DSA Website/Clan Revamp 2017-2018

Collapse

Ad

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • RaTix
    Emperor

    DSA Website/Clan Revamp 2017-2018

    Welcome to the new and improved Dark Side Alliance website.

    I apologize to the members for the extremely long down time, but I think the wait will be worth it. After almost a month, I have completely revamped the site. I've upgraded to a newer version of vBulletin, which comes with more features that were desperately needed. As well as some other features I think you will enjoy.

    Here are some of the major site changes to point out.

    - The site now allows for Facebook login, as well as "Like" and "Share" options for posts and topics in almost all areas of the site, which should make promotion of the clan easier. Once linked to your Facebook account, you will have the option to publish new topics, posts, and even events directly to Facebook.
    - The site is now also Mobile friendly, and can be viewed easily on most mobile devices. Keeping up to date with the clan and your squads (more on squads in a bit) and organizing events on the fly is now easier then ever. I have tried to layout the site so the most important features and sections are as easy as possible to access and view when using a Mobile device. The site will dynamically change the layout based on the size of the screen. So you can even view how the website will look as if on a mobile device just by adjusting the window size on a desktop browser.
    - The old Shoutbox has been replaced with CometChat. You should see the "Chats" tab in the lower right of the browser window, or you can install the Cometchat app on iOS and Andriod devices for an even easier chatting experience. For the app you only need the DSA URL, and your DSA account login info.



    There have also been changes to the structure and overall operation of the clan.



    - There are no more Battalions, they are now called "Squads", and are managed through the Squads section that can be accessed by the link in the top navigation bar (or the three line menu button in mobile view).
    - Squads can be created for any game, on any platform, by any DSA member (Stormtrooper and above). Squads are similar to the "Platoons" from before, but will now be the sole method of managing different games, small or large.
    - There are TWO main types of squad categories. Public and DSA only.
    > Public Squads are visible to Civilians and can be useful for games that do not require much secrecy in planning, or coop type games. They can be setup as Public (open to all to join), Moderated (group owner must approve user to join), or Invite only (owner must specifically invite users to the squad).
    > DSA squads can only be seen by Cadets and Above. The same options for Public, moderated, or invite only also apply here. However, DSA only Squads should be set to "Moderated" at the very least.
    > It is up to the Squad owner to choose which option makes the most sense for their type of game and squad. Consult with an officer if you need help in setting up.
    - The squads are also split into different categories/divisions, one for each gaming platform type (PC, Xbox, PS, Mobile). This also includes a new category for Mobile Gaming squads.

    Squads can be for any game, whether it is a large team based game, or even a casual co-op type game. The hope is to make the squads the go to resource for organizing any game you want.


    Ranks and More
    All rank movement, promotions and demotions, are handled via a user's profile page.
    - Civilians (registered users) can enlist to become a DSA Cadet by going to their own Profile page and clicking the Enlist button. The only difference between a Civilian and Cadet, is that a Cadet is expressing interest in becoming a DSA Stormtrooper, and can apply to join DSA Only squads.
    - Cadets can be promoted to Stormtrooper by any DSA Officer and above.
    - Cadets can be Dishonorably Discharged by Officers and above, preventing them from rejoining as Cadet
    - Cadets can be Honorably Discharged, allowing them to rejoin as a Cadet at a later time. useful for when Real Life situations prevent them from being active. This can also be used for a LOA (leave of Absence) type situation for all members. They would have to be demoted down to Cadet and then set as Honorably Discharged.
    - Cadets can choose to leave the DSA and go AWOL. This will prevent them from rejoining without an Officer adding them back to the Cadet Rank.
    - Stormtroopers can be demoted by Officers and above
    - Stormtroopers can be promoted to Officer by Command Staff and above
    - Officers can be Demoted by Command Staff and above
    - Officers can be promoted by imperial Advisors and above.


    Mobile Gaming

    I want to take a moment to express something and perhaps explain why some of the changes are happening. This clan was originally founded with one major purpose, to fix a major issue that plagued early online gaming. To have a place where like minded gamers can go to organize, plan, and get the most out of their gaming experience.
    As consoles entered online gaming, and the games became larger, with larger team vs team battles that required coordination, there grew a need to be able to organize and strategize with those you were playing with. Too many times had we all experienced the horrifying acts of a random public player, often a teammate, constantly screaming or making blaster noises in the headset. Or taking vehicle only to die 2 seconds later because they didn't follow the rest of the team or know where everyone was going. Or to have them leave a Command Point completely open after you just took it, just because they got bored and decided to go hump an inanimate object for laughs. Okay, maybe that last one didn't happen too often, but you know we all witnessed it at least once in our gaming lives.

    The DSA gave a home to those that wanted more. That wanted to work with a team that knew what they were doing, and knew what you were doing as well. A team that worked in unison and executed near precision tactics to absolutely decimate the opposition. A well oiled machine of death and destruction.

    While most of these original issues have been solved over the years by consoles adding friends lists and party chats (or games just restricting the hell out of squad sizes and communications), I notice the same need for the DSA in the mobile gaming arena. There are a ton of mobile games that I know most probably play anyway, that have built in clan or alliance type features. Games like Clash of Clans, or even Star Wars Force Arena for example, where coordination and planning can make a huge difference.This is why I wanted to focus on making the site more mobile friendly and added the Mobile Gaming Squad category.


    I think that about covers all the major points for now. If I think of anything I missed, I will edit it in later. There is still some tweaking and fine tuning to do, so please post any issues you notice, and please be patient and bare with us as we polish things up.
    Attached Files
    "POWER!!! UNLIMITED POOWWWEEEER!!!!!!

    "Tell me what you regard as your greatest strength, so I will know how best to undermine you; tell me of your greatest fear, so I will know which I must force you to face; tell me what you cherish most, so I will know what to take from you; and tell me what you crave, so that I might deny you."
    ?Darth Plagueis

    "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me."
  • TheRealHanSolo
    Officer
    • Jun 2008
    • 1927
    • DSA Solo

    #2
    Saw this on Facebook, love the new layout, bro.

    Comment

    • KuroiStar
      Stormtrooper

      #3
      Love what you did with the website! This looks absolutely amazing and I hope with the new game releases of this year, will bring more life back into the site as well :) Thank you for all your hard work, RaTix!

      Comment

      • Muncher
        Lieutenant

        #4
        I also saw this on fb. Awesome work.
        We are all gonna have to live in da woods some day, cause the government is gonna take our guns away.
        [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

        Comment

        • norm
          Imperial Guard
          • Jun 2006
          • 4051
          • DSA norm

          #5
          Ratix, this looks awesome. Great job man!

          Comment

          • Kamui
            Imperial Advisor

            #6
            Looking good!, I thought you self destructed the site out of anger! Good to see that it's back! I do hope that some people start returning.
            <a href="http://s11.photobucket.com/user/dsaBOSS/media/mui_sig_zpsdfb059b2.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a178/dsaBOSS/mui_sig_zpsdfb059b2.png" border="0" alt=" photo mui_sig_zpsdfb059b2.png"/></a><a href="http://psnprofiles.com/XxkamuixX1"><img src="http://card.psnprofiles.com/1/XxkamuixX1.png" border="0"></a>

            Comment

            • k1gibson
              Stormtrooper
              • Jan 2009
              • 1849

              #7
              Hey Ratix, website looks great.glad to see some familiar names it's been a while ! Ratix any chance of a DSA app
              sigpic
              "We have learned that power is a positive force if it is used for positive purposes."
              "Conquer, but don't triumph."

              Comment


              • RaTix
                RaTix commented
                Editing a comment
                Actually, yes. It's possible. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to work on it though.

              • RaTix
                RaTix commented
                Editing a comment
                "DSA Web App" is now available on Google Play store for Android devices. Sorry no iOS yet.
            • Reaver
              Imperial Advisor

              #8
              Website looks amazing ratix, great job man.
              " I need a beer "

              Comment

              • nd32479
                Imperial Advisor
                • Aug 2009
                • 1944

                #9
                Well done sir. Thanks for putting in the time.
                ND

                PS3 ID - x__ND__x

                XBOX Gametag - DSA x ND x


                ...So live, that when thy summons comes to join
                The innumerable caravan, which moves
                To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
                His chamber in the silent halls of death,
                Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
                Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
                By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
                Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
                About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

                William C. Bryant

                sigpic

                Comment

                • Andy
                  Honorary DSA

                  #10
                  The site looks awesome! Well done Ratix!


                  Comment

                  • RaTix
                    Emperor

                    #11
                    There has been some fine tuning and tweaking to the Squads and overall site permissions.

                    - Civilians and Cadets can now create squads, but are limited to 1. This way registered users and Cadets can create squads for smaller or coop games to organize. Or maybe even for a game that is not on any DSA member's radar. If the squad generates interest, an Officer might get assigned to help out.

                    - Moved "Star Wars: Commander" and "Star Wars: Force Arena" mobile games, from DSA to Public. Check out the games and if you are interested in joining our squads within these games, please request to join the squad on the site here.

                    - Other misc permission tweaks were done. Please reply here if you cannot access something you think you should be able to, or unable to perform any functions that you think you should be able to.
                    "POWER!!! UNLIMITED POOWWWEEEER!!!!!!

                    "Tell me what you regard as your greatest strength, so I will know how best to undermine you; tell me of your greatest fear, so I will know which I must force you to face; tell me what you cherish most, so I will know what to take from you; and tell me what you crave, so that I might deny you."
                    ?Darth Plagueis

                    "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me."

                    Comment

                    • Zabka
                      Imperial Guard
                      • Nov 2004
                      • 4956
                      • DSA Zabka

                      #12
                      Wow. Been a while since I have been on the site. Looks great.
                      You're the best! Around! Nothings gonna ever keep you down!


                      [URL="http://profile.mygamercard.net/DSA+Zabka"][IMG]http://card.mygamercard.net/community/mondoxbox/DSA+Zabka.png[/IMG][/URL]

                      Comment

                      • RaTix
                        Emperor

                        #13
                        Didn't realize until today it wasn't showing all new posts on the main page.
                        Swapped out the Activity/Subscription feed on the main page for "Latest Post", similar to old site. Click the >> button to jump directly to the last post.
                        The activity and Subscription tabs can still be found on the Forums page.
                        Last edited by RaTix; 07-20-2017, 04:37 PM.
                        "POWER!!! UNLIMITED POOWWWEEEER!!!!!!

                        "Tell me what you regard as your greatest strength, so I will know how best to undermine you; tell me of your greatest fear, so I will know which I must force you to face; tell me what you cherish most, so I will know what to take from you; and tell me what you crave, so that I might deny you."
                        ?Darth Plagueis

                        "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me."

                        Comment

                        • APAT
                          Honorary DSA
                          • Mar 2010
                          • 2268

                          #14
                          Holy shit! The site looks great. Nice work RaTix!

                          "Don't mistake uniqueness for weakness" - The Grouch
                          "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety" -Benjamin Franklin

                          Comment

                          • shocker101
                            Honorary DSA
                            • Dec 2005
                            • 1622

                            #15
                            I haven't been on the site in a while and I must say it is awesome Ratix!
                            sigpic
                            <a href="http://bf3stats.com/stats_ps3/shocker_101"><img src="http://g.bf3stats.com/ps3/97I76xWl/shocker_101.png" alt="BF3 Stats" /></a>

                            Comment

                            Ad

                            Collapse
                            Working...
                            😀
                            🥰
                            🤢
                            😎
                            😡
                            👍
                            👎