Please test out the new Version 5......

[Chicago Jake]

I've converted the TNMC Lifeboat to Probards Version 5. If you feel like it, check it out, and let me know what you think:

tnmclifeboat.proboards.com/

So far, converting the main board is still optional. I don't know if it will ever become mandatory. But we might as well be prepared with an opinion!

Edit - been digging over at Proboards HQ. Apparently, they are going to provide an "upgrade opt out" until the end of 2013 to give people time to adapt and/or figure out how to do what they want to do with the new version. But I haven't figured out yet when the current "opt in" situation converts to the opt-out.

[Merlot Joe]

I like it. It looks modern and clean.

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks, Joe. I agree.

It took a lot of digging, though. This current version uses a "percentage width" by default, which means that the board width is a percentage of your screen width, whatever that may be. That's a good thing. But the v5 software uses a "pixel width" by default. Whatever you pick as a width, some people will find the text are too skinny, and some will find it too wide and have to scroll horizontally.

But I finally found how to make the board function with a percentage width. Yayyy!!!

Please let me know of any other peculiarities that I can try to fix before converting over.

[Irish Stu]

I don't like it

[Chicago Jake]

Jan 28, 2013 15:54:00 GMT -6 Irish Stu said:

I don't like it

Care to elaborate?

[Irish Stu]

To me it looks a little spartan. I like the 'old' design and don't like the way V5 has knocked some of the rules back, and got rid of some completely... it just looks empty to me. But then design is subjective, and I've been looking at the same old design for the past eight years and I'm rather fond of it I suppose.

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks. You might chalk up the "empty" look to the fact that there is very little content on that board.

[Tex]

Not crazy about it. I agree with Simon that it is spartan looking.

[Chicago Jake]

I don't see the spartan look. If anything, I'd call it a tad cartoonish or childish, as the icons are so much bigger than we have now. But I can ch-ch-change that, I think.

[Chicago Jake]

C'mon, guys. Will someone please try to post something over there? I want your opinions on the feel and functionality of the new version, not just how it looks. Let's take it for a real spin and let me know what you think.

[New Mama]

I hate ch-ch-change. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

[Chicago Jake]

Jan 29, 2013 15:25:03 GMT -6 New Mama said:

I hate ch-ch-change. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

I would agree with you, but eventually we are not going to have a choice. Just like you have a tough time finding a Windows XP computer anymore, much as I liked them. So in this message board upgrade situation, I'd rather be proactive and be prepared to customize it to our needs as well as I can.

[Merlot Joe]

I just looked at it again. I like the looks good. It's modern and has show the ch-ch-change of the times. After 8 years you have got to ch-ch-change your socks sooner or later. I don't like ch-ch-change either but as my youngest daughter always tells me."Dad get your head out of your ass, times are ch-ch-changing". And away we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Jake good work.

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks, Joe. This message board usually takes care of itself, but if I (with youse guys help) don't stay on top of this, it is going to bite us in the ass with a bunch of shit we don't want.

[nolaflacav]

Do we need to create a new user id and password over there? Or do we use the same one as here? I am starting to think it may be safer over there this morning.

[Chicago Jake]

Nola, yes, you need to sign up there from scratch. You can use the same ID as here if you like, but you still need to go through the registration process. I think you can also sign in with a Facebook ID if you want.

[Chicago Jake]

By the by, I noticed this morning that there is a "mobile" version of the new v5 software, no app needed. If you log on from a mobile device, it dumps you there by default*. You don't see any of the colors or customizations I've picked, but you do see all the boards and posts in the correct structure, in some goofy default color scheme. Youse guys with Androids or iPhones might want to check that out, too.



* If you don't want to use that version, scroll down to the bottom and select "desktop" to see the normal version.

[Chicago Jake]

Time to shit or get off the pot. ProBoards is forcing our hand. I need to make a decision by April 1. Unless I get a strong showing of dissent, I am going to convert this board to the new version on April 1. Please take five minutes and check it out and let me know what you think, or forever hold your peace. Thanks!

[Merlot Joe]

Go for it boss.

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks, Joseph; I know you've been helping out.

Actually, the more I think about it, just about everyone who posts here regularly has given me some amount of feedback. It's just that there aren't many posters here left at all! Okay, I've probably got all the feedback I'm likely to get.

[Irish Stu]

I still don't like it

[Chicago Jake]

That's okay, Simon. I still love you. Innit?

[nolaflacav]

Let's do it. I am in. I have changed out so much hardware and software over the past ten days that one more ch-ch-change is not going to chap my ass.