⭐️⭐️⭐️ PSA ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Platform Upgrade Coming

[Abigail4476]

Hey, everyone.

SMF is long overdue for a minor facelift and a platform upgrade, and I want to give everyone a heads up that it’s in the works.

The overall goal will be to bring the forum platform up to date (which will help with some bugs we’ve been experiencing, as well as fix some issues with bounce rate/google results). It will also make things simpler, cleaner, make posts/forums/subforums easier to find, etc.

Sometime in the next week or two, we will be both upgrading the platform and updating the overall look of the forum. There will still be both a dark and light version, and I will try to drop some screenshots of what it’s going to look like with some labels and pointers ahead of time.

The forum should experience a downtime of an hour or two during the upgrade, and I’ll come back with a timeframe when I have it.

As usual anytime there are changes, there will be things that need to be tweaked as we go, so let us know of any issues you have ASAP so we can address and resolve them.

If there’s something you can’t find or access, let us know. Same thing.

I know change is a little annoying or frustrating sometimes, but this will be a major improvement.

Thank you in advance for your patience, and bear with us while we make some positive changes!

OH - and while you’re at it - vote on a new logo font. Members’ choice. Style 1 or Style 2.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Hey, everyone.

SMF is long overdue for a minor facelift and a platform upgrade, and I want to give everyone a heads up that it’s in the works.

The overall goal will be to bring the forum platform up to date (which will help with some bugs we’ve been experiencing, as well as fix some issues with bounce rate/google results). It will also make things simpler, cleaner, make posts/forums/subforums easier to find, etc.

Sometime in the next week or two, we will be both upgrading the platform and updating the overall look of the forum. There will still be both a dark and light version, and I will try to drop some screenshots of what it’s going to look like with some labels and pointers ahead of time.

The forum should experience a downtime of an hour or two during the upgrade, and I’ll come back with a timeframe when I have it.

As usual anytime there are changes, there will be things that need to be tweaked as we go, so let us know of any issues you have ASAP so we can address and resolve them.

If there’s something you can’t find or access, let us know. Same thing.

I know change is a little annoying or frustrating sometimes, but this will be a major improvement.

Thank you in advance for your patience, and bear with us while we make some positive changes!

OH - and while you’re at it - vote on a new logo font. Members’ choice. Style 1 or Style 2.


View attachment 734059

Look forward to it... even though change takes some getting used to! And the little issues that come with it!

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

Change? The word of terror. Do it

 

[SmokinEdge]

Appreciate all your efforts. I’ll stand by and stay tuned.

 

[indaswamp]

Yeah! I like bug being fixed!

 

[DRKsmoking]

Its all fun and games until someone wants a change..... Just kidding.

I'm all in for change if it helps you guys run the show.
Everything works for me , so easier and cleaner for the people behind the screen, do what works the best.

And Thank you for that.


As for the Font style , not sure where to vote , But I like the clean look of...STYLE #2
ps: found it , once I opened my eyes


David

 

[schlotz]

Appreciate retaining the ability to support dark mode. Light version not for for me eyes. No problem with doing an update especially if it helps you guys maintain things easier. This is a platform upgrade from the current provider correct?

 

[realdocBBQ]

Appreciate retaining the ability to support dark mode. Light version not for for me eyes. No problem with doing an update especially if it helps you guys maintain things easier. This is a platform upgrade from the current provider correct?

This, 100%. I often surf on my Tv in the living room and 85 inches of glaring whitescreen will leave my eyeballs seared and blinded.

I don't have a problem with the current format, but then, I'm one of those "OMG CHANGE SUX!" kind of guys a lot of times. lol. I'll withhold judgement until I see it and experience it, but I'm also fully aware if I don't like it, I'll probably get used to it pretty quickly.

Thanks for the heads' up - now some of us will have to figure out what in the H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEYSTICKS we're going to do during "a downtime of an hour or two during the upgrade".... OMG, the sky is falling, I might just lay down and die.

 

[Abigail4476]

Appreciate retaining the ability to support dark mode. Light version not for for me eyes. No problem with doing an update especially if it helps you guys maintain things easier. This is a platform upgrade from the current provider correct?

Yes, we're overdue for a xenforo upgrade (not currently on the latest version of the platform), and going to update the overall style while we're at it.

 

[Abigail4476]

This, 100%. I often surf on my Tv in the living room and 85 inches of glaring whitescreen will leave my eyeballs seared and blinded.

I don't have a problem with the current format, but then, I'm one of those "OMG CHANGE SUX!" kind of guys a lot of times. lol. I'll withhold judgement until I see it and experience it, but I'm also fully aware if I don't like it, I'll probably get used to it pretty quickly.

Thanks for the heads' up - now some of us will have to figure out what in the H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEYSTICKS we're going to do during "a downtime of an hour or two during the upgrade".... OMG, the sky is falling, I might just lay down and die.

Same. I'm definitely a dark mode girl. I like my house dim, too. Go around flipping lights off constantly.

 

[Winterrider]

We are all creatures of habit and hate to get out of our comfort zone. Just remember, we are some old farts on here, go easy on us !

 

[clifish]

This forum is still owned by Jeff? Not vertical scope that buys up all the others? Every other forum I am on that is owned by them looks the same and is horrible to Navigate. I like this one, oh and style #1

Thx

 

[Abigail4476]

This forum is still owned by Jeff? Not vertical scope that buys up all the others? Every other forum I am on that is owned by them looks the same and is horrible to Navigate. I like this one, oh and style #1

Thx

@clifish, SMF is still privately owned; vertical scope did express some interest (along with another buyer last year), but it's currently in my hands and our great team of mods/admins, and will remain that way for a very long time.

 

[clifish]

The 2 best forums I am on the most is here and WranglerTJforum.com, both privately owned and are managed the best. I thank you and the mods for all you do, it is appreciated.

 

[gmc2003]

Are you Mrs. Jeff or has Jeff left the smoking world(Not meant the way it reads/sounds)?

Chris

 

[SmokyMose]

It doesn't really matter to me, but why change Logos?

 

[philpom]

Can't wait to see the new look. For anyone that's change averse, I strongly recommend a book called "Who Moved My Cheese"

 

[sandyut]

Many thanks for keeping our site current and running smooth.

 

[Abigail4476]

It doesn't really matter to me, but why change Logos?

@SmokyMose - the reason is mainly for consistency across platforms.

The bbq pig is a design I coordinated with a local designer in 2018ish and it's used on all the social media accounts, as well as in email signatures, on business documents/paperwork, etc. Sort of makes sense to keep everything consistent I think.

This is more of a personal thing, but I also enjoy that the logo was created by someone local.

 

[DRKsmoking]

There will still be both a dark

Thank you

Same. I'm definitely a dark mode girl. I like my house dim, too. Go around flipping lights off constantly

Ha ha , thanks about the dark mode, I just really enjoy it that way.

As for the lights in the house that is my third job, following my wife and MIL shutting off the lights in rooms that they leave and go elsewhere, also kitchen cabinet doors don't like to close after they open them to get things either.........

David