Forum Platform

[Vonrich]

Does anyone else feel like this forum platform could use an update? While it's cool to feel like I'm back in the early 2000s again, there are some important improvements that could be made.

- Number one on my list is the file size that's permitted for upload. With the increase in screen resolution, screenshots are often nearly unreadable due to the 200 kb file size limit. The minimum size needs to be updated to at least 300 kb.
- File type support should include png.
- The login mechanism is clunky with the required old school captcha at every login and frequent automatic logouts. I don't mind the old school...I'm sick of identifying street lights for Google.
- The placement of the login link isn't intuitive for new users. The link could stay, but a login button at the top right of the screen is standard practice.
- A search bar should be added to the top of the postings list instead of only at the very bottom.
- Users should be able to automatically subscribe to any thread they start.

Those are just a few things off the top of my head that make this forum feel dated. Is there anything you'd change? I really like the games that Matrix is putting out and want to see Matrix thrive for a long time. A total overhaul of the platform may turn veteran members off, and that's not what I'd like to see happen. However, I think some efforts to modernization could go a long way to improving the experience for new users without diminishing the experience of veteran users.

Platform transitions or upgrades can be costly but, if it isn't just me feeling this way, maybe it's worth it. I'd be willing to donate a bit to the effort if cost is the limiting factor. Am I alone in this? Maybe.

[operating]

No

[Vonrich]

ORIGINAL: operating

No

No I'm not alone or no you don't think that the file size limit should be updated to allow clear images of gameplay?

[operating]

No is No it is not yes, it is not maybe, No is No.

[Zap]

ORIGINAL: operating

No is No it is not yes, it is not maybe, No is No.

Okay Operating you confused me. Which is it. But I must reveal I'm easily confused.

[asl3d]

ORIGINAL: Vonrich

Does anyone else feel like this forum platform could use an update? While it's cool to feel like I'm back in the early 2000s again, there are some important improvements that could be made.

- Number one on my list is the file size that's permitted for upload. With the increase in screen resolution, screenshots are often nearly unreadable due to the 200 kb file size limit. The minimum size needs to be updated to at least 300 kb.
- File type support should include png.
- The login mechanism is clunky with the required old school captcha at every login and frequent automatic logouts. I don't mind the old school...I'm sick of identifying street lights for Google.
- The placement of the login link isn't intuitive for new users. The link could stay, but a login button at the top right of the screen is standard practice.
- A search bar should be added to the top of the postings list instead of only at the very bottom.
- Users should be able to automatically subscribe to any thread they start.

Those are just a few things off the top of my head that make this forum feel dated. Is there anything you'd change? I really like the games that Matrix is putting out and want to see Matrix thrive for a long time. A total overhaul of the platform may turn veteran members off, and that's not what I'd like to see happen. However, I think some efforts to modernization could go a long way to improving the experience for new users without diminishing the experience of veteran users.

Platform transitions or upgrades can be costly but, if it isn't just me feeling this way, maybe it's worth it. I'd be willing to donate a bit to the effort if cost is the limiting factor. Am I alone in this? Maybe.

Vonrich, I think you're very right in what you say. Isn't that what we have now is wrong but, without any doubt, your proposals will improve this platform.

Thank you for proposing them.

[RangerJoe]

The only people who like change, demand that they get it, and cry if they don't get it (without getting into politics) are babies. While some people might like the change, some people may not. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Vonrich

Does anyone else feel like this forum platform could use an update? While it's cool to feel like I'm back in the early 2000s again, there are some important improvements that could be made.

- Number one on my list is the file size that's permitted for upload. With the increase in screen resolution, screenshots are often nearly unreadable due to the 200 kb file size limit. The minimum size needs to be updated to at least 300 kb.
- File type support should include png.
- The login mechanism is clunky with the required old school captcha at every login and frequent automatic logouts. I don't mind the old school...I'm sick of identifying street lights for Google.
- The placement of the login link isn't intuitive for new users. The link could stay, but a login button at the top right of the screen is standard practice.
- A search bar should be added to the top of the postings list instead of only at the very bottom.
- Users should be able to automatically subscribe to any thread they start.

Those are just a few things off the top of my head that make this forum feel dated. Is there anything you'd change? I really like the games that Matrix is putting out and want to see Matrix thrive for a long time. A total overhaul of the platform may turn veteran members off, and that's not what I'd like to see happen. However, I think some efforts to modernization could go a long way to improving the experience for new users without diminishing the experience of veteran users.

Platform transitions or upgrades can be costly but, if it isn't just me feeling this way, maybe it's worth it. I'd be willing to donate a bit to the effort if cost is the limiting factor. Am I alone in this? Maybe.

Over the years Matrix has made it abundantly clear that the forum is rickety, but there is unlikely to be major reformatting / renovation / refurbishment due to the expense. So we have what we have. I'm OK with it.

However, if a learned representative of Matrix was to come forward and say that they are considering making some changes, I'm sure there would be numerous constructive comments from long-time users. To be honest, I would look to the long-time users for their input and weigh it before I would weigh a laundry list of fixes from someone that has been on the site for three months. Not that your input is invalid, it's just that it's not deep or experienced to weigh heavily, IMO.

So rather than go through your line itemized suggestions, I'll volunteer my number one fix: the search function. It doesn't work at all. It would make the forum much more usable if I could dig up old threads on some gameplay aspect of War in the Pacific: Admiral Edition.

[MrRoadrunner]

Well said CB!

RR

[demyansk]

Agree with the search function and a larger upload size

[IslandInland]

I feel the main Matrix site is worse than it was before the "update". It seems much more dated now.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe
The only people who like change, demand that they get it, and cry if they don't get it (without getting into politics) are babies. While some people might like the change, some people may not. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

And if it is broke?

I have two serious issues with this forum, both of which I have only ever encountered on this forum:
1) Matrix has dozens and dozens of games, and the list of games is constantly changing due to new additions. I like to keep up with about ten of them. Rather than hunting and pecking through all games, I subscribe to the games I follow, which means I only have to look at them. So far, so good. But when you subscribe to a forum--unlike every other forum I've ever been on--there is no way to turn off e-mail notifications for EVERY SINGLE NEW THREAD in those forums. So I am constantly spammed by a couple of dozen e-mails every day. Why can't I turn them off?

2) The 502 Gateway errors have gotten every old. Again, only on this forum, only since the forum "upgrade". To get rid of the 502 errors, I have to clear my Matrix cookies...just now, there were 35 Matrix cookies. Really?!

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: 76mm

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe
The only people who like change, demand that they get it, and cry if they don't get it (without getting into politics) are babies. While some people might like the change, some people may not. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

And if it is broke?

I have two serious issues with this forum, both of which I have only ever encountered on this forum:
1) Matrix has dozens and dozens of games, and the list of games is constantly changing due to new additions. I like to keep up with about ten of them. Rather than hunting and pecking through all games, I subscribe to the games I follow, which means I only have to look at them. So far, so good. But when you subscribe to a forum--unlike every other forum I've ever been on--there is no way to turn off e-mail notifications for EVERY SINGLE NEW THREAD in those forums. So I am constantly spammed by a couple of dozen e-mails every day. Why can't I turn them off?

2) The 502 Gateway errors have gotten every old. Again, only on this forum, only since the forum "upgrade". To get rid of the 502 errors, I have to clear my Matrix cookies...just now, there were 35 Matrix cookies. Really?!

Then get a big glass of milk and then take care of the cookies.

Really, part of it could be your browser and/or extensions. Part of it could be your ISP.

https://www.lifewire.com/502-bad-gatewa ... ed-2622939

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/502-bad-gateway

I currently use a stable version of Firefox with Noscript allowing only those javascripts that I choose.

[Simulacra53]

Forum software isn’t the issue, the real challenge is data migration.
Here’s where it might be difficult to find an off the shelf solution that enables you to easily migrate your data from the old to the new forum package, in addition you may want site integration etc.

Once you do not have those off shelve solutions you have to enable the migration yourself.
That may not be very cost effective.

OTOH, you are just postponing the inevitable as LCM will become more difficult, platform support, security etc.

I’m running an old version of vBulletin and every year that passes makes a migration more difficult - but like Matrix, I have chosen this route and now I have to stick with it.

That said, the current Matrix forum is still functional, it is however not as dynamic as the latest forum software with their dynamic GUIs, social media integration etc.

...but today we are seeing PC2 running on Unreal, one day we’ll see a new forum as well.

Not something I’ll lose any sleep over.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Simulacra53

Forum software isn’t the issue, the real challenge is data migration.
Here’s where it might be difficult to find an off the shelf solution that enables you to easily migrate your data from the old to the new forum package, in addition you may want site integration etc.

Once you do not have those off shelve solutions you have to enable the migration yourself.
That may not be very cost effective.

OTOH, you are just postponing the inevitable as LCM will become more difficult, platform support, security etc.

I’m running an old version of vBulletin and every year that passes makes a migration more difficult - but like Matrix, I have chosen this route and now I have to stick with it.

That said, the current Matrix forum is still functional, it is however not as dynamic as the latest forum software with their dynamic GUIs, social media integration etc.

...but today we are seeing PC2 running on Unreal, one day we’ll see a new forum as well.

Not something I’ll lose any sleep over.

I agree. Matrix may have to hire a pricey consultant if and when they decide to migrate.

[Karri]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The only people who like change, demand that they get it, and cry if they don't get it (without getting into politics) are babies. While some people might like the change, some people may not. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

So...explain why you are here in the first place then, it's not like computers, internet, video games and this forum was invented 10 000 years ago. Using this forum itself is a change, playing video games as opposed to board games is a change, and so forth. Which makes you a baby?

The forum software could use an update.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Karri

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The only people who like change, demand that they get it, and cry if they don't get it (without getting into politics) are babies. While some people might like the change, some people may not. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

So...explain why you are here in the first place then, it's not like computers, internet, video games and this forum was invented 10 000 years ago. Using this forum itself is a change, playing video games as opposed to board games is a change, and so forth. Which makes you a baby?

The forum software could use an update.

Do not insult me. The things that you mention were not invented 10,000 years ago.

[OldSarge]

Iain mentioned on the Slitherine forum that there are plans to eventually update the Matrix forum to the same PHPBB used to drive that forum. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends upon how well you like that forum. [;)]

Slitherine Thread

[ringoblood]

ORIGINAL: OldSarge

Iain mentioned on the Slitherine forum that there are plans to eventually update the Matrix forum to the same PHPBB used to drive that forum. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends upon how well you like that forum. [;)]

Slitherine Thread

Thanks Old, I checked it out and gave my two cents in, personally I prefer the format of this forums but I do understand the code DOES NEED updating.

[EwaldvonKleist]

+1 to this (original poster).

I opened a similiar thread a while ago
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4674740

Some of my wishes:

Is there an update planned for the forum? It is good and works fine and I like the simple style, but some new features would be really nice:

1) The possibility to tag/include shout outs to other people in forum posts.
2) Drag&drop of files and picture attachements. E.g. simply right click copy of some image and then right click inser of the picture.
3) More than one attachement per post.
4) Much bigger PM storage.
5) More tolerance for time-outs. It is really annoying when you type a longer post and get timed-out and lose your text.

That would increase the quality of life considerably for all forumnites. It would especially help with AAR making, and at least to me AARs are what stirs up interest in a new game before I buy it.

Frankly I cant understand the reluctance against improvememts by some in this thread.