I'd like some persistant authentication via sessions or cookies, if only for notification of which threads are new. I'll be working a bit on that.
An example of that would be the psf_rippers group. For those who are really really really serious about ripping PSFs, there is some help available near the beggining of the group, where zoopd asked for help on getting started. I haven't accessed it because I haven't had the time (or the determination) to search it out so that I could, hopefully, gain needed insight on ripping. But, it is there for those who are willing to look for it. How helpful is that old info? I have no idea. I haven't read it in about 2 years, and when I did, I didn't understand any of it. As such, it passed right over me. It might be useful (I would assume such, since it helped zoopd get his start), but then again, it might not.
Anyway, there's my question for you. Mouser X over and out.
Oh, and this is all you need to customize it:
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-CSS1
Number of posts in a thread, is that really all that useful? I know I'm used to seeing it in other forums, but do you really need anything other that the "last updated" column? Also, as things are set up now, it'd take a query for each thread being displayed and i'd like to keep that to a minimum.
Bolded nicks, good idea.
And thanks, Koji, for the stylesheet, it looks very spiffy. I must learn these powers...
- A way to preview our posts before submitting.
- A way to change the timezone settings so they match wherever one lives. Because I'm confused as hell here.
Something like this would look good.. but it costs money.
http://www.vbulletin.com/
a) how to persist the login info (I'd like to be lazy and use cookies)
b) whether to implement a time limit on editing (though I think I'll just avoid that issue altogether by storing the old versions of posts, like a mini-wiki)
and who knows what'll come up when I start coding.
I'd also like to throw some customizable user stuff like profiles and avatars ('cause I like seeing the duck next to my name) but that'll come only after improvements in functionality.
I'll try to get some work in later today.
and PREVIEWS!
For every post it would show:
UNKNOWNFILE (links to public email)
ROM Junkie
Subject: Posted 13/37/2005 at 6:30 PM
which does look more interesting than
by UNKNOWNFILE at 1:46 PM on August 12, 2005
Anyway, I'll get to work on this when I get home.
Avatars are too annoying so I'll work on that later when I learn more PHP and HTML.
--UNKNOWNFILE
unknown.halleyscometsoftware.com <--rux site ;)
unknownfile.net <--I wish
What the? Geez, that was sure weird... I refreshed the page, read a new post, went back to the forums, refreshed again (about 5 minutes difference between refreshes) and Wa-La! Pages! I was like "What the crud? Is this some kind of joke? Did I refresh the right tab? I tried again, and even checked a few links back to make sure I was in the right place. Obviously, I was. Woah... It's kind of weird, but more unexpected, I guess.
Well, now that we have pages, perhaps we can hope for page numbers soon? That would be nice, though it probably won't happen soon... Anyway, nice job, even if I was used to the old "one huge page for everything" method. I'm sure I'll get used to this, though, right now, it does seem a little strange... The forum is actually taking shape... Wow. Thanks again! Mouser X over and out.
I also moved the database passwords into a different file so I don't have to edit the source before I put it up each time.
What do you want page numbers for?
forums2.php is an experiment but it uses the same database, I was going to add some new user info and that was the starting point. Haven't worked on it in a while.
Basically, I think page numbers (with links) would provide more ease of use to the forums. However, I suppose they're not a big deal. Though helpful they could be.
As for forum2.php, I found that on accident by mistyping the address for the forums. I knew it was in /mboard/ but I didn't realize it was in its own file in that directory. When I ended up there, I was like "What the..." I just figured I found a backup, or something. I've avoided it, for fear of breaking something. However, since, at the time, it was broken anyway, I figured it wouldn't do anymore damage for me to post there, and I figured that way at least the message would get across, in case you (HCS) hadn't noticed the breakage (which, really isn't likely, since I probably just happened to access it as you were updating, or something. Nonetheless, I figured I'd err on the safe side, and bring it to your attention, just in case).
Anyway, there's my 2 cents worth. Mouser X over and out.
I'm too used to variables being typed as integers.
edited 11:13 PM EDT August 17, 2005
And before someone tries it, yes, I check when you submit the edit if it has expired, I don't just hide the link.
[edit]
I've also just now moved the tags descriptions over to the right of the entry forms. I think this looks a lot better. The only problem is that when tabbing from User Name you hit the link in the tags descriptions first.
[edit]
Also, I've manually placed the "[edit]" thing up above in my own posts, it isn't automated.
edited 11:24 PM EDT August 17, 2005
The database keeps track of the last time you logged in or out in order to report on new threads and posts. Posts and threads are marked with an asterisk (*) next to the subject. The "last" time is updated when you log out as well as when you log in so that things that happen during your current login don't show up again new. Thus it is recommended that you log out when you're done, both for security and so you only get the actually new things reported as new.
On a thread page, if there are any new posts in the thread, the first post will be marked new. This is due to a limitation of the post age recording system, the first post holds the last updated time for the whole thread. This may be rectified shortly.
The edit feature is now only shown on your own posts, at least while logged in (otherwise all < 1 day old posts have that option).
The manual log-in-every-time-you-post system still works.
Use the bug reports thread (or here if you feel like it) to let me know what doesn't work.
[edit]
The "new posts" system will only work the second time you log in.
Also, when you make or edit a post, it will be marked new. Live with it.
edited 3:35 AM EDT August 18, 2005
edited 7:07 AM EDT August 18, 2005
Short of changing the database structure or doing a lot of extra work at runtime I can't think of an easy way to fix this. I've tested a new structure, where first posts point to themselves rather than to the mythical "Post 0", but I've still got some sorting problems with that. I'd rather not change the fuindamental structure anyway, as I'm sure some weird problems would creep in that I didn't think of.
Given that this is the only visible problem I think everything is pretty good.
(for stuff like hitcounters, forums, etc)
CREATE TABLE `board` (
`idx` int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment,
`postedtime` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`lasttime` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`author` int(11) NOT NULL default '0',
`replyto` int(11) NOT NULL default '0',
`subject` varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
`message` text NOT NULL,
`ip` varchar(15) NOT NULL default '',
KEY `idx` (`idx`)
) TYPE=MyISAM ;
CREATE TABLE `users` (
`idx` int(11) NOT NULL auto_increment,
`joined` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`uname` varchar(31) NOT NULL default '',
`pass` varchar(31) NOT NULL default '',
`lastlogin` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`prevlogin` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
`logintoken` varchar(32) NOT NULL default '',
KEY `idx` (`idx`)
) TYPE=MyISAM ;
that is, if you want to use the HCS Forum in its current state.
YAY HCS ;D