Site overhaul

[Manderero]

Once again, we will be doing a major website overhaul...

This should be the last major overhaul to the site. We will be making it easier to manipulate by creating small 'widgets' and plug-ins that access the databases behind the scenes. Hopefully, this will mean that we can create new features more quickly and get them added to the site, since we won't have to manipulate the entire website back-end each time we want to add something.

I am very excited with this update, because it will allow us to alter how things work as well as how they look on the site!

I have some ideas for the main features and inter-activity with the site - but I could use your help as well. If you have any suggestions or ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to let us know!

[Malacon]

You guys are waaay too creative for this to be the last major overhaul.

Looking forward to seeing the changes.

[Manderero]

We will be utilizing Turbine's API-key that they gave us to 'grab' the item, quest, and character info from my.lotro. This will allow us to fill out our databases more quickly. We will still keep the 'flag as incorrect' feature for items - and we will expand the feature to include recipes, quests, and anything else that might not be correct coming from the API.

Hopefully, this will allow us to spend more time creating these 'widgets' and clever ways of using the database info.

Doing searches for more specific items - or even clicking a button that says 'find me an upgrade' to any or all of the armour you are wearing is one example of a feature we'd like to add! We'd also like to connect the dots between the maps, items, and quests. This should allow you to look at the map, choose a quest starter and see the quest that he/she is offering. Within that quest window will appear the reward items!

Turning back on the much-missed 'Request' page, which allows you to choose items that you need for crafting - or outfitting an alternate character - or any other reason you might have. Kinship members can view this list and help you out! This page will be expanded to include quests!

These are all ideas currently in the works... There are many more and I am excited to start seeing them appear!

[Malacon]

See how much I dont know? I thought y'all were using the API already. LOL

Some great ideas there. I can't wait to use your brain for my own purposes.

[Manderero]

I'll be needing some screenshots of every race that you can play in the game (Man, Elf, Hobbit, Dwarf, Orc, Reaver, Warg, Uruk). These will be used to dress up the site and help with some character styles we are looking at adding to the site.

You can post links, or email me the pictures at admin@lotroalliance.com

[Manderero]

Here are some images of some of the features we are upgrading or adding to the site:

The new site will be more visual and be built upon the database information. From there, we will add 'widgets' that display the database info in a more useful way than just obnoxious lists. These widgets are customizable and will allow you - as the user, to display only the widgets you want.

The new site will also focus on your character. The idea is to provide tools for you to use to keep track of your characters - or to try out new gear or trait setups outside the game! The base tool you will use the most is the toolbar, located at the bottom of the website. Those of you who have logged into the site, have already seen this toolbar - but we will be making some slight changes.

New toolbar: moved some icons and added new ones to make it more useful.

With the update, we will be making the toolbar more useful. Many of the icons will actually work instead of just sitting there taking up space on the screen. The idea of the toolbar is to help you keep track of your character information, so the links will go to pages to help you do that. For example, the 'trait' icon will link to a trait page for your character. This page will look very similar to the page in-game. You will be able to see all the available race, class, virtue and legendary traits that your character has available. From this page, you can drag and drop into the journal to 'equip' them.

We will be linking your character to my.lotro, so the site will automatically be as accurate as Turbine's tool. So far, the my.lotro only provides information on your armour and weapons. The Traits will still have to be a manual process. We will also allow you to create additional 'builds' for your character, so you can try out different trait setups or armour/weapon combos. The additional builds will show up as 'tabs' in the current Character Journal - making them easier to toggle between.

The new items page.

The database pages (such as the items, recipes, conjunctions, traits, titles, etc) will be more compact, making them less obnoxious to navigate. The idea, is that with a few clicks, you will be able to navigate to any piece of information you want to find.

Keep in mind that we are in the very early stages of the site overhaul, so things are subject to change. Overall, though, we want to make the site easier to navigate, more compact and a little more visually appealing. We are open to ideas - and will try to keep you updated as we go.

[Arquero]

Seeing that screenshot of the items page just gave me a cool idea... It is possible to 'select' rows with Javascript. I think that would be an awesome feature that you could select items to compare to. If you have nothing selected, it would compare to the items you currently have equipped (like in-game and like we have now), but selecting items will override (or maybe in addition to) and compare. That way you could window shop on the items page without having to first equip.

Oh, and tell your coder dude to get right on it!

Arqy

[Manderero]

Oh, and tell your coder dude to get right on it!

Hop to it, man!

...oh, and by the way, I got you last email and will probably change the 'database' pages to not have the header image. Call me if you get to that point before I call you.

~Manderero~

[Taliesin]

Looks like some cool changes! Thanks again for all the work you do on the site.

[Manderero]

I think I figured out a way to address the 'multi-result' recipes for crafting...

I'm still playing with images, but I hope to have something soon.

[Manderero]

I know there hasn't been much action on these forums lately - but I have not left the site!

We do plan on working on some new features - its just taking longer than expected to get started.

[Manderero]

I talked with Arquero - the lead site developer and he is still planning on working on this site. In fact, he has been working behind-the-scenes to develop a better structure for the site. This will allow us to grow with new updates and features.

More info coming soon!