JEFF!!! What happened?

[ErikG for real]

What happened to the forum?

I can't log on, nothing seems to happen when I try to.
Layout changed (to the worse I think)

On purpose or have something gone wrong?

[ErikG for real]

I can now see that you are working with something in the admin panel so I guess you now it has changed. I'll know soon enough.

Regardless... With the version in use right now I could see that ALL of the "FRICKING GUESTS" are inktomi bots searching trough the pages.
It would be interesting if you could stop them from showing up or perhaps stop them getting into and searching the forum altogether. Otherwise they'll eat up a lot of your bandwith making the site slower (not that it is slow now but...)

I hope you get it working again soon

ErikG

[ErikG for real]

I'm stupid!
You had that "bot stopper" before didn't you, since now we have 200+ guests on the forum...

ErikG

[Jeff]

Sorry Erik - you should be able to login now. The upgrade was a little more time consuming than I had planned, but hopefully everything is almost back to normal (except for the templates).

The Bots are a love hate relationship - being listed in search engines definitely helps new people find our site. On the other hand, 200 spiders on at once tends to affect the load on the server quite a bit.

And then another topic you touched on - software upgrades. I was rather attached to the old forum templates too, but I think I'll wait a week to give everything a chance to settle before beginning to clean up the new ones.

[ErikG]

Jeff re. the spiders... is there a way toat least hide their presence for us?
I think a few users will be somewhat disturbed to see 200+ guests on the board. I know we as users can see how many of each there is but it would be good to have them hidden I think.

The templates does look a bit "un-boatdesign.net'ish" IMHO
Is this a final release os vBulletin 3?

[ErikG]

I just need to see how th thredad style looks like so I insert this here... :idea:

[Jeff]

It's RC2 with the final expected within a week or so.

I'll see if I can hide the spiders tommorrow. There are a couple glitches with cookies if you visit forums.boatdesign.net and gallery.boatdesign.net instead of boatdesign.net/forums and boatdesign.net/gallery which hopefully I'll be able to work out as well sooner rather than later, and a glitch with the members list.

--progress... can't live with it, can't live without it...

[ErikG]

I just need to see how th thredad style looks like so I insert this here... :idea:

Hey the threaded function is ok if I use the hybrid setting. Now I just need to figure out how to navigate new msgs in this new style...

[ErikG]

It's RC2 with the final expected within a week or so.

I'll see if I can hide the spiders tommorrow. There are a couple glitches with cookies if you visit forums.boatdesign.net and gallery.boatdesign.net instead of boatdesign.net/forums and boatdesign.net/gallery which hopefully I'll be able to work out as well sooner rather than later, and a glitch with the members list.

--progress... can't live with it, can't live without it...


Progress--- I hear ya :) ;)

[Jeff]

I'm also trying to see if I can get used to some of the new features - I still find myself reading linear like always, and I hate to make people click the little reply icon before using the quick rely to make threaded work as that somewhat defeats the purpose of the quick reply...

[ErikG]

I'm also trying to see if I can get used to some of the new features - I still find myself reading linear like always, and I hate to make people click the little reply icon before using the quick rely to make threaded work as that somewhat defeats the purpose of the quick reply...

I always use the BIG REPLY button dunno why, always did I guess...

On IE 5 the pages seem to stop loading at around 50% and never finishes but the page itself seems ok... Weird
Also at the moment it seems slower than it used to...

But when using the hybrid style I can't see which message that is the new one, bugger...

[Jeff]

Also at the moment it seems slower than it used to...
I was wondering the same and I'm not sure yet - in theory the new version is supposed to be faster (aren't they always?) In practice it seems about the same to me right now. The layout has also gone from plain html to css and the default templates seem to load less-incrementally than the old but that's something that can be worked on.

On a positive note, many of the redirects are now removed, and another feature I like is that the emails (if you use email notification for new replies/subscribe to the thread) contain the message instead of just "someone has replied" so you can see if it's interesting before taking the time to open the thread.

[Corpus Skipper]

Auntie Em! Auntie Em! :D

[Corpus Skipper]

the pages seem to stop loading at around 50% and never finishes but the page itself seems ok

I'm getting the same thing Jeff. Darnit, just got used to the old one! Progress, hmph. Now where's that @!#& Victrola? :D

[Jeff]

Are you also using IE 5.0?

[Corpus Skipper]

IE 6.0 Jeff. Could we get our locations back on our posts? I think it's interesting to see where folks are from. Whenever you get the chance, I know you've got your hands full now. :p

[ErikG]

Are you also using IE 5.0?
Jeff

The reason I use IE 5.1 is that it is the latest Mac release from M$oft.
My financial status for the momment prohibits my planned purchase of a useful PC, bugger. I'm still and will probably always be a pro-mac dude, but tha PC OS's have improved a lot the last years making a pc usable even though I might not enjoy it as I do the mac.

[SailDesign]

I'm amazed we haven't heard from 8knots on this yet, but as his browser is probably steam-powered it'll take him a while ;-)

Jeff, don't listen to all the complainers and whiners (you know who you are....) - the new format is different, but the content is all here.
Steve

[ErikG]

I'm amazed we haven't heard from 8knots on this yet, but as his browser is probably steam-powered it'll take him a while ;-)

Jeff, don't listen to all the complainers and whiners (you know who you are....) - the new format is different, but the content is all here.
Steve
slightly whining :D Can u hear that tchu tchu sound around the bend?

Seriously was I whining? I hope not!

I'm so so sorry!
I will never Whine again!
Just had to try it out! :rolleyes:

[ErikG]

tchu tchu tchu...
Small steamboat approaching!
It looks purple from here...

I always knew eight would paint his steamer purple :D

[yipster]

couse my broadband provrider went offline.

i saw 8knots by the way in Jeffs thread, but only see now here is where the action is. hope Jeff wont keelhaul me for waving that joly roger there.

yipster

[Corpus Skipper]

"Jeff, don't listen to all the complainers and whiners (you know who you are....) "

SORRY!!! :D It all came as a shock in the wee hours after staring at the screens at the plant all night. I'm getting used to it allready. I really like the thumbnails with the names, nice touch. (I need to find one of Bill the Cat :D ) Seriously, great job Jeff!

[yipster]

Jeff,
think we read eachother well, i'm getting used and see many advances in the update now also, great site, great job, mucho work, and all thanks to you! sorry for falling of my chair ;-) keep doing it!

yipster

[Corpus Skipper]

Bill the Cat lives!!! :D I knew I'd get dangerous with this 'pooter eventually!

[Corpus Skipper]

Hey Jeff, I've been promoted! :D Is the "Senior Member" correct, or a glitch? I feel odd having such a title, as I'm just a babe in the woods around here. Does it have to do with the number of posts or something? :confused:

[Jeff]

There... now I've demoted you :D

Seriously, it's based on post counts only. I just changed the numbers so:
Junior Member = less than 25 posts
Members = greater than 25 posts
Senior Member = greater than 100 posts

... so you'll be a senior member again in another 9 posts ;)

[Corpus Skipper]

I kinda thought so. Maybe I can find enough drivel to put forth to regain my title by the end of the weekend. :D

[Jeff]

Oh I forgot to mention, you can also set a custom title (within reason) under UserCP and Profile Options if you like.

[Jeff]

the pages seem to stop loading at around 50% and never finishes but the page itself seems ok
Now that I've made some minor template changes, is this still happening for you or is it ok now?

[trouty]

but I don't like it.

Maybe different if this was the only forum one visited but upgrading software all the time begs the assumption that members have the time and energy to be bothered learning to operate the new software.

Likely as not I won't have the time energy or be bothered...

It werent broke and a saw no nned to fix it, I come here to invest time either getting help about boating or helping (entertaining) others about boating and resent my timer being wasted with learni9ng new spoftware when not even asked about it..

Sorry Jeff - but it's an arogant assumption to just assume that your members will go along for the ride.

I'll find better things to do with my time than figure this crap out...I just havent the time or inclination fo it frankly - stick with what the forum was about - i.e. boat design and fiorget the fancy new software - it just alientates people IMHO.

It looks nothing like the old forum...and I havent a clue how to navigate around it...the old forum felt like a comfortable lounge.

It's like commin home after a long tiring day at work - looking forward to reclining in your favourite chair in front ot the TV only to find that while you been away the wifes redecorated the whole freakin house without your consent and ya favorite chairs now missing, you can't find ya toothbrush or bed anymore!!

Frankly it sucks.

Cheers!

[Jeff]

It werent broke and a saw no nned to fix it There is a need though I’m afraid. Once the new version is released, security patches will not be released for the old. And dependencies break with time. For example, if we keep the old version installed beyond the time it is supported, a new version of PHP will be released with security fixes, we'll have to update to that, and then the old forum software will be broken because of changes there. I did jump into this version sooner than we would have had to, but the change would be required at some point, so it’s either now or then.


and resent my timer being wasted with learning new software when not even asked about it.. Sorry Jeff - but it's an arrogant assumption to just assume that your members will go along for the ride.I thought it would waste far more of our members time to ask every member, explain the differences in versions, maintenance issues over time, and the possibilities, when they would rather spend their time talking and thinking about boats.

I am sorry that you don’t like the new version right now, but please do me a favor and just give it a chance for one week.

Everything important is the same as it ever was... and I think you will get used to the new layout… even like it… within a week and the new things will start to blend into the background like the old and you won't even notice the skin as you read the new topics of the day.

[ErikG]

but I don't like it.

Maybe different if this was the only forum one visited but upgrading software all the time begs the assumption that members have the time and energy to be bothered learning to operate the new software.
...SNIP...
It's like commin home after a long tiring day at work - looking forward to reclining in your favourite chair in front ot the TV only to find that while you been away the wifes redecorated the whole freakin house without your consent and ya favorite chairs now missing, you can't find ya toothbrush or bed anymore!!

Frankly it sucks.

Cheers!

Sorry to hear that you think it sucks...
But do please bear in mind that Jeff is the one dealing with all the problems changes addition and improvment that we have seen in this board since it started. I for one is extremely happy that he still continues and keeps the website and the forum in great shape!

Running a rather large website like this and with an advanced forum with pretty darn advanced functions with the gallery functions is no picnic! I assure you, I run a very small website with a small (free) web based forum and even that takes time to keep it together.

Jeff does all this so that you and I and all the other members and non-members here who are interested in the same stuff that we are can exchange thoughts and ideas and have a good time online with people like yourself. Not to mention the great knowledge some of the real designers and builders are sharing with us that do not know nearly as much!
And he does this without asking a membership fee, without filling the place with useless ads that could help him pay for what he spends on "our" site!

It might have been good if Jeff informed us all in advance that a change would and had to happen. But It's a lot easier to play chess when you are just looking isn't it?


So yes your wife moved your chair and bought a new cover, but you know why? Well she bought you a big 40" widescreen telly and a new DVD player and loads of great discs about fishingtrips and boat adventures that you can watch on the new telly. But the chair had to move 'cuase the old telly broke and the new telly is bigger than the old one. The cover she bought just to be nice 'cuase the old one was gonna break pretty soon too.

Would you be pissed at your wife and say "Jeez woman, never change ANYTHING without asking me first". I would say. "Hey great! Now I just need to figure out the new remote and find that play button and watch some great movies! Hmm... This remote almost looks the same as the old one, the buttons are almost the same, a few switched place and color but I'll learn it soon enough!"

Jeff, please keep up the good work!
Trouty, please stay, I like your weird thoughts and thought provoking ideas.
And besides some fishing might do me some good to...
:D :D :D :D

[Jeff]

Thanks very much Erik for the kind words – I really appreciate it!

As you say, in hindsight I realize I should have worked harder to make the upgrade more transparent, and for that I apologize to everyone who was inconvenienced by the change. I’ll do my best to not rock the boat in the future, and I hope everyone stays with us as I'm confident the new core will be an asset in the long term.

[Corpus Skipper]

Now that I've made some minor template changes, is this still happening for you or is it ok now?

No problems now, Jeff. Works great! :D

[Oyster]

If you don't vote, don't complain. If you don't pay for it, you have no right to complain. Every new boat requires time to work the kinks out. Every new job you will go on, will r equire some getting use to. Sometimes these new jobs don't always fit you. Sometimes changes in your existing job, requires you to move on to another one. These forums requires updates, as memory and equipment becomes dated and overloaded.

[Jeff]

Fantastic - thanks Craig.

And thanks Oyster - appreciate the understanding.

Complaints are ok and suggestions are always welcome too though - that way I know what to work on.

[8knots]

Allright ya'll pickin on the slow guy. I finally found my way back here. I'll have you know I have been sketching out some ideas on a 50' powercat. Trawler styled. alltho I dislike that term very much. I think we can apply that term to styling only. I'll post some sketches as soon as I figure out how to transfer them from my stone tablet to the PC. Scanners don't fair well under such weight :p
P.S. As to the changes in the forums.....I am not sure but it seems that the traffic is much slower. I see most of us usual guys floating around but not much happening.
8

[Oyster]

Me thinks many brains and bodies, are in the hibernation setting right now! Less than 8 knots cruise, probably, me thinks. ;}