The Official ACP Overhaul Thread for Mys v1.4.0

[Hall of Famer]

Although right now the development is focusing on Mys v1.3.3, the next minor release, we have decided to begin planning on the next major release version v1.4.0. I have already hinted that two major features will be added, the stats system and clan system. Other than these two, you get this ACP overhaul. Its not like a new feature, more like revision from what already have before.

The purpose of this thread is, well, to collect ideas from members and see what you'd like to have for an ACP system. Some of you may have experiences with forum engines such as Vbulleitn, IPB, MyBB, they do have powerful admin control panel. The new ACP will be designed to give admins as much freedom as possible. For instance, you can turn on/off systems such as breeding, item/shop, pound and so on. But thats just one simple example.

So what do you want to see in Mys v1.4.0's ACP? As an admin, what part of the site do you hope you are able to edit and gain control of? You can give general answers, but more specific ideas are appreciated.

 

[AlexC]

Alright, its 4:30 at night (yay for insomnia... *weak enthusiasm*) so excuse me if I miss like, a thousand things, but here if what I can suggest off the top of my head while browsing the acp... keep in mind I haven't tested the new version yet, some things may be added/fixed in it.

- ability to customize the sidebar? we can customize the linkbar to our hearts content, but I know firsthand how frustrating it is to go into the functions.php and find that one line if it's a little off... I don't know how you would do it, but if we could change what links to include, if its horizontal or vertical based upon layout, stuff like that, it would be lovely. I'm fine (and so are many people) at editing it as it is now, but for people new to programing, it would certainly make things a little easier.

- ability to edit css/html files directly from the acp. (and that the template upload thing actually works, it never has for me) I believe this one is planned, but I just want to remind everyone.

- ability to message all members and/or staff. Newsletter anyone? Urgent/sorry mail you've got to tell everyone? This would be so useful.

- customizable adoptable term. The site automatically says "adoptable" everywhere, but for those of us who have a single term or animal (rat, for me as an example), it'd be sweet if we could go through and change this as we can change the cash name. You could just do four fields that say for example... singular regular, singular capitalized (for start of sentences), plural regular, plural capitalized. (so rat, Rat, rats, Rats as an example for answers)

- Replace/Edit an image instead of delete it on the image management page. I stopped using the ACP image system because it was so annoying if I wanted to change anything. Afterall, doesn't the page say edit AND delete, not just delete? On a related note...

- sort images? maybe when uploading, you could select if an image had a "parent" image, so when you were going through the list to select, it goes something like this;

egg image
- first stage
- second stage
- third stage
egg image
- first stage
- second stage
- third stage

this might cut down on some of the clutter, help organize (this could even run on the edit image page).

BONUS IDEA: different image sets for items vs pets? So if you have like, a hundred pet images and fifty item images, they aren't showing up together. You could select on the upload page whether an image was an "item" or "pet" image. This means when you make an item or shop, only item images show up and you only have 50, instead of a 150.

- ability to customize gender based images if desired (but still allow alternate images).

- wasn't there plans to allow for multiple alternates at some point too?

- to add onto bonus page features, it'd be neat if when you visited the page for the first time, you got an item or a pet or something, so you could do giveaways or something. You could combine this with the new features just added - say you have a riddle page, and you enter the answer to a limited view page as a password, and if you get it right, it unlocks and you get your prize?

- ability to add our own item functions, though this would be as hard as hell to program, I imagine.

- have an automated and manual changelog for staff members? say you edit a page to update the news or something, you could then decide to click a button that says "apply change to changelog" and then it will appear on this log as "[username] edited [page name] on [date]" or if you created a new adoptable it could say something like "[username] created [adoptable name] on [date]". you could even do "requested changes" so the staff could assign things that need to be done. "create christmas adoptable", "update [page] to include [info]". just a random idea I suddenly had.


I can't think of anything else right now. I guess the main thing we should focus on is allowing our members to completely or almost completely edit the site without having to access the code. This will be a huge bonus point for us over time and will cut down on the number of issues receive.

ALSO: can you please let me or someone else go through and edit the acp to actually look like an acp and not just a bunch of links? because seriously, the whole acp and the whole site in general, everything automated could use a good page rearranging and stuff, to look more professional and stuff. I am totally willing to do this, I love organizing.

 

[Hall of Famer]

Alright, lemme see what I can respond at this point:

- ability to customize the sidebar? we can customize the linkbar to our hearts content, but I know firsthand how frustrating it is to go into the functions.php and find that one line if it's a little off... I don't know how you would do it, but if we could change what links to include, if its horizontal or vertical based upon layout, stuff like that, it would be lovely. I'm fine (and so are many people) at editing it as it is now, but for people new to programing, it would certainly make things a little easier.

Well thats a good idea. Right now I am already creating a modular system for the site, in which admins can move/modify the location and content of each module/widget in ACP. You may get this sooner, if not in Mys v1.4.0.
(confirmed)

- ability to edit css/html files directly from the acp. (and that the template upload thing actually works, it never has for me) I believe this one is planned, but I just want to remind everyone.

umm you mean something like a css/html editor? This is definitely doable, the issue is how to give it a WYSIWYG effect. Not sure how far this will go, but I think we definitely can add at least a simple editor in ACP. This way you can allow your artists to touch the files without ftp access.
(confirmed, but may not be a really great WYSIWYG editor)

- ability to message all members and/or staff. Newsletter anyone? Urgent/sorry mail you've got to tell everyone? This would be so useful.

Umm something like a mailing list? Sure why not? I will keep this in mind for Mys v1.4.0's ACP/User management section.
(confirmed)

- customizable adoptable term. The site automatically says "adoptable" everywhere, but for those of us who have a single term or animal (rat, for me as an example), it'd be sweet if we could go through and change this as we can change the cash name. You could just do four fields that say for example... singular regular, singular capitalized (for start of sentences), plural regular, plural capitalized. (so rat, Rat, rats, Rats as an example for answers)

This seems doable too, the only issue is that it takes quite a bit of time to go through all lang files to change lang vars. Will consider for Mys v1.4.0 if we have time for adding a new feature like this.
(maybe)

- Replace/Edit an image instead of delete it on the image management page. I stopped using the ACP image system because it was so annoying if I wanted to change anything. Afterall, doesn't the page say edit AND delete, not just delete? On a related note...

Thats a good suggestion, while making Mys v1.3.2 I figured out just a simple upload/delete system is not a quite enjoyable system. Will do for Mys v1.4.0.
(confirmed)

- sort images? maybe when uploading, you could select if an image had a "parent" image, so when you were going through the list to select, it goes something like this;

egg image
- first stage
- second stage
- third stage
egg image
- first stage
- second stage
- third stage

this might cut down on some of the clutter, help organize (this could even run on the edit image page).

BONUS IDEA: different image sets for items vs pets? So if you have like, a hundred pet images and fifty item images, they aren't showing up together. You could select on the upload page whether an image was an "item" or "pet" image. This means when you make an item or shop, only item images show up and you only have 50, instead of a 150.

Well thats quite interesting, I guess we definitely can do this in Mys v1.4.0. You need to create an adoptable with an egg image first though, if you want it to work out the way you design it.
(confirmed)

- ability to customize gender based images if desired (but still allow alternate images).
- wasn't there plans to allow for multiple alternates at some point too?

Well this I aint quite sure, we will definitely be adding a multi-alternate system at some point. Not sure if its gonna be Mys v1.3.x or v1.4.x though.
(maybe)

- to add onto bonus page features, it'd be neat if when you visited the page for the first time, you got an item or a pet or something, so you could do giveaways or something. You could combine this with the new features just added - say you have a riddle page, and you enter the answer to a limited view page as a password, and if you get it right, it unlocks and you get your prize?

It seems quite doable, I will probably add this feature for Mys v1.3.3 as an enhancement to the new ACP Customizable pages system. Sure you can expect it no later Mys v1.4.0.
(confirmed)

- ability to add our own item functions, though this would be as hard as hell to program, I imagine.

I am not quite sure this can be done with ACP though, unless a script editor is enabled. Maybe I will do it someday, for Mys v1.4.0 this may be too much. But dont worry, I will add more new item functions for version v1.4.x since stats system becomes available.
(unlikely)

- have an automated and manual changelog for staff members? say you edit a page to update the news or something, you could then decide to click a button that says "apply change to changelog" and then it will appear on this log as "[username] edited [page name] on [date]" or if you created a new adoptable it could say something like "[username] created [adoptable name] on [date]". you could even do "requested changes" so the staff could assign things that need to be done. "create christmas adoptable", "update [page] to include [info]". just a random idea I suddenly had.

Well I've had this in mind for Mys v1.4.0, you get an excellent idea.
(confirmed)

ALSO: can you please let me or someone else go through and edit the acp to actually look like an acp and not just a bunch of links? because seriously, the whole acp and the whole site in general, everything automated could use a good page rearranging and stuff, to look more professional and stuff. I am totally willing to do this, I love organizing.

I dont quite get it... Everything automated? Are you suggesting that something similar to Vbulletin and MyBB's ACP?

 

[AlexC]

*fistpump* yay, I got most of them! Seems like 1.4.x is going to be awesome.

With the automated pages, I meant all of the standard pages that come with the script. Many work great, but aren't the best designed. take... the trade center for example. Works great, but if you look at the page it displays, it's just text, boxes and links not overly well organized. Many pages have small design errors in them (things not being properly placed on new paragraphs, etc) and overall, don't have that great of a look to them. At some point, we definently need to go over everything and make it organized, clean and professional. ... in my opinion anyway.

 

[Hall of Famer]

*fistpump* yay, I got most of them! Seems like 1.4.x is going to be awesome.

With the automated pages, I meant all of the standard pages that come with the script. Many work great, but aren't the best designed. take... the trade center for example. Works great, but if you look at the page it displays, it's just text, boxes and links not overly well organized. Many pages have small design errors in them (things not being properly placed on new paragraphs, etc) and overall, don't have that great of a look to them. At some point, we definently need to go over everything and make it organized, clean and professional. ... in my opinion anyway.

Interesting, I do agree that the current design of some pages are kinda unprofessional and weird. I was wondering though, what do you like to see in a trade station page? Maybe showing me a rough example by sketching in MS paint? I am not really a graphic interface designer though, so it may not be easy.

 

[AlexC]

well, I don't have MS Paint (Mac user here), but I can use GIMP. I won't be able to do it now because I have to leave in a bit for therapy, but afterwards.

Do you have a link or preview for what the base template/theme will look like for 1.4.x, I may be able to match it up.

 

[Hall of Famer]

Alright, actually GIMP is better than MS Paint. XD Do it whenever you can gal, good luck with therapy.

umm tbh I dunno what the main theme will look like for Mys v1.4.0, although the theme for ACP is pretty much decided.

 

[draugluin]

for the new ACP I would like to have a feature, which allows to fill out the following levels (with picture, required clicks and so on) on one site.

for example

level 1 : Url ____ or select picture ____ required clicks ____ reward ___ ...
level 2 : Url ____ or select picture ____ required clicks ____ reward ___
level 3 : ...

and for more levels a button "add more" which automatically add a new line like "level 4 : url ..."

you know, what I mean ? (english is not my first language, it's a little bit difficult, to explain)

 

[Tequila]

@Gloometh, if Hoffie likes the theme that I've submitted (http://mysproject.org/dev/default/) would be the new starting theme. I'm still working on fixing it so that it can be used with other setups as well (one column, etc...).

If you want the files, feel free to ask. ;3

 

[Hall of Famer]

@ Draugluin:
Tbh I dont quite get what you are asking for. I think the current ACP already allows you to select images, set required clicks and specify reward for each level. Or am I missing anything?

@ Nyxi:
I am not sure what Mys v1.4.0's main theme should look like at this point, for now it may be too early to worry about that. I think I need to design a customizable widget/modular content system for pages first, since this will change the template design for future releases. Right now I am working on a project I call GUI Package, will let you what that is by the time its 50% completed. It will be used in Mys v1.3.3 most likely.

 

[draugluin]

@ HoF

yes, we can ... *hrrhrr* ... set clicks and so... but only step by step for only ONE Level. It would be great, if it could look like this

 

[Hall of Famer]

Oh I see, you want the ability to add more than one level at a time? Sure I will consider that, not sure the 'more levels' part though since it may require AJAX.

 

[draugluin]

yesss...that's what I mean, as I said : all levels on one site


maybe everyone can coose at the base-settings, how much level normally exist and so much will lines will be shown at the level-create-side.

I wish to have a link back to the adoptable-main-site

 

[rtergszaved]

A few other people are doing it so I suppose I should as well!

A few features I'd like to eventually see in MSA are;

- When creating a new adoptable, to be able to set a bunch of different appearance options, and allow the adopter to choose a color scheme that they would like their pets to have, as well as the 'random rare' event that is already in place. Sometimes people want to be able to pick the color they would like their pet to be, just don't allow them to pick the rare colors!

- Allow users to be able to pick which gender they want there pet to be, I suppose this counts as a stat.

- Allow administrators to do mini-edits on the site, rather than having to go to the ACP to make minor adjustments. Something like and edit function at the top of every page, or be able to add shops on-site.

- A gallery accessible in the control panel where you can view all of the uploaded images.

- A built in CSS/HTML editor for the ACP so that you don't have to go to the file manager and edit files. (I'm not sure if this was already asked for.) [Little things that force users to go to the file manager less and less, it makes things more convenient.]

- A theme creator/editor would be nice, but I know that's well out of the question for now, so I won't bother. ( Or a few more editable default themes.)

- Auction house for pets/items, or the ability to set up user shops. (I think that one is pretty self-explanitory.)

- The ability to upload more than one default avatar for the site, and allow users to pick which one they would like to use in their profile.


- Officially add on the 'click-rewards' feature, so that when users click pets to level them up, they also have a chance of gaining an item.

That's all I can think of for now, but I'll probably add more~

 

[Hall of Famer]

- When creating a new adoptable, to be able to set a bunch of different appearance options, and allow the adopter to choose a color scheme that they would like their pets to have, as well as the 'random rare' event that is already in place. Sometimes people want to be able to pick the color they would like their pet to be, just don't allow them to pick the rare colors!

Well I am not quite sure of this, different appearance options? Are you referring to something like multi-alternate(more than just one) forms? If so, there is a chance that will be available in Mys v1.4.0, or I release it as a Mod.

- Allow users to be able to pick which gender they want there pet to be, I suppose this counts as a stat.

The script is designed in a way that gender is automatically determined, in Mys v1.4.0 you can specify a gender ratio so certain species is male or female dominated. If you want gender to be picked by users manually, you have to probably wish for a plugin that handles this.

- Allow administrators to do mini-edits on the site, rather than having to go to the ACP to make minor adjustments. Something like and edit function at the top of every page, or be able to add shops on-site.

Thats an interesting idea, I will figure out what sections can be edited by admins inline. Since Ajax wont be widely used in Mys v1.4.0, it may still look like you are being redirected to another page(though same url).

- A gallery accessible in the control panel where you can view all of the uploaded images.

I think this has been suggested before? Anyway you can count on it, Mys v1.4.0 will allow you to view and manipulate all uploaded images.

- A built in CSS/HTML editor for the ACP so that you don't have to go to the file manager and edit files. (I'm not sure if this was already asked for.) [Little things that force users to go to the file manager less and less, it makes things more convenient.]

A css editor is possible, not sure for HTML though since the script pretty much handles everything on each php page. Maybe the template html file? I will consider this suggestion, actually by Mys v1.5.0 I plan to incorporate a template editor with preview possible. Not sure if it will come out as early as Mys v1.4.0 though.

- A theme creator/editor would be nice, but I know that's well out of the question for now, so I won't bother. ( Or a few more editable default themes.)

See what I said above.

- Auction house for pets/items, or the ability to set up user shops. (I think that one is pretty self-explanitory.)

I will make this as a Mod/Addon, since it is not likely to be a feature needed by every site.

- The ability to upload more than one default avatar for the site, and allow users to pick which one they would like to use in their profile.

This is a good one, I will take it. By Mys v1.4.0 you should be able to upload both avatars and adopts/items images.

- Officially add on the 'click-rewards' feature, so that when users click pets to level them up, they also have a chance of gaining an item.

You mean something like the itemdrop thing I made as an Addon for Mys v1.3.2? I will consider, if it goes through the reward can be more than just an item. It can also be a secret adoptables with rare drop rate, or maybe a promocode.

Anyway by the time this reaches 3-4 pages I will try to organize what features are already decided, what are being considered, and what are being declined/redirected to plugins.

 

[Clessidra]

Pardon me if I mention something mentioned previously ono

•What about an option to earn avatars randomly or when acquiring certain items/pets (or, using certain items or leveling a pet to a certain level/stat).

•The ability to use an item to change a pet's color/race/gender.

•A chatbox would be nice. A live one, I mean. Something like TinyChat? cBox is terrible and Chatango requires outside sign up. Maybe something that can include user's avatars? Maybe an outside source would be willing to make something? -shrug-

•A different way to add people to your friendslist would be nice. All I see is the link under contact information and it's rather hard to find.

•The option to create a shop that can hold both items and pets.

•Option to create different backgrounds for different pages/put a banner on each and every page.

•When you select a pet, have a drop down box to let you select a specific color. Like what Nieth said. Not random, user-selected.

•The option to change what appears on the 'stats' page. As in what the top pets are and what not.

•Premium currency.

Edit-

The option to install addons from within the ACP. The ones you've made and whatnot. The option to turn them on/off maybe?

 

[Hall of Famer]

•What about an option to earn avatars randomly or when acquiring certain items/pets (or, using certain items or leveling a pet to a certain level/stat).

umm this... I dont quite get you, how do you 'earn' an avatar? Default avatars should be available for everyone to use, even if they aint the users will figure out their image url so long as one user is using that avatar anyway. But its possible to allow users to earn items/pets randomly, I will think about how this can be done.

•The ability to use an item to change a pet's color/race/gender.

Its already possible to change the adoptable's form through items, if this is what you mean by 'color'. The race thing is sorta like evolution items, I will make it for Mys v1.4.0 too. Not sure for gender though, its kinda weird thought that gender can be changed after it's set lol.

•A chatbox would be nice. A live one, I mean. Something like TinyChat? cBox is terrible and Chatango requires outside sign up. Maybe something that can include user's avatars? Maybe an outside source would be willing to make something? -shrug-

umm a chatbox is highly unlikely for Mys v1.4.0 since we wont be using much AJAX at that time. Without AJAX you have to refresh the page to see new messages, although its possible to set a timer for refresh. In future when AJAX is used extensively in the script, I may consider it.

•A different way to add people to your friendslist would be nice. All I see is the link under contact information and it's rather hard to find.

Well thats a good idea, I will see where else you can add people to friendlist.

•The option to create a shop that can hold both items and pets.

Its possible, although will require the shop system to change dramatically. If I have extra time after completing other decided features for Mys v1.4.0, I will add it.

•Option to create different backgrounds for different pages/put a banner on each and every page.

Well if you are talking about custom pages, you are already able to do this. For official pages, it may be difficult. But anyway you can use css to manipulate backgrounds and banners, it shouldnt be difficult.

•When you select a pet, have a drop down box to let you select a specific color. Like what Nieth said. Not random, user-selected.

This is just like what the gender thing is about from Neith's post. Like I said before, you probably have to install a plugin to get non-random gender/alt-form to work. There's a good chance that I will make one after releasing Mys v1.4.0, so you can count on that.

•The option to change what appears on the 'stats' page. As in what the top pets are and what not.

Well thats totally possible, especially with Mys v1.4.0 having a real stats system. Adoptables may be ranked by more than levels/clicks, you can rank them by HP, Atk, Def, Mag and so on. Would you mind explaining this a bit further? Like what you wanna see from a global stats page?

•Premium currency.

Are you talking about multiple-currency system? If so, this is planned for minor releases in Mys v1.4.x series. It may not be available by Mys v1.4.0, but good chance it comes out with Mys v1.4.1, v1.4.2 and so on.

The option to install addons from within the ACP. The ones you've made and whatnot. The option to turn them on/off maybe?

Good suggestion, I will make sure at least you can turn plugins on/off in future releases. For installation, well, it may be possible to design a system that handles database alteration, but for scripts you still have to either modify them yourself or upload sample script files to your server. There's no way to design a simple on-click installer that does script modification.

 

[Clessidra]

umm this... I dont quite get you, how do you 'earn' an avatar? Default avatars should be available for everyone to use, even if they aint the users will figure out their image url so long as one user is using that avatar anyway. But its possible to allow users to earn items/pets randomly, I will think about how this can be done.

The option to turn off the ability to paste your own avatar into the box and replace it with the option to select an avatar from a drop down box.

Like Neopets

 

[Hall of Famer]

The option to turn off the ability to paste your own avatar into the box and replace it with the option to select an avatar from a drop down box.

Like Neopets

Well I am not really sure how it works, sounds quite intriguing though. Will see if I can actually create something like that as a plugin first though, if people all want it to be implemented into the official script then I may consider otherwise.


Btw guys and gals, let's not turn this thread into a Mys v1.4.0 features suggestion thread, that will come later. This one is specifically dedicated to the ACP, it is more about what features do you wish to have control of. And more importantly, what controls do you want to have. Absolute new features not even available in the script should not be brought up here. XD

 

[Abronsyth]

How 'bout a new type of item class such as "Accessory" or "Equipment". This might be better as a plugin though...but basically pets could have a section (when viewing the pet) that says "Equipped Items". Then a user can "equip" items in the "Equipment" class to their pets...wouldn't need to have any actual use...just would be a nice feature (and would give me an excuse to make items like that XD)...but it'd be a cool feature or mod.