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LouisWu
01-15-2008, 05:48 PM
Chief has asked me to update the membership on where we are in the vBulletin customization process.

The switchover from SMF to vBulletin convinced us that we needed help in order to get the customized features that we are looking for here at Clarkblog.org. The technical term is "skins", which is what gives the forum pages their distinct look. We are also looking for a custom logo for Clarkblog as well, and since none of the Principals is an artist, and we all have busy regular lives to live and business enterprizes to look after, we have jointly agreed to hire the job of customization out.

That is where the rub is. Many of the people who advertize widely as able to produce custom vBulletin features like we want, have questionable work ethics and a lackadaisical attitude about answering e-mails. We are being quite picky about who we hire and what we want done. It may take what some members consider to be too much time, but I believe that in the long run everyone will find the results beyond satisfactory.

We chose to make the immediate switchover from SMF to vBulletin and run with the default template for a while for good reason. I urged Chief to switch because we began building a vBulletin database immediately, and have been able to fine tune the forum through the control panel. It may not be apparent but our collective learning curve has been steep. I apologise for the appearance of the forum at the present, and the difficulty in navigating the latest posts.

I urge everyone to continue to be patient, work the site controls, and post freely. When we finally upload a template, it will be operational from the start, because it will be professionally designed, tested, and installed. I guarantee that you will be surprized when we get where we want to be, and it will be prove to be worth the wait.

Thank you for your continued support of Clarkblog.org.

Louis Wu
Administrator

Chief
01-15-2008, 05:55 PM
Let me add my 2 cents.

I know there's been a lot of discontent about the way the site looks, and I feel your pain, believe me. I don't like it either, but I know what the end product is going to look like, so I can stand the wait.

The Admin limitations of Simple Machines Forums were serious enough that it was worth switching over like Louis said. At least we have better control of the database, and expanded capabilities through the Admin console. This default template is ugly, and limited, but it is worth using until we land the pro we are looking for.

The week is young, so please be patient. Never mind out dust, and you'll love it when we finally get it right...

:D

Waterbuffalo
01-15-2008, 10:50 PM
For some one who has run Commodore BBS's, been a sysop on different things and kind have been in a similar situation over the years to what Louis and Chief has decided to do.

Just have to remember, your not going to please ever single person 100 percent of the time. And people have to remember that most of the regulars here have jobs, families and other responsibilities that make this forum as a hobby instead of a full-time gig its turning to be in this current form.

Hope things do work out with this new skin and form and its easier to move around in.

Chief
01-18-2008, 06:48 AM
Be advised that the site may be up and down all day today and tomorrow. Pardon our dust, but it will be worth the wait...

Chief

Waterbuffalo
01-18-2008, 09:40 PM
All I can say is "WOW!"

Easy to read, easy on the eyes and easy to detect new posts!!! WTG!!!

Now where did Karma run off to... :-0

Better see if I can catch her on phone line #1.. Karmmmmmaaaa...