@AlessandroSPQR

I have found the new format to be easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye. I know change is not for everyone, but it needs to be given a fair chance.
Change may have been necessary to keep up with current technology, maintenance, and new product features which were not available on the old platform.

Chris

Stephen, finest kind!

Stephen, I keep forgetting to ask, can text now be added to photos?

@Chum444 - yes, yes it can! Including all past posts... if you wanted to enrich anything already posted. Captions are now available for all photos 👍 I know this has been a long awaited feature.

Stephen

Guys, I understand that a new aspect of the forum can be confusing. I was also disoriented, but some of the criticism seems unfair and hasty.
It's worth waiting; you'll see that little by little, everyone will become familiar with it. However, everyone is free to do as they see fit.
In any case, Stephen must have worked long and hard to improve the site; we should give him credit for that instead of being too scathing.

Best idea ever!!
Thanks Stephen
Ciao Michel-C.

Stephen, I keep forgetting to ask, can text now be added to photos?

I like the new site it works well for me, still working my way around so don’t have any ideas to improve it.
If I think of anything in the future I’ll put forward my thoughts.

Photo test. 3.8 MB

It now works. Tx Stephen. BTW, I can see why there is no need to post blog photos from under your Account.

Just checked it out-works as advertised. Thanks Stephen!!

Alessandro - the lost messages/posts maybe due to the old site? I reported awhile ago that the initial posts on the Classic Model Power Boats thread had disappeared, I knew because one of them was mine - I could find it by searching but it wasn't in the thread which wouldn't go back beyond a certain time.

Chris

Edit: Maybe not as I've just looked at that thread and all the posts are there now.

It looks as if the photo(s) are loading, but im getting “write failed”

I've fixed this one - photos should now work 👍

Thanks, Stephen

This is a test of bold.
This is a test of italic.
This is a test of underline.
This is a test of strikethrough.

This is a test of quote.

(Probably better called a banner or highlight.)

This is a test of emoji. 😀

They don't work while editing the post but you can see it works after it is posted.

Thanks' Stephen!

Not just looking good, this new site is so much easier to navigate. very similar to most other newer web sites.
This is Lew, over and out.

Just checked my phones settings and this site has full access to my photos, so I have no idea what’s going on.

I’m having the same problem. I saw an error message (I think) about permission to access my photos? Is that something I have to set up in my phones settings? It looks as if the photo(s) are loading, but im getting “write failed”
Cash

Stephen, see my Blog 36’ Northern Bay … for a couple of additional tests I ran. Could well be some error on my part.
Bill

I’ll try it again Stephen.

Hi Chum, blog updates should be absolutely fine, as should the photo upload size (now 64MB limit for uploads). Do you see any error message? Thanks. Stephen

Hi Stephen. I guess blog updates are still to come. Or, is the 2.8 MB photo too large?

The text search within posts is truly a huge improvement.
Congratulations, Stephen, you're truly brilliant.

Unfortunately, something got lost.
For example, in my topic (see link at the end of the text), 79 messages were lost, along with their photos.
Unfortunately, the seventy-nine lost messages are the initial ones, which describe the entire initial part of the project, which is the most important part.
It's a real shame and a huge disappointment for me.

Is there any way to recover them, Stephen?

https://model-boats.com/forum/128542

So I clicked on the see All 15 boats and what appeared were not my boats.

If you can try this again and check now?

thread updates are only in preview stage of implementation

If anyone has seen 'this post type is coming soon' messages or similar, can you try again now. I am hoping this bug is fixed now too.

large file size photos can be posted without file compression

Yes, all files are downloadable in their original resolution 👍

Mine proved to be correct. Maybe you’re the now the proud owner of a few new boats Ron. Or perhaps Stephen is encouraging some new builds from you. 😉

Although thread updates are only in preview stage of implementation, it appears that soon large file size photos can be posted without file compression. If true, a major improvement.

Stephen
When I was reviewing my boatyard it said 15 boats. Oh, really? So I clicked on the see All 15 boats and what appeared were not my boats.

Ron

site search, is it possible to search by a name within specific dates and by members username?

I've just added this function. Hopefully what you're after? Also added the Search page as an option from the side menu directly.

Pleased to hear some good feedback too. We did need to upgrade the platform, the old website timbers were rotting!

I’ll continue to do my very best to fix any and all annoyances anyone is having with the new site. It’s certainly faster now, the latency is much lower, the code is hugely optimised compared to what we had, and the database everything sits on has now been upgraded to a performance server as well.

I’ve also added a lot of new features people have been asking for for a long time. Obviously, it’s an adjustment, but I do hope we can all give it a little time to bed in. As with any new launch, there will be the odd creak, leak, or wonky plank to sort out, but the foundations are much stronger now, and I’m confident it’ll be a far better place for the community once everything settles.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback, patience, bug reports, screenshots, suggestions, and encouragement. It all helps keep the ship moving in the right direction.

Stephen

I have seen a couple of negative responses to the new site, in my past experience, these come as a resistance to change from users that do not move forward with new technology.
With relation to speed, the new site is vastly improved and if you are experiencing latency, take a look at what browser and hardware you are using before complaining.
This is my one pence worth and comes from over 50 years in IT.

Stephen,
Re: Bold, italics, strikethrough and monospace, we could use some rules like: bold, underline, strikethrough, monospace --- desirable improvements. Some of the posts are very, very long. Perhaps highlighting a few of the important items would be great, but then to get people to use them is another question. Another thought is on the site search, is it possible to search by a name within specific dates and by members username?
I might be asking too much because you have done so much. This site is easier on the brain as well as on the eyes.
How many of you members has noticed no more typing in a small box?
Great! 😃🤣😍😎 and 👌👍 and of course 🚢.
Lew

There shouldn't be any invitation to download chrome. I suspect this is an advert. Another member has mentioned seeing a misleading advert too, so I'll have a dig into this further.

No need to download anything.

Thanks,
Stephen

The new site includes an invitation to download Chrome.

I have a new Apple computer and when I try to download it I get a message that states that it is not suitable for my device.

My other devices include an iPhone and an iPad - I will check to see if they are compatible with Chrome as I am guessing that this invitation to download it is because the new site format works best with it?

Bob.

Hi Lew,

Yes, I sent a team out overnight, they've patched the cables 😁

Bold, italics, strikethrough and monospace, we could use some rules like:

bold
underline
strikethrough

monospace

italics

I'll look into enabling this.

Stephen

Stephen,
Either you are really quick or they finally replaced those rusted cables under the Atlantic. I can now select the play arrow on the YouTube window with my post. Also, is it possible to add a few features to the adding text window? Bold, underline, and italic are desirable. Color ad size would be nice but not critical. Also, I have some trouble with cut and paste within the site. Kind of random, so I will try to take note of when/if it happens again.
Lew

Stephen, I have the same issue on my PC (as well as the cell phone. See screen print.

Lew

Thanks Stephen for your hard work. Nice & clean. Just have to reorient myself to it.👍

Wow Stephen! Refreshing, clear and clean.
Thank you.
Lew
Rcflorida.org/lmb
ADDED: I noticed that on my post (eastern rivers towboats) that when selecting the video link (the play arrow in the middle of the screen) nothing happens. If I select the expand arrows (upper right) I can see the video. This is on my Android phone.
Lew

Thanks Stephen, the new look is beautiful and captivating but I'm a bit disoriented and I have to get used to it.

Thanks Stephen for all your hard work in updating the web-site and your belief that it was worth doing for this forum. Some (well most!) model boat forums are struggling nowadays following a decline in postings over the last few years and it is great to see this one is bucking the trend, though of course postings have dropped to some extent due to the declining number of members in the hobby. Obviously it will take a bit of getting used to as it looks completely different to the old one!

I'll just mention one thing, when connecting I was greeted by a sneaky pop-up stating Activate New Account which given it's a new web-site draws you into clicking on it. It is in fact trying to get you to sign up for ad-blocking.

Chris

New Website Launched - All Aboard! 🚤

A huge thank you to everyone who helped beta test it, report issues, share feedback, and generally poke around behind the scenes. Your help has been genuinely appreciated and has made a big difference.

As with any maiden voyage, I’m expecting the odd barnacle, wobble, or mysterious "that’s not meant to happen" moment. Nothing launches flawlessly on day one, so if you spot anything peculiar, please do let me know.

Private messages are preferred, screenshots are even better, or you can get in touch via the support page.

As far as I know, everything should work just as it did on the old website, only now with a fresh, cleaner, smarter new interface.

Thanks again everyone. Now go and have a good nose around! 😀

Website launch incoming!

Calling all beta testers - please have another check over of the beta website and send via private message (there or here) any bugs or weird things you see.

It's possible the website will be offline for a few hours, maybe this Friday, while the migration work is done. I'll try and keep the disruption to a minimum 😊

Stephen

Stephan, your private mailbox is full.

Forgot to mention below ...
I also use the 'sneakybonfire' browser😁
Never designed a Website but several UIs for ATE and Communications control.🤓
😎

As with the others very happy to help - using a laptop on windows 11, but unlike the others I seem to be the only one using Firefox, so would be useful to check all types of browser, as I know that a number of sites I use do not support Firefox.
One issue I have found is that if I have been reading other posts, getting back to QoD is often very haphazard.

Hi Stephen,
I would be happy to take a look at /Beta test the new site
Have done this for many large commercial sites over the years as I was in IT for my whole career.

Regards
Ed

Stephen; unlike the others I have no knowledge of website design. However I do have some beta testing background so perhaps I could help from that perspective. Sounds like an interesting & certainly a challenging project. If I could provide worthwhile assistance I would like to participate in your project.

luckyduck’s comment that he runs Firefox for his browser prompts me to include that I run Apple’s Safari. Another OS to test your new site.

Stephen, let me know if you need someone to checkout the new beta site. I have been involved in web site creation since the 1990's (writing them in html), so I think I can give it a good exam and if needed, any recommendations.

(I have Microsoft and Android OS's, no apple stuff.)

I'm sure you are aware of one fault with the current site, perhaps a difficult one to cure, is the duplication of topics. For example, posting a new topic such as "how do I wire two ESCs". (Over the years, this topic has been repeated a number of times.)

I don't mean to be critical, just an example. I really like this site and many of the contributors. Many times it (site + members) has helped me out as well as keeping my interest up.

Lew

Hi Stephen, I'm not a computer expert, far from it.

I think I can provide you with feedback on the three points you listed, even without any specific knowledge.
If you're in need and don't have any other volunteers, please let me know.
I'd be happy to help.

Stephen,

I am willing to help, if you need more people.

Desktop: Windows 10 64 bit Chrome Version 147.0.7727.117 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Laptop: Windows 11 64 bit
Mobile: Samsung Android V.16
iPad: 5th Gen IOS V 16.7.12

I use Chrome as my browser on all.

Dave B

You can count me in, I'm using a PC, laptop and tablet and rarely my phone.

Chris

Hi Stephen,
Sounds goood👍
Count me in - as ever😎
Windows 11 desktop.
Cheers, Doug
PS I'm about to purchase a tablet so it would be helpful if you could publish
'Minimum tablet system requirements' for the new site. TIA😉

Good morning Stephen, I will help with the preview if I can.
My laptop is 64bit windows 11, my Tablet and Phone are both Android 16.
So if I can help in any way I am happy to do so.
Cheers Colin.