Forum Updates - Feb. 3, 2010 at 9:00am PST

Hello all,

I plan to update the forums software to the latest version on January 29, 2010 at 9am local time. The forums might be down from 10:00am onwards through most of the day.

Plans may change though. The latest version of the forums software was released just before Christmas and it is a major update -- from version 3 to version 4 (the last time there was a version change was 2004). It may not be possible to keep some of the customizations we presently use depending on the coding difficulty of doing so in the new version.

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

What new features can we expect?

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

Features they are advertising:

For a sense of what the UI would look like: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

The new look appears to be much more graphical. I hope that won't have a big impact on the time required to load pages.

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

It should actually be quicker -- it uses semantic markup and CSS instead of a table-based layout, so that ought to cut to load times. It doesn't look particularly heavy on graphics to me, though I'm perhaps assuming they used some style-sheet tricks to make things look like graphic files.

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

I'm excited; a new year, and a new forum. :D

 

Re: Forum Updates - Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:00am PST

Turning over a new leaf? (Groan)

 

Changed date to Feb 3, since something came up on the 28 -- and I'm trying to set aside 2 consecutive work days with no other obligations in case something goes wrong..

 

Perhaps Junglekeeper's question, "What new features can we expect?" could be answered in plain English. For those of us not conversant with 'contextually activated menus', all this computer-industry jargon is incomprehensible. Those of us not interested in YouTube, etc. might simply want to know: is my stuff still gonna be where it was? If not, how do I find it?

As this is not a democracy, I understand that the membership is not being asked for opinions, or allowed to vote on if this is something we want, yea or nay. However, as this is still a Forum, I feel that I must express my point of view: I simply want to read and learn about plants. At what point does modern technology eclipse our stated purpose? Will this Forum become a monument to software updates---but one only usable by techno-folks?

Or is there a more mundane reason for all these updates...like monetary obligations to the software company? Glad to know that UBC has sufficient funds to not only purchase this software but to pay the wages of the computer people necessary to implement same.

If my speculations are inaccurate, I welcome and invite their clarification and correction.

 

Generally speaking, updates provide improvements in security, functionality, and usability of the software. This is certainly the case with web browsers and operating systems and bulletin board software is no exception. These updates are also becoming more a necessity than a matter of choice in order to reflect changes in both hardware and software technology - moving with the times.

 

The new version looks a bit like another non gardening list I joined recently. Was ok but I don't know if they were messy in threads etc. Or I am just losing it re upgrades. I have just had to give my large work table over to daughter for her project and that was enough to upset my computer calm. I have a whole change of rules coming up soon on how to catalogue a book (been the same for 40 yrs) so I guess you may as well go for it and really upset my apple cart :)

Good luck that it all goes well.
Liz( heading to some really hot weather......

 

And good luck with your changes, too, Liz.

Change is life's only constant, but time feels as if it passes with ever-increasing speed as one gets older...so it seems as if changes happen faster and faster. This is just the way things go.---My big gripe is with the jargon! Just give it to me straight, doctor---I can take it! This technical, specialized language is so very excluding for those not fluent in it. Why cannot these features be described in words which have a meaning to us ALL? There is a reason we use Latin names in scientific classification: there is a reason for the Dewey decimal system. I crave precision and clarity, and this is not the effect resultant from the use of a language known only to specialists in it. I want to understand---but I can do so only if I comprehend what is being said.

Stay cool, Liz! Here it's barely 20 d. (F) and we had 4-5" of snow today. Will have as much more over next few days, and temps. to drop too. YECCH! Send us some pix of your dogs and trees and summery green stuff!

 

It is a bit of a challenge to keep up with the technology. I have more trouble with the endless array of acronyms that seem to crop up from all walks of life. It's a PITA.

 

The pics will be happening shortly. Tried to load program to get it on computer but stuffed it up so have to wait on one of the kids.
The wee camera is stitting here looking at me and wants a new battery that will be on next trip to S. market then at least I can start clicking

Liz

 

There's not much choice - the old version will no longer be supported.

You want to make sure the system will be here for you? Daniel's doing the upgrade for you.

Just reading about what's new and what needs to be done is a ton of work before even starting. I can't imagine taking it all in. Thanks, Daniel.

 

Indeed, ditto, to "Thanks, Daniel!" Having suffered from spam at the superatomic level on other sites, I know what it could be like here without his hard work.
I share the frustrations of togata57 and Junglekeeper, oh yes! On the other hand, some concepts can't be explained except in their native "language," at all! That's why I find it impossible to grasp the edge of current physics - I don't speak math! Just knowing what they do, don't do, and how it will affect my life must be enough; I can't get to "how and why" without a degree in the subject. Sometimes we all wind up having to take an expert's word on subjects, if we don't have time to go back to school.
So, Daniel, if you just keep us informed on the "what, and how to use it," in nontechspeak (as you usually do!) I for one will be quite pleased and grateful!

 

Sure, Ann -- I'll do so when I can.

 

Re: Forum Updates - Feb. 3, 2010 at 9:00am PST (postponed)

I should have stated earlier that I am postponing these updates, likely for a few weeks. Will announce a new time later.

 

Thanks Dan. I'm on my 3rd computer since 2004. Think of Cyber years as dog years. I'll leave my rant about being consumer victims of technology to another place.