Software Update

Ok folks. So the Mod team has been discussing potentially updating the software used here at Da Warpath. Invisionfree was shiny and new in 2004 but it is really starting to show it's age and we'd like to move over to something a bit more modern where we have more options and more control.

Now this is a long term project and is still being discussed. Also I don't want to talk about specifics yet, it's way too early. So please don’t ask any 'will it do X, Y and Z' questions yet, we're not nearly close enough to answer them.

That said, if you have any suggestions, ideas, or things you simply would love to see here, let us know, however wacky they are. Someone mentioned twitter a while back. Perhaps you want larger avatars, a tactics WIKI or some kind of Forum Clans. I want to compile a list in one place so we can discuss them behind the curtain. The idea is that we won't be restricted by the very limited invisionfree and will have a much more modern piece of software, so many more things will be possible. We’d also like to get the mainsite integrated too so bear that in mind. If you have a look at sites like CDO and the Ogre Stronghold, you’ll see the possibilities that using newer software offers.

Finally, if you have any experience with software coding and don’t mind helping out at some point in the future (and have been around long enough for me to trust you wiv me choppa, no snottos pleeze!) feel free to drop me a PM too.

This post has been edited by Draig on Jul 22 2010, 10:33 AM

Just to add a little more here:

Once we get things set up, we're going to be transferring pretty much everything we have here now across to the new setup - user accounts, forums, posts etc. We're going to be doing a dry-run of it beforehand to make sure we get it all sorted, but we would like everyone to be aware that there will be a brief transitional period for everyone to get accustomed to the new forum when we're ready with it.

Of course, unlike our Orcy nature, we'll try to make all of this as painless as possible for all of you

Hey, that would be cool.

I think some place to store articles that are easily referenced are nice. Maybe even some way to chat about the articles after the articles?

This post has been edited by Groznit Goregut on Jul 23 2010, 02:29 PM

Do you mean commenting on articles rather than a thread? That can certainly be done.

You know, I'm not sure. I mean, one hand, someone can go to the Tactics forum and say "I read the Checkerboard Tactica and I have questions...."

On the other, it might be neat to have something like a comments section underneath it so that comments don't get too buried in the forums. I can see someone discovering the article and then getting the wealth of comments on it right after reading it instead of having to go to the forums. Make sense?

Not sure which is best or preferred.

Well for a while we've wanted to have some of the best articles, be they tactics, modelling, or whatever on the mainsite. You can't sticky everything on the forums. Most of these will evolve out of a thread on the forums, say the hook for example, but I see your point. For those that don't comments would be useful. The main thing to avoid is 50% of people discussing an article in comments while 50% discuss it on the forum.

Ohhh.... a shiney new forum.....

Oh this is great. I have two things I would like to see on the new forum/site both idea's are stolen from heresy online. Please keep the emoticons though, they are awesome

1. The ability to quick reply (I think carpe noctum has this as well)
2. The ability to give out reputation (rep) to others if they do something well

Skar

If it's php you're "upgrading" to, then be sure to let me or Nagathi (via me) know if we can help out with the 'transitional period'


As for suggestions, I for one am not a fan of quick-reply; certainly it makes life "easier" (i.e. people can post more often) but the reservation that we had/have over on Asrai.org is that it encourages speed posting (and thus less thought, effort and content). Of course, that could just be us being sticklers...


On the other hand, the Rep. system I like very much. I've never been a fan of "promotion" based on post count (it just seems to encourage spam) having a system where awards (or Rep) are granted by merit, especially by other members of the community, is an excellent way of showing appreciation for the work a lot of members put in to the forum. Of course, you already have a medal system so a Rep system is a natural 'progression' from that; you have the medals for those things that are the big noticeable events on the site, but a Rep system would allow individual members to show their appreciation for all the little, every day things that help keep the site running smoothly

I like the idea of a "reputation" system

Of course, however, done in a more Orcy fashion: "Teef" for example.

And yes, we will be most certainly retaining the current smilies and the medals system

I thought Rep was a good idea until I saw this. Then I thought it was brilliant

I'm happy to have a look at medals or anything else again when it comes time to upgrade. I can't promise anything knowing how my free time fluctuates and I haven't coded anything since I looked at the medals last time, but I'm happy to give it a shot.

How about the ability to be able to embed video's into your posts. This could make the tutorials section a whole lot more interesting. I know a few people have been interested in making some video tutorials.

Also having a function were down size's your images would be great. It means members don't have to spend loads of time down sizing there pictures in photobucket or picture manager etc etc. The process can be a bit off putting for new members

I think we are also in need of a new home page that could have links to all the latest thread/topics. Could also have image of the day kind of thing even polls. Perhaps make an improved 'store' through which Da Warpath could sell it's orky merchandise such as T-shirts etc etc.

That all my idea's spent, I shall try and think up some more though

Skar

This post has been edited by Skartooth The Third on Jul 25 2010, 09:01 AM

Some great ideas here, thanks folks. Most of these never even occured to me. The teef reputation system is pure genius. Things like a store, picture resizing, video embedding are all possible I know, so keep the ideas coming. I for one would love to see youtube battle reports embedded in posts! Now's your chance to speak up and get something added to DWP.

Finally to those offering technical help a HUGE thank you. I'm not the best at this but I get there in the end (as some of you saw with Animosity Campaigns), so any expert help is greatly appreciated.

We could have an ongoing thread where people can challenge each other with their latest and greatest combo's using an on-line dice rolling site or something similar built into the forum

Just an idea. Probably won't last long if you thought to include it

Oh and if you want to make a bit of cash perhaps offer to sponsor companies/podcasts ect ect

Skar

This post has been edited by Skartooth The Third on Jul 28 2010, 05:58 PM

Asrai.org runs warhammer online pretty sucessfully. It doesn't require much forum software, so we could do it as things stand, but it'd need players willing to keep the games going.