August MTS2 Changes

[Delphy]

Hi All,

Time for another update in the land of MTS2. The changes in the past couple of days are:


The old normal vBulletin search has been removed from the Download page and replaced with the Beta Search.
Added Search Downloads (linking to the Beta Search) to the Search dropdown in the navbar
Added option in the footer next to the style dropdown to link to the other style-related settings
Added option on download pages to show download FAQ links for all members that displays till a month after they join.
Added option so that all people who have joined in the past year, and all those who join from now on, MUST read and acknowledge the site rules and guidelines and other points on the user profile page before they are allowed to post or reply.


This last point is bound to cause some friction, but the way I see it, far too many join here, don't read the rules or are too lazy to read the rules, then go and post rubbish. This causes lots of workload for our staff and problems for people whose threads they post in. While I realise that some people simply don't read, at least making it so they must read something is better than nothing.

Also, I'd like to point out the alternative MTS2 display styles. You are all probably used to the "Rounded Corners" style, but there is a (cleaner, in my opinion) alternative out there - the "Box Style". This brings the download/core pages more in line with the rest of the site in terms of look and feel. You can see more information here: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=128246

Currently in the works are a revamped Upload system and yet more optimisations to try and make the site not slow to a crawl as traffic increases.

Regards,
Delphy

[carlydunham]

Hi All,

Time for another update in the land of MTS2. The changes in the past couple of days are:


The old normal vBulletin search has been removed from the Download page and replaced with the Beta Search.
Added Search Downloads (linking to the Beta Search) to the Search dropdown in the navbar
Added option in the footer next to the style dropdown to link to the other style-related settings
Added option on download pages to show download FAQ links for all members that displays till a month after they join.
Added option so that all people who have joined in the past year, and all those who join from now on, MUST read and acknowledge the site rules and guidelines and other points on the user profile page before they are allowed to post or reply.


This last point is bound to cause some friction, but the way I see it, far too many join here, don't read the rules or are too lazy to read the rules, then go and post rubbish. This causes lots of workload for our staff and problems for people whose threads they post in. While I realise that some people simply don't read, at least making it so they must read something is better than nothing.

Also, I'd like to point out the alternative MTS2 display styles. You are all probably used to the "Rounded Corners" style, but there is a (cleaner, in my opinion) alternative out there - the "Box Style". This brings the download/core pages more in line with the rest of the site in terms of look and feel. You can see more information here: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=128246

Currently in the works are a revamped Upload system and yet more optimisations to try and make the site not slow to a crawl as traffic increases.

Regards,
Delphy

thanks delphy i love this site and i have been here for a long time now i just dont post much..

[puppersonpup]

Thank you so much for the extra "downloads" search bar, i always wanted this. I hate going into "advanced search" all the time. thanks!!

[sims2guy]

I think these features are great, and I understand how the traffic causes a high ammount of workload on both the servers, and the admins/mods. Lets hope these help MTS2 through.

[jaxad0127]

Sounds good. That last one is one I've been wanting for a while. Hardly anyone reads those.

[squall117]

I love the changes regarding the search features!
Ans it's also a good to have people read the rules before quick-replying

[Sim Master]

Anything that helps the site is fine by me!

It is too bad some people post bad things for no reason, but I guess this will help inform people about the rules.

[rmschoon]

Thanks for all the hard work Delphy, and our other beloved Mods. I too appreicate the new search box. Ya'll are doing a great job, it's quite appreciated from my end. :D

[Hardy boyz]

Okay well this sounds good, except that I have some problems with the new rules... well not me, but my comp.

I have accepted the rules and everything goes back to the orginial state, then I go in to my own profile to change it back to the way it was; show avatars and signatures. But when I have saved my changes, and I'm going to post a replay, I have to accept the rules again - and we are from the beginning again...

Just in one half hour I was trying to figue out what I was doing wrong, I accepted the rules like five or six times!

Maybe it's just me, but it's kinnda anoying...

//HB

[discordkitty]

Accept the rules and then save changes - that should make it stay away.

[crocobaura]

Well, anything that makes the site better is good news. Also, it is great that you thought about improving speed on the site. I don't know, maybe it's my connection, but it has been very difficult lately to load MTS pages from my end of the world. Also, could you please repost the Delphinator? Thank you.

[nikkitooloud]

Well, anything that makes the site better is good news. Also, it is great that you thought about improving speed on the site. I don't know, maybe it's my connection, but it has been very difficult lately to load MTS pages from my end of the world. Also, could you please repost the Delphinator? Thank you.

Same thing has been happening to me about the speed - I thought it probably was ie 7.
Hopefuly people start to read the rules more.

[Navetsea]

I want to check how the changes look like :) thanks alot for your hard work.

[TheJim01]

I like the box style. It is much cleaner. Thanks for and keep up all the great work!

[masqued_angel]

Maybe it's just my computer...but something about the new layout is all wonky. It's driving me mad. x.x I luff this site, so I hope my computer evens out and starts making everything look normal again, or I might scream. ^^;

[SwtNess2]

Thanks for all the hard work you all do to make this site the best of the web.

[karen82869]

Yeah - it does seem a little buggy, yet.
I've been directed to acknowledge the site rules approximately 4-5 times and my options don't "stick," either.
Also, the individual download threads don't seem to be happy with Firefox. The original post is smushed to the left side of the page and the pictures don't display - I get all links.
Just my observations. :)
Thanks for your hard work, Delphy!

[bassist_bitch]

The original post is smushed to the left side of the page and the pictures don't display - I get all links.
Just my observations. :)
Thanks for your hard work, Delphy!
thats what is happening to me.. it looks major ugly..and i have to read the rules ALOT but i like the box corners they look nice.. but everything else is driving me insane! i might just not post anymore haha

[FreetobeJulie]

carlydunham - I think you forgot to read the rules - Delphy clearly states that quoting the entirety of the original post (or any other post, really) is against the rules because it is disruptive. I had hoped (and I assume that Delphy and the moderators had hoped, too) that disruptions such as this would be prevented by implementing this new system. I know that everyone makes mistakes, and I'm not trying to reprimand you, but I would encourage everyone to read the rules so that mistakes aren't made so often. In terms of errors with agreeing to the rules, I clicked on all the links on the page and read everything before I clicked "accept" and I haven't had any difficulties. Great job, Delpy and the rest of the staff. You've continued to go above and beyond in running this amazing website, and your work is appreciated by thousands. Thank you!


Julie =)

*Edit* Sorry, I am having the glitch of everything reverting back to before I agreed to the terms of posting. Also, most download threads are squished to the left without pictures and most text appearing. I know that you staff will fix this, as you always do - I'm just trying to tell you what the problem is on my end. I also have cookies enabled for the site, so it isn't that. Good luck - even though you probably don't need it. ;)

[julianarosalia]

Well, it seems that I am having the same problem with the agreement not sticking. I think it's a wonderful idea and am hoping that you'll be able to figure out how to get this new feature to work. Fyi, I'm using Firefox as well but I'm going to try IE (shudder) to see if that works.

*Edit* Ok, not working in IE either.

[lamammaforever]

Same situation here.

[jaxad0127]

For those having problems with thumbnails: in your user options is an option to hide avatars/thumbnails, etc. Uncheck it.

[Delphy]

Okay all the problems described below should be fixed now - sorry about that. There was a bug which, as you saw, wiped out your options which includes displaying of pages, so that caused problems with the download pages.

I've fixed this so it should be ok now (and you'll only have to tick the box once).

Regards,
Delphy

[julianarosalia]

Thank you Delphy :)

[Delphy]

Okay, couple more changes:


When uploading files via Manage Attachments, the screen now shows you a preview of any thumbnails created, along with a link to both the file and to the images
Editing a post now shows you a thumbnail of the images in the attachment list sections
Coded a number of improvements that massively increases speed for the download browser pages. Most tests returned a 200% speed improvement
Split off sub-styles into thier own proper style, now selectable from the "Style" dropdown at the bottom of the page or via Edit Options.

[2Sim2Quit]

Since I joined MTS2 a few months back, I started out with reading the rules, regulations, etc. I have posted possibly two minor questions. Personally, I am afraid to death of saying the wrong thing or asking the wrong question in the wrong place. There have been many times I have put myself in tears surfing through all of the FAQ's etc looking for answers. I have yet to upload anything due to the above issues. I remain terrified, but I also will remain part of MTS2 until I am told otherwise.

Respectfully,
2Sim2Quit

[Julieth]

When I try to search, a page shows up that says that MTS2 is down for maintenance...Is anyone else having this problem, or is it just me?
The site works fine when I'm just clicking on the links, it only shows the maintenance page when I search.

Edit: By the way, Thanks so much for including the "No chat talk" rule, as you can see by my signature that's one of my pet peeves about the internet.

[Delphy]

We don't bite unless you do REALLY bad stuff... asking questions is fine. :)

[Delphy]

Julieth,

Using what search? The one in downloads, or the one on the navbar?

[Cooldadx4]

Site is running great on my end now ...I was a little worried earlier though when i couldnt get on for hours ! I wouldnt know what to do with myself if i ever lost this site !

[Julieth]

Both, actually. I tried them both just a few seconds ago.

[Delphy]

Juleth,

Can you screenshot the error you are getting please? I've just checked and it seems to be working for me...

[Cooldadx4]

Julieth you can also try to refresh the page once you get the maintenence page come up ..That might also clear up the problem ..You could have your internet settings pulling old pages and not checking for updated pages ...

[Julieth]

The refresh button did not work, could you tell me how to change my internet settings please, Tigmomx4?

[Julieth]

Also, here is the screenshot, Delphy.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/darkscarab/Image4.jpg

[Cooldadx4]

Ok under tools click internet options ...Then under temporary internet files click settings..Then there will be a check box and just make sure check every time you visit a page and stored pages will automatically be refreshed each time you visit ...If it is not checked it will just load the stored page which gets quite annoying if you ask me having to hit refresh everytime you visit a site ....

[masqued_angel]

Joy, everything works now. I thought it was just my computer being a dork, so glad it wasn't. xD

[Julieth]

Yes! it works! Thanks so much, tigmomx4!

[Cooldadx4]

you are welcome glad i could help !!!!

[lamammaforever]

Everything is working fine now here, and the speed is finally OK. Thanks Delphy, you did a great job as always, also because you had to manage the bug problem which made us crazy. Kiss and ciao.

[moonlight_muse]

Great, I've read the rules and had no problem accepting etc, :)
but now everytime I reply to a thread, I'm getting an automatic subscription added in my CP list. I can't see how to turn that off, so I'm manually deleting the ones I don't want. Is that supposed to happen?

Edit*
just got a subscription for this topic too, but that's ok, I'll keep this one for the moment ;)

do we have to click on the subscribe button on every thread now and choose, "Do not subscribe" ?

[BrokenLit]

For those having problems with thumbnails: in your user options is an option to hide avatars/thumbnails, etc. Uncheck it.

I looked in my user options and all the options to show avatars etc. are turned on. I can see avatars and signatures fine.

It's very strange. I can see thumbnails for all download thread started before yesterday, but not threads started after "Yesterday at 03:58 AM" (that's the time stamp from the first post I can't see the thumbnails for). For the first 3 pages of downloads I can only see a handful of thumbnails. The other threads don't have broken image links beside them or anything, it's just blank.

Any ideas why this started happening yesterday and why a couple of them work and the rest don't. :(

I checked this thread: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=134830

And all the test links work fine. As I said above, it's not all thumbnails, just thumbnails for the majority of download threads since yesterday morning.

[animejosse]

Very good changes, especially this:

Added option so that all people who have joined in the past year, and all those who join from now on, MUST read and acknowledge the site rules and guidelines and other points on the user profile page before they are allowed to post or reply.

Reason? Not too long ago I assumed I knew all of the rules and managed to break one of them. *doh* Having to read the rules and guidelines would've probably stopped me from doing it in the first place.

[jaxad0127]

moonlight_muse, I know there's an option somewhere, but I can't seem find it right now.
simfan432, this forum: http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24. Same as always.

[Delphy]

moonlight, check in Edit Options - there is a default thread subscription thing there.

[moonlight_muse]

Ok, thanks Jaxad and Delphy,
off to check it out now :)

[Avialle]

Just a question but are we going to be able to have section specific searching as we have before? Unless I'm missing something I don't seem to see that option yet . . . Thanks in advance! ;^)

[sare_sare]

you guys just keep improving the site
I agree with Avialle that we need section specific searches

[LynnMar]

thanks for the new search option, I try not to make comments except every once in a while, if I am asking a question about a mod, or commenting on an exceptional download. Most of the time I just hit the thanks and vote button.

Keep up the good work.

[Jenesis]

Good about the rules - hopefully will lead to less plagarism and other problems (I agree with Julieth's signature there ;)).

Sadly the site is very, verrrrrrry slow still on my end - I can't look at some pages at all - the "loading..." tab comes up (I'm using Firefox) but the page never shows. It seems to be random whether the site works at all - I'd estimate it works for me about a quarter of the time...?

Any idea what's going on? :confused: (Sorry if this counts as a hijack... but I can't open the Help forum to post a new thread because of the issue!!..)

[Ivyleaf]

The other threads don't have broken image links beside them or anything, it's just blank.
I checked this thread: http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=134830
And all the test links work fine. As I said above, it's not all thumbnails

I am having a similar issue with the thumbnails on the downloads. Thumbnails are all hit and miss. They aren't showing as x's, so you can't "click here to show photo". They are simply big empty blank spaces where the thumbnails should be. There will be a few that show, then maybe 4 that won't, then one or two that will again, then one that won't...you get the idea. There isn't a pattern to it. They were working correctly before this latest update. I am running IE6 if that helps at all.

As well, the site is much slower now for me than it was before, especially in the forums.

And did the keyword beta search get rolled in with the regular search box on the left? I rather liked having the other choices of search boxes listed there, it was simple to use that way, and I'm confused as to where they got put now?

Thanks,
:) :) :)
Ivy

[Delphy]

Ivyleaf, see my other posts for the answer to the search. I am aware of the thumbnail issue, and the speed issues although with 2.3 - 2.5k people on all the time there isn't much I can do about it right now.

[darkfae3]

cool thanks for letting us know

[Delphy]

Okay,

After a flash of inspiration, quite a lot of detective work and some nifty coding (along with some hair pulling moments), the site now seems to be a heck of a lot quicker... hope you like. :)

Regards,
Delphy

[Pyromaniac44]

:up: Good Work Delphy

[Ivyleaf]

Ivyleaf, see my other posts for the answer to the search. I am aware of the thumbnail issue, and the speed issues although with 2.3 - 2.5k people on all the time there isn't much I can do about it right now.

Delphy,
Did you mean this one: "Added Search Downloads (linking to the Beta Search) to the Search dropdown in the navbar"?

Does that mean it's invisible to us now in the dropdown search area and that's why I'm not actually seeing it? My apologies for being so dense...

Okay, cool, glad to know you're aware of the thumbnail issue. Thanks for checking into it.

And yes, the speed has seemed much faster now. I hadn't been on to check it since I posted figuring it would take some time to sort out. Thank you so much for that detective work :) It is much appreciated!

:) :) :)
Ivy

[Nouk]

Sounds good, Delphy!