ST7 City Journal development

[Dirktator 2,305]

Hi Folks,

For those who are using the new City Journals feature instead of these forums for their CJs, I know there are areas that can be improved and worked on. We will do what we can, please share any ideas you might have. I can't promise that we can deliver every single thing every one suggested, but I'd like to hear what are big issues for you... Helpful and constructive feedback will be most useful. Thanks!

[naftixe 131]

Personally I am re-learning the site and had to kill my top cj board due to the changes. The new format looks good. I am still trying to figure out how to look at mass stats, such as voting #s, rating, comments, and views. Under ST6, I could easily pull these numbers in about two hours of quick research. I will have to ask Ben how he is finding the stats for ST7 in the "new" cj section. Otherwise, thanks Dirk for your passion to keep this goin!!!!

[Meg 368]

From another thread . . .

Let me post this before I forget...

All the mosaics on the CJ section (I guess that all over ST this happens) are ruined because the pics don't stack exactly one after the other, like happens here [link]. The system forces them to separate; and, even though this separation is very short, it ruins the mosaics. Any ideas on solving this? Do we CJers have to do something special to make them to appear stacked properly or is that a system issue and we can do nothing?

[paeng 2,507]

Well, I find the navigation rather uncomfortable - it's very tedious to get to a particular page of the CJ... (specially if you don't remember the title of a particular update).

'Recent Entries' shows only 5 updates, the archive shows only dates (meaningless to the user), the bottom navi can only switch between pages (of 10)... I miss a complete overview of all entries (simple list with the titles, but without image, so it loads fast) plus an easy way to jump to any of them.

Stats on that (views, rating etc.) for a quick summary would be a bonus, too. ;-)

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

I suggest a "Table of contents" where all the updates of a CJ are displayed on 1 page.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Thank you for asking. Here's my wish list:

#1-2: On the main page, the name of the update is way big and higher than the name of the CJ, Could we put the name of the CJ first and biggest and then the name of the update not as big? Also, could we make it easier to find page 2+ of the CJs? The current way is not convenient to see the not as recently updated CJs.

#3. Could the index page default to a list form? Then we could see more CJs and pix included would not take up so much room on the index page.

#4. Can we have the various "view by" sorts back again?

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code [http://s03.flagcounter.com/count/rqJt/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=6/maxflags=150/viewers=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

#6. Would it be possible to add back in the views per update?

[Sniper296 83]

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code ["]http://s03.flagcount...rs=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

I had the same problem on the forums, it appears that IPB does not like dynamically created images, any image that does not end in .png/gif/jpg/jpeg will be rejected by IPB.

[figgy 10]

There's probably one already there and I just haven't seen it but a previous and next entry buttons would be great - at the moment I have to go back to the list of entries and select the next one

If there's already one, could someone tell me where it is?

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Oh, also, an index page for the CJ when you enter it more like the last one than the one we have now. Something more indexy (list form) and perhaps sort by features...

[_marsh_ 1,117]

I only really have 2 things I would like. 1 is the old way the entries where displayed. A neat "Table of Contents" that sorted them all out. Now it feels like a blog. With older updates hidden behind multiple pages and hard to reach.

Another thing is that now the name of the update is larger and more prevalent than the CJ's name.

I hope you value my input.

,marsh

[Benedict 3,119]

I would also like to see a simple table of contents for each CJ in the CJ section, as well as the ability to post images without gaps between them.

Also, I am not sure why one CJ is listed as an important CJ above all others. Don't get me wrong, it is a good CJ, but I feel they should all get equal billing. Perhaps that is a feature that can be turned off?

I would also like to see a search feature where you can search for recent activity regardless of whether it is a reply or an update. Currently you'd have to search both ways...

Other than that, I much prefer the ST 7 version. Looks cleaner, date stamps have been added, titles and subtitles are much easier to edit, and replies can now be edited.

  Edited March 23, 2011 by Benedict  

[spursrule14 1,074]

I agree with everybody's recommendations. I wish we could return to the ST6 CJ layout while retaining the simplicity of the new ST7. The new layout, including the index page and when viewing the CJs, feels dead to me. It doesn't feel alive like the ST6 CJ section felt.

[AIX 270]

I am going to chime in on the "Table of Contents" chorus. My CJ that I just started today, Dubai is not chronological and the first post I made contains some important info. I want that post to be "sticky" if at all possible. If we can make a "sticky" post, then we could simply make our own tables of contents. In addition, on the journal main page, there seems to be some garbled up forum code on the entry preview.

  Edited March 24, 2011 by AIX  

[_marsh_ 1,117]

Something else I noticed and think I should say. You cannot comment (in the new CJ section) with the Opera browser. I can live without that. Just letting you know.

[AIX 270]

I have been able to work around the Table of Content issue. I created a category for each of my subsections plus a "READ ME" category. The read me provides the ToC, overview, etc and is easy to find. I'm actually like that a lot better because I now have a category for each district in my region so essentially it's like a "blog" for each.

[chpbrownlee 127]

I know I'm going to sound kind of stupid, but I liked the old city journal section, I wouldn't mind something similar but more enhanced, I hate the sidebar.. and the way the "Community City Journal" displays stuff it displays the BB codes and everything, which should be fixed, also I think we should still have the option to have the banners for our titles and such. I really liked the old image in putter thing that let you re-size the images and stuff right then and there instead of what we have now, I really think that should be another feature brought back. Like I said about the sidebar, I think the update should span the that page/window I don't like how there's the side bar and such, though I like it's features. Like marsh, I liked the way the old city journal's were posted, with a neat table of contents and such, it's really cluttered now, and I think it would look better if we didn't preview the post... because a lot of times that's stuff like replies and BB codes and they don't look right.

[AdoxxBE 289]

Yes, they really shoald fix the BB codes. Makes it a bit unproffesional.

[hijodecordoba 74]

i don't know if this is a hint, or if only i'm too blind to see... but is it possible to follow a CJ like in the old forum ("watch this topic"). i can't rember were i made a comment and i don't want to fill my liked content just to remember me. and the "add favorite" don't appear anywhere, do they? maybe i just stil don't found this function, but maybe this is an issue.

[paeng 2,507]

is it possible to follow a CJ like in the old forum

If I'm not all wrong, this is now served by the "Like" button - that green one with the little heart.

[Cleaner475 150]

i don't know if this is a hint, or if only i'm too blind to see... but is it possible to follow a CJ like in the old forum ("watch this topic"). i can't rember were i made a comment and i don't want to fill my liked content just to remember me. and the "add favorite" don't appear anywhere, do they? maybe i just stil don't found this function, but maybe this is an issue.

The 'like' button serves the purpose of subscribing in ST 7, just click that and then you can choose to recieve notifications when new comments are posted, you can always like anonoymously if you want.

Regards,

Richard

[Dirktator 2,305]

Oh, also, an index page for the CJ when you enter it more like the last one than the one we have now. Something more indexy (list form) and perhaps sort by features...

There's a button on the main CJ listing top left that does what you're asking.

I have been able to work around the Table of Content issue. I created a category for each of my subsections plus a "READ ME" category. The read me provides the ToC, overview, etc and is easy to find. I'm actually like that a lot better because I now have a category for each district in my region so essentially it's like a "blog" for each.

This is the correct use of Categories, the table of contents before was automated and wasn't very flexible. If you create "Categories" you can have much finer control over how your entries are grouped.

is it possible to follow a CJ like in the old forum

If I'm not all wrong, this is now served by the "Like" button - that green one with the little heart.

That's correct. The Like feature is not very clear - I believe it's getting a make-over in the next update.

[Dirktator 2,305]

Well, I find the navigation rather uncomfortable - it's very tedious to get to a particular page of the CJ... (specially if you don't remember the title of a particular update).

'Recent Entries' shows only 5 updates, the archive shows only dates (meaningless to the user), the bottom navi can only switch between pages (of 10)... I miss a complete overview of all entries (simple list with the titles, but without image, so it loads fast) plus an easy way to jump to any of them.

Stats on that (views, rating etc.) for a quick summary would be a bonus, too. ;-)

Go to the main CJ page, top left button "List All City Journals" displays journals in more of an index. I'm not a fan of the current side-by-side boxes either, so this is being changed. But for now, if you want an index style listing use the List All CJs link.

I suggest a "Table of contents" where all the updates of a CJ are displayed on 1 page.

Utilize the "Categories" feature, which is a more versatile way of organizing your content -- check it out!

Thank you for asking. Here's my wish list:

#1-2: On the main page, the name of the update is way big and higher than the name of the CJ, Could we put the name of the CJ first and biggest and then the name of the update not as big? Also, could we make it easier to find page 2+ of the CJs? The current way is not convenient to see the not as recently updated CJs.

#3. Could the index page default to a list form? Then we could see more CJs and pix included would not take up so much room on the index page.

#4. Can we have the various "view by" sorts back again?

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code ["]http://s03.flagcount...rs=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

#6. Would it be possible to add back in the views per update?

#1. Agreed, will do.

#2. Will see what can be done about it

#3. See my above comment, yes we could make it default.

#4. Yes, this will return.

#5. As a dynamic image, there's a tweak that needs to be done so it should work.

#6. Yes.

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code [http://s03.flagcount...rs=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

I had the same problem on the forums, it appears that IPB does not like dynamically created images, any image that does not end in .png/gif/jpg/jpeg will be rejected by IPB.

This is being looked into, I think its' solvable.

There's probably one already there and I just haven't seen it but a previous and next entry buttons would be great - at the moment I have to go back to the list of entries and select the next one

If there's already one, could someone tell me where it is?

The way IPB is set up, it's not as easy to get the Next/Prev working the way I want, so still working on this.

I only really have 2 things I would like. 1 is the old way the entries where displayed. A neat "Table of Contents" that sorted them all out. Now it feels like a blog. With older updates hidden behind multiple pages and hard to reach.

Another thing is that now the name of the update is larger and more prevalent than the CJ's name.

I hope you value my input.

,marsh

See above regarding "List All City Journals".

Thanks for the feedback folks, you should see some changes to the CJs this week. I got a bit behind while figuring out server-related woes, but I'm back on the CJs this week.

[Sniper296 83]

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code [http://s03.flagcount...rs=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

I had the same problem on the forums, it appears that IPB does not like dynamically created images, any image that does not end in .png/gif/jpg/jpeg will be rejected by IPB.

This is being looked into, I think its' solvable.

Thats an easy one: ACP > System > Tools & Settings > System Settings > System > Security and Privacy > Security [General - High] - Allow dynamic images?

[Dirktator 2,305]

#5. Could we have added functionality for posts and comments? (An oddity I am wondering about - my flag counter image works fine in all ported over pages but on new pages, I get an error message saying it cannot be used. It's a .png link code [http://s03.flagcount...rs=0/labels=1/] so it should work...)

I had the same problem on the forums, it appears that IPB does not like dynamically created images, any image that does not end in .png/gif/jpg/jpeg will be rejected by IPB.

This is being looked into, I think its' solvable.

Thats an easy one: ACP > System > Tools & Settings > System Settings > System > Security and Privacy > Security [General - High] - Allow dynamic images?

Already enabled. Has always been enabled.

[paeng 2,507]

Go to the main CJ page, top left button "List All City Journals" displays journals in more of an index.

Yeah, that is okay (somewhat;-) for the main page...

However, my earlier remarks were meant within a CJ - meaning once I am inside a particular CJ, I still find it hard to get an overview of all the entries and even more to go to a certain entry... going via the 'Page' navi is a bit of a lottery... Just to compare - in the old system I entered a CJ and had a simple (and very efficient) list of all entries, chronologically, just displaying the titles and some stats... so I could look for an interesting (sub)title and go straight to that page of the CJ.

Now I get one page with 10 entries, of which the first two or three are displayed with an image - that may on first sight seem valuable, but it is not really, because it a) makes the page 'sluggish' and b) 'steals' the broad and general overview. Take out those pics and display all entries on that page, then we're talking ;-))

+++

Oh, as I mentioned 'sluggish'... that is a general problem I have with v7 - scrolling any page is really awful business... it feels as if the soft allows scrolling only line by line. If I scroll in fast strokes using the wheel, the page is really stumbling after me, pausing and sticking every so often... Do others have this problem as well?

[Dirktator 2,305]

Go to the main CJ page, top left button "List All City Journals" displays journals in more of an index.

Yeah, that is okay (somewhat;-) for the main page...

However, my earlier remarks were meant within a CJ - meaning once I am inside a particular CJ, I still find it hard to get an overview of all the entries and even more to go to a certain entry... going via the 'Page' navi is a bit of a lottery... Just to compare - in the old system I entered a CJ and had a simple (and very efficient) list of all entries, chronologically, just displaying the titles and some stats... so I could look for an interesting (sub)title and go straight to that page of the CJ.

Now I get one page with 10 entries, of which the first two or three are displayed with an image - that may on first sight seem valuable, but it is not really, because it a) makes the page 'sluggish' and b) 'steals' the broad and general overview. Take out those pics and display all entries on that page, then we're talking ;-))

+++

Oh, as I mentioned 'sluggish'... that is a general problem I have with v7 - scrolling any page is really awful business... it feels as if the soft allows scrolling only line by line. If I scroll in fast strokes using the wheel, the page is really stumbling after me, pausing and sticking every so often... Do others have this problem as well?

Yes, the individual CJ's main listing is next up to be improved.

As for scrolling, we did address it earlier today... give your browser a force refresh ctrl-F5 and see if it's still happening. If it is, is it only happening in the CJs or throughout the site? Also, what browser are you using? And can you try another browser just for testing sake... thx!

[paeng 2,507]

As for scrolling, we did address it earlier today... give your browser a force refresh ctrl-F5 and see if it's still happening. If it is, is it only happening in the CJs or throughout the site? Also, what browser are you using? And can you try another browser just for testing sake... thx!

Sorry, only just saw it on the other thread... It's improved a little by now, but not really as much as I'd like ;-)

Got the issue in CJs, Stex and Forums - both with current FF and Opera... Op is a bit different - it scrolls smooth, then stops, then 'jumps' after my wheel... while in FF it's just stop'n'go :-\

[Joe 90 358]

For all those screaming out for a table of contents, you could always make one.

I've used the 'Add Blocks' feature (button at top right) to make a ToC that appears as a box in the right hand column, and is therefore visible from wherever you may be within my CJ. Since the new block is editable in the same way a regular post is, you can pretty much do whatever you want with it.

I'm sure there will be myriad other ways this feature can be used besides ToC's too.

[Dirktator 2,305]

As for scrolling, we did address it earlier today... give your browser a force refresh ctrl-F5 and see if it's still happening. If it is, is it only happening in the CJs or throughout the site? Also, what browser are you using? And can you try another browser just for testing sake... thx!

Sorry, only just saw it on the other thread... It's improved a little by now, but not really as much as I'd like ;-)

Got the issue in CJs, Stex and Forums - both with current FF and Opera... Op is a bit different - it scrolls smooth, then stops, then 'jumps' after my wheel... while in FF it's just stop'n'go :-\

I don't know, it really sounds like a browser related issue. I have absolutely zero scrolling lag in FF3 and FF4 on a few different PCs.

Does this help you or anyone else?

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/746587

It sounds like it's a known issue...?

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Thanks, Dirktator! I appreciate your working to address these items for us.