I wanted to update you one the progress we are making on the total redesign of this website as mentioned in post one of this thread. Over the last 6 months many improvements have been made to the software we use to host this community. We have been working behind the scenes on our test site to learn the new coding and have been updating and reprograming many of the features here for our community as well as adding others. We are very close to the launch of the redesign. I plan to share a few photos of the coming site when time allows.

At this time though, I want to ask that all members and guests who access this site using Internet Explorer 6 (which is end of life in terms of software) to please update their browser to at least IE 7. Internet Explorer 8 is the most current Internet Explorer browser and the new design which is css (Cascading Style Sheets) based will display the best in that version of IE. Our new site will not support Internet Explorer 6. Less than 10% of our visitors, according to Google, use IE6, so this message is for a small portion of the members and visitors. That said, for those of you who use Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome - you are really in for a treat. Our new site layout has been optimized for those browsers- especially Firefox. I recommend using Firefox above all other browsers for not only security but because it will display and function the best in our new design. I will be testing Safari soon also as we have several mac users that access the site using the Safari browser. Firefox works on both Mac and PC.

When we do upgrade, it will take 4 - 6 hours to complete the process and the site will be closed during that time. (I will probably be holding my breath all that time too.. lol!) Closing the site is necessary because as I previously mentioned, almost every bit of code has been completely re-written and re-formatted. Our site will be XHTML compliant and will open it up to a wider possible support for other user agents (web browsers, hand-held devices, gadgets, etc..), such as screen readers for the blind, faster - more code friendly mobile access, and more. This is important since OrchidTalk is really a world community. We have members and guest that access this site from all over the planet and from all walks of life.

Anyway, I don't want to bore you with technical details, but did want to let you know that work has been progressing and we are very close to the upgrade.

One thing that will have to happen is that we will have to learn how to use the new features and the updated regular features. Posting photos will be easier - but very different. The buttons we are used to seeing as images, will be replaced with css rendered buttons. I guess I am saying that it will take a little getting used to the new format, but it should be fun and I hope to develop some simple tutorials to share before or just after the upgrade.

Okay, if you are still reading this, I thank you. I can't wait to share all the months of work with you all.

Cheers,
BD