Tide Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 We're looking at possibly updating the forum software given its (8+ year) age and lack of new features. That would mean moving the following features: - VBGarage - iTrader - Reviews There would be similar features in any new software we choose, as I think those features are important, but any information in these add ons today are not able to be moved to any new software. Those apps are no longer maintained and haven't been in years. I think there are a few options, please vote in the poll and/or leave thoughts. You all are here way more on a daily basis than I am. I am interested in overhauling the site for the next 5 years though. 1) Do nothing, you love the site and features it already has. 2) Move to VBulletin 4. Slightly newer version of this same software, though already aging. 3) Move to Vbulletin 5. Newest version of this software, but behind the times on features and third party addons would again have to fill the gap. 4) Move to Invision Power Board https://invisionpower.com/. Good set of new features, galleries, chat, reviews, etc, and good community. Personally I'm leaning toward 4), but I can also see just doing nothing. But I'm guessing it's time for a fresh engine and paint job on the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 For me anyways, there's nothing lacking on the current platform. Anytime I use another forum format, I find myself cursing. Now, with that being said, I/we would eventually get used to whatever new platform is presented, and would probably like it! Tide, what add-ons are we missing now, and would still be missing with the VB5? Chat is a sh1t show btw. If chat is the 'community' chat board that other forums have, I think we're too big to make that work, plus you tend to lose threads/posts that way. Does Invision work with TapaTalk? I think itrader is pretty cool. However, the one thing that always irritated me about it, was that other sites that use itrader, don't pull in your rating holistically. It's just on that specific site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDII Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Do nothing. Need forum help? Private Message legGTLT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris GTO TT Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Even though PowerBoard is 'newer' and 'better' the few forums I'm on that use their software, I don't like it. I'd prefer VB5. VB just seems to be a more intuitive system. 2003 Baja 5MT 2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 8, 2016 Moderators Share Posted June 8, 2016 iSpy is one of the best features. I don't care what you do as long as that doesn't go away. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laz Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Whatever you do don't take away the Thanks feature. I really think that we all find it super useful. If anything let us thanks more! --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsurge Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Whatever one Tris votes for? Xenforo? A few other forums I frequent use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Only things I would like to see are: 1) a public overhaul of the "smilies", and 2) loosen restrictions on attached file types/sizes. Maybe a fresh coat of paint on the header and default page style. iSpy and iTrader are things I consider valuable, and it would really suck to lose the good feedback many of us have accumulated over the last decade. The only times I've gone to VBgarage and reviews have been mis-clicks. The Crimson Dynamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 What the hell is ispy?! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rester5350 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 I'm with Underdog, I like the itrader reviews, shows integrity with a proven history. I have referenced my Itrader here on other forums for sales history. Just clicked on I spy for the first time lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLlegacy Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 I like the simple format used now. I may be biased but I don't like whatever subaruforester.org went to or subaruoutback.org. And I agree the itrader ratings are super useful when dealing with members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dujo Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Most of those are unimportant features that we get some nice use out of but aren't really critical to using the site effectively. iTrader rating is different though. Folks are not going to like wiping out and starting a new trading rating system that leaves their old reputation in the dust. Took a long time to build that rating. I like those other features, but if they went away, I'd just move on. If my iTrader gets wiped out, I will be annoyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 In theory, Itrader is easily made obsolete by just searching the sellers posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapture Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Hmm im so torn Ive come to love this forum And def dont wanna lose my itrader New coat of paint " sounds good but Idk i dont feel like learning a whole new forum platform Lol This is like the only forum im active on as it is Lol i cant believe i never saw the lil ispy Its cool live feed What other cool functions are hiding in front of my face lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rester5350 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 In theory, Itrader is easily made obsolete by just searching the sellers posts. The buyers barely leave feedback in the treads and sellers often delete their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasejase Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 The buyers barely leave feedback in the treads and sellers often delete their prices. Point being, that you kinda can see the people that have been along for a while and get a snap shot of what they're all about. It's not perfect but it does the job in many cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tide Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 IPB has a trader addon, I could probably script an import. https://invisionpower.com/files/file/3366-trader-feedback-system/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tide Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 Classifieds for Vbulletin 4 http://www.dragonbyte-tech.com/store/product/302-dragonbyte-classifieds/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fahr_side Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 2) loosen restrictions on attached file types/sizes. Good point. My oldskool iPhone 5S takes photos that default to a size larger than the forum will allow me to upload. If anything says 'behind the times', it's that. Get ready to buy more disk space on the server though. Obligatory '[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-gh8-238668.html?t=238668"]build thread[/URL]' Increased capacity to 2.7 liters, still turbo, but no longer need spark plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tide Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 ok bigger files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex0856 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Having been a regular member on this forum for a year and a half, I have made several mental notes on my thoughts toward this forum's design and usability. I personally have always preferred vBulletin, and in theory it may be a smoother transition for most folks. Especially when you look at images of vBulletin 4, it looks quite similar. http://i.imgur.com/55jYnkm.png Then there's vB5, which actually is pretty drastically different. Just based on this example, vBulletin.com, I don't like it. It's messy and hard to read. http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/ Then we have Invision Power Board. And as a tech-savvy millenial who loves new things, this is my choice. This interface is clean and easy to read. It also has a chat feature which I LOVE. https://invisionpower.com/forums/ It looks like IPB also features a reputation system which is personally important to me (equivalent of "thanks" button): https://www.invisionpower.com/support/guides/_/member-engagement/ranks-reputation-pips-etc-r33 As for the features mentioned by Tide; classifieds and vBGarage have equivalents that can be added or created. Classifieds: https://invisionpower.com/forums/topic/426592-ips-4-classifieds/ https://invisionpower.com/files/file/8123-sd-sales-portal-pro/ vBGarage: IPB has a "gallery" feature built in: https://invisionpower.com/features/apps Now, currently the only one I don't have an answer for is iSpy. I'm sure some more diligent Google'ing will turn up an answer though. It's not a feature I've ever used personally. I just discovered what it did today . But I like it, and if it's important to members here then I'm sure an IBP solution could be discovered. tl;dr, my vote is for IBP. It's clean, easy to use, and appears to have a good 3rd party extension community, which makes any piece of software great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex0856 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Oh and as for emojis/emoticons, looks like IPB's modding community has that covered, lol https://invisionpower.com/files/category/148-emoticons/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tide Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 I think maybe if we find the best classified system, then we should just move to whatever board that package is on. I can find a way to migrate the data to the new system, so feedback would be in place, but you'd need to move current sales over. Vbulletin 4 likely would be the easiest upgrade time-wise, and least disruptive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapture Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Can you update the video uploading Make it as easy as the pics? Please:hide: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex0856 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 I think maybe if we find the best classified system, then we should just move to whatever board that package is on. I can find a way to migrate the data to the new system, so feedback would be in place, but you'd need to move current sales over. Vbulletin 4 likely would be the easiest upgrade time-wise, and least disruptive. And it has 0 votes, lol. Good thing we are not the boss. Would vB5 or IPB not be more future proof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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