Event Registration, The Heroscapers Events Section, and You!

[truth]

Hey all, I'm trying to trouble shoot this problem with the error messages and one of the things I think might be to blame is the event registration mod. Luckily it's no longer needed. Its time we started making the standard method for registering for a tourney the Events Section.

Like the rest of the sections on Heroscapers it is a seperate user database and so event planners and registrants will have to sign up for the events section. It is wise to give your event a space on the calendar in the events section and a sister thread in the forums for discussion and further advertising purposes.

I appreciate your cooperation in this matter. I think your event will be easier to find by the public and easier for them to get a better idea of the size of the tourney. The sister thread will help in ease to find by forum members. just make sure you link them to your event in the events section for the purpose of registration.

 

[funrun]

Feedback on the new Events section is welcome here. Was it easy to use? Does it look good? Be specific about what you did and didn't like.

 

[Oogie_Da_Bruce]

The new Event section looks great!!!

Glad to see events already posted.

Did anyone notice the little hexes in the background???

 

[Tiberius]

After I muddled through it it wasnt too bad. It would have been easier for me to know what to expect (I had to register, then log in, and it finally let me sign up). I kept trying to enter my login for these message boards thinking that was what they wanted. But I am old and computer illiterate so that is no suprise.

 

[funrun]

My theory is that if one person is willing to admit it was difficult, there are up to 10x as many who found it slightly confusing but didn't say anything. I am going to see what I can do to make the login more intuitive and obvious that it is not the same login as here.

 

[truth]

After I muddled through it it wasn't too bad. It would have been easier for me to know what to expect (I had to register, then log in, and it finally let me sign up). I kept trying to enter my login for these message boards thinking that was what they wanted. But I am old and computer illiterate so that is no surprise.

No I'm the one to blame. If I could write code we'd have one database for users as you would expect. But I can't so instead all of the sections are separate existences and so all have separate user databases. I really wish a trusted member with coding knowledge would step forward and proffer time to make site improvements that I can not. But alas, that has yet to happen.

 

[Grungebob]

OK I tried to link directly to the event but it does not work that way. What am I doing wrong and how can we make it so that at a glance members can quickly look at an event?

 

[funrun]

Okay I just finished giving the layout an overhaul that hopefully makes it more uasable. I also added categories for different types of events (contests, tournaments, game days, etc.) At this time though I can't add a piece about needing to create a new login account there. I think that is important, but I need to wait to get to my computer to access the source files (I'm at work now.)

Feedback on the changes is appreciated!

OK I tried to link directly to the event but it does not work that way. What am I doing wrong and how can we make it so that at a glance members can quickly look at an event?

The events themselves pop up in a separate window without the Events nav bar, so if you linked directly to the event the user would not be able to navigate back to the calendar. However if you don't care about this, if you right click anywhere in the event details pop up window, one of those Properties, More Info, Copy Link, or Send Link type of options will give you the full URL for that pop up page. Copy that URL and paste it in your thread.

 

[Oogie_Da_Bruce]

I went backed and checked out the new layout. Even better!

This time I actually registered and put an event in. It seemed to go pretty easy (can't comment on the old system).

I also did a RSVP test. I RSVP'd for the event I created (GenCon SoCal) and for the Toronto Scapefest.

When I click on GCSC I see myself as an "Attending Member".

Point of interest: If you want to view what you've RSVP'd for Click "My RSVPs" (on left - simple - I know). It will tell you what you've RSVP'd for and allow you to un-RSVP from an event.

I had a heck of a time trying to unregister for the Toronto Scapefest (sorry guys won't be able to make it).

 

[Grungebob]

OK maybe I'm just being daft, but does anybody else think that this thing is confusing and somewhat clunky? I mean I go to the event page and I just want to look at March to see what is going on and it is a confusing mess trying to get there. How are my attendees supposed to find my event if it is such a hassle getting there?

 

[truth]

I had it as a calendar set up you could advance through. Funrun seems to have changed that. Hopefully she has an idea in store for navigating through calendar months.

The search bar is quite predominate. I clicked on it and typed in Texas and your event popped up.

However, funrun, typing in Ohio didn't cause your event to show up. A lesson to all include your state in your gameday description for seach purposes, not just your city.

 

[truth]

Okay, I set it to show 6 months out. This should include any tourney currently in the works.

 

[Agent Minivann]

I tried it when it was a calendar layout, but I never could get it to accept a posting. I'll give it a try and leave some feedback later today.

EDIT: just tried it again and I got the same thing. I fill out my event and hit the add event and get this:

DB Error: syntax error

I've tried changing things and simplifying things, but I always get the same thing.

 

[truth]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

 

[reapersaurus]

OK maybe I'm just being daft, but does anybody else think that this thing is confusing and somewhat clunky?

Of course it is clunkier than the in-thread Registration feature.

The question is - if that was taken away (to fix the "p s y" error), is this the best solution possible? (edit - IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SO BRING BACK THE IN-THREAD REGISTRATION FEATURE)

It probably is. There are probably a limited number of popularly-accepted and tested Calender mods out there.

Does it impose a handicap to registering for events? Yes.
Does it drastically reduce the number of people that will be motivated enough to register a new account, log in and properly navigate that database? Yes.
Does it make it harder for interested event attendees to know who all is gonna be at an event? Yes.

But that's just the way it is.

 

[truth]

OK maybe I'm just being daft, but does anybody else think that this thing is confusing and somewhat clunky?

Of course it is clunkier than the in-thread Registration feature.

The question is - if that was taken away (to fix the "p s y" error), is this the best solution possible? (edit - IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SO BRING BACK THE IN-THREAD REGISTRATION FEATURE)

It probably is. There are probably a limited number of popularly-accepted and tested Calender mods out there.

Does it impose a handicap to registering for events? Yes.
Does it drastically reduce the number of people that will be motivated enough to register a new account, log in and properly navigate that database? Yes.
Does it make it harder for interested event attendees to know who all is gonna be at an event? Yes.

But that's just the way it is.

It's brand freaking new and we are working on it. I wasn't talking about fixing the P s y errors I was talking about connectivty errors that we've been experiencing. And I dare you to find a better calendar/events function with registration features out there for little to no cost.

In thread registration will not be coming back. Period.

 

[funrun]

OK maybe I'm just being daft, but does anybody else think that this thing is confusing and somewhat clunky?

Thank you GB, I was waiting for more people to come out and say what I was thinking. Don't be afraid to say what you really think people!

However, funrun, typing in Ohio didn't cause your event to show up. A lesson to all include your state in your gameday description for seach purposes, not just your city.

We need a guide to help people write event descriptions.

I tried it when it was a calendar layout, but I never could get it to accept a posting. I'll give it a try and leave some feedback later today.

EDIT: just tried it again and I got the same thing. I fill out my event and hit the add event and get this:

DB Error: syntax error

I've tried changing things and simplifying things, but I always get the same thing.

I got a similar error when I tried to put an apostrophe in a title of one of the categories. Most likely this is caused by some sort of character or combination thereof that the system doesn't like. That database is totally separate from the forums, so the p-s-y thing is not a factor to my knowledge.

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

 

[truth]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

 

[funrun]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

Nope. All the RSVP stuff looks the same to me.

 

[truth]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

Nope. All the RSVP stuff looks the same to me.

I must have been in admin mode or something. That means you can't see who else has registered unless your running the event. Not sure I care for that. I guess if an event runner really wants to let people know who is attending the event they'll have to copy paste into the event details. Maybe when you RSVP for an event you can see who else has for that event.

 

[truth]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

Nope. All the RSVP stuff looks the same to me.

I must have been in admin mode or something. That means you can't see who else has registered unless your running the event. Not sure I care for that. I guess if an event runner really wants to let people know who is attending the event they'll have to copy paste into the event details. Maybe when you RSVP for an event you can see who else has for that event.

EDIT: We'll I can now see that Yanks entered the Cinci Tourney. I think when you switched things around anyone registered before the switch I can't see, anyone after I can... odd.

EDIT2: I can see all the RSVPs if I go into the admin events section and look through the events, but not as a regular user.

 

[funrun]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

Nope. All the RSVP stuff looks the same to me.

I must have been in admin mode or something. That means you can't see who else has registered unless your running the event. Not sure I care for that. I guess if an event runner really wants to let people know who is attending the event they'll have to copy paste into the event details. Maybe when you RSVP for an event you can see who else has for that event.

I can see who is registered for all events (Cinci, GC). So you are telling me you can't see who is RSVP for my Cinci event or Gencon?

 

[truth]

Where did the people who registered for the events go? It was displaying who was registered for an event. That let you know what kind of interest level it was generating.

Also I wasn't able to figure it out by copying and pasting code, but the events page needs a navigation menu like the rest of the pages for getting around the site.

My RSVP list is still there on the pop up page with event details. I can't wait to get to the heroscapers nav menu in there and other feature changes I have in mind.

Hmm, I used to be able to see all the RSVPs for all the threads... Now I don't see it in any of them. Did you change a setting so that only thread creators can see who has RSVP'd?

Nope. All the RSVP stuff looks the same to me.

I must have been in admin mode or something. That means you can't see who else has registered unless your running the event. Not sure I care for that. I guess if an event runner really wants to let people know who is attending the event they'll have to copy paste into the event details. Maybe when you RSVP for an event you can see who else has for that event.

I can see who is registered for all events (Cinci, GC). So you are telling me you can't see who is RSVP for my Cinci event or Gencon?

There is/was a bunch of people registered for the NorCal event. Can you see them? I can only see them if I go into admin those events. I can only see those who have registered after your changes outside of the admin area.

 

[Satyr]

Since you mentioned NorCal ...

I can only see the RSVPs via the "My RSVP" link or a seach
If I click on the event from the "home page" it only provides an option to RSVP (which I already have)

On the plus side, the event only lists me once when I double RSVP, however, the event shows up twice on "My RSVP" page. I was able to unregister from the extra RSVP without effecting my orignal RSVP.

 

[funrun]

Ok I see now, in the regular area it only shows RSVPs made after my changes, but in the Manage Events admin area it shows all the RSVPs. I will have to check on the database and code later to see why this is.