80 replies to this topic

[TheTempleKnight]

I am just wondering as to why every time the software updates, I need to waste my time by redesigning every skin of mine?

I upgrade to IPB 3, redesign and recode. I upgrade to 3.2, redesign and recode.

Why do you enjoy making life so difficult for your clients?

[.time]

How dare this software evolve! Shame on IPS, I should not have to redo my skins twice a decade.

[Sefket]

They work hard on the changes and I always love each update. They try to make it the best appearance they can make it along with other features.

[Rimi]

Hello.

You would be better off posting this in the feedback forum.

[Rhett]

Moved to feedback..

[3DKiwi]

Not a great way to introduce yourself!!

[Rikki]

Unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast. We make web-based software, so it naturally has HTML templates. We have a moderately speedy release schedule because that's what users expect from us, and when new features (or front-end bug fixes) are added, that usually means a template has to be updated. Sometimes these are major changes; we do our best to keep these infrequent. Usually they're minor changes.

In the case of 3.0, it was a major version upgrade which completely changed how internals worked. For 3.2, it was another big upgrade that was necessary to keep IP.Board modern. There was around a 2 year gap between 3.0 and 3.2.

3.3 should only require minor updates to account for bug fixes.

[insectdude]

It would make life easier if IPS could publish a list of changed template files with each new release (not including major versions that involve total redesigns, of course). I believe XenForo do this. It means admins can easily use the ACP's template comparison tool to update just the templates that need it, rather than having to check through every single one.

Maybe this is something that is already done and I just haven't noticed it in the past - if that's the case, somebody please tell me where I should be looking.

[CalendarOfUpdates]

I know it sucks. I upgraded a server this weekend and found a site still running 2.3.5 did not work correctly. Why the heck could IPS not predict the changes to PHP so I would not have to dig around in the source code to make it work is beyond me.

[Michael]

It would make life easier if IPS could publish a list of changed template files with each new release (not including major versions that involve total redesigns, of course). I believe XenForo do this. It means admins can easily use the ACP's template comparison tool to update just the templates that need it, rather than having to check through every single one.

Maybe this is something that is already done and I just haven't noticed it in the past - if that's the case, somebody please tell me where I should be looking.

The Template Merge Center:

http://community.inv...rge-center-r439

[insectdude]

Thanks Michael, I had no idea that existed!

[Breadfan]

The Template Merge Center:

It helps as far as telling you what you need to edit manually. It's still quite a work to adjust a highly customized skin for 3.3.0.
Unless skin is very close to default in terms of templates and colors, the auto feature can't do much about it.

I basically had to spend some time to port mine over. Not a biggie as long as mods and hooks stay compatible.

[Jυra]

How dare this software evolve!

I am a believer that good design is or can be timeless.

Fixes sure, updates sure in moderation, but complete skin redoing is frustrating unless you're a skinner yourself.

[Cyrem]

I am a believer that good design is or can be timeless.

Maybe for a piece of furniture.

Unfortunatly, this is not true with websites. Web standards change, technology changes. People want their sites to be more interactive(Look at PHP, Ajax, Javascript etc), faster, looking better and working on the latest technology. No amount of "good design" of the current standards will ensure your website for the future... you need to move with it or get left behind. For a business that creates a web software, choosing to stay with old standards is not an option.

Who uses tables instead of divs for their entire website layout anymore? or uses WMV videos on their sites?

[Rimi]

Who uses tables instead of divs for their entire website layout anymore? or uses WMV videos on their sites?

Say hello to the number one(literally, no exaggeration whatsoever) Pokemon website on the internet.
http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

Their design has been pretty much like that for almost 11 years.

[Marcher Technologies]

Say hello to the number one(literally, no exaggeration whatsoever) Pokemon website on the internet.
http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

Their design has been pretty much like that for almost 11 years.

It certainly shows.... anyone else unable to view that site without getting a blaring headache as a result?

[saturnus]

Say hello to the number one(literally, no exaggeration whatsoever) Pokemon website on the internet.
http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

Their design has been pretty much like that for almost 11 years.

It certainly shows.... anyone else unable to view that site without getting a blaring headache as a result?

crying and laughing at the same time...

[Rimi]

Tons of people visit that website daily. I don't see what is so hideous about it.

Either way I was just answering the person's question.

[Cyrem]

Say hello to the number one(literally, no exaggeration whatsoever) Pokemon website on the internet.
http://serebii.net/index2.shtml

Their design has been pretty much like that for almost 11 years.

Oh god , I could do so much work to that site. I think that is a perfect example of a site that has been left behind.

DAT MENU, THE SIZE! :0

*looks at forum* Suprise suprise: vBulletin.... it er, goes well with the rest of the site.

Sorry mate I tried to be nice, I really did

[Rimi]

Oh god , I could do so much work to that site. I think that is a perfect example of a site that has been left behind.

DAT MENU, THE SIZE! :0

*looks at forum* Suprise suprise: vBulletin.... it er, goes well with the rest of the site.

Sorry mate I tried to be nice, I really did

But the point is that no one honestly cares. Anything you could ever want to know about Pokemon is located on that site and it receives millions of hits a day I'd assume. I don't want an updated design, I'm perfectly content with the high quality information that the site provides in a timely manner. Serebii is the perfect example of a valuable website based on content rather than just standing there and looking pretty. I think you're lost in your quest to have a nice design. Content is far more important.

There's a relationship analogy in here somewhere.