Hello Everypony and welcome to the Everypony's News #8, we've got a fair bit to talk about this time round. Some small bits, some longer bits. Some things that have happened and others that are going to happen. I do strongly suggest you take the time to read this in particular article and if you're able, subsequently share your feelings by posting below. We're changing and we want to make sure you're all not only aware of that change, but that you also have a say in the direction in which it takes us. To those of you who are unfamiliar with "Everypony's News" - It is a compilation of news revolving only around the Everypony Network (EPR, Forums/Additional www.everypony.com managements) - It is not a substitute for Equestria Daily or Derpy Hooves.[HR][/HR]Everypony's Hosted on a New Server[HR][/HR]You'll have (hopefully) noticed a dramatic increase in speed/site performance and the elimination of the increasingly common page "hanging". This is due to a relocating of the website to a new VPS server, hosted by the newly registered user ghan_04 (so be sure to send some thanks his way).Issues are expected, so if you notice anything out of the ordinary please do feel free to post in the 'bug report' section of our site discussion forum and someone will look into it ASAP. [HR][/HR] View attachment 3147 [HR][/HR]Sadly better hardware doesn't come free, or cheap. The new server is going to cost quite a bit more in terms of our continued hosting. We've always strived to provide ad and cost free services here at Everypony's Network - we've even refused to accept donations - and while our views haven't changed, our situation has. With the increased server costs, The World is Flat can no longer afford (nor can we really expect him) to support this site off his own back. We'd have needed to start looking at accepting donations/and or implementing advertisements.As luck happens, we've been in deep discussion with http://www.welovefine.com (who I'm sure the majority of you have heard of) and have come to a mutually beneficial advertisement agreement. We'll be proudly hosting a banner for them here, at everypony.com and the proceeds from this banner will go to server upkeep. They've also thrown in a 10% discount code for anyone visiting from our site, so that's a little something for all you ponies who love to sport a little mighty fine attire!I know it's a sad day to see us go pro-ad, but it's a day we all knew would come and I honestly can't think of anyone we'd rather work with (Perhaps weight-loss pills and shoddy teeth-whitener?) - let bronies help bronies. We hope you understand and support this decision, but we'd love to hear your opinions either way! [HR][/HR]Network-Expansion: /Fictions/ - /Media/ - /Network/ - /Forums/ - /ETC/[HR][/HR]Future.php?do=what We've come a long way in the past eleven or so months, from that small, insignificant forum using a poorly adapted and overly-bright Vbulletin skin to a relatively large, sleek and expansive network providing a variety of services and features for one of the greatest internet communities I've ever had the privilege of being a part of. Some would say we've grown a little too quickly and I'm inclined to agree, I don't think we ever expected to get this far, let alone in such a small space of time. There's a lot of things that we've 'tagged' on but never really integrated or attached efficiently. There's still people who ask me on occasion, how do I sign up to 'this'? Or.. 'You have a forums?' (on the radio). The whole point of the 'network' was to amend the confusion and make everything feel that much tighter and while it has worked to some degree, I believe their remains room for constant improvement.I'm going to be implementing some structural changes to the site, the fiction archives are going to move to a different system and be located at everypony.com/fictions/ (as opposed to everypony.com/forums/fictions.php). A new media section (that we've talked about and tried before) is also on the to-do list but it'll be a long time in the coming, if it does at all. A new system for displaying news and updates is also on our idea list, where you'll be able to swap pages to see announcements relating to the radio/forums/fictions - etc.. As opposed to seeing them all. We're also contemplating the return of the roleplay chat and the addition of some features to the forum parts. Nothing is solid here yet.- NAVBAR I know a lot of people have always struggled with site navigation, to ammend this I'll be implementing a new navbar at the top of the screen, we're also be disabling all the old forum styles and force everyone to use the network style, but don't fret. We'll be making some more based off the network to replace those lost (within time).Here's a preview of the navbar, you'll note I've removed the old and obsolete icons above the forums that used to be the section navigation:http://gyazo.com/01ea6f0dbcbc252811e4d5a008a28886 UPDATE http://gyazo.com/19e926d27a645868d766a3bcef3076fa - Reintroduced an updated version of the old custom chat, you'll remember Ripp began work on so y'all can get your track names again. Let me know if there are any issues Finished up some configuration for www.everypony.com/fictions/ (the new fictions section), I'll unlock that later this week - While you won't be expected to move all your fictions over, it is advisable and the old system will be locked out. So you'll be able to read old fictions but not post any new ones. I'll probably roll out the navbar in sync with the fictions section too. As it happens, there's a lot more to say - but this Karaoke Night stole my attention for too long and I haven't the time to write it! - I'll post a .5 later in the week or tomorrow. Cheers, ~ Grey Knightmare
I actually don't mind advertisements as long as they aren't annoying and in your face. So a WeLoveFine banner at the top will actually be a good thing. One, it's an advertisement about stuff we actually want. Two, it's discounted. Three, more money to keep the site running! In the end, everyone wins. Glad to hear that the RP chat may return. And the navbar looks very nice. It's not in your face like the icons are, but yet it's easily accessible.
As long as the adverts aren't those youtube video ones, that you can hear, but as much as you search through your many many tabs, cannot find... As long as it isn't one of those, I'm happy with adverts. For the Navbar, thats looking much neaterer. I liek. As for the loosing of the ol' styles.... the forums just don't look right to me unless its in Ponyville... :'( But I shall survive... Yes, yes I shall...
Great update, grey. For those of that inclination, our new host server is a Linode Virtual Private Server (www.linode.com) To date, Linode offers the best hosting and service at its price point, (we think) and it has excellent support and usability. You can read their FAQ here: http://www.linode.com/faq.cfm Our switch to a VPS will alleviate most of the 'Hang Issues' In addition, some wizardry by our Server Master here, Ghan_04, has allowed us to optimize the site by enabling Memcache, which has enabled the site to preform with stunning speed. I hope everypony gives a nod to Ghan_04 for his help getting our new hosting arrangements together so quickly. And the new Navbar is brilliant, thanks to grey's awesome efforts, we look forward to rolling it out soon. (If we haven't already!) And thanks to everypony for their support and the awesome community we have, hugs for all of you. As a notice to those concerns about advertisements: We have no intention of allowing disruptive types of ads onto this site at any point in time. If it does come to ads, they will be strictly low impact and non-disruptive, that is an assurance. At this time we only have plans for the WeLoveFine promotion.
UPDATE http://gyazo.com/19e926d27a645868d766a3bcef3076fa - Reintroduced an updated version of the old custom chat, you'll remember Ripp began work on so y'all can get your track names again. Let me know if there are any issues Finished up some configuration for www.everypony.com/fictions/ (the new fictions section), I'll unlock that later this week - While you won't be expected to move all your fictions over, it is advisable and the old system will be locked out. So you'll be able to read old fictions but not post any new ones. I'll probably roll out the navbar in sync with the fictions section too.
It's not that bad as you all assume. I agree with all of Mike's arguments. I may miss the old themes though. Except for that, well, everything seems great! Keep doing the great job, everypony!
