Post by clipps on Oct 18, 2018 12:00:54 GMT -8
There were some basic frameworks used, but every part of it could be customized.
This right here is using Pro Board's message board software. They don't just host this site, but they provide the forum software.
Even I am a little bit limited as to how much I can change, since I don't have full access to the software. I have access to some UI elements, but not the back end.
For example, one of the first things I asked is if I can allow all quotes to be nested, not just the most recent 2. It makes it easier to follow a conversation if all previous quotes are included.
The support board said I can't change that, since it's hard coded to only allow 2 quotes max to be included in a reply when using the "quote" button. You can manually copy/paste quotes to create more nests, but you can't have it automatically done with the quote button on this forum.
Any changes I want to make have to be in the form of plug-ins. I can also request plug-ins. That's what I did for wwtcbwsr . I requested a longer SN be allowed, so he could have his full SN from ClipperTalk, "WhereWouldTheClippersBeWithoutSeanRooks".
Someone developed it and created the plug-in within a few days.
But, plug-in requests are done by volunteers. There's no guarantee they will be done, if requested. If someone wants to make the time to do it, then great. But there's no guarantee of if or when they will do it.
I think having a new button for game threads would require substantial more work, and probably not possible. But, just to check, I'll put in a request to see if it's possible.
If we want the forum to be more customized, then I need to set up a paid host, and install different software on that host. I have done that before, too. MyBB, for example, is a free forum that I can configure and install on a paid host. And I would have full control of the back end.
Even then, if I was using a paid host with MyBB installed, creating a game thread button, and having it interact with the rest of the forum software, would probably take some work, as well as testing, to make it look right. If there isn't an existing plug-in on MyBB, for example, that would do this. That's something that I could probably implement at some point, but I'd be doing it on my own time, and it's not something I'd want to do right now. Probably at a later point.
Also, for the sake of lost ClipperTalk.com members finding this place, I think it's easier for them if we keep this domain. Since it's something someone could theoretically search for ("clippertalk"), and find. If we were to move to a new host and a new domain, it would be harder for them to find the new place.
If we had been up for a few years on ProBoards, and we moved, then it would be easier to migrate everyone. Since I could put notices and such on this Pro Boards site, for the new forum.
I'll put in a request to see if someone has already created a Game Thread template.
