... :wavey:

[purple myra]

I can easily remove it for you :)

thats a kind offer......but NO! stick a wee sparkler in it if you like :D:D

[Vabeth]

The friends feature has always been on the DIBB, it use to be called the Buddy list. The friends list just enhances the buddy list and makes it easier to use.

I find it really strange that anyone would compare the friends feature here with the social networking sites out there. There is a massive difference. Here on the DIBB kids aren't going to get groomed by some pervert. We aren't running an un-moderated free for all!!!!!!

I think the new messaging feature in the profile pages is a really good idea!
I know a lot of people complain about the amount of 'chat' that goes on in the threads, so surely taking it away from the general forums can only be seen as a good thing! If people don't like the feature they dont have to use it! :wave:

[SimonB]

OK, fair point! ;);) I think it's the deleting of posts and words from posts that I really have a dislike of, especially as it is based on a 'point of view' of the forum owner.

The Dibb can be used by perverts too, as a member you a free to contact anyone on here and get chatting. it states ages, unless the user specifies they don't want it displayed, just like a social networking site. Please don't think the Dibb is any different. It's just smaller, not less vulnerable to the internet's evils.

I'll get my coat..... :wavey:

I think you raise a couple of very good points there. The thing with any public forum is that they are all open to abuse and I am always wary of putting too much personal info where anyone can see it. Maybe I am too cautious but would rather be safe than sorry.

Saying that, I do think the dibb is one of the safest forums on the internet.

[Stu]

Matty, You don't have to get your coat :D
Your opinions are as valid as the next persons :)

The point I was trying to make is the New Friends feature doesn't alter the way the DIBB works, is used or is moderated. The DIBB is a forum site and as such has social interaction, it always has done and always will do. You could say that social networking sites are just an extension of forum and chat technology. However the new features added here doesn't suddenly make the DIBB into one of these social networking sites.

The big difference is they are huge, attract the kids by their thousands are full of unsuitable content, people post personal information and they are largely un-moderated. This makes them ideal targets for those with ill intent!

Yes there could be similar problems on the DIBB, I'm not naive enough to think everything is perfect, but there is a world of difference. We don't allow personal information to be publicly posted, our site is well moderated, and the new features added do not actually change anything that we haven't had here for years, they just enhance various parts.

As for the removing of links to the social networking sites, this is purely my choice and something I feel very strongly about. I have had first hand dealings with these sites to an extent that I called in the Police to start an investigation. Having seen the ugly side for myself I will not allow the DIBB to be used to promote these sites.

Don't get me wrong, used properly those sites are great, but at the moment they aren't moderated, you can post as much personal information as you want and this can all too easily be abused.

[AndyJ]

The main problem was due to IE6 and below not recognising Alpha Transparency in PNG's so we had to use gif's, now that IE7 recognises 24 bit png's properly I have edited the ears and the ap plaques so they are now png's.

Any IE6 users wil get a blue background, but our stats show that most people are either using Firefox or IE7 now.

Ooo they look really nice on a black background now. Nice one!

[Andre]

Don't get me wrong, used properly those sites are great, but at the moment they aren't moderated, you can post as much personal information as you want and this can all too easily be abused.

And a lot of the problem is that these sites are set up so that kids feel like they are in a semi-private chat area, almost like text messaging with their mates from school - and of course a lot of the time, nothing could be further from the truth.

Andre

[AndyJ]

....and they give you a nice API to aid in your pharming... :(

A.

[Bobbles]

Stu,

Sorry if I'm being dim but is the mobile version of the site still available? I had it set up on my phone for 24/7 access :d: but it has now reverted back to the normal version which loads very slooooooowly on my phone and doesn't display well on such a small screen. It was a while ago that I set it originally, but wasn't there a drop down to select mobile somewhere?

Cheers

Bobbles:thumbs-up

[Andre]

Sorry if I'm being dim but is the mobile version of the site still available?

I was going to say that the selector is in the bottom blue bar as I use it occasionally too, but you're right, the mobile option seems to have vanished.

Andre

[bourlea]

Stu,

Sorry to be a bit dim this morning but does the + sign next to a recent visitors name mean thay have visted more than once?

adam

[Stu]

The Mobile version isn't available at the moment, there were so many changes at the last upgrade that I have got to totally re-design the mobile/pda styles.

The + sign means that is someone on your Friends/Contact list.

[Bobbles]

Stu,

Thanks for your reply. At least I'm not losing the plot. Appreciate all the work you have put in to upgrade the site with or without the mobile option. Whilst its not available I may be able to ween myself off my Dibb addiction....:spin:

Cheers

Bobbles

[AndyJ]

Stu,

When you look at the mobile version, I noted before that the "reply" button was missing in the PM screen, meaning you had to do "New PM" each time. Small detail I know :)

[Stu]

Right I have changed the Mobile style, I have tested it on my phone/PDA and it all seems ok, I can't guarantee it will work on all mobile phones though.

If you are in the Mobile Style and want to change back to the DIBB Style then you need to Click UserCP then Edit Options then change the style then Save.

[Bobbles]

oooh, I like. Works fine on pocket ie on wm6. I like the fact that stickies are highlighted with a different coloured background. Definitely an improvement.

Cheers

Bobbles

[SimonB]

I use Opera Mini on my mobile and the dibb appears in all its glory