AO Software Upgrade - Feature Request Thread

[Wallace]

Note: this thread is in reference to the AO reform thread, if you are not familiar with the history please review the thread here: http://www.airsoftohio.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52561


First of all please note the purpose of this thread is to create a centralized repository for all necessary functions the new AO forum software must possess, in order for the site to function the way we wanted. This feature list will enable us to select the most fitting software and create appropriate migration plan.

Secondly, please understand this thread is strictly “feature request”, not to debate anything. Please do not argue about why a certain feature is needed/useless etc. You don’t even need to justify your suggestion – those will come later; just post whatever you feel could be useful to you.

Thirdly, please bear in mind not all features can be implemented – most likely a lot of the features will require custom coding, and although I will fund the development as much as possible I do have a limited fund. We may also have to make difficult choices due to compatibility. So please keep the suggestions coming, with the understanding that no promises are being made.

Last but not least, please be vigilant not to post “configuration” suggestions – for example, “we should have a XYZ sub forum” is a configuration issue. In contrast, “ability to create new sub-forums” is a feature.

That said, I shall start with what has already been discussed during the AO meeting this past Friday. If I missed anything please help me out and post it here.

1. Migration

1a. All existing accounts and forum posts must be importable into the new forum

2. Community / General Features

2a. New forum must have proven features that encourage community policing, moderation, and peer reviews

2b. Ability to create custom insignia based on external rule sets – for example display “AO Leader” icon for members who has been qualified.

2c. WYSIWYG editor and expandable emoticon

2d. Configurable user gallery space allotment

3. AO specific functions

3a. Build-in event calendar with multi-faction RSVP capability

3b. Ability to pre-approve certain members to bypass the moderator approval process when they create events.

3c. Ability to create “Teams”, and allowing individual members to be associated / identified with a team, without moderator involvement

3d. Automatic “team disband” function when nobody in a specific team has visited the forum for a pre-configured period of time

3e. Automatic “Team private forum” creation as well as configurable “inactivity” deletion

4. Future expansion considerations

4a. Documented API for external module access to forum data. For example retrieve / authenticate user accounts for external access.

4b. External module’s access privileges shall be configurable on a per-account basis.

4c. History for solid API support, including backward compatibility maintenance throughout major revisions

5. Facebook integration – for example important announcements or events can be automatically pushed to the AO facebook page; ideally with the ability to tie-in forum account with facebook account so that for example if an event is pushed to the facebook page, and the user RSVP on facebook, it will RSVP automatically in the forum.

I think this is it based on the notes from the meeting secretary (thank you Loki). I will update this OP from time to time as necessary to integrate other member’s suggestions. Please post your “wish list” in this thread. I would also like to close the thread by end of month (September 30th), so no procrastination is allowed. Thanks!!



Wallace

[bnagley]

I think I would very much like to see the chat room opened back up. Having spent many hours in it when I first started, veteraned players taught me a lot

[Hoss]

Chat room, calendar and iTrader for sure.

[jonahm740]

The ability to be able to edit and have more than one registration option on the calender. Being able to name your teams helps players get more into the game.

[Glitch]

I second the chat room and the registration options. Will definitely help the future of planning for events.

Also just spitballing, but is there something we could possibly set up for new members so they don't feel lost when they join? Besides a typical intro post (I don't know it's just something I remembered from talking with a couple kids who weren't sure what to do on this forum). I just think (even if the idea is minutely small) if we give them some sort of path to follow or welcoming they would be more willing to stay on the forums.

[Kishi]

Only thing I would like to see added is the ability to create your own RSVP options for events.
For example they are currently set as:
Tan, Green, Not attending.

I'd like to see the event organizers able to set specific uniforms.
In example, OOBI's Crucible has more options than tan and green. There's 4 factions to choose from all having different uniforms. UCA and ESA both using green.

[Kishi]

Also a regular, or preconfigured time of when/how, activity sweep.
I see lots of accounts on here that haven't been active in years and have 0 posts etc.

Also o would like to see the ability to change names as an option too.
I have a few folks on my team who would like their call sign as their username but due to inactive members having the name, or having registered before getting their call sign, are unable to do so.
Also alternatively I was originally registered as Zeph back in my first period of airsoft.
When I came back years later, I made this new account as I didn't know how to change my name nor could I honestly remember my password.

[Kishi]

Only issue with activity sweeps, is that is like to see their posts kept.
Some good AARs and such might be lost if the threads/posts go with the accounts.

[bnagley]

A maps page showing all the recognized legitimate fields. Even offer the fields the chance to advertise to help offset the cost of the page. Same with airsoft shops in Ohio/connecting region. This promotes keeping and channeling business to the same companies that show up to games to vend and give out prizes instead of sending money to California

[Loki]

I'd like to see a functional, abuse-resistant rep feature added to the forums.

[Texx]

Originally Posted by Loki

I'd like to see a functional, abuse-resistant rep feature added to the forums.

Rep is and always will be subjective, Loki.

[Rygar]

I"m all for getting chat back up and running. Had some good times in chat when it was working

As for sorting through the membership... I agree the majority of the membership is most likely inactive, or someone signed up and never came back. Thus, some names have been taken and future players who are/could be active cannot take a name they have because someone from 2008 and no posts activated it.

BUT....... There are also some folks who simply don't post, but have signed up on the forum and cruise the classifieds, check the calendar for games coming up, etc. etc. True lurkers.....

I suggest...when we are well on the way to migrating to new software, we make a HUGE font page announcement (giving plenty of time for the lurkers to sign on and see it) saying they need to make a post to prevent their account from being purged. Then, we purge all accounts that are old, no sign on for months/years, no posts, etc. Give folks the opportunity to keep their accounts and names even if they lurk. Unless that is going to be wayyy too much work and overly complicated. I don't know, I am not a mod and haven't had to deal with this sort of migration thing.

[RotaryProphet]

Generally when purging, we'd purge users with no posts who have not signed onto the forums in x days -- When doing a test import into a new server, I removed any user with 0 posts who hadn't signed in in over 18 months, and this cut the member numbers by over 90% (From ~70,000 to a bit over 6,000).

This way, people who lurk and don't post won't be in danger of being removed.

[epicfacethe3rd]

Originally Posted by RotaryProphet

Generally when purging, we'd purge users with no posts who have not signed onto the forums in x days -- When doing a test import into a new server, I removed any user with 0 posts who hadn't signed in in over 18 months, and this cut the member numbers by over 90% (From ~70,000 to a bit over 6,000).

This way, people who lurk and don't post won't be in danger of being removed.

sounds like a good idea.
I am also in favour of the idea of custom colour choices, at least adding black and ACU, as those are SUPER dominate in the would of camo. even though they suck up here.
also, if we move to a new URL, there should be some kind of "hey, this stuff got moved over here and this is just an archive" thing on the front page. otherwise you get a ton of people saying, "hey, where the heck did airsoftohio.com go?", although I’m in favour of sticking with the old URL.
Rygar: the problem with the front page is that it doesn't hit everyone. we should also
1. do a smaller post inside each forum in big capitals as a Uber-important notification that could result in your account being deleted.
2. send everyone registered on the site a PM notifying them on their account's impending doom.
3. send everyone registered on the site an email notifying them on their account's impending doom.
then if someone says "oh, I didn't know" we can laugh, as they have
1. probably seen the front page earlier
2.seen the notification in the forums
3. probably got an email about the PM or read it on the site
4. probably gotten ANOTHER email that is a duplicate of the PM
all at the same time.

[Panda]

+1 to return of the chatroom.

[Texx]

Am I the only one that is able to get AO chat working? Am using Chrome browser in Windows 10 Pro.

[Flenner]

A few browsers have a login issue where the redirect URL for login needs to be changed.

When the code is written, or whenever you find it, it needs to be changed to:

(redirect value/ char name/ etc... IS EQUAL TO) " http://airsoftohio.com/index.php "

That's obviously not HTML in the parenthesis.

Thanks...

[2tall]

Originally Posted by Texx

Am I the only one that is able to get AO chat working? Am using Chrome browser in Windows 10 Pro.

I.can log in on my droid but have not tried the pc in months since I got the droid.

[epicfacethe3rd]

with all this talk of fixing the chatroom, why not we just start fresh by setting up an IRC server and having a web client on the website. It's stupid simple, and you can easily be on it 24/7

[Regan]

Would an upvote system be something people are interested in? It could avoid the "+1 for X" clutter.

I am looking at YOU Panda.

[Wolf902]

Web chat has always worked for me on PC.

[Kishi]

Also an attendance option would be cool.
A way to see what events you have RSVP'd for in the past.
Perhaps add this feature to the personal profile of a registered user?

[X4N43X]

Wallace...I am available for help developing these features people may want. Let me know.

Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

[Swimmer]

Can we have something like Tinder? You know, so we can match up with nearby Airsoft players to make a team.

[Kishi]

Not trying to promote it, but there is a new App/Site out.
It's supposedly got some neat features, though I've yet to check it out.
Wondering where the development is with the future of modernizing AO?
I've been off of the site here itself for a while, but I still would like to be involved in whatever way I can.