PKForum: first preview... an alternative to Orca - part 2

 It should be on your keyboard. Usually between the "Enter" and "Shift" keys. Says Ignore. You don't see it?

Original post by epaulo
 

@FFP Mult

Sorry i reported your post, i was trying to click quote post before i realized it isn't there.

I'm curious what exactly you mean by " modules requiring "integration".  I would most likely run it as stand alone Forums but (like someone else mentioned earlier) would like for evo wall to be able to pick up and post about the activity.  What other sort of integration with other modules, 3rd party or otherwise, would be problematic? (I ask because I don't really see an issue in the functionality, but you kids have MUCH more knowledge than I do).  I have the advanced Blogs and Groups marketplace mods installed but would just run them as is with no cross-forum functionality).Well integration with 3rd party modules aren't in our complete control. But we will try to see what can be done in that matter with other developers.

I'm also curious how this mod would interact with templates.  If a template came with an Orca skin, would that work with this?  If not, how difficult would it be to adapt a template for use?If your site has a custom template and all other modules work with it then this will too. Its just another core module for dolphin and not "tacked onto the outside with rusty nails like orca" as someone said in another topic. Plus theres an admin settings that enables responsive mode on forum, its not perfect cuz every template is different in design but with little work it will work fine with your chosen template if it doesn't by default.

Also, it probably is already there but the posts in these forums need to be searchable by keyword.Yeah there is a full blown search inbuilt with lots of option.

A couple of other (minor) things not mentioned earlier this thread that I'd like to see are easy additional emoticon addition and integration with the Points and Achievement mods from modzzz (so that members could earn either/both from posting in the forum).As said above^ we will see what can be done about the 3rd party integration.

Also, if you need another click monkey to help with beta, plz hit me up through PM.  I'd be happy to help.I think you already got the logins ;)

....and make this available for sale yesterday plz.

It will take some time, more stuff will be added then testing then more testing and some more open testing. Its been in test stage for the last 1.5 months before this preview. So we take some time here, sorry.

 Thanks for the reply and no worries about flagging my post.  

I've been clicking around and sent Paul another email recently.  I also started a thread in the test forum with some notes.

Honestly it looks like its not too far from being ready for use.  Maybe you guys should consider 2 versions, a Basic (which is still a massive upgrade from Orca) and an Advanced (with more bells and whistles).  The current functionality is mostly what I would be looking for and you could roll out the Basic quickly.

Bottom line, I NEED this asap.  Thanks again for tackling such a needed feature.

@Prashank

I haven't dug into it very deeply, so maybe you would know the answer to this question:  Is the current Orca forum completely isolated as a module?  In other words, is there any functions or files called upon that are located somewhere other than /modules/boonex/forum ? 

Boonex has a tendency to inextricably weave little bits of code that relate to modules all over the place.  A good example was the avatar module.  I'm wondering how involved it will be to completely remove all traces of Orca forum, and replace it with PKForum.

In short, it has nothing to do with orca. After you migrate your data from orca you can delete the /modules/boonex/forum/ folder if you wish though i am not very sure about any other parts of dolphin using orca files in any way. It will make no effect on pkforum, its coded completely separately from ground up.

EDIT: Until we provide the integration with other modules. You can not uninstall Orca if you use it with groups and events.

This is a really crude way of polling but could you please "Like" (thumbs up) this post if you want to see the PKForum module come with a version for D7.0.9 (which should be okay for slightly earlier versions).  Thank you :-)

UPDATE: we've made a few changes to PKForum code based on a few bugs found and a some good suggestions from those testing the new *yet to be released* forum module.  

One suggested feature we're planning to add is, while looking at a topic thread, if there has been a new post then a simple popup can be displayed (controlled by admin setting) stating a new post has been added to that topic thread... with a link to refresh the page.   

For those helping us test... we just installed the latest BETA version on the test site.

OUTSTANDING! Just let me know when and how much.... I would LOVE to test for you.

One quick request. --- make the signature line html capable. Would like to give users the ability to add small banner ads...

 It is already :)

You are my newest, bestest friend!

Boonex needs to take note here. My forum issues drove me to look for alternatives and IN FACT, I was starting a new build with another script to migrate away from Dolphin because of the lack of forum functionality, something I have been complaining about almost since my first day here.

The way I see it, Boonex OWES Prashank25 and his team (if there is one) an all expense paid something. It is this work that will probably keep me with Dolphin for the time being. Just to be clear. I am willing to pay MORE for this mod than I did for my Dolphin License..... (I know that statement works against me but it needed to be said).

 Yeah, Paul and me. Plus lots of help from Michael and GG ;)

I'm suitably impressed!

One question. Is it possible to add sharing within the individual posts? Would love to be able to share my specific comment within a thread to the outside world.... So far, all solutions have failed or just don't work well enough

Its actually a good idea, we could implement sharing for fb, g+, tw and put an option to disable them from admin panel. We can hide this on forum which are NOT public (aka non members). Does that sounds good enough?

That would be outstanding! Can I ask you to be specific please. Would I be able to share my specific comment in a thread to Facebook, etc. or would the share just present the entire thread generally? (I hope I'm asking the question right)...

 Funny, all the changes to request, now it will be like waiting on D8...

I only had that one and I promise I won't ask for any more. I love what they have done so far!

 Just joshing Sky, I'm amazed at the work that has been done so far; P25 and Paul have really worked at this to bring the most wanted features to our failed forums.

At least it is not being rushed!

I've been helping when I can and have been, well, "gobsmacked" at what P and P have achieved in the time span that I have been testing.

this look really good. Can't wait to try it. 

Thanks all, we really did worked hard.

@jpl1er

You will get test site logins tomorrow.

Someone just asked about the Orca forum and the outline/spy.

PKForum posts to the Outline.  What about the spy?  Is it possible to post to the spy so that if a friend posts a new forum topic we get a notice in the spy?

Yes, new topics and posts show up in the homepage Spy block.

pk will post to outline? Orca doesn't do that......

Ok, My credit card is getting hot. When will we be able to purchase!

I am helping to test and it is a really nice piece of kit; it is going to put Orca to shame without even trying!

Yes it does, for only new topics cuz we thought posting for every post on outline is kinda "spamy". It posts on users timeline and spy for both new topics and new posts.

Expect a release in few weeks. Right now we are working/testing activation and purchase system for the module. Both are integrated and completely automated so lot less trouble for the buyers :)

Good stuff!

Hi is this a dolphin update.

hmm.......weird......no 

Probably a silly question, but your forum posts will use HTMLPurifier... yes?

 yeah, is that a problem?

Nooooooo!

Hello World!

Any progress to report? I am SO waiting for this mod to be available. Sorry if I sound pushy.....

 We are close.

"Patience Is a Virtue"

 I don't want Virtue - I want PKForum - roflmfaop

BAH HUMBUG!  -- oh wait, wrong movie......... sorry.

Day-by-day we put more time into PKForum and move the project closer to launching.  We've not found any "critical" issues lately... but there are some minor issues we're working through.  We're also taking a bit of time to tweak some of the features so they work better plus we've been working on the documentation that module owners and their forum moderators can refer to as they setup and manage forum.

nice news :-)

Look forward to checking it out, most likely will be a buyer here!

Hi,

Would you have the following features?

1. a homepage block, with recent forum posts, showing user's avatar, post preview, date posted...

2. the lightning bolt next to unread posts

3. ability for user to view posts for a topic oldest or newest first

4. forum search integrated with site search

Can I have access to the test site to give it a spin?

Thanks,

Rod

@ Rod: answers are 1>yes, 2>yes, 3>yes, 4>no, and 'yes' to access... please send me a private message with your email address and I'll send you some login info for testing. Thank you, Paul :-)

Another 8 days have passed. I am being VERY patient..... tap tap tap..... (that's my foot)

PLEASE$!

Good things take time 

So, i have added an option to put some instruction for each forum. It shows up when you select the forum on topic add page and of course its optional.

Got the idea from here http://www.boonex.com/forums/topic/The-Tips-and-Tricks-forum-is-NOT-for-questions.htm

Thanks to HL

I like it

Very nice!

Mr. SkyForum your requested sharing feature is added and ready to be tested.

and we are going to open the site for public now so get on and let us know what you think.

Paul will post the URL in few mins.