Please take the time to read all of this as it will affect you as a user, and took a while to type.

As talked about on a poll last night to a couple of people. The forums will, in due time be having an update. It will be in the form of a Zeta board. This is of course, if all of you believe it to be a good idea. Here it be my job to advertise the fact that it is one to you. So lets start yeah?

Firstly, the full version of Zeta boards are yet to be released and no full date has been mentioned, only that it will be released when it is ready, which is fair, they want it to be as perfect as it can be.

As the Zeta board is like one step up from Invisionfree, if you like, we can directly upgrade from this to Zeta. This means all topics, polls, members, posts, profiles - everything will be kept as it is currently, minus the features, these will be improved obviously. The downside to this is once we have upgraded, we cannot go back.
Features a plenty. As mentioned in the poll we posted on, fully selectable skins meaning you can choose which forum markers and buttons to have. Updated profile options including password rating and other means to secure your account. Also new is the ability to have endless extra fields in your profile such as common questions and statements. Another thing mentioned here recently is the ability to 'collapse' categories that you don't want to see, thus making the index smaller.

For moderators, your ease of use has been increased greatly by being able to tick a box on normal forum views and hide posts from view that you deem unacceptable. You can also split posts on the fly using this method.

Admins get a new control panel with the ability to let certain members have access to only certain parts of it, this would be useful for say, a news editor.

Currently is a full beta version for testing purposes only. Cieran got one of these then I sorted adopted it. Since then I've been scared, alienated and then finally, got used to it. I've added the DSs as forum markers which go much better with the default skin (If it isn't coming up as default for you use the drop down menu near the bottom to change it to 'Zeta Mono Mod DS' and it'll be beautiful.

What we need you as members to do now is see if you like the looks of it and consider whether you want to go ahead with the update. We will be polling it later on in November most likely. We are hoping they release the full version sometime next month, which gives us time to sort everything out, then spend one last month with IF before bring the update online at the exact time 2008 starts, thus being NoE Version 2.8 (2008)
Mods will get a chance to get used to the mod interface before the update is brought online most likely.

For now, take a nosey and consider how badly you want it (like me.)



Note; for now you won't be able to sign up.

Ryan.

EDIT: IF have their own Beta board at http://beta.zetaboards.com. Just in case you want to actually, like, post and stuff...

*Replies enabled*

I think I quite like it, but only if the NoE2 colour scheme is to be used :p It seems a very good idea to upgrade for 2008.

It would be good for new members to have a new board/background/new features for 2008.I say go ahead with it.I hope everyone else agrees.

I like the idea of been able to "hide" a section if you dont use it. :)

There will be a skin converter released soon so we can still use our current CSS ^_^...

Hmm. So, once everything is put across, all posts will be too? And All users? Hmm. It sounds like a big step.

Nothings put across.We just upgrade this board. :)


Everything will move with the upgrade appearntly.

Well if everything including post counts, posts, and all members then I can't see a problem with it. Just make sure everything gets moved. The PK Forum moved but didn't take any of the post counts or members with it and they now can't get any of the old members back and its dying on it's arse right now.

What's that? :p Maybe it's just a crappy site. ;)

Well basically, what I've also been considering is a move to vBulletin. It'd cost, but it's very good software. Again though, we'd lose members, posts etc, and wouldn't get to keep the CSS =/. I spoke to AE yesterday (who's admined vBs before) and he said to go with Zeta though so...

It's Princess Kezzy's Nintendo forum. It is crap but there are a few cool people on there that I have tried to bring here but they won't come.

Im keen on new things, and i do like it..

But the only problem im thinking is are people going to adapt to it..

Its like Windows Vista, its awesome and great, but people didnt like it cause they didnt know how to use it.

I really think it looks ugly tbh. Could you create a test account for members so we can see what the features etc are like?

No. People don't like Vista because it has compatability issues with everything!

It only looks like vista....Anyway people will probably get used to it very quickly. ;)

yeah, but i know all my mates didnt know where everything was from XP, like when they downloaded stuff they had to find it in another folder to open it.

Well theres that test board up in the first post.Appearntly a few people will be picked to test it out.... :)

Josh, when me, and especially Cieran have got our hands on it, we promise* it'll look as much like home as possible. When its closer to the time test accounts may be allowed.

Weirdadz, it is new, it is scary. Getting used to it was half the fun, especially with a daunting new Admin control panel. At first looks it is daunting, but it really isn't when you have used it for a good hour or so.

* This promise may have to be broken

RYAN LIED IN HIS FIRST POST! :p

What about the Board Wrappers (Add-Ons) like the Affiliates at the bottom and etc.

Will you have to find new codes or will they be useable just the way they are.

*Grasps admin stick*

I did not. :suss:

I just screwed up the forum markers.
Because, y'know, its new and i'm still getting used to it. ¬_¬

Edit: Bare (?) with me Weirdadz.. *Gets big thick glasses and peers at new ACP*
Edit: Please look towards the bottom now, the text 'Affiliates here?' is in a couple of places. ;)

*Flees* NOT THE ADMIN STICK!

Who? :p
Anyway,I don't have clue what your all on about ;) .And can I be able to join without "Risking to whole forum"?

No XD, they'll probably have the same T&C's. But I'm sure we can smuggle you in, in a suitcase somewhere. ;)

Mark: Simply at the start of 2008 the forum will change abit and be made better.You wont have to join post counts etc will come with it.

:O is there a age limit on there? :\

i like it tbh i think it would be a great move new for 2008 :)

Oooh.. 'Affiliates here?'

Hmmz.. I might have to have a look more

I wouldn't keep saying it to them Daz, if they can't understand it, so be it. It'd be better if only a few members knew and the Staff, then it'd be a surprise...

Okay.. Ryan.. I completely see what you mean about the Admin CP..

WOW!! :D

Also i think Zeta Classic would be a better skin :)

WOOT, it'll be like moving house :D *has packed up avvy sig and posts to go* :8}

Invision free Zeta...All the same to me :p As long as we keep the smilies as well as that :suss:

Well it looks to me that everyone is up for this. Why not do it sooner than later?

Because they haven't finished the Beta yet... :|

We cant actually switch untill the zeta version is released all we can do is poll for it then keep the poll safe. :p

I now we can't do it now but what I mean is that because everyone is up for it why wait for the New Year? Why not do it once its up and running (unless its not ready until after New Year.)?

*Gathers up all posts* Gonna take a while... :p

It would be a new poll. xD

And gary i supose you have a point.The admins will probably try switching as soon as the new version is released.

ARGH! They don't fit in my suitcase! Anyone got another I can borrow? Mine is titchy!

From the way this has gone Polling would be pointless. Yes would win hands down.

daz, there can be an age thing if you set it to it, theres 3 options, auto ban anyone under 13, let anyone of any age join and finally have a special form for under 13's to fill out to get full profile access or something.

EDIT The dark skin so reminds me of NoE, you better keep it! :x

The handle is broken but it will do ;)
*Buys giant Suitcase*