Web system updates

Request archiving

Before we get an instance of where a request is tragically needed post-deletion, I have decided to (much like the message boards) archive all requests from here on out, including request comments. This will help us keep track of information if we suddenly need it again.

The archive will be accessible only via the database for now, and has not yet been installed however will be available to leaders from July 2010.

User Area Updates

Over the coming week(s) various updates, improvements and important changes will be happening to the User Area. These will affect all users and therefore we advise you to check the user area regularly.

Upcoming features include:
- A new messaging system. This will be used to contact members directly for important information and notices.
- A new request system for non-leaders. This is essentially a secondary messaging system in which standard members of the team can be assigned requests wherever necessary - for example if you are operating an event you will be forwarded the request so you have the date, time and requirements.
- Important notices. There will be a bulletin board on the homepage of the user area in order to alert members of important information straight away.
- Profiles. Public profiles for all members which can be updated and viewed.
- More customizability. You will soon be able to update your own information.

All this and more. Stay tuned!

SLST User area at a useable stage

After much deliberation the SLST member area has been updated for the new server and is currently in a usable state. I have done my best to make the current message board as usable as possible however should any further external spamming occure the leaders shall moderate it closely. This kind of content is not only annoying, it would be irresponsible of me to allow junior members of the team to have access to many of the links and information available through the spam.

Therefore the message board shall remain open until the new one has finished in development.

Coming soon

The forum is being revamped and the user area is being finalized. Lots to come this week. Stay tuned.

Some new features

Ok so as you may have seen there are some new features and fxes that have been added to the website.

The first is the ACP - ignore that, that is soley for the use of the website admin (ie: me at the moment) and chances are you'll probably never have to use it. That will help control the site a bit more and make changing it easier. That will also be used in the event that someone forgets their username/password. (Which is why only I have access to it).

Another thing is the user area; it's getting better but still needs work. It will soon have links at the top allowing members to do many things including contacting leaders, making suggestions that all leaders can discuss (a bit like the request system, only you get to see replies), accessing resources (ie: help for new members, general referances, patching/lighting plans for shows etc.), access to team-only news (non-public) as well as a news commenting system and much more! These will most likely not be added until summer.

A few bug fixes include the 'Closed' update of the Request system linking to the normal view of the request management rather than a messed up version and lots of ACP/UCP bugs fixed. (FYI: ACP stands for admin control panel, UCP stands for user control panel and FYI stands for for your information).

Members/users now have a user ID and password so the website will soon be a much more integrated part of being in the SLST. The forum is also coming soon; stay tuned!

New update: As you may have noticed, the entire news system now operates a strict validation technique allowing only ONE person to post or edit a story and ONLY Leaders - those are defined by selecting the 'Leader?' box on the team members page - this also includes staff. In my opinion, only one person can write a news story; should you wish to correct someones work, please inform them before doing so - or suggest changes they could make. Also, if you absolutely feel you MUST over ride the validation, please contact me and I'll change the field in the database where appropriate.

Members area stuff

New stuff added:

- User area (more to come to that soon, but the whole concept now works so keep an eye open! - link at bottom of page on homepage Ask Steve for user ID.

- Team page One of the best new features finally implemented properly into the new site with avatar system etc.

More to come soon!

Note to self: see is leader in userarea table

Summer updates

Here's an outline of what's going to be added over summer:

• Team page, updated for avatars to actually worknow.
• Â YouTubepage, same as before, just re-added. (Mirror Site).
• Â Web admin page, this will include:
• Avatar managing (to avoid abuse)
• Link editor - will use PHP to open and edit the included text files for the linksand headers; for example editing the links at the bottom of the homepage willbe done online rather than re-uploading the files.
• Leader manager - this will manage who the leaders are, meaning that whoever is on here will appear on the news 'Author' drop downlist (soon-to-come).
• Â Banneruploader; banners will soon be random (ie: each page will have php to select abanner at random, like the picture on the homepage of languages online).
• Of course to accomidate all the changes, the Technicians' login will soon be updated:
• YouTube and Member editing pages just like the mirror site.
• Admin login (only web admin knows this password).
• The menu bar on the Technicians' Login may haveto expand to two rows.

And that's about all for now - but stay tuned!

This page

This page is now a perminant feature of the site that anyone who is working on the site (ie: Steve at the moment) can update and give information for technicians on how to use the new features being implemented as well as addressing issues with the old system that new senior technicians may have who haven't used it before.

Enjoy the new features coming up.

Update to request comments

Following some feedback, the comments form is now at the top of the comments and I've also added it so it's hidden so you can read comments straight away. You can also show/hide the entire comments stuff incase you just want to have the information showing (ie: if you're showing a teacher for some reason and don't want them reading the comments).

More to come soon. (Including this page being made a blog).

Technicians login: comments

So you're probably here because you've clicked the link from technicians' login or you've just taken a lucky guess at typing in '/newsys.php'.Basically, the new comments system allows new updates to me more readily visible and the newest comments are shown at the top. This is useful for the discussion of events in a thread-like way.

If you have any feedback, eg: moving the add-comment form or making the newest updates at the bottom, just contact Steve either at school or via FaceBook/steve@rgsslst.net

Hope you enjoy the new system made by Steve with help from Andrew - it's only a minor improvement but I'm starting to 'roll out' new updates rather than just bulk-changing the site because that's not too popular.

Oh and please don't abuse it posting comments for no reason/deleting others.

Thanks.