New USA7s Forum coming in early 2021

[Croc]

JohnCH, Slngsht and I have been working through a project to upgrade the USA7s forum from its current vBulletin platform to a new Invision platform. Many of us users and the site admins have been unhappy with vBulletin. We looked at several options before settling on Invision.

To make the transition as easy as possible we will be retaining the existing forum structure although the look and feel will be quite different - I think it is improved.

The advantages to you as users will be significant:

• Better screen layout to access content you want quicker
• Individual user galleries more readily accessible
• Auto-resizing of images uploaded
• Automatically presenting embedded image links and video links as images and video screens
• Integration with social media with FaceBook and Instagram feeds
• The use of articles to surface more in-depth content rather than burying it deep within the forum directories
• Greater ability to react to content and interact with other users posting on the forum
• Better ability to tag posts and data for future reference
• Ability to optimize how you can search for technical information contained within the forum
• Invision forum presents properly on a phone with a regular browser. No need for Tapatalk app any more. Invision also has an app available for you but our testing showed using the phone browser was better - you can choose.

Additionally, JohnCh is working with the creators/moderators of Yahoo Birkin Owners Group to save as much of the valuable technical information and incorporate it within the forum so that it is available to all. Much of the information is relevant and useful to all seven owners, not just Birkin owners.

The forum will be good foundation for a range of future enhancements for the broader Se7ens community to better connect owners with parts sources or prospective owners with manufacturers and their representatives or classified ads of used Se7ens.

The timetable is tentatively planned for late January/February. There will be plenty of notice prior to changeover so that you are aware of the short planned downtime. There will also be a quick starter guide available on using the new forum.

A lot of thought has gone into this and we think you will appreciate the significant improvements coming.

At the end of the day the forum is a tool to connect you with the information, technical resources, events, and people that can allow you to enjoy your Se7ens more. A new forum will make that a better experience for you.

[Anker]

Sounds great! Looking forward to it!

[lucky dawg]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[cytocycle]

I have the backup of the now terminated Yahoo group for WCM Ultralite_USA Forum which has all the files, links and messages zipped up. If you would like to incorporate it in the new forum.

[wemtd]

2021 is already looking better !!!

Thank You
p.

[NSXguy]

Sounds great!
Thanks!
Des

[mrmustang]

Have been through such transformations before, hang in there and again thanks for your hard work.

Bill S.

[Kitcat]

Talk about a thankless job, so here's to all of you guys putting this together: THANKS!

[Croc]

I have the backup of the now terminated Yahoo group for WCM Ultralite_USA Forum which has all the files, links and messages zipped up. If you would like to incorporate it in the new forum.

This is a wonderful offer - thank you! We will not be able to save everything but there will be enough to make it worthwhile. PM on its way

[panamericano]

That's a lot of hard work. Especially for volunteers. Big THANK YOU from users.