Important PMBug forum software update

Thread contains important information that may impact how you use the forum

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pmbug

pmbug

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I just finished updating the forum software here. I also had to update a lot of the add-on modification modules that we're using on the site. I think I got everything configured correctly, but there was a lot of updating involved, so it's possible I missed something.

If you notice anything not working as expected, please let me know!

I will be continuing to tweak a few things here and there now that we're running the latest update. I'll post a note in here when I change anything significant.
 
I'm experimenting a bit with the layout of the site. I've added a carousel containing "featured" content to the forum page and I've also made the forum page the home page. I can always revert these changes, but I thought I'd try this for a while and see if it works better or not.
 
I've made the Bartertown node visible to guests (and search engines). They can see that the forum node exists and can see the thread list (just the thread titles), but can't read any of the threads' contents unless they register/log in.
 
The update that was just installed included a lot of "back end" enhancements including:
  • changes to how the forum manages and renders the styling for pages. This won't be apparent to you and I - everything should look the same as before - but the code to generate the pages we see should now be smaller which means faster page loads
  • image processing - this was a big improvement apparently. Again, not something you are likely to notice when viewing a page, but software manages image resizing and conversions (attachment uploads, image display within threads, etc.) more efficiently as well now having support for newer and popular image formats. The newer image formats are smaller footprints so again, this leads to faster page loads
  • mark up compliance - the new styling system is supposed to be compatible with an invisible (ie. defined in the code, but doesn't affect screen display) mark up system that Google (and likely others) use that defines the page elements for easier (ie. automated) parsing of a page content. Again - not something you are going to see, but theoretically, it could help the site's pages visibility in search engine results.
In addition to those back end enhancements, there are quite a few new back end features that allow for greater connectivity/modifications which I have not even begun to explore.

With respect to enhancements that you can see/notice:
  • there is a new "trending" sidebar widget that lists threads that are ... trending. What makes a thread trending? A magical formula that considers pages views (from members and guests, but not bots), replies and reactions. The exact weighting for these items is configurable as is the decay (or window of valid time) under which they should be tabulated. This is something that I'll likely be experimenting with for a while to see if I can find a formula that seems to yield "good" or reasonable results
  • content embedding - this version of the forum software includes a new content embedding system. When you post a link to a pmbug thread/post (on it's own line), the link will now automagically transform into an "embedded display" of the post. Additionally, at the top right of every post in the forum, there is a share icon (three dots connected with lines) that now includes HTML embed code that can be used for posting on other websites (in Wordpress or whatever).
  • Headings are now linkable! Whenever a post contains the [heading=3][/heading] code, that heading will become an HTML anchor that can be directly linked. This allows you to copy the link directly to that heading. You can see an example of this here: https://www.pmbug.com/threads/gold-...er.5705/#-gault-gold-as-unpegged-legal-tender

Testing an embed directly to an anchor:

pmbug

Gold As Unpegged Legal Tender

gold-coins-right-image-001.png


Gold As Unpegged Legal Tender​


We need to level the currency playing field to enforce a practical, market based boundary on irresponsible monetary and fiscal policy.

Poor System Design​


Our Founding Fathers understood the problems with fiat money and monetary debasement. They attempted to prescribe guardrails in the Constitution to prevent these issues from plaguing the United States of America. Sound money lasted for a hundred years or so. But maintaining strict fiscal discipline is difficult. Eventually, our government removed it's sound money...
  • Thanks

Testing an embed directly to a reply post in a thread:

pmbug

Post in thread 'Gold As Unpegged Legal Tender'

It occurs to me that I failed to address an issue on the topic of feasibility. Years ago, monetary gold and silver were minted into coins for circulation in the economy. Coins have their pros and cons, but small denomination gold can be very tiny. Some smart peeps in the last few years developed technology to produce gold (and silver) foil notes (Goldbacks) that are very similar to fiat paper notes and can serve as a practical vehicle for using fractionalized units of gold in everyday commerce:

www.pmbug.com

Gold Backs, The New Gold Currency -- Jeremy Cordon

Gold Backs, The New Gold Currency -- Jeremy Cordon Jun 5, 2023 20:05 Kerry Lutz and Jeremy Cordon discussed Gold Backs, a form of commodity money that is split into a thousand pieces and wrapped in a protective layer to make it nearly impossible to counterfeit. Nearly half of all small...
www.pmbug.com www.pmbug.com

Of...
 
The embed to an anchor failed. The embeds work at the post level though.
 
I forgot to mention another new feature that you can see - Featured Content. I'm still experimenting with it at the moment, but presently I've added a featured content carousel to the top of the home page that highlights some threads that designated as featured. The featuring process is a manual one that allows me to determine which threads should be highlighted (and in what order they should be displayed).

I'm still experimenting with this one to see what is possible with it. I might end up granting permission to every member that is a VIP/Benefactor to designate featured content depending upon what (permission) configurations are possible with that.
 
pmbug said:
I forgot to mention another new feature that you can see - Featured Content. I'm still experimenting with it at the moment, but presently I've added a featured content carousel to the top of the home page that highlights some threads that designated as featured. The featuring process is a manual one that allows me to determine which threads should be highlighted (and in what order they should be displayed).
Click to expand...
I'm not a friend of constantly moving/changing page elements. I hope you keep that carousel only on the homepage.
Just my opinion


pmbug said:
it could help the site's pages visibility in search engine results.
Click to expand...
Honestly I find the functionality of this website excellent.
I wish I knew what can be done on the seo level in order to increase the visibility of pmb.com

Congratulation PMB (y)
 
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