- Your Forums account can be closed due to spam or C0C violations. It has no credit card information associated with it.
- Your ddI account can be canceled because you end your subscription. It has credit card information.
So that really is irrelevant. I too hate that you have to log in every hour or so on the main site and dont stay logged in like you can in the forum.... :p
I too hate that you have to log in every hour or so on the main site and dont stay logged in like you can in the forum....
That is a different matter entirely, and I too wish the log-in on the main site were a bit more permanent.
The reason you get booted and have to log in again is that WotC somehow thinks that you are going to steal their data and leak it on the internet, despite being leaked before release in .PDFs.
Really, I think that since the forums are still hosted on gleemax, they probably just haven't had time to fix them. The whole site is in a sorry state if you ask me. I personally use Firefox (one of the top 3 browsers in use today) and have to log into the website several times (sometimes more than 3 times) before I can access DDI stuff (back when I had a subscription). I also have to log into the forums each time rather than it remembering me.
The reason you get booted and have to log in again is that WotC somehow thinks that you are going to steal their data and leak it on the internet, despite being leaked before release in .PDFs.
Actually, no.
The reason that they have the session ID for the DDI login set to 2 hours right now is that (according to WotC) they are still looking at the load it places on their servers. When DDI originally went to a subscription service, the login time was 10 or 15 minutes, with a statement that they would be looking at the numbers and increase them if they see that there is no problem. A couple of months ago, they saw that there was no problem so they decided to up the timeout period to 2 hours.
I personally use Firefox (one of the top 3 browsers in use today) and have to log into the website several times (sometimes more than 3 times) before I can access DDI stuff (back when I had a subscription). I also have to log into the forums each time rather than it remembering me.
And as a comparison point, I also use FF, and only have to login once to get at anything. My forums login expires every two weeks, like clockwork.
Actually, no.
The reason that they have the session ID for the DDI login set to 2 hours right now is that (according to WotC) they are still looking at the load it places on their servers. When DDI originally went to a subscription service, the login time was 10 or 15 minutes, with a statement that they would be looking at the numbers and increase them if they see that there is no problem. A couple of months ago, they saw that there was no problem so they decided to up the timeout period to 2 hours.
Actually there is no load on the server if it is done with sessions. Its a matter of a variable in a database that says "logged in: true or false" that is always there and is attached to their account information. In other words the only thing that puts a load on the server is when a person logs in or out, and when they load pages.
Now I don't know about what system they are using, but "sessions" is the tried and true method that works best for many major companies. There is literally no reason why they shouldn't use sessions.
And as a comparison point, I also use FF, and only have to login once to get at anything. My forums login expires every two weeks, like clockwork.
Really, is there a help topic for the rest of us that have these recurring log-in problems?
Really, is there a help topic for the rest of us that have these recurring log-in problems?
Two things.
1) While it's cliche, dump cookies and cache and try again
2) Check your bookmark for the forums. Does it point to forums.gleemax.com? Or does it still point to boards1.wizards.com (or some variant)? If your bookmark/favorite for the forums still points to boards1.wizards.com, change it to forums.gleemax.com. Nobody that I've seen ever knows exactly why, but there's some sort of error in the redirection that causes you to get logged out.
Two things.
1) While it's cliche, dump cookies and cache and try again
2) Check your bookmark for the forums. Does it point to forums.gleemax.com? Or does it still point to boards1.wizards.com (or some variant)? If your bookmark/favorite for the forums still points to boards1.wizards.com, change it to forums.gleemax.com. Nobody that I've seen ever knows exactly why, but there's some sort of error in the redirection that causes you to get logged out.
No, don't misunderstand, my problem is not the forum log-in, its the main site log-in. I must log in several times for it to stick.
Actually there is no load on the server if it is done with sessions. Its a matter of a variable in a database that says "logged in: true or false" that is always there and is attached to their account information. In other words the only thing that puts a load on the server is when a person logs in or out, and when they load pages.
Now I don't know about what system they are using, but "sessions" is the tried and true method that works best for many major companies. There is literally no reason why they shouldn't use sessions.
This hits the nail straight on the head.
The front page NEEDS a revampment... not only for insider usability and accessibility improvements, but also for a visual upgrade.
No, don't misunderstand, my problem is not the forum log-in, its the main site log-in. I must log in several times for it to stick.
Ah, OK. I thought Mudbunny was speaking only of his forum login. But I could've misunderstood him, and therefore your reply.
No, don't misunderstand, my problem is not the forum log-in, its the main site log-in. I must log in several times for it to stick.
*shrug* what can I tell you. I don't have any problems logging in, be it the forums or DDI.
There appears to be no pattern to the phenomenon.
But I always end up getting in.
It's the website, I've tried using the D&D front page from like 15 different computers now, including some High End Machines... Using Macs (Safari and IE) and PC's anything from Firefox to IE to Opera to Safari to the Google Browser... all with the same crappy result.
The website plain and simple needs an overhaul. Best would probably be something in Flash or Silverlight. Easy navigation, and overview.
The website plain and simple needs an overhaul. Best would probably be something in Flash or Silverlight. Easy navigation, and overview.
Flash or Silverlight are not good solutions for a lot of technical reasons. The most visible one to a non-technical user would be the problems with deep linking. Easy navigation and overview has very little to do with a site being flash based and everything to do with it being well designed.
Regarding the front page, I remember a lot of discussion a while back after a blog post bashing it was popularized but to my knowledge very little (if anything) has been done since. Personally I think the guys redesign had a lot of potential, it's certainly far superior to what we have currently.
http://www.dragonavenue.com/dnd/post/redesigning_the_dungeons_and_dragon_website/
Here's a direct link to the mock up if you want to skip the blog:
http://www.dragonavenue.com/downloads/dnd-design.jpg
Flash or Silverlight are not good solutions for a lot of technical reasons. The most visible one to a non-technical user would be the problems with deep linking. Easy navigation and overview has very little to do with a site being flash based and everything to do with it being well designed.
Regarding the front page, I remember a lot of discussion a while back after a blog post bashing it was popularized but to my knowledge very little (if anything) has been done since. Personally I think the guys redesign had a lot of potential, it's certainly far superior to what we have currently.
http://www.dragonavenue.com/dnd/post/redesigning_the_dungeons_and_dragon_website/
Here's a direct link to the mock up if you want to skip the blog:
http://www.dragonavenue.com/downloads/dnd-design.jpg
Well short of using Google Wave, I think they need to go with what traditionally works: PHP, HTML, CSS, Java-script and MySQL database on an Apache server. Seriously get rid of the windows crap that is the bane of every web users existence.
The thing is there are so many freely available or extremely cheap pre-built websites out there with integrated message boards and back-end MySQL databases. There is really no reason not to use them. Once you put your own artwork in them, they look exactly like what you want.
The only problem would be the switch over. It would annoy everyone for about an hour or so as they uploaded the files and tested the new site before going live with it.
Well short of using Google Wave, I think they need to go with what traditionally works: PHP, HTML, CSS, Java-script and MySQL database on an Apache server. Seriously get rid of the windows crap that is the bane of every web users existence.
The thing is there are so many freely available or extremely cheap pre-built websites out there with integrated message boards and back-end MySQL databases. There is really no reason not to use them. Once you put your own artwork in them, they look exactly like what you want.
The only problem would be the switch over. It would annoy everyone for about an hour or so as they uploaded the files and tested the new site before going live with it.
This isn't a personal attack, but it's pretty obvious you don't understand any of the things you mentioned there. Most of your statements are nonsensical on top of being plain wrong.
These forums are one of these packages you speak of.... Vbulletin - it's pretty huge.
Also pretty well everything on the web uses HTML, Javascript and CSS (including the wizards site, as has always been).
The fact the front page runs on an ASP/Windows server has literally nothing to do with the organization of the site, the user experience is basically the same as a more common LAMP configuration.
This isn't a personal attack, but it's pretty obvious you don't understand any of the things you mentioned there. Most of your statements are nonsensical on top of being plain wrong.
These forums are one of these packages you speak of.... Vbulletin - it's pretty huge.
Also pretty well everything on the web uses HTML, Javascript and CSS (including the wizards site, as has always been).
The fact the front page runs on an ASP/Windows server has literally nothing to do with the organization of the site, the user experience is basically the same as a more common LAMP configuration.
While I'm not an expert, I do know what I'm talking about. The reason I mentioned HTML, Javascript, and CSS is that someone else mentioned using flash, which to me would be a horrible idea.
The problem with this forum is that it seems to be crammed on top of some other package that is not compatible.
Lokiare, I have no clue what you were saying in your post. I think Barmp was spot on. It's not mean't to be a personal attack.
The problem with this forum is that it seems to be crammed on top of some other package that is not compatible.
This, for example, makes no sense for the issue we are discussing.
Okay guys, lets break it down. The Forums are using vBulletin which is a separate membership system than the one they are using for DDI, which appears to be ASP.NET. They could combine the systems but it would be an immense amount of work and would be off-putting to their customer base.
Lokiare, I have no clue what you were saying in your post. I think Barmp was spot on. It's not mean't to be a personal attack.
This, for example, makes no sense for the issue we are discussing.
Its not relevant that they are using vBulletin crammed on top of ASP.NET. One of the problems is that the two don't use the same password system. If they did we wouldn't have to worry about logging in five times.
Its not relevant that they are using vBulletin crammed on top of ASP.NET. One of the problems is that the two don't use the same password system. If they did we wouldn't have to worry about logging in five times.
The Gleemax forums have no ASP.NET involved and it is especially not "Crammed on top" of anything. You are confused. The Wizards website uses ASP.NET whereby these forums use only PHP (using vBulletin software). They are two completely separate databases that are used to store membership information for each place.
Now if I come straight to the forums and try logging in with that email and password...it wont work. Weird.
The Gleemax forums have no ASP.NET involved and it is especially not "Crammed on top" of anything. You are confused. The Wizards website uses ASP.NET whereby these forums use only PHP (using vBulletin software). They are two completely separate databases that are used to store membership information for each place.
Well that's even worse. Two different code languages that have to be kept up to date that basically do the same thing (store fields of information in a database) that are kept completely separate. Its basically doubling the job of the programmers.
Well that's even worse. Two different code languages that have to be kept up to date that basically do the same thing (store fields of information in a database) that are kept completely separate. Its basically doubling the job of the programmers.
They're completely separate entities, this forum package is quite standalone from the rest of the site (hence the two login systems.....). There is no doubling up on work, maintaining the forums is one task and maintaining the primary site is another, quite separate, task. It's very standard stuff.
This is massively off topic from the original issue however.
They're completely separate entities, this forum package is quite standalone from the rest of the site (hence the two login systems.....). There is no doubling up on work, maintaining the forums is one task and maintaining the primary site is another, quite separate, task. It's very standard stuff.
This is massively off topic from the original issue however.
Not really it falls under the "why" part of the original post. Now that we know they are using two different sections of code on two different sites, that are being maintained by two different teams, we can see that yes, they are doing double work, no matter how you look at it.
If they integrated everything into a single site there would be less headaches.
Your average PHP web dev will either know ASP.net or know enough of it to maintain what's there. And if it's part of the job description, he'll know both.
It's no more work to maintain an ASP site than a PHP site. The work is not doubled and you do not need two teams. No professional programmer will know only one language, once you've gotten the hang of programming one it's not difficult to move to others.
Your average PHP web dev will either know ASP.net or know enough of it to maintain what's there. And if it's part of the job description, he'll know both.
That's funny because Wolfstar76 just announced that the website is supposed to be overhauled soon. If there wasn't a problem they wouldn't need to overhaul it.
Also regardless of how many languages and/or teams that are working on the website it uses two different systems instead of one. This means it is double work, when it could be done by one team using one system for logging in. The few variables they would need to determine if you have a subscription to DDI could easily be added to the system that controls the membership to the forums.
Edit: here is the link http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1208678&page=2
and here is the quote:
The WotC website is getting an overhaul and redesign.
While it hasn't been much-publicized original plans are/were for it to be re-launched in the summer.
To which end I say the sooner the better.
That's funny because Wolfstar76 just announced that the website is supposed to be overhauled soon. If there wasn't a problem they wouldn't need to overhaul it.
There are several possibilities here. The problem you keep espousing is one. Other problems are also a possibility. That they think they could simply make the site better is another.
Also regardless of how many languages and/or teams that are working on the website it uses two different systems instead of one. This means it is double work, when it could be done by one team using one system for logging in. The few variables they would need to determine if you have a subscription to DDI could easily be added to the system that controls the membership to the forums.
Two systems does not necessarily mean twice the work.
However it could possibly mean a bigger work load.
And yah, as I said up in #17 there was a lot of discussion about a redesign months ago (over a year now, has it really been so long?) after a blogger made a bit of a splash with his comments regarding the design. Actually a few number of things have been done since then to make it far more aesthetically pleasing, but not much in the usability department..
The design has been a long time coming because (as WOTC_Huscarl put it) the site "serves many masters, and they all get a voice in how it’s put together". It's been nearly 16 months since that comment, with only minor (albeit not insignificant) changes thus far. The site overhaul is speeding along with approximately the same momentum as the D&D Tools which were intended for coinciding release with the 4E rulebooks.
The fact that there is an overhaul in the works does not mean everything we have now is insufficient. It means it could be better. If, as a company, you are content with 'good enough' you will quickly be outdistanced by your competition. The ambition of the D&D Tools shows that the current team does not want to rely on past practice to carry them into the future, but the significant delay in their release is an indication of the struggles required to actually move a company as large (and bureaucratic) as WOTC.