Upcoming features in version 3.5

Hi everyone,

In the upcoming version 3.5, we focus our software improvement on the following aspects

1. New features (see a short list below) to make the software more powerful and easier to use
2. Interface improvement - reduce choppiness and client side CPU utilization for all the animated items (image carousel, DHTML menu)
3. Performance Improvement - reduce network latency and memory usage improvement

The following are a few exciting new features we have for the upcoming version 3.5

1. Similar Threads when posting a new message
   
   The forum will suggest a list of messages based on the subject users type. This will reduce the likeliness of having duplicate threads in the forum. Most of the time people don't use the search function before posting, resulting in others having to repeatedly reply to the same stuff -> time consuming and db space wasting.
   
   This new feature in version 3.5 can be thought as an automatic search enforcement that fits most people's habit -> post away without searching first.
2. Embed attachment into message when posting
   
   In the current setup (up to version 3.4), users don't have a way to put attachment into the message body while posting. Although the current setup lists attachments at the end of the message, sometimes it is useful to be able to embed uploaded photos or provide links to the attachments directly inside the message.
   
   It is a hassle to do this in the current version, as users have to first post the message and then edit the message to add attachments in.
   
   In version 3.5, we make it very simple for users to embed photos/links to the attachment inside the message with just a click of a button. Users will see each attached file as a button below the editor and clicking on the buttons adds attachments directly inside the message.
3. Custom Registration Fields available on the message page
   
   The forum software has the ability to collect additional data on the registration page and allow others to search against those data on the member list. However, what we lack is the ability to show those data directly in the author column beside the message body (left hand column).
   
   At this moment, users will have to change the message stored procedure to pull additional data from the custom registration fields table and then change the template to show the data. Too many things to manage and re-do for upgrade.
   
   In version 3.5, although you still have to do the template stuff, we have the ability to pull data directly from the Custom Registration Fields without you having to change anything with the stored procedures. All you have to do is check a box for the fields you want to include, and then the data will be available for you to use on the template. Very convenient.
4. Private Message Improvements - making the private message system a lot easier to use
   
   In version 3.5, we have 4 major improvements on the private message system:
   1. Related Conversations - with the click of a button, you will be able to see related conversation (much like a message thread) listed in reverse chronological orders
   2. List all PM from the same person - you can easily locate PMs sent by the same person with the click of a button.
   3. Expanding / Collapsing the folder pane - making the size of the message body a lot wider and messages easier to read. You will also have direct access to the folder list as DHTML menu without having expand the folder pane.
   4. Reset PM unread counter and Listing all unread PMs options. If you see a (1) on the PM menu (indicating 1 unread PM) but couldn't find it on the PM list, it is possible that a) our system mis-counted the unreads or b) the unread was from long time ago and now is located deep in the page list.
      
      With these 2 new options, you can easily locate the unread(s) or fix the counter.

On top of these more notable features, there are quite a few more new features and a lot of changes (30+) plus fixes (17+) that we will introduce to this major upgrade, 3.5.

3.5 is very close to completion. We aim to release this version second week of July.

Thanks for the hard work Samuel. I look forward to 3.5

very nice features indeed. Looking forward to the next release!

Looking forward to it Sam.  Is #1 (Similar Threads) going to be an optional setting?

Yes, it will be optional site wide and can be turned on/off by forum.

That's great Samuel, thanks for the ongoing improvements and hard work.

Will there be a cumulative upgrade from version 3.2? Hah, I know I'm having wishful thinking :)

How about an " Upcoming features in version 3.6" ? 

Sure, I will post them later this week.

Thanks for bringing this up.

In new version 3.6 or later,

Can you write some new features:

1. Member spy (like topic/forum subscription): Notify his actions...
2. Manager Group Forum Tab (like some PHP forum)
    eg: My forum have 3 group: Cars, Book, Electronic
    I don't want to see all group in a root, I want manager like Tabs manager, when I click Cars: system will list all forum in Cars group, same to Book and Electronic
 

Samuel

Sure, I will post them later this week.

Thanks for bringing this up.

Year end is coming soon! Hope you can release new version before x mass...

It look like he has implemented link control on comments - THANK YOU!  Hopefully it flat out refuses the post if the criteria isn't met.  This should significantly cut down on the SPAM.

true, the feature and a host of others will be available before Christmas as 3.6. I am polishing the documents at the moment.

Thanks for asking!