NanoReefaholic
December 20th, 2007, 10:56 AM
Glad to see everyone is enjoying the new look. There are many, many changes. Most of them are to the look but some are to the functionality of AP.
A few of the changes you'll notice is the layout change toward a more fluid design that's a bit easier on the eyes than the standard box. Some areas such as certain forms have remained the old style but that's to emphasize their function.
The forums, more importantly the posts, are where the big change in design has taken place. The online/offline status is now more visible and includes the word as well as colour of a users status.
All the buttons have been changed and you will also notice a new button with private messages, the report button. This will give you the ability to report any PM the same way that you could report a post. If anyone has a PM that goes against the TOU or something they find questionable please report it and it will be investigated. Sponsors will also notice a new button, reply all. This will automatically add in all the users that the message sent to into the Recipient list of the new message (only available to staff and sponsors).
Other changes that you may have already noticed is the navigation bar at the top. The bar will work with all major browsers however should there be a reason why one cannot render the bar there is a redundant bar that will display to ensure everyone can enjoy AP regardless of limitations. All but the search menu will pop up when you go over the icon with your mouse. The search will need to be clicked to activate. With the search you have two options 1) a quick search or 2) the link to go to the AP search page.
If the quick search doesn't turn up anything that your looking for you can try the AP search page, and things get interesting with the AP search page. As you type in the search box you will notice there is a popup box that will give you suggestions as you type. You can choose one of these suggestions or continue to type your search keyword out and pick any advanced options before hitting the search button and viewing the thread results.
When viewing a thread there is also another change. The similar threads are still at the top with other threads that are of relevance to the one that your viewing but in a sponsored forum there is a change. The similar threads are replaced by the sponsor banner. Any forum can be sponsored and now brings a new realm of possibilities for sponsorship for AP.
When replying to a post you will also notice a few new buttons in the message reply menu. There is now subscript and supscript buttons which should come out very handy when posting ie H2O and 43. There is also the ability to post You Tube now with just the video id url (ie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XXAQxpvHUc rather than 2XXAQxpvHUc).
Some new video formats include Windows Media Player and Apple Quicktime. WMP will come in very handy if you broadcast your reef and wish to share the stream with AP.
There is also embedded search buttons for Google and AP. If anyone needs help searching you can give them help by typing out a word and highlighting it. After it's highlighted you can hit one of the search buttons and that will turn your word into a search link. When someone clicks the link you created it will search for that keyword, ie clownfish. After you have the post the way you think you want it you can hit it Quick Preview button (not available in quick reply mode, must be in reply mode) and it will show you how your post will look when posted.
I'm sure there is more that I've missed but there is alot, I hope everyone enjoys. The site is tested for Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Safari with a minimum display of 1024x765. Although tested I run 2048x1536 so any issues you may have please submit a ticket for support.
Enjoy and more to come soon.
(I knew I'd forget something, there is also now the date and time in the blue banner when viewing the forums or main page)
A few of the changes you'll notice is the layout change toward a more fluid design that's a bit easier on the eyes than the standard box. Some areas such as certain forms have remained the old style but that's to emphasize their function.
The forums, more importantly the posts, are where the big change in design has taken place. The online/offline status is now more visible and includes the word as well as colour of a users status.
All the buttons have been changed and you will also notice a new button with private messages, the report button. This will give you the ability to report any PM the same way that you could report a post. If anyone has a PM that goes against the TOU or something they find questionable please report it and it will be investigated. Sponsors will also notice a new button, reply all. This will automatically add in all the users that the message sent to into the Recipient list of the new message (only available to staff and sponsors).
Other changes that you may have already noticed is the navigation bar at the top. The bar will work with all major browsers however should there be a reason why one cannot render the bar there is a redundant bar that will display to ensure everyone can enjoy AP regardless of limitations. All but the search menu will pop up when you go over the icon with your mouse. The search will need to be clicked to activate. With the search you have two options 1) a quick search or 2) the link to go to the AP search page.
If the quick search doesn't turn up anything that your looking for you can try the AP search page, and things get interesting with the AP search page. As you type in the search box you will notice there is a popup box that will give you suggestions as you type. You can choose one of these suggestions or continue to type your search keyword out and pick any advanced options before hitting the search button and viewing the thread results.
When viewing a thread there is also another change. The similar threads are still at the top with other threads that are of relevance to the one that your viewing but in a sponsored forum there is a change. The similar threads are replaced by the sponsor banner. Any forum can be sponsored and now brings a new realm of possibilities for sponsorship for AP.
When replying to a post you will also notice a few new buttons in the message reply menu. There is now subscript and supscript buttons which should come out very handy when posting ie H2O and 43. There is also the ability to post You Tube now with just the video id url (ie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XXAQxpvHUc rather than 2XXAQxpvHUc).
Some new video formats include Windows Media Player and Apple Quicktime. WMP will come in very handy if you broadcast your reef and wish to share the stream with AP.
There is also embedded search buttons for Google and AP. If anyone needs help searching you can give them help by typing out a word and highlighting it. After it's highlighted you can hit one of the search buttons and that will turn your word into a search link. When someone clicks the link you created it will search for that keyword, ie clownfish. After you have the post the way you think you want it you can hit it Quick Preview button (not available in quick reply mode, must be in reply mode) and it will show you how your post will look when posted.
I'm sure there is more that I've missed but there is alot, I hope everyone enjoys. The site is tested for Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Safari with a minimum display of 1024x765. Although tested I run 2048x1536 so any issues you may have please submit a ticket for support.
Enjoy and more to come soon.
(I knew I'd forget something, there is also now the date and time in the blue banner when viewing the forums or main page)