Legacy themes removed - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

brian · 12-05-11, 01:09 PM

My apologies if you've just logged on and found yourself on an unfamiliar purple and silver forum - I've taken the decision to delete the 3 additional forum styles that existed for security reasons.

Each style is effectively it's own web design project, and as I've had to hard code a few of the mods the forums use, that meant either going through each style everytime there was a vbulletin update, or just leave legacy code running.

There are somewhere towards 100 different templates for each style, and while most would not need updating, it's still a laborious pain to go through every style with every update.

Because of the recent security issue, the legacy themes are a security liability - so a choice between the daunting task of updating all four, or simply focus on one, and I've chosen the latter and deleted the other three.

The good news is that even before the recent debacle, I'd already commissioned a web designer to redo the front end, with the aim of importing the new style into the forums as the main one.

That means because there's already work going on, that if anyone has any requests for new forum features, I can look to get them integrated into the new style.

I appreciate that it can be difficult moving from one style to another - it can feel like being on a different forum, and that's never nice - but it's just the graphics and colours that are different, nothing more.

And hopefully, this will be a good chance to get any extra features you've wanted implemented into the forums, because now I can focus on having just one good strong style, rather than spread thin on a few.

smoggy · 12-05-11, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the info Brian (thanks button not working)

I can imagine what a balls aching job it is and I'm sure we can all put up with a bit of inconvenience.
So for me, do anything that's necessary to get us back to normal.

good luck and regards...smoggy

abu baniaz · 12-05-11, 05:32 PM

The most important thing is that the site is secure and easily manageable by the admin staff. Looks can come afterwards. I'm getting used to "new posts" rather than "quick links, today's posts".

Keep up the good work.

Dude111 · 16-05-11, 12:10 AM

Im sorry you had this happen Brian....

I miss my Yellow Skin i was using and i hope someday you will bring it back.....

My account is not authorised to use THANKS (As others) Maybe its a slight error....

12-05-11, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
brian Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inverness, Scotland Posts: 3,801 Thanks: 286 Thanked 1,697 Times in 595 Posts	Legacy themes removed My apologies if you've just logged on and found yourself on an unfamiliar purple and silver forum - I've taken the decision to delete the 3 additional forum styles that existed for security reasons. Each style is effectively it's own web design project, and as I've had to hard code a few of the mods the forums use, that meant either going through each style everytime there was a vbulletin update, or just leave legacy code running. There are somewhere towards 100 different templates for each style, and while most would not need updating, it's still a laborious pain to go through every style with every update. Because of the recent security issue, the legacy themes are a security liability - so a choice between the daunting task of updating all four, or simply focus on one, and I've chosen the latter and deleted the other three. The good news is that even before the recent debacle, I'd already commissioned a web designer to redo the front end, with the aim of importing the new style into the forums as the main one. That means because there's already work going on, that if anyone has any requests for new forum features, I can look to get them integrated into the new style. I appreciate that it can be difficult moving from one style to another - it can feel like being on a different forum, and that's never nice - but it's just the graphics and colours that are different, nothing more. And hopefully, this will be a good chance to get any extra features you've wanted implemented into the forums, because now I can focus on having just one good strong style, rather than spread thin on a few. __________________ Sky+, 1m motorised dish, Vu+ Duo HD PVR, Panasonic 42" G15 Plasma HDTV, Playstation 2 + 3, Not enough time...

12-05-11, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
smoggy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North East England Posts: 2,780 Thanks: 240 Thanked 882 Times in 792 Posts	Re: Legacy themes removed Thanks for the info Brian (thanks button not working) I can imagine what a balls aching job it is and I'm sure we can all put up with a bit of inconvenience. So for me, do anything that's necessary to get us back to normal. good luck and regards...smoggy

12-05-11, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
abu baniaz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 186 Thanks: 73 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Legacy themes removed The most important thing is that the site is secure and easily manageable by the admin staff. Looks can come afterwards. I'm getting used to "new posts" rather than "quick links, today's posts". Keep up the good work.

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16-05-11, 12:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dude111 An Awesome Dude Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 225 Thanks: 128 Thanked 37 Times in 24 Posts	Im sorry you had this happen Brian.... I miss my Yellow Skin i was using and i hope someday you will bring it back..... My account is not authorised to use THANKS (As others) Maybe its a slight error....