Never have, maybe I should...
I do have tablets, Android and Apple.
Never really thought about it till now.
I use it. Once I gave it a try, it'd be hard to go back. My post in the Board Migration thread explains why. Basically, it rocks for mobile use.
If you're active on multiple forums, it really shines.
Same here. Use it often and prior to the update was my primary interface with this forum. Haven't found anything nearly as handy to access the forum or post photos/posts from the road, especially without wifi. For more details see my previous posts on the migration thread.
I don't use it.The name sounded stupid, so never looked into it. I rarely post on phone and use it little.
The major problem with Tapatalk installed in SMF is that it replaces some core files with it's own. This has caused major problems, many forums report users being able to register bypassing admin approval, spam filters, and even when reg is disabled. It also prevents SMF security updates from being applied to Tapatalk files. There have been 15 updates (so far) in 2.0 branch, most, if not all, contained security patches. If the patches are not installed, security degrades over time, and forum software and database are increasingly at risk. There are mods that can be installed on the forum that should replace some of Tapatalk's functionality, but I've never used it, or a phone to view websites, so don't know exactly what it does.
Krash,
Even though Tapatalk may offer an improved mobile experience, based on your research it is nowhere near the tradeoff. Keeping up with security patches is hard enough on core releases, the extra security risks and admin burden is not there.
There must be other mobile apps that front SMF, maybe not as functional as Tapatalk but implemented using the SMF extension, API, or plugin architecture.
If you'd like I can do some research for you on this.
Basic problem is I don't use a phone. I do have a 7" Kindle Fire that I use primarily as a reader, it has Android Silk browser and I've been tinkering with it for couple of hours. I can see the wrap problem in header, and have a couple of ideas to fix it. If you look at the BCM main site, there are two very different formats, one for landscape view (pc) and one for portrait (mobile). I'm experimenting with some js that detects orientation, seems to work on my pc and kindle. Getting late so I'm done for the night, but will work on something similar for the forum. It will only affect the ads header. I fixed the Responsive Curve mod and I'm seeing a different layout on the Fire, you should now see it on phone.
If you can post screenshots and/or descriptions of any problems you see on phones, that would be a huge help. Just to give you an idea where I'm headed, you can go here (http://www.thekrashsite.com/smfbcm/), you should see the ad header on pc; on phone the header will be visible in landscape view, not in portrait (assuming you haven't disabled orientation switch). I'll code an alternate header similar to main site that will fit on mobile, then I can pretty up the pc header.
How about finding a SMF theme that does responsive well? That would eliminate the need for Tapatalk or at least allow the native mobile browser to render the page well enough to be usable.
Here's what it looks like right now on my Note 8. A good portion of the screen is filled with the ads.
And here's what it looks like with your krashsite test. I don't see the ads at all on the mobile.
If you look at the screen shot I posted of the actual site below, you'll see that the ads are covering parts of the screen and hiding some things.
I just found a mobile phone emulator. It's an extension on the Chrome browser - took about a minute to install. There is an icon on the toolbar added that lets you view the page as it would be seen on various sizes of cell phones. I chose the second down in the list to produce this example.
Hopefully something like this will be helpful in allowing you to easily see what we're seeing on mobile devices.
As a side note, I also notice that when a photo is posted with a large physical size setting (not the size of the file - rather the layout size of the photo like 12 x 8) it does not render properly when someone clicks on the icon. The photo enlarges to the full size, which can be larger than the screen, and there are no scroll bars visible that will let the user see the off-screen parts of the image.
I use it but to me if you don't use your phone then there is no reason to get it.
Is this available again on tapatalk now?
Well, something sure changed as of today.
A mobile sized presentation is showing on my Q10.
Lets
See
How
Deep
And the reply pane behaves properly for editing, re my other thread on it snapping up to the top.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I havent used it.
I agree there looks to be a change today again on the site, as in previous days in that there is no last poster column. Possibly font is bigger also.
In any case what i will say is i typically look at my phone in landscape for websites. Fwiw my phone has clearly taken lead vs laptop in browsing.
This ios and or this smf site on my phone I am only seeing the actual bus or coach advertisers. That is great.
Floyd
Got the Responsive Curve mod working correctly last night, there are others but trying to stay with Curve since everyone seems to like it. Think I have the ad problem solved, I can use js to determine if device is viewing in portrait or landscape, and have two different ad headers, similar to what you see in BCM main site. Will work on that tonight.
Thanks for the input.
Glad it's working. :)
As long as the responsive layout works, stay with that solution. You really only want something like Tapatalk where the content and layout require significantly different look and feel.
Forking the base Curve theme is another option but it does put onus on you for maintaining it. But SMF is pretty well baked and not undergoing enough change to worry. Base theme seems just fine.
Ok, I've uploaded some modifications that should fix the header problem. There are two different ad headers, one for landscape view (pc), which diplays logo and two ads in line across the top, and one for portrait view (mobile), which displays logo and two ads stacked. The code uses javascript to detect which orientation the device is using, works fine on my kindle, don't know how reliable it is with all the different hardware/software configs out there, but we'll give it a shot. No clue how to post a screenshot off the kindle, but the header should look a lot like the BCM main site on mobile.
Also made some configuration changes in Curve theme that should make it a bit easier to use. Someone mentioned it was a problem uploading large images that needed to be resized first. I'm using a mod on one of my forums that auto-resizes large pics to a specified size. I can install it here if anyone thinks it would be useful.
Won't use third party apps look what PhotoBucket did to us all
I find it intrusive always wanting you to download the app when you join a new forum, when I can just use the browser of my choice with out risk of some day catching us of guard for $$$
Here's what it looks like today. Seems like an improvement.
One more screen shot
I tried tapatalk and didn't like it. I don't like that it randomly asks to download the app. When I post pictures I do it on a real computer and host them somewhere else. That way I can post pictures to other forums without loading them to each forum. It also saves bandwidth for the forum host, not sure if that is still an issue?
Quote from: somewhereinusa on July 03, 2018, 05:20:15 AM
I tried tapatalk and didn't like it. I don't like that it randomly asks to download the app. When I post pictures I do it on a real computer and host them somewhere else. That way I can post pictures to other forums without loading them to each forum. It also saves bandwidth for the forum host, not sure if that is still an issue?
If you were asked to randomly download the app, then something was installed incorrectly. I've used it for years and never been asked to download anything. The app updates occasionally, as do most Android apps. The problem with using a 'real computer' is that it requires being somewhere with wifi or internet connections. I'm often out and about which is why the majority of my interaction on different forums is through a mobile device.
That all said, the readability on the forum on mobile devices has improved with the latest updates. However, I'm still trying to find a good way to upload photos from a mobile. Hoping that the auto-resize function works and can be made convenient.
BNO has had auto-resizing available for awhile now.
Works just like the rest of the world, attach whatever pic is on your device or computer and you are finished.
What are you waiting for?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
QuoteIf you were asked to randomly download the app, then something was installed incorrectly.
I thinks it's because I don't have it, never have had it on this phone, and the site has it available.
My Kindle HD 10 has two small banner ads at top.
Quote from: somewhereinusa on July 03, 2018, 05:55:53 AM
I thinks it's because I don't have it, never have had it on this phone, and the site has it available.
That makes sense - if I try to access a site on the Chrome (default) Android browser and the site is set up for Tapatalk it tries to divert me to Tapatalk as well. My understanding is that the device is trying to use the path of least resistance to get the data on your device, and an app is usually less data intensive than a browser.
i just put my sim card in one of these as the need arises...
(https://ss7.vzw.com/is/image/VerizonWireless/Novatel_Jetpack_MiFi6620L?$device-lg$)
Quote from: eagle19952 on July 03, 2018, 11:24:51 AM
i just put my sim card in one of these as the need arises...
(https://ss7.vzw.com/is/image/VerizonWireless/Novatel_Jetpack_MiFi6620L?$device-lg$)
I'm starting to get the idea that those of us using a smartphone to access the forum are being discouraged from doing so...
I have a laptop with a built in sim card through Verizon. However, I have no desire to drag the thing around when I'm working on the bus or when I'm traveling.
The reason I use a smartphone for most things is that it easily fits into a shirt pocket, is self contained, has a built-in phone for making calls, and is just downright handy for most things (especially posting/reading responses while in the bowels of the bus.)
If there are legitimate security concerns with Tapatalk that cannot be overcome, then I understand. Doesn't mean I won't miss its convenience though.
All that said, I do greatly appreciate the efforts to make the site more accessible to those of us on mobile devices. As forum members get younger and the next generation begins working on bus conversions, I think that we'll see more and more people accessing the site on a mobile device. The efforts to keep functionality on mobile devices will certainly pay off as younger people come on board.
Quote from: richard5933 on July 03, 2018, 12:09:06 PM
I'm starting to get the idea that those of us using a smartphone to access the forum are being discouraged from doing so...
not me. just thinking out of the box and wondering.
Quote from: richard5933 on July 03, 2018, 12:09:06 PM
I'm starting to get the idea that those of us using a smartphone to access the forum are being discouraged from doing so...
As forum members get younger and the next generation begins working on bus conversions, I think that we'll see more and more people accessing the site on a mobile device. The efforts to keep functionality on mobile devices will certainly pay off as younger people come on board.
As a 31 yr old, I couldn't agree more! Seems like some people chiming in don't use Tapatalk or mobile devices. For those that do, it may be the difference between being more involved or only coming on the forum when they have a problem. We want to remove as many barriers as possible to active involvement so this community lives on.
Quote from: GnarlyBus on July 03, 2018, 01:57:18 PM
As a 31 yr old, I couldn't agree more! Seems like some people chiming in don't use Tapatalk or mobile devices. For those that do, it may be the difference between being more involved or only coming on the forum when they have a problem. We want to remove as many barriers as possible to active involvement so this community lives on.
Hence part of the query.
Just not sure there are that many using it, yet :)
Another problem is posts with pictures using tap talk can't be seen by other users not using the app
There are 4 forums that won't allow photos to be posted using it, they deleat the post and send a PM to the poster to repost useing a browser
Quote from: Slug on July 04, 2018, 02:09:28 AM
Another problem is posts with pictures using tap talk can't be seen by other users not using the app
There are 4 forums that won't allow photos to be posted using it, they deleat the post and send a PM to the poster to repost useing a browser
That's never been a problem here. Other forums may have such rules, but I've been posting with Tapatalk to this forum and to Bus Grease Monkey for quite some time using Tapatalk. The photos have posted instantly. In fact, when one of the third party photo sites started charging to post photos, I helped other BCM members use Tapatalk to post their photos here.
There was never a need to use the app to see the photos. If so, then no one would be seeing all the photos I've posted over the past year+ using the app.
You posted photos???😊