Welcome to a New Era - Introducing the new DonsTalk

[DonsTalk Admin]

Hi everyone

We are excited to announced that we are upgrading the DonsTalk community to a new version of our forum software this summer!  This isn't just a small update; it's a complete overhaul of how our site looks, feels and functions.

Our goal with this upgrade is to make the site faster, easier to use on your phones, and more fun to interact with.  Here's a quick guide to the biggest changes you'll notice:

Native Dark Mode

We now have a native Dark Mode built directly into the core of the site.

• How to use it: You can manually toggle between Light and Dark modes, or set it to "System" so it automatically matches your phone or computer's theme.
• No more blinding white screen during late-night browsing!

The New "TipTap" Posting Editor

Writing posts is now smoother and more modern.  The new editor is designed to be lightweight and "distraction-free."

• Slash Commands: Simply type a / to pull up a quick menu of options like lists, quotes, or code blocks.
• Draggable Media: You can now click and drag your uploaded images or attachments to move them exactly where you want them in your post.
• Floating Toolbar: On mobile, the editor tools stay right where you need them, making long replies on your phone less frustrating.

A Better Mobile Experience

The entire site will be rebuilt with a "mobile-first" mindset.

• Swipe menus: Navigation is now much more intuitive on touchscreens.
• Faster Loading: The code behind the scenes is much lighter, meaning pages should snap open faster ven on slower mobile connections.

Community Experts and Badges

We want to highlight people who make DonsTalk great.

• Expert Status: The system now helps us identify "Community Experts" - members who consistently provide helpful answers and earn "Helpful" votes.
• New Badges: Keep an eye out for new, high-quality badges appearing on profiles as you participate and reach new milestones!

Topic Summaries (for long threads)

Ever jump into a 20-page thread and feel lost?

• The new Topic Summary tool uses a smart algorithm to highlight the most important posts, high-value replies, and "Best Answers," allowing you to get caught up in seconds without scrolling through every single reply.

A Note on the Transition

Because this is a major "under-the-hood" upgrade, you will notice that the current theme will change.  We're trading the theme in for a much more stable, faster, and secure platform that will allow DonsTalk to grow for years to come.

Will I need to sign up again?

No - your existing username and password will work with the new site.

When will the change happen?

The process will start on Monday 6 July 2026 and will complete on Friday 10 July 2026.  During this period there may be intermittent downtime of the current site.

More on the changes

We'll be posting more information on the changes nearer the launch date.

[BigAl]

We seem to be going back in time here 

Process starts on 6th July and end on 10th June 

P.S. Great work DTA, much appreciated  

[DonsTalk Admin]

sorted.