New software features - ask here

[Andy R]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

What are tags, tag clouds and why would I edit them?

Tags are a new feature that will allow us to organize information on a more granular level. Basically we add keywords to discussions and then these keywords pull together similar discussions. I will work with the mod team to tag a good portion of our historical archives. Then moving forward we will keep tagging threads. This will allow us another way to look for information which will be important as we grow (it's already hard enough sometimes).

An example might be tagging all the discussions on a certain type of tow vehicle so you can click one link and see them all there organized together. Another example might be tagging discussions on 25' Safari Trailers. We do have a forum for them but many threads happen in other forums because the main topic of the thread is about something else (maybe winterizing, towing, purchasing, etc). So we can tag all these discussions with the same 25' Safari tag and then pull the discussions together in one place to see all that info.

It's just another tool for us to organize the tons of information we have hear. Once the system fills up you will be able to see the benefits of this new feature.

Originally Posted by CA Streamer

I was wondering what determines the level of reputation shown in the green bar at left. Is this based on Karma or ??

Yes, this is based on the Karma system which is currently very flawed. I will be working to rewind our karma system so that each time someone gives you karma you get 1 point. Right now it's setup with an "influence" system where people with more posts, karma, longer tenure, etc give more points when they leave you karma then a newbie with one post. This system is wacky and a simple 1 point per karma system will be simpler and a better gauge to use.

The mod team will be working on reconfiguring the green bars based on the new point scale. The way it will work is the bar will grow to the right as you gain more karma. We will have to look at the scale on once the karma system is reconfigured to determine how many points will equal a new green box.

[Andy R]

Originally Posted by dufferin

is the chat room gone for ever...?

No, I am just working at putting back all the pieces of software that make up our community. The chat system needed to be upgraded too and I hope to get that done later today. It will be back soon.

[airedale]

Oh thank goodness!

[overlander63]

I am sure many would like to see the "portal page" link returned to the bottom of each page whenever we get the bigger bugs worked out.

[dufferin]

Thanks Andy for the infos while you're still working on the upgrade... karma

[vswingfield]

I just tried to upload a photo the the photo contest, and got a quota exceeded message. My avatar still shows Supporting Member, though. I can't recall when I first donated. Has it really been a year?

Is there any way for me to view this information? If not, it would be a great feature.

[Wabbiteer]

I've seen Karma add-ons either amplified or reduced or even flagged per the ratio of responses an established member makes to various sections of a forums... Example: The hovering mouse pointer might also display users top section % of posts, say 98% Rally or 98% Fun'n Games - or 98% repair section..

While just answering new users on real life nitty-gritty topics is never very rewarding except for the warm fuzzies, awarding system calculated bonus karma purely on the number of comments made to new users OUTSIDE of introductions could get karma tweaked upwards since newbies only offer low value "thank-you-hit-points" and/or low retention as newbies often drift out of touch so ultimately helping or insightful posts go relatively unnoticed...

There's more to karma over - just ran out of time here now

--------- Also ---------
With Firefox browser the spell check was always there just a click away to turn it on each time... Thank you for enabling it by defalut (just a test, yup it's automatically on)

[Minnie's Mate]

You know, I've never really understood the Karma thing until one day I happened to look down at the bottom of my CP page and saw that I had some. I never knew what was meant by it exactly and I didn't know what to do when I sent someone some so I never did. Now I feel like I have been terribly amiss in my obligation to send Karma when I compliment someone on the forums with a post. I feel I should be doing both!

[Minnie's Mate]

Oh, I have a reputation beyond repute, too!

[Janet H]

New icons below your avatar - Here's the cheat sheet:

Round button - shows whether you're online or not. Green means you're logged in
Fuzzy grey icon (is actually a scale) - click to give karma
Triangle with ! - click report posts. This sends a message to moderators. Please use for spam and inappropriate posts that need mod attention.
Green bar under avatar - karma meter, shows how much you have.

[mistral blue]

Originally Posted by Janet

These visitor messages are publicly viewable - so don't dis my trailer (or anything/one else).

Are these messages going to be "moderated" by you guys? Some of the messages I can imagine might get, um, pretty hot! We all still have the ability to post to a "nonfriend's" board. And yes, I see the report button. But what's to stop 2 or 3 bullies/knuckleheads from going at it. (Why they can't take it "outside" and duke it out in PM-land is beyond me.) I could also be offline a couple of weeks and come back to find CanoeStream and 2air have been talking about my fondness for wearing ladies unmentionables again. What's a fella to do?

[Janet H]

Multi quote feature - for replying to several statements in one post:

To use the multi-quote feature:

- Open thread you want to respond to.

- Click the multi-quote button (the button with the +) in each post that you want to include in your reply.

- Now click on the quote button in the first post that you are including (button says quote) in your reply.

- The quotes should appear in the reply editor.

- Add clever new text to go along with the quoted text and post your reply.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

Are these (visitor) messages going to be "moderated" by you guys?

We are still fiddling with this... But currently, you should be able to manage these yourself.

Open the message and look for the little check box in the upper right hand corner of the post.

Click it and scroll down to see a moderation box. You can select delete. Hit go to complete the action.

[Janet H]

Ever wondered who has checked you out?

In your profile you can view a list of the last 10 folks to view your profile.

To see this list:

> click on 'user cp' (upper blue nav bar)
> Click 'Your profile' on left menu
> look for list on the right side of your profile

Here's who's checked out mel today....

If you don't want to receive visitor messages - ever...
>User cp
>edit options
>messaging and notification
>uncheck 'enable visitor messaging'

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Janet

Multi quote feature - for replying to several statements in one post:

To use the multi-quote feature:

- Open thread you want to respond to.

- Click the multi-quote button (the button with the +) in each post that you want to include in your reply.

- Now click on the quote button in the first post that you are including (button says quote) in your reply.

- The quotes should appear in the reply editor.

- Add clever new text to go along with the quoted text and post your reply.

Thanks, Janet! I like this multi-quote function!

Originally Posted by Janet

New icons below your avatar - Here's the cheat sheet:

Round button - shows whether you're online or not. Green means you're logged in
Fuzzy grey icon (is actually a scale) - click to give karma
Triangle with ! - click report posts. This sends a message to moderators. Please use for spam and inappropriate posts that need mod attention.
Green bar under avatar - karma meter, shows how much you have.

Fuzzy Karma. I like that too!

[dufferin]

I wanted to create a group for my unit but I have no idea how to?

thank for the help my search had been vain so far.

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by dufferin

I wanted to create a group for my unit but I have no idea how to?

thank for the help my search had been vain so far.

Right now it is not possible to create a new social group. When we get some of the other kinks worked out we'll take a look at this feature. If you want a private forum for your unit - I can set that up for you.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I am very confused... time for a rum and coke.... so is there any chance of going back?

[TBRich]

I like the new multiple quote feature...have wanted to do that at times and couldn't... Thanks!

Not sure about the visitor's messages...will have to look into what that's all about... and the "Friends" thing...

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

so is there any chance of going back?

We only go forward, mainly because we can't find reverse...