dBoard 4.0 Release

I like the smilies idea, I'll add them to the icon list for message rating. I still need two colors for the smilies - what color would you suggest replace maroon?

Mod and Bluegenes,First, make sure you've clicked on refresh/reload. There's new Javascript and CSS that won't load otherwise. I see that Bluegenes says he has done it repeatedly.If that doesn't help then please let me know which browser and version you're using.

I wasn't getting it before but I see now, thanks for the images and for reporting this. This should now be fixed. Let me know if you still see a problem.

Thanks for reporting this, I'll try to fix it tonight.Is this IE6 or a later version?

I will soon be making some minor modifications to the new message rating system:

• Improved icons.
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• Modified member rating calculation. The current algorithm works fine when both like and dislike are enabled. When only one is enabled then it breaks down.
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  The new algorithm will be somewhat as Adminnemooseus suggests. It will be the aggregate of members net like/dislike divided by the number of messages over the last 90 days. The reason the net like/dislike counts just once is to make it impossible for one or a few members to influence a member's rating by voting all in one direction across all his messages.
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  I'm also considering normalizing the value on a 1 to 10 scale.

By the way, the time period and limit of 90-days/500-messages is easily modifiable through the control panel, so I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has arguments for other values.Edited by Admin, : Change author.Edited by Admin, : Add sig.

On the todo list is a moderator demerit system that would be completely independent of the message rating system. I haven't designed it yet, but I think the demerit indication should be visible to all. Demerits would expire after a predefined time period settable through the control panel, perhaps a week would be a good time period. They could be assigned for any reason depending upon the discussion board, but of course at this board it would only be for Forum Guidelines violations. Members who accumulate some predefined number demerits at one time would be subject to moderator action. Moderators would be able to get an ordered list of members with more than 0 demerits.This should make it possible to detect members who are causing problems in threads moderated by different moderators.

Message rating update problem with Internet Explorer has been fixed. Please let me know if you experience any further problems.

I don't think this is a board software problem but a browser problem. I can also see the problem in Chrome, but not IE. If someone knows some detail about <iframe> behavior that might explain the problem please let me know.

Okay, sure, try this: There's no close code needed. AbE: There's documentation at EvC Forum: dBCodes.Edited by Admin, : Add link to doc.

I'm trying to balance subtle (an earlier request) with discernible (this request). I improved the contrast, people should let me know how well this is working for them.The order of the icons has been reversed.

I have changed the way that the [msg], [thread] and [forum] dBCodes display. A negative value for the message number, thread ID and and forum ID no longer has any effect. All information is now included in a hoverbox.For example, [msg=39] used to display like this, and it had no hoverbox:It now displays like this and has a hoverbox: Edited by Admin, : Fix msg code.

The color also serves as an indicator that you've cast a vote. For example, click on the "+" button for this message and it will turn green (and a green vote indicator will appear). Click on the button again and it will turn brown (and the green vote indicator will disappear). While this approach has issues, reversing when green and brown are used also has issues.But the more feedback I get the more ideas I get - I think I can see a way to improve things in a direction that more people than not will like.For everyone: I hear the feedback about contrast - I will darken the plus/minus as much as possible while keeping it blue.Also for everyone: It might seem to some that I am floundering around seeking solutions, but the reality is that this process of gradual refinement has a solid record of success in the design of graphical user interfaces. In real life I am a member of a team of programmers responsible for a graphical interface, one where virtually everyone reading this message is using digital hardware designed using this software (as people might already have guessed, I am not the person on the team responsible for icon design, and in fact we farm out icon design and implementation to subcontractors).When we augment, enhance or change this graphical interface we sit in a room with the interface projected on twin screens while we watch someone interact with the interface while everyone else suggests scenarios to try and provides feedback for changes and improvements. Often just one of these sessions is sufficient, but sometimes several are required. More feedback is provided later in the process by field engineers, and of course feedback from customers also plays a significant role. In complex areas it can take years before we're satisfied with a new feature.We're doing the same thing now for this website. Unfortunately we cannot all sit in a room and review a feature before release. I have to actually release a new feature or feature change to the website before anyone can see it and try it. But I think the process is working pretty well, and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the feedback.Edited by Admin, : Grammar.Edited by Admin, : Grammar.Edited by Admin, : Grammar.

What does it mean to "ring" an icon?

Hi Buz,No one should worry about their member rating - it has a couple flaws will soon be changed.

...you can say whatever you like to each other in PM's and the moderators won't care and you won't be off-topic (yes, blocking people from sending you PM's is on the todo list).