36 replies to this topic

[Gwydion Stone]

The home page has finally been successfully upgraded and all functionality, including reviews, has been restored.

I've been trying to do this upgrade literally for years. The first huge breakthrough was getting the site onto the new servers a few months ago. Now, I've finally managed to get the site upgraded to the new software version and the review system moved, upgraded and working.

What else is new, besides the fresh look?

The links to the review sections have been moved to the top menu bar.

Sharing by print, email, pdf, options at the top right of each page.

The language in the review tutorial and the system has been updated and clarified, including the tool tips and score sheet. Much thanks to fingerpickinblue, who did the majority of this re-write.

The ability to use .5 rating increments in ratings. This has no effect on current scores, but it means we can fine-tune our ratings a bit better.

The ability to compare listings' ratings with one another. Just click the "Compare" box under a number of listings and the comparison bar will pop up at the bottom of the page, listing your selections. Then click "compare".

The ability to share listings via Google+, twitter, and facebook.

A "comments" feature on each review. This is like the comments section below blogs and online news items. Only logged-in members can comment.

More new functions will be added over time.


Just like moving house, there are always things that have to be painted, re-done, re-installed, tidied-up, etc. (like the telephone, internet, wi-fi, VCR, DVD player, remotes, and that kind of bullshit). So here we have modules (furniture) that have to be rearranged to account for the new architecture, pictures that have to be re-hung in new places, etc.

I'm aware that there are a lot of character encoding errors (for example: ’, ©, ä) so that's being slowly addressed. Please post other bugs, broken links, and missing images here in this thread.

Have fun!

Also, registrations for The Great American Absinthe Festival are now open. PLEASE don't forget to include your forum user name when registering, so we can verify membership.

[Père Ubu]

The front door sure looks nice.

And another huge for the .5 on the ratings. there have been times where an absinthe was somewhere in between, and I quite couldn't bring it to the next higher score, but felt it was clearly better than the lower rating. Or in one case where the louche was a five by the letter, but I knew it wasn't as good as others, and felt kinda bad putting it in the same level as the great louchers in my cabinet.

Edited by Miguel, 12 March 2012 - 02:23 AM.

[Absomphe]

The front door sure looks nice.
And another huge for the .5 on the ratings.

What he said!


I noticed that almost all of the reviewers' full real names appear now...so much for my participation in the Witness Protection Program.

Edited by Absomphe, 12 March 2012 - 04:52 AM.

[Joe Legate]

Congratulations, Gwydion. I know you have been working on this project for years.

[Derrick]

Well done!

[Hedonmonkey]

[Jack Griffin]

That is some really nice web design Gwydion. Nice job. Classy, slick, easy to navigate,
rich with information, and professional.

[Ambear]

So excited about the half-ratings. I have so many of those jotted down on my review sheets, but had to pick which direction I swayed in the end.

It all looks so pretty!

[Gwydion Stone]

I noticed that almost all of the reviewers' full real names appear now...so much for my participation in the Witness Protection Program.

Oops. Fixed.

[TheLoucheyMonster!]

Please post other bugs, broken links, and missing images here in this thread.

Great job and nice look!

Some bugs found:
"Proper Absinthe Preparation"
http://www.wormwoods...o...&Itemid=228
no pics, and no video link at bottom

"Absinthe Glossary"
http://www.wormwoods...o...&Itemid=232
sound clips = 404 not found

[Absomphe]

Oops. Fixed.

Thanks, G.

But it's too late...they found me!

[Gwydion Stone]

We'll miss ya.

Thanks TLM.

[Père Ubu]

Oh man, I missed the unmasking of the clown. I should count my blessings.

[Absomphe]

"We'll miss ya".


I only intimated that my death was immanent. I didn't say anything about leaving.

Edited by Absomphe, 12 March 2012 - 03:34 PM.

[Songcatcher]

Before, i had a shortcut on my desktop which was the nifty little absinthe glass. Now its gone. Can we get that back possibly?

[Gwydion Stone]

What did it link to? Got a url?

Or is the shortcut still there but no longer the nifty little absinthe glass?

[Songcatcher]

Here is what i got when i clicked my shortcut today. I realize now the "nifty" absinthe glass is a shortcut to the forum's page. Had to resave it from the new update to get it back. Shortcut to the main site is just an IE page link. (no nifty little glass)

Edited by Songcatcher, 12 March 2012 - 04:18 PM.

[crow]

Nice job! Love the new look.

[Gwydion Stone]

"Proper Absinthe Preparation" no pics, and no video link at bottom [FIXED]

"Absinthe Glossary" sound clips = 404 not found [FIXED]

I realize now the "nifty" absinthe glass is a shortcut to the forum's page. Had to resave it from the new update to get it back. Shortcut to the main site is just an IE page link. (no nifty little glass)

The favorites icon on both the home page and forums pages should be a nifty little glass again. You'll probably have to re-save them.

[Songcatcher]

Thank you sir.

[fingerpickinblue]

Thanx for the addition of "Latest Reviews". The sidebar that actually scrolls correctly really rocks! What will they think of next?

I'm lovin' this new site.

[Gwydion Stone]

Thanks. It's coming together. I tried to get it all in order before launch, but (a) folks were chomping at the bit, and (2) sometimes you just can't know what's broken or missing until people start using it.

[Absomphe]

sometimes you just can't know what's broken or missing until people start using it.

That's what (s)he said.

[OMG_Bill]

[brewmaster]

Love the new look, has more of a louche feel to it.

[fingerpickinblue]

sometimes you just can't know what's broken or missing until people start using it.

That's what (s)he said.

Maybe I should start using it.

[Bob Tessier]

Looks beautiful, well done!

[Songcatcher]

there is a 404 item not found error on the purchase advice section of the main page

[Père Ubu]

So, no .5 edits to previous reviews. I want to do that for a few where I really would have wanted a .5 adjustment.

[Gwydion Stone]

I just tested some older reviews, and you should be able to adjust them. Try hovering over the star.