Forum changes

[Iconic]

How come when I click on the "Forum" tab at the top I get "Pagoda SL Group - Info Center" when I used to get the list of all of the separate forum areas like "Interior" and "General" and "Fuel and ..." etc? I must have selected something inadvertently ...

[Iconic]

FYI: When I select the "+" sign to the right of "W113 Pagoda SL Group" it only toggles between "-" and "+" but the window doesn't expand to show the whole forum like it is supposed to.
I'm using the Safari browser on an iMac.
I'm having about as much luck with this forum as I am with my Pagoda .... I'm just kidding, I consider my self lucky to have found my non-running Pagoda.
But, why isn't the forum working for me?
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Iconic,

I'm sorry but I have no idea what you are talking about.... when I click the  '+' to the right of W113 Pagoda SL Group... it just shows the list of boards. Were you perhaps experimenting with different themes?

I use Safari on a Mac exclusively and developed this forum with it, so it should work. Can you please:

• copy the exact URL where you have problems into your post
• take a screenshot of that part of the screen (to capture a region of the screen, press Command-Shift-4, then click and drag the cursor to mark the area you want to capture. When you lift your finger from the mouse button, Mac OS X will record that real estate and place a .png file on your desktop) and upload it here for me to see.

If it was indeed due to you experimenting with different themes, are you back at standard now ?

How were you able to post if you could not find any boards?

Peter

[Iconic]

Thank you for your attention. I am relatively computer literate and I cannot figure out what I have done.
I have not been experimenting with Themes. My setting states: "Forum or Board Default".
I am on an IBM clone now and I am experiencing the same issue !!
The URL is: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php
I will make a screen shot on this PC, put it in a MS Word document and attach that. You will see the plus/minus sign at minus which means the view should be expanded (I know you know this .. I'm just explaining my logic).
I was able to post on the General Forum by looking at the "Show unread posts since last visit" link. Then follow links at the top to get back to General Forum .. does that make sense or should I explain it better.
Oh, one more thing. If I go to http://www.sl113.org/ and don't log in and go to the Forum tab, it looks like we expect it to look. So, it is only an issue when I am logged in (on any computer it seems).
Regards,
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Mark,

that's really weird. I've never seen that. And you are saying you get this on two different PC's ?

I don't want to get too detailed, but because of the way the site is built, you'll only see this when you are in the forum.

I recommend you try the following solutions:

• Verify that Javascript is enabled (on both browsers). The +/- function works with Javascript. Make sure you reload the page before testing it because the javascript code needs to be reloaded in your browser
• Verify that Cookies are enabled for www.sl113.org. Your browser must accept these cookies
• Logout and then Log-in again, and see if the +/- function persists.
• If it still does persist, perhaps you can clear your cookies on the browsers... but since you have the exact same behaviour on both a Mac and a Windows PC, that probably is not the cause.

I've also had a look at your preferences, and could not find anything weird there.

Please try the above, and let me know.

Peter

[66andBlue]

Now I am curious since I am using a MAC also. Which +/- sign to the right of the "Pagoda SL Group" are you referring to?
Do you mean the sign that shrinks or expands the header - the one that I have marked with a red circle in the screen shot?

[Peter van Es]

Alfred, it's the plus sign in the document Iconic attached, on the top right... When you are on the Forum page (after clicking the forum tab button, you get a list of boards. By pressing the '-' sign at the top right (under the search field) you collapse the list of boards. With Iconic he can then press the '+' sign all he likes, but the list of boards does not return.

The functionality is implemented in a similar fashion (Javascript) to the header button you are identifying... so if he presses that too, he won't be able to do anything any more  . I wonder how many people have found that little button you've identified, Alfred... it gives you a couple more lines of postings real estate...

Peter

[66andBlue]

Thanks Peter.
I had missed his attachment. Good news is that your +/- button works fine on my Mac, both with Firefox and with Safari.
I never shrink the header using the other bottom because my first click is on "Show unread posts since last visit" - I would not able to see with the header collapsed.

[Peter van Es]

I test everything with:

• Mac, Safari
• Linux, Firefox
• Windows, Internet Explorer
• Windows, Google Chrome

but always the latest versions. If 3 out of 4 work, I let it go because then I figure the last browser is just Goofy....

I use Safari on a Mac every day, so if anything fails there, I'm likely to fix it first!

That's why I was so stumped by Iconic's post, I've never seen that, and especially not on two different computers... maybe his firewall filters out Javascript or something wierd. Also, the collapsing code does use Cookies (to store the state) as well as Javascript, so that's why it may have to do with his cookie settings. Well, hopefully my tips will help him resolve it!

Peter

[Iconic]

Peter,
I'm back on the iMac. Tiger 10.4.11 Safari 3.2.1 (4525.27.1)
Javascript is already enabled.
Cookies are already enabled for www.113...etc. (it is listed 3 to 5 times, is that a clue?). I've attached a picture of the cookies.
When you state clear all cookies. The term "remove all cookies" is used on my iMac. That's what you mean, correct, all cookies (not just the 113 cookies)?
That is OK for me to do, it won't mess up something else? I just need to verify before I do it.

I must point out 4 more things.
1. The two PCs (iMac and IBM clone laptop) are on two different networks.
2. This just started for me within the last few days. I've been a member approximately 4 weeks, and it worked fine up until a few days ago. Then it changed to this. I didn't make any changes that I am aware of (I did get a new laptop at work, I'm just giving you all the data ...)
3. This must have something to do with my settings? When I am a guest, it works fine. When I am logged in, it isn't fine.
4. When I toggle between + and -, there is some movement. It is only about 1mm on my screen.

I also have to say that you guys are amazing. The body of knowledge you have amassed and the commitment to helping people and promoting these fantastic cars is truly wonderful.
I've really stumbled on some quality people here.
Thank you,
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Iconic Mark,

if you want to be sure, do not use the Safari "Remove All Cookies" function. That will lose e.g. automatic log-ins on other websites etc. Did you try logging out and logging in again? Did that help?

1. First log out of the site.
2. Use Safari to find the Cookies (Preferences / Security / Show Cookies)
3. Just select the www.sl113.org cookies
4. Press Remove to only remove these cookies.
5. Then log back in again... and hopefully it should work

Let us know if that worked!

Peter

[Iconic]

Peter,
I'm back on my PC laptop.
I found the cookie (there was only one) and I deleted it.
You will not like to hear this but I will attach a picture. The Plus sign is gone (not visible).
If I hold the cursor over where it should be, and select, it toggles to minus, but then goes away again if I select the minus.
Needless to say, I still don't see all of the Boards.
I did not "Photoshop" the attachment. It is real.
I will delete the cookies on my iMac this weekend.
Thanks again,
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Dear Mark,

the fact that you were alternating between two different computers, with two different IP addresses and two different browsers, operating systems and so on, initially did not help me.

It did however alert me to the fact that it probably was not in any cookie settings. I went through the server database and looked for session settings for your account. I found something that may have been in an inconsistent state and deleted it. I hope it's now ok for you!

Peter

(ps: please so not upload .doc documents again, just the image file is much easier - in other words, stick to the Mac  )

[Iconic]

Peter,
YES, IT WORKS, THANK YOU.
I thought I was crazy.
A. Was it something I did
B. Now I can get back to my Pagoda...
Thanks again,
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Mark,

as you know we've been having some issues with the internet hoster / service provider. I assume you changed this setting at the exact point the system had a 'hiccup'  and therefore left the database in an inconsistent state that you or the software could not correct any more. I actually went into the database, bypassing the software and changed something manually. So not to worry, it's probably nothing you did.

Peter

[Iconic]

Peter,
I'm sorry. It is happening again.
Could it be that I was messing with my Avatar?
Regards,
Mark

[Peter van Es]

Well, Mark,

the inconsistency in the database is not there NOW! So I can't fix it. What did you do to get back into this situation? What machine are you on now? I cannot (at the moment) fix it for you. All I can suggest is to log off, remove the cookies as explained earlier, and log back on. I've also made a system wide change to prevent anyone (not just you) from making the board collapsable... that might help but do mail me if not.

When you say messing with your avatar... what do you mean? I see no change?

Just out of interest... why did you press the '-' sign again?

Peter

(ps: perhaps we ought to take this discussion to the mail -- admin@sl113.org -- as no-one else seems to be experiencing this).