I'm going to switch the board to new software in the near future. I'm still working on finishing some of the functionality, but hopefully everything will be complete in a week or so.

Here is the new layout:

http://www2.quiltingboard.com/s-1-1.htm
http://www2.quiltingboard.com/t-29085-1.htm

Aside from completely changing the internals, I removed all icons and other clutter to make the pages load faster. I also simplified the layout as much as possible and increased the font size to make it easier to read.

You can log in there using your current password.

The databases are separate, so anything you post over there is not going to be reflected on the current board. But please log in and try using the board (try browsing/posting/sending pm's etc.) and let me know if you see any errors.

Hopefully, we'll be able to catch any major bugs in the new software before actually switching the board.

Right now, I just want to move away from the old software because it seems like new problems are popping up almost every week.

Once the new software is up and running with basic functionality I'll be able to add new features.

I already added a few things that were requested in the past:
- birthday listings in user accounts
- ability to search for a user on the user listing page
- ability to see if you PM was opened by the recepient
- quick reply box at the bottom of each thread's page


Please login to the new board and test it out:

http://www2.quiltingboard.com/login.jsp

Hi! I'm happy to test. Already on the new board. I like the new look! :)

I like the new look also...and its nice to have the larger font for my tired eyes.

Hmmm it won't let me log in....I keep getting a invalid password message :(

I'll pm you a temporary hash instead of password.

Me too, getting invalid password.

Comments in just looking through it -

It loads a lot faster on dial-up. YAAAY!!!

Some of the avatar pictures are not showing up on mine.

From the "Private messages" page as accessed from the top of the page, I did not see the option of a new message. While going through the member list is a nice option, it adds an extra step to most of the pms I send.

Bookmarks are missing.... found them, but had to look myself up in member list and go through public profile.

The colors remind me of the late 80s - Miami Vice style.

No more file size limits for avatars listed in the profile section

No more option to watch a topic?

More smilies
:D

What do you mean?

I'll see about adding that option.

I removed the bookmarks. Not sure if people are actually using them, so I just kept the old bookmarks in the profiles.

LOL. Is that good or bad?

Nope.

I'll need to think about a way to implement it. It turns out a lot of people click the watch link without realizing what it does. And once they start getting e-mail notifications, they complain about the e-mail they receive.

So for now, the notifications are going to be sent only to people who posted in a thread.

Thank you Admin, I'm now in and off to explore.

I can't login either. :-(

I like the bookmarks in this one, I use them a lot. And I use the "watch this topic" button a lot too. :-)

Unable to log in - invalid password message.

Im getting the invalid password also. I do use my bookmarks, does this mean we wont have them anymore? Im not too keen on the colors, but thats just my opinion.

I find the colours a little hard on my eyes.
The current blue/grey is more restful.

Increased font size appreciated - I usually need to set my zoom on 125%.

I obviously have poor eyesight. That accounts for all the magnifying glasses around the house :!: :!:

Wow!!! :shock: Big difference but there is a lot I like about it!!! :D :D :D

I did notice when I made a reply there, it does not show up here...LOL

A couple more observations -
the Contact us from the home page 404s
The "Read new messages since my last visit" option is gone.

Figured out what was happening with the avatars. Where there used to be nothing if none was in a profile, this is what I was seeing-

I think your new soft ware will work well, ONCE we all get used to it, great if it helps those on dial up!

Bookmarks: I would like to be able to access my bookmarks quickly from each topic, as I use this facility when adding a link to a previous topic that is of interest :D

it wouldn't allow me to log in, either (or! Maybe I don't remember my password! <g>)
either way ...
I use my bookmarks, but do not have very many.
I guess I will learn to do without the "watch this topic" button ... so, when I am done watching a thread, what will I click to end the cycle? <g>
I keep forgetting about that "new messages" button, but if I remember it, it would be a nice feature ... beats messing with "recent topics", I would think ...
but, as my daddy used to say: That's what you get for thinking!
Catch you later ... glad to see you are keeping busy.
SALUTE! <wave>

Some pages are missing. I'll be adding them later.


Thanks for catching this one. I'll fix it.

Yep. It will definitely take a couple of weeks to get used to the new layout.

To everyone who can't log in, I'm going to add the password recovery page in a bit.

I like the new format and clarity. I miss the ability to click on the last post to read.

I'll add that.

WAHHHH!!!!
It won't let me log in either!!!

But, I will say...the colors are a bit on the bright side!!!

I can't log in either. I do use the bookmarks but can always just use my favorites.
I just had to replace my hard drive on my computer so Im just glad I have my computer up and running again.
Judy in Ohio

I added password recovery, so if anyone is having problems, then please use this link:

http://www2.quiltingboard.com/recover_password.jsp

i didn't like the huge text at all. i like to cram as much as possible into the view. i couldn't resize my board text in the MS Internet Explorer, but Admin let me know that I CAN resize in Mozilla Firefox.

so ... here i am ... using Firefox and resizing to my heart's content. :P

for those of you who haven't heard of Firefox, it's a FREE internet browser. super easy to install, and it will import all your favorites (bookmarks) and other information from MS-IE so you don't have to rebuild your lists.

http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/

The brightness is kind of hard on the eyes..(that color blue).

I know it is just going to take getting used to. I'm not a real fan of the layout in that I don't see the point of having different forums for different aspects of the board if the posts are going to be listed as they are now in this new format. Some of us may not visit all the different areas and now we will have to hunt and peck to see what we really want to look at.

I feel that where I used to hardly ever use the search function now it will be my life......lol. I will get used to it however, I am sure.

I just don't, at this point, and I know you are still working on it, see it as having the same ease of use as the present board.

I couldn't log in but I like the colors on the new one the bright blue is easy to read. I also like the layout.

Wow! How easy to read-I love it!! Keep up the good work!!!

I made the colors a bit less bright.

What do you mean? It's structured in the same way.

It's not bad. Will take time to get used to.

One thing...on the board, it shows which topics have new messages. I don't see that on the new board. Maybe because there aren't any new replies?

I'm still working on that.

It loads much fassster! That is a wonderful thing.........especially for those on dialup.......which I am at least a week out of each month! :D

Ok, keep working....you are doing a good job.
Do you need more bananas? hehe

Ok..... I apologize Admin.....I was looking at RECENT TOPICS instead of HOME. I am at the right place now and feel right at home......thanks! I'll definitely get used to it.

Love the changes it is so much easier to read and once I could log in I changed my password to one I could remember and it works like a charm! Thank You!

On the first link you posted you added "regular user" to the avatar and I like that. I could not find this thread there But I like what I see.

I had trouble logging in too, but got past that! Love the new colors and the text is a lot easier to read. Thanks!!

I like the new format... being a facebook junkie I was holding my breath for major changes but the changes are gentle.

I think I'll miss the bookmark option. I used it when I found something I really liked.

"A regular here" is a nice addition.