Feature wish list (if we change forum platform)

[Jon]

Thanks for that. Maybe it is a similar number of clicks in Xenforo, not 100% sure. I do like that banning a member as Spam ends up banning the IP, deleting all their posts, profiles etc. Probably the same here.

 

[Jon]

I'm curious, how would you use the bookmarks feature linked to earlier in this thread?

 

[Lightwave]

I think Xenforo does appear to be an improvement. Would like to see the stats more easily of posters but once you know where to look its probably ok...

I've come across width concerns with responsive designs as well. Sometimes its easily configurable and sometimes its not. Width however is very much a personal preference thing... I ended up going with standard widths on my blog just because was easier than trying to bespoke edit it... At some point in the future I am hoping I will have the option to shift to a theme where it is at least partially configurable.

I would say once you are in a XENforo thread and reading the comments I consider the width to be perfect (on that Xenforo thread linked to maybe its different in others?)

 

[Jon]

To get an idea of some of the stats features, check out this link: https://themindtavern.com/community/members/

Also, note that under each tab at the top, there are sublinks. And under the "What's new" tab, you can see latest forum activity. If you "follow" any members you can also see all their posts under "your news feed".

 

[Jon]

There is a signup through Facebook option, which might increase new member registration rate. Save people having to type in all the details to become a member.

 

[isladogs]

I'm curious, how would you use the bookmarks feature linked to earlier in this thread?

I regularly refer back to a number of threads in order to provide links in new posts. At the moment I store these in browser favourites. Doing so in the forum itself would be better.

Good idea about using the newsletter to encourage less regular visitors to return. Perhaps make it an option at join up and in user preferences.

 

[Jon]

Yes, I am unaware of the legalities of sending out the newsletter, but I can cover that ground after transfer. But in principle, I think the idea is a great one. It is about churn. If we can retain more in our sticky spiders web, it could help us grow.

I wonder what the other access forums have that encourages users to hang out there, rather than here.

 

[Jon]

Would a Xenforo "Resources Manager" be useful for this site? I was thinking about for storing coding snippets, maybe even database examples, or whatever.

This page is a resource manager example: https://xenforo.com/community/resources/

 

[Deleted member 147267]

If that morphs things like the current code repository into a vehicle for marketing what is now free it wouldn't interest me at all. The very nature of the current format (which is altruistic) would become commercialized. That would be bad, IMHO.

 

[Jon]

On the Xenforo site, they have both free and paid stuff in their Resource Manager. It acts as a vehicle for people who want to develop paid products, to display their wares.

 

[isladogs]

I agree with the last reply. In what ways is the resources manager fundamentally different from what we already have?

I did click on one link on that xenforo page which made me laugh https://xenforo.com/community/attachments/screen-shot-2020-01-18-at-10-24-40-am-png.216897/.

 

[Jon]

Hah, funny.

This is the Resource Manager's intended purpose, as stated on their site: "The XenForo Resource Manager is an add-on that allows you to manage resources such as files and tutorials or other article-like content along side your normal forum. The aim is allow content such as files to be listed with a focus on the initial content rather than discussion surrounding it."

You will note that for each resource, there is the main page with the details of the file/code/whatever, and then another link where you can discuss it.

 

[isladogs]

Still not sure I see the difference between that and e.g. Sample databases.
Does it possibly mean something like the items in my Access Articles and Guidance website area?

 

[MajP]

@Collin

I regularly refer back to a number of threads in order to provide links in new posts. At the moment I store these in browser favourites. Doing so in the forum itself would be better]

This can be done, but it is just cumbersome and you have to subscribe first. That is why I like something cleaner.
1. Go to subscribed threads
2. Pick the thread
3. Select "Move To Folder"
4. Select "Favorites"

 

[Jon]

A little like that. It is all a side issue for now though. I think all the other collection of mini improvements will add up to a substantial benefit to members here. Just hope Google doesn't cut our legs off regarding traffic. That is the totally unpredictable part.

 

[June7]

Would appreciate a 'Top' button to quickly return to top of page. AccessForums.net has it on QuickReply window, UtterAccess has it on each post.

 

[Jon]

@June7 Good suggestion.