17 replies to this topic

[Darkademic]

I've decided to work on a complete overhaul of the main site's scheduling system so the forums calendar can be phased out. We started using the forums calendar because it gives you the big month view, and because most people tend to only view the forums, so the old schedule was kind of ignored, however it's really not flexible enough to do some of the things I want to do.

 

The new system will allow anyone to add something to the calendar, set how many slots there are for specific roles (based on the existing tag system so it'll be very flexible, e.g. specifying you need X of a certain class plus X of a certain role), set how signups are prioritised (random selection, first come first serve, or the EPGP participation priority), set a cut off time for signups etc.

 

The purpose is basically to give any member the power to schedule an event for any game, with lots of configurable options, and then to make it easy for people to see what's happening and then sign up. It'll tie into the "My Games" page so you'll only see and be able to sign up to games you've actually said you want to play. Then I might add optional email notifications so people know when things are added or updated.

 

I'll also have to figure out a way to display things on the forums as I still expect most people will primarily visit the forums.

 

If anyone has any suggestions it's still in the early stages so feel free to suggest things.

[Donkzy]

Sounds great bud, at the end of the day tho it's up to ppl to use it, I like the callander, but if it makes it easier to see what's on then great stuff :-)

[Darkademic]

Sounds great bud, at the end of the day tho it's up to ppl to use it, I like the callander, but if it makes it easier to see what's on then great stuff :-)

 

True. Think the current calendar is a bit clunky which puts people off. Want the new one to be dead easy and quick to use.

[Darkademic]

Screenshot of a very early version of the new calendar...

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[Saviour]

So much easier to read with those coloured boxes around each event..

[Angerona]

Looks really good Dark.

I like how each game has its log by the side. This will make it easier for me to scan it and see what there is going on in the games I play and see if there are any I want to pick up or drop in on.

 

[Darkademic]

Update: Making good progress. The system for creating events is done (but not live yet). You can create recurring events that happen on certain days each week, and you can set signup slots based on particular tags (e.g. if the person has a certain class or role ticked on their profile). You can also choose to allocate slots based on signup time or the calculated participation algorithm we used for raids (if you've attended more, other people are given priority so everyone gets a chance to participate).

 

Next part to do is the actual signing up part, so you can click into each event and signup (optionally for the specific slots described above).

 

And then it'll basically be done.

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[windra]

A waiting/reserve list in combinations with slots would be good as it's rare everyone turns up who signed up to events

[Darkademic]

A waiting/reserve list in combinations with slots would be good as it's rare everyone turns up who signed up to events

 

Yep that'll be included.

[Quafe]

I like! Btw does the main site now have SSO with forums?

[Darkademic]

I like! Btw does the main site now have SSO with forums?

 

It does indeed!

 

New calendar is very close now.. here's the new event/signup page (not 100% finished):

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[Darkademic]

As the notice above the shoutbox says, the new calendar is now live.

 

Anyone can add events. If you want any new games to be added let me know, but for now you can just leave the game field blank if it's not on the list.

 

The default signup system is straightforward - you can specify the maximum number of spaces and it'll be first come first serve. The EPGP mode is much more complicated, where it does lots of calculations to determine who get's a particular slot (probably won't be used for a while).

 

If a fixture fills up, you can still always sign up and you'll be put on a reserve list. You'll automatically be promoted if someone drops out.

 

My favourite feature is actually the ability to create specific roles - e.g. you could add 2x tank slots, 3x healer slots and 5x DPS slots for a 10 man raid, then you can sign up to a particular role. It's flexible so you could also create a role like "shot caller" with 1 space, where someone who volunteers to be the shot caller gets automatic priority. Probably not necessary for anything we're doing right now, but I can see this coming in handy when we start looking at new main games.

[Darkademic]

Added upcoming fixtures to the forums sidebar. Takes half a second to appear because it's loading in an iframe - will probably hard-code it in at some point.

 

I've copied the existing upcoming stuff to the new calendar (spanxie and Demondim should have editing rights).

 

I'll be expanding on things a bit based on some suggestions from Eridan, so anyone will be able to add new games and volunteer to be points of contact for secondary games.

 

One slight drawback is that all times on the main site are UK time, so I may need to add some multi-timezone capability.. which as all programmers know is a massive pain.

 

Some screens of the completed fixture page, raid management page, and fixture roles tab when adding/editing:

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•  raidmanager.jpg   186.79KB   0 downloads
•  fixture.jpg   198.02KB   0 downloads

[Demondim]

Looks awesome

Good job Dark

[Terdle]

Can we get cursor effects? I like the GTA middle finger cursor or the myspace cursor effects you had there, of trailing or snowflakes or kittens. The only limit is your imagination!

 

On topic: i don't visit as much anymore, and the difference is huge! Great work allround Dark ^^

Edited by Terdle, 08 July 2015 - 11:35 am.

[windra]

The calendar sign up doesn't work at all in chrome

 

Looks nice IE but the layout is all messed up in Chrome.