This Topic reported to TowNet.
TowNet is monitoring this Topic in the event we have a hidden problem that of course we would be unaware of. Reading the posts above it dose NOT appear to be a hidden problem, but rather a 'user' misunderstanding, USAAC design flaw, or 'assumption' made by the user. The forums here at TowNet are commercial high end software. The forums are maintainded on the back end by professional staff, on the front end by TowNet Admin, Tow Admin and ToW Staff.
When users have problems, WE at TowNet have a problem. It does not matter to TowNet if users are USAAC, Tow, TowClub, TowNet or just visitors, they are all treated the same in the area of site usage, help with the site, etc.
User Name and Passwords.
1) Some users tend to think that a "user name/password" is universal and works over cross networks/sites. They do not. Observation on my part indicates they may be as many as four different systems being used by users of Air Attack - USAAC site.
- The Air Attack Server itself has a registration
- The Portal Site has a registration (Central Launch System)
- Community sites have a registration system that may or may not be tied to 'forums'
- Tides of War Forums has a Registration Process. In order to use the forums you are reading now, you have to register. As far as I know, the USAAC has NO registration process other than the use of the ToW Forums.
- Other "services" and systems have a registration system .. ie such as Team Speak. Some communities may have your 'site or forum' user/pass word loaded into a data base to allow you 'registered' access to their particular systems .. i.e Team Speak. Most TeamSpeaks, you must register for and they are total independent of the site and/or forum registration.
3) TowNet does not have a site wide log in system in place. The software is installed and will be implimented in due time. When it is, then the cookie issue will disolve as well as some other minor irritations.
I am a 'front' end Administrator so I can only tell you about that aspect, although I background knowledge also. Our real expert on the back side is being directed to this thread, however only as a reference. We have to isolate 'user' and 'site design' problems from 'real' forum/TowNet problems before he would address any corrections or changes.
TowNet is very sensative about the functionality of our site and in particular our forums. If there is a problem, once isolated and identified, it will be delt with post haste. ASAP to some.
Cookies.
Cookies can be a real problem. Because browser are all different and 'they' just won't stick to a 'standards'.. the poor software users like us are left with 'choices' we always have to make. To use cookies or not. Without cookies and a great deal of time and money .. forums would just not function properly. Many sites in total would not function properly.
TowNet supports 'session' cookies, server side cookies and normal cookies. USAAC site is using 'frames' and loads the Tow Forums bridged to the proper forum and skins. MSIE just won't follow that bridge properly where you are 'logged in' without 'session cookies' turned ON.
- Tools
- Internet Options
- Privacy
- Advanced
This is for the latest version of MSIE 7.0 and older version may be slightly different or allow session cookies by default. This should solve your probem on MSIE with having to constantly log on again. But also remember that 'remembering' who you are is also an option when you log in. Turning on 'session cookies' I note has been documented within the USAAC forums serveral times.
FireFox seems to have session cookies turned on from point of install.
Gettng 'LOST' on the forums?
That .. should not be possible unless forums and web-sites in general are just totaly new to you, in which case: just take some to 'learn'.
If you come to the fourms via the USAAC site .. i.e. use the nav link at the top of the page. At any time you think you are lost .. simply hit the USAAC Nav button that says 'Forums" at the top of the page. You will be taken right to the USAAC Fourm. Since USAAC purchased a 'theme' for their site, their forums have the look and colors of the "Nav" bar colors and you may simply not be noticing that feature.
If you come to the forums via a bookmark .. your session cookies should be intact, but it is possible you get 'lost' because you won't have that USAAC Nav Bar at the top of the page.
Navigation is really not hard if you understand the "Navigation" line on the forums.
Tides of War Forums > by Air > USAAC - Air Attack > Finnas Fogs Bar and Grill
> Tides of War Forums - This is the main entrance page for the forums at Tides
>>by Air - This is a 'category' of the forums. The forums are devided up by sections.
>>> USAAC - Air Attack. This is where you want to go.
So if you get lost coming to the forums direct .. go to the Forum Nav Bar and click on the main forum link: Tides of War Forums
Then .. slide down to the 'by Air' section as USAAC is an Air Combat game.
Now you will see a 'Forum' owned by USAAC .. click that are you will be in blue skies of USAAC.
NOTE: User option > On the main ToW Forums page.. close all the 'sections' you are not interested in. Thus you won't get lost. You can do this by click on the [-] symbol to the far right of the category header line.
NOTE: User Option > Use the "Lo-Fyi" option to view the board if you are on dial up and experience long load times due to the user signature images. Lo-Fyi option is in the board footer on every page.
Continue Discussion Please. WE see that some users are being educated and this is good. Others are finding out about "options", etc.
