Suggestions

[Cuddles]

I have a couple of suggestions about the forum. The first is that we have somewhere to make suggestions about the forum, or about UK Skeptics in general.

The second, which is what I was looking for a place to suggest, is that it could be a good idea to not allow people to post links until they have a certain number of posts to stop people spamming links and then leaving. The JREF boards have a post requirement of 15, which is probably a little high for this board, but I think making people post something like 5 times before they can post links would be reasonable. It wouldn't really cause problems for anyone who is actually interested in discussion, but it would prevent hit and run posters.

[chillzero]

I would agree with all of that.
:)

[Admin]

There is a suggestion board.... somewhere!!

We'll use this one from now and I'll sticky it so it doesn't get buried.

I don't know how to set the minimum posts thing yet but I'll do it if I can work out how.

[tkingdoll]

Links thing sounds sensible.

[Admin]

Links thing sounds sensible.

You're the admin. ;) :tongue2:

I've just done an all-day study session. My brain's fried - if I try to start changing things now the board will probably turn mystic purple and pink!! ;D

I think I'll watch that paranormal thing on BBC1 - it's extremely far-fetched but quite entertaining.

[tkingdoll]

So are you :D

I can find out easily though, I'll just ask JREF :D

[Cuddles]

I have another suggestion. Is it possible to make formatting tags appear when quoting another post or when using the format buttons, rather than the effect just being applied? For example, clicking the "bold" button should make {b}{/b} tags appear around the selection rather than just making it bold. It's not so much of a problem when doing your own formatting, but it can get confusing when replying to a post and bits of their formatting randomly affect my post because there's no way of seeing where the tags actually are.

[brettdbass]

I'm probably a lone voice here (as well as a n00b) but I'd like to see the pathway links at the bottom of the page as well as the top. When I've read all the way through a long thread it is quite annoying having to scroll right back to the top just to access the main page again, or down to the bottom of the page and use the cumbersome Forum Jump thing.

A minor gripe, I know, but it would make it easier to navigate quickly.

[Admin]

First one: the reply window can be toggled using the http://www.ukskeptics.com/forum/images/editor/switchmode.gif button in the top right of the reply window. This allows you to see the code behind the HTML.

Also, I think you can change reply options in your profile settings.

O0

As for the pathway links at the bottom of each page - I can't find the setting for that but will keep looking.

[Zaira]

A suggestion thread is a good idea. I don’t have any suggestions at the moment. I just wanted you to know that it is one of the better boards that I’m on. It loads up great compared to some of them. That Mirror site Moon gave me a link to is a bit strange. Even when I have signed in and clicked remember me, I have to sign in every time I go on there. Don’t think I’m going to stick around there unless someone fixes it. It’s amazing how much the little things can become annoying.

[Cuddles]

First one: the reply window can be toggled using the http://www.ukskeptics.com/forum/images/editor/switchmode.gif button in the top right of the reply window. This allows you to see the code behind the HTML.

Hey, so it does. I could have sworn I'd already clicked everything.

Note to self - click more buttons.

[Zaira]

Cuddles,

Here is a button to press when you feel like it. :smiley:



http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q134/asdat/panic_button.jpg

[fruitfly]

I'd like to see the pathway links at the bottom of the page as well as the top. When I've read all the way through a long thread it is quite annoying having to scroll right back to the top just to access the main page again, or down to the bottom of the page and use the cumbersome Forum Jump thing.

A minor gripe, I know, but it would make it easier to navigate quickly.

Click the "Top" link at the bottom right of each page to save scrolling. I just noticed this when reading this thread.

[brettdbass]

Click the "Top" link at the bottom right of each page to save scrolling. I just noticed this when reading this thread.
That link doesn't appear on the PC I use when browsing here.
It's a knackered old thing running Win98SE :-\

I'm just using keyboard shortcuts to navigate now, which has improved things somewhat.

[bindeweede]

Donations.

I don't know whether UK Skeptics accept good-will donations, although I can't think why they wouldn't.

Other forums do. Why not?

Don't ask, ... don't get.

[Admin]

Donations?

We accept them here: http://www.ukskeptics.com/about_us.php O0

We don't have a great deal of money in the pot at the moment but I'm hoping to get one or two projects kick-started in the coming weeks/months so we could always do with more.

[Cuddles]

Is there some way to get the PM notice to flash when there are new messages, like it does at JREF? I had one a few days ago and never noticed.:-[

[bobdezon]

A button that kicks idiots in the nuts would be great John. O0

[Admin]

There's probably a 'plug in' feature that does it.

I'll see if I can do it but I'm not up to the complexities of this forum software.

In fact, there might be a few more goodies I can find.

If there's not a kick idiots in the nuts plug in, I'll suggest it! ;D

[Admin]

No, I'm completely lost with this vbulletin plug in thing. :sad:

I can't find any actual plug ins and I can't make head nor tail of the info that's out there.

[Mongrel]

No, I'm completely lost with this vbulletin plug in thing. :sad:

I can't find any actual plug ins and I can't make head nor tail of the info that's out there.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165236&highlight=message+indicator

Apparently it's linked to the template and involves putting in 2 lines of code anywhere

[Admin]

The guy who posted the help on that thread was actually online when I looked so I've asked if he can give an example of the code to use between the tags.

If I get a reply, I'll add them to one of the templates - that's something I can do.

[Admin]

No reply.

Oh well, it shows up just how little use the 'vBulletin team' are! ::)

[Tuition]

They are not that bad, just a bit slow at times, I have a few bulletin forums.


Can I also suggest adsense (google adsense), it pays much better than any donations. You will get paid every time some on clicks an ad, and you can make them fairly discrete

[Tuition]

plugins can be obtained from vbulletin.org (they are fairly easy to use and apply) I would definately suggest having a look there. I have even added a plugin there myself.

Let me know if you find any you like, and cant figure out how to install, and make sure they can be applied to you vbulletin version

[InForAPennyInForApound]

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[chillzero]

Do we want a load of adverts for psychics and homeopaths?
That's what the main content here is, and I fear that this experiment was run and failed on JREF. One of the smaller sites run by a JREF member still uses it (or a very similar application) and is often criticised for having ads for Sylvia Browne, and co on her site.

[Admin]

Thanks for the suggestion Penny but as Chilly has pointed out, these ads don't work on skeptics' websites as when things like 'psychics' are mentioned a load of adverts for psychics pop up.

At the moment we're doing OK with the book sales etc. We now have a few hundred quid in the kitty. Over £400 I think.

Once we get a bit more in there we'll have to get our heads together and come up with some ideas for doing something useful with it.

I'd like to have a paid membership scheme but I can't justify that unless we're doing something active and useful - but to do something active and useful we need money first. It's a sort of catch-22 but as long as we're making money from commission we'll get there.

Just a reminder:

UKS books: http://www.ukskeptics.com/reviewed_books.php

And we have an Amazon store too: http://www.ukskeptics.com/bookstore.php

Anyone who buys from Amazon (any products) can help UKS by using THIS LINK (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2F&tag=ukskeptics-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738) to the site. It won't cost you any more to buy but we get a 4% commission. They do add up. O0

[InForAPennyInForApound]

Do we want a load of adverts for psychics and homeopaths?
That's what the main content here is, and I fear that this experiment was run and failed on JREF. One of the smaller sites run by a JREF member still uses it (or a very similar application) and is often criticised for having ads for Sylvia Browne, and co on her site.

Your point valid and taken, I never thought of that at all...O0

[InForAPennyInForApound]

Thanks for the suggestion Penny but as Chilly has pointed out, these ads don't work on skeptics' websites as when things like 'psychics' are mentioned a load of adverts for psychics pop up.

At the moment we're doing OK with the book sales etc. We now have a few hundred quid in the kitty. Over £400 I think.

Once we get a bit more in there we'll have to get our heads together and come up with some ideas for doing something useful with it.

I'd like to have a paid membership scheme but I can't justify that unless we're doing something active and useful - but to do something active and useful we need money first. It's a sort of catch-22 but as long as we're making money from commission we'll get there.

Just a reminder:

UKS books: http://www.ukskeptics.com/reviewed_books.php

And we have an Amazon store too: http://www.ukskeptics.com/bookstore.php

Anyone who buys from Amazon (any products) can help UKS by using THIS LINK (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2F&tag=ukskeptics-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738) to the site. It won't cost you any more to buy but we get a 4% commission. They do add up. O0


I took note of Chilly; it makes sense what both you are saying. Was a thought I had at the moment but now get the point. :-[

[chillzero]

Your point valid and taken, I never thought of that at all...O0

It is a real shame though that their program doesn't allow for selecting a large topic area to be excluded - like "New-Age", and so on. If they did that, they'd have at least 2 other sites using them that I'm aware of.

[dee]

Is it possible to suggest a board for posting birthday wishes to fellow members and friends? :smiley:

Thanks

Dee xxx

[Admin]

Is it possible to suggest a board for posting birthday wishes to fellow members and friends? :smiley:

Thanks

Dee xxx

There's a calendar feature - which I think everyone can use. So if someone's birthday is on there you should be able to reply to it and leave messages etc.

Erm... I think so anyway. ::) ;D

[al_capone_junior]

The second, which is what I was looking for a place to suggest, is that it could be a good idea to not allow people to post links until they have a certain number of posts to stop people spamming links and then leaving.Yeah, like those lunatics over at the badscience.net/forums page. :chainsaw:

Oh wait, that's where I came from.

Ok, forget it.

I just needed to make a post so I can get my avatar pic going!

al

p.s. the real reason I'm here is that you guys have better smilies :alien:

[lost thought]

Yes it is easy to smile when you stand on the outside looking in on all the madness..........;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D.. what fun being free at last...O0