Any news about Xenforo 3.0, can we expect modern forum?

[qnkov]

Hello. For half a year, I have been looking for a modern forum system to start an anime/manga site with various features. For example, a video system for watching movies/episodes, a way to add manga/anime as pages with information about them, topics with posters, etc. I saw that all of this is possible with Invision Community.

I waited to see version 5, but it turned out that the self-hosted platform is extremely expensive and has functionality limits. They also changed the way we acquire add-ons, significantly restricting options, and almost no themes exist for their latest version.

On the other hand, XenForo seems like a better alternative in terms of user base and price, but the forum and themes, in general, look like they’re from the early 2000s. I understand that some may find this nostalgic, but it looks incredibly outdated and is not visually appealing.

That’s why I’m wondering what exactly to expect with version 3.0. Can we anticipate a modern interface similar to Invision Community? I really don't want to go to invision as they may drop self-hosted in next version, as they aim for big comapanies, not common users now.

 

[Alpha1]

The issues are exactly the same for the official xenforo addons. It's not something addon developers can address. For the issues to be addressed, xenforo core needs to enhanced.

 

[cdub]

But anyway, surely this thread is about xenForo v3 improvements and features, so addons are not so relevant. I ithink I said earlier surely it’s up to 3rd party developers to make their stuff work with xenForo. The xf developers can’t be responsible for those.

No absolutely no. See this:

btw, the issues being discussed about Content Discovery are not DEVELOPER (core/3rd party) related. Its System limitation related, mainly with the Whats New System not having a Mixed Content Type results page.

AMS does work with XenForo. It works extremely well with XenForo. However the What's New in core XF is extremely flawed as different content types show up in different tabs which basically means users never see them and having tons of tabs ain't pretty.

 

[Jeremy P]

Without getting overly technical, multi-content-type pages are more complicated to achieve than it may seem at a glance. We're working on building out tools to make things easier, but that takes time to do right.

 

[Ozzy47]

So @Bob, when are you releasing the all-singing, all-dancing content delivery add-on?

Without getting overly technical, multi-content-type pages are more complicated to achieve than it may seem at a glance. We're working on building out tools to make things easier, but that takes time to do right.

So I shouldn’t work on a content discovery addon then?

 

[Jeremy P]

Improving content discovery (and laying the foundation with better infrastructure for multi-content-type things) are on our radar. Though, like everything else, it'll be ready when it's ready and we aren't keen to get too ahead of ourselves so do with that what you will.

 

[Bob]

So I shouldn’t work on a content discovery addon then?

I have no desire to develop such and add-on, it's all yours bud.

Improving content discovery (and laying the foundation with better infrastructure for multi-content-type things) are on our radar. Though, like everything else, it'll be ready when it's ready and we aren't keen to get too ahead of ourselves so do with that what you will.

This is great to hear!!

 

[smallwheels]

QOL HYS incoming - Admins can now play GTA 1 within the ACP.

This has been done before: You kann use Doom for systems administration, specifically to kill processes:

Doom

psDooM: DooM for Sys A's

Doom as an Interface for Process Management

Doom as an Interface for Process Management

www.cs.unm.edu

This was invented in 1999, so more than 25 years ago already. So playing GTA1 within ACP would be somewhat a commodity.

 

[Mr Lucky]

For those that enjoy learning how things in XF actually work...

I’m trying to learn something, but so far it’s not that easy as the terminology is confusing. Maybe not if you are a developer.

So far I have learned this but still trying to get my head round it:

A thread is a type of content type. But different thread types like articles are not content types unless it’s an article from an addon that makes it a content type as opposed to (or as well as) a thread type. So the point above about content discovery is not just about discovering content, it’s about discovering thread types also, although a thread type like an article obviously isn’t a type of content. Is it because a thread type is also a thread which is a content type?

Or is it? Can it be both?

 

[Jeremy P]

Threads and profile posts are examples of content types. Thread types are a separate system. The content type of an article thread is ultimately still just a thread. Add-ons which implement their own distinct article system may implement them as content types, unrelated to thread types.

Content Type
├─
├─ Thread
│  ├─ Article
│  ├─ Discussion
├─ Profile post
├─ Article (from add-on)

 

[Mr Lucky]

Add-ons which implement their own distinct article system may implement them as content types, unrelated to thread types.

OK so although they may implement them as content types, OTOH they could make them thread types? Wouldn’t that make it all less complicated?

 

[Jeremy P]

Maybe, but square pegs and round holes and all that. Thread types may not be as flexible depending on what you're trying to do. Resources for example are a separate content type with a companion thread type for discussion.

 

[Mr Lucky]

Resources for example are a separate content type with a companion thread type for discussion.

I actually hadn’t realised that. I did have resource manager but as soon as xenForo brought out articles, I found them to be able to function in the same way but more easily - once I’d set up some custom thread fields and bbcode. But I’d be the first to admit I may be looking at this too basically.

 

[Mr Lucky]

Well if they need more content to be discovered, just make more content. It’s not rocket science.

No need to be angry or other negative reactions - it was a light hearted comment, not meant to offend.

 

[rickhz]

Hello. For half a year, I have been looking for a modern forum system to start an anime/manga site with various features. For example, a video system for watching movies/episodes, a way to add manga/anime as pages with information about them, topics with posters, etc. I saw that all of this is possible with Invision Community.

I waited to see version 5, but it turned out that the self-hosted platform is extremely expensive and has functionality limits. They also changed the way we acquire add-ons, significantly restricting options, and almost no themes exist for their latest version.

On the other hand, XenForo seems like a better alternative in terms of user base and price, but the forum and themes, in general, look like they’re from the early 2000s. I understand that some may find this nostalgic, but it looks incredibly outdated and is not visually appealing.

That’s why I’m wondering what exactly to expect with version 3.0. Can we anticipate a modern interface similar to Invision Community? I really don't want to go to invision as they may drop self-hosted in next version, as they aim for big comapanies, not common users now.

My guess is that 3.0 will be released in 2030.

 

[rickhz]

That is a huge part of the issue in my view - forums were designed for a desktop experience and still handle that very well. The issue is that very few people use desktop/laptop devices these days (85% mobile in our forums) and the forum experience where sidebars etc go to the bottom of the page where they are never seen just doesn't work well anymore.

We really need to look at making the mobile experience a much better one if we are to survive.

I have a notice that goes up every month or so which reminds users to turn their phones sideways in order to see more of the features built into the Xenforo software.