For those of you keeping track in the XenForo Transition Thread we have gone through some MASSIVE changes this past long weekend. The Kickstarter funds finally cleared and we have been implementing a lot of new features. As they were all added without much fanfare I will be going over them in some detail.
New Plug-ins Added
Resource Manager
This plug-in lets us manage various 'resources' including Voicebank Downloads, Tutorials, USTs, Reclists, MIDIs, and more. The plugin adds a neat way to organize content by adding version tracking, article ratings, version tracking, article "watching", and automatic discussions threads. I look forward to seeing what kind of content you submit soon. Do something good and I will "feature" it on the front page!
Showcase
Probably the single most anticipated feature of our XenForo transition. Much like the Wikidot and my attempt at UTAU.me earlier we finally have a formal UTAU profile system. Our previous attempt, now archived, was clunky, no one read the sticky and followed the proper template and was very time consuming as every submission was time consuming because we kept having to explain why peoples submissions were being rejected when they didn't follow the subforum's rules.
Beyond having a forced template with a lot of required fields the new Showcase system has tags, a review system (don't even think of abusing it), and when version 2.2.0 of the add-on deploys (currently in RC1 beta phase) it will have an extremely useful filterable search. Also, if you haven't noticed it will also display UTAU and the related Voicebank Download Resources right in your profile!
Social Share
Improved social media integration for Facebook and Twitter. This isn't some simple "share this" button but automatic (if you want it) sharing when you post status updates, create a thread, or reply. Not only does it integrate with XenForo's core functionality but both of our other add-ons as well. You can easily share when you create an UTAU profile, post a resource, or update that voicebank download.
There were other "social" plugins for XenForo but was the best because it is one is the only one that also worked with all our other plugins as well. Did I mention it inteigrates really well with the @UTAForum official Twitter? Our old bot was powered by RSS & Feedburner and was quite crude. This new add-on is much better. Go ahead, update your forum status and see for yourself!
TaigaChat Pro
We have been without a chatbox for more than a month now so I know at least a dozen of you will be happy to see this back. TaigaChat is heavily integrated with XenForo and has a ton of nifty features including displaying a minature version of your avatar next to your chat, the ability to change font colors (for certain usergroups) and additional moderation options tied to your Forum account.
Plus Much, Much, More!
Beyond just these paid and really obvious plug-ins over the last few days I have implemented a multitude of smaller plugins from a "friends" system, server side caching to increase performance, and custom BB code to administrative things like spam blockers and additional moderation tools.
Permissions Changes
Beyond bugfixes from permissions related issues we have overhauled our old (fairly) simplistic user group system to something with multiple tiers. Where before there was only one general user group "Registered" we now have 3 different ones.
Trophy Changes
Speaking of things that will get you promoted *hint hint* the Trophy system is undergoing a complete overhaul. Old trophies have been renamed, new trophies have been added, and even more have been planned. Keep checking back at our Trophies help page for the complete list of trophies you can earn as more are planned to be added throughout the week.
Rule Changes
Speaking of help pages for those of you who haven't seen them yet with a new version number comes a new Terms of Service & Rules page. You should probably read it all in detail as a lot of you weren't following the signature rules but I digress...
The short and sweet is two new rules have been added:
New Plug-ins Added
Resource Manager
This plug-in lets us manage various 'resources' including Voicebank Downloads, Tutorials, USTs, Reclists, MIDIs, and more. The plugin adds a neat way to organize content by adding version tracking, article ratings, version tracking, article "watching", and automatic discussions threads. I look forward to seeing what kind of content you submit soon. Do something good and I will "feature" it on the front page!
Showcase
Probably the single most anticipated feature of our XenForo transition. Much like the Wikidot and my attempt at UTAU.me earlier we finally have a formal UTAU profile system. Our previous attempt, now archived, was clunky, no one read the sticky and followed the proper template and was very time consuming as every submission was time consuming because we kept having to explain why peoples submissions were being rejected when they didn't follow the subforum's rules.
Beyond having a forced template with a lot of required fields the new Showcase system has tags, a review system (don't even think of abusing it), and when version 2.2.0 of the add-on deploys (currently in RC1 beta phase) it will have an extremely useful filterable search. Also, if you haven't noticed it will also display UTAU and the related Voicebank Download Resources right in your profile!
Social Share
Improved social media integration for Facebook and Twitter. This isn't some simple "share this" button but automatic (if you want it) sharing when you post status updates, create a thread, or reply. Not only does it integrate with XenForo's core functionality but both of our other add-ons as well. You can easily share when you create an UTAU profile, post a resource, or update that voicebank download.
There were other "social" plugins for XenForo but was the best because it is one is the only one that also worked with all our other plugins as well. Did I mention it inteigrates really well with the @UTAForum official Twitter? Our old bot was powered by RSS & Feedburner and was quite crude. This new add-on is much better. Go ahead, update your forum status and see for yourself!
TaigaChat Pro
We have been without a chatbox for more than a month now so I know at least a dozen of you will be happy to see this back. TaigaChat is heavily integrated with XenForo and has a ton of nifty features including displaying a minature version of your avatar next to your chat, the ability to change font colors (for certain usergroups) and additional moderation options tied to your Forum account.
Plus Much, Much, More!
Beyond just these paid and really obvious plug-ins over the last few days I have implemented a multitude of smaller plugins from a "friends" system, server side caching to increase performance, and custom BB code to administrative things like spam blockers and additional moderation tools.
Permissions Changes
Beyond bugfixes from permissions related issues we have overhauled our old (fairly) simplistic user group system to something with multiple tiers. Where before there was only one general user group "Registered" we now have 3 different ones.
- Registered-
Relative to the old "Registered" user group this new one has less permissions. Mainly aimed at combating SPAM and other negative behaviors some forum features (like signatures) are restricted until you make your first few posts. - Registered+
As the name implies relative to the old user group this new one has much more permissions. This includes access to much of the site's new features along with some easing of some of the harsher anti-SPAM measures aimed at new registers. - Promoted
Distinguished by their [Defenders of Defoko] flag members of this user group are pillars of our community. As a reward they have larger attachment limits, the ability to use different color text in the chatbox and more hidden features you all will have to discover yourselves.
Trophy Changes
Speaking of things that will get you promoted *hint hint* the Trophy system is undergoing a complete overhaul. Old trophies have been renamed, new trophies have been added, and even more have been planned. Keep checking back at our Trophies help page for the complete list of trophies you can earn as more are planned to be added throughout the week.
Rule Changes
Speaking of help pages for those of you who haven't seen them yet with a new version number comes a new Terms of Service & Rules page. You should probably read it all in detail as a lot of you weren't following the signature rules but I digress...
The short and sweet is two new rules have been added:
- Do Not Create Multiple Accounts
- Do Not Attempt to Game Forum Systems
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![[K] of Honor](/data/medal/1_1406930084l.jpg)
