Changes, they are a comin'

[Umpire in Chief]

Guys I am in the planning stages for a major overhaul of Umpire-Empire, which will include moving the site from a shared server to my own server. This will give even faster access times and hopefully less spam issues.

There are a few reasons for the change:

1. The software which runs the site, vBulletin, is undergoing it's own major overhaul. This is being promoted as a massive change along the lines of Windows 3.1 to 95. It is currently in its private Alpha Release, with private Beta release coming shortly. I have no information on the release of the Gold version, but will be keeping my eye on it. Umpire-Empire will make the move to the new version shortly after I am sold on its stability.
   
2. There are a few noted features on this site which are not functioning at all or as they are designed to function. These will be fixed. My next release will need no workarounds or the like.
   
3. Both of these items will lead to an even more user friendly environment.
   

What changes to expect:

1. Chat is going to be gone.
   
2. Blogs are in limbo. While the software company will continue to offer the blog product, it does not appear it will be available ala carte but as part of a bigger package I'm not terribly interested in. So that's a wait and see.
   
3. The look and layout of the site will be updated. I plan on keeping the same color scheme, but the template which gives the site it's look is also part of the reason for some functions not working properly. I will be working with a professional to give the best look and feel to the site.
   
4. I want to give some areas of the site more attention, specifically classifieds, reviews, and articles. Reviews and articles may be moved out of the main forum to their own pages to give them more prominence. I also plan on revamping the classifieds section. It needs more prominence and also needs to be more user friendly. Since umpires buy sell and/or trade equipment so frequently I don't want to give up on this section.
   
5. I'm also not satisfied with the link directory section of the forum and want to enhance this section giving it more prominence giving you a better experience.
   

Most importantly, I want to hear from you.

Please reply in this thread to let me know what you want.

• Do you want me to add or remove features?
  
• Are there features at other sites you'd like to see here? Including features from sites not related to umpiring.
  
• Are there sections you think needed to be added or removed from the forum?
  
• Any general comments, criticisms, complaints, wishes for/about the site just let me know. My goal is to create the ultimate site for you, so your feedback is essential.
  

Many of the features already incorporated into the site are a direct result of your requests and feedback, so keep it coming.

[BrianC14]

Warren,

One thing I'd like to see is:

When clicking on a thread that has multiple pages, I end up on Page 1. Is there any way to get it to link directly to the most recent page?

[Umpire in Chief]

Warren,

One thing I'd like to see is:

When clicking on a thread that has multiple pages, I end up on Page 1. Is there any way to get it to link directly to the most recent page?

Brian there a re a number of ways to do this. Will send a PM.

[LMSANS]

Change is so difficult to deal with:shrug:.

I kind of like things the way they are, but I am open to new ideas. I tried the blog but don't have the discipline to keep it up. I do enjoy reading yours and other posts to the blog. They are usually longer than thread posts and should stay in their own little world, if you decdide to keep it in some version.

Please keep the smilies:HD:. Aside from my increased knowledge and awareness, this is probably the best part of U-E!

I like reading about the other associations and off the wall stuff.

The news is sometimes interesting, but needs to be off to the side someplace. I will look for new posts and there will be 40+ news items. I'm not interested in most of them but do find some interesting. If I can still pick and choose which ones I read, that is good.

I like the post of the month and it should be continued.B)

Send me a copy of that PM that you send to Brian, so I can eliminate that extra step of hitting "First Unread".

Is there a "How-To" navigation section today? As navigation questions come up, any posts could be copied there as a reference.

Oops here comes my boss, maybe more later.

:givebeer:

[Finnblue]

How about a new group:

Literature

sub groups:

books by umpires

books about umpires

books about umpiring

good books about baseball

and then open one thread/book or author.

MS

[Umpire in Chief]

Good points. Noted.

Post of the month will stay.

I like the idea on moving news out of the main and into it's own section... Any comments on this?

I don't have a how to or FAQ section any more, but will add that as well.

I like the literature section idea. I really didn't know how many books and resources were out there for umpires.

Keep them coming.

[Umpire in Chief]

Do any of you have interest in the ability to use social bookmarks for facebook, twitter, digg it, or any others to share posts from here? If so, which ones?

[LMSANS]

Do any of you have interest in the ability to use social bookmarks for facebook, twitter, digg it, or any others to share posts from here? If so, which ones?

NO!:angel4:

[mstaylor]

Do any of you have interest in the ability to use social bookmarks for facebook, twitter, digg it, or any others to share posts from here? If so, which ones?

Absolutely no, no way no how. :angel4:

[Umpire in Chief]

Here's an update.

Blogs are definitely gone....

Articles & Interviews are going to be pulled out of the forum and in their own sections.

Classifieds are getting a new software to run them and will not be hidden so they will be more prominent and more useful to members.

I want to pull news out of the forums as well but I just need to figure out how I'm going to do this.

The links section I have in the forums is going to be taken out and replaced with a links directory of it's own.

The reviews I want to move out of the forums, but I am having difficulty finding a product I like outside the forum for this. I think reviews are important to the site, but the current system isn't as attractive as I'd like and it also isn't as user friendly as I'd like.

While I'm moving a lot of things out of the forums I'm adding a new feature - Private forums. These forums will be for individual umpire associations to discuss their own in house topics which will not be shared with the general public. Each association will need to contact me to have a private forum created and let me know who will have moderation powers for that forum. Groups can discuss meeting topics, their training, their interpretations and anything else. I think this will be a win-win situation for both the local associations and Umpire-Empire.

I still have another trick or two up my sleeve for the new site which will have to wait until launch to reveal.

Until then keep your suggestions coming. They are extremely useful.

[BrianC14]

Do any of you have interest in the ability to use social bookmarks for facebook, twitter, digg it, or any others to share posts from here? If so, which ones?

None of the above. :confused: