**** SM Conversion to VBulletin ****

[admin]

QUOTE (angelgirl599 @ Jan 19 2010, 03:49 PM)

I agree with the fact that 1 of the reasons I love SM so much is that when I click on a thread with pictures, I can see them instantly without clicking on a tiny tiny picture to have it open in another window resized. Is there a way we can keep the way we see pictures right now in threads the same for the new forum?[/B]

On vB and with any forum software, there are two ways of posting an image: either uploading it directly from your computer or linking to the image that is hosted somewhere online.

In vB, if you upload an image from your computer, it will show as a thumbnail. If you post an image by posting the link to the source of the image, it will show the entire image albeit at a reduced size (as it currently does here).

The thumbnail function is in place because not everyone using the internet runs on highspeed connections. Imagine a thread where every post has someone posting multiple images at maximum allowed sizes. If you're using the site on low-speed internet connection, you might end up pulling a few hairs out before the entire thread loads up properly.

That is the main reason for thumbnails. I think the majority of people will be pleased by how images load up in posts on the vB version that we will release. It's different then how you see it on that yorkietalk site.

[admin]

QUOTE (Angel's Mom @ Jan 19 2010, 03:59 PM)

ETA: I know better than to post before reading through the entire thread. So, Yung, you are saying that we will be able to continue posting our pictures and telling our stories with each one, just as we do now? That, then, would take care of my biggest concern.[/B]

Yes you will be. As I mentioned in my previous post, the only difference is if you upload an image as an attachment. It will show as a thumbnail. If you don't want the thumbnail, then upload the image to an outside host (i.e. flickr, photobucket) and then post the image as a link to your flickr or photobucket (or whatever online site you use to host images). Then it will show as a "larger" pic within the requirements of the max size allowed.

[angelgirl599]

QUOTE (admin @ Jan 19 2010, 04:04 PM)

QUOTE (angelgirl599 @ Jan 19 2010, 03:49 PM)

I agree with the fact that 1 of the reasons I love SM so much is that when I click on a thread with pictures, I can see them instantly without clicking on a tiny tiny picture to have it open in another window resized. Is there a way we can keep the way we see pictures right now in threads the same for the new forum?[/B]

On vB and with any forum software, there are two ways of posting an image: either uploading it directly from your computer or linking to the image that is hosted somewhere online.

In vB, if you upload an image from your computer, it will show as a thumbnail. If you post an image by posting the link to the source of the image, it will show the entire image albeit at a reduced size (as it currently does here).

The thumbnail function is in place because not everyone using the internet runs on highspeed connections. Imagine a thread where every post has someone posting multiple images at maximum allowed sizes. If you're using the site on low-speed internet connection, you might end up pulling a few hairs out before the entire thread loads up properly.

That is the main reason for thumbnails. I think the majority of people will be pleased by how images load up in posts on the vB version that we will release. It's different then how you see it on that yorkietalk site.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks for clearing that up Yung. It's definitely a load off of my mind

[Cute Chloe]

I would like to thank the Admins for working hard in giving us a quality top notch
website and for continually finding ways to improve our experience.

[CeeCee's Mom]

I am not computer savy and I hated going to an outside source to post my pics. I dislike thumbnails. What do we pay the extra money for now. That is the reason I am a paying member, not to have to do those extras because it is confusing. I think it is easier for admin.....but not for the members unless I am misunderstanding. Paying for the upgrade, what exactly do we get for our money?

[myfairlacy]

QUOTE (ilovemymaltese @ Jan 19 2010, 02:28 PM)

I hate those type of forums! Those are one of the reasons I lik SM best! Some other forums like that are Yorkietalk and Maltesetalk. Veryyyyy different from our current SM. It will not be the same. No siggys, pics are shared weird like this(you have to log on to see the pics): http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/my-yorkie...her-jacket.html
And you can only post pictures by posting attachments, no photobucket or facebook or flickr anymore. And I have always used outside links because I always send the SM link of Gigi's pictures to her breeder, family, ect. And my pictures are ALWAYS going to be to large to upload through the website! URGH! SM also manually resizes large photos.
I also know of MANY adults that think those type of forums are too confusing.[/B]

MalteseTalk and Yorkietalk are VERY basic VB forums...other yorkie forums have complained about YorkieTalk because they don't have all the latest upgrades like some other forums do. WWW.YorkieKingdom.net is a private forum but they use VB and it is extremely colorful and full of graphics. The skin for the forum is even leopard print. Yorkietalk could have pics in siggies but they choose not to and keep siggies very small, whereas on YorkieKingdom I use the same siggie as I have on here. It's really up to the owner of the forum as to how many features they choose to use with VB. YorkieTalk just doesn't so don't go by that...I've been on other forums that use VB and they are really nice.

So hopefully the admin here will use all the really nice features of VB for Spoiled Maltese and not just the basic stuff like YorkieTAlk and MalteseTAlk do.

I guess it's because i'm not a donating member here (although I guess I should donate soon...) but I don't like having to upload my pics on photobucket and then having to put the code here...I like being able to just upload directly to a post like you can with VB...but then I do like not having to click on little pics to blow them up

[k/c mom]

Just a quick pop in to say that I have been using VB for a few years at the Purse Forum and it is just fine. I know that change can be scarey but I promise you that the user experience at tPF is in no way inferior to what we have here. On tPF we have avatars and siggies and we can link to Photobucket, etc. with no problems at all. It's a forum with 240,000 members and lots of activity ... they could get whatever forum software they want and they have VB.

In fact, Joe has been wanting to change over to VB for a loooong time because of its flexibility to add features and because he has it on his other forums... but it is a huge job to switch forum software and VS has a team in place to do things like this.

I know what some of you mean about the Maltese and Yorkie sites that use it. What I am thinking is that they perhaps have not upgraded to the newest version. Whenever I've popped in over at those places their software doesn't seem like it is the latest at least it doesn't compare at all to the VB at the Purse Forum. Or maybe they don't utilize all the features .. but I agree that the other Maltese forums do not offer a great user experience .. and I haven't been there in ages ... just pop in now and then to see what they're up to!

Don't get in the weeds about the skin and colors .. that is no big deal and can be easily changed... that is the least of VS's worries in doing the conversion.

Change can be good ... embrace it!

[joe]

i will just say this, vB is the way to go, I made a mistake long ago by chossing IPB for SM, although it worked out ok, I wouldnt do it again, anything that can be done in this software can be done in vB and better. It is up to VS as far as the attachments go, they can be uploaded fullsize via attachments or external links like photobucket, but if you want it that way, let them know, YT and MT have not even got close to using the potential of vB so please dont base your entire opinion on those alone, I know vB in and out with my eyes closed, I'll do whatever I can alongside Yung, Sher and VS to help this go smoothly

[ilovemymaltese]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up everyody. I have to admitt though that I skimmed through the before posts because I was in a hurry and must have missed something.

[myfairlacy]

QUOTE (Joe @ Jan 19 2010, 04:54 PM)

YT and MT have not even got close to using the potential of vB so please dont base your entire opinion on those alone[/B]

yeah, that's what I was going to say..and what Sher said above too....YorkieTalk and MalteseTalk only utilize some of the basic features...I've been on other VB forums that stay upgraded with all the great features and they are really nice and full of graphics and colors and neat things you can do....like chat boxes on the home page, decorated profile pages, fancy siggies like here, large avatars, etc etc. VB forums can be really nice..it's just up to each forum as to what features they want to use.