Site Upgrades

**PoC** · 16th January 2010, 04:05 PM

Yes a hopeful title, but here we go.

After seven years we're actively looking at upgrading/updating "Old Yoggie". We have some ideas in mind but are keen to hear what things you'd be interested in seeing (and/or perhaps not seeing).

What changes/advancements do you think would be advantageous (also what do you already like on the site)? While we can't guarantee to implement them all, we'd love to hear your ideas & suggestions.

Thanks!

Paul

**Newbunkle** · 16th January 2010, 04:15 PM

Report buttons so we can easily alert moderators to problem posts or advertising.

**DrummerDave** · 16th January 2010, 04:37 PM

Things I like already:
- Scrolling Forum posts in left nav
- Overall forum structure
- One-click yog radio on left nav
- Actually, now that I look at it, I really like all of the left nav, from the scrolling forum posts to the latest journal entries

Things I would like to see:
- Product database with forum integration (ala BGG) - this could offer not only the opportunity to build collections and have review integration, but also allow people to build lists from the db, displaying what books they used on a campaign, what books offer similar narratives/stories, or even link them to particular authors (i.e. here are all the books with SDA-written scenarios in them)
- Cleaner journal integration - aside from the left nav links, it's really hard to see/find people's journals and understand what is available. Could journals just be another type of forum? the forums are so easy to find and use, but it seems journals are fairly hidden from view
- On that thought, with expanding journal functions, it would be great to see how many people view journals, which is something already available in the forums

Thanks for reaching out Paul!

**nickedwards** · 16th January 2010, 05:37 PM

I'd second a greater ability to manage collections with comprehensive database; plus some kind of index of scenarios and products by authors, monsters, basic plots. I'm not sure how you would manage spoilers with the latter but i would like the ability to find a, for instance, 'Classic-era one shot with mi-go', or 'modern-era in Africa'...

...and if i could also quickly see from the database if something i didnt own was for sale.trade by another member that would be great too....

**MechSpike** · 16th January 2010, 08:18 PM

I agree, the biggest change I would like to see personally, is a search system for the Reviews, or some way of seeing a top 10 list, or even be able to just organize all the reviews in different ways (by author or rating etc)

I second the left nav bar. I love the scrolling forum posts.

**Khelbiros** · 16th January 2010, 09:19 PM

Hmm, I'd definitely like the journals to work like modern blog software. Maybe themes/skins for the site? The current look and feel of the site feels a bit dated to me.

**Newbunkle** · 17th January 2010, 09:24 AM

Oh yeah, enhanced journals would be great. I find them a bit hard to read, but I like reading people's actual plays.

**nickedwards** · 17th January 2010, 09:40 AM

there might be a variation on the journals which encourages people to post much shorter playthroughs/tips of scenarios even if they dont want to keep a full journal. I find it useful to choose something to run and be able to see a collated batch of 'what happened when i ran it'.

...also I'm surprised there isnt more of a market for actual pbem....the site you link to seems pretty quiet and perhaps having the ability to actually run games on ysdc would encourage use. I use rpol but i am less confident of getting good players there....

**PoC** · 19th January 2010, 08:29 PM

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions so far. We've put them on a list.

I'm hoping that among the site updates some will include the likes of: post reporting, topic merging, forum file attachments, personal forum avatars and further flexibility in the RSS feeds.

On a more immediate timescale, there may be some downtime tomorrow (20 Jan 0800 GMT) as the underlying server software gets an upgrade.

Paul

**jorune** · 22nd January 2010, 08:18 PM

I wonder if there are any options to improve the chat room.

1) If someone puts a url in their chat message then all the chat text becomes underlined. Quick fix, logout and then log back in.
2) As you move your mouse around the chat window the windows occasionally flicker.

How much choice do you get for Chat room software? If you wanted to switch or upgrade how much flexibility are you allowed from the web company you are hosting the site on?

**PoC** · 22nd January 2010, 10:32 PM

1) I've tried the URL thing in the chatroom, but couldn't replicate it just now. I wonder if there's a more complex trigger? - Which browser do you normally use?

We have freedom to choose the chatroom software. We use this one as it integrates with the current site's login information and is fairly easy to use. There are upgrades to it now available, which we will try when we get chance.

While we updated the server software without much interruption to the main site, we're currently trying to resolve a couple of issues relating to the Wiki and Innsmouth House. Hopefully it won't take too long!

Paul

**knas** · 22nd January 2010, 10:35 PM

An update to the forum model would be nice. Most forums are able to post youtube clips / wikipedia links with the simple use of tags now a days.

Also I love the fact that the site is so bright, many cthulhu / horror forums use black backgrounds, which is useless! Nothing more tiring for the eye.

**Badger** · 22nd January 2010, 11:54 PM

Two things for me:

I really really really wish there was a top level search function on the home page. One text field, and a drop down menu that would allow me to focus the search on News, Forums, Product Database, Reviews, and maybe a couple more. Just having news search on the home page, then then forum search buried in smaller font on the forums page, is still pretty clunky.

I also wish there were *less* elements on the home page right and left navs. There are so many items, the sections towards the bottom get lost in the shuffle. I had no idea (or had forgotten, at least) that there's a calendar at the bottom right. But there are three links for becoming a Patron on the home page. Does there need to be that many? And while i appreciate the PoC on Twitter section, it does take a good chunk of real estate.

Cheers,

-=badger

p.s. Oh, and because Tom won't let me live it down if i don't bring it up...Papyrus!!!

**PoC** · 23rd January 2010, 12:19 PM

Some excellent points!

For immediate effect, I've reduced the Twitter box to just a single entry (which should save some column length). The Patron scheme is alas, vital to the site's continued existence. Tell you what, if you become one, I'll see about reducing the number of links.

The Patron links are hopefully not too obtrusive (worth a comparison with EN World)? - but it does raise an interesting point on how people find out about Patronage and whether it's of interest. I think I'll start another thread on that...

- and yes, the Papyrus font text logo will be changing.

Cheers.

Please keep the comments & ideas coming, thank you!

Paul