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Hi All,
Today sees quite a few backend code changes for MTS2 - as well as the apartment life update, I have devised a new search and filtering method which extends the forum/category system to allow multiple arbitrary search parameters to be attached to a particular download.
The technical list is here:
- Pets -> Cats has been renamed to Pets -> Animals
- All threads in Pets -> Dogs have been moved to Pets -> Animals and assigned a category of "Dogs"
- By Room -> Bedroom/Nursery has been renamed to By Room -> Bedroom
- By Room -> Nursery has been created
- All threads in By Room -> Bedroom/Nursery with a title of "nursery" have been moved to By Room -> Nursery
- Categories "Bedding", "Beds" and "Other object" have been added to By Room -> Bedroom
- Categories "Bedding", "Cribs/Toddler Beds" and "Other objects" have been added to By Room -> Nursery
Most download results are now limited to a maximum of 2000 threads. - Reverted back to old code for now- The front page has been revamped and should work better on widescreen monitors
- Additional Search parameters have been added to the following sections:
- All Lots & Housing sections
- All Body Shop Clothing sections
- Body Shop Skintones
- Body Shop Hair
- Body Shop Facial Hair
- Body Shop Glasses and Other Accessories
- All Buy Mode By Function sections
- All Game Modifications sections
- The Upload Wizard now accepts Apartment Life uploads
- Apartment Life has been added to the user profile
- Lots & Housing -> Apartments has been added to the download section
- A download summary has been added to the threads that contain search parameters.
- Some of the "banner messages" have been incorporated into a rotating message that appears in place of the Site/Tech news
Please note that all creators should double check their uploads to make sure they have the applicable search filters selected. This is to ensure downloaders can find your items! To edit your threads, go to them and click Edit underneath the Download Details box. (You can see a list of your uploads using your profile or via My Feedback)
Until the creators actually update thier items, most of the filters will return nothing... However, as more and more people update then it should start getting back meaningful results.
I hope you like the changes and, as usual, let me know if there are any bugs.
Regards
Delphy |
by Delphy,
28th Aug 2008 at
08:55 PM
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(89 comments)
(8669 views)
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Hi All,
Some of you have noticed missing download stats since the 31st July. Unfortunately, due to the database server going down on that day, the table that stores the download stats stopped accepting new rows, and due to PC issues I was only able to check the site and the database properly today.
Thus, the following days have no download stats: 31st July 2008, 1st August 2008.
The following day has download stats after noon CET (11am GMT): 2nd August 2008.
Apologies for the loss of stats but it should start recording ok from now on.
Regards
Delphy |
by Delphy,
2nd Aug 2008 at
11:10 AM
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(9 comments)
(11017 views)
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Hi All,
The staff regularly have brainstorming sessions where ideas get suggested and (possibly) implemented, and we talk about a lot of different things. One of the topics today turned towards the moderation queue - specifically, how can we make it easier for creators to both see what needs updating, how we can help the moderators to see what has been updated, and also how can we have two-way communication between creators and staff outside of the Creator Issues forum.
To that end, we have made the following changes to items in the moderation queue:
- On the thread screen, you now see a list of the Changes Required reasons appearing above the download text. This mirrors the list that you would have recieved in your PM inbox, but as it's on the thread it's a lot easier to remember what to fix without having to keep another window open.
- Additionally, lets say you fix the text and maybe a couple of other things, but you don't have time to fix the screenshots today and will do it tommorow. Previously when moderators looked at a thread they had no idea what the status was or when the creator would update it. Now, a creator can say "Okay I've fixed the description" and tick the box, then click Update. This acts much like a to-do list.
- There is a new tickbox "I'm ready for this to be reviewed by a moderator". What does this mean? Well, it's basically to say "I'm done with my changes". This then activates a special flag in the moderation queue so that the staff can easily see which threads have been deemed "Changed" by the creators.
- Finally, underneath the tickbox there is a box. What is this box for? Well, part of the issue has always been communication - staff can communicate with creators with the Other box, but often Creators cannot ask for help, or give us input without using Creator Issues, which is a bit unweildy. Using this new text box, Creators can now send feedback to the staff about particular questions or changes directly on the thread.
That sums it up, essentially. But I'm sure you have some questions, so here is an FAQ:
Q: I've made as many changes as I could, but I haven't done them all - can I still tick the box to get it reviewed?
A: Yes, you can - but please try and indicate why you didn't fix everything using the textbox. Maybe you are confused, or didn't understand something. Please tell us. :)
Q: I entered text in the box and clicked Update and it went away!
A: This happens if you enter text but don't tick the "I'm ready for this to be reviewed by a moderator" box. Please enter text and tick the box - the reviewing bit can mean "read my text!" too.
(Any more FAQ questions will get put here)
Please note that although we have given you, the creators, a way to communicate more easily back with us, if you abuse this by swearing, calling us names, or generally attacking the site and it's staff, then that's a quick trip to upload restriction. :) We are doing this for you - which will help us to get through things quicker.
If there are any points in this that are confusing, please let me know. :)
Regards
Delphy |
by Delphy,
29th Jun 2008 at
01:18 AM
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(74 comments)
(33929 views)
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The votes have been counted, and we have our Exceptional award winners. The Victorian London theme was a tricky one, and many many people fell foul of creating beautiful entries - mostly lots - which were very Victorian, but sadly very un-London. So an even bigger cheer to everyone whose entry was accepted, and especially:
* "We are not amused!" Queen Victoria! by Berg!
* Royal Trousseau of Her Majesty the Queen, Victoria by Aligeth!
* Victorian London: The Kensington District, Part 1 and Part 2 by StephSim!
With honourable mentions to our other Exceptional Nominees:
Trafalgar Ward by jhd1189
Nautilus Lamps by Lethe_s
Old Canal Street by qeen of dimonds
The Arcade at night by jon119
A huge thankyou to everyone who entered - the current Challenge is Neanderthal, and we're being much less picky in terms of accuracy - so please do enter, we can always use more names on that list! :)
Exceptional trophies and entrants trophies are being sent out presently. |
by MTS2Staff,
5th Jun 2008 at
04:34 PM
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(27 comments)
(34564 views)
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First off, apologies to all for the delay in getting this done - that big-nosed bully known as RL has decided to pick on several staff members and drag them away from everything they'd much rather be doing. ;)
We don't have as many nominations for Exceptional awards this month as usual, but all the nominations are fantastic - the poll can be found here.
You did pick Oriental in the previous poll to be the next theme... but as has always been said, we use your opinions as guidance. And this time we're ignoring your guidance :P . As such, the next theme will be Neanderthal, and the relevant Downloads area will be up shortly. We're not too fussed about the exact period defined by "Neanderthal" - unlike Victorian London, cavemen are cavemen! This challenge will end on (or around) the 20th of June.
The poll for the next theme is here.
It'd be fantastic to see some new creators taking part this month - so if you're bored, give it a go! Remember that it's not just those given Exceptional awards who get trophies. ;) |
by MTS2Staff,
18th May 2008 at
01:28 AM
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(40 comments)
(33729 views)
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Feeling like a bit of a chat about creation or just... whatever (not necessarily sims)?