vBulletin.org Update: Summary and Details

[Princeton]

Big News

2007 is a new beginning for vbulletin.org.
To start with, we are implementing the first of many new features.

Our Goals:
To educate our members.
To give back to the community
To support the entire member base - new and old.
To create a user-friendly environment.
To provide user customization.
To create a system in which we can upgrade/extend easily.New Style

The first thing you probably have noticed is the new style. The unique thing about this style is its flexibility.
Please go to your profile options page (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/profile.php?do=editoptions) and you will find an array of options for the style:
Choose your Design: You can choose a different design ... currently, it's only a color change but new designs will be available soon.
Default Style Width: Not a fan of of the fixed width? Well change this option to switch the style's width to a fluid layout.
Thread Listing Color Status: This option allows you to color code threadbits based on specific status of the thread: Posted, Popular, Closed, etc...etc...Information Page
Both members and guests can now find important information regarding vBulletin in a centralized page: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/info.php?do=aboutForums

Forum outline has been completely revamped. You will find some forums have been removed while others have been merged. We have segregated the forums in the following format:
Discussions - can be found in the "Forums" section.
Articles - can be found in the "Articles" section.
Modifications - can be found in the "Mods" section.
Styles - all styles/graphics can be found in the "Styles" section.Revamped Modifications Area

A completely new look with the same goal in mind.
A user-friendly interface.
AJAX driven "Mark as Installed" and "Nominate for MOTM" options.
A visible rating system.
Promotes supporting Developers - new Paypal Donate option.Paypal Donate Options

We have implemented a system in which members can donate to their favorite coder. It's a simple system but we hope it will encourage donations.
Developers can enter their paypal information via the Edit Paypal Options:
Choose a default Currency
Enter Paypal Email
Enter default donation amount
For Paypal Premier and Business Account holders, the option to use a custom Payment Page.Townhall Forums

We are implementing a new Townhall Forums system. The new system is per forum and will provide us with additional "controls".

[Shazz]

Love the new features
On the Paypal Donate Options
Where do members see your paypal part?

[Guest190829]

In the modification thread, there is an option to "Support Developer" under the Developer Category.

[Dan]

On the modifaction pages such as here on the right side https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=117934 under the "The Developer" section

[derekivey]

Looking good :)

[smacklan]

yes, things do look good :) What about a "donate to your favorite designer"? ;)

[Bounce]

Will viewing with postbit_legacy be available at all in the future?

Edit : found it

Default Postbit
If you prefer the old-style postbit, using two vertical columns rather than the new horizontal layout, you can switch back by checking "Yes" below.
Yes, I prefer old-style postbit.

[Dan]

Already is, check your options in the usercp.

[Princeton]

I'll have that up by the end of this week. :up:

thanks for the reminder

[da420]

It already is available in your options.

[Bounce]

Already is, check your options in the usercp.

Thanks, think i'll have a wee look before posting hehe :D

Post edited lol :D

[Brew]

You are using some great stuff under the user options.

Could you post what mods are being used to get the cool features you're using?

The option to switch between legacy and new postbit is pretty cool :)

[Shazz]

You are using some great stuff under the user options.

Could you post what mods are being used to get the cool features you're using?

The option to switch between legacy and new postbit is pretty cool :)

Alot of this is custom, probablly won't release it.
ex: the install hack

[TCattitude]

Cool update.
Congratulations for the coding, design and all the people behind this awesome work.

vb.org is back to life!

[paul41598]

Wow its so different. I like it alot. Gotta get use to it! ;)

[puertoblack2003]

hey i like this style and it's awesome great job guys:D

[Carmen27]

Wow, I love the new look!!!!!!! Great Job!!

[rex_b]

I think I like it

[Smoothie]

Postbit legacy looks kinda plain jane vanilla......In other words, boring.....Rest of the joint, besides some of the buttons/icons, looking good.

[Kirk Y]

I just noticed the "Member of the Month" forum, interesting idea -- but where are the guidelines mentioned in it's description?

[ZeroX Prodigy]

I love this all, though not a huge fan of the style. Very nice work on you all to this theme, and I hope it proves a large success!

[SpanishHarlem]

wow. Thought I was in the wrong place at first. Great job.

[ubblite]

Great job with the design, Princeton.

[simsimt]

I just noticed the "Member of the Month" forum, interesting idea -- but where are the guidelines mentioned in it's description?
That would definitely help vB.org to flourish! Good idea and I hope that it's extended to a something like SitePoint's reward system, not only Member of the Month.

[iahead]

The old skin was too good
i miss it

[Zoints]

Well done folks :)

[Ohiosweetheart]

I am LOVIN' this whole setup!! Excellent!!


the link to the smilies page in the posting rules on the post editor.... is that custom or a hack?


EDIT: n/m I figured it out. But using a fieldset makes it look nicer ;)

[DJ XtAzY]

omg i love how the navbar new looks rather than a regular ugly "box" present in vb's default skin and all other commercial skins. They should have this in vb default future skin.

[joeychgo]

Great Job Guys - Keep up the great work!!

[jj]

Great! I love it :) Greeeeeeeeeeeen ^^

[JamieLee2k]

I can't say I hate it but the old style is better, haven't had a chance to look about yet

[Australian Gate]

wow

thats cool
really nice

[Greek Wizard]

I like the new style, except for one point.

I used to like the idea/option of seeing the last x mods released in each section. (The box on the right you could scroll down)

Now I do not see that anywhere, and that is a little disturbing, because new mods will quickly be buried by people replying to older mods.

Unless I am missing something

[Paul M]

Now I do not see that anywhere, and that is a little disturbing, because new mods will quickly be buried by people replying to older mods.
The list is not affected by replies, it's new releases (i.e. new threads).

[Bellinis]

Love the new look and features!! Well done guys :)

I like the banner on the right side, could someone please tell me how to do that? ;)

[zappsan]

Wow, I just love the new style and options :)
Awesome job, people!

[rogersnm]

It's all good apart from one thing, you took the base link which goes back to the forum root out of the navbar, in just 5 mins of use I found it annoying...

[Mr Pink]

Really nice site redesign! :)

[realraptor]

is there a link to the mod that enables "Thread Listing Color Status?"

[Greek Wizard]

The list is not affected by replies, it's new releases (i.e. new threads).

Help me out here Paul.

I don't see a new threads option anywhere except the portal.

My old link: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showmods.php?vbversion=36 does not work anymore.

[Adrian Schneider]

It's all good apart from one thing, you took the base link which goes back to the forum root out of the navbar, in just 5 mins of use I found it annoying...
same here

[projectego]

Awesome work! Well done guys. :)

[Doctor Who]

Absolutely love it. One question, will you be releasing the template modifications that you have done in the User Cp for private messaging, they are so much better and less confusing than the default set up.

[Xoligy]

I thought I was on a different site when I first visited here :$

[Blindchild02]

Im sorry, but the style looks horrid :\
very un-impressive, I would suggest going back to the blue style

[Paul M]

It's all good apart from one thing, you took the base link which goes back to the forum root out of the navbar, in just 5 mins of use I found it annoying...
same here
As already posted - either move your mouse up a few pixels and click on "vbulletin mods", or click on the "Forums" tab. There really is no need for a third link to the same thing. :)


Im sorry, but the style looks horrid :\
very un-impressive, I would suggest going back to the blue styleSorry, that's not going to happen.

[Blindchild02]

Sorry, that's not going to happen.

do whatever you want, your site not mine :p

[Adrian Schneider]

As already posted - either move your mouse up a few pixels and click on "vbulletin mods", or click on the "Forums" tab. There really is no need for a third link to the same thing. :)


Sorry, that's not going to happen.
Yep I know... just saying it bothered me. It's not good to go against muscle memory (built from thousands of vB sites!). But, I don't care too much because I'm a big boy! :)

Obviously a lot of work went into this; good work everyone.

[C.Birch]

nice but one little bugging prob, the tabs look to be about 5px to low in firefox 2

[simsimt]

nice but one little bugging prob, the tabs look to be about 5px to low in firefox 2
I think the tabs need a little more work. The hovering color isn't matching the skin colors & the top right triangle on hover isn't that cool.

[DirectPixel]

Big News

2007 is a new beginning for vbulletin.org.
To start with, we are implementing the first of many new features.

Our Goals:
To educate our members.
To give back to the community
To support the entire member base - new and old .
To create a user-friendly environment.
To provide user customization.
To create a system in which we can upgrade/extend easily.New Style

The first thing you probably have noticed is the new style. The unique thing about this style is its flexibility.
Please go to your profile options page (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/profile.php?do=editoptions) and you will find an array of options for the style:
Choose your Design: You can choose a different design ... currently, it's only a color change but new designs will be available soon.
Default Style Width: Not a fan of of the fixed width? Well change this option to switch the style's width to a fluid layout.
Thread Listing Color Status: This option allows you to color code threadbits based on specific status of the thread: Posted, Popular, Closed, etc...etc...Information Page
Both members and guest can now find important information regarding vBulletin in a centralized page: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/info.php?do=aboutForums

Forum outline has been completely revamped. You will find some forums have been removed while others have been merged. We have segregated the forums in the following format:
Discussions - found in the "Forums" section.
Articles - all articles will be found in the "Articles" section.
Modifications - all articles will be found in the "Articles" section.
Styles - all styles/graphics will be found in the "Styles" section.Revamped Modifications Area

A completely new look with the same goal in mind.
A user-friendly interface.
AJAX driven "Mark as Installed" and "Nominate for MOTM" options.
A visible rating system.
Promotes supporting Developers - new Paypal Donate option.Paypal Donate Options

We have implemented a system in which members can donate to their favorite coder. It's a simple system but we hope it will encourage donations.
Developers can enter their paypal information via the Edit Paypal Options:
Choose a default Currency
Enter Paypal Email
Enter default donation amount
For Paypal Premier and Business Account holders, the option to use a custom Payment Page.Townhall Forums

We are implementing a new Townhall Forums system. The new system is per forum and will provide us with additional "controls".
This new style is hot! :) Good job!

It's a bit cramped, though. I'm not sure how many people on vB.org use 800x600, but regardless, it would be nice to have a way to switch to a liquid version of the style. 800px width is very very limiting on a 32" widescreen LCD. ;)

...never mind, I found the option to switch to fluid. ;)

[letsjoy]

I like new style very much

[johnrizz]

I think the changes look fine, great job!! accepting changes is a part of life and like always you guys ROCK!!!!:)

[Oblivion Knight]

It's certainly an interesting direction that you've chosen to take vbulletin.org..

I'm undecided whether or not I like the changes yet. I dare say that given time, I could adapt.

[sabret00the]

Wow, love it, great work. Any chance of a liquid version of the skin though?

[Guest190829]

Wow, love it, great work. Any chance of a liquid version of the skin though?

There is a wide array of style specific options in your Options (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/profile.php?do=editoptions)

For fluid layout select 'Yes, I wish to switch to a Wider Layout' near the bottom of the page.

[sabret00the]

There is a wide array of style specific options in your Options (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/profile.php?do=editoptions)

For fluid layout select 'Yes, I wish to switch to a Wider Layout' near the bottom of the page.
oooooh, nice work. thanks danny. great work everyone who was involved in the new styles :)

[Moparx]

Excellent work all. It looks great.

[Rickie3]

this is so much better well done

[Floris]

I thought I was on a different site when I first visited here :$
I had that earlier, after browsing vborg a while and then wondering what's on tv tonight, i went to tv.com and thought my bookmark didn't work. hehe But that's just the background gradient looking similar.

Anyway, very nice job everybody, love the new design. Keep up to the good work.

[Makc666]

Cool! I want this one! :)

[Xenon]

Hmm, interesting changes all around.

The new style looks good, very professional, but i still would prefer plain green (yeah i know that i am conservative ^^)

Good work :)

[Shazz]

Hmm, interesting changes all around.

The new style looks good, very professional, but i still would prefer plain green (yeah i know that i am conservative ^^)

Good work :)
Hey Xenon :)
I have the same thoughts as well :D
Plain green was my favorite because of the little evelope butons.

[dutchbb]

Is the old style for sale? I liked it better, simple but nice.

[Paul M]

I doubt the old styles will be made available - they contain a lot of templates customised for vbulletin.org functionality which simply would not work on standard forums.

[AMG021]

love the new futures :D

[AWS]

Got to say I like the new look. I was a bit worried that the old blue style was going to be reworked. Never liked that style. I used the green style and this one IMO is just as nice.
Great work people.

[yuriy]

To change the width of your Style? that is a new thing, and it ROCKS! nice job vBORG

[nymyth]

Loving this already, so much easier to navigate through....great job

[Adrian Schneider]

If anybody wants a 90% version, add this script (attached) using GreaseMonkey. It's a bit delayed because of when the JS executes, but it works well I guess.

(hint hint)

[Kirk Y]

If anybody wants a 90% version, add this script (attached) using GreaseMonkey. It's a bit delayed because of when the JS executes, but it works well I guess.

(hint hint)

Check your Options - where you designated a Fluid or Fixed width, you now have the option of choosing from a variety of widths, including a 90% option.

[peterska2]

The extra new options rock!

[Kirk Y]

Whoa... the "white pages" style... talk about sparse.

[peterska2]

You might find it sparce, but I find it perfect :)

[XFSImperial]

I thought I was on the wrong site -_-

[da420]

I thought I was on the wrong site -_-

This is why I think the vBulletin Mods image in the header should be changed to read vBulletin.org instead as everyone will know it's the right site...

[Shazz]

I thought I was on the wrong site -_-

That is about the 2nd most common phrase people thought when they saw the new style lol...

[Wordplay]

amazingly sweet.

question though, where can i find the template edit for the usercp to have the bar in the left look like the new one here, with the sent items being connected to the inbox?

[caliman]

Great job!!!

The cool menthol flavor is soothing on my throat.

[captainslater]

This is why I think the vBulletin Mods image in the header should be changed to read vBulletin.org instead as everyone will know it's the right site...

And now we've got the .org back in the logo. So I think useful comments are not ignored by the team ;)

[Paul M]

And now we've got the .org back in the logo. So I think useful comments are not ignored by the team ;)Nothing is ignored, just some things are not implemented :cool:

[Kirk Y]

Thank God... the logo has changed, thank you.

[Adrian Schneider]

Thank them, not god. ;)

[King Kovifor]

Thank them, not god. ;)

You and your true comments. But I got a laugh out of that one... sorry for the completely off topic post.

[Shazz]

Thank them, not god. ;)

Um, well depends on your religion :)

[simsimt]

Why VBULLETIN.ORG & not vBULLETIN.ORG? I hate when someone writes Vbulletin, but now it's being official!

[GKNetworks]

Love the new style!

So will this be, or is it currently, available for download?

[Kirk Y]

Doubtful.

[GKNetworks]

Doubtful.

Yea I assume so, but you gotta ask! :)

[TheFrienzNet]

Way to go!

Great job.

[Tefra]

I guess in every site when the team decides to do such move there isn't everyone happy about that.

It's a little hard to get used to it, the light blue of vb.org is hard to forget :) but the new style and features are great too.

[Snake]

Townhall forums? What the hell is that? Lol. Loving the new features, by the way. :)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Townhall Forums, are forum in which staff will have the option to create a Townhall style thread. (which is not activated yet)

[Noiz Pollution]

i have to admit, i really don't like the new style, there's too many saturated blues contrasting with the white, i think you should make some other styles available which are a bit more subtle and easy on the eyes

i've not having a dig, just posting my honest opinion

[Kirk Y]

There are 4 to choose from in your UserCP -> Options.

[Noiz Pollution]

There are 4 to choose from in your UserCP -> Options.
if that's the case, why remove the quick style change drop menu?

[Kirk Y]

Good question, I don't know.

[Shazz]

if that's the case, why remove the quick style change drop menu?

Its on there to-do list

[Kirk Y]

Don't see what there could be to do... it's just a simple option of choosing whether to display it or not.

[Guest190829]

Don't see what there could be to do... it's just a simple option of choosing whether to display it or not.

I'm afraid it isn't, this aren't just multiple styles. It's a modification that allows modifications to be made on a SINGLE style. Therefore, if we enabled the Quick Style Chooser, there would only be one style to choose from.

(I hope I am explaining it right hehe)

[Paul M]

You are correct. :)

[Kirk Y]

Yeah, you've got one Parent Style and the rest are Child Styles, right? If that's the case, then why wouldn't the Child Styles appear in the Quick Style Chooser?

[Paul M]

Nope, there is only one physical style.

[Kirk Y]

Wow... no kidding? How on Earth does that work?

[Shazz]

Nope, there is only one physical style.

This isen't in the standard vB is it? :o

[Kirk Y]

This isen't in the standard vB is it? :o

I'm afraid it isn't, this aren't just multiple styles. It's a modification that allows modifications to be made on a SINGLE style. Therefore, if we enabled the Quick Style Chooser, there would only be one style to choose from.

(I hope I am explaining it right hehe)

Nope... doesn't look like it, lol. :p I'll go out on a limb here and guess that that's not something that'll be released to the general public anytime.

Out of curiosity, wouldn't you be able to do the same thing using Parent and Child Styles? If so, why not do it that way?

[Dan]

There are profile fields which allow the changing of variables throughout the style.

[Kirk Y]

So it's basically just a load of conditionals?

[Paul M]

... and plugins.

[Princeton]

Nope... doesn't look like it, lol. :p I'll go out on a limb here and guess that that's not something that'll be released to the general public anytime.

Out of curiosity, wouldn't you be able to do the same thing using Parent and Child Styles? If so, why not do it that way?
Running multiple styles makes things difficult; especially, on a site that is heavily modified like vb.org. The previous vb.org styles had custom edits on each one ... this made things difficult especially on upgrades.
All the custom work that you see on vb.org has been done on a volunteer basis. The system that we are currently implementing should be easy enough for the next set of volunteers.Everything on vb.org has been completely revamped (frontend, backend, and new server). We can now focus on other things such as new features, yearly contests, customizations, etc, etc. It's going to be an exciting year!

So it's basically just a load of conditionals?no conditionals are used - just plugins

[Adrian Schneider]

if ($vbulletin->userinfo['fieldX'] == 'whatever')
{
// override CSS, options, etc here
$vbulletin->options['x'] = 'y';
$stylevar['x'] = 'y';
}

BTW, it's good to hear you guys are thinking long term. :) Keep up the good work...

[Kirk Y]

Well Conditionals in Plugins... lol.

[Dean C]

In all honesty, whilst I can't say the style is bad, and it's most certainly very usable, it just doesn't strike a chord with me. One of the things vBulletin.org has always prided itself on is a graphically appealing style. This is merely a stock vB with some minor enhancements by moving things around. Thumbs up for usability, thumbs down for originality.

[Princeton]

Usability and forward compatibility (easy to upgrade) was our main issue.
I believe the stock vb buttons is a clear indication that we were not looking for "originality". ;)

Our main concern is preparing for the new features (etc) that's coming in the near future.

[Guest190829]

In all honesty, whilst I can't say the style is bad, and it's most certainly very usable, it just doesn't strike a chord with me. One of the things vBulletin.org has always prided itself on is a graphically appealing style. This is merely a stock vB with some minor enhancements by moving things around. Thumbs up for usability, thumbs down for originality.

Our goal really wasn't to provide a heavy graphically style. We wanted to reflect the official vBulletin look while still maintaining originality with our internal customizations.

I've mostly been hearing that this style has reduced page loading times and increased usability. Personally, those are the most important aspects of a design for me.

[RedTyger]

Damn straight. I think one or two of the gradients have been overcompressed though, especially on gradient_thead and the header background there's noticable banding.

[simsimt]

Our goal really wasn't to provide a heavy graphically style. We wanted to reflect the official vBulletin look while still maintaining originality with our internal customizations.

I've mostly been hearing that this style has reduced page loading times and increased usability. Personally, those are the most important aspects of a design for me.
That's fine to me. Only you've made better colored stock category icons & reply buttons. They really look so amateurish in comparison to other elements of the new style.

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/external/2011/01/14.gif <== These colors are ugly.

[dutchbb]

I've got problems here, the CSS isn't working for some reason? The style is set to 950px width.

[edit]after I hit F5 is working again?

[Adrian Schneider]

I've got problems here, the CSS isn't working for some reason? The style is set to 950px width.

[edit]after I hit F5 is working again?
That has happened to me 6-7 times now... very frustrating. It is off and on ... it even happened @ vBulletin.com

[Guest190829]

That has happened to me 6-7 times now... very frustrating. It is off and on ... it even happened @ vBulletin.com

Is this still happening for you? There was a problem with the web server earlier today, but it should have been fixed.

[Shazz]

Is this still happening for you? There was a problem with the web server earlier today, but it should have been fixed.
I never saw it down but the page was messed
Seems fine now :)

[Adrian Schneider]

Is this still happening for you? There was a problem with the web server earlier today, but it should have been fixed.
No it was earlier today... that server problem may have been the culprit. I'll let you know if it happens again.

[Paul M]

I never saw it down but the page was messed
Seems fine now :)No one said it was down ;)

The issue was corrected a few hours ago by Jelsoft, so all should be ok.

[Freesteyelz]

Props on the new style. :)

[doit3d]

FYI, fluid is borked @ 1600x1200. I have a scroll bar (right/left) showing that should not be there. Yes, it is set to 100%...

On a personal note, I do not like the changes. There is no familiarity to it with me, so I have to relearn some things.

[sportsoutlaw]

This is a big improvement, everything is laid out much better now.

[HotHuskers.com]

FYI, fluid is borked @ 1600x1200. I have a scroll bar (right/left) showing that should not be there. Yes, it is set to 100%...

On a personal note, I do not like the changes. There is no familiarity to it with me, so I have to relearn some things.


That's how it is wth everything, you get used to it then everything changes :rolleyes: But, hey wait to you upgrade to Vista. Talk about changes :eek:

Honestly though, I like the new style. And the other things planned seemed wel thought out too.

[thincom2000]

Same here, also liking this new style.

Although I suggest valign=top-ing navbits_start.gif to line up with the first element when there's multiple lines. Then you could have another background image in the td extending the little breadcrumb dots to get rid of the annoying extra space.

[Brent H]

The background and page width on this style looks a lot like the background and page width on www.TV.com

[rogersnm]

I agree :P also the navbar/login box position looks the same.

[Paul M]

and your point is what exactly ?

[Logikos]

I don't see any resemblances.

[dutchbb]

I agree :P also the navbar/login box position looks the same.

The navbar doesn't look the same at all. the login/search box are on most sites placed to the right.

Background looks a bit like the other but bggradients are very comon, for every site that has one I can find a similar looking site.

[Princeton]

If you take a close look at all the vb.org background gradients you will find that it's based on the vBulletin's default tcat gradient "/images/gradients/gradient_tcat.gif" image.

Our goal was to create a new style while using what was already available (without changing much of the default look).

[rogersnm]

Yeah I noticed that.

I have to admit that this style is growing on me :p

[Shazz]

Now many people are getting use to it :)

[Logikos]

Thats what happens when you do a redesign. Half the users love it while the other half can't stand it. Eventually you learn to get used to it and move on. :)

[blogtorank]

Eventually you learn to get used to it and move on. :)

Best concept ever!

I love it here no matter what the design is, it is just full of information for anyone needing to spruce up their forums all in all. Like they said in the beginning: "To educate our members"

[Mike-D]

BAD SUPPORT! Post deleted!!! :mad: