New forum software and design

[edd_jedi]

As you've probably noticed the forum design has changed tonight. This is because I have just upgraded the main forum software for the first time since 2010. I've been putting it off as long as I could, but 5 years is a long time in the digital world and it's important to keep up to date for both security and features.

I know change is always annoying but this new forum software has some great new features as well as being up to date 'under the hood' including:

- the forum is now fully mobile optimised, no need to use separate software like tapatalk any more
- images are now scaled to fit the viewport (which for me personally is a real improvement, I found scrolling when people uploaded massive photos really annoying)
- a new design that isn't too different and hopefully you all like! I had to change the template as the new code base is completely different and the old template has not been ported over.

As with any software update I'm sure there will be some teething problems, so if you spot anything strange or can't find a feature, please do let me know.

 

[Mr-shifter]

Looks great. Seems to be quite user friendly. Thanks Edd

 

[Grant_C]

This is great Ed- congrats. Its like painting the house a new colour

 

[grinchy]

I quite like the upgrade, very nice

 

[mr_palitoy]

Where have the links for:-

read new posts
read your posts

etc

gone?

You now have to browse each section in turn...

Jason

 

[mr_palitoy]

They are under the QUICK LINKS menu second from left.



Jason

 

[db94]

Sounds like a lot of work so thanks for everything you've done
It looks great on my mob

 

[Frunkstar]

Must have been a lot of work which is appreciated, myself I hate change & do prefer the old look, but hell I'll get used to it in time

 

[mr_palitoy]

It's a hell of a lot nicer on mobile. Which I read a lot from.



Jason

 

[theguiltyone]

Nice one Edd, appreciate all the effort and time you've put into this.

Marc

 

[SAVORY100]

I'll be honest, initial reaction was Oh no! :shock: they've broken it...

BUT...
5 minutes later I'm on my fourth post!!! It's brilliant!!!
So much easier to use on the iPhone, a master stroke

 

[Mr. Bob A. Feet]

It's a hell of a lot nicer on mobile. Which I read a lot from.



Jason

Indeed a nice and surprising change to find this morning!

 

[Gorneesh]

At first I thought the page hadn't loaded right after refreshing it I realised it had changed. After using it for a bit on the iPad I've grown to like it, my only small niggle is with (mostly my bad eyesight) the small blue box for new posts is a bit hard to see, that being said its a lot nicer to use on a mobile device and thanks for the work you put into this forum.

 

[jedi_masters]

Definitely much nicer on iPhone, will take a few goes getting used to it put as you say Edd you have to keep up in the digital world.

Thanks for all the great work Edd.

 

[slim]

Great work Edd :wink:

 

[iDrew]

Nice work Edd - the auto resize image is a great feature

 

[weasel]

Am I the only one who REALLY doesn't like it? :?

 

[Jediknight3263827]

wow,what a change,you don't do things by half edd :lol: i have just spent half hour refreshing and resetting computer,i thought something had gone wrong at my end until i found this post.
As Frank said we will get used to it,great job pal.
also has that dot always been in the logo or is it new?

 

[Richard_H]

some parts I like others I don't. poster info on the right and the row heights being too high are just two of them.
the dot in the logo is new but I think doesn't work as many would type www.swf.uk to find this.

 

[Jediknight3263827]

Am I the only one who REALLY doesn't like it? :?

no you are not on your own :lol: i think its because its a massive change,also i dont know if its my eyes but i dont seem to be able to read the text as clear without going closer to my monitor.