Official update thread

[Vol]

Stuff I'm working on:
Making a new default template. Work in progress, but you can access the crude version through your user settings, it's PURPLE.
A "NSFW" icon as a reminder for people accessing that forum category - Mazder working on it
Getting a banner(s) made
Setting up a mainpage with links to places, info, etc.
Working out a way to let trusted people upload their work (pictures, writing, music, etc.) to the server for their own uses
Setting up the mod system - Will make GAC a janitor barring complaints
Getting the word out to our fellows
Allowing inline videos
Custom fonts
Avatar/image resizing to a smaller, standard size Since you guys seem to like the bigger avatars, I'm letting this one go
Some sort of kudos/like system for quality posts
Prominent link to successor BSNs
Spoiler tags
Website tab icon

[TheodoricFriede]

Um, im still waiting on Conic Sans and Papyrus fonts Vol.

Top Priority please.

[Vol]

Hm. I thought they were included with the BBC code crap enabled.

[font=Comics San MS]Test test[/font]

Apparently not. Added to the list I suppose.

[TheodoricFriede]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]It may not even be supported in this type of forum from what i read.[/FONT]

[Mobius_118]

This forum setup is really easy to work with. Pretty sure the more software savvy among us can whip something up.

[Vol]

Yeah, it's nothing complicated. More tedious. The complex stuff I'm pushing to the end, like fucking with the (future) template and new features and such.

[Mazder]

Stuff I'm working on:
A "NSFW" icon as a reminder for people accessing that forum category
Getting a banner(s) made

Well if you gimmie resolutions I will see if I can do anything.

If not then I am sure Alphyn and others can whip something up.

[Vol]

Well if you gimmie resolutions I will see if I can do anything.

If not then I am sure Alphyn and others can whip something up.

Alphyn's working on the NSFW board icon right now. Though if you can do banners/icons too, I'll have you do some work too!

[Mazder]

Well if you gimmie resolutions I will see if I can do anything.

If not then I am sure Alphyn and others can whip something up.

Alphyn's working on the NSFW board icon right now. Though if you can do banners/icons too, I'll have you do some work too!

Sure, i can always give it a shot.
Alphyn is more up to date so his'll probably be used.

[Vol]

Update: Installed an expanded BBCode extension, should be visible on your text bars in the full post editor, self explanatory. Important bits are custom fonts, spoilers tags ([ spoil ] [ / spoil ]), and inlined video options, as well as the global message you're likely seeing to direct you here. Those can be clicked off to disappear forever, though I'll be using them for relatively important notices.

[TheodoricFriede]

How does that video one work?

[Vol]

Press the button->Select the video source site->enter URL->select size of vid for inlining. There's ways to add more source sites to choose from, but that's a low priority.

[TheodoricFriede]

Ah, thats explains it.

Couldn't get it to work, but it probably just didn't recognize the source.

Oh well.

[Vol]

If you want more video sources, give me a list, and I'll give it a shot adding them to the extension eventually.

[Mazder]

One thing to note, Attachments in posts can't be viewed by the outside.
As in say I want to link an image that are placed in an attachment to someone else elsewhere, not logged in to this place, they can't view it as they have "no authorization".

[Vol]

That's intentional, Guests have permission only to view the New Rayya and Conclave boards, and nothing else. If I allowed them to see attachments, which are files hosted on the server itself, it'd be very easy to do horrible things to us.

[TheodoricFriede]

Just a question, for a much later date.

How hard would it be to get that feature the Bioware forum had where you can reply to more than one post at a time?

[Vol]

Just a question, for a much later date.

How hard would it be to get that feature the Bioware forum had where you can reply to more than one post at a time?

When you hit the quote button, and it goes to the full form reply screen, scroll down. It has the entire page in reverse order for further quoting.

[TheodoricFriede]

Ah, so there is!

Thanks.

[Vol]

So what I'm reading is that image resizing after posting requires an active process. I can limit the size of what is or isn't allowed to be posted, but to dynamically resize something is going to require an external program.

[TheodoricFriede]

So can it be done?

[Vol]

Yes, I'm looking into means right now.

[Vol]

I'm sending out PMs to our friends, near and far, to let them know about the move. I assume you guys are too, but even if you think someone's gotten a message, go ahead and do it anyway. I'd like to think there's very few of us not reachable in some form, even after all these years.

[Vol]

Thanks to Mazder for whipping up a nice replacement for the phpBB logo. He created a number of different sizes, with text and without, but until I get into the guts of the template, I went with the one with an alpha channel and visibility.

[Mazder]

Thanks to Mazder for whipping up a nice replacement for the phpBB logo. He created a number of different sizes, with text and without, but until I get into the guts of the template, I went with the one with an alpha channel and visibility.

YAY!

[TheodoricFriede]

Nice, Mazdar.

Though it is a bit hard to see.

Maybe post the full resolution somewhere?

[Mazder]

Nice, Mazdar.

Though it is a bit hard to see.

Maybe post the full resolution somewhere?

Sure I'll post it to my tumblr and link it.

EDIT: http://mazderverhal.tumblr.com/post/148 ... sign-for-a

[Vol]

I'd like to do something with the large banners, maybe place it at the center bottom of the pages as a master home link back to the board index, but I'll have to fiddle with the template to make sure it doesn't break anything.

[Mazder]

I'd like to do something with the large banners, maybe place it at the center bottom of the pages as a master home link back to the board index, but I'll have to fiddle with the template to make sure it doesn't break anything.

If you need anything changed/updated, let me know.

[Vol]

So from doing research the last few days, resizing hotlinked images to a standard size isn't easy, and the only potentially up to date mod for that is semi-broken. I'll have to look into what exactly it does before I dare to try it, obviously, so it doesn't break everything and require me to load a backup of the entire database.

[Vol]

On mods: We really don't need them, I don't like the idea of creating power structures, given our small, close-knit group. However, for the sake of liability, I'm going to have 2 janitors on the open forum, none on the private. I don't expect they will ever have anything to do, but I'm going to give them to power to delete posts. Mind you, it's not an actual deletion unless I approve it, but just in case.

So if you're highly active and want to have the duty, say something here, or PM me, and I'll throw up a poll later depending on how many names I get.

[Vol]

Site's back up, but who knows how long. Host is being real crappy today. Anyway. Everything's fine, people who can see this. All on their end, and it's being resolved.

[Vol]

I've (finally) gone through the BSN member list and sent out PMs to everyone I recognized or was active recently. We've gotten 3 news members, welcome, welcome, from that already. I'm expecting a couple more for sure in the near future, and then maybe a few if they check their PMs in time. Obviously if you guys are in contact with people who might want to join, by all means, tell them.

Though it's nice to see, going through old BSN to save some PMs, that for all the names we no longer see, the heart and soul members are largely the same.

As for hosting, as we'd raised $77 from several people, I went ahead and bought the year's worth. However, the provider fucked up their menu system, so said hosting is like a credit that I cannot figure out how to apply to CZ, so now that the outage from this morning appears fixed, I can try again later to get through their support system to address it.

TLDR: We've signed up nearly everyone from the past who's likely to, but let people know if you can, hosting is fine for a year once I iron a wrinkle out.

[Croatsky]

Oh, there's a way to donate money for the site?

[Vol]

It'd be appreciated, as I'm out of pocket about $100 on my end so far. I heartily encourage donations! Real informal, PM me for my Paypal address when you're interested.

[Croatsky]

No money right now, but my next pay is in 3 weeks so I'll contact you about that then.

[Vol]

No money right now, but my next pay is in 3 weeks so I'll contact you about that then.

Cool. Message me when you're ready then. That goes for anyone wanting to chip in, because I'm more than happy to reduce my financial burden for paying for this little slice of Rannoch.

I'd like to do something nice for the donors, a banner of thanks or special note somewhere, but eh. Busy, busy. Haven't sat down and worked on the template in a while, been more worried about getting the word out to as many folks as possible. Which is working out fairly well, seems like we've gotten just about all the regular posters/lurkers, and the few that aren't are easy enough to contact.

GAC is volunteering to be a janitor, so barring any major objections, I'll go ahead and give him a mop soon. Not that I expect there to be a problem in need of cleaning up as we are now, but still.

[Mazder]

No money right now, but my next pay is in 3 weeks so I'll contact you about that then.

Cool. Message me when you're ready then. That goes for anyone wanting to chip in, because I'm more than happy to reduce my financial burden for paying for this little slice of Rannoch.

I'd like to do something nice for the donors, a banner of thanks or special note somewhere, but eh. Busy, busy. Haven't sat down and worked on the template in a while, been more worried about getting the word out to as many folks as possible. Which is working out fairly well, seems like we've gotten just about all the regular posters/lurkers, and the few that aren't are easy enough to contact.

GAC is volunteering to be a janitor, so barring any major objections, I'll go ahead and give him a mop soon. Not that I expect there to be a problem in need of cleaning up as we are now, but still.

If you need any more art help I am willing to provide my services, such as they are.

If I am able I can even try and set up a period where if necessary I can stream/broadcast my arting session to get instant feedback on what we want for elements of the site?

I have already made one design for the NSFW icon, I plan two more.
As they're going to be NSFW themed I shall host the images on my tumblr and link them in the Libertine Compound once they're all done/made.

[Vol]

Oh I'm sure I will. Need to get a nice banner made up to acknowledge our generous contributors after all, but that's later. You'll know it's time when a big, hand scrawled piece of Vol art appears somewhere visible.

My schedule is very inconsistent, but we can if there's a larger piece that requires instant feedback, like said banner. For context, today I worked a full day, tomorrow too, then I'll be gone all Wednesday and most of Thursday, but then I might have a 3 day weekend. It's a guessing game.

By all means. Though the first one he's done is cheeky, and I quite like it.

[Vol]

I installed an SSL certificate, which should make the site far more secure. Shouldn't cause problems with anything, but let me know if you guys start getting wonky behavior.

[Vol]

Alright, everything's paid for, set up, and secured on the site hosting until September 2nd, 2017

Enjoy this little slice of Rannoch.

[Grand Admiral Cheesecake]

Alright, everything's paid for, set up, and secured on the site hosting until September 2nd, 2017

Enjoy this little slice of Rannoch.

Excellent. We can move forward with more confidence now.

[Vol]

For the sake of disclosure while I'm also doing some banking work, a finance update.

Costs:
Domain (site name) for one year - $20
First month's hosting - $20
Year's hosting (The discount price I had anticipated getting was not an option when it came time to pay) - $200

Donations:
Sci, Alien, an anonymous party, Dark, and TLock- $117
My costs - $123

That's where we stand right now, so you all know. Obviously I will happily take donations if anyone wishes to chip in. And a big thanks to those who already have! Once Mazder finishes the NSFW icon, I intend to have him make a nice little "In Honor Of" banner for you guys who have, unless another digital artist wishes to take a crack at it.

Update: Darkness came through with a donation. Thanks to him for that too.

[Vol]

If anyone wants a custom title below their name, like mine, post your request here or PM me, and I'll assign you one after I get a few requests. Within reason, of course.

[TheodoricFriede]

Oh oh cam mine be "Self Proclaimed "Genus""?

[Mazder]

That's where we stand right now, so you all know. Obviously I will happily take donations if anyone wishes to chip in. And a big thanks to those who already have! Once Mazder finishes the NSFW icon, I intend to have him make a nice little "In Honor Of" banner for you guys who have, unless another digital artist wishes to take a crack at it.

Update: Darkness came through with a donation. Thanks to him for that too.

Oh, I thought we were going with Vag-Nebula. I haven't been working on anything else.

A plaque sort of thing or badge or something would be cool.
A "donator" badge to put under their avatar or something.

If anyone wants a custom title below their name, like mine, post your request here or PM me, and I'll assign you one after I get a few requests. Within reason, of course.

I do but I don't know what it'd be.

[Deano]

Can I be "Bantersaurus" in light of being English and obviously hilarious?

Also I'll hit you up with a donation next week.

[Mazder]

Can I be "Bantersaurus" in light of being English and obviously hilarious?

Also I'll hit you up with a donation next week.

Oh, OH!
Bantersaurus Rex!

If we're introducing banter then I'll be the Archbishop of Banterbury, or Banter-ny Hopkins, or Banter Claus!

[Vol]

Alright, applied title to Deano and Theo. Mazder, lemme know which one of those you wanted.

@Maz: I keep waffling on whether or not to use it, since at thumbnail size, it does look a touch lewd, plus I have to add "NSFW" text over it so the point of the board is clear. If you have another one in mind, do let me know.

I'm _pretty_ sure I can assign little prestige icons, but I'll have to dick around with the server itself for that.

@Deano: Sounds good man! Lemme know when you can.

[Mazder]

Alright, applied title to Deano and Theo. Mazder, lemme know which one of those you wanted.

@Maz: I keep waffling on whether or not to use it, since at thumbnail size, it does look a touch lewd, plus I have to add "NSFW" text over it so the point of the board is clear. If you have another one in mind, do let me know.

I'm _pretty_ sure I can assign little prestige icons, but I'll have to dick around with the server itself for that.

Actually my one shall be different, I just can't decide!!!

I can try a few others if needs be.
But outright lewd is pretty clear as an NSFW area.
Yeah, we'll also have to negotiate designs on that.