The next major update of ClubPolo is now in the final stages of development. We have added dozens of new features, enhancements to existing features. Our current software is coming to the end of its life, this means product and technical support will soon be ended. So what can we look forward to with the new software? Well below are a few new and upgraded features.

New Menu Structure

The new menu structure is designed to highlight the two ways people go about interacting with a community: general browsing of specific discovery.

The Browse tab looks just like the current, default menu does in IPS Community Suite with your list of apps. The new Activity menu is designed for discovery features like our new Activity Streams and the search functions.

This is just the default menu and gives you an idea.

In addition to simply placing menu items, drop down menus, and special links: all menu items have permission controls so you can easily show or hide menu items based on a member's permission settings.

Activty Streams

The new Activity Streams are a discovery feature that takes the concept of the old View New Content, Activity, Followed Items, etc. and merges them into a unified system to allow for both admin and member-defined streams of content based on their preferences. The system is very powerful and allows for countless different ways for your members to discover content or for you to more easily expose content you want to highlight.

Front end interface member created streams

Members can share the link to the streams they create to other members. There is no need for privacy here as all they are sharing are their various filter settings - the actual stream data returned changes based on what member is actually viewing the stream.

Use cases for Activity Streams are endless. Some examples might be:

• The current View New Content type of result.
• A Stream of all content from members you follow.
• Show a list of unread items from a specific list of members (perhaps members of staff).
• Maybe you are a prolific Gallery contributor and you want to see a feed of all unread comments on images that you posted.
• Rather than following every item you reply to, you can choose to create a feed of all content you have ever participated in.
• Get really fine-tuned and create a Stream showing unread comments in Blog only from members you follow.

The Activity Streams feature is very flexibly and you can get really imaginative with its uses. It is a really big addition to IPS Community Suite 4 and we think you will enjoy it.

POSTING

Updated Editor

We now have a WYSIWYG (what you see if what you get) editor. That is basically technical speak to say that the new editor will be much, much faster and specifically behave much better on mobile devices.

This does mean some things work a bit differently but you will quickly see the very small learning changes are worth the editor being so responsive.

You can now move quote boxes with your mouse to embed them or move them above/below existing text. Another great feature is the new cmd/ctrl right-click menu that allow for contextual options. For example, cmd/ctrl right-click on an embedded image attachment yields:

When pasting in rich text from an external source the editor will now prompt you asking if you want to keep that formatting:

A small, but useful improvements is allowing @member mentions to be selectable by keyboard. Just do @member and use the arrows and tab key on your keyboard to select the member. The editor also now recognizes its area size not only based on your browser window (to distinguish mobile, tablet, or desktop) but also where it is embedded. An example of this is the new status update widget:

A really useful feature is the ability to select and text in any post and get an option to quote just that text.

Gallery Enhancements

There are two changes to Gallery that may seem small at a glance but actually make using Gallery much easier and more flexible. There is now a new upload process which makes adding images or videos much easier to understand. You can more easily see the category, album, or album creation options on the screen.

Once you actually upload your image you can more easily add descriptions and other data to your images either individually or all at once.

This direct change to how your members add images should result in a much more pleasant experience when adding images to Gallery.

We also now support reviews on Gallery images in addition to comments.

Updated Search Interface

The search interface a revamp to more effectively use space and be easier to use (especially on mobile):

Finally, another small change has been made to the contextual search box shown in the header on every page. We now default the context to the app you’re currently using, unless you’re on the homepage in which case it’ll search all content. In our testing, we have found this aligns much better with user expectations.

Notifications

Support for browser notifications where they are supported (right now, this includes desktop versions of Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera, but not IE, and mobile browser support is patchy). This let's you know when important things have happened even if you aren’t active in that window at the time.

We have enabled browser notifications in three areas. When you upload files using any attachment area, you will be notified when your files have finished uploading; when there are new replies to a topic you have currently viewing; and for instant notifications (more about that below).

Instant Notifications

Instant notifications has been a long-requested feature, and we are pleased to say they are included in IPS 4.1. We have worked hard to build an approach that is as light on resources as possible.

If you are active in the window, instant notifications will show as a standard flash message at the bottom of your screen; if you are not active, and your browser supports them, you will get a desktop notification instead, and a chime will sound to alert you. Clicking the notification box will take you to the new item (or open the notification menu if alert is telling you about multiple items).

Ability to limit the number of emails received

In IPS 4.1, you can optionally choose to receive just one email notification per content item until you revisit the community, rather than a separate email for each new reply. This is an option that was previously available in IPB 3.x that we have reintroduced based on feedback.

Retina Emoticons

Our well-loved emoticons have had a facelift (pun intended) and now look great on high-resolution retina screens and dark backgrounds:

But what does it look like?

Well, here are just a few new shots of the site. Our forums look modern and completely responsive! Yes, that means no more mobile theme. The site resize to any monitor resolution, be that a tablet/phone device.

Club Members have more luxuries!

Club Members can customise their profiles by adding cover images.

Easier to navigate through the site

We have a floating navigation so you can get to the links you use most, quickly. Access your account details quickly, save your most used addresses, and keep track of your membership/orders.

We will be looking for beta testers in the coming weeks, if you have any interest in computers or just want to help and get a sneak peak then please leave a comment below stating you'd wish to help. We'll be looking for tips, suggestions and features to add.

Here is another sneak peak of our work in progress development site.

I'll give this a wee test if you want. The new site looks great.

I'm liking the new features, it will make it a lot easier to use, especially with mobile devices.

Speaking of mobile devices, I mainly view this on an iPad, which has its flaws il admit, but I get used to them. The one thing that I don't like is the lack of the function to add image links. I am always having to just paste them into the text box and whoever reads them will have to copy and paste as apposed to just being able to see the picture.

Is this going to be a thing of the past with the update?

Keep up the good work :)

I'm liking the new features, it will make it a lot easier to use, especially with mobile devices.

Speaking of mobile devices, I mainly view this on an iPad, which has its flaws il admit, but I get used to them. The one thing that I don't like is the lack of the function to add image links. I am always having to just paste them into the text box and whoever reads them will have to copy and paste as apposed to just being able to see the picture.

Is this going to be a thing of the past with the update?

Keep up the good work :)

Indeed this has gone! The site is exactly the same on a tablet/mobile. It will just resize everything for you. I'd recommend for now clicking the 'full size version' link on the bottom of the site. While it's not great and a little cumbersome it's a way around the issues.

Here are some screen shots of the site on a mobile (iPhone 6 Plus)

I will be customising the toolbar so it will have more options instead of just the B I U buttons.

good work, sites gonna look great

Did many of the user suggestions make it in?

A couple will once they are updated and supported!

1. A Feedback System so when someone buys an item from a member *THEY MUST* leave feedback.
2. Member Map - You'll be able (if you want) to add your location to a member map, if you're selling items you can display your location in your profile. This can be, Postal Code, City, Borough etc etc.
3. Featured Members (this will need work so we can show off a members ride for the month around the forums).

We are limited at the moment on what we can add due to the people who make the addons. They have to update them to work with the newest software which takes time as it needs to be completely rewritten, but it will come in time.

Seller feedback is a good idea, helps keep people on the ball

Is there a list of criteria that have to be commented on?

Do members have to sign up as a seller ageeing to comply with the selling rules?

Seller feedback is a good idea, helps keep people on the ball

Is there a list of criteria that have to be commented on?

Do members have to sign up as a seller ageeing to comply with the selling rules?

No, we won't be putting restrictions on selling, as long as they're a member they can sell. We did make it were only ClubMembers could sell, however this didn't go down well with normal members which make up a vast majority of our community. (But we could look into this again, if that's what people want)

We take no responsibility for sales on these forums (stated by our rules/guidelines), you're protected via Paypal for online goods as long as you do not pay as gift, keep receipts etc etc. We'd like it and ask members to leave feedback (as soon as practicable) for the person selling. (When introduced).

We're pretty easy going here, if we need to step in we will and abide by any laws/warrants put forward to us. We monitor the forums for any illegal activities and do keep in contact with other car clubs for suspicious activity.

We may in the future look to expand our team as well so we have more eyes on the forums.