miqrogroove - 9-18-2020 at 06:39 AM
It's time to start testing the next version of XMB!
Download it here: XMB-1.9.12-Beta-1.zip
The beta phase means we've progressed past accidentally dumping a 900 megabyte error log and trying to figure out how to read it. Now we are looking
for bugs that should be obvious and manageable. Just don't try to replace your whole incredible forum and expect it to work perfectly.
When you find bugs, they belong in here: https://bugs.xmbforum2.com/
Next, here is a general introduction to what happened since 1.9.11.15.
New files you'll see:
css.php
lost.php
quarantine.php
trust.pem
images/davis/bb_youtube.gif
include/sessions.inc.php
include/sql.inc.php
include/tokens.inc.php
And some files you'll be missing:
db/mysql.php
include/attach-admin.inc.php
You might have guessed this all means feature changes. 
CSS now lives in a tidy link instead of the old inline mess.
Password resets now require you to receive and click on an emailed link before any changes can be made.
The former Moderation hack is now the shiny new Quarantine Panel for keeping an eye on new members.
A small package of public certificates is provided for optionally connecting with Google (more on that later).
YouTube BBcode is now built in!
The new Session Manager works seamlessly behind the scenes to take care of your password when you log in.
Some of the database commands have started to move into a separate file to make things more organized.
Tokens (tehcnically nonces, but XMB always used the term 'token') now have their own table to live in.
The old MySQL driver is no longer in use now that everything is switched over to mysqli.
Attachment functions have all moved into a single file instead of having two of them.
Administration Panel
Now let's go over some of the toys that need testing.
Settings / Modules / COPPA Compliancy Status
The COPPA feature has been completely re-designed. If you turn it on, new users will be asked their age instead of being bombarded by legal mumbo
jumbo.
Settings / Cosmetic Options / Show moderator logs when viewing threads?
Now defaults to "Off" and can be switched in an instant.
Settings / Front Page Options / Code Language in Newsticker
I'm not sure anyone realized the Newsticker was fully HTML and BBcode enabled in older versions. Now you get a choice, and know what to expect.
There's also this nice new category named Front Page Options to help with organization.
Settings / User Control / New User Quarantine
This is the BIG new switch. You turn this on, and you get god power over all new users. Their posts automatically divert into a whole separate set
of tables where nobody can see them until a Super Moderator or admin approves them. This also catches anonymous posts, if those are enabled.
Thirdly, this enforces "Optional fields on registration status" for members who haven't been approved yet. No more drive-by profile edits!
Settings / User Control / Hide Banned Members
You banned those bots for good reason. Why do they still live in your member list and stats? Click this on so they can't clutter your site.
Settings / Other / HTML in Sigs
This was a joke, right? This setting has been removed to help us all sleep at night.
Settings / Other / Default TimeZone
The time zone list has been somewhat updated to at least cover all of the existing time zones.
Settings / 3rd-Party Features / Use Google reCAPTCHA for Registration
Show those bots you're serious by registering an API key with Google. It's free. You copy and paste two things into the XMB settings, flip the
switch On, click Submit, and you're done. Now the first step in registration is clicking around the little captcha challenge. Humans can get
through. Bots tend to go away.
Forums / Forum Options / Allow HTML
This setting has been removed. It was never safe, and we have better ways to post custom content.
Templates
Well, they've changed. Have a look around. If you are including the CSS template on any customized pages, you'll need to stop doing that.
Translations
The English file was long overdue for updates and additions. Setting up a new branch of language files for 1.9.12 will be the next priority.
User Control Panel
Edit Profile / Subscribe to replies by default?
Save some clicks by having your subscription box ticked for you.
Devices
Forgot to logout from your friend's computer? Now you can delete your sessions from the server!
Login
Trust This Device
Now when you log in, you have to check this box to save your session. And the description is much easier to read.