So, a lot of you have now realized that I am the new owner of Off Topicz. If you are just coming back to the forum and had no idea about this, then please go ahead and visit my introduction thread over at:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/the-name-is-jordan.77462/
So with that said, I would like to introduce to you some of the changes that have been happening around here since I took over.
First as said in the features and suggestions thread:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/features-suggestions.77475/
Once again, we have a new design and logo for the site. I think I would just introduce this again for those users who are coming back to the site. However, you are always welcome to switch back to the default theme if you are not a fan of the new one.
Recent Changes:
News Centre:
As you can see, we have a dedicated news section for when I want to announce new changes and features for the forum. I was actually surprised to see this was not already here. After taking a look at the web archive, the forum use to have one but it would seem after the software change that announcements section was gone. I find it is much easier to announce new features and ideas in one specific place rather then all in separate threads around the board.
This node/section will now be the home to announce news and features released to the forum.
Multi-Quote Enabled:
As it was suggested in our requests section, I have updated the forum software and enabled the multi-quote feature. You can see the post about it here:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/multi-quote.77351/page-2#post-2154742
Enhanced Likes/Ratings:
It was suggested that people should be able to comment on the likes they give. Something that was in the previous forum software. I had to regretfully inform the user that XenForo does not have siuch feature, however I did go ahead and install a better system that may replace the "comments" with a detailed "like". That post can be read here:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/comments-on-likes.77393/#post-2154741
Enhanced Arcade System:
The previous arcade that was installed on the site had nothing to do with the core, and was not even integrated. Users had to make new accounts and things where a bit messy. The new arcade you are able to play right from your OTz account, and challenge other players to beat your high scores.
You can visit the arcade at http://www.offtopicz.net/arcade/ I would like to remind you that there currently is not a lot of games in the arcade at the moment. However, I do plan on adding more games every day.
General Improvements:
The XenForo Software has been upgraded along with several addons installed to help the user experience be an easier and slightly better one. Without getting to much into detail, general improvements includes; small bug fixes, sidebar additions such as recent threads, and user statuses. Rich usernames everywhere, two column member cards, permission updates to user groups, small forum tweaks, and miscellaneous advancements.
Premium Usergroups and Valued Contributors:
I realize that when Veronica owned the forum, there was a premium user group that people had to earn. This is slightly being changed a bit. Since I was not here or around when this was set up, I am not aware of how she worked it. However, we now have two user groups that define this.
1) Premium
This group is 'bought'. Users are more then welcome to visit the account upgrades page:
http://www.offtopicz.net/account/upgrades to essentially as it says, upgrade your account. For a small fee which goes towards helping the site enhance and pay server bills, you will be upgraded to the premium account that gives you some extra benefits as a forum user. I was originally going to have this for free to allow users earn their way, however running a large forum such as this one does cost money! The Software license, themes, premium addons, not to mention server bills. We our gladly paying for all of this out of our own pockets.
With that said, for a better user experience, we do not even put advertisements up on the forum to help pay for this. This group is here to be the other option of advertisements. I hate them just as much as you do! For those of you who wish to help contribute in financial terms, this is one way to do so.
2) Valued Contributor:
Since I decided on having a paid premium subscription, I thought it would be fair to have a group for those that actually earn their extra features. So, similar to Premium, this group has most of the premium features but without the additional cost. This group will be for those users who have nothing but good contributions to the forum. Since I am a new person to the forum, I welcome anyone to nominate other users who you find have helped contribute to this forum and helped make the forum what it is today.
So, with all of this said, that concludes some of the recent changes that have been going on since I took over ownership. Again, as I have said so many times, if you have any suggestions to help improve the forum, I always welcome them and feedback.
Edit:
You can see our newsletter that got sent out here:
http://eepurl.com/OgoTn
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/the-name-is-jordan.77462/
So with that said, I would like to introduce to you some of the changes that have been happening around here since I took over.
First as said in the features and suggestions thread:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/features-suggestions.77475/
Once again, we have a new design and logo for the site. I think I would just introduce this again for those users who are coming back to the site. However, you are always welcome to switch back to the default theme if you are not a fan of the new one.
Recent Changes:
News Centre:
As you can see, we have a dedicated news section for when I want to announce new changes and features for the forum. I was actually surprised to see this was not already here. After taking a look at the web archive, the forum use to have one but it would seem after the software change that announcements section was gone. I find it is much easier to announce new features and ideas in one specific place rather then all in separate threads around the board.
This node/section will now be the home to announce news and features released to the forum.
Multi-Quote Enabled:
As it was suggested in our requests section, I have updated the forum software and enabled the multi-quote feature. You can see the post about it here:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/multi-quote.77351/page-2#post-2154742
Enhanced Likes/Ratings:
It was suggested that people should be able to comment on the likes they give. Something that was in the previous forum software. I had to regretfully inform the user that XenForo does not have siuch feature, however I did go ahead and install a better system that may replace the "comments" with a detailed "like". That post can be read here:
http://www.offtopicz.net/threads/comments-on-likes.77393/#post-2154741
Enhanced Arcade System:
The previous arcade that was installed on the site had nothing to do with the core, and was not even integrated. Users had to make new accounts and things where a bit messy. The new arcade you are able to play right from your OTz account, and challenge other players to beat your high scores.
You can visit the arcade at http://www.offtopicz.net/arcade/ I would like to remind you that there currently is not a lot of games in the arcade at the moment. However, I do plan on adding more games every day.
General Improvements:
The XenForo Software has been upgraded along with several addons installed to help the user experience be an easier and slightly better one. Without getting to much into detail, general improvements includes; small bug fixes, sidebar additions such as recent threads, and user statuses. Rich usernames everywhere, two column member cards, permission updates to user groups, small forum tweaks, and miscellaneous advancements.
Premium Usergroups and Valued Contributors:
I realize that when Veronica owned the forum, there was a premium user group that people had to earn. This is slightly being changed a bit. Since I was not here or around when this was set up, I am not aware of how she worked it. However, we now have two user groups that define this.
1) Premium
This group is 'bought'. Users are more then welcome to visit the account upgrades page:
http://www.offtopicz.net/account/upgrades to essentially as it says, upgrade your account. For a small fee which goes towards helping the site enhance and pay server bills, you will be upgraded to the premium account that gives you some extra benefits as a forum user. I was originally going to have this for free to allow users earn their way, however running a large forum such as this one does cost money! The Software license, themes, premium addons, not to mention server bills. We our gladly paying for all of this out of our own pockets.
With that said, for a better user experience, we do not even put advertisements up on the forum to help pay for this. This group is here to be the other option of advertisements. I hate them just as much as you do! For those of you who wish to help contribute in financial terms, this is one way to do so.
2) Valued Contributor:
Since I decided on having a paid premium subscription, I thought it would be fair to have a group for those that actually earn their extra features. So, similar to Premium, this group has most of the premium features but without the additional cost. This group will be for those users who have nothing but good contributions to the forum. Since I am a new person to the forum, I welcome anyone to nominate other users who you find have helped contribute to this forum and helped make the forum what it is today.
So, with all of this said, that concludes some of the recent changes that have been going on since I took over ownership. Again, as I have said so many times, if you have any suggestions to help improve the forum, I always welcome them and feedback.
Edit:
You can see our newsletter that got sent out here:
http://eepurl.com/OgoTn
Last edited by a moderator:
