The latest set of changes to our software add very little functionality. However they are very important for future upgrades. Because of their nature, they've only been implemented on this forum so far. Further forums will be upgraded in batches (once the software is completely bug free) to prevent excess strain to the server.

The first new feature is the ability to verify your email address. Admins can choose if a valid email is required to browse the forums or not. However it will always be required if the user wishes to receive emails from the forum (such as notifications or mass mailings).
The next time each user logs in they will be assigned a validation key which will be sent to their email address. They can then follow the instructions in this email to validate their account if they want to.

This upgrade is the first step in implementing a number of new email based features such as topic notification, board notification and mass emails. Once I am sure the new email system is stable, working as it should without too much strain and sending emails within a reasonable time frame then we will look at these new potential features.

The second part of the upgrade has involved a rewrite of all 500 lines which make up the new topic, new poll, reply and modify features. This has been done for two reasons. The first is to fix a number of bugs in the current system such as the order of sticky topics, board permissions for new topics and the last post. The second reason is to make the file easier to work with when future, related, features are introduced.

On top of this, a number of smaller features have been introduced. For example, the post preview box (the one that pops up when hovering over a topic title) has been changed to a javascript based one which will show the post with UBBC formatting. Topics can now have a short description which will be used for this preview box as well as being displayed under the subject. And the "Bump Topic" feature now enables you to really bump a topic so it will keep it's old last post info yet still appear as the newest topic.

As normal, if you find any problems with these or any existing features please start a new topic in the bugs boards. For comments about the experimental ad positioning, please see the announcement Experimental Ad Formats

I was wondering why i got a validation email through

All sounds good to me, good work

Can't wait to abuse these!

I liked it better without the validation I hate going through all that, probably because I'm just that lazy sometimes

Everything else looks awesome, great job Ross!

I've just received my...3rd email validation through for here - not supposed to get that many, am i?

Very awsome job Ross!!!

I have yet to receive one!

I think your username was stored, and so it's sending them to you instead of me

@Wrighty, I know yours has been sent as I saw it in the queue

@Graham, I've added an extra check to try and ensure that users who have already validated don't get another one. I'll take a full in depth look later to see why it isn't saving your validation key.

@tricky.cb, At this time, validation is completly optional unless the admin chooses to force it or you wish to recieve emails from the forum.

Ahh, so it's not like how PB does it where you have to fill it out if the admin requires it just to be able to post? Thats not bad then.

I wondered why A) I was logged out when I arrived at VFS and why I had a validation email. Now it all makes sense XD

Cool updates Ross, these will come in handy =D

>.< Email verifications Some new good stuff though

They are cool. Besides the ads in the posting? not cool, it is distractful

Posted By Nick on 5th Mar 08 at 11:21pm

 

the ads in the posting? not cool, it is distractful

I agree.

Posted By Nick on 5th Mar 08 at 11:21pm

 

They are cool. Besides the ads in the posting? not cool, it is distractful

There is a separate topic explaining the ads and for discussion regarding them. Please keep to that topic.

Sorry didnt know, just got on here, and clicked the recent update

Nice new features Ross. I was wondering why i got a email

For users reference, the planned upgrade schedule is as follows. Dates are approximate and subject to change.

Stage 1 - Fine tuning & bug fixing of new email framework (In Progress)

Stage 2 - The new system will be uploaded to all forums. At this stage admins will not be able to force valid email address but users can choose to validate through the modify profile screen (14^th March)

Stage 3 - Additional user registration options will be implemented and admins will be given the choice of requiring a valid email address (21^st March)

Stage 4 - Coding will begin on new features relating to the email framework such as mass emailing and topic notification.