[pakeating]

I run two forum websites using IPB. The most recent was set up a month ago with the new version and the other one was upgraded recently.

Since then, I and my colleagues have had one problem after another, most of which appear to stem from browser incompatibility but some of which is just inexplicable. As friendly as everyone here is, I just haven't the time to come here every time there is some obscure problem with software that ought to work in a fairly problem-free way.

The previous version appears to have been far more stable. Some of the members - we're talking thousands here - can't post, others can't log on and some can't see editing icons. On one of my home pages, all the headers and sub-headers are jammed over to the left in a 1.5" column, and so it goes on and on. Are the makers apeing Apple and using us as involuntary beta testers or something?

This is a real pain in the neck because I haven't the time to act as a blind troubleshooter every time a member asks for help with yet another weird glitch and activity on our forums is suffering as a result. A lot of web users have old computers and old software, including browsers. I happen to be running up-to-the-minute hardware and software and even I am having odd problems.

The new version appears not to like IE version 5 or Mac's Safari browser, which was introduced in response to Microsoft's decision not to make IE.6 for Mac. We've even had problems with the latest Mozilla. I part-fixed some of them by switching preferences in user accounts to Standard rather than Rich Text editor but they still couldn't see the editing icons and understand their functions without rolling the cursor over them.

Anyone else having hassles like these?

PK

[Debbie]

Hello,

I'd assume that since you are using the lastest version of IPB that you are a customer. Therefore, if yu are experiencing issues, all you need to do is submit a ticket via your client center and our technicians will happily assist you

[pakeating]

Thanks for the reply. Debbie. I am a customer. The software isn't pirated if that's what you're driving at. LOL! I am also aware that you have a technical advice department but I have just come here to find out if anyone else is having the kind of problems we've been having and what they have done or not done about it. It's not intended as a snipe at your firm or anything.

I am glad that your firm is keen to help and I am sure we will avail ourselves of the technical service once the festive season is out of the way. I just don't have the time right now to collate and compose a lengthy report on the problems we've been having with the latest version of IBP. Even our in-house IT man professes himself bemused by all of this so it is not due to technological density or technophobia on our parts.

But thanks for your kind advice.

PK

[UBERHOST.NET]

Software is not equal to buying a car and I don't know why everyone has to use that example, other than it makes for stilted comparison in favor of the person with the issue. Whether we like it or not, all complex software has bugs of some sort, and the only way we'll root out the ones that affect our particular arrangement of hardware, settings, and mods, is to explain it to an IPS tech and let them do their job.

[pakeating]

I edited that bit out while you were posting because, yes, you're absolutely right, the New Car anaolgy is misplaced in this instance. I am no stranger to the need for bugs to be ironed out through use of software (and hardware) by customers...as I use Macs! Know what I mean? Apple often releases underdeveloped products. I had to sue them once to get one of those warped G4 powerbooks replaced. Mind you, that was Apple France. But back to this forum software: I am one of those awkward people who expects commercial, generic software to perform as it should perform.

I've tested this version of IPB with various 4 and 5+ versions of Netscape, IE 5.2 and 5.5 for Mac, Safari and Mozilla/Firefox 1.5. With each one, there were problems with the interface, ranging from no message box on the posting page, invisible or non-loading editing icons, error messages when trying to start or reply to a message or a PM and other things. The majority of complaints are from members with older versions of Internet Explorer or from Mac users. I tried on a PC with IE 6 and it seemed to be OK...which suggests that the software was developed with a focus on Internet Explorer Version 6. One of the IPB programmes is hosted on a Windows server and the other is on an Apache server. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

I am more than prepared to make the sort of compromises to which you refer - which is why I withdrew the New Car analogy and softened the tone of my response - but why should I have to interact with a manufacturers R&D department as some kind of 'roadtester' (Oops, there'a another motoring analogy, sorry!)? What's the benefit? Is it that I end up with a product that works as it should work at the end of a long process of consultation with the makers' technicians? Or is it the warm, fuzzy feeling I am bound to experience from helping to ensure that later customers get an improved product?

I am afraid that I am not that altruistic when it comes to software. I've owned Macs for too long. When I buy an improved version of a forum programme I have been using for several years without significant problems, I do not expect to have to spend increasing amounts of my downtime responding to howls of protest from my forum members because of all kinds of glitches that simply weren't there before, much less the time it will take to discuss and resolve these interface problems with the makers. I type very fast, as a journalist and a writer but I prefer to devote as much time as possible to income-generating typing.

You might have that kind of spare time on your hands but I don't.

Regards,

Prosper Keating

[Keven Fox]

Not trying to seem rude but you keep saying you cannot/won't submit a ticket due to "time constraints" yet you're able to post, check replies and post quite a bit. And you're posting extensive posts so I don't see where the harm would be in submitting a ticket?

I've still not gotten the exact problem you're having either, somehow you've managed to keep that out of the discussion.

[pakeating]

It doesn't take me long to respond to these apparent attempts to shunt me! I am a writer and a journalist so I type with more than one or two fingers. I have also been quite precise regarding the nature of the problems in question.

I have come here to ask users of this software for some advice. I am not here for a dogfight with anyone. I want a straight answer: have people or have people not been experiencing similar problems to those I have described? Telling me to take it to IPB technicians is not the answer I am looking for here.

I will approach the technicians in question once I have been able to establish that it is not a futile exercise, that the problems I am having are confined to my situation. Does that make sense to you? I do not wish to spend time likely to run into days helping IPB's technicians to iron out problems that ought to have been sorted in the R&D phase if the problems are curable by simply reinstalling an older version of IPB that works. I want to be able to go back to my partners and tell them either that we are alone in having such problems or that this new version of IPB software is underdeveloped and needs to be replaced with an older version until such time as the issues are fixed. So back off and stop being so defensive and passive-aggressive because it doesn't impress me. It just looks bad.

When the people who develop IPB software for a living produce something that works as well as the older version, I will ask for a replacement. It is as simple as that. Now, please, no more of this stonewalling! Can I have an answer to my basic question here?

Thanks,

PK

[CTerry]

It should work fine in Firefox for Mac seeing that as what IPB is devved on, I do believe it is tested extensively in Safari as well. However if you honestly want a quick solution you won't have any luck here, such a problem probably affects the minority of users, and the chances of one coming along and knowing how to fix it immediately is miniscule to say the least. If you honestly want a quick response submit a ticket. IPS is very speedy with support in my experience.

[pakeating]

Now, there's a positive, constructive response. Thank you very much. Informative and helpful.

Best wishes,

PK

[elj]

I haven't seen nor heard any reports of the problems you are describing - things so major happening on a regular occurance would require patches to be issued and such. It's probably something to do with your server setup, and like Chris said, the best thing you can do is submit a ticket describing each of the issues you are experiencing - at least before IPS shuts for the holiday season.

[Matt]

PK,

I know others have said it, but just submit a ticket

It's quite likely some of the default javascript code is missing or incorrect which may explain all the craziness your members have described. IPB 2.1 is used by many thousand administrators with literally millions of users and we've not had any reports from users that give us any reason to believe there is a fault in the code that's shipped.

Your ticket will have your account details on so our technical support staff can pinpoint the problem much quicker than anyone can on these forums.

[pakeating]

Thank you. That's just the kind of answer I needed. Now I know that it's not an inherent problem with the software. I wasn't trying to be hostile or anything. Sorry if I gave anyone that impression.

Cheers,

PK