Guide to Using Xenforo 2.1

[support]

Following the April 2019 upgrade to Xenforo 2.1, this thread will explain many of the ins and outs of using the site. It is written from the standpoint that many members are already accustomed to Xenforo software and will focus on changes between the two systems. For a more thorough overview if you are coming from a different forum please see the September 2017 thread.

Index (please click):

• Choosing a style
• Bookmarks
• Reactions
• Push Notifications

 

[support]

One of the most visual changes coming to Xenforo 2.1 is that we have chosen a new default style. The style affects the look and feel of various parts of the page. It can be customised to account for a variety of user preferences in this version of Xenforo by way of a toggle found in the upper right corner of the page. If however you would like to remain on a style you know, "AFF Style (Classic)" remains available for you to switch to, from a link at the bottom left hand corner of every page (or here).


Style Chooser


Comparison between 2 styles side-by-side (default on the left and classic on the right)


Customise button


Customise menu

In addition to the above options on a desktop, the customise menu on a mobile device has a setting to enable or disable a Mobile Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen, that provides functionality similar to that of a native app.

 

[support]

The User CP remains in the same place, but you may notice it is now more compact. The same functions remain however, and there are even some new ones, such as "Bookmarks", that allow you to save individual posts to a list for easy recall later. This can be a simpler way to save critical information than watching a whole thread.


User CP


Bookmark in Post

The bookmark icon in a post enables you to tag the bookmark with useful information for later recall. When it is saved, it will appear in your User CP for easy access.


Bookmark in User CP

 

[support]

Post Ratings have been removed, with "Agree", "Funny", "Winner", "Informative" and "Hugs" ratings disappearing from members posts and tallies. The only rating that has survived the upgrade have been any existing "Likes" as this was a standard function. This is unfortunate, but going forward a new "Reactions" functionality has been introduced, with similar expressions. In time, this may be expanded.


Reactions that come standard with Xenforo 2.1

 

[support]

I am pleased to announce that Push Notifications are a part of Xenforo 2.1 for non-iOS devices and any browser not running webkit (Safari) on Mac OS. The reasons for this limitation are that the Xenforo push notifications rely on an open standard that Apple has yet to adopt. For everyone else, rejoice in a new way to receive notifications to your activity on AFF, if you so wish.


If navigating to AFF from a supported system/browser, you should be prompted with an invitation to turn them on.


This may then take on the form of a pop-up similar to this.


Push Notification options can be found in your User CP under Preferences (link).