Upgrade Update: New Servers, Email Logins, Mobile, Feature Requests, and a Lot of Other Stuff!

New Servers
Yesterday I ordered two new servers for the site! They should be built within the next couple of days at which time I will begin moving the site. With lessons learned from my first two server migrations, I expect the move to be relatively painless. Be on the lookout for updates about the timeline.

Updates
Since I’ve been asked by a few people…as I mentioned within the previous update thread, I am completely re-factoring the data structure and back-end template code for the site. With these changes and the new servers, I’ll be able to provide many more customization options for members to, hopefully, satisfy the individual needs of as many people as possible. For example, some people are asking for more off-topic content, like football and basketball. Other people are asking for the ability to ignore such content. With the re-design, members will be able to choose whether or not to include those sports in the site-wide Hot Topics box by setting the option in their Profile Settings. Additionally, each member will have his own “My BBTF Homepage” (name may change) where he can view the content he is interested in with the selection of specific content topics using our new subscription system. Initially, members will be able to subscribe to content by blog (BBTF, Hall of Merit), subject/tag (Red Sox, Steroids), or category (Baseball, Football). Eventually, I hope to be able to also allow people to subscribe to particular writers as well.

Email Logins
You can now use the email address you’ve registered with the site to log into the site. Right now it is optional. When the new design is finished, however, it will be mandatory. I’ll be using the username to display member archives and other info that people are willing to share, so you may as well get used to logging in with your email address. Before the changeover there will be one-time chance for members to change their username, so please start thinking about whether you’d like to change it to something else or not.

Mobile
I am also making the site much more tablet and mobile friendly. Whether you are viewing on your Android, iPhone, or desktop, the redesigned site will load much faster and look much better than it does right now. I’m not quite ready to start Beta Testing but if you are interested in getting a very early look, add your name to the Beta Test Thread in the Forums.

Newsblog
The Newsblog and Newsstand pages have been consolidated. You probably haven’t noticed.

Tags
I have converted the site from EE’s native category system to a Tagging system. The principal advantage of the change is all entries may now easily be more finely classified when submitting new entries. So, if Bud Selig does something controversial tomorrow, you can can easily add a “Bud Selig” tag to the entry and other members can use the same tag for follow-up entries. Within the new site, and among other things, you’ll be able to subscribe to whichever tags you’d like. 

Feature Requests
If you have any requests for new features, please click over to the Feature Request thread in the Forums. To make it easier for me to manage, please add each idea using a dedicated thread. I will   respond to particular ideas directly so you’ll know when/whether your idea will added to the site. I am trying my best to make this site as valuable to you as I can, so your feedback is vital.

Thanks in advance for your patience,

Jim

Donate to BaseballThinkFactory.org using PayPal.com