We're preparing for the next update to the forum which is due to land early next year.
A faster, more accessible DonsTalk
A major focus on the next upgrade is improving the everyday experience of using the forum.
There are several behind the scenes changes designed to reduce unnecessary code and make pages more efficient and faster. We've also been working on accessibility, making the interface easier to navigate for people using keyboards, touchscreens and assistive technologies.
Some of the changes you may notice include:
Member mini-profiles: These will open when you deliberately click or tap a member's profile prompt, rather than appearing simply by hovering over it.
Reactions: The reaction picker will open following a click or tap, rather than appearing automatically when moving your mouse over it.
Ratings: The rating options are moving into a more deliberate dropdown, helping prevent accidental ratings.
Password visibility: A new option will allow you to temporarily reveal what you've typed into password fields before submitting.
Mobile and keyboard navigation: Several controls are being improved to make them easier to use across different devices.
The aim is a smoother, more consistent experience whether you're browsing DonsTalk on a desktop, tablet or mobile.
Better tags and content organisation
Tags are also being improved.
Community admins will be able to restrict certain tafs to particular member groups. For example, official or staff-related tags can be reserved for moderators and admins, while remaining visible to everyone.
Members may also be able to suggest new tags, with suggestions going to admins for approval.
This should help keep topics better organised and make it easier to find relevant discussions.
More powerful events
There is a substantial upgrade to the Events functionality which we use for fixtures. There will be more detailed event pages, with dedicated discussions.
Other new features
Tools for sending scheduled emails following actions such as registration or joining a community.
Automated Fixture List and Matchday Centre Updates
We've been tweaking both the fixture list and Matchday Centre over the past few weeks.
Fixture List
The fixture list now includes an "Around the Grounds" live updating scores across the Scottish Premiership and when there is a Scottish Premiership team playing in domestic cup competitions. This will display even if the Dons are not playing.
Full Time scores "Around the Grounds" will be displayed two hours after the last match has played for the day. For example if there is an 5.45pm kick-off, it will continue showing the list of scores until that evening kick-off two hours after it has finished.
Goal notifications in the "Around the Grounds" fixtures as goals are scored across the Scottish Premiership, League Cup or Scottish Cup.
A match clock for each fixture in "Around the Grounds" section and Half Time and Full Time notifications.
Key match notifications for Aberdeen matches, including goal, yellow and red card notifications on matchdays.
A long-range matchday weather forecast during international breaks. The temperature will change colour based on the forecast temperature.
Live Matchday Centre
The goal notifications, date and filter controls are now pinned to the top of the screen so they are always visible when you scroll down the page.
Match cards are outlined in green when the match is being played and amber when the match has reached half-time.
Goal, yellow and red card notifications in the top header will now show the respective league/competition for the relevant match.
We are still seeing the odd occasion where a yellow card is not showing the player name in the match card - this is an issue with the match feed, and we are working with our data supplier on a fix.
When will DonsTalk be upgraded?
We're expecting the upgrade to take place early next year.
Feedback
What do you think of the changes? Is there anything you'd particularly like to see introduced or improved on DonsTalk? Drop a message below.
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We're preparing for the next update to the forum which is due to land early next year.
A faster, more accessible DonsTalk
A major focus on the next upgrade is improving the everyday experience of using the forum.
There are several behind the scenes changes designed to reduce unnecessary code and make pages more efficient and faster. We've also been working on accessibility, making the interface easier to navigate for people using keyboards, touchscreens and assistive technologies.
Some of the changes you may notice include:
Member mini-profiles: These will open when you deliberately click or tap a member's profile prompt, rather than appearing simply by hovering over it.
Reactions: The reaction picker will open following a click or tap, rather than appearing automatically when moving your mouse over it.
Ratings: The rating options are moving into a more deliberate dropdown, helping prevent accidental ratings.
Password visibility: A new option will allow you to temporarily reveal what you've typed into password fields before submitting.
Mobile and keyboard navigation: Several controls are being improved to make them easier to use across different devices.
The aim is a smoother, more consistent experience whether you're browsing DonsTalk on a desktop, tablet or mobile.
Better tags and content organisation
Tags are also being improved.
Community admins will be able to restrict certain tafs to particular member groups. For example, official or staff-related tags can be reserved for moderators and admins, while remaining visible to everyone.
Members may also be able to suggest new tags, with suggestions going to admins for approval.
This should help keep topics better organised and make it easier to find relevant discussions.
More powerful events
There is a substantial upgrade to the Events functionality which we use for fixtures. There will be more detailed event pages, with dedicated discussions.
Other new features
Tools for sending scheduled emails following actions such as registration or joining a community.
Automated Fixture List and Matchday Centre Updates
We've been tweaking both the fixture list and Matchday Centre over the past few weeks.
Fixture List
The fixture list now includes an "Around the Grounds" live updating scores across the Scottish Premiership and when there is a Scottish Premiership team playing in domestic cup competitions. This will display even if the Dons are not playing.
Full Time scores "Around the Grounds" will be displayed two hours after the last match has played for the day. For example if there is an 5.45pm kick-off, it will continue showing the list of scores until that evening kick-off two hours after it has finished.
Goal notifications in the "Around the Grounds" fixtures as goals are scored across the Scottish Premiership, League Cup or Scottish Cup.
A match clock for each fixture in "Around the Grounds" section and Half Time and Full Time notifications.
Key match notifications for Aberdeen matches, including goal, yellow and red card notifications on matchdays.
A long-range matchday weather forecast during international breaks. The temperature will change colour based on the forecast temperature.
Live Matchday Centre
The goal notifications, date and filter controls are now pinned to the top of the screen so they are always visible when you scroll down the page.
Match cards are outlined in green when the match is being played and amber when the match has reached half-time.
Goal, yellow and red card notifications in the top header will now show the respective league/competition for the relevant match.
We are still seeing the odd occasion where a yellow card is not showing the player name in the match card - this is an issue with the match feed, and we are working with our data supplier on a fix.
When will DonsTalk be upgraded?
We're expecting the upgrade to take place early next year.
Feedback
What do you think of the changes? Is there anything you'd particularly like to see introduced or improved on DonsTalk? Drop a message below.