Big News for SSV

[Travis]

When I put together Scroll Saw Village on January 1, 2009, I cobbled together several pieces of software to create the community it is now. I got some bits to talk to each other, like the forum and gallery. Other bits are independent, like the content management system, wiki, chat room, etc. It worked really well and I was pleased how the site worked. But as the software gets older, it gets trickier to update because I feared breaking the website. From a technical standpoint, it's quite the nightmare trying to figure out how to fix the bugs. So I tried my hardest not to update software. The problem is, security holes open up (which is why we had that spam problem for awhile and why I implemented the first-post-moderation rule for new members). The site also becomes static as we cannot offer new features or keep up with online community trends.

 

So, I've been debating for the last few months on if I should move to a different software platform. It's a big task for a large community like ours. I've been researching different software packages, and I think I finally found one that will fit our needs quite nicely. The great thing about it is that it's an all-in-one package. Which means, all the sections work together. So when I need to update the software, or add new features, it's a matter of pressing a button. This new software is on the forefront of innovation for community based websites, and always adding new features and updating software functionality. Management will be made considerably easier, and member interaction and features will be greatly increased. Needless to say, I'm thrilled with this new software and excited to move SSV onto a better system and to better serve our scroll sawing community.

 

One thing I've learned being a community manager and website builder, people don't like change. But I assure you, the end result will be vastly superior to what we have now. We will have a robust new community with lots of ways to connect with our scroller friends. There might be a few growing pains as I get things "back to normal," but we'll get there and be better for it.

 

The change won't happen immediately. I have to line up a few ducks before I dive in. I'm guessing we'll make the switch in a month or so.

[amazingkevin]

You've done a terrific job and were counting on you .Have at it!

[Travis]

Here's a little teaser of what you can expect with the new software. There is no way I can list all the new cool stuff. But here are some of the highlights.

 

 

Notifications

• When someone interacts with something you posted, you can choose to be notified via our internal notification center, email, or via mobile (experimental). The Notification Center is really nice because it’s easy to see when something new has happened instead of having to scour your posts.

 

Facebook & Twitter sign-in

• You can link your account to Facebook and Twitter. If you regularly use these services, sometimes it’s easier to sign in with these accounts than trying to remember a password for 1 of 100 different sites you visit. This also makes it easy to share posts, articles, blogs, pictures, and patterns. (Note: You don’t need these services to use SSV. We’ll still have the old system of signing up as well. This is just a convenient option for those who use these services)

 

Our Own Social Network

• The new software makes it easy to keep up with friends, send quick messages, send mail, and see what they’ve posted.

 

Forums

• My Favorite: WYSIWIG post creation. WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) is an editor similar to any word processor you work with. Instead of typing in BB Code to get your text bold, you simply highlight your word, click bold, and it’ll look bold. Now your composition screen won’t be cluttered by formatting code. You simply make it look the way you want, and click Submit and that’s the way it’ll look when published. Very cool.

• Simple one-click following of threads. You’ll be notified when someone comments on the thread (see Notifications section).

• We’ll have a new rating system so users can vote for really useful/informative threads. That way you can quickly find quality threads.

• Sometimes someone says something that you agree with, but doesn’t really warrant a full response, you can click the Like button (similar to Facebook’s). This is a good way so see popular responses and encourage other members.

• We’ll be able to tag posts with keywords. This will dynamically link similar topics so you can find other threads that might answer your question.

• You’ll easily be able to share threads via your social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Digg, etc).

• You’ll be able to email, print or download a thread.

• Now when posting a video or audio, you just need to post the URL. The forum software will automatically embed the correct code so you can watch your video right here on SSV.

• We’ll also include Polls.

 

Gallery

• All images and albums are integrated into member profile. So it’s easy to find a member’s photo album, or patterns they’ve designed.

• No more broken User Albums (we have a bunch on our current system)

• Uploading will be considerably easier.

• It will also be easier to share links, insert into forum posts, or share pictures on your favorite social network.

• Rate, bookmark and follow images or albums.

• Saving an image will be much more intuitive.

• Better search functionality.

 

Blogs

• Members can create their own blogs. You can have as many as you’d like, or team up with others and have a group blog. This is a great way to document your projects.

• You’ll have the ability to customize the look and feel of your blog.

 

Chat

• We used to have a chat room. One of the problems with our previous system, you never knew if anybody was in there. So it basically never got used. The new system will show the number of people currently in chat in your navigation window, so you can pop in and say hi.

• Chat usernames are now linked to your SSV account. So no need to log into a different system.

 

Article System

• We currently use a wiki (which I had to lock down because of spam) and a handful of independent articles. The new system will replace these and make a central location for articles and tutorials. This will make a great knowledge base of great scroll saw information.

• Members will be able to write their own articles to add to the Knowledge Base. We’ll do away with the confusing wiki-code, and replace it with the WYSIWIG editor (see forums section above). That we can focus on good information, rather than confusing coding.

• Sometimes a forum post is so good, you wish it was an article. The new system will make it easy to promote a forum post to a full-fledged article.

• The articles also include a comment system, bookmarks, following, and sharing features.

 

Mobile Access

• SSV will be optimized for mobile viewing. We had mobile applications on the old system, but it was limited to just the forums. The new system will give you access to all of the website (forum, gallery, articles, blogs, etc).

• We’ll have two options. A web-app (meaning you use your mobile phone’s web browser), which seems to work the best.

• There will also be a downloadable app. I’m not sure how well the downloaded app works, so we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

 

And More

• There are so many additional improvements that I couldn’t even begin to list them all. But it does some seriously cool things. There are additional features I’m thinking about adding to SSV. But for now, I’m going to keep a lid on that until we get the necessities put into place. I think this will be an amazing improvement to the functionality and ease of access to great scroll saw information.

[Travis]

Now that I've made my sales pitch and got you excited about what's to come, it's time to use the dirty 'M' word; money. The new software package for Scroll Saw Village isn't cheap. It's going to cost approximately $400 (which does not including server rental.) While I'm willing to cover the pricetag, I could use a little help offsetting the cost for the upgrade. If you can spare a few bucks to help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

I'm thinking, for those members contributing $10 or more, you'll get a special "Supporter" badge for your profile. We'll also turn off advertising (except for the the banner ads of scroll saw related products) for those supporting members. This special rank/group will last for one year. Just think, a year without Google Ads! (Note: this special group will take effect when the new system in in place)

 

If you'd like to contribute to the software upgrade, please click this link to our Donate Page. I really appreciate any help you can give.

 

I hope you all are as excited as I am.

 

 

Donate Now

 

 

.

[Robert Phillips]

Sounds really good.

[DonR]

Travis, Sounds like a winner!! Made my little contribution.

Don R

[amazingkevin]

Will add my deposit when i get the check. Also will we have to scroll our own badge,lol.I am i awe at the user simplisity and all the creature features you've made availiable for us with this package deal you found.Were in good hands with Travis at the wheel.thank you sir for our present!GO FOR IT!

[kardar2]

No new scroll saw for members? LOL . Well I am anxious to see the mobile app and to get away from Taptalk. I had a hard time trying to donate on my cell phone but I got it. Keep up the great work Travis.

[Travis]

Special thanks to DonR for your contribution. I greatly appreciate your support!

[Travis]

Special thanks to kardar2 for your contribution to the upgrade fund. I greatly appreciate your support.

[captlucky]

hi travis my donation has been sent. keep up the good work. thanks Ron

[Travis]

Special thanks for captlucky for his contribution to the SSV upgrade. I, and the rest of SSV, really appreciate it!

[amazingkevin]

just sent you a bag full for a donation!The check came in and i broke you off a piece.

[RichB]

Travis, you do a great job. You as well as many members on this sight have been a big help on my projects.

[Travis]

A special thanks to the one and only, THE amazingkevin, for his contribution to the SSV upgrade fund. I appreciate the help!

[Travis]

A special thanks to RichB for his contribution to SSV. I appreciate the help in making this upgrade possible!

[Travis]

A special thanks to marmoh for pitching in and helping us to update SSV software. I, and the rest of SSV appreciate your support!

[Travis]

Right now we're at $100 of our almost $400 price tag. Thanks to everybody who's contributed so far. We really appreciate it. We still have $300 to go. Can you help out? Remember, for those members contributing $10 or more, you'll get a special "Supporter" badge for your profile. We'll also turn off advertising (except for the the banner ads of scroll saw related products) for those supporting members. This special rank/group will last for one year. Just think, a year without Google Ads! (Note: this special group/badge will take effect when the new system in in place)

 

Can you help out too? If so, you can click here to donate.

 

 

Donate Now

[Docupton]

Not been here long but really enjoyed the site, heres my donation, keep up the good work.

[WigWag Workshop]

Soon has I can scrape up a few bucks, I will be dropping a donation. Looking forward to the re-design.

[captlucky]

did my last post come in ?I sent a donation and a post now i cant find my post thanks Ron

[Travis]

Special thanks to Docupton for his contribution to the SSV upgrade. We really appreciate your help!

[Travis]

did my last post come in ?I sent a donation and a post now i cant find my post thanks Ron

 

Yup. You're post went through, and my response was immediately after. It was at the top of the second page(viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7486&start=10#p39271)

 

Thanks again!

[wombatie]

Ok Travis I have sent in my donation. Good luck with the upgrade.

 

Marg

[Travis]

Special thanks to wombatie for her donation toward the software upgrade. Thank you very much. Myself and the rest of SSV appreciate it!