Site instructions, Just FYI (long) Options

[Mike]

As I hope most of you know the site went under some major changes and I just wanted to let you guys know I only try and change things to run more efficient. We had some security issues so I had to upgrade our forum and our gallery. Since the older configuration did not upgrade correctly, I thought it was time to give us some new options and a new look. I tried to stay on a red/gray theme. I also updated/added some features and just wanted to let everyone know about them.

• Gallery- The gallery has been updated to newer version so images won’t get lost. Some people using the software lost photos so I thought I would be on the safe side!
• Login Box- I created a login box so users can get PM at any point on the site. You can be in the gallery and receive a PM and others can see that you are still on the site. The old version did not do this!
• Advertising- We had advertising on the old site but you could not see it. With the new redesign everyone can easily see this. If you want to advertise on this site please talk to Marcus as he is the man in charge.
• Forum Software- The forum had to be updated due to security issues. I also incorporated the overall theme here. If you se any problems please let me know.
• Links- I created software to add new links to the site. Everyone has access to this as long as people are not abusing this. Please keep it to DSM related Links. If I start seeing bogus links I will delete them. But do help us build some sort of Link Database.
• Random Photo- The random Photo will pick one of the 800+ photos in the gallery and will display in on the home page. As of right now it does not work!
• Calendar- The calendar will be able to be used to show upcoming events, birthdays, ect.
• My Assistant- I don’t know if many people know about this and I just wanted to give a short run blob about this. The "My Assistant” will NOT go to work for you when you are lazy but it will show you info about posts and users. You can also complete quick searches from here.
• Portal- The portal is the front end of the Message board and shows you some of the basic info of the board.
• Last Topic on Portal- the Last topic on the Portal will show you the last post that had activity.
  this means that there is new info to read that you have not read yet.
  means that there is NO new info.
  You can also change the number of Topics that it shows. You can choose between 10, 20, or 30.
• Images- I am slowly updating the images from the old blue to the new red color. So be patient with me!

If you have any suggestions or questions just post them here. 226 heads is better then one! Ohh and Dan don’t comment on the heads idea either! I can hear it already.

[ncgalant]

I like the new colors. Very easy on the eyes. Good work with the upgrade

[Mike]

I found a error in the front of the Message board. It does not pull the latests topics from all three forums that we have. it only shows the latests topics from the 'General Talk' forum. I will be working on this so you will have to check those forums manually.