Site layout adjustments

Did you even notice it? The site looks a little different today?

Last time the site received any major updates was in 2012-13, when I changed the fonts and look a little to be a little more modern, than it was. Before that it was back to 2009. And the site is not really the same today, so an update was needed. Especially since in just 10 days, we can celebrate 20 years anniversary. I started the site early October 1995.

Front pages and group pages (AX, NAV, CRM, GP, Community)

I removed the first column, leaving much more space for what it’s really about: Forum and blog posts. The weekly leaderboard has been moved to the right side bar and a few of the lesser used widgets removed (jobs, wikis). And then the profile picture of the person asking the question is displayed together with the post listing. Still trying to get the picture of the last replier to be visible as well.

Forum pages

Added the profile picture of the person opening the question here too.

The content of left information side bars has been changed in most places. If there is anything you would like to see here too, then please let me know.

The site layout, especially the front, group and forum pages.

Merging forums

I also merged a lot of old sub forums into the main forums. But I have already written about this in another announcement. And with the international forums all closed (please post in regular forums), then the International Forums Group is also gone. The old forums and their posts are moved into the Archive forum (Community), still accessible for all.

So the International Group link in the header is gone.

Renaming groups and forums

You may also notice that most of the Dynamics group and forum names have changed. Before they all included both Navision and Microsoft Dynamics NAV. By now, most people know that Navision is Dynamics NAV, if they “end up” here on DUG. Same story repeats regarding Axapta and Great Plains.

What I have tried to do, with these changes, that you should see as one, is to make the site easier to use, easier to navigate, with more focus on the really important things (yes forgot to tell you that a lot of the ads are gone):

Networking between users and professionals working with Microsoft Dynamics.

There might be some place where the changes are not quite done - so if you notice a problem, then please let me know - just reply. The same goes with suggestions to future updates.

Just wanted to give you a little update on this.

After the new problems the updates I applied this weekend, where members could first not sign-in or see some/all pages, and where new members could not sign up, then I finally got in touch with someone I knew used to work for Telligent. He offered to give our site a little check up. And for two hours I could see him do wonders!

Not only did he solve the problem cause by me (took no time), but also the one caused by something Microsoft previously told me would require source code changes. A problem causing the site to IIS web server to not only recycle/restart but crash 10-15 times per hour. He was able to pinpoint exactly what caused it, and install a resolution to it.

And since he logged out of the server again last night at 10pm CET, then the server has not crashed a single time.

The result is that time outs are basically not appearing any more, making the site appear much faster than before. [:)]

Can you feel it too? Or are you still experiencing time-outs and error pages?

It sounds like we should buy him a beer. [:)]

It looks faster

So much more than a beer!

He could also tell me that the “Microsoft community program” they used to have, where other “Microsoft Technology Community” sites could get a free license (the one I’m using today) is going to be reintroduced, now that Telligent is no longer owned by their recent owner. They are “coming back” to the communities. Not only the big corporate ones! :slight_smile:

That means that we are going to run on the same (but newer) software as Dynamics Communities. And that I can stop wasting time evaluating other alternatives - something I guess I have spend a total of 600-900 hours on the last 4 years! Just imagine if I could have made that into billable hours instead. I guess my boss would be angry - but heck, I’m my own boss.

So now instead I’m going to start testing the new release of Community Server, now called Telligent Community. It’s version 9.0, and the current is version 4. So there are a lot of changes which needs to happen. Including merging even more forums. The only way to set it up today, is the same way as Microsoft uses = One Product = One Forum. But I’m looking to how some advanced tagging can replace the Development/End-User/Technical division we have today. If you notice on Dynamics Communities, then it looks like they are trying a similar thing. Hope this new version does it better.

One thing that surely does is better is its moderator options. And spam-filter options and and and…

So I’m a really happy man today!

Just don’t expect an update any day now. Even though a full upgrade script exists, then just as with Dynamics projects, then we always have to take care of customizations. And this site has a lot. In the original package there was no Documentation/Downloads, no Book Reviews, no Add-Ons section and so. The way it has been put together today is way off standard. So migrating is going to take some time. But hopefully early in the new year, maybe earlier, but I’m going to wait for the final release of 9.0 first.