General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe new DU4
Is currently offline for maintenance. I am thankful that our admins have given subscribers early access. I am hopeful that they will get it up and running for everyone soon.
It is fabulous! It is so easy to read and navigate. I've only been reading it for about a week and a half, and I already miss it.
EarlG and elad have done an outstanding job with this new update! I can't wait until everybody gets to use it!
WarGamer
(18,424 posts)It was AMAZING software.
I mean... it was so good, I think they should have licensed it out just like VBulletin, etc...
TOP TOP quality talent behind the scenes at DU...
hlthe2b
(113,499 posts)Well, I'll just say that I was quite content to turn the page on that site. It was a courageous effort, but...
WarGamer
(18,424 posts)But the software, fully coded from scratch by Elad, IIRC... was a thing of art.
Aristus
(71,994 posts)I surfed a couple of radioactive threads and then noped out of there pretty quickly.
WarGamer
(18,424 posts)Who just wanted to smear poop on the walls.
Aristus
(71,994 posts)n/t
GoneOffShore
(18,012 posts)mopinko
(73,544 posts)also, gift, which i hated at 1st, but admit i use. esp on xitter.
love speaking a living language.
hlthe2b
(113,499 posts)corrected and it feels nearly ready to go. In the past, each time I'd come back to DU3 it felt so familiar that I felt like I'd really missed it. But the refinements to DU4 this time around make it similarly welcoming. Good job to Elad and EarlG.
When it does come up on a permanent basis, I suggest all really look at each of the ways to individualize the features to your liking. That made a big difference for me. And for those who find the change jarring, I'd bet those adjustments will ease the transition.
Disaffected
(6,344 posts)it allows sorting of threads on start time, rather than time of last reply, as the default.
boston bean
(36,915 posts)Disaffected
(6,344 posts)It's all falling into place...
BadgerKid
(4,975 posts)Maru Kitteh
(31,521 posts)Love DU 4, much easier to nav. Efficient, intuitive!
AwakeAtLast
(14,315 posts)JHB
(38,120 posts)I'm a subscriber, but I don't see a link anywhere.
hlthe2b
(113,499 posts)when it is back up it will include a link with instructions to access it. This was still a beta trial so it may not come back up for some time.
William769
(59,147 posts)See this post from EarlG. https://www.democraticunderground.com/101313052
highplainsdem
(61,310 posts)during the early beta test.
Jilly_in_VA
(14,257 posts)hlthe2b
(113,499 posts)malaise
(294,987 posts)Love it
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)and I think they might have missed the boat on one or two features that Facebook and other platforms have really exploited.
I mentioned my thoughts to EarlG a while back, and although I don't remember his reasoning for why they didn't do those things, I understand it just wasn't practical.
A couple of those items are;
Allow "Friend" type linking so you can get an alert when someone you like puts up a thread or post.
Allow direct linking of photos from your own computer like Facebook does, instead of having to use a photo sharing site. I realize that feature in particular requires access to a massive amount of server space.
There are other features that the likes of Twitter and Instagram have exploited that DU could have used also, but chose not to.
The other features that Facebook was able to capitalize on, if implemented by the founders here, would have made them multi millionaires, frankly. Democratic Underground predates Facebook by 3 years. But I must say that in some ways, I am glad that DU is not a liberal version of Facebook.
Warpy
(114,547 posts)The alert/jury system is a lot better at getting rid of objectionable stuff and MIRT is fantastic at defenestrating trolls before they can do any damage.
I'm still in the "Who moved my food dish?" stage at DU4, mostly due to my wretched eyesight, but I do find it much easier to read than earlier versions.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)I have to say I LOVED the Unrec feature.
It lead to some really funny and entertaining, butthurt posts and actually allowed people to express their displeasure or an unfavorable opinion with a thread/idea.
I've always though that the "DUREC" without a counterpoint was one-sided. Why can I only agree something is great? The options are basically, vote "For" or "Abstain".
Hardly seems fair to me.
But I must say, I look back with great humor at the extended threads where people were determined to say that since I voted "Unrec" I was silencing them, all the while it was replies to the thread that kept it at the top of the page!
Ahhh...the good ol' days!
Warpy
(114,547 posts)As for "unrec," we do still have "trash thread," something that is extremely useful during election year idolatry. It's also good that we can trash an entire forum if it gets too cloying.
I've never thought politics, or just cranking about politics, were particularly suitable fare for the gentler souls among us. A few have managed to soldier on, and for them I am delighted "unrec" and its drama are gone.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)Youve been around here for a long time. Its a discussion board. Those gentler souls you speak of were young once.
I have little sympathy for the ones who demand the rest of us keep offa their lawns and tone it down, lest their pearls be clutched too tightly.
And Im just as old as most of them.
Bring back Unrec! Let the butthurt be unleashed!!
Mosby
(19,462 posts)What a great idea that was.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)Yup! Too funny!
AllyCat
(18,717 posts)Hugin
(37,731 posts)I've never worked out the secret shave-and-a-haircut door knock to get in to try it out.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)You're not a big enough weirdo.
Try dressing up like this and wearing one of these hats while you click the thingy;

Worked for me.
Hugin
(37,731 posts)I can hardly wait to find out if the hot tubs are indeed, tubbier in DU4!
MuseRider
(35,175 posts)You are too funny. I would almost kill to see you in that get up.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,872 posts)so now that I am no longer napping I can say...
I have an outfit like that. I wear it when I mow the lawn.