They're okay, I guess.
Site changes coming this Summer
- Thread starter Niall
- Start date
They're okay, I guess.
Thanks for the feedback so far everyone. Keep it coming!
To answer some of the questions:
Like features
Liking posts and users is not something I've ever been keen on. The default is to have it on in XenForo but I am definitely considering turning it off. Given the number of negative comments about it already in this topic, I think it's safe to say those features will definitely by turned off.
Sharing with Twitter / Facebook will probably remain. Don't see any harm in that and it's what all the kids are using these days!
New Design
The quote/pagination orange colour is something I may change. I agree it doesn't match the overall colour scheme of the site, but some contrast is needed otherwise if everything is red/black/grey things look a bit samey.
Any suggestions for colour variations for these elements?
Alerts / Notifications
This is built into XenForo. If you look at the screenshots you'll see an 'Alerts' box on the right of navigation bar. This informs you about activity related to you - who quoted you, updates to your subscribed topics etc. It's pretty sweet.
Post timestamps
There is a post time at the bottom of each post, in grey. It's definitely much more subtle than what we have currently and is something I'm considering tweaking. I know I often check posts to see how recent they are. Having it out of the way at the bottom of a post may not be the best place for it.
Mobile skin
As mentioned by others, Tapa Talk does support XenForo. Better mobile support is coming in XenForo as well, so things will be improving on that front.
Different skins
I'll consider adding different skins which are more subtle and work friendly. But they're unlikely to be available until after the migration.
Avatars
XenForo makes heavy use of Avatars out of the box. I have made some initial changes to some templates to not display them but they still remain in some of those screenshots. Use of Avatars is being discussed with the mods/admins and in all likelihood the no Avatar policy will remain with a select few users being able to use them. Basically what we have now.
Signatures
Hasn't been mentioned yet, but it probably goes without saying, signatures will never ever be allowed
To answer some of the questions:
Like features
Liking posts and users is not something I've ever been keen on. The default is to have it on in XenForo but I am definitely considering turning it off. Given the number of negative comments about it already in this topic, I think it's safe to say those features will definitely by turned off.
Sharing with Twitter / Facebook will probably remain. Don't see any harm in that and it's what all the kids are using these days!
New Design
The quote/pagination orange colour is something I may change. I agree it doesn't match the overall colour scheme of the site, but some contrast is needed otherwise if everything is red/black/grey things look a bit samey.
Any suggestions for colour variations for these elements?
Alerts / Notifications
This is built into XenForo. If you look at the screenshots you'll see an 'Alerts' box on the right of navigation bar. This informs you about activity related to you - who quoted you, updates to your subscribed topics etc. It's pretty sweet.
Post timestamps
There is a post time at the bottom of each post, in grey. It's definitely much more subtle than what we have currently and is something I'm considering tweaking. I know I often check posts to see how recent they are. Having it out of the way at the bottom of a post may not be the best place for it.
Mobile skin
As mentioned by others, Tapa Talk does support XenForo. Better mobile support is coming in XenForo as well, so things will be improving on that front.
Different skins
I'll consider adding different skins which are more subtle and work friendly. But they're unlikely to be available until after the migration.
Avatars
XenForo makes heavy use of Avatars out of the box. I have made some initial changes to some templates to not display them but they still remain in some of those screenshots. Use of Avatars is being discussed with the mods/admins and in all likelihood the no Avatar policy will remain with a select few users being able to use them. Basically what we have now.
Signatures
Hasn't been mentioned yet, but it probably goes without saying, signatures will never ever be allowed
I'd agree and would like the caf to stick with the current system for avatars. While it is all nice to being able to have a picture represent you, they are often more annoying than they are worth. Just have to remember the dancing anderson on driving everyone made.
I don't see anything wrong with the "like" feature.
It gives people a general consensus on whether a post is well received without those infinitely annoying "This" posts, or unnecessary posts that "agree" without adding anything to the discussion.
It gives people a general consensus on whether a post is well received without those infinitely annoying "This" posts, or unnecessary posts that "agree" without adding anything to the discussion.
Signatures
Hasn't been mentioned yet, but it probably goes without saying, signatures will never ever be allowed
Good stuff!
__________________________________________________
“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” ― SteveJ
Looks a little bit arcade like whereas this looks professional, maybe it will just take a while to get used to.
Ye, but if you think people posting for the lol smileys is bad, then when this kind of feature comes in it produces even more snarky type comments.
I don't like change......However lets not be hasty, I can see the upside.
This being confirmed as a doable feature along with the MOTM and player ratings features are all positives.
The like system is fine if used properly and not as a device to "get even" because you disagree with someone, which it always is.
I'd love it if we could have avatars.
Likes and signatures can feck off. As can Avatars. Even the measly way in which taglines are handed out here is great.
Basically the caf as it is now with very few changes!
Basically the caf as it is now with very few changes!
Looks like FM Classic.
Are we going to have to pay £1.99 to post in the General Forum?
Are we going to have to pay £1.99 to post in the General Forum?
If the kb limit is set so low that people can only use stills I don't see a problem. Also regulate the size limit to 150x150.
Be interesting to see if/how the lineups game is implemented if its automated.
I agree with this, like/dislike button would be abused.
Avatars are almost always awful.
Signitures are almost always awful.
Both take up a ridiculous amount of space.
This site is amazingly well run.
Signitures are almost always awful.
Both take up a ridiculous amount of space.
This site is amazingly well run.
I don't care for the grey boxes around the and taglines, and I prefer the sharp corners around the boxes of the current site better than the rounded corners of the screen grabs of the new site.
Otherwise seems fine.
Otherwise seems fine.
Same for me.
It will be awesome
Avatars/ Signatures - Understood.
How people can really have a problem against a like button to the point of it 'devaluing' the site, is crazy to me. Can I ask what is so disastrously negative about it? I find all the one worded posts saying 'Yes' or 'agreed', far more irritating than a small number on the side of the post saying how many people liked what they said....
Anything can be abused, like the rep button etc but at the same time anything can be monitored and its the same reason why people don't make two accounts now, because they will be banned, if there are procedures in place for the few that will abuse the potential new features, then I imagine they will soon dwindle.
How people can really have a problem against a like button to the point of it 'devaluing' the site, is crazy to me. Can I ask what is so disastrously negative about it? I find all the one worded posts saying 'Yes' or 'agreed', far more irritating than a small number on the side of the post saying how many people liked what they said....
Anything can be abused, like the rep button etc but at the same time anything can be monitored and its the same reason why people don't make two accounts now, because they will be banned, if there are procedures in place for the few that will abuse the potential new features, then I imagine they will soon dwindle.
Don't like it.Looks like shit.
Hopefully this means you'll be buggering off then.
That post is exactly WHY we need the like button.
I've got no problem with the "look and feel" of the caf as it is now, but I'm all for progress.
The snapshots look great to me.
One minor comment: In the box of "smilies" we could use a worship emoticon. It just seems more fun to me to express my agreement with a post by quoting it and then tagging it with a worship emoticon (basically a smiley dude bending over in praise) than hitting a like button. Maybe I'm just a crusty old fart and don't get the idea, but a like button just seems so fanboi. We're men here, aren't we?
The snapshots look great to me.
One minor comment: In the box of "smilies" we could use a worship emoticon. It just seems more fun to me to express my agreement with a post by quoting it and then tagging it with a worship emoticon (basically a smiley dude bending over in praise) than hitting a like button. Maybe I'm just a crusty old fart and don't get the idea, but a like button just seems so fanboi. We're men here, aren't we?
Loving the new look and features. Cant wait for this to go live
It looks great! Really looking forward to this! Good job niall.
I quite like what we have now but the new thing doesn't look too bad.
But that doesn't resolve the problem as you could still have 400 posts all saying I liked that post in their own crazy way, whether it be the standard 'I agree' or the little man you're after, its a lot of unnecessary space.
The like function could be embedded on the original post, hence not making other posters go through pages of SPAM.
However, that being said, I can understand why people have their backs up with the 'like' as it is very 'facebooky' and I don't like facebook either, but it seems it is a genuine solution to a problem and could tidy up a lot of posts.
Something I would be very up for would be an almost conversation based one where its stored something similar to how our phones display messages now... not sure how it would work obviously but the future of redcafe looks exciting!
i was thinking something along these lines (minus the Neg rep bit), but a way that users of the site could nominate posts they like then perhaps at the end of each month there could be a post of the month/ season, poster of the season...etc
I think this would work especially well in the newbs as it would allow everyone to essential point the mods in the direction of popular posters.
Other than that the changes look good.
Normally I am not one for change but the new layout looks sharper and easier to read. Well done.
This is probably bottom of the list of Matchday features as it's one of the more complicated ones. I'm thinking snazzy Javascript powered interface with a pitch, a list of all players, formation options and you drag/drop the players into their positions on the pitch.
...or it could be a simple list with checkboxes and a submit button
One forum I use that has the 'like' button is www.boards.ie and honestly it seems to work well there and are mainly used for thanking someone for helping you in the threads I read.
Where are all of these one worded posts saying 'Yes' or 'agreed', may I ask? there's a few here and there, but I never thought that there was enough posts like that to cause much annoyance. In the newbies maybe, but certainly not in the mains.
Agreed
This.
Changes look pretty good.
Please no like button tbh. Ruins most sites.
Not a fan of signatures either, but having Avatar's even if Small ones in a box would be good. You can moderate them if you don't want certain type of avatar's.
Please no like button tbh. Ruins most sites.
Not a fan of signatures either, but having Avatar's even if Small ones in a box would be good. You can moderate them if you don't want certain type of avatar's.
Its not the biggest problem I face in my day, I will be honest, I'm saying I can't see why people oppose it, I can admit that's obvious a small reason as you are dead right, it happens a lot less up here, but occasionally it does.
What is a possible REAL reason for it being a bad idea? Other than 'don't like it'
A small avatar could be handy and once you've picked it you can't change it. I know I remember and recognise different posters from eachother much easier if they have an avatar