Annoucements Alert!!! - Page 18 - OzChess

**Just2Good** · 11-30-2010, 06:40 AM

As I have said since the very first day of OzChess' existence, 90% of keeping this forum successful in terms of technical developments is finding the right people for the job. When I set up OzChess I knew next to nothing about html or php or css or vBulletin. Basically an internet user, but not a developer. A driver of a vehicle, but not a mechanic. Now I can change tires, oil, and do basic bodyworks.

But today I found someone who is helping me get this forum where I think it should be with new features and developments. I'm very pleased, and members should be too.

Two new features have been added today.

Firstly, the Quick button has been removed. It was unnecessary as for several months, if not more than a year, the Quick Reply box has worked simply by clicking in it. Compare this to Chess Chat's where users must click the Quick button there to activate the Quick Reply window. In place of the Quick button members will find a double arrow. It will bring users to the top of the page they are viewing, so no more endless scrolling up.

The second development is a navbar index at the bottom of every page except the homepage (located below the Quick Reply box). This will allow for easier access to forum pages and the homepage.

You're welcome everyone. Also, these features and others are not free, so any member wishing to Donate via Paypal is welcome to click the Donate button at the top - it would be appreciated, but don't feel obligated.

**Just2Good** · 12-07-2010, 05:02 PM

We now have sub-forums displaying on the main homepage. I don't know if we will keep this, its more to test out whether or not its beneficial to OzChess.

Also, users will notice our Log Out button is back in the NavBar. It disappeared when our 3 chess board mod was installed but is back now.

Lastly, the statistics at the bottom of the homepage have been better spaced out to show more of the thread titles and forum titles. Also, clicking the thread now brings you to the last post in the thread whereas previously it brought you to the first.

I hope members enjoy these additions and features.

ps - Out of curiosity, are people finding the NavBar being located below the thread, and the new Top of Page buttons, to be useful? What about the bigger Last Post buttons on the homepage?

**Just2Good** · 12-25-2010, 08:35 PM

I juggled the forums around a little and also got rid of a couple which weren't really needed, moving the threads from them into other more applicable forums.

We now have a total of 17 main forums, the same number as CC. This should make navigating the homepage even easier.

I am contemplating axing the New Zealand forums but haven't quite decided on that yet.

**Just2Good** · 06-15-2011, 06:32 AM

Hi,

If anyone is having problems logging in today, can they please PM me.

Thanks,

J2G

**Just2Good** · 08-09-2011, 02:30 AM

There is a certain troll from Chess Chat who often shouts in the OzChess Shoutbox.

Just a reminder to people that you can type:

/ignore Joe Bloggs

and the shouts of Joe Bloggs would then not appear.

I urge all members to use this function on troublemakers.

Thank you.

**d4c4_KID** · 08-09-2011, 05:20 PM

hey thanks !

Who is the troll ????

**Just2Good** · 08-09-2011, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by d4c4_KID

hey thanks !

Who is the troll ????

I suppose that depends on who you ask . Just keep your eyes peeled.

**Just2Good** · 02-24-2012, 02:28 PM

The forum had some issues earlier today as I tried repairing the Shoutbox and nearly accidentally killed the forum.

Thankfully, one of the things that happens over time is that you make connections with very good tech minded people, and one of them was able to help us out of the mess.

As an aside, now both the Shoutbox is working and, as far as I can tell, the forum as a whole is seamlessly working again. If anyone finds something that wasn't quite as it was before, please share.

As an added bonus, it seems the forum display issue that Hayek raised about a fortnight ago has now resolved itself as well

Happy endings all around I guess.

**Just2Good** · 03-16-2012, 02:46 AM

As a result of the re-occurring virus problems, we are going to install a brand new Shoutbox. Accordingly, if anyone wants to have a record of any conversations in the Shoutbox, now is the time to act.

Unfortunately the new Shoutbox will have limited features compared to the one we currently have, although in the future that might change.

This is kind of a forced move for us as XSS injections are coming in through our current SB and infecting various threads, in addition to causing display problems for our pgn chess viewers.

**Just2Good** · 03-22-2012, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Just2Good

As a result of the re-occurring virus problems, we are going to install a brand new Shoutbox. Accordingly, if anyone wants to have a record of any conversations in the Shoutbox, now is the time to act.

Unfortunately the new Shoutbox will have limited features compared to the one we currently have, although in the future that might change.

This is kind of a forced move for us as XSS injections are coming in through our current SB and infecting various threads, in addition to causing display problems for our pgn chess viewers.

The virus is gone. We hope to have a new Shoutbox by tomorrow.

Can people please tell me if the chess viewers (both of them) are displaying for them?

**Just2Good** · 03-25-2012, 12:42 PM

Okay everyone.

We hope to have a new Shoutbox hopefully sometime within the next 24 to 48 hours. It should have all those cool features you have come to love and adore, including the '/ban Somebody' command that a certain mod is particularly fond of (I don't know why

).

So the little Chatbox in the top left hand corner will soon be history. I thought it was a good effort to put it there and see how things looked, but ultimately it was too small.

Experimenting and trying out new things isn't always a bad idea, but that doesn't mean change for the sake of change is necessarily a good thing either. OzChess members wanted their traditional Shoutbox back at the top of the forum homepage, and that's where the new one will go. I hope the anticipation isn't too much for people to bare.

**Just2Good** · 05-01-2012, 08:37 AM

Some members may have noticed that since the Shoutbox virus difficulties, we lost the Manage Attachments button.

While we eradicated (as best as we know) the virus in the box issue, the loss of the button to add attachments to members posts puzzled us and we were unable to figure out where it went. I had 2 experts look at the problem and both of them couldn't figure it out.

Luckily, I didn't give up. I found a mod, and upon being installed, we now have the ability to upload attachments again (from the OzSmart skin but not the other two).

The downside is that our older pgn viewer is playing up again. But as most members have adopted use of our newer and better looking pgn viewer (the one were you use pgn tags), this shouldn't be an unbearable problem. To be honest, I don't know if we will get back our older java based pgn chess viewer any time soon, if at all. But the bigger issue of the attachments button has finally been solved.

**Just2Good** · 05-08-2012, 05:55 PM

An unexpected error happened when I was mucking around with our calendar function. The error affected the Currently Active Users bar at the bottom of the homepage.

So, I used my bushman IT skills and restored it by taking the Currently Active Users html from the default skin and transplanting it to the Oz Smart skin. And while I was at it, I decided to cut out all the unnecessary stuff at the bottom of the forum homepage to make it look a lot cleaner and nicer.

The Best Post of the Month area is gone now, but that hadn't been updated in years, and I wasn't going to spend anymore time or effort keeping that part of the forum open.

As for the calendar, it should be bigger now as a result of the template changes I made. Whether it is better I suppose is another story, but it is bigger - and bigger usually means better!

11-30-2010, 06:40 AM	#256 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Further Site Improvements As I have said since the very first day of OzChess' existence, 90% of keeping this forum successful in terms of technical developments is finding the right people for the job. When I set up OzChess I knew next to nothing about html or php or css or vBulletin. Basically an internet user, but not a developer. A driver of a vehicle, but not a mechanic. Now I can change tires, oil, and do basic bodyworks. But today I found someone who is helping me get this forum where I think it should be with new features and developments. I'm very pleased, and members should be too. Two new features have been added today. Firstly, the Quick button has been removed. It was unnecessary as for several months, if not more than a year, the Quick Reply box has worked simply by clicking in it. Compare this to Chess Chat's where users must click the Quick button there to activate the Quick Reply window. In place of the Quick button members will find a double arrow. It will bring users to the top of the page they are viewing, so no more endless scrolling up. The second development is a navbar index at the bottom of every page except the homepage (located below the Quick Reply box). This will allow for easier access to forum pages and the homepage. You're welcome everyone. Also, these features and others are not free, so any member wishing to Donate via Paypal is welcome to click the Donate button at the top - it would be appreciated, but don't feel obligated. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

12-07-2010, 05:02 PM	#257 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	New Features We now have sub-forums displaying on the main homepage. I don't know if we will keep this, its more to test out whether or not its beneficial to OzChess. Also, users will notice our Log Out button is back in the NavBar. It disappeared when our 3 chess board mod was installed but is back now. Lastly, the statistics at the bottom of the homepage have been better spaced out to show more of the thread titles and forum titles. Also, clicking the thread now brings you to the last post in the thread whereas previously it brought you to the first. I hope members enjoy these additions and features. ps - Out of curiosity, are people finding the NavBar being located below the thread, and the new Top of Page buttons, to be useful? What about the bigger Last Post buttons on the homepage? __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

12-25-2010, 08:35 PM	#258 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Forum Re-Arrangement I juggled the forums around a little and also got rid of a couple which weren't really needed, moving the threads from them into other more applicable forums. We now have a total of 17 main forums, the same number as CC. This should make navigating the homepage even easier. I am contemplating axing the New Zealand forums but haven't quite decided on that yet. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

06-15-2011, 06:32 AM	#259 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Log In Problems Hi, If anyone is having problems logging in today, can they please PM me. Thanks, J2G __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

08-09-2011, 02:30 AM	#260 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	How to Silence the Trolls There is a certain troll from Chess Chat who often shouts in the OzChess Shoutbox. Just a reminder to people that you can type: /ignore Joe Bloggs and the shouts of Joe Bloggs would then not appear. I urge all members to use this function on troublemakers. Thank you. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

08-09-2011, 05:20 PM	#261 (permalink)
d4c4_KID Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	hey thanks ! Who is the troll ????

08-09-2011, 09:58 PM	#262 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by d4c4_KID hey thanks ! Who is the troll ???? I suppose that depends on who you ask . Just keep your eyes peeled. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

02-24-2012, 02:28 PM	#263 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Forum/Shoutbox Issues Sorted The forum had some issues earlier today as I tried repairing the Shoutbox and nearly accidentally killed the forum. Thankfully, one of the things that happens over time is that you make connections with very good tech minded people, and one of them was able to help us out of the mess. As an aside, now both the Shoutbox is working and, as far as I can tell, the forum as a whole is seamlessly working again. If anyone finds something that wasn't quite as it was before, please share. As an added bonus, it seems the forum display issue that Hayek raised about a fortnight ago has now resolved itself as well Happy endings all around I guess. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

03-16-2012, 02:46 AM	#264 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Shoutbox Renovations As a result of the re-occurring virus problems, we are going to install a brand new Shoutbox. Accordingly, if anyone wants to have a record of any conversations in the Shoutbox, now is the time to act. Unfortunately the new Shoutbox will have limited features compared to the one we currently have, although in the future that might change. This is kind of a forced move for us as XSS injections are coming in through our current SB and infecting various threads, in addition to causing display problems for our pgn chess viewers. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

03-22-2012, 12:55 PM	#265 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Originally Posted by Just2Good As a result of the re-occurring virus problems, we are going to install a brand new Shoutbox. Accordingly, if anyone wants to have a record of any conversations in the Shoutbox, now is the time to act. Unfortunately the new Shoutbox will have limited features compared to the one we currently have, although in the future that might change. This is kind of a forced move for us as XSS injections are coming in through our current SB and infecting various threads, in addition to causing display problems for our pgn chess viewers. The virus is gone. We hope to have a new Shoutbox by tomorrow. Can people please tell me if the chess viewers (both of them) are displaying for them? __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

03-25-2012, 12:42 PM	#266 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	New Shoutbox (Again) Update Okay everyone. We hope to have a new Shoutbox hopefully sometime within the next 24 to 48 hours. It should have all those cool features you have come to love and adore, including the '/ban Somebody' command that a certain mod is particularly fond of (I don't know why ). So the little Chatbox in the top left hand corner will soon be history. I thought it was a good effort to put it there and see how things looked, but ultimately it was too small. Experimenting and trying out new things isn't always a bad idea, but that doesn't mean change for the sake of change is necessarily a good thing either. OzChess members wanted their traditional Shoutbox back at the top of the forum homepage, and that's where the new one will go. I hope the anticipation isn't too much for people to bare. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

05-01-2012, 08:37 AM	#267 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Manage Attachments Some members may have noticed that since the Shoutbox virus difficulties, we lost the Manage Attachments button. While we eradicated (as best as we know) the virus in the box issue, the loss of the button to add attachments to members posts puzzled us and we were unable to figure out where it went. I had 2 experts look at the problem and both of them couldn't figure it out. Luckily, I didn't give up. I found a mod, and upon being installed, we now have the ability to upload attachments again (from the OzSmart skin but not the other two). The downside is that our older pgn viewer is playing up again. But as most members have adopted use of our newer and better looking pgn viewer (the one were you use pgn tags), this shouldn't be an unbearable problem. To be honest, I don't know if we will get back our older java based pgn chess viewer any time soon, if at all. But the bigger issue of the attachments button has finally been solved. __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

05-08-2012, 05:55 PM	#268 (permalink)
Just2Good Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cairns Posts: 6,233 ICC Handle: Advantage FICS Handle: Advantage	Cleaner Base of Homepage An unexpected error happened when I was mucking around with our calendar function. The error affected the Currently Active Users bar at the bottom of the homepage. So, I used my bushman IT skills and restored it by taking the Currently Active Users html from the default skin and transplanting it to the Oz Smart skin. And while I was at it, I decided to cut out all the unnecessary stuff at the bottom of the forum homepage to make it look a lot cleaner and nicer. The Best Post of the Month area is gone now, but that hadn't been updated in years, and I wasn't going to spend anymore time or effort keeping that part of the forum open. As for the calendar, it should be bigger now as a result of the template changes I made. Whether it is better I suppose is another story, but it is bigger - and bigger usually means better! __________________ . "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." ~ Isaiah Berlin ~

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