vBulletin 4.0 with CMS - Latest Status Report

[Jack]

We've just received Beta 4 of vBulletin 4.0 Forum - Blog - Chat - Content Management System (CMS).

Due to the considerable new functionality being added thanks in great part to the new Content Management System module...

... plus far better integration of the Blog module with the Forum module,

...this new Beta 4 release (Beta means final stages of testing before release for use by the public) adds considerably increased accessibility and opportunity enabling us to create much greater thematic coherence of the vast gold mine of KSMO practitioners' stories and chat dialogues since 1995.

Once vbmtor and I have a chance to get vB 4.0 Beta 4 installed and are confident it is pretty stable, we'll begin by giving you registered members of our community the opportunity to view* the test installation, and over time, to be granted greater access to its functions.

*In the beginning it will necessarily be view-only as vbmtor and I assure its stability.

Comments about what you find there will necessarily need to be posted back here in vBulletin Version 3.8.x-land until there is a GOLD version released and we have it installed.

That will probably be a little after the first of the year. Maybe a just a mite sooner, but not very likely.

I'm really looking forward to receiving your ideas for how to use these new very powerful tools to increase the coherence and accessibility of the stories and great ideas, points of view, and additional resources that we all have to share here.

Meanwhile, also go take a look at 4.0 Beta 4 at the vbulletin demo site to start developing suggestions for how we may adapt its layout, functions, etc. at OUR site, and post those suggestions in threads here in this subforum, please.

I'd like to discuss as many effective suggestions as possible so we can make this major upgrade as beneficial as possible for everyone.

Many many thanks for your continued interest and support!

All the very best to you and yours,
Jack

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[Laly]

HI Jack,

I spent some time looking at New Forum Page demo and I like the layout- especially when you mentioned the fact that we can move those side boxes around and make our custom changes to the template.

The blue they have isn't very attractive to the eye-that is really catches your attention.

The idea of adding video is an intriguing concept. I do recall that it doesn't (at this time) support a livechat box within the template -- correct me if I am mistaken on that.

I do invite the members to look at this template and make comments of your own on what you'd like to see.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Laly

HI Jack,

I spent some time looking at New Forum Page demo and I like the layout- especially when you mentioned the fact that we can move those side boxes around and make our custom changes to the template.

At this point, only the admin can make the custom changes to the layout, and that's why I'm asking for EVERYone's input on what they'd like to see there to make it more usable and enjoyable. (not shouting, just highlighting.)

We are however lobbying vBulletin intensely to make it so each individual user can pick and choose their OWN page layouts, like you can see at the BBC UK site.

At that site, click the green plus sign in the upper left corner, just under the BBC logo, and you'll be able to pick and choose what widgets you want where. Now THAT is state of the art, and so we're putting heavy pressure on vB to catch up!

It will take a little time though.

Meanwhile, let's hear from everybody about what YOU want on EACH of the CMS pages, and where you want it, please!

Originally Posted by Laly

The blue they have isn't very attractive to the eye-that is really catches your attention.

Yes we'll stay in our warmer palette of color values, but jazz it up a little bit.

Originally Posted by Laly

The idea of adding video is an intriguing concept.

Yes! That function IS available already in vB 4.0!

Originally Posted by Laly

I do recall that it doesn't (at this time) support a livechat box within the template -- correct me if I am mistaken on that.

They don't provide one by default, but vbmtor's ChatBox that we're using now and so very nicely automatically posts the transcript to the ChatBox sub-forum periodically - should transfer to the 4.0 install.

I've asked vbmtor if he can put the ChatBox in a widget so that it will be viewable in say, the left column of any page as the first few lines, then give the user the option to click on it to give a larger display...

Originally Posted by Laly

I do invite the members to look at this template and make comments of your own on what you'd like to see.

Yeah, so do I!

[Jack]

Here are more details on how the default templates in the new system work.

For those of you who enjoy a little light reading, LOL!

[Jack]

Hi, vBulletin has announced that they plan to release vBulletin 4.0 Gold on December 21 2009.

This means that some time in early January, we expect to upgrade Last longer in bed using the Key Sound Multiple Orgasm Trigger™ - Powered by vBulletin to incorporate the many new features of this significant upgrade.

For a sneak preview of the software - but as yet without our color scheme or our content - just vBulletin demo content (which is actually comprised of articles that are quite informative about all of the various features - so study up! ) follow the links below:

Live Demo of vBulletin 4.0 Forum plus Content Management System.

The most relevant and descriptive articles appearing on that page are:
Welcome to the new CMS. Read me first.


How to Create a New Article

...and VERY SIGNIFICANTLY:
Promoting Articles from the Forums

This last article describes the new tools for permitting all of us in this community to MINE the twelve years' worth of information accumulated in our forum and condense the most instructive and inspirational post segments into coherent topical articles.

Please take a look, and post your comments and questions to this thread.

...Makin' it Better...
Jack

[artform]

Hi Jack!

Again it looks like a great improvement. One thing stands out from reviewing all the links you recommend: there is no print button in the individual articles, newly created or "promoted". I print various things from the current site because of my visual handicaps.

Even for anyone else from a convenience and ecological paper saving perspective, the more specific the print options available the better.

Please see if print buttons can be added to these individual widgets panes. That way one doesn't have to print the entire page to get one article in one widget.

Thanks for this and all your work on these improvements Jack!

best to you and Jackie

artform & mrs. a

[Jack]

Good idea artform. Not likely to show up in the imminent release because new features are not likely to be added at this late date.

vbmtor might be able to customize something but I don't know what he'd charge for doing so.

Meanwhile here's the link to where I posted your description at the vBulletin Forum

[Jack]

What do you think of THIS LAYOUT but with our color palette (i.e. warm- versus cool colors)?

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Jack

What do you think of THIS LAYOUT but with our color palette (i.e. warm- versus cool colors)?

... and what Section names and Categories would you like to see in the LEFT-HAND column of that page?

Please help us create the layout that works best for you!

[Laly]

Jack, I love -- LOVE -- LOOOOVE it!!!!!!!!!!

Especially if the template is that wide in our forum.

I can picture "our" stuff in the template--- as the layout shows in this format-- also especially if the top links bar is designed the same way ....but I know the KSMO (tm) forum template we use requires a fair bit of customization ... especially with our chat box included.

As to what to see on the left side...maybe links that we now see surrounding the chat box text area...as well as maybe links for new members - welcoming them to the forum and a lil video tutorial of the website...

*Welcome ....click here to start
(then go from there)