Feedback

[Mark Pollard]

I'm looking for feedback on the forums right now while they're in beta mode and while we wait for the vBulletin staff to import the old Kung Fu Fandom messages.

So far, I've received a number of complaints about the width of the board. I will make it scalable but I want people to test it out at the fixed width first.

Also, take a look at the other features and let me know what you think.

[teako170]

I can make the board scalable to fit the width of the browser window. I can also reduce the size of the left border or remove it all together. As much as I love the V pic, I vote to 86 the left border all together.

[Mark Pollard]

Okay. It originally didn't have a left border and I added that yesterday specifically to narrow the text width on the right. I agree that the overall look seems cramped.

[oldeschool17]

Although im using IE, its not necessarily a problem in viewing, I know once i use Opera it will cause problems. I say get rid of it or make a banner of it on top

[teako170]

Okay. It originally didn't have a left border and I added that yesterday specifically to narrow the text width on the right. I agree that the overall look seems cramped. Ahh, democracy in work. :D

Moving on .. what is the max size for an image that will be allowed in an actual post?

edit...

I also noticed (using Safari and Firefox btw) that under the user cp/ edit avatar, there's a "locked" radio button - which will not allow a user to uncheck it and post their avatar.

[ShawBrothers]

maybe its time for a golden harvest subforum ?

[Mark Pollard]

what is the max size for an image that will be allowed in an actual post?

It's set to 600px wide. I can't recall the height offhand.

I also noticed (using Safari and Firefox btw) that under the user cp/ edit avatar, there's a "locked" radio button - which will not allow a user to uncheck it and post their avatar.

Thanks. I'll check that shortly.

[Mark Pollard]

maybe its time for a golden harvest subforum ?


I've thought of that too. The timing might be right as more and more reissues keep appearing on the market.

[teako170]

http://www.teako170.com/shawset.jpg

[Mark Pollard]

teako,

I guess there is no limit on image size for posting. I think the limit I was thinking of pertains to uploaded images.

That looks good though. Notice how it doesn't break the table or stretch the other posts. I like it.

I'm going to be working on an image hosting option this week. There is a mod for vBulletin designed for this purpose.

[Mark Pollard]

Ok, I see the image has broken the table in Firefox. I'll see if there is an option to put an image inside of a scrollbar window or something along those lines.

[teako170]

Ok, I see the image has broken the table in Firefox. I'm using both Safari & Firefox here at work. My screen is fairly large (1280X1024) and before the image posted, there was a lot of dead space on the right of my screen. Now with that image up, the whole screen is full.

[Mark Pollard]

Ok, that must be because I set the table to 100% scale. I'll restrict the size again.

[teako170]

Ok, I see the image has broken the table in Firefox. I'm using both Safari & Firefox here at work. My screen is fairly large (1280X1024) and before the image posted, there was a lot of dead space on the right of my screen. It was like looking at a webpage that had tables with a left alignment.

Now with that image up, the whole screen is full. I wonder if there's an option that will allow each user's screen dimensions to determine the actual look?

[teako170]

Sorry about double post. I seem to be having some issues with the edit button. :eek:

[Mark Pollard]

What's happening is that I am alternating between setting the forum table to fill the entire window or line up with the right edge of the header. When I set a fixed width it creates this dead space.


I would just set the table to 100% fill the screen and let the user set the width, except that the way the forum is presently coded, a large image stretches all the forum posts in Firefox only. If I can find a workaround that is more compatable with Firefox I'll consider switching back to a scalable forum width that fills the browser window. It seems to work fine in Explorer.

[TheManInWhite]

Hey gang! Glad to be in the new locale. :D

[teako170]

Hey TMIW - how'd you get your avatar to show up?

[Mark Pollard]

By the way guys, avatars scale down to 80x80 automatically so I suggest using that size to get the best image quality.

TMIW was able to install an avatar because he's a mod. That's why you couldn't teako. I'll fix that in a moment.

[MadManDragula]

I'm feeling it but you've definitely got to work the usernames and avatars two the left, it's not all that hard to do if I remember right. Just log into the admin panel, and click on forum templates on the top left.

[Mark Pollard]

Custom avatars are now working.

I am planning to move the user info to the left. I haven't found an easy option in the cp yet so I'm holding off on editing the code until I do.

[teako170]

no message

[MadManDragula]

I am planning to move the user info to the left. I haven't found an easy option in the cp yet so I'm holding off on editing the code until I do.

Yeah, I think it utilizes the "Legacy Postbit Template, other than minor tweaks I usually just let the webmaster handle the scripting. :D

Once you get that fixed, things will be near perfect. Vbulletin is so damn adaptable, the possibilities are endless. I love how the forums flow naturally into the main site, all harmonious like. Good stuff.

[oldeschool17]

any way we can up the avatar size to 100x100?

[Mark Pollard]

Sure, I don't see a problem with that.

[oldeschool17]

nice one. thanks

[Morgoth]

Sweet my avatar works.

[greenfan]

I cant seem to get my picture sig to appear....are they usable on this forum?

[Mark Pollard]

I cant seem to get my picture sig to appear....are they usable on this forum?
I turned on the image tags so you can post a picture now.

[MadManDragula]

Looking good man! :D

[Mark Pollard]

User avatars can now be 100x100. Avatars will have to be uploaded again to take effect.

[HAZ]

The blue is kinda cold. I know its the colors of Kung Fu Cinema, but its too icy & reminds me of asiandvdguide.com. The forums need to look a little distinct.

[Mark Pollard]

I agree. It's too sterile. I'm going to work in more colorful accents over time. I've already experimented with a few things like thematic graphical headers.

[Morgoth]

I vote for silver and black.

[MadManDragula]

I agree. It's too sterile. I'm going to work in more colorful accents over time. I've already experimented with a few things like thematic graphical headers.

Maybe you could invert the color scheme, with more darker blues and less lighter. I may be in the minority, but I dig how the forums are just an extension of the main site.

[FrankyLau]

logging in to say hello....:D

[Markgway]

My very first post.....

Erm, HELLO!! ;)

[teako170]

Mark - I thought you decided to axe the left border and now its on the right side?
I think it should be gone completely and have the forum fill the entire page.

[A Joyful Process]

Testing... Afternoon all. Cosign on what Teako just said.

[peringaten]

Screw it, thought a change might be nice. Felt weird... I'm sticking with the old moniker. Still cosigning Teako.

[venomsfreak]

I'm liking this new forum, I can finally have an avatar.

[Morgoth]

Peringaten was that last avatar from Boxer's Omen. Kind of an odd look for Wang Lung Wei. And just so you now, I am really sorry for calling you joyful princess that one time. I think that is the type of thing that needs a double apology. :o:p

[Mark Pollard]

Mark - I thought you decided to axe the left border and now its on the right side?
I think it should be gone completely and have the forum fill the entire page.
The picture has nothing to do with it. It's a fun thing I have up to fill space for now. There is a specific reason why I am not letting the forums fill the browser window.

I can't let the forum fill the entire page without oversize pictures forcing all posts on a page to go offscreen to the right. This only happens in Firefox but it is really annoying and defeats the purpose of letting users determine the length of the board. If I can find a way to make Firefox behave when working with large images inserted into a post then I'll change it.

[teako170]

The picture has nothing to do with it. It's a fun thing I have up to fill space for now. There is a specific reason why I am not letting the forums fill the browser window.

I can't let the forum fill the entire page without oversize pictures forcing all posts on a page to go offscreen to the right. This only happens in Firefox but it is really annoying and defeats the purpose of letting users determine the length of the board. If I can find a way to make Firefox behave when working with large images inserted into a post then I'll change it.

I see. I just got home and with my smaller screen (1024X768), the forum fills the page but then there's a scroll bar at the bottom (due to the image on the right). In any event...

[User253]

looking good guys hell mother fuck yes!

[teako170]

looking good guys hell mother fuck yes!

Hmm... apparently this isn't going to be a PG-13 rated forum (or someone stole VonHumboldtFleischer's ID because that post doesn't ring true). :confused:

[User253]

sorry im in a good mood. it's been a long time coming

[Markgway]

Can we lose the waste-of-space Kung Fu Cinema Forums banner that hogs the right side of the screen?

The logo on the top left is quite sufficient.

[theportlykicker]

And just so you now, I am really sorry for calling you joyful princess that one time.

Oh, so that was Peringaten posting over at the SP forum? I never knew that.

[Mark Pollard]

Can we lose the waste-of-space Kung Fu Cinema Forums banner that hogs the right side of the screen?

The logo on the top left is quite sufficient.
Damnit, I spent at least 15 minutes making that thing! I wanted the whole world to see it. ;)

The board is going to remain at a fixed width until I can solve a problem I'm having with oversize images and Firefox.

[peringaten]

Peringaten was that last avatar from Boxer's Omen. Kind of an odd look for Wang Lung Wei. And just so you now, I am really sorry for calling you joyful princess that one time. I think that is the type of thing that needs a double apology. Yeah, Boxer's Omen's the av source there; thought it fit in line a slight change from this one, similar head angle and whatnot. No need to 'pologise. Like I said before, 'tis, quite alright Morgoth, me dear.Oh, so that was Peringaten posting over at the SP forum? I never knew that.Yes, that was I, Princessgaten. Btw Portly, you win the avatar competition.

Anyhoo, right; stop that, before this whole Princess interlude makes me sound anymore unnecessarily camp than need be. This is a kung fu forum, don't you know - SERIOUS BUSINESS!!

[Morgoth]

Well good to know all is good then. I felt extemely stupid when you pointed that out to me. In fact I may have done it twice. I am really bad with names in real life so it guess it carries over to the internet.

[Markgway]

Damnit, I spent at least 15 minutes making that thing! I wanted the whole world to see it. ;)

The board is going to remain at a fixed width until I can solve a problem I'm having with oversize images and Firefox.

Wasn't dissing the design... just the amount of space it takes up.

Just so you know. :)

[Mark Pollard]

I know and you weren't the only one. I'm going to sneak a smaller graphic in some where. You wait and see.

[Mr. Vampire]

Mark, I was wondering how you would feel about limiting the img size as far as signatures go, or disabling it entirely - IMO It's kind of like being spammed, in a way. I have seen at least one here so far that is larger than the limit for avatars.

I know the kids dig it but to me it's like cluttering up a thread, especially when the poster only has one sentence worth of something to say.

[Mark Pollard]

Image sizes on signatures are limited, although they are allowed to be larger than the avatars. If it becomes a chronic problem where messages are consistently taking up less space than signatures then we'll consider reducing the size or removing the feature.

[teako170]

Interesting feature I just discovered. If you click on an active username, you can see what thread they're reading, if they're searching, etc. Oooo, I feel so 1984'ish.

Beware for Big (kungfu) Brother is watching..... :D

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Hi Mark, I have a question. What about changing the backdrop to the board to something more welcoming. Something like the default backdrop to ezboard just before the completion of the move? The new forum looks a bit sterile. Though I have to say I really like the set up of additional threads like Reviews and the Golden Harvest threads.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

I just went to edit a post and upon saving it a messaage popped up stating that texts are limited to 1000 characters. Isn't this going to pose as a problem with for some threads? Is there anyway of increasing the text/characters limit?

[Mark Pollard]

vengeance,

The character limit had been set at 10,000. I upped it to 50,000.

I know the board looks sterile. It will evolve eventually but right now I need to turn my attention to getting the board integrated with the main site and make sure that everything works. We're still technically in a test phase.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Ahh, I see. Excellent. It seems everyone's taking to the new board pretty well.. That's good. :)

[FiveSwords]

So far, so good, Mark. Like it much better than the old boards. Keep up the good work.

[teako170]

vengeance,

The character limit had been set at 10,000. I upped it to 50,000.

I know the board looks sterile. It will evolve eventually but right now I need to turn my attention to getting the board integrated with the main site and make sure that everything works. We're still technically in a test phase.
How about the image limit? Apparently its 4 - but that includes the smiley icons?? Any chance of upping that slightly?

[Mark Pollard]

How about the image limit? Apparently its 4 - but that includes the smiley icons?? Any chance of upping that slightly?
I reset the image posting limit to 10. if you need to post more, make a second post. We don't want too many large pics on one page.

[pigmode]

I like this software best, but couldn't you use the full page version?

[Mark Pollard]

I like this software best, but couldn't you use the full page version?
I could go full page but if I did, any time someone posted an oversize pic, it would stretch the entire thread page to the full length of the image in Firefox. In other words, you might have to scroll right just to read posts on the same page that the image appears on. When I find a solution to this problem I will make the forums scalable.

[Von Humboldt Fleischer]

I really like the 'quick reply' function. One nuisance on ezboard was that you could only see the last post in a thread while you were typing a response. Huge images, or a long series of images, are problematic because when you go back to a thread to see the new responses, it'll reload the you've already seen all over again, and won't let you scroll to the bottom until it's done.

I also like the little green light that shows when someone's online. At least that's what I assume it means. I don't really mind the colour scheme - I never really liked the yellow back at ezboard because I always associated it with Kill Bill. The youtube thing is really handy, too.

[teako170]

This is a small thing but (if its an easy fix) perhaps the folowing..?

Going back to the layout on ezBoard, one could jump rather easily into different sections of the board by utilizing the links at the top of each thread (see photo below).

http://www.teako170.com/example.jpg

With the current layout, one has to backtrack to the main forum page in order to enter into a different section.

Would it be possible to have a similar link system set up here? If its a difficult task, don't sweat it. Just a suggestion. Thanks....

[Tosh]

Teako there's a forum jump at the bottom of the page, it took me a few to get use to scrolling down to the bottom instead of the top, but I was going to suggest the same thing.

[teako170]

Teako there's a forum jump at the bottom of the page, it took me a few to get use to scrolling down to the bottom instead of the top, but I was going to suggest the same thing. Oh yeah, I see it now. Thanks.

[Winfred]

What's wrong with this site? It is now painfully slow to surf after maintenance work to improve it. Seems to have the opposite effect!

[LoBo]

It`s also very slow on my computer.
________
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[Nakadai]

The avatars and usernames on the top are a bit disorienting.....

[Morgoth Bauglir]

If you delete your avatar and then put it back in it should look normal. Mine was squished when the forum style changed, but it looks fine after I re-entered it. i don't know what to say about the user names. They looks kind of big I guess.

[Nakadai]

I was referring to the avatar, user name, join date ect. being located above the post as opposed to the left.

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Oh, sorry, I don't know about all that. I am easy to please I guess:p

[Nakadai]

I'm just a creature of habit I suppose...

[Sifu]

Nice update on the Wong Fei Hung bio! But I wish you'd had that about 6 months ago. I used your original bio, which was slightly limited at the time, as one of my sources for a research paper I did for school! :D Nice job nonetheless.

http://www.kungfucinema.com/?page_id=1337

EDIT: I got a 93 on the paper, counted as 3 test grades!!

[Mark Pollard]

Nice Sifu!

[Sifu]

Nice Sifu!

Thanks! My mom put it on the refrigerator :cool: JK

[HAZ]

There are alot of threads merging> I guess that's okay, but too much of that & it'll kill the flow of conversation. The Shaw bros forum is looking more like an encyclopedia & less like a message board.

[Mark Pollard]

That's a valid observation. I have a method behind my madness. Moderation of the forums in the past did not include any real topic consolidation or herding and this has led to a lot of dead threads about the same subjects. I am in the process of setting up the standard for us to move forward in an more organized fashion. I am aware that merging some threads may impact the flow of the original conversations but that effect mostly impacts older posts and will diminish over time as we settle in to using established threads more frequently. Thread title changes are meant to make these consolidated threads and their subjects easier to identify.

[HAZ]

I guess putting topics together makes sense, to an extent. The added dates to topics is cool for movies, but for people it feels weird - like Yuen Biao (1958 -). It looks like an obituary.

h

[Mark Pollard]

That's one way to look at it. Birth dates will help us distinguish different actors with the same names. It also let's members less familar with the actors know exactly what generation the person comes from.

[The Amazing Psycho Per]

Hey Mark,

It's not about the forum but the site itself... In the reviews site, It would be nice to be able to search by people (actor, director), is this something you plan to incorporate in the future?

Thanks

[Sifu]

Wow! Didn't even realize you did a review for Monkey Goes West. I looked a few months back to see if you'd done any reviews for any of the 4 Journey to the West Shaw films. And I definitely didn't find this one! :D How recent is it.

By the way, for some reason I was just more impressed with the effects than you were. I was blown away by their use of landscape as well. Some of the locales were epic, even by Shaw standards. It must've been their biggest production at the time. It exudes the feeling of high budget! I love the film though, I mean it was Yueh Hua's breakout role.

[Sifu]

I never realized that as members of the KFCinema forums we could comment on front page articles of the site! Interesting, you should watchdog them though Mark, it is the front page! :p

[Mark Pollard]

It's not just the front page. The latest thread titles are broadcast throughout the entire site in the upper right hand corner. That's why I recommend that members pick descriptive titles with proper spelling and no crude language. I do keep an eye on them, although I expect most folks would understand why some of the titles might be odd since it's easy to tell once you click on them that they're member-generated, as opposed to official site links.

[oldeschool17]

Is it safe to saw we will never see the dvd comparisons from the old days? I know you said you need to import that data over but I could have sworn you had an ETA of the end of January this year. I do realize its a long task to do but do you plan on completing it or feel its too much work to do?

[Mark Pollard]

I want to get DVD comparisons back up and more of them for each movie, at least for the Hong Kong flicks. It's going to happen but I cannot say when.