Suggestions for improving functionality

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Submitted by panfan on Sat, 2011-04-09 12:36
Forums: 
Help and Suggestions

The site as it exists is more or less the basic out of the box version, and there's a stack load of modules that can be added to improve the user experience.

Besides modules to provide a gallery and videos, there's other modules to allow "WYSIWYG" text editing, member lists, and custom profiles to name just a few.

It'll take a wee while to get everything up to speed, but if there is anything you'd like to see here, please let me know below!

Submitted by Scrooge McDuck on Fri, 2012-01-27 21:04
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Lately I've been wondering why so many good threads dry up so fast, and I thought maybe it has to do with the way the recent comments are shown. If someone posts in a thread with many other posts before, all of those posts appear in the recent comments column even if only the last one is actually recent. That may even kinda "kill" all other threads in this column.
I believe that should be changed because you do not really get to see the most recent posts, and many posts sort of get lost.

Another thing that puzzles me is that I often get the "Access denied" page when I click on some of the "Active forum topics", e.g. "*** Planning for the Future ***
 

Submitted by panfan on Fri, 2012-01-27 21:13
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Yes, Scrooge, Recent Comments is the bane of my life.  It should list all recent comments chronologically, across threads, but it just lists the comments of the latest topic posted on.

I am desperately trying to sort this one - it's a big priority for me, but I have run into trouble here.

Please bear with me here.

Occasionally a temporary working item I post privately for me shows up there, like the one you mentioned, but don't worry about it...

Submitted by panfan on Sun, 2012-02-19 17:10
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I know the Recents comments issue continues to annoy, not least myself. I am trying to sort things out. The old forum software automatically listed all recent comments chronologically, irrespective of thread, but sadly the authors of this one didn't think to include such a basic feature!

The software we use is the most advanced there is for a community site, but the downside is that it is largely aimed at web developers, people au fait with coding in PHP. I have some basic skills, but am on a steep learning curve, so please bear with me. With so many outstanding issues, and lack of time, I might have to get the services of a professional to sort things out.

There are also 'panels' I hope to add which will list recent and popular content to make navigation easier.

Meantime, don't forget the popular content link and the search button at the top.

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Fri, 2012-03-09 19:24
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What about having each post of a thread numbered, for the purposes of referencing a photograph printed in a particular previous post of the same thread, or just refering a poster to information in such a post, when they ask a question that has already been answered previously in that thread!

—

Justin

Submitted by panfan on Fri, 2012-03-09 19:34
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Hi there,

At least that's one thing that does exist! If you click on the blue title of any post or comment, you'll get it's specific address (URL) in your browser's assess bar.

Or for an image, do a right click and select copy image location (though it's usually good to link to a post where the image was to give some context.)

Is that what you're after, PBP?

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Fri, 2012-03-09 19:50
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I was actually suggesting every post of a thread having a number beside it like on the Digitalspy forums, for example the OP would be #1, like the first post of this thread.

I think I'll just quote anything already posted in the same thread, If another poster needs the information from me!

—

Justin

Submitted by panfan on Fri, 2012-03-09 20:00
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I'll check out that site later, but the numbering here is automatically sequential, and I don't think there's a way round that, I'm afraid.

Each initial post is a 'node', so you have node 1 up to 1030 or whatever we're at now, but comments are numbered sequentially by time of posting, outwith the node structure.

Sorry I can't make it better, but if you want to provide a link, copy the address, then use the link icon to create a link in your new post.

Ah yes, quotes! Another basic forum function, which doesn't exist out if the tin here!

There is a Quotes module, which I've tried with no success yet, but maybe one day!

Ll62 is helping with the recent comments mess, so fingers crossed we might extricate ourselves from that morass in the near future!

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Fri, 2012-03-09 20:22
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http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/ 

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Justin

Submitted by Andy on Sun, 2012-03-25 18:44
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Till the Gallery is sorted out why not create a thread in which all the links to the diff rent threads which contain pictures and screen caps a bit like the routine list and place it in the quick links section

Submitted by panfan on Sun, 2012-03-25 18:46
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Sounds great! Anyone happy to volunteer?!!

Submitted by Andy on Mon, 2012-03-26 00:59
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If I knew how the routine list was done table was done I would try

Submitted by panfan on Mon, 2012-03-26 01:10
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Hi Andy, the Routines sections use HTML tables to lay out the contents. There's a button on the toolbar to create a table, but adding rows has to be done manually using the source button on the lower left of the toolbar to reveal the HTML.

It might be simpler just to list the titles of the threads with links to the pages. You can select the title then click the link icon on the lower right part of the toolbar and paste in the URL.

Just create a new topic for it in the forum reference section, and I can add a link to it.

That would be great if you're able to make a start!

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Mon, 2012-03-26 16:58
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How about a special version of this site optimised for smartphones, I'm finding navigation of this site & many others quite fiddly using my iPhone!

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Justin

Submitted by panfan on Tue, 2012-03-27 01:08
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A smartphone version??!!

Great thinking!  It would take some kind person to do that though.  I have no idea how to make one, and sadly don't have the time to learn how to do it.

I actually access this site most of the time via my iphone, and normally I hate smart phone versions of websites.  I never know where anything is and always select the view normal site option, but maybe that's just me!

How many others view the site via smartphone i wonder - is there a demand for this?

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Tue, 2012-03-27 05:46
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Yeah, there are options for accessing full web versions of sites, but example with Digitalspy, If I decide to go to the "desktop" version, then from there, any click on a DS link takes me straight back to the mobile version, where there are certain limitations, for instance, I can't unsubcribe to threads in my user control panel!

As long as a mobile pp.com website has all of the functions of the existing pp.com site I'd be very happy with it!

—

Justin

Submitted by gibb1962 on Tue, 2012-03-27 23:00
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I'm in the dark-ages,i don't even have a smart phone. 

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Glenn

Submitted by Rusty Carno on Tue, 2012-03-27 23:09
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Aha PanFan I always wondered what you looked like.  The problem with Smartphones reminds me of an old techie term PEBCAK (problem exists between chair and keyboard)

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Rusty

Submitted by panfan on Tue, 2012-03-27 22:56
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I'll investigate further, but it would likely be a future project. I suppose I should force myself to try mobile sites, to see that they're like!

Submitted by panfan on Tue, 2012-03-27 23:17
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I am so used to the layout of normal sites like this, Amazon, etc, that I get stuck in my tracks when confronted with the mobile version. Looking for the full site is the first thing I do!

I wonder if there's a ready made module to offer a mobile site, so it would be a matter of configuring as opposed to starting from scratch.

I had an old mobile from 2003 until just over a year ago, and thought I'd upgrade: now I'm fully addicted to the thing and couldn't imagine life without it (sad, maybe?!).

Good to see you have an avatar now, Rusty!

Submitted by pastpanfan on Wed, 2012-04-25 19:25
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As per title..is there any way to instigate a 'chat' facility of some kind on this site?

I think that would be good for regular users , but also a great thing for 'guest interviewees'..if they agreed to that..

A similar thing occurs here, on a TV channel in Oz..where discussions after a show take place using chat facility..with the 'star' expert they have on that subject. usually for an hour or so after the show..

What an inducement that would be. It might also spark more member participation from all the 'lurkers' ?

-pastpanfan

Submitted by panfan on Wed, 2012-04-25 19:31
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I'm sure it's possible!  There are chat modules - something to look into.  Anyone else interested?

Submitted by pattifan on Sat, 2012-06-02 01:08
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Hi panfan
Sounds good, also have you ever looked into something
like net meeting for live interviews?

Submitted by Boogiebox on Sat, 2012-06-02 00:17
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Is there a way to receive e-mail notifications when anyone replies to our messages?

—

Claire

Submitted by panfan on Mon, 2012-06-04 16:47
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Sadly no, Boogiebox. There may be modules that provide this additional functionality...

If you haven't discovered already, click on Track on your profile page: that will show all the recent topics you've posted on, and also highlight any new comments since your last visit. Maybe this can make up for it?

Submitted by Boogiebox on Mon, 2012-06-04 23:25
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Thanks, Panfan.  This is a very useful alternative to the standard e-mail notification method. :)

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Claire

Submitted by pp4ever on Mon, 2012-07-02 10:32
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Hello panfan. Would it be possible at the bottom of the routines thumbnail listings to have buttons that would take you to the previous and following year? Sometimes when checking things I've found I have to keep going to the routines section and re-clicking etc and it seems it would be simpler and more elegant to be able to step through from the lists themselves.

Something like this? (at the bottom of the 1971 list)

Submitted by Andy on Tue, 2012-07-03 12:38
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I did think of that on the pages that I edit I was going to place at the top a link to the next and previous years

Submitted by Boogiebox on Mon, 2012-07-02 13:04
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More ideas that come to mind are:

Once the sub-link of an existing thread is clicked on, it takes posters to the exact page where the new replies are, instead of page 1

Especially if there are several pages, it can take a while to sift through them all to find where people have replied.  As far as I know, I've not missed anyone where a reply is warranted or I have something to add, as not everyone has something to add to existing messages, but this would considerably reduce the chances of any posts accidentally being missed.

Colour coding the Title of each thread, so it's different from the sub-links within it, so the threads are easier to find

For instance, one colour for "Kenny Everett and Junior Campbell, TOTP 22/6/73" and a different colour for re-titled replies under the thread per thread and post would make it easier to distinguish the original thread title and subsequent replies. :)

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Claire

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Mon, 2012-07-02 16:59
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When accessing this website from a mobile device you don't get access to the control panel that appears just above the comment field, that appears on the regular computer version, which allows you to write in different fonts, & insert emlaughticons, to give two examples of how it comes in handy for enhancing your comments.

Can this be added for all users, regardless of the devices we're using to access this website?

 

 

—

Justin

Submitted by pp4ever on Mon, 2012-07-02 17:06
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Once the sub-link of an existing thread is clicked on, it takes posters to the exact page where the new replies are, instead of page 1

Yeah it's funny that. Sometimes when I click on Recent comments shown at the right it does go straight to the post on the correct page, but other times as you say Claire, it goes to page 1. ????

Submitted by Paperboyplod on Mon, 2012-07-02 17:24
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I'm guessing that you're only taken to the actual comment if it's still only in a single-page thread!

—

Justin

Submitted by Boogiebox on Mon, 2012-07-02 17:29
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Very droll, Justin! lol

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Claire

Submitted by Boogiebox on Tue, 2012-07-03 12:53
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It must be an intermittent fault causing the link to go to page 1 on several occasions.

It's just so that pages aren't missed where there's multiple pages with new updates. :)

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Claire

Submitted by panfan on Thu, 2012-07-05 14:33
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Thanks for all your comments. Apologies for the delay in replying but it's been a busy week and it'll take me a little while to catch up, so please bear with me!

Submitted by Boogiebox on Wed, 2012-07-18 09:37
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Is it possible for Panspeople.com to have a section devoted solely to Photos, with information?

I also agree with Mojo about keeping the Photos clutter free in his own words.

The way to do this would be to have two sections, perhaps as a Sticky:

1) One section for Photos with information, say listing guessed, or where known, definite details of the dance routines, the dates they appeared on Top Of The Pops and who the dancers are.

2) Another section for questions and updates relating to the photos with basic details.

In this way, it would be a lot easier to identify and find each photo. :)

I've moved all the Redfern photos to page 1 so they're all in one place, below the 1969 black and white photos.

—

Claire

Submitted by Andy on Tue, 2012-09-11 23:58
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Regarding Recent Comment Posting taking you to page 1 if on another page

When you look at the address of the comment it looks like this (using My last one on the Chat Thread)

http://www.panspeople.com/?q=node/1129#comment-9112

It should look like this

http://www.panspeople.com/?q=comment/9112#comment-9112

Which will take you straight to the Post

Submitted by Boogiebox on Sat, 2012-09-15 09:03
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Hi Andy

Thanks for adding the link to the final page. :)

I hope this will automatically be implemented at some point for all posts for quick reference for the most recent updates.

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Claire

Submitted by Beautifulbabs on Sat, 2012-09-15 14:34
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At the bottom of the 'active forum topics' there is a link with the word more- when you click on this it does not take you to a list of further active forum topics- it just takes you to the main page again where you were before- my preference would be to remove the link 'more' entirely if it can't take you to more topics.

Also In the forum topics column the number of topics is displayed together with a link which says the number of new topics however when you click on this it does not direct you to the new topics just to the complete table.

I'm not suggesting there is an easy fix to these but if there is its worth fixing.

Submitted by Boogiebox on Tue, 2012-09-25 19:26
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How odd!  I replied this morning but my reply disappeared.

Oh well.  Second time around, I'll reply now.

You've made some very good tips. 

For now, I'll navigate the standard way and click on new pages manually, but if this can be fixed eventually, even better.

—

Claire