Admin Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hi, firstly thank you to all the users that have commented and assisted in the development of the new menu system, without your help I couldn't have created something that took into account your needs and wants for this great resource Recreational Flying...it is so much appreciated! The site has been updated with: 1. A new fresh look and colour style using Blue and Grey 2. A new modern menu system that allows for greater expansion of the site 3. A new mobile menu system that makes the use of the site on a mobile device more user friendly with all features easily accessible 4. Core forum software has been updated to the latest version 5. The enhanced plain english search feature has been updated 6. The Media section software has been updated 7. The Resource section software has been updated 8. The site file system has been updated (Did you know there are over 73,000 files that make this site work taking up over 3gig of space) 9. and many more little enhancements, to many to list here You can choose if you want the main menu column on either the left or right side of your screen. Simply go to your settings and select Preferences where you will find the option to select your menu side preference. This also changes the menu hamburger icon on your mobile device as well. So I hope you enjoy using the site more and have everything you need at your fingertips BUT as always, YOUR comments, good or bad, are welcome as these are what helps to make the site even better for everyone...thanks If you select "I don't like it" in the poll, please post the reasons why you don't like it...thanks Now, about the new menu system The objective was to create a new menu system that: 1. Was modern and up with the times and technology 2. Was far better for small mobile devices, this will be an important aspect of the site later this year 3. Was capable of expansion of greater benefits to users whereas the current system was at its complete limit 4. Was more functional by being sticky and easier to access no matter where you were on the entire site 5. Provides greater functionality such straight to a new "Global What's New" again no matter where you are on the entire site 6. Was more aesthetically pleasing and proactive to web site trends. After extensive user consultation including 3 different tests available for users to first try and comment on that enabled comments to be considered and acted on to improve the menu system to user's requirements, I think we have created a menu system that not only achieves the objectives but is also based on user acceptance testing. What you see: The menu column on a larger screen can be displayed on either the left side (default) or the right side of your screen. This is user selectable in their site preferences. The main menu is a slider system that slides out to display all the different sections of the site. You will also notice that you can now go directly to sections that were previously hidden down under other sections e'g. Tutorials and Airstrips. The search function has now been placed in the slide out menu, again being accessible instead of having to leave your place and go back to the top of the page. This new menu system will allow for quicker access to many new sections, features, pilot tools etc that are coming to the site later this year: No matter where you are, even at the bottom of a page or half way through reading a thread, you can now access everything the site has to offer instead of having to go back, here or there. This includes the various drop downs all now accessible at any time: Smaller mobile devices now provide the user with a greater site experience by having the menu bar sticky across the top of your device, always there no matter where you go to on the site or where you are on a page: The slide out menu system on a smaller mobile device also contains the search function, unlike before whereas it wasn't even available in an easy way on small devices. Also, all the sub menu links for the specific section that you are in at the time of sliding out the menu are available there as well. Overall, whilst change is sometimes hard to accept, I think over a short period of time users will begin to see the merits of the menu system once they become familiar with it. But, a point to make here is that ALL changes to the site are always socialised to users first for comment and if you do not comment on their proposals then you don't have a say and in how the site is developed and I can only go on the comments that are made, not on the comments that are not made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDQDI Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I like it Ian. Everything seems to work real well. The only thing I can see is the difference in blues in read threads compared to unread (when using what's new 24) is quiet close and takes a little spotting. (Nothing to do with my dodgy eyesight I am sure:nerd:) But overall a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 I like it Ian.Everything seems to work real well. The only thing I can see is the difference in blues in read threads compared to unread (when using what's new 24) is quiet close and takes a little spotting. (Nothing to do with my dodgy eyesight I am sure:nerd:) But overall a I see what you mean, will look into it and see what I can do...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I still have a problem with the thread titles being too close to the links below on the nexus 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Can you provide a screen shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I hate change - that's why I think this change is OK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Had me bushed for a while but I'm getting there. Nev 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinsm Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Might pay to make the forum button easier to get to for visitors to the site. Takes some finding and it is the core of the site. m Just my 2c worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winsor68 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I'm impressed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggler Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Now I've found the forums, I find the threads no longer remember your last read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoneMagic Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Ian, With the favorites bar the site is showing the mobile version again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 How do I get out of here where's the mark forums read? Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have updated the opening post of this thread with more information about the new menu system including how to use it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Now I've found the forums, I find the threads no longer remember your last read. They still do as nothing has been touched in that area, that is built in to the forum software and has nothing to do with the new menu system or the new colour styling used How do I get out of here where's the mark forums read?Bernie. The Mark Forms Read is still the same other than the term has been shortened to Mark Read to fit in the bar. This function was a sub menu item before, and sub menu items are still displayed in the menu bar column. All the functionality of this feature remains the same in that you can mark all forums read or just individual forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 There has always been 2 methods to see What's New on the site, the "What's New" link and the "What's New (24hrs)" link. What's New (24hrs) Traditionally the 24hr version of What's New is only for Guests coming to the site as there was no way for the site to know what a guest has seen or not seen and with the number of new posts being made it was best to limit the display of new posts to just 24hrs for performance reasons. I saw the opportunity to provide this as an option for registered users as well and incorporated this option in the site but in retrospect it was a mistake to do so. Registered users that just use the 24hr function will miss all the threads and posts that are new previous to the last 24hrs unless they are religiously logging in twice a day every single day. So many users are actually missing out on the opportunity to use the What's New feature properly and stay up with what is happening in recreational aviation. What's New The other option, and one that is built in to the standard software, is the standard What's New which will display ALL the new threads and posts that a registered user has not seen and has no time limit and the only limit is that it displays the last 200 posts that you haven't seen or read. So if a new thread or post was made the day before yesterday, this option is the only way in the What's New options to be able to see it, read it, contribute to it and be informed about. The only benefit that the 24hr option has over this one is that it will also display what threads and posts you have read but again, only in the last 24hrs. So what are we going to do about this? With the implementation of the new menu system, the 24hr option will be phased out from the menus. It will still be available for guests for the reasons mentioned above but as a guest you will not know what you have read or not read in the last 24hrs, just the same as it is now for guests. With the inclusion of the new "Global What's New" icon and link, we can now create a new advanced "What's New" page that will display everything that is new on the site, in ALL sections, PLUS have the 24hr option as a tab on that page for you to click/tap that will display the 24hr view. So all in all you will still be able to view the 24hr view but the default will be the current "What's New" and accessed by the Global What's New world globe icon in the menu. Did you know that if you have been using the 24hr option and you are on this site on Tuesday, you may not even be reading this and may never know that this is what we are doing for you. Did you know that this was actually discussed some time ago...or did you miss it because you use the 24hr option? Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Ian,With the favorites bar the site is showing the mobile version again. I couldn't figure it out because when I enabled my favourites bar it still displayed ok. The only way I can get it to show the mobile menu on a 1024x768 display is not only have the favourites bar but ALSO the browser menu bar. Meaning you must be displaying the Browser Menu Bar, the Tab Bar, the Address Bar and the Favourites Bar...many different bars. Anyway, I have to be careful on what screen size to set the change between mobile and pc views because of the darn iPhone 6s now which screws things up. I have reduced the vertical size from 640px to 630px which tests ok with so many browser bars but I will have to wait and see if anyone reports any negative impacts of this but it will solve your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Koreelah Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Nice work Ian. One question which keeps bugging me. The little grey "when received" note at the foot of each post doesn't appear to be using Australian time. Is your server in NZ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Nice work Ian. One question which keeps bugging me.The little grey "when received" note at the foot of each post doesn't appear to be using Australian time. Is your server in NZ? Simple mate, you have in your settings that you want to use Samoa time: I have fixed that for you to now use Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Koreelah Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Crickey it's good to back home! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damkia Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Global What's New" icon and link, we can now create a new advanced"What's New" page that will display everything that is new on the site, in ALL sections, Not everyone is interested in looking at EVERYTHING that is new on the site every time they check in. If that is what we wanted then we simly go to the "Home" page. This was the benefit of the "Last 24hrs" option, it only gave the results for the forums. Maybe a "Followed threads" option would be of use, so people do not have to wade through reams of new threads to find the ones they are following or have posted in, in the last few days? I cannot see the reasoning behind the globe icon at all. This is a predominantly English speaking forum and the globe icon does not have a clearly defined meaning (it could be a link to the internet (very common) or some other function) "Add lightness and simplicate"/KISS - you shouldn't need an instruction manual on how to drive the menu. I doubt first time visitors would bother trying to work out an unnecessarily complicated menu system simply because it is technically impressive. If it isn't instantly intuitive, it isn't working. Change what needs to be changed when there is a need to change it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 For anyone not understanding what I said in the opening post with "PLUS have the 24hr option as a tab on that page for you to click/tap that will display the 24hr view" here is a screen shot mock up of what you will see after clicking the "What's New": Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDQDI Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Ian I love the what's new 24 button and I use it a lot more than the what's new button. I like being able to see the other threads that I have already read as sometimes I wish to comment but don't have time and remembering what that thread was called without being able to see it is hard later. Please don't get rid of the what's new 24 hr button:beg: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 As I said, it will be removed from the actual menu bar but incorporated into the What's New page so you get the best of both worlds in one and there you can select between both 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernie Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Still cant see any mark forum read either long or short. I only go to the forum page I don't use anything else. So where is this button its not where it was and on my computer cant be seen. Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Still cant see any mark forum read either long or short.I only go to the forum page I don't use anything else. So where is this button its not where it was and on my computer cant be seen. Bernie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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