[size=+1]Community Post #134[/size] [size=+2]Site News[/size] This website that you're currently looking at was put here by the first Technical Admin of this website: Grey Knightmare. He also didn't just build the whole thing from scratch himself. He brought the basic forum software and tarted it up, as it were. He fiddled and fiddled with it and, as time as gone on, the collective efforts of Grey, Mike, Minty and myself have attempted to make this place as comfortable and pleasing to use as possible. I would like to admit, that doing so can often be a colossal pain in the arse. The software which we use to run this forum is called vBulletin. There might be fellow ponies here that have heard that name before around this here internet and recognise it. It's a forum software that we've been adding to or altering or just plain fixing sometimes for, pretty much, the sites entire lifespan so far. The issue with the site as it stands now is that it's...well, sort of broken. Like, badly broken. It will run, sure, but it's getting to the point where we're a little amazed the ol' thing still has some life in it. We have errors all over the place backstage that we simply cannot deal with. The amount of them is actually horrific. The reason for this is that we moved servers reasonably recently. After at least a year, we've had quite a few errors coming through but nothing that would result in the site to stop functioning. At all. In fact, I'm quite certain that we could just continue on and you wouldn't really notice for ages. Here's the other rub though: vBulletin is getting rather old. And flabby. Heck! Our version when it moved from our old server to our new one needed to be operated on until it spluttered back into life. But there's more than that. The site could do with a few alterations such as being upgraded to something we can run far easier. A site that can run easer means that even those with low powered devices can get on and use the site perfectly OK. We've also had issues with things like mobile versions of the site. Most of which appear to be pretty awkward from what I've seen. How about creating a new theme? Maaaaan, does that take forreeeever! The Changeling theme took me weeks, mainly just to figure out where things where going and how. It's a sluggish job. And lastly, at least off the top of my head, how about that Radio widget up there? We're pretty proud of that. We're affiliated with Ponyville Live and, as far as we know, no other site there has one of those. Minterwute and Mike made that possible and, as I understand it, it could have been a lot easier. A lot easier. In fact, if it was easier, we'd consider more bespoke options in the future. Enter Xenforo. Again, there's a good chance you've used this system before. At least somewhere, I'm sure, especially newer forums. Ones that spring to mind is the recently unveiled channelawesome.com forums, complete with blog section. There's some nice stuff there but not a candle can be held to ours. Sorry Dougie-baby, had to be said. When we found out that Everypony Version 1 broke itself as it was moved over, we figured an upgrade might need to be sooner than later. So...Allow me to show you Everypony.com Mark 2. Looks, kinda familiar doesn't it? Yeah, sorry for the anti-climax but we have been finagling around with it so that it doesn't feel too out of place. After all, I tend to think the Spring theme looks pretty good. Of course, we're still going to try and create brand new themes for the new site. An aim could be not only a theme for each season but also each Mane Character, Luna, Celestia and we'll have to figure out a really cool Changeling theme as well for anyone that enjoyed those. Oh! I should explain: my account name is Grey Knightmare because of a small error when testing the import function of Xenforo. The system got confused and merged my account with his when they moved over. But what can you expect in terms of alterations? Well, the first place you might expect differences is if you enter a forum. This is what a post would look like in the new version of Everypony. At least for now. As you can see, all the usual functions are in place. Instead, it looks a little less clunky with it's sexy rounded edges. Of course, we still have a place for signatures as well as you can see with Flightless' post. Functionally, it's pretty much the same. Heck! Your not even loosing the ability to change the text under your name. That's still there. So, that's nice right? One thing you might have to get used to is the Rich Text Entry Boxes that will become standard for the site. Here's one: Have you ever used Microsoft Word? Yeah, more or less identical. With the Rich Text Box, you have all those buttons there to use instead of the usual BB Codes we're using at the moment. Want a picture in place? Just push the button and paste the URL in the popup window and it'll do it all for you. Text size, colour, and all that good stuff is done through those controls too. We'll even look into adding a few extra bits and pieces for the more advanced writers out there. But, if your missing the ol' code link riddled posts, then you can push a button to turn all that fanciness off and use a text box similar to the ones we use now. What else? Umm...Oh! You'll need to know about Conversations too. They are going to be replacing Private Messages. "But, Tyro, you magnificent and damn attractive fellow, that looks exactly like a forum post!" I hear you say. And yes, Conversations are pretty much identical to a forum. The difference is that rather than an Email style presentation, you get it laid out all on one screen. Oh! And this: Only those that have been invited to the Conversation can read it (apart from the Staff should we need to, of course. So be careful in case we ever need to go poking around). However, you can invite more people to a conversation should you need to. Now, there's a few things you need to know. Firstly, even after we move everything, we're likely to be fiddling with things endlessly afterwards. So, rules might be fiddles with. Functions and features might get chopped or changed or altered entirely. Things will likely pop up and then disappear again all over the place. This is us (most likely me) fiddling around with the new tools and systems in order to ensure we have everything as we like it. So, bare with us on that. Secondly, we're currently trying to understand how to implement the Everypony Chat function in the new form of the site. There's a possibility of the old system simply being cut from the old site and linked in the new one. But, we're also investigating some method of giving it a facelift as well along with the rest of the site. Again, it could be great if we can do things like provide mobile friendly versions or perhaps just brighten it up somewhat without losing it's functionality. It could do with some work, I think most of us can agree. As of now, the new site has a Shoutbox instead. It's super duper basic but somewhat close to what we want. At the moment, it will have to do. So, I'm sorry but Chat Users, please bare with us while we toil and experiment. All that's left to say is that I hope you'll enjoy the new features. The change happens on Friday, so expect massive amount of downtime while we panic behind the scenes, trying to make sure not a single post is lost. We promise. All right...um..Site alterations or no, Dragonbait will always deliver new songs. Artist - Song 174UDSI - Ill Fly (174UDSI Remix) Daniel Ingram - Ill Fly (µThunder Remix) Donn DeVore and the Cutie Marks - Little Sister DusK - I'll Fly (Metal Cover) EnergyBrony - Open Your Eyes cover (feat. GatoPaint) Eurobeat Brony - In Our Town (Eurotopia Mix) Forest Rain - Your Love Igna - Moonbutt Mush - Uncertain Smile (Ft. Mica) PON3 - Lights Around (Wonderpony Remix) PonyFireStone - Friendship Through The Ages Club Mix Starlight - Glimmer The L-Train ft. Vannamelon - Making Cupcakes Wind Wolf - Regret (2015 Re-release) WoodLore - Chant Of Immortality (4EverfreeBrony Cover) WoodLore - Let The Magic Fill Your Soul (Spectra Remix) ALBUM - Ponies at Dawn - Celestial Planes Silverwing - Celestial Planes - 01 Destiny Patrick Poe - Celestial Planes - 02 Tribal Drummer Pony Music & ThatMusicBrony - Celestial Planes - 03 Equestrian Territory EnsionD - Celestial Planes - 04 Colours (feat. Vaceslav) Fluidic Ice - Celestial Planes - 05 Metanoia PegasYs - Celestial Planes - 06 A Story Worth Telling (feat. FritzyBeat) Nexaka - Celestial Planes - 07 Testing The Spectrum Hydra - Celestial Planes - 08 Amped Neu KatalYst - Celestial Planes - 09 Midnight Telle Sonic Hooves - Celestial Planes - 10 Dusk Horizon Replacer - Celestial Planes - 11 In Defence of Madness Metapony - Celestial Planes - 12 Legacy of Harmony ExplodingPonyToast - Celestial Planes - 13 Skywards LutariFan - Celestial Planes - 14 A Glimmer Of Hope (feat. FritzyBeat) Silly Ditzy - Celestial Planes - 15 Amazing Morgsch - Celestial Planes - 16 Let The Sun Rise (feat. Itchigotchi) Alfiux - Celestial Planes - 17 Vilnius (Hay Tea Remix) Thrasher - Celestial Planes - 18 Forbidden Exiark - Celestial Planes - 19 Frostfire (feat. Itchigotchi) Crusader - Celestial Planes - 20 Orbital Basscannon MrMehster & MagnaDrake - Celestial Planes - 21 CiderDrunk Unikorn - Celestial Planes - 22 EDM Rave Machine 174UDSI - Celestial Planes - 23 Money (feat. GloryOfTheRainWings) Vinyl.rawr & PegasYs - Celestial Planes - 24 Miracle Pony Music - Celestial Planes - 25 Equestrian War Zone Kadenza - Celestial Planes - 26 Quell Ryazan - Celestial Planes - 27 Lunamoon Sonic Rainboom - Celestial Planes - 28 Cyan Skies EM120X - Celestial Planes - 29 Solar Eclipse (feat. Ice-Cream Cloud) Plum Creek Rhythm Section - Celestial Planes - 30 Smile, Dear, and Wave Vaceslav - Celestial Planes - 31 I Will See Them Fall TreblemakerTunes - Celestial Planes - 32 What Happened Ponyville- (feat. Silver Note) Czyszy - Celestial Planes - 33 Behind your Girl Mask Light Veins - Celestial Planes - 34 Above The Sky Reverbrony - Celestial Planes - 35 Butterflies and Cyanide Contrakt - Celestial Planes - 36 Wonderbolt (feat. Vaceslav) Luna Ticks - Celestial Planes - 37 Back To Equestria! SDreamExplorerS - Celestial Planes - 38 Vandroŭnickaia Neighsayer - Celestial Planes - 39 My Little Miracle of the Universe Evdog - Celestial Planes - 40 Running To-From Lunar Beatz - Celestial Planes - 41 The Ponyville Library Nikki Layne - Celestial Planes - 42 Left Waiting (feat. Itchigotchi) 5/17 Songs added Freewave - Whatever Happened Panic - That's My Tank Pony! - Fear (ft. Glory of the Rainwings & KrazyKatte) PrinceWhateverer, Turquoise Splash & Poni1Kenobi - Deer in the Headlights (Owl City Cover) REDD - By Your Side SMOR3S - Make This Castle a Home (SMOR3S Remix) Turquoise Splash - On Your Own (WoodLore Cover) Oh! Here's some fun facts. That up there is about 4 and a half hours worth of music. Our Shoutcast Radio right now? In total, over 3 days worth of music. We'll get that up to a full week soon. Don't you worry. All right, I need to talk about this. So, we've had a few peeps attempt to lead some RP hanky-panky of a pretty explicit nature. So, I'm being asked to do this: Erotic RP is perfectly fine with me. Even I'm not adverse to it. [size=+2]Just dont do it here.[/size] Please, if your RP is starting to get hot and heavy, take it somewhere private. Email, Google Hangout, Skype, Facebook, F-List, DeviantArt, FurAffinity, MSN, Carrier Pigeon, Message in a Bottle, Arrows with Notes Attached, Teamspeak, Youtube Comments, Pictochat, Text Messaging, Psychic Messaging, just take it off the forums. We're not the place for such things. Everywhere else I just mentioned (except maaaaybe Youtube unless you like an audience), is far better suited than here. Clear? Gud. [size=+1]- Recommended Reading[/size] I was beaten to the punch?! Oh come ooooon! Well, this ended up being an interesting read. Morphin's post about an Autism Charity attempting cure Autism sparked some interesting back and forth. It's a subject that effects plenty of us so, maybe you have your own two cents on this? I thought it was worth a look at least. Although, Morphin' Brony: has no one ever introduced you to Godwin's Law before? Come on, dude! Got to be careful about that sort of thing. OK, this made me giggle. Relatively New Member Tommyspud has noticed that Namco-Bandai have planned to released a huge amount of Anime related videogames. So, if those two interests happen to coincide for you, it might be worth your while to check in with Tommyspud to see if anything you might want to play is on the horizon. Does you likes reviews? Well, we had one from me based on the latest release of MLP:CCG cards: The Absolute Discord Sets. They're out right now and look pretty awesome. I even got some ultra rares this time! If that's not your thing then there's Crimson Lionheart's review on...oh good grief... Batman and Robin. Uuuhhhg... Lastly, if you remain unconvinced that the site might be in need of an upgrade, I direct you to this. We're hoping we can fix that. Anyhoo, I hope your all excited for the new site. We'll be trying to make sure that no data is lost in the import and trying our hardest to ensure that we stay the number one hang out for Bronies of all kinds. Maybe even anyone else that turns up. Take care and don't worry; there'll likely be a new Community Post to welcome you to the new site when we swap over on Friday. See you then! Questions below. I'll try and answer all I can.
I know a few people that have went to Xenforo. I asked them about chats and they mentioned that Arrowchat/Cometchat/addonchat were types of products to look at. Don't know if you guys have or haven't yet, but hey, just thought I'd throw that in.
This is the most hype thing that's been on the site for me in a good bit. I mean look at all those new songs from Dragon. Good job there mate. And I think I read something about the site being updated, but idk, could have just been something in my eye.
Ha, this post made me crack up! Also, I am looking forward to the new site update, seems pretty cool.
XenForo is much more modern and intuitive for both staff and users. Looks arguably better too. Down with vBulletin!
Eh, It's possible that the newness is putting you off but rest assured, you have nothing to fear. For the most part, the only two things you might have to get used to are the Rich Text Boxes and the Conversation system. Everything else? Pretty much the same. The other feature I didn't mention is that Xenforo appears to have a system similar to Achievements. It will award little bits and pieces on your account for certain actions, such as how many posts you reach. I believe we can set new ones too so, perhaps we could try a few neat ones like...I dunno, having read every Community Post or stayed on the Radio for a certain amount of time. We're not 100% sure how to approach it yet but it certainly seems interesting. Yes. Yes, that's true and we're trying to figure that out. The issues I've found in my research is that even though they seem like fine services, money is a little iffy. The new site as come out of my own pocket so far and my finances has changed drastically between when I brought Xenforo and now. That could change again in the future but figuring this out shouldn't be too hard. It's not like we don't have a working chat, it's whether we can upgrade it comfortably. We might have to dip into some donator money, which usually is only used for upkeep. Again, we'll keep you posted.
Oh, and... Off-topic to ask it now, but... The Radio widget is not working.It keeps saying "Some titles* Is this a part of the upgrade?(YES, I MADE IT ON-TOPIC!XD)
Are there going to be any other changes beyond the cosmetic? Like some sort of thumbs up/thumbs down system?
Extra technologies for the Radio. That's likely to get a kick up the rump. There's also possible new BB Codes to give extra features. And, it's likely to let us fiddle around backstage much, much easier. Oh! And it's not catastrophically broken. I think that's a biggie.
I miss that one moment when we had that little shoutout box on the forums for a small amount of time, that was hilarious. -On topic- Yay for new forums and more interesting things!
It's a slang term that means "big deal." It's usually used in the sentence "No biggie," which of course means "not a big deal."
- - Auto Merge - - Also, I know that money is an unpleasant thing to discuss, but I think that people would be quicker to donate if we knew how much money was needed. Having a reachable goal, and all that. Just putting that out there.
