For a very long time we have been working on a brand new posting system. One which has all the features users want. Today I am very happy to announce what these changes include and give you all some sneak peaks as well as an overview of how we intend to move this all forward.

Feature 1: Rich Text Editor Interface (WYSIWYG)

Feature 2: Built in Spell Checker

Feature 3: Built in Image Uploader 


Rich Text Editor
Also known as a WYSIWYG this gives users an interface where rather than entering old style UBB Code they can see what their post will look like as they create it. For example they can see font styles, images and colors. This interface is ideal for those who are unfamiliar with UBBC and are much more used to interfaces similar to programs like Microsoft Word.

Built in Spell Checker
I admit that I am a bad speller. And I'm sure there are other members who are too. It's because of this that an inline spell checker has been introduced. At the click of a button it will check the subject, description and message for any spelling errors.

Built in Image Uploader
I know this has been requested by many people at various places. Isn't it so much easier to have everything in one place, to be able to upload the image at the same time as inserting it into a post. Well we have introduced a basic image upload facility which we hope will alleviate some of that problem.

---

The Next Step
This feature has been announced a little bit earlier than originally intended. As some of you may have noticed a human error lead to me accidently leaking the Image Upload feature. However the systems are very nearly ready to move to open beta testing. I would be anticipating for this to happen on this Support Forum during the upcoming weekend or the beginning of the following week at the latest (WC: 06/04/09). Shortly afterwards a handful of live user forums could also be upgraded to the new system. 

When will I get these features on my forum?
Because of the scale of this upgrade we want to ensure things run smoothly. This is why the whole development process has taken such a long time. As mentionned, I will be looking for a few forums willing to try out this feature along with a few other fixes and system changes. Anyone willing to take part in this testing should send me a PM with information on your Forum URL and if it is a test forum or a live site.
All other forums will be upgraded once we have confirmed that the system works well and meets all of our expectations. A date will be set when we know this information.

When do we get to see these sneak peaks?
Images of each section are located in the next 3 posts.

What if I find a bug?
As always, we have our bugs board for you to report anything unusual. Although extensive testing has already been caried out on most sytsems.

Is the design final?
The design you will be seeing in the images below still needs a little tweaking to tie everything in with one another. However it is important to note that the system you use on your forum won't use the same colours as we use here. The pop-ups all attempt to match your color scheme drawing from your title1, window1 and border colors. The editor buttons (Bold, Italic, Underline etc.) will be changeable via your admin panel; more details on this will follow as the skin/template system is also undergoing an overhaul.

What documentation will there be?
We intend to release an FAQ for end users - so they know how to use all of the functionality.

Will my codes still work?
Naturally, we wish to make the system as backwards compatible as is feasible. However I expect many codes which add 'UBBC' functionality will need minor edits.


As always, I am open to any questions or comments you may have. Please feel free to post them below or send me a private message.
Ross McLellan
vForums.co.uk

The Rich Text Editor buttons are above the post box.
 

     

To insert a Link, select the text (or image) to make a link and click on the hyperlink button.

    

You are prompted for the URL to link to and asked where it should open. 

    

If your message has anchors you can pick one of these to link to instead.  

      

     

This is the message as seen on the post page.

    

As you can see, text formatting such as bold, size and colour is visible. As are smilies.

   

   

   

This is the quick reply box. It has most of the controls as the main post page but all of the same functionality.

   

(It has been cropped a little to make it fit nicely)

      

The contents of your message are sent to the spell checker which looks for spelling and typing errors.

It offers you a choice of replacement text or you can choose to ignore it.

  

1. Open the image dialog and pick the image to upload.

2. The image is uploaded in the background. No extra page views needed.

3. Once the upload is complete it will show you a preview of the uploaded image.

You can change the size and add alt text

4. Click "Insert" and your image is added to the post 

ok wow, looks really nice

O_O OMG!!! That is awesome!! Sounds very interesting Ross!

Edit:

One Thing that you should include is being able to delete templates. When I go to make a new template, I click home after creating the template, then if something is wrong. (Sometimes I forget that I created it, not edited it.) So I click back on my browser button. I do this for about 6 times, and before you know it you have 7 templates, and you want to delete the 6, but you can't because there is no option.

So if at all possible would you be able to make a Delete button in the Manage Forum templates. So that we can check off which ones we want to delete.

Ive wanted to suggest it, but the suggestions are closed.

smexy

It sounds amazing , it looks amazing and its what makes vforums awesome .

Very nice features Ross .

Rossy teh brilliance!

Posted By Nick on 2nd Apr 09 at 3:21am

 

O_O OMG!!! That is awesome!! Sounds very interesting Ross!

Edit:

One Thing that you should include is being able to delete templates. When I go to make a new template, I click home after creating the template, then if something is wrong. (Sometimes I forget that I created it, not edited it.) So I click back on my browser button. I do this for about 6 times, and before you know it you have 7 templates, and you want to delete the 6, but you can't because there is no option.

So if at all possible would you be able to make a Delete button in the Manage Forum templates. So that we can check off which ones we want to delete.

Ive wanted to suggest it, but the suggestions are closed.

Once all the planned changes are done - including upcoming modifications to the skin/template system like Ross mentioned - then the suggestions would be opened up again as soon as Ross is free or "free-er".

Will UBBC still work for those of us that simply don't want to use this? Or a profile selectable option?

Posted By Michael on 2nd Apr 09 at 4:45pm

 

Will UBBC still work for those of us that simply don't want to use this? Or a profile selectable option?

A brief explanation on how this system works to ensure backwards compatibility & security. WYSIWYG editors effectively produce HTML code. Allowing users to use HTML as their message would be a huge security risk. To get around this issue, I have written a parser which takes the HTML produced by the WYSIWYG editor and converts that to UBBC. This UBBC is what gets stored in the database and is used to produce the message whenever it is displayed. So the benefits of this are:
1. No security risks from HTML (anything not recognised as having a valid UBBC equivalent gets removed)
2. Any UBBC entered into the message area will still be treated as UBBC - it will still work.

So to answer that in a word, "yes".

Posted By slip on 2nd Apr 09 at 1:48pm

 

Rossy teh brilliance!

Posted By Nick on 2nd Apr 09 at 3:21am

 

O_O OMG!!! That is awesome!! Sounds very interesting Ross!

Edit:

One Thing that you should include is being able to delete templates. When I go to make a new template, I click home after creating the template, then if something is wrong. (Sometimes I forget that I created it, not edited it.) So I click back on my browser button. I do this for about 6 times, and before you know it you have 7 templates, and you want to delete the 6, but you can't because there is no option.

So if at all possible would you be able to make a Delete button in the Manage Forum templates. So that we can check off which ones we want to delete.

Ive wanted to suggest it, but the suggestions are closed.

Once all the planned changes are done - including upcoming modifications to the skin/template system like Ross mentioned - then the suggestions would be opened up again as soon as Ross is free or "free-er".

Ahh I see.

I half think this is April Fools. =/

Posted By ashkir on 2nd Apr 09 at 11:47pm

 

I half think this is April Fools. =/

 I was a little reluctant about posting it on the 1st in case people thought that. I know it sounds too good to be true but it is happening

Posted By Ross on 2nd Apr 09 at 11:54pm

 

Posted By ashkir on 2nd Apr 09 at 11:47pm

 

I half think this is April Fools. =/

 I was a little reluctant about posting it on the 1st in case people thought that. I know it sounds too good to be true but it is happening

okay then. This is totally superior!

/tackle

Impressive, sounds a bit too good. =P

People! This is not a joke! lol It's simply a new feature being added to VF.

speaking of new features being added, awhile back i got a very weird PM alter type thing, that popped up on the home page, said who the message was from, when it was sent, and even part of the message, was this possible a leak as well, or just something every strange that shouldn't of happened?

Posted By dog199200 on 3rd Apr 09 at 11:17am

 

speaking of new features being added, awhile back i got a very weird PM alter type thing, that popped up on the home page, said who the message was from, when it was sent, and even part of the message, was this possible a leak as well, or just something every strange that shouldn't of happened?

 That's a feature which has been in affect since the PM system was last recoded

i was asking, because i only ever got it once, and can't get it to do it again..

Image uploader should go to wImg! >.<

Posted By Michael on 3rd Apr 09 at 1:39pm

 

Image uploader should go to wImg! >.<

I'm sorry Wrighty, but I'd rather avoid having such a feature leaning too heavily on an external service which we do not have control over. If its' any consolation, our image uploader does have much smaller file size limits than wImg, and when someone tries to upload an image too large they get offered a choice of other websites they can upload it to - including wImg.

hey also ross, just wondering, have you took into consideration what i pm'd you about *wink wink nudge nudge*

Posted By Michael on 3rd Apr 09 at 1:39pm

 

Image uploader should go to wImg! >.<

That would be an unnecessary and unfair monopoly.

Posted By dog199200 on 3rd Apr 09 at 4:37pm

 

hey also ross, just wondering, have you took into consideration what i pm'd you about *wink wink nudge nudge*

 Lets worry about one new system at a time

It looks great. You are really good at this.. having features other forum services don't have, plus it looks sweet! For some members at my vForum, it'll really come in helpful to have the live preview feature, the spell checker, and the image uploader (me for this one especially).

Gotcha Ross!

Aww and you guys even made custom smilies.

Very nice. Much props.

Can't wait. . Will it only be for one skin at first? (I use the Original Skin, hate the others :3)

Posted By ashkir on 8th Apr 09 at 2:28am

 

Can't wait. . Will it only be for one skin at first? (I use the Original Skin, hate the others :3)

You should now be able to see it for yourself

rawr omg the control b and stuff tags work. D=! I like Ross! I love it. xD

hello test!

Awesome Ross. effen awesome.

_{Woo it looks good!}

but I don't see a preview of the text while I am typing.

edit:
ZOMG!! CTRL + B/i/u works!!!

Much

That insert special character is awesome too! great job!!

edit2:

Never mind! I see what WYSIWYG now!

wow i give you props the system looks nice from what I can tell. Spell checker seems to work great, the new ubbc buttons that where done look great, and the live preview looks better then expectedm sadly i can't say i'm to fond of it if you add in some system for members to chose what they want to use, i'd for sure go back to the old way and add in all the ubbc by hand.

Posted By dog199200 on 10th Apr 09 at 4:59am

 

wow i give you props the system looks nice from what I can tell. Spell checker seems to work great, the new ubbc buttons that where done look great, and the live preview looks better then expectedm sadly i can't say i'm to fond of it if you add in some system for members to chose what they want to use, i'd for sure go back to the old way and add in all the ubbc by hand.

 Normal ubbc tags will still work with this new system.

test

yes, but try to edit your post, it doesnt register taht you used a closing tag and then uses the effects on all text. I just tested in the the WYSIWYG thread made in the test board

Posted By dog199200 on 10th Apr 09 at 5:11am

 

yes, but try to edit your post, it doesnt register taht you used a closing tag and then uses the effects on all text. I just tested in the the WYSIWYG thread made in the test board

I've looked at your message there and tried but failed to duplicate it. If you want to make a new post in the bugs board with browser information and step by step how you did it then Im sure it's something which can get fixed

yayayayayaya for WISSYIIGGY

Is there a way to add words to the dictionary/spellchecker? I would love XD and xD added.

Posted By ashkir on 11th Apr 09 at 8:24am

 

Is there a way to add words to the dictionary/spellchecker? I would love XD and xD added.

 
 
At the moment exceptions can only be added for all forums. Forum specific exceptions may come at a later date. But I will be adding more common forum words to that exceptions list before launch.

Would we be able to send you a list of words we want added into the spellchecker?

Posted By Nick on 11th Apr 09 at 9:36am

 

Would we be able to send you a list of words we want added into the spellchecker?

 As I say, at the moment the spell checker uses the same words for all forums. So they'd have to be words used across the entire network.

I was wondering when you'd release a new feature. Not a bad choice.

Anyways, my only comments are that trying to do anything using the UBBC images results in it being ridiculously slow in doing that process.

It also breaks the Firefox built in spell checker. You also broke my right click if I click on text. RAWR.

Posted By Chris on 11th Apr 09 at 10:52pm

 

I was wondering when you'd release a new feature. Not a bad choice.

Anyways, my only comments are that trying to do anything using the UBBC images results in it being ridiculously slow in doing that process.

It also breaks the Firefox built in spell checker. You also broke my right click if I click on text. RAWR.

I've now enabled support for built-in spell checkers. I believe you can bring up the standard context menu by holding down the "Ctrl" key while right clicking

It doesn't recognise 'Wrighty'  
 

lmao why should it. :P

Posted By slip on 13th Apr 09 at 6:41pm

 

lmao why should it. :P

 
 lol, but why doesn't the smiley show up?

Posted By slip on 13th Apr 09 at 6:41pm

 

lmao why should it. :P

 Never said it should - just said that it doesn't!  

Ran into a small issue today, I use FF and it tells you when you misspell something, so you can do the standard right click get the right spelling. That does not however work with the new system, it brings up the Vforums editor.

Posted By Jedi Slayer on 14th Apr 09 at 3:20pm

 

Ran into a small issue today, I use FF and it tells you when you misspell something, so you can do the standard right click get the right spelling. That does not however work with the new system, it brings up the Vforums editor.

Unfortunately on that we have to make the decision of which context menu (the thing which appears when you right click) is more important. At the moment, the editors one appears as it has the very useful links to insert links or images. However I am considering removing it to leave just the browsers built in one; the main reason for this would be Firefox's lack of support for copy/paste. At the moment you can access your browsers context menu by holding down the "Ctrl" key while right clicking

TO be honest could be a workflow issue as I was typing other posts I just made it a habit to click the check spelling box.  SO it's a habit sort of issue. I am not opposed to using it the way it is if there are better trade offs.

I think the way it is now is fine; perhaps if people are so opposed to the VF context menu, switch it around so that CTRL + click brings up the VF one?

Posted By Ross on 12th Apr 09 at 12:06am

 

Posted By Chris on 11th Apr 09 at 10:52pm

 

I was wondering when you'd release a new feature. Not a bad choice.

Anyways, my only comments are that trying to do anything using the UBBC images results in it being ridiculously slow in doing that process.

It also breaks the Firefox built in spell checker. You also broke my right click if I click on text. RAWR.

 
I've now enabled support for built-in spell checkers. I believe you can bring up the standard context menu by holding down the "Ctrl" key while right clicking

 
awesome, i was just about to post about it that, guess i was beaten to it

Posted By Marc on 14th Apr 09 at 10:08pm

 

I think the way it is now is fine; perhaps if people are so opposed to the VF context menu, switch it around so that CTRL + click brings up the VF one?

 Unless a suitable fix for copy/paste in firefox is found, the editors menu is really not that useful.

When will this smexy system be rolled out?

Posted By ashkir on 6th May 09 at 1:28pm

 

When will this smexy system be rolled out?

This is going to be rolled out as part of a set of new features. We have no set date of when this will happen to all forums but a handful will be upgraded early to test how well it integrates. This will take place once the rest of the new features and the remaining bugs are ready, hopefully not too far away now. I'd still like to hear from any other forum owners willing to give the new system a try. The more testers, the quicker we will be able to roll it out to all forums

Posted By Ross on 6th May 09 at 5:23pm

 

Posted By ashkir on 6th May 09 at 1:28pm

 

When will this smexy system be rolled out?

This is going to be rolled out as part of a set of new features. We have no set date of when this will happen to all forums but a handful will be upgraded early to test how well it integrates. This will take place once the rest of the new features and the remaining bugs are ready, hopefully not too far away now. I'd still like to hear from any other forum owners willing to give the new system a try. The more testers, the quicker we will be able to roll it out to all forums

I will gladly test it out! Should I PM you? or just post it here? Either way, it's in my Signature.

I think he'd make the changes to support forum, so the support forum is the test forum =].

" I'd still like to hear from any other forum owners willing to give the new system a try"



If I am reading that right...

If you still need some tester I am happy to volunteer my Forum.  We are only about 2 months old but narrowing in on 3,000 posts.  (as long as it works with my dice roller.)

Posted By Nick on 6th May 09 at 5:50pm

 

Posted By Ross on 6th May 09 at 5:23pm

 

Posted By ashkir on 6th May 09 at 1:28pm

 

When will this smexy system be rolled out?

This is going to be rolled out as part of a set of new features. We have no set date of when this will happen to all forums but a handful will be upgraded early to test how well it integrates. This will take place once the rest of the new features and the remaining bugs are ready, hopefully not too far away now. I'd still like to hear from any other forum owners willing to give the new system a try. The more testers, the quicker we will be able to roll it out to all forums

I will gladly test it out! Should I PM you? or just post it here? Either way, it's in my Signature.

Darkmage@ i think he meant testing it here on the support forum

Ross@ If you are offering having it going up on user forums, i'd gladly offer up one of my forums to help out

I would love to harass it over at nick.vforums.co.uk XD and timeline.vforums.co.uk; but mainly nick

To clear things up, Darkmage read it right. Rather than rolling it out to over 2000 forums with testing only having taken place on a couple of forums, I'd rather get it tested on a wider variety of users forums.

@ Jedi Slayer. Testing code compatibility is one of the things this will be for. If needs be, I'll be on hand to get any codes fixed/converted.

That would be great Ross, I have the inlaws coming into day so my time on the site will be limited but I will be there starting monday like normal, to be there incase there is any break fixes that are wrong.  I will be happy to offer my forum.

Posted By Ross on 7th May 09 at 11:45am

 

To clear things up, Darkmage read it right. Rather than rolling it out to over 2000 forums with testing only having taken place on a couple of forums, I'd rather get it tested on a wider variety of users forums.

@ Jedi Slayer. Testing code compatibility is one of the things this will be for. If needs be, I'll be on hand to get any codes fixed/converted.

Awesome. Dwight and I are the only ones at vForums Ad (for obvious reasons. ), but we will gladly test it with our stuff, especially with the API setup.

Is there a timeline for new sites to be added to the Beta? Or is it a case by case situation? My forum is still open for testing if you wish to use it.

Posted By Jedi Slayer on 26th May 09 at 5:06pm

 

Is there a timeline for new sites to be added to the Beta? Or is it a case by case situation? My forum is still open for testing if you wish to use it.

A few last minute feature additions pushed back this release a little (detaisl to follow ). I've not got much scheduled for tomorrow so will attempt to finish the beta testing system (the system which will enable me to upgrade some forums early). So we could be looking at the beta testing period starting as early as the end of this week.

Such as what?:) 

[Like the draft feature! - how often does it save?]

Posted By Ross on 27th May 09 at 11:10pm

 

[quote27277]Is there a timeline for new sites to be added to the Beta? Or is it a case by case situation? My forum is still open for testing if you wish to use it.

Woot! Sounds good!


edit:

o_O I didn't do it! I swearz!!

(quote messed up)

Posted By Michael on 28th May 09 at 12:24am

 

Such as w:) 

[Like the draft feature! - how often does it save?]

Yes, we had the draft feature. There's also been a number of other little features and some other changes revealed on our Blog