Forum software upgrade bug reports and change requests

[Da5id]

I can't currently get to bogleheads.org from my PC. I'm getting a DNS failure for that domain specifically but all other sites work. Posting from my phone which also works. I was assuming that this was some local issue, though flushing my DNS cache didn't help.

However various web based tools, like DNS.google and isitdownrightnow.com suggest there may be a broader issue. The Google DNS tool gives a server failure error. But reverse lookup by IP address did work for 23.254.167.168 did work on the Google tool, huh

Still maybe just me somehow, thought I'd mention it.

[LadyGeek]

Everything is fine here. If you were getting a DNS domain problem, nothing would work. Try a different PC browser, clearing browser cache, etc. If you have further problems, start a thread in the personal consumer issues forum and we'll figure it out.

[frisco]

Feature request: As an occasional visitor here, I’m interested in receiving periodic (e.g. weekly, monthly) email digests of popular topics posted since my last visit.

My search for a relevant phpBB extension led me to “Digests”: phpBB.com; GitHub.com. It appears to be actively-maintained and compatible with the version of phpBB used by this site.

[LadyGeek]

Thanks for the suggestion. The screenshots show that the extension will require some effort to manage server loading, along with coordination with the mail server. The last paragraph in the description suggests it will be problematic for us.

Please note that each digest is unique, and may have different posts in it compared to another digest going out at the same hour. It may not be an appropriate digest solution for very large boards, very busy boards or for those who want to send bulk emails of all posts for a given time period, as it is designed for flexibility, not efficiency.

I'm also not so sure a digest would be helpful to more than a few members.

Sorry, but I don't think the extension is appropriate for this forum.

[frisco]

Thanks for the suggestion. The screenshots show that the extension will require some effort to manage server loading, along with coordination with the mail server. The last paragraph in the description suggests it will be problematic for us.…

I'm also not so sure a digest would be helpful to more than a few members.

Sorry, but I don't think the extension is appropriate for this forum.

That makes sense! Thank you for taking the time to look into it and follow-up, LadyGeek!

[LadyGeek]

The phpBB extension Individual posts per page has been installed. See: New forum software feature - set the number of posts per page

[nalor511]

I cannot log in (chrome, Android) with the remember me button checked. Errors, and only works if I uncheck remember me (but then I have to log in each visit again)

[starboi]

Request: Dark mode

[LadyGeek]

Request: Dark mode

Nice idea, but it's not implemented correctly. The best approach is to let your browser take care of it. From an earlier post:

^^^ Thanks for the help! The Dark Reader extension displays the post editor's Font color palette correctly (Post a reply --> "Ink drop" icon in the editing toolbar). A few extensions I've tried don't display the palette correctly. I also see a dark mode for the forum software, but it's crude and messes up the logo and post editor's Font color palette.

For Firefox: Dark Reader - Firefox

For Chrome: Dark Reader - Chrome Web Store

[LadyGeek]

I cannot log in (chrome, Android) with the remember me button checked. Errors, and only works if I uncheck remember me (but then I have to log in each visit again)

Try clearing your browser cache. Also try using private browsing mode or a different browser, e.g. Firefox, Android. If that doesn't work, start a thread in the consumer issues forum and ask for help.

[KarenC]

Request: Dark mode

Nice idea, but it's not implemented correctly. The best approach is to let your browser take care of it. From an earlier post:

^^^ Thanks for the help! The Dark Reader extension displays the post editor's Font color palette correctly (Post a reply --> "Ink drop" icon in the editing toolbar). A few extensions I've tried don't display the palette correctly. I also see a dark mode for the forum software, but it's crude and messes up the logo and post editor's Font color palette.

For Firefox: Dark Reader - Firefox

For Chrome: Dark Reader - Chrome Web Store

Also, for Safari: Noir - Dark Mode for Safari

[JayB]

Feature request: A way to mark selected threads to be hidden from view (until manually unhidden) when perusing BH (e.g., starting with New Posts). Thanks.

[spammagnet]

The jump-to drop-down menu lacks the Community sections when viewed through Edge on my phone. They are present in Edge on my desktop computer.

[spammagnet]

The jump-to drop-down menu lacks the Community sections when viewed through Edge on my phone. They are present in Edge on my desktop computer.

Hmm... This seems inconsistent. Perhaps the touch screen on my phone is inconsistantly responding to my attempts to scroll?

[LadyGeek]

The forum software has been upgraded to phpBB 3.3.9, all OK.

[UpperNwGuy]

The forum software has been upgraded to phpBB 3.3.9, all OK.

Anything we should know about this new version?

[LadyGeek]

Good question. I should have explained that this is a routine maintenance release that does not impact our members.

For the software crowd, here's the Changelog. (Intended for software professionals, no explanations will be provided)

[Stinky]

Good question. I should have explained that this is a routine maintenance release that does not impact our members.

For the software crowd, here's the Changelog. (Intended for software professionals, no explanations will be provided)

Thanks for what you and all the admins do to keep this site running so smoothly.

[LadyGeek]

You're welcome. I should explain that all site upgrades are done together with mingstar - site owner and server admin.

[Normchad]

Good question. I should have explained that this is a routine maintenance release that does not impact our members.

For the software crowd, here's the Changelog. (Intended for software professionals, no explanations will be provided)

Thanks for what you and all the admins do to keep this site running so smoothly.

Absolutely. Thank you so much!

[surfinagin]

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Hovering the cursor over a thread title opens a pop-up with the OP's opening line, allowing me to determine if I want to open a tab to read the thread.

Subscribing to a thread provides 3 options by email: instant, daily or weekly.

Has Bogleheads considered these forum upgrades?

[LadyGeek]

I merged your thread into the ongoing discussion. We only use features that have been vetted by the phpBB developers.

I see one possibility for the cursor preview, but none for modifying the thread subscriptions.

Upgrades must be (1) useful to a large number of members and (2) approved by the site owners.

[surfinagin]

LadyGeek, thanks for your response.

[LadyGeek]

Not related to the forum software, but I posted a site maintenance notice for the wiki today (December 26, 2022).

The wiki software has been successfully upgraded to version 1.39.1. The gory details are posted in the private wiki editor's forum.

[dratkinson]

LadyGeek,

I saw your posted notice at the top of every page---checked every forum area to confirm---telling of the impending wiki update. That heads up was most helpful. Thanks.

[Stinky]

LadyGeek,

I saw your posted notice at the top of every page---checked every forum area to confirm---telling of the impending wiki update. That heads up was most helpful. Thanks.

I agree.

That “top of every page” method of notifying Forum users of coming upgrades, downtimes, is quite effective.

And truly appreciated.

[ResearchMed]

LadyGeek,

I saw your posted notice at the top of every page---checked every forum area to confirm---telling of the impending wiki update. That heads up was most helpful. Thanks.

I agree.

That “top of every page” method of notifying Forum users of coming upgrades, downtimes, is quite effective.

And truly appreciated.

Yes, agree... that worked very well.
Thank you!

RM

[LadyGeek]

Thanks! I also posted that notice at the top of the wiki page. I'm guessing it's more easily seen in the forum. I'll post in both the forum and wiki whenever we need to do an upgrade.

[dratkinson]

Thanks! I also posted that notice at the top of the wiki page. I'm guessing it's more easily seen in the forum. I'll post in both the forum and wiki whenever we need to do an upgrade.

Idea. Don't know how much work you had to do to post the notices, but ...would it be possible to create some type of note field, at the top of each of the pages---that is normally invisible when blank, but visible when populated---and populate it from a single source when needed? That way, in future when needed, you post a notice once and it's echoed on every page.

[LadyGeek]

Good idea, but it's already covered. The maintenance notice is built-into the forum software I use as a site administrator. (It's a phpBB software extension I installed for this purpose.)

[Mudpuppy]

Having observed yet another zombie thread be resurrected (this particular one from 2012), I wonder if the admins have considered adding one of the auto-lock extensions that automatically locks posts after x days of no activity. The value for x could be very generous, to allow the OP to follow-up at a later date if desired.

[LadyGeek]

Nice idea, but the bottom line is that we don't know where to set X.

- We've had members update their situation years after they've posted.
- The discussion might still be relevant - even after X days. It's not helpful to start a new discussion as the new information will be a repeat of the old information.

The best approach is to report the post and ask the mods to consider locking the thread - and explain why.

[dratkinson]

Having observed yet another zombie thread be resurrected (this particular one from 2012), I wonder if the admins have considered adding one of the auto-lock extensions that automatically locks posts after x days of no activity. The value for x could be very generous, to allow the OP to follow-up at a later date if desired.

Sometimes, an OP will return several years later, update his topic to tell of his success in following the forum's advice, and thank those who helped him. Those updates are always appreciated and his helpers (if still following the topic) will receive the "New reply received" update and their "Thanks."

I really like those "warm fuzzies"; would hate to miss them because a topic was locked.

[Peculiar_Investor]

Keen eyed observes might have noticed some topics loading quite slowly earlier today, and seeing the dreaded spinning wheel.

I can confirm the underlying issue was identified and has now been resolved.

[LadyGeek]

To explain - There was an issue displaying emojis by the forum software - it was not a server problem. The developers jumped on it immediately and released a fix. After testing, the fix was incorporated ASAP.

[JD101]

I suggest adding a feature where you highlight a portion of the post you want to quote and then hit quote and only those sentences will get copied in a new reply with the poster name. This way the entire post doesn't get copied in a reply and then you have to edit the post, go through it, remove unwanted text. This is very handy feature and I believe the forum like this allows this feature, just may have to enable or configure it. Let's know if you do implement it, otherwise we may not know. Thanks

[ResearchMed]

I suggest adding a feature where you highlight a portion of the post you want to quote and then hit quote and only those sentences will get copied in a new reply with the poster name.

Like this ^^?

The way to do it is FIRST to open a "post reply" window.
And then highlight a section of an earlier quote, and then click the "quote" mark in the upper right hand corner of *that* post.

Is that what you meant?
(And sorry if I misunderstood what you were suggesting.)

RM

[LadyGeek]

As ResearchMed has stated, you can already do that when replying to a topic. "Post reply" - The previous posts are listed under the edit area.

- Scroll down and select the text you want.
- Click on the in that post.

The highlighted portion will appear in your post edit area and you can proceed from there.

However, I believe you want to highlight the text and reply without editing. We only implement requests when the phpBB software developers have released an extension ("add-on") for the feature. We don't modify the software on our own.

Additionally - (1) the feature must be useful for a large number of members and (2) must be approved by the site owner.

I do see one possibility (Modern quote), but support discussions are saying that the latest version is incompatible with the software version we're using now.

[JD101]

The way to do it is FIRST to open a "post reply" window.
And then highlight a section of an earlier quote, and then click the "quote" mark in the upper right hand corner of *that* post.

Yes this works that way.