I just wanted to let everyone know about some big changes that are in the works. Some of you have heard this before, but this time it is for real.
I am completely replacing the site with a whole new portal. Everything down to the last byte will be new and improved. There will be much better integration of all features, including many new features. Some new features include:
- Personal Blogs - every member will have their own blog.
- Wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) editing of all content, even forum posts.
- Glossaries of railroad and modeling terminology. Terms will be automatically underlined within content for easy access.
- Improved image gallery with the ability to EASILY integrate a picture into a post.
- Book Creation - online book creation much like (but much easier) than a wiki. This feature will be both community editable or private.
- Improved FAQ system. Huge improvement over the current system. Plus community involvement will be encouraged.
There is more to list than I have time. BUT there are some sacrifices that may have to be made. The conversion is proving to be difficult although most of the important content is taken care of. The image gallery is proving to be quite a bugger. I may need all your assistance in repost some, or perhaps all the pictures that reside in the gallery and that where linked to from OUR gallery to the forums. This is the only major hurdle I am encountering at this point.
There may be other small inconveniences, but when all is said and done, this will be the easiest to use and most technologically advanced railroad modeling portal on the Internet, regardless of gauge or interest.
I will need everyone's assistance and patience during this transition. Please note that this will be a very difficult and frustrating time for me and Bryan. Give us the benefit of the doubt if something isn't working for you or your account. In the end, the payoff will be much, much greater than any problems we may encounter along the way.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Questions or comment are more than welcome. (Even from Bryan, who is getting blind-sided by this post).
Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Bring it on Todd,we'll hang tough and ride it through with ya. :mrgreen:
Though I have to admit I think this act is gonna be a tough one to follow.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Todd, sounds incredibe, can't wait!
Don't care about the galleries, if I have to I'll recreate from scratch. Wonderful opportunity for over due updates! If we get a red X or two, who cares given the sound of whats coming.
Can you give us a hint of when we might be able to expect this change which will, once and for all, prove that nScale.net is the best! :toast2
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
SPO_RR wrote:
I believe the migration of the current posts, links, and articles is in hand, but the difficulty is with the Images/Albums... hence the potential of folks having to upload their images again, once the new sites up...
This means that any images inserted or linked in old posts may not be available...
This just depends on what magic Todd can pull out of his hat... :wink:Its difficult to imagine you're improving a website that I've always thought was terrific just as it is. Will we still be able to access the information that is currently posted?
--
Bryan
Re: Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Admin wrote:
Todd,
Can you perhaps elaborate on this a wee bit, please. Does this mean that any member can edit anyone elses post? Or perhaps i'm over (or under) thinking this?
Other then that, it sounds good. I never was much into the whole blog revoloution, but more so because i was too lazy to go and join the MySpace fad.
Sounds like a helluva good deal for all of us! If you ever need a hand, you know where i am.
Cheers
AR- Wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) editing of all content, even forum posts.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Glad to see some reaction here!
First off, nothing will be lost. All posts both articles and forums will remain intact.
There will be portions of the site that will be collaborative, so yes we will be able to work on things together. Forums will remain as they are, each poster has control over his own posts (moderator will still have edit rights). Content can be moderated by the entire community. For instance if we decided to write a book on layout design, everyone could help write the book and as edits are made, the community would vote on them for inclusion in the book (online book).
You will have something like a wordprocessor built into (almost) all areas that you would post content. This will allow you to format text, add links, photos, etc as if you where using a publishing program. (i.e. wysiwyg).
More to follow....
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
This looks REALLY great. Keep up the good work. I need to get started on my layout so I can contribute some true expierence into the wiki like thing. *goes and kicks self in rear to build layout
One suggestion for the forums-be able to have a fast reply so you don't have to have this big new window that is currently in place for adding a reply.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Admin wrote:
Great! That sounds like a massive improvement all by itself! That'll be sort of like FrontPage (or simliar) is to HTML...click the "insert picture" button, instead of typing out the code. Sounds wonderful.
Thanks for the reply,
ARYou will have something like a wordprocessor built into (almost) all areas that you would post content. This will allow you to format text, add links, photos, etc as if you where using a publishing program. (i.e. wysiwyg).
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Bah! You and your newfangled gadgets. When I was your age I was lucky to have a stick to play with. A stick! And I was damn happy to have that stick, too! You kids just don't know how easy you have it today.
Err... Sounds great, Todd! I think you're finally going to get me to pony up a donation after my next check! :lol:
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Todd,
Everything sounds good to me.
Is it possible you might be able to bring the new site up in phases.... by this, I'm thinking bring it up in a "beta" phase initially, where people can try the new site in comparison to the old before the new site is the only option.
Paul
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
pbender wrote:
Bringing it up in phases would require a new URL which may very well be the case anyway. If possible this would be the ideal approach, but from personal experience this may very well be an Todd, Is it possible you might be able to bring the new site up in phases.... by this, I'm thinking bring it up in a "beta" phase initially, where people can try the new site in comparison to the old before the new site is the only option.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re: Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Admin wrote:
Thanks for all the work you do to make this site great. It's been my home page for a while and will continue to be for as long as I can see.
RayI will need everyone's assistance and patience during this transition. Please note that this will be a very difficult and frustrating time for me and Bryan. Give us the benefit of the doubt if something isn't working for you or your account. In the end, the payoff will be much, much greater than any problems we may encounter along the way.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
pbender wrote:
You're making it sound like I Imight care whether you like the new site? :wink: There will be a few of us (you included) that will be testing a staging site. I am still working on the conversion SQL, but then will have the staging site up and reading for test.
todd
__________________
If it works, implement it! nscale.netIs it possible you might be able to bring the new site up in phases...
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
BryanC wrote:
pbender wrote:Bringing it up in phases would require a new URL which may very well be the case anyway. If possible this would be the ideal approach, but from personal experience this may very well be anTodd, Is it possible you might be able to bring the new site up in phases.... by this, I'm thinking bring it up in a "beta" phase initially, where people can try the new site in comparison to the old before the new site is the only option.
newfangled gadgets
<<Bah! You and your newfangled gadgets. When I was your age I was lucky to have a stick to play with. A stick! And I was damn happy to have that stick, too! You kids just don't know how easy you have it today. >>
A stick? I used to dream about having a stick to play with. The only thing were had to play with were fingernail clippings. And that was only when we were allowed to play, seeing as how we had to work twenty hours a day.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Wishing you guys great success in the changeover period. I've only been on board a few weeks, and have found the site to be extremely informative, the members helpful and knowledgable. Only problem I've encountered is in using different paths to get images into postings and albums. Not too bad, once I located the steps in the FAQ's. Hopefully the new portal will simplify the process.
Regards,
Jim
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Agatheron wrote:
We will be mostly a Drupal-based site. I have been working with Drupal on a professional basis for over three years. If it is good enough for Yahoo, Google, IBM, and countless others, it should be good enough for us. Over the years I have written some modules and modified others, so I am reasonably familiar with the API.
We will start with a fairly stock configuration and then I will start adding special features just for us.Are you using a "stock" interface/software system, or are you actually writing one on your own? The former I hope... if so, what's the software package called? I'm curious, I know my way around a few of them...
Big changes Ahead - Everyone Read!!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Quick suggestion, Todd...
I've thought of it before but never remembered to bring it up when i was talking to you. How about a "Report This Post" button? Not to be used for petty arguments, more so for if things ever sink so far as to get into personal insults and mud slinging, or for the occasional spammer we get. I don't know how it would be set up...i was thinking it could be an e-mail directly to the mod(s) for the specific forum it takes place in, the admins, or both. But. like i said, i don't know the software, or if this is even possible.
Cheers
AR
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Kebmo
I asked a similar question back in the third post of this thread. No response! Maybe Todd will just spring it on us! :twisted:
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
To try and help out (I don't know if it does :) ) with the Image Gallery and new system I did two things;
1 - I gathered all posted images on my PC into one folder and renamed them all to include my screen name as the first word of the image name.
2 - Under the main album I created sub-albums and updated all albums and images in them to include my screen name as the first word of the album/image name.
If adding my screen name makes it easier for Todd to move the images to the new system. Great.
If Todd needs to delete the old image albums then I'm ready to reload as soon as procedures are established.
If none of this helps anything for the new system then that's OK :) It makes finding my stuff easier for me now. :lol:
Ron
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Quote:
oh...good. just what i need. wake up, pour some joe, log in and be totally discombobulated with no forewarning. that'll so totally make my day...........
i'm goin' blind paintin' and weatherin' flex track. only 90 ft to go. then i get to start all over again with joe's rail painter. just got that the other day. so when i'm just about ready to walk into a wall i'll log in and the 'new' site :help 'll push me off the ledge. geronimo......bring on the changes!! :PMaybe Todd will just spring it on us!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
First off I would just like to thank you all for the support! I really do think everyone will like the changes that are coming. Tomorrow is our third anniversary!! whoopee!
Let me address the Image Gallery issue. I am still working on a way to move that over into the new site. There is nothing you all can do to assist in that effort except to be prepared to resubmit your images to the new site. Renaming images won't help because the current system renames the pictures using a numbering system. Also, please understand that any posts that had pictures embedded in them from our gallery, will not show up in the post after the change. I am working on a fix for that too, but of course it would be depended on whether I can convert the current gallery to the new gallery. If not, all those links will be broken. This may give you a better understanding on how important this change is to me. Even if it means the loss of pictures from posts, I still think the new portal will be worth the inconvenience. Even if I have to re-link all the pictures to the posts by hand!
I will be creating an album of abandoned or otherwise orphaned pictures so that we have everything on the new site.
Everyone will have to re-do something. It might be your signature, your gallery, avatar, etc. I am doing the best I can with the limited time and brain power that I posses. As for when this change will occur, well it could be any day within the next two weeks. Yes, it will look a bit different, but I think all of you will be able to handle the differences without skipping a beat. I might even make a video to introduce you to the new site. So stick with us because our fourth year is going to be better than the first three combined! If you aren't technical, or don't care to read anymore about this, stop here.
The following is for the geeks who want to know about testing and all that other geeky stuff:
----------------------
The reason there hasn't been a test site available to some of you is due to the amount of work it would mean. I have to convert this site over to an earlier version of Drupal at which point I upgrade to the most current version of Drupal. Then I have to run some more scripts to get everything into place. While it doesn't sound like much in the description, it is a TON of work. If I ended up doing the complete conversion, I might as well put the site out for everyone. As you may know, there are some things that are done during a conversion that just don't warrant documenting or even remembering. There appears to be a few of those in store for me. I have already created a site that correctly converted all posts and users over to Drupal (actually I have done this a number of times). That of course is the most important part of the conversion. I have also been successful in integrating the new gallery into the site and have proven that all users will have immediate access to their own gallery. This is using the credentials passed to the system upon initial login. So the integration is tight. Bottom line is there are so many SQL scripts and a few odd PHP scripts to run that by the time I got everything worked out and let some of you test the site, I doubt I would have the energy to do it all again when it was time to unveil it to the masses. Please understand that I do this for a living, I have been director of quality assurance and standards for a couple of companies. I have been the VP of technology for another company, and currently provide Management Consulting services focusing on web presence, Intranet and Extranet implementations, and related functions. This of course doesn't mean I am not capable of completely screwing this thing up. But I will have a complete backup of the current portal just in case!!! Overall I am very confident that the conversion/implementation will be a success and that any issues we will have can be dealt with post-implementation. If any geeks have particular questions about the conversion, I will be happy to answer them.
Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Happy 3rd Birthday for the 24th, N-scale.net :pint: - I beat you by one day (and a few more anniversaries :lol: )
Todd, you are doing a fantastic job, and thanks for keeping us informed - much appreciated.
Speaking as a 'non'geek' , if what you are doing is going to improve an already amaing site, then go for it - we're with you all the way. :l
(Just make sure you get some 'Todd-time' - please :) )
Thanks again.
Komata
"TVR - serving the Northern Taranaki . . . "
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Hi Todd,
First, happy birthday! This is a wonderful site and it will only get beter - all because of your efforts!
Second, thanks for the update on the progress of the new site. I, and many others, can't wait to see the new portal!
Third, I don't really think that very many of us (if anyone at all) will object to updating the links to images in our posts, signatures or what-ever.
Fourth, please remember that we are all indebted to you for your efforts!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Hi Todd,
The current image gallery system has one very useful feature that would be very nice to see carried over to the new portal. Not a
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
BryanC wrote:
While I haven't used the feature, the new gallery does allow you to have private albums/sub-albums. I believe that should do the trick. I will test that if I have time. The new gallery is 10 times the current gallery in terms of functionality, usability, etc. I believe it might even have the ability to take pictures! :wink:The current image gallery system has one very useful feature that would be very nice to see carried over to the new portal....Having the ability to use unpublished folders. I find this is very good for images that are destined for posts, articles, signatures, etc. Keeping them separate can be a big advantage!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Admin wrote:
Yep, sure sounds like it will! Thanks :l... the new gallery does allow you to have private albums/sub-albums. I believe that should do the trick. ...
Not Another Update
Quote:
Glad you asked! :D
Sorry for the lack of communication folks. I am still working on the new site. Here is the latest.
1. I am a consultant that currently specializes in process and information management for municipal, State, and Federal elections. Therefore I have been a bit on the busy side the past month. This was most probably my last job in this particular line of work, which brings me to my next item.
2. My doctors recently declared me permanently disabled. No sob story here, its just the way it is. This has caused the lifestyle of my family and myself to undergo a few changes. When my focus wasn't on getting through this most recent Election, it was on applying for disabilty insurance and making sure all else was in order. I have a really cool new recliner that actually stands me up! No small feat considering my 6' 3" 300 lb frame :oops: :wink: .
So, as soon as I stop spinning from all the recent activity, I will be getting back to the new site. At some point in the next month, I will be moving this site to a temporary domain. This will allow you all to have access (but not add to) the old site. The new site will be installed on this domain and then the process begins of moving things over from the old to the new. Much of that work will have been done by virtue of the switch to the new site. However, there will be some things you will have to do to help finish things up. This will include reconstructing your gallery and editing any posts where you have placed pictures. I know that is a huge pain, but I can't seem to find a way around it. I am confident that if we all work together, we can straighten everything out relatively quickly.
So that is it for now. It is sleepy time for this old fart.
Thanks!!!
ToddOk, My question is when can we expect a release date for the new site???
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Todd
I'm sure all members (I'm not speaking for them but because they are members here they are good people) will help out in any and every way possible. We'll all do what ever you ask of us to help bring up the new site. We are very lucky to have such a good team of Administrators and moderators as you have assembled on this site.
Glad to here all is proceeding along a good and steady course in your health and family life. May the Big Conductor bless you and your family.
Have a happy Holiday season.
Ron
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Todd,
A great big second to everything Ron said above! I
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Hey, Todd Thanks for answering my question. I am so sorry to hear the news about you're disabillity :( , I sure hope that you can cope with that problem, And i will do anything it takes to get the new site up! :D
--
the track just never ends...well at least for the next 2 miles
the track just never ends...well at least for the next 2 miles
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Hey Todd,
Sorry to hear about your health. I too was tagged permenently disabiled 2 months ago.I don't plan to live up to the title. Don't give up without a fight.I'm hopeing to be healthy & back to work by the end of 2008. That will be 5 years from start to finish.Good Luck,you can do it.
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
One small request for the IMAGES page.....
It would be nice if it was broken up into several pages instead of only one. Say 20 to a page...with a NEXT button.
It would be a boon for us unfortunate individuals who live in the country where we can only get a 56 KB dialup connection.
(On the other hand we who live in the country are really fortunate...LOL.)
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Hello Admin, :)
If I may, another request. Has an imbedded spell checked been considered for the new release? I know there are several tool bars that can be added to IE but having one with the site is IMO a lot more convient.
Hope all is well and going along just fine.
See ya
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Greetings one and all
Todd
I just found your site today and joined, so I can't really say anything about the current configuration. I am retired now so if there is something I can do to help, ie. test etc. just let me know.
I spend 32 years with the CBQ, BN, BNSF, as an IT manager and director, then spend another 5 years as a consultant doing project management.
I am also a member of the *another N scale website (nscale.org)* form and it too is undergoing a whole new look. Must be something in the water :D
Re:Big Changes Ahead - Everyone Read!
Joined: 2003-06-26