UFPlanets.com Total Revamp

John Hathaway · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 5:44 PM

Hi guys

As many of you may already know (topic in the latest Herald, also with a teaser image), SCE Lead Engineer Neo, as well as Sharpkiller and myself are working long and hard on completely revamping ufplanets.com.

We're upgrading to the latest vBulletin 4 version, and integrating vBadvanced to create a seamless website/forum combination - moving from the forums to the website and back again will all be part of the same make-up. This has the great benefit of being able to move many clogged up sections of the forums onto the website - static information which rarely changes or doesn't need discussion for example. The forums will decrease in size too as links and information only forums, are better arranged and organised with the addition of a fully working website.

The design will also be a complete departure from the current theme. The forum will be slightly wider, but still capable of supporting low resolution users. While those on super high resolution monitors will enjoy a cool background.
We're not yet releasing details on the design theme, but we're certain you'll be pleased with the results - after all the design brief called for a theme which will make you *want* to visit the site often

This does of course have the unfortunate side effect of eating into our time which we'd usually like to spend gaming on STO and in general, and socialising on TeamSpeak. While our duties to the fleet will of course continue we do apologise for any general lack of attendance.
We are working hard to get this out as quickly as possible, but because of the sheer scale of the task before us, we can't yet make any guaranteed release dates. We're really pushing the envelope both in design and coding terms, and I feel we're very fortunate to have both Neo and Sharp on the team to make this possible.

One quick important thing to note. The forum layout will remain largely unchanged, so the forum catagories will be carried over etc, so the new forum should have familiarity in its structure at least. All posts and threads will also move over so nothing will be lost. CL5 members will get early access to help set up their areas when the time comes.

We will try and update as we progress

Neo · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 6:09 PM

alright, you twisted my arm

[sarcasm]

[/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, we have been working hard, and I'd like to thank Hathaway for the sheer amount of graphic work he's putting into this project.

We aim to please, and make something remarkable.

Long live the UFP!

Tallaris · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 6:18 PM

Christopher Halsey · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 6:32 PM

NEO!!!!!

You were supposed to get the Pokemon one with Bill Cosby!

Josh Broughm · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 6:57 PM

WHAT THE FRAK!!!

Mikester92 · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 8:03 PM

Stay on topic guys.

Elessar · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 8:14 PM

lol that was funny

Jon Thomas · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 10:13 PM

Will there be any Downtime in the near future involving the upgrade?

Sharpkiller · Posted Sun 13 Feb, 2011 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by {UFP}Jon Thomas

Will there be any Downtime in the near future involving the upgrade?

The only time there will be downtime due to the upgrade is when it is actually occurring. We don't know when that will be yet.

Neo · Posted Mon 14 Feb, 2011 1:14 AM

The upgrade process is still being planned.... but it wont be an error page

ClearyMonkey · Posted Mon 14 Feb, 2011 3:01 AM

Will there be cake to celebrate?

Zach · Posted Mon 14 Feb, 2011 4:24 AM

I don't think there will be any cake to celebrate...mainly because the cake is a lie.

Josh Broughm · Posted Tue 15 Feb, 2011 5:36 PM

Cake is never a lie.

Besides the front page/forums integration, what else can we expect?(other than the vis changes)

washproof · Posted Tue 15 Feb, 2011 5:54 PM

if you guys need any extra help with GFX work just lemme know k?

i did all the GFX work for my ex-fleet etc.

here are some e.g's of my STO work.

fleet logo: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...FLEET-LOGO.png

the department gfx: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...FFED001V10.png

Galaxy Map: http://www.maplib.net/map.php?id=7652

the galaxy map was the first player made STO map to hit the forums in closed beta and the various versions have had over 100k hits over the year, i was thinking of updating it at some point, maybe it could be worked into this website with the google maps API?

Neo · Posted Tue 15 Feb, 2011 6:10 PM

It's a totally new forum software! so not just a "cover" and "integration"
Everything is recoded to be made better, go google vBulletin 4 vs 3! The list of changes are vast, specially the way it is styled, hence the need of 2 coders, me and sharp.

Unfortunately, we've passed the stage of needing help, its almost done, besides, you'll miss out on the surprise! Trust me, you will WANT to wait, you just don't know it!.... eugh, I wish I could say more!

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