Changes a Coming

I just sent out a mass email (hopefully the one and only that I'll ever send out) on signing up for a new user account with Disqus. In case you've switched emails without updating your TCR account, I've included the text below the jump. But my intention is to upgrade the site sometime this week or next weekend. It sounds more dramatic than it is as most of the changes will be aesthetic in nature and I'm probably rushing it a bit as there are plenty of minor changes I still want to make, but if I don't get the site up and running, I'll just continue to procrastinate and it'll never happen.

While I think I can handle this myself, if you or someone you know is familiar with Drupal, CSS or databases - drop me a line. I can throw a little money your way.

Dear Fans of Cubbery,

My apologies in advance for the mass email, but I didn't know of another way to communicate to all the readers of the site, as I know some may not visit on a consistent basis and would miss the note if I put it up on the site. But in the very near future, I will be updating the website for The Cub Reporter (http://www.thecubreporter.com). It will be mostly aesthetic in nature, but there is one major change that will affect your user accounts. Actually, it will remove your user accounts as I have decided to change the comment system to what I feel is a far more user-friendly 3rd party system known as Disqus (http://disqus.com/). The reasons are numerous, but the quick overview is that it's faster to load, has more user options, is maintained professionally and has better administration options. As has been the standard, you do not need a user account to read the site, but if you do want to participate in the comments or be informed when new comments are up, an account is necessary.

The bad news of course is that it requires a brand new sign-up through Disqus. The other bad news is that you may not be able to keep the username that you had at The Cub Reporter, especially the more common names. I myself, will be using TCR_RobG rather than just the far too common Rob G.. If you're previous username has been taken, like mine was, and you want to keep your persona and reputation in tact, please come up with something that incorporates your old username. Or you can start afresh if you wish...

The good news if you're an avid Internet user is that Disqus is used on a lot of other websites and your account can be used on anyone that uses Disqus. Also, there are options to sign in with your twitter, facebook or Google accounts.

So to sign up for a Disqus account, either visit disqus.com and go through the login process (upper right corner click on "Login", then click on "Create An Account" and then choose from one of the 4 options: email address, twitter, facebook, Google). You can also do it straight from the new site once it's up, just open up a new post, click on "Leave a Message" where the comment box is and you'll see something to the effect of "Connect With" and 4 icons for twitter, facebook, google and Disqus, pick one to register a name and you'll be good to go.

My hope is to get the new site up by the weekend or possibly next weekend...but I make no promises.

Regards,
Rob Glowacki

Tags: 
TCR Site News
Submitted by Rob G. on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 4:05pm
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Comments

Submitted by Newport
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 5:26pm

Good timing. My username is the street I live on in Lakeview. I'm moving next week, don't think a street name from Naperville would be fitting in this situation. I guess Gay Witchcraft will have to suffice.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:31pm

In the same vein, SheffieldCornelia actually no longer applies to me...but it'd be weird to go by almost anything else around here at this point. And my other idea, Johann's Mom, would just get creepy.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:34pm

Thanks for the work Rob. Having to substitute underscores for a blank in my name is really going to adversely affect my life, but I'll deal. I'd change my name completely, but then I'd have to go through convincing people of my awesomeness all over again. Someone already took The_Joe, but The__Joe is all mine!

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:38pm

fwiw, you can edit your viewable "Name" that's separate from your log-in ID.

so you can log on to discus as InfieldRake, but show up as Silent Towel on your posts.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:42pm

Effectively disallowing Rob from banning anyone anymore? Sad. I love the slow build up to a good banning. Does this also mean that people can ghost in under someone else's name?

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:47pm

discus allows full administrative control...how TCR chooses to set it up and administer it... *shrug*

as far as user control goes, though...i dunno if you can control a user's access all the way to an IP or domain level via discus. i don't know a lot about administering via discus.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:52pm

Just curious. I've been informed that I'm a huge douchebag...I don't want someone logging on as me and not being a douchebag.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:54pm

same, and agreed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQyLkMRgLJE

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:15pm

the moderating tools are easier on my end, so I'll be able to ban as I feel necessary. The 2-3 folks I've banned over the last 5 years can probably sneak back in if they wish.

Submitted by Newport
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 8:28am

FREE SILENT TOWEL!

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 1:38pm

If you look in a mirror and say his name 3 times, he'll appear and hurl insults at you.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 1:47pm

Complete with a used infield rake, and a half empty can of Simoniz.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:27pm

my understanding is that you can login using Twitter, Facebook, or Google account or just your plain old email. If you go under Edit Profile on the Disqus site, there's a place for Username which you can edit, but it won't let you use something that is already taken. So yes, you can keep changing it, but it'll change it for all your posts and I can track it back to you.

Also, for the time being, you can upload an avatar. I haven't figured out how to turn it off yet, but I may allow it.

You will also be able to upload pictures, but a comment featuring one will need to be approved first.

There's some other toys too.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:43pm

i wouldn't lose sleep with avatars off.

though they're optimized for file size once you up a photo for your avatar, i can do without the overhead of a couple dozen loading.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 11:13pm

Seconded. Avatars are not necessary.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 12:05am

I don't want them, I just don't see an option to turn them off yet.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 7:58pm

Damn, jumbo was taken. Many of you probably aren't aware that jumbo is a shorthand for my default user name during my college years, which is fortunately still available. Look for jumbowang on the new comment system.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:00pm

yeah, i'm totally looking for jumbowang on the internet. thanks for the heads up.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:01pm

Did you dabble in film during college?

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:08pm

the +/- post voting system should be fun...or a very shameful reflection upon the people who use this site

Submitted by Jumbo
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 4:14am

Yes, in fact, I watched a lot. Especially porno.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 10:58am

Close enough.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 8:36pm

I wouldn't say I'm a FAN of Cubbery. It's more something I tolerate between bowel movements.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 11:15pm

Awesome.

Submitted by jacos
on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 9:21pm

rob g

didnt get email, just email, just emailed you cubreporter gmail

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 12:13am

a copy of the email is in the post dude.

Submitted by 10man
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 5:04am

signed up for disqus already: top10man
so it's pretty close.

Submitted by JD
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 10:30pm

Good news, everyone..."JD" is taken. So I used something else! A "fun" game will be trying to figure who I am when I comment. You guys are gonna have sooooo much fun with this! First person to figure it out gets an HJ from Joe.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 10:58pm

What happens if I win? Just my usual late afternoon?

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 11:27am

is douchebag taken? just sayin

Submitted by O.Julius
on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 6:42pm

I know you all will be shocked, but O_Julius was still available! See you in the next life.

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