Figured I'd make a quick post here to get everyone thinking in the same direction. For some time now I've been saying the next major upgrade will be on the admin area. I've come to realize that if I don't just do it we will never get started:). So, instead of adding things here and there I think I'll try to focus on certain areas for upgrades. Meaning, the administration of the program will be first, then maybe the external API, then maybe the "my w3t" area. I think if we concentrate on a certain area of the program, progress will be a bit smoother. So, starting in the next day or 2 will be the administration upgrade. If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see improved or added to this area now would be the time to do it.
Besides all the suggested feature improvements will soon fill this thread up with ( <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> ) I really think you should get the admin section into language files as the rest of the site. I really think it is needed.
Your strategy sounds good to me... The first thing I have, I'm afraid, is not merely a way to simplyfy the interface, it's the feature request that's been mentioned a few times, and recently on the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wwwthreads.com/perl/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=questions&Number=27425&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&part=>Perl Q&A board</A>, which is the ability to move posts. But if this can't be put in yet, you know we've been discussing the inadaquate procedure to select new moderators. My idea would be to be able to type in a username (and/or a search funcion), then have a list with all categories/boards come up (like the Main Index), and have check boxes to select which board a user should become a moderator for. Maybe JavaScript could be used to check a category which then puts checkboxes in all boards in that category. I haven't seen what the current version's Admin section looks like, especially what approving posts is concerned, but I would like to have one page that lists (like search results) all the new NA posts (regardless of which board they are on, listing all that are in boards moderated by this user), then have check boxes by each post to approve them all in one simple step. Also, I still think it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a "One Click" button by unapproved posts to get them easily approved, without having to go to the Edit screen, then the Approve Confirmation, then finally the page that says it's been approved. I know some of these features are not exactly Admin section related, but Admin/Moderator duty related, so I thought maybe they can be considered. Oh, before I forget... in my 5.0.9 I tried to search for an e-mail address, but it only checks for exact match, not for partial match... e.g. looking for "hotmail" wouldn't give any results, only when the entire exact e-mail address was entered. I don't know if it still works that way in 5.1.4, but I think partial string matches should show up. Another one: I think the read/write permissions should be much easier to set, also via one page that lists all boards in a table, and with checkboxes for the permissions, for each user group. For forums with a large number of user groups, this may have to be done on a "one page per user group" basis. Well, these are the feature requests that I hope for the most. I'll be back if more come to mind.
I know I said this before, but not sure if it ever got looked at or added..
It would be nice if there was a way to make it were users could only reply to existing posts in a specific forum.
That way you can make a news forum that only admins or mods can post in, but users can still reply.. And then the addon news script can have an option to show how many replies have been made to a news update.. (slashdot style..)
2. MySQL command box (where we can execute sql commands).
-This section could have some prepared command buttons such as that optimize one, dump database (backup), etc.
3. Ability to edit email messages for:
-subscriptions
-lost passwords
-pm notify
-pm receipt
-others?
4. Search Users by IP
5. Ability to assign admins and moderators to categories (actually the whole system needs to be worked...) 6. Not in the admin section but admin and moderators functions anyway:
a) Option to edit/remove/move posts without the Edited by Webmaster on 21/11/00 02:25 PM (server time) tag.
b) When deleting a post have an option to delete all replies generated by it.
c) Edit > Delete > Confirm > to index is a long, process. How about a small delete icon next to the edit one? Mateo Byler
Again, I'll put forth my request for enhanced moderation interface. The current process requires two different passes for each board, one to allow posts. Then back to the admin screen. Into moderation again, one more pass to delete posts. I would like to see either of these: 1) A two column setup. One column for acceptance of messages, one for deletion. One single submit button will process each column in one fell swoop, requiring only one pass into the moderation setting. 2) A single column setup. Those that are checked will be allowed when submitted, those left unchecked will be deleted.
"Login as... <user>" option, for when <user> complains vociferously about something, that you can't replicate, so you can login as them and "See what they see". There was/is a hack for this floating around, so it really should just be a nobrainer to get it working. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
**My first and foremost request is that we would be able to edit the config files through the website, similar to other board packages I've seen. This is especially nice for the new installer, and can make installation seem tons less daunting. It would also be nice for changes like adding/removing stylesheets, with the optional ability to upload the sheets themselves.... 1) a single user search...right now there seems to be two of them. (I think one for show/edit user, and one for change user's groups)
2) Easier way to view/change many users' settings (tables were mentioned before, I believe)
3) Integrate phpMyAdmin or similar program for DB management
4) Removal of the Moderator related items if boards are not using true moderation
5) Ability to easily change default settings for a newly created board (ie. different default read/write groups)
6) Similarly to #5, ability to change default groups that registered users belong to (at least to add more)
7) Remove the ability to add a user to the admin/moderator groups, since they don't really do anything unless you use grant privs anyhow. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />
8) Ability to change file postability of a board on a per board, or at least per category basis. I've actually wanted this for quite a while. On a different note, I really think that the forgotten password feature should undergo those offered changes I read a while back. They were well thought-out, and much needed. And not too far off from an Admin change. <P ID="edit"><FONT><EM>Edited by LoneVVolf on 12/27/00 02:22 PM.</EM></FONT>
Let me also add that I'd REALLY like to see the configuration stuff move into "non-distributed" files... e.g., cracking open a tarball of the new version doesn't overwrite configuration settings. Whether this means we move the configuration settings into the DB (and then only contain a "stub" configuration which has "DB/username/password" to get into the configuration stuff, or because the configs move somewhere else in the file-tree...
Re: Config Settings - agreed, I think it would make sense to either move them into the database (except for the DB filename and password), or into a seperate folder (.htaccess protected!), and then not include that file in the future upgrade versions (but include instructions for those that skip this particular upgrade) so that it doesn't get re-set. The way I've been handling it - unpack locally to a different folder, then compare the new and old config files with Beyond Compare... since most of this stuff never changes, this is really unnecessary to have to compare those files every time. The question about moving it into the database would be, what is easier on the server? Include a config script or do a database query? If a query would be easier, that would also help to improve the Admin interface, since it would be much easier to modify the variables when they are part of the database (database name and password excluded, of course, *doh*).
I only have two for now, but I guess they are sort of complex... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> 1) Archiving: Right now there is nothing, and I'd like to see a few options: To archive threads older than x days (as in the last post is older than that number, not the first) and a) close them and move them to a 'archive' board for each board, or one for each category, or one for the entire forum, b) remove those threads from the forum and store them somewhere in the admin section, either in message form or plain text flat display form, c) close them and mark them with an archive image, or something. Basically I think the best method would be to have archive sections by forum/category/board (admin configurable) where all archived threads would be closed and moved to. Searching of the archives would be easiest if done through the current search, but with one new category for archives, not one for each board/category archive, if configured to have such by the admin. Also, maybe a 'restore archived thread' option? 2) Upgrade forum stats section. It doesn't do too well now, and I really don't know how it works. It would be nice to get a stat report like.... Total users
Total users registered in past 30 days
Average # of users registered per month
Average Posts per user for above categories
Total forum posts
Total posts past 30 days
Average posts per month
Per category/board stats for above 3
Average posts per day of week Anything to add? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
As a small followup on this I will be working on the PERL version first, and then porting the new admin features/updates to the PHP version. So, you can keep your eye on the <a target="_blank" href=http://www.wwwthreads.com/changes.html>PERL changelog</a> to see what's being added.
One idea that came up a bit was moving w3t(themes|vars) actually INTO the db itself. (with updatetables presumably adding default values for new config options, when new options are added).
Is this something you've decided to do? Just curious, because it sounds killer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
That's something I thought about originally but the main reason I decided against it is to keep the number of SQL queries to a minimum. Moving this into the db would require one more SQL query for every script that is being run and since there are more DB applications being used on hosted servers more of the hosting companies are frowning on apps with too many DB queries.
What about making it an option somehow? If you can move the configurations to the DB, then the migration from PHP<->Perl and vice-versa is simplified, because there's no configuration stuff to change.
Even if you have a set of routines:
create_config_table: moves w3t(vars|themes).pm into a db create_config_file: creates w3t(vars|themes).pm from what is in the db
and then have the update_tables routines also create (if the db table exists) the new fields.
Then you can store the config in the DB, and when you upgrade, you can simply do:
create_config_file
and poof, the configuration files are created for you, without having anything get overwritten, etc in the change.
Plus, the ability to at least give the admin an option would be very spiffy. I mean, have a routine either "select *" to populate %config/%theme, or having a routine read the data in from w3t(themes|vars).pm is a nice abstraction and allows the greatest flexibility. Those who own the boxes and don't answer to anyone for SQL calls, can "go for the gusto", but if you're pressed for sql action, you can leave it in the files and go that route. Especially given that PHP has much better SQL performance, the PHP folk will especially appreciate the option. Further, it allows a "mysqldump <dbname>" to ensure that not only is all the data preserved, but also all the configuration settings.
I understand the issues with not wanting to FORCE people to use the DB for configs, but allowing the option is definitely something we should still do.
Don't know if this has been mentioned but I'd love the ability to move a message FROM a thread to place elsewhere. Sometimes someone will go way off topic yet still have something relevant to say and it would be great to be able to move that out of the topic thread to a new location.
There is a posting in the General Questions area I believe asking about copying and/or moving threads to other "boards" I think this would be a very helpful feature as I plan to run FAQ and Tech support for each of my products and for the website, I can see some questions that will be the same so I want to be able to copy them into each Catagory Thread...
Wow, this has been a really great dialog of suggestions. I will try to be brief and clear....yeah, right! Thanks for the chance to contribute. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />
Thanks to Gerrit and others who agree with my query about copy, split, move threads. May be too complicated though. There are probably some very useful variables that could be worked in too.
I don't agree on cutting back the steps to delete posts. You must have a safety net for the 2AM last minute Admin screw ups....and a confirmation is nice for Admin confidence - if it wasn't there we'd be asking for it. But it needs reworking....
1) Option to set w3t to open a seperate window for *Reply to* instead of simply showing the post of the person you're responding to. I rightclick and open a new window to allow me to read the various posts on a thread while I write replies to several members in one swoop.
The window should close and return the user back to the thread either after the post is sent or after the preview and post is completed. Admin could set a default on or off and users could set this feature in their profile.
2) MTO - the MySQL command box for Optimize and Dump is killer! This is a real pain for beginners like me.
3) MTO - edit email messages: an easy way to upload autoresponder email messages that can be controlled from a single page in Admin.
4) Something like what Joseph built for (minor) altering of Config files would be nice, it works well and is friendly, but with even more options.....especially for uploading and recognizing new or altered/renamed CSS files!
5) The "No Overwrite upgrade" is really a priority. The *problems* I hear others refer to with upgrading, and it's affect on config and hacks makes me hesitate to set up Eileen or Gerrit hacks...or upgrade to 5.1.4...simply because I'm not savvy enough to work through it all.
Dredd has the right idea - excellent! - Would it be possible to write a script that copies a set of files from a "Owner Preference" file that would insure specific w3t Admin settings to remain constant within all versions/upgrades of w3t? Just a passing thought.....
6) The ability to edit header and footer on the fly via Admin would be very cool....and the ability to define a different header and footer from a common folder for each Category would be an outstanding alternative to rotator scripts and frames.
7) Muhammad - forum stats - yes! They should be as WebTrends-like as is possible! I would like to pull a full set of stats "on demand", not as a cron or any real load, and have as detailed a representation as I get on the server side.
* * Admin - Mod - Group - User options + Post Editing * *
Gerrit - Permissions ideas - excellent! - a real problem area.
Admin Page for setting group permissions in mass - - and - - Assigning permissions to new Mods or Mods on new boards- - Admin page has a left side list of all the forums and groups - with check boxes - Choose the group or the forum you want to set or delete permissions on -- opens a page with left list - usernames only (all) with check boxes - shows present permissions settings - check which ones have permissions, or delete, in one swoop.
Also - same sort of page - - * need email search - string match - word - and/or - * need username search - - very time consuming and repetitive....I must search the userbase, *copy* the cryptic name, *paste* it in the search box we use now....?
Whew! I'm exhasted! Thanks for letting me vent that.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> ...hope this is useful.....Bobby
" Life is hard, but it's harder when you're stupid ! "
WooHoo! ....or since I'm from Texas, let's say....YeeHaaa! I just hit *Journeyman*....so why do I feel so ignorant? *no replies neccessary*
On a non-Admin request that is very important.....I'm gonna bitch a little....could we get the *post* window preset to be about ten times bigger....maybe on one side, or the other, of the *Reply to* form box? Like maybe put everything but the post window on the opposite side? Trying to read my posts....er, essays.....er, novellettes....is tough with a dinky little post window! Man, I can't even see three sentences. And if, by some wierd chance, I should need to snip and paste an edit on a post, it's very tiresome to read and work with. Heaven help you if you need to write a second paragraph!
I'm working on dual 19" monitors and I'm typing in a 1" window? This is crazy....or is it just me?
" Life is hard, but it's harder when you're stupid ! "
>>could we get the *post* window preset to be about ten times bigger<< Oh, this ones easy: Go to the 'Edit Profile' link at the top of the page. Click on 'Edit Display Preferences', then scroll down near the bottom of the page to the 'TextArea columns?' and 'TextArea rows?'
settings boxes, and set these to 60 and 20 respectively. This'll open the message form box up considerably. If it's still not big enough for you just play around with the numbers 'till you hit the right combo.
This might be something I can do in a future version, but right now I just want to concentrate on upgrading the admin area itself. However, the good news is this. WIth the new online editor of the w3ttheme.pm and w3tvars.pm files I will not have to distribute these 2 files with the upgrade package. Basically when upgrading you will be able to keep your current w3tvars and w3ttheme files and then go to the admin area for editing them. Any new options added will be color coded with the .standouttext stylesheet class so you will be able to keep your old settings.
Thanks, I figured that was what those were for...but never could find any kind of info/help/how-to or other documentation....or maybe I jusy couldn't figure out exactly what question to ask to search for the info here.
That brings me back to a discussion SixPack and I had on this. I apologize to Rick for bringing this up because I'm sure this is a major PITA, but it's a fact of life for programmers. I'm stupid....I'm smart enough to know I'm stupid....I don't mind admitting it....I depend on Rick to think for me and build what I am not capable of building....but, it's not fair to just dump a new owner of a W3T forum into a pile of Perl scripts without good docs and how-tos.
This should be the number one priority of all the ADMIN alterations!
Documentation for the Admin....on the Admin pages
The problem with searching on this website for info...since there is almost no doc or help bundled with the distribution... about how-to and set-up and mods is that you have to know what it is you're looking for....you have to know WHAT to ask to find out what you don't know.
Little things can be awful for a new user to have to guess at. Many of us are not Perl literate and are not confident to "play around" within the scripts and files Rick has so masterfully authored. That's why we buy this stuff rather than write it ourselves....well, duh!.....so, we depend on really simple-minded docs, how-tos, helpfiles.
** ** I'd like to have a explanation page with how-to help, linked to every Admin page as part of the distro bundle. ** **
There should be detailed explanations of what each setting is for, how it works, what the possible settings variables are, why, samples, FAQs on every dinky thing. What stops most wannabe forum owners from using W3T is the lack of documentation and help files. It's just too confusing for a novice webmaster.
If our site wants to grant someone Admin priviledges, we have to be sure they are able to figure out how to work with W3T on their own....blind...no docs or help....or I'm going to have to write my own instruction guide for them.
Do you really want someone with my knowledge writing the help files and how-tos for the W3T software? I don't think so.....
" Life is hard, but it's harder when you're stupid ! "
The docs are in the works. Sixpack69 has been working on these <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wwwthreads.com/support>here</A>. More docs will come. Eventually you will be able to get help for every setting in the new online editor of the vars and theme file.
On a related note... can the editor "note" when there are things it DOESN'T know about in w3t(vars|theme) and include those in a free-form area. (e.g., if someone has hacks which include variables added to vars or themes, it would be good if the config editor "saw those" but knew it didn't know what to do with them, and put them in a TEXTAREA or something at the end.
Hmm, that might be possible. I'd have to figure out how to check if there were any leftover keys in the %config and %theme hashes and throw them into the text box. I'll see what I can come up with.
Thanks Scream. I've been watching the progress. All of us "unskilled workers" are thankful for the effort you guys are making in our behalf. Sorry if I sound like I'm bitchin' sometimes. I really do have a sincere respect for your work here. Now I'll get back to my work....thanks....Bobby.
BTW - I just read the changelog for the past two days. I want to personally thank you for the work you're doing. It is amazing to find a software developer like yourself and I would have to say that I now understand the reasons why others here praise your work so much. Thanks....BB.
how about the basic stuff like radio buttons to determine wha tappears on the nav bar (eg. show user list?) and also fill-in-the-fields for the contact info on bottom of navigation, and also to change the page title etc....
also, ability to change welcome message and default views for all new users....
Has this been mentioned yet? I didn't see it: How about the option to send email to not all users, but to specific user groups, or moderators? There would be some very good instances where this would come in much more handy than the "to all users".
I'll definitely second this one. Forgot about it earlier. I would love to be able to send emails to all members of a user group, at a minimum, if not the full ability to create mailing lists....
Another question. What language strings should be available for online editing? I don't just want to make the files available for online editing because that would still be somewhat confusing because it might still be hard to find the exact string you are looking for. So I'd like to make certain strings that everybody likes to change available for online editing.
------------------- Scream WWWThreads Developer<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Scream on 01/02/01 01:03 PM (server time).</EM></FONT>
Eileen, How do I use that tweak? I'm not sure what to do with that... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> maybe I'm just tired... but this puzzles me...
Gerrit, all will be revealed <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wwwthreads.com/perl/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=questions&Number=24273&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1>http://www.wwwthreads.com/perl/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=questions&Number=242 73&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1</A>
Hi Darren, Thanks for clearing that up! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> However, this tweak then is not much good for what I need done, well, I guess I could hack it to do that, shouldn't be so hard to add a select field for e.g. user groups and then run that through a WHERE attribute in the query. Next time I need this I'll just do that <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> ...
That's right. What you do is grab U_Groups as well. I have some code in showusers which marks if someone is a member of a certain group (custom group set up which has the group #5) and display an icon next to their name. (If you have more than 10 groups the following code might grab group 15 also?) my $Group5; if ($Groups =~/5/) { $Group5 = "<img src=\"$config{'images'}/Group5.gif\" border=0 alt=\"Group5 member\">"; }
You could use a similar thing possibly, WHERE U_Group =~/5/ ???
