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Forum software discussion

Please list any and all bugs, feature requests etc in here and we can pick them up from one place. Only one bug/request per thread please, and make the title relevant so they are easy to pick out.

Forum software discussion

Postby Lurker » 11 Jan 2021, 16:28

How do I turn photos and make smaller?

Once I have worked this out I will post more.

Just realised that I have posted this in the wrong place, can a mod fix it for me please?
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Re: My new workshop

Postby Dr.Al » 11 Jan 2021, 16:45

Lurker wrote:How do I turn photos and make smaller?


This forum software doesn't make it easy.

The way I do it (which may not be the easiest) is to open the image in an image editor (I use paint.net - as it's easy) and sort the image out in that.

For example, in paint.net you open the image, press Ctrl-G (or Image menu... Rotate 90° Counter-Clockwise [sic]) until it's the right way round, then Ctrl-R (or Image menu... Resize) to make it smaller, then Ctrl-S (or File...Save, or File...Save As) to save it.

You can also easily crop if you don't want to post the whole image (I do this before resizing).

Then upload it to the forum and use "place inline" next to the image to include the image in your post.

In (ahem) better forum software, I do the same, except I don't bother with Save and I hit Ctrl-A (select all), Ctrl-C (copy) and then paste into the forum software. That won't help you here though.
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Re: My new workshop

Postby TrimTheKing » 11 Jan 2021, 16:48

Dr.Al wrote:...In (ahem) better forum software...


Yep, I get it, the software is crap/old/clunky, and repeating it isn't going to make me sort it any quicker... ;)
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Re: My new workshop

Postby AJB Temple » 11 Jan 2021, 17:33

What about if we ask ever so nicely and offer to help, Mark?
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Re: My new workshop

Postby Dr.Al » 11 Jan 2021, 18:15

TrimTheKing wrote:
Dr.Al wrote:...In (ahem) better forum software...


Yep, I get it, the software is crap/old/clunky, and repeating it isn't going to make me sort it any quicker... ;)


:lol: :lol: :obscene-drinkingcheers:
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Re: My new workshop

Postby Dr.Al » 11 Jan 2021, 18:16

AJB Temple wrote:What about if we ask ever so nicely and offer to help, Mark?


:text-goodpost:
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Re: My new workshop

Postby TrimTheKing » 11 Jan 2021, 18:35

AJB Temple wrote:What about if we ask ever so nicely and offer to help, Mark?


Haha, no need to ask ever so nicely, I know it needs doing, and it will, but I need to focus on finding a new job first then I can focus on this.

Rest assured, when the time comes, which will be sooner rather than later, I will be sure to utilise all the help that the Mod's and anyone else who want to, can offer. :obscene-drinkingcheers:
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Re: My new workshop

Postby TrimTheKing » 11 Jan 2021, 18:49

Right, I've moved all the discussion on this into a new thread so we can clean up Lurker's thread and not derail that. Any discussion, questions, offers, whatever, relating to new forum software then put them in here so they're all in one place.

Ta
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Sheffield Tony » 11 Jan 2021, 19:20

So much better to tolerate crap and clunky software but friendly admin, than shiny new software but a crap and clunky admin, as found elsewhere on the net ;) It works well enough.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Mike G » 11 Jan 2021, 20:09

Sheffield Tony wrote:So much better to tolerate crap and clunky software but friendly admin, than shiny new software but a crap and clunky admin, as found elsewhere on the net ;) It works well enough.


Bingo.

It's certainly fine on a PC. There are things I'd like to see improve, but I'd much rather Mark sorted his job out before worrying about sorting out our pass-time.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby AJB Temple » 11 Jan 2021, 20:30

100% agree re job. We all have to get our priorities right.

Suggest we shelve this for now.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby TrimTheKing » 11 Jan 2021, 20:38

Thanks guys. I've no problem with anyone discussing it, making suggestions etc.

I didn't just lob the work thing in there to shut you up either, just to set expectations that I/we definitely have it on the radar (in fact Robert has already done a bit of prelim investigation) and it will happen, just not for a little while due to my having to focus elsewhere for a bit.

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Re: My new workshop

Postby Trevanion » 11 Jan 2021, 20:44

Dr.Al wrote:The way I do it (which may not be the easiest) is to open the image in an image editor (I use paint.net - as it's easy) and sort the image out in that.


I do it like this,

First I get my pictures, some may be the wrong way round so I rotate them using the Photos section of Windows and crop as needed.

I have a tool installed which is called "ImageResizer" so when I right-click on a picture or a bunch of pictures selected together in a file I can select "resize pictures" and it will resize them to the specified dimensions stated which for me is 1200 x 900.

I then upload the pictures to a reliable third-party host, In my case Imgur, and then I link the image destinations into threads on here.


You can get the tool for re-sizing pictures here: https://www.bricelam.net/ImageResizer/
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby billw » 11 Jan 2021, 20:50

I do like the software used "elsewhere" I have to say.

Did chuckle when I first logged on here and was offered the opportunity to enter my MSN Messenger ID, since the service shut down in 2012 :lol:

Would be happy to help out if there's a need for it, I'm pretty good with tech stuff.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby AJB Temple » 11 Jan 2021, 21:56

OK, as Mark is cool with it:

I will not use third party hosts for images. I prefer to keep all of my images on my own server. I've been burnt too many times with third party hosting.

The forum I administered until two weeks ago was drag and drop for images. Auto resize. No issues with rotation. Very little work for users or mods. These days I hardly every post images anywhere unless it is drag and drop, and certainly not a WIP.

Some forum software has auto-placement. So you click where in your text you want the picture to be and it goes there without having to use a menu to place it in-line.

Easy and fast editing is useful for me. I am in the habit of type and press send, without reading. This is a |do it once" approach applied to running a business (with the luxury of a PA). I only spot my mistakes and omissions later.

I like to able to thank people when they have been helpful, without having to create a thread reply to do so.

I am a Mac user but most on the forum I administered before were PC users and a lot used mobiles. Software had no discernible differences in handling any of them.

It was easy to distribute administrator duties / tasks with serious risk of cock up. However, the chairman (it was a charity) hated that and this was the biggest factor in me quitting as admin. :D
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Chris101 » 11 Jan 2021, 22:40

Sheffield Tony wrote:So much better to tolerate crap and clunky software but friendly admin, than shiny new software but a crap and clunky admin, as found elsewhere on the net ;) It works well enough.


Bang On.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby AJB Temple » 11 Jan 2021, 22:47

Yes, agree with that too. To be fair though Mike the mod based in Germany at the old place, was always transparent and fair, and like the mods here actually contributed to the forum. Moderation here is grown up.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Trevanion » 11 Jan 2021, 22:49

Sheffield Tony wrote:So much better to tolerate crap and clunky software but friendly admin, than shiny new software but a crap and clunky admin, as found elsewhere on the net ;) It works well enough.


I wouldn't say it's crap and clunky, maybe more "outdated but very utilitarian". Just like a Land Rover, It doesn't look too pretty and it's not the most comfortable ride but It gets the job done.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby TrimTheKing » 11 Jan 2021, 23:07

And aside from my personal issues, that's the main reason why

A/ It's not been upgraded sooner,
B/ We won't rush moving onto another platform (I'd rather it be right than be soon).

Keep the ideas coming chaps, and if someone who has offered really does want to help then maybe they could volunteer to turn this chat into a wish list for what the new forum would look like/contain in terms of functionality so we don't have to go back and trawl through a whole thread to pick things out...?

Also, there seem to be a number of us who have either created, run or managed fora so any suggestions of what software to look at for our next move then please stick them on here too. Robert has already found a couple of options, some free some paid, so any other options to add to the list would be good.

The Mod's and I are happy to be completely transparent and inclusive in how we go forward here because ultimately the whole premise behind TWH when Tom first set it up was to create a proper community without the politics or nonsense that some other places became embroiled in.

Having said that, there does have to be an element of decision making and ownership so the ultimate final decision on what we do, how we do it and what features we go with will come down to the Mod/Admin team. We will of course be more than happy to share that decision making process but as we all know, at the end of the day (prior to it getting dark) the buck has to stop with someone.

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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Robert » 11 Jan 2021, 23:50

As Mark said I have played with a couple of options.

I was a mod on talkphotography for about 10 years from its start until i fell out of love with photography and felt I should stop modding as I'd lost interest in the subject. That was on vbulletin software at first then latterly on xenforo.

Xenforo let you build a free sample site of your own as a demo and I replicated up to a point our forum and it was relatively easy even for someone that has never admin'd a forum before. The software does cost money of course and all costs here are shared amongst the 'staff'. There are things like skimlinks that turn product links into affiliate ones that could help pay for it without advertising and adverts are something we don't want.

We are on an old version of phpbb here for various reasons some of which comes down to Mark and time to dedicate to it. I did set up a current version of phpbb on a PC at home here along with the supporting server software and it was better than we have currently but without some customisations. It is still old fashioned though.

Behind the scenes I've been suggesting we explore / invest in Xenforo.

So I don't doubt it will happen one day but for now it is a waiting game.

Oh and as to pictures i resize mine to 2000 pixels on the longest side and upload them to my own webspace. then it is just a matter of pasting the URL of the picture into a post here. I find it simpler than using the attachment system here.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Mike G » 12 Jan 2021, 00:16

The big change I'd like to see is actually tiny.........but to be able to make links simply by highlighting the word/s you want to make into a hyperlink, clicking the icon, then pasting in the address.......that would make life here a tad easier.

The forum software I like the most is the one used by Cyclechat forum:

https://www.cyclechat.net/
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Sheffield Tony » 12 Jan 2021, 00:21

Speaking for myself, I would sooner use outdated looking, clunky but free software than slick software which costs money, so leads to ads and other commercialisation. I found xenforo - if that's what it is on the other place - somewhat confusing.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Woodster » 12 Jan 2021, 00:23

This forum software is not that bad compared to some others out there. How you post pictures on here and what needs to be done with them depends entirely on the operating system used. I use an iPad and uploading pictures is easy and doesn’t normally require any resizing that can’t be done by the OS by making a choice.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Lurker » 12 Jan 2021, 09:36

Having inadvertently started this thread :eusa-shifty:

I notice it's mainly recent arrivals commenting.
Hope Mr.Trim doesn't get resentful, after allowing us all to join.
Personally, I am ok now that I know. The way the forum software works seems fine to me just as it is.
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Re: Forum software discussion

Postby Andyp » 12 Jan 2021, 09:38

Yeah, it is the people that count not the pub they are drinking in.
I do not think therefore I do not am.

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