Spring Updates!

[Mitchell_A]

Greetings forum members,


Although a lot has gone since our last update, some of it may not be so noticeable, so here's a list of updates for you:

• Updated the Android mobile app for Windows 7 Forums repeatedly, and now at verion 1.2 with over 100 bug fixes and enhancements.
• Heavy emphasis on Windows8Forums.com with a new logo, better branding across social media, and 2 hours of YouTube video coverage.
• Forum members have been meeting on Skype informally to plan further updates.
• We are all busy checking out the Windows 8 Consumer preview at Windows8Forums.com.
• Expect some interesting changes in the next major forum code update.
• We are looking for veteran Windows7Forums.com members to help us out as permanent members of our moderator team at Windows8Forums.com. If interested, please PM Mike or whoosh while at http://windows8forums.com
• Smart Phones: iOS and Android users can now access both sites using the popular Forum Runner application, if it so suits you.
• Content Management Portal System (CMPS) has been updated.

[Mike]

April 10, 2012 has brought additional forum improvements:

• Windows 7 Forums and Windows 8 Forums both upgraded to vBulletin 4.1.12. This core forum software release contains a total of 100 bug fixes, hook requests, improvement requests, and feature requests. It was released to license holders on Monday and updated to both sites overnight.
• The translation services banner will now automatically be displayed when the default browser language of the visitor is different from the language of the page (English). No dropdown will be displayed otherwise.

[Mike]

• As part of the vBulletin Pre-release Development Team, we are now running nightly builds of vBulletin 4.2 Alpha 1 on both Windows 7 Forums and Windows 8 Forums. This software is in development and returning visitors should notice considerably improved load times. These sites are likely the largest in the world to be running the alpha software live in a production environment.
• There are also additional feature improvements on the way, and some that can only be seen from the administrative control panel.

[Mike]

• Moderation notifications will be automatically sent out to members whenever a moderator action is taken. [re-added]
• New menus for search have been added, seperating forum posts from off-topic areas.
• OS and browser detection and display improved.
• Sphinx search engine re-activated and updated for faster/more efficient search.
• Please welcome Adamsappleone to the Windows 7 Forums Team!

[Mike]

These changes are internal improvements for moderators:

• IP-based security tracking for Terms of Service and spam has been improved.
  
  
• When a user is banned, irregardless of infraction level, an additional message will be entered into the staff forum.

[whoosh]

The fact, that when a user is banned, for what ever reason, a message will be posted in the, staff forum is a great idea . It will help to resolve any issues around the use of banning powers . At last a great deal of clarity will be made available as to the use of moderator powers .
One of the best ideas yet .