Software Update FAQ Thread

[Debater Slayer]

Hi, all!

This thread is for FAQs about the recent software update. I will list as many FAQs as I can and address each.

• Why the software update?​

The old software was too outdated and broken to sustain the forum any longer. It also rendered forum maintenance essentially impossible and caused server lag. The only option other than this update was shutting down the forum or letting it deteriorate until it no longer worked at all.​

• I can't find featured threads or the "New Threads" list. Will either be back?​

The owners are planning to bring back featured threads. The homepage is currently broken, and the owners are also aware of this.​

​

As for the "New Threads" list, we have let the owners know that multiple members would like it to be reinstated if possible.​

• My rating/frubal count is lower than it was before the software update. Why?​

It's not fully clear why some ratings entirely disappeared, but since the ratings are now different from what they were before the update aside from the "Like" rating, this is most likely why the ratings that are no longer available have disappeared both from posts and from members' rating counts.​

• Are the old ratings going to be brought back to posts? Are the same ratings going to be reinstated in the "Rating" list, such as "Winner," "Informative," etc.?​

The owners are looking into possible ways to bring back the old ratings to posts, although there's no guarantee that there will be a possible way to do that.​

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As for the rating list, admins have the ability to add, disable, and remove ratings. We can change the current list somewhere down the line, although the current priority is to iron out bugs and kinks in the software.​

• The logo, color scheme, and overall design of the forum need improvement. Will they be changed?​

The owners are planning to work on the logo and the color scheme of the forum, although there are currently some things that have a higher priority, such as fixing the homepage and bringing back featured threads.​

• Attached pictures posted before the software update no longer show up. Why?​

We don't know yet, but the owners are aware of the issue.​

• The post editor no longer has buttons for indenting text or creating bullet lists. Will those buttons be back?​

The admin CP allows us to edit the BB code editor and add those buttons. We will almost surely bring back those buttons, but we don't want to edit anything prematurely. As I said, there are currently some priorities to iron out and fix.​

• I have encountered a bug/issue with the forum or have some feedback to give. Where can I do that?​

Here. Feedback is crucial at this time, so please don't hesitate to let us know if you encounter any issues or have any suggestions for improvements.​

 

[Brickjectivity]

Has anyone tested the login codes? If my login cookie expires, will my (backup) login codes still work?

 

[Debater Slayer]

Has anyone tested the login codes? If my login cookie expires, will my (backup) login codes still work?

You mean for two-factor authentication? Login codes are generated continuously, so if one expires, another will be generated in the authentication app.

I'm not sure whether this is what you mean, though. I haven't tested backup codes, myself.

 

[Brickjectivity]

You mean for two-factor authentication? Login codes are generated continuously, so if one expires, another will be generated in the authentication app.

I'm not sure whether this is what you mean, though. I haven't tested backup codes, myself.

Yes. Currently I am able to login for another ten days or so, however the time will come when RF demands verification in addition to my password. I like two-factor authenticaion, and I have written down about 20 backup codes in case RF is unable to email me a login verification. I am wondering if the two factor authentication (which has not worked for months) is up, and also whether my backup codes are still valid.

If you desire it, I will create a junk email and a new RF account to test this. It may take some time.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Yes. Currently I am able to login for another ten days or so, however the time will come when RF demands verification in addition to my password. I like two-factor authenticaion, and I have written down about 20 backup codes in case RF is unable to email me a login verification. I am wondering if the two factor authentication (which has not worked for months) is up, and also whether my backup codes are still valid.

Two-factor authentication works; it's email verification that has been down for months. Now that the software is updated, the issue with email verification should be possible to fix, although I don't have a time frame for the implementation of the solution.

In the meantime, if you ever try to log in and find yourself unable to, you can email the site through the "Contact Us" feature. We could then temporarily disable two-factor authentication so that you could log in.

 

[sun rise]

I discovered this thread by happenstance. I'd like a pointer to a documentation web site for this version. I mentioned finding something I did not understand https://www.religiousforums.com/account/preferences - a lot of checkboxes and asked what this had to do with anything but AFAIK there was no reply - maybe there was but notification is/was broken.

Also, how about using this thread to add a FAQ "What was fixed today" for each set of fixes.

As a note, as the site becomes usable for my picky self, what I wiped out, picture etc will come back bit by bit. I'm not up to the first bit yet (grin)

 

[Rival]

I discovered this thread by happenstance. I'd like a pointer to a documentation web site for this version. I mentioned finding something I did not understand https://www.religiousforums.com/account/preferences - a lot of checkboxes and asked what this had to do with anything but AFAIK there was no reply - maybe there was but notification is/was broken.

Also, how about using this thread to add a FAQ "What was fixed today" for each set of fixes.

As a note, as the site becomes usable for my picky self, what I wiped out, picture etc will come back bit by bit. I'm not up to the first bit yet (grin)

Do you want alerts for those things? If not, untick the boxes.

 

[sun rise]

Do you want alerts for those things? If not, untick the boxes.

Oh they're checked. I did not notice given the display problem as you can see. This display problem is one of the show stoppers for me.

 

[Rival]

Oh they're checked. I did not notice given the display problem as you can see. This display problem is one of the show stoppers for me.

View attachment 72776

You can change the theme if this is difficult for your eyes. The theme is at the bottom of the forum page [ReligiousForums.com - UI.X], or go to your profile preferences.

 

[sun rise]

You can change the theme if this is difficult for your eyes. The theme is at the bottom of the forum page [ReligiousForums.com - UI.X], or go to your profile preferences.

One step in the right direction. The other theme is not wonderful but it's not an abomination. Thanks.

 

[sun rise]

Any update on restoring the template choice (and putting a new one there that does not cause me eye strain)?

 

[Debater Slayer]

Any update on restoring the template choice (and putting a new one there that does not cause me eye strain)?

We don't have any updates beyond what we have previously stated: that the owners are working on design and style elements.

I would like to see more templates, myself, but I have as much access to the forum's backend as you do.

 

[ratiocinator]

Can somebody explain this new url format? I've noticed people posting links like this

The Unreality of Time - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

But if I use the same tag structure with unfurl="true" in the URL tag, then it doesn't work:

Begging the question - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org