The most common bug reported lately has involved strange error messages and losing posts - which is probably one of the most frustrating situations that a user can encounter. This week my primary focus was on alleviating this issue and at least reducing some of the pain points around this issue, and rebuilding the posting system to support some brand new features (hurray reward beneficiaries!).
Today marks the release of chainBB v0.2, which will be a series of updates focusing on refining the user experience and tidying up the code. Before we dive into that though, for those of you who are new...
What is chainBB?
chainBB is a discussion forum style interface on the Steem blockchain. It uses many of the same mechanics that steemit.com uses, but presents the information in a much different way. All posts on the Steem blockchain are available via chainBB, just as they are on steemit.com.
The beta is currently active and running here:
Want more information? Here's a few posts to get you started:
- chainBB.com - a blockchain forum platform for Steem (by @jesta)
- ChainBB - A Review of what may become way bigger than steemit.com (by @cryptoctopus)
- Diversifying My Steemit Experience: In Over My Head With Awesome ChainBB (by @prufarchy)
v0.2 - TLDR
This will end up being a somewhat length post, so here's a brief synopsis of the updates below:
- Post Rewards Beneficiaries is implemented for everyone now. You can specify a percentage of your earnings to go to any number of different accounts.
- When writing a post, drafts are automatically saved for that input and will automatically repopulate in the event you need to reload or change pages.
- Overhaul of a lot of the forum UI, splashes of color, and some shifts in backgrounds to divide components.
- The tags that each forum follows are displayed in the header.
- The post creation system got an overhaul, with a simple presentation to begin and tabs for advanced options.
- You can no longer remove the tag required to be in the forum posted from.
- You can now select whether to be rewarded in 50/50 SBD/SP, 100% SP, or to Decline Rewards while creating a new post. This cannot be edited after you post.
- When submitting a post, you can now cancel the processing interface and the draft will be saved while the page reloads/reconnects.
- Replies with negative vote values will now be hidden by default, and can be expanded to show.
- Even more new forums have been deployed - keep the suggestions coming, and I'm sorry if I haven't gotten around to all of them yet! It's been difficult to keep up with the demand.
- The best for last... CTRL+ENTER or ⌘+ENTER will now submit the post you're writing!
Forum Headers
The above screenshot shows the new forum header layout for the Sports Forum. The headers were redesigned to distinguish them from the forum posts listed within it. Each forum represents a collection of posts on the Steem blockchain that use specific tags as the first tag, and these tags are now displayed in the header. In the upper right it also displays who manages the specific forum you're reading, which for the time being, is the @chainbb account.
The sub-forums are also now bundled into the header of the parent.
Future plans for this include being able to expand/minimize the sub-forums, information displays involving the communities maintaining the forum, and any additional details surrounding it's use.
The new post creation display
As I mentioned in the opening of this post, the majority of the work for v0.2 went into refining the post creation system. The screenshot above shows the new tabbed interface for creating a post within a forum. The interface is now divided into 3 parts: Post, Tags, and Rewards.
The posting screen itself is the required information to create a new post within the chosen forum.
Posts now automatically save as drafts as you're working. If you leave the page or reload, the notification (as shown in the upper right) will pop up to let you know it's loaded one of your drafts for this post. The "Cancel" button is now "Cancel & Delete Draft", which will remove any saved data you may have left behind on this post.
Also, you can now press CTRL + ENTER or ⌘ + ENTER to submit the post you're writing! In my opinion, every website needs to do this, because once you get used to it you find yourself trying to submit forms this way everywhere :)
The Tags editor
The second tab of the new interface shows info about how this post will be categorized. By default, chainBB automatically includes the first tag (aka the category) based on which forum you are posting in. This category tag can no longer be removed.
Additional tags can be added using the box on the right. It's a little different than steemit.com in that you must enter each tag individually, then either press enter or the "Add Tag" button. This will create a tag label over on the left under "Additional Tags", and to remove a tag, just click the x to the right of it's name.
The Rewards configuration system
This is one of the most exciting changes (IMHO) of this new version: configuring the distribution of rewards from your post! This can only be done while creating a post, and cannot be changed after the post is live and submitted.
Since there's a lot to talk about on this part of the system, the next 4 screenshots will cover the individual portions and explain them in more detail.
Reward Methods
Just like on steemit.com, now on chainBB you can specify how you'd like to receive your rewards. There are 3 options:
- 50%/50% (Default): This is the default payout method that we're all familiar with. The author receives 50% of the rewards as Steem Power and the other half as SBD (or Steem, if the SBD debt ratio is too high).
- 100% Steem Power: This option rewards you entirely in Steem Power. I wouldn't recommend this currently, but the option exists. Right now with SBD trading well above $1, the community needs to generate all the SBD it can in an attempt to help balance the peg.
- Decline Rewards: The last option is that you can decline rewards all together.
chainBB will not remember your selection by default (maybe in the future), so you will have to set this for each post you wish to change. It will however save as part of your draft in the event you need to navigate away from the page.
Rewards Beneficiaries
On the right is a brand new system, the Post Rewards Beneficiaries system, which was introduced in HF18. This feature lets you share the rewards of the post with any number of other accounts, split by percentage. This is useful if you co-authored a post with others, want to donate the rewards to another account, or are supporting a community initiative and want to give them a piece of what you earn.
The interface itself has a few elements:
- The Add Button - When clicked, the interface in the next screenshot will be shown to guide you through the data required.
- Distribution Table - The table element displays the accounts you have configured to receive rewards. The account name is listed, along with 2 percentages. The first (larger) percentage is the representation that account's entitled rewards, and the 2nd smaller percentage shows the actual percentage after the chainBB rewards beneficiary split.
I've added some explanation text as well around the interface to hopefully help you figure it out as you're using it.
Note - the original author of the post receives a reward based on the Reward Method (as shown in the last screenshot), while all other authors receive rewards as 100% SP. This is something I'm pushing for a change to. I feel that if you're splitting the rewards of the post with someone, there's no reason they shouldn't be rewarded just like the author of the post.
Next up, when you click the purple "Add" button...
Adding a new Beneficiary
This screen lets you specify a new account to split the rewards with. Two fields are required:
- The account name
- The percentage to split
The maximum percentage remaining (100 in this example) is displayed below the form. This number represents the unallocated percentage, which by default, goes to the author. Adding any additional beneficiaries removes the percentage from the original author.
For the purpose of this example, I am going to enter the following information:
- Account:
paxmagnus - Percent:
50
Once added, it looks like...
Distribution Table
The distribution table now updates to show both accounts, mine and @paxmagnus, both with 50% of the rewards distribution. I could add more accounts with the remaining percentage to create a different distribution just by clicking the "Add" button again.
You can also remove accounts from the list by clicking the red trash icon. Currently there is no way to edit a percentage, so you'll have to add/remove them until you get the distribution you want.
This interface isn't going to check the validity of the accounts you've entered (at least so far), so make sure you enter the correct account names and percents. You cannot edit this information after you've created the post!
The Submission Loader
With the explosive growth of Steem over the last month or two, the public servers providing access to the Steem blockchain have been under load. This has caused disconnections, missing posts, and other errors that would cause this screen to get stuck.
So now there's a cancel button on it. If this loading page takes longer than say, 15-30 seconds, it's probably stuck and you're disconnected from the blockchain.
Hit the cancel button and the page will reload, and thanks to the new drafts saving system, once it's reloaded your post will still be there.
Please note that you need to reopen the form you were filling out (whether it be for a new post or a reply to someone's post) in order to get the draft to reappear. I don't have the interface setup to automatically reload which post you were editing (yet).
Hiding and Revealing "Low Quality" comments
One of the things that steemit.com does is hides posts when they get flagged more than upvoted.
chainBB now does this as well, and injects them in-line as these small dividers with a button to reveal them. Clicking the button will cause the post to pop in to it's appropriate position allowing you to see what's been flagged and hidden.
100% of the Rewards from this post go to @steemfest
I figured what better way to announce the availability of the new Rewards Beneficiaries system than using it. 100% of the rewards generated from this post (well, technically 85% due to the chainBB split) have been directed to go to the @steemfest account (as seen here), as my way of supporting the 2017 SteemFest event. @roelandp has done an incredible job organizing this event last year and again this year and deserves the support.
Thanks to you all!
I didn't expect to receive so much support when I set out to build this forum tech - and just wanted to say thanks to all of you participating. Currently around 150 users are using the site daily to write posts, and I have no idea how many of you are using it to read.
I have some big plans coming up after the core of the forums is stabilized and improved - 2017 is going to be an exciting year for blockchain powered social media!
Jesta, can we have a resteem button?
Yeah I should probably add that huh? :)
Added it to github for tracking
What a great set up this is! Thanks a lot for the updates and all this information. there are very interesting new interactive potential with this, I love it!!!
Namaste :)
Yeah - being able to allocate portions of your post rewards just opens the flood gates to a number of crazy ideas :)
I know, this is great!!! Thanks for all your amazing work, dedication to our platform and the sharing of it all. Namaste :)
thanks for the updates @jesta and great gesture with your donation to @steemfest
I agree, steemfest wouldn't be what is is without everyone involved. Also, thank you for the update... what are some of the advantages to chainBB? I've only read a little bit on it, but haven't looked too close. Thanks! upvoted and followed @jesta @jznsamuel. Keep it up!
Good
Very very very nice
Thank you! This was a much needed update.
There is still much to improve, but you're on the right track here.
I'm looking forward to the growth of this platform as one of the better alternatives for regular Steemit.
Hi thanks for this post. I don't understand why you have created this separate site for although I love all the features and UI. Will this help Steemit.com in the end or does it not really matter as the information from the blockchain is all the same it's just an alternative interface? Thanks
Just tried out, and the autosave just save me from force quit. ty
Keep up the great work Jesta! ChainBB is looking better and each day.
I'm looking forward to testing out the new features (when I get out of bed).
I agree good comment. The post is very helpful and will improve users experience. Thanks a lot @jesta
Thanks you for the detailed update on the new fork coming up and what it entails. I am happy to know that my witness vote for you is being put to great use. I look forward to hearing about other up and coming changes to the network in the future. It is vital to our success that we stay informed, even as minnows.
ChainBB seems to be a great platform to use guys. But my question is : " Can I create a category under any forum topic? ". Since I'm a french speaker, it would be helpfull to have a #teamfrench in order to post in french sometimes and be sure to be ŕead. I'm aware that french users are relatively rare and I would like to change it by promoting steemit and chainbb to as many people as I can reach out there. The bigger the community get, the faster the steem blockchain will be known by the crowd. Thanks for every minutes spent working on this project, so far so good ! BRAVO @jesta !
That's the plan for a future update! Right now the focus is on the core systems - posting, social features, the code, etc. Once that's all setup and optimized, then the flood gates open and the creation of categories/forums becomes available.
Great I can't wait for that 👌.
Thank you for your information on the latest chainbb system.I think chainbb is a great forum to let people post their own post here. It provides a good platform for those who have similar interest to have discussions in the forum. Therefore, I wish chainbb can comtinue to improve to let more steemit users to use this platform to post what they want.
chaimBB getting more and more promising platform. It is already amazing we can use Steemit via forum pattern of posting. The new rewarding system is also great, will be looking forward to how it works.
Way to go General J!
The Martian
Glad to see that how post rewards are distributed can be customized! (auto-drafting is pretty neat too)
@jesta , thank you for your consistency on tweaking and upgrading the platform. One question though, regarding the issue mentioned in the beginning with the posts.
I usually use steemit for reading (easier to search and see, at least for now) and chainbb to write posts. I think sometimes i get replies to my comments but i dont see them on the 'feed' on top right on steemit. However, when i click on replies and scroll down, i do find them.
I am not sure if it is related or not, it could be steemit issue and not chainbb issue. Thanks again for your efforts!
Yeah that's a steemit issue exclusively - that feature isn't baked into the Steem blockchain. I've got my sights on building something similar to that soon here on chainBB :)
These are some great new updates. I noticed the "save draft" feature last night which is so helpful. Also love all of the new categories to explore. Thanks for all of the work and the updates. This is becoming my favorite place to post.
nice work! and great idea to donate to Steemfest
Love the work you doing, thanks for helping the community. Any chance to change the name of the software to something more simple and more memorable?
chainBB will remain the name of the software, though the website specifically might have a different name at some point!
Hi @jesta thanks very much for these updates - missed this post yesterday.
Really good changes to the posting editor. And brilliant innovation of the reward beneficiaries.
One question/bug: when I add a beneficiary and save, I cannot see their % nor the del button. Tried in both Firefox and Chrome. Any advice?
Thanks again
Hrm, sounds like your browser is generating some kind of error when adding someone. It definitely works on my end.
Few things to try:
View -> DevTools -> Console, then add a beneficiary to the post. Does a red error show up?Thanks. I know what I did now - I wrote the username with the @ prefix. and that seems to remove the % and bin. Without the @ it works fine. Sorry about that... but I might not be the only one to try that.
Thanks
Awesome work as always mate, especially the beneficiaries splitting.
Is there any chance we could get a #teamaustralia section ?
Even just under the uncategorized group, till we get all the countries in here :P
Losing Posts Because we should be reading more, but when was the last time you got paid to actually read.... #STEEMIT
^^JUST UPVOTED^^
Fantastic updates!!
I truly appreciate active role you're taking in developing this! I feel this is the single best use of the Steem blockchain so far!
I want to use this! Love it. Is it safe to log into or is it still just beta and don't log into it!
It's pretty safe, the worst that could happen to you (if you use your posting key) is someone could post/vote as you :)
I will give it a shot!
wow, this one is looks sexy
thanks for sharing
really appreciate what @jesta is doing for developing platforms in steem..thanks alot by the way..
follow u follow me
Didn't realise there was something called ChainBB.
The revamp looks great!
Going to check it out now.
good information for all steemian and trader to make chance for future
I've tried using Chain.BB before but I don't see the point of having both chain.bb and steemit. Am I missing something?
I can only speak for myself, but chainbb organizes the content in such a way that it makes it easy to follow your interests. It reminds me of Facebook where you may keep up to date on certain subjects by joining Facebook pages. I've found so many people over here that I never even saw before on Steemit. Also I think new people get better exposure here.
One really nice thing I like about the beta.chainbb.com is that when using it on a desktop pc, by default the pictures show up much bigger in each post. Commentor's profile pictures also show up bigger as well.
@rangertx, @jesta, @applecrisp Sold! I will post exclusively on #chainbb for tomorrow and decide.
It's your choice on what platform you use, much like to use Twitter you can use twitter.com, tweekdeck, hootsuite, or any other twitter client. Each tool provides it's own pro's and con's, and you have the choice between them all based on your preferences.
Ahh ok, Maybe it's because it's still new and they'll update it's UI. I'll check it out again at a later stage, for now, I'm still happy with steemit.
Nothing wrong with that! We all get to be a part of the same community regardless of what platform we use to read and post :)
Boom! My thoughts exactly man. United the community will never fall.
congratz <3
Super app. I like it already and i ain't even start yet
nice post!
Thanks for all your work on this. I do go to the site to lurk and I post in the sports section from time to time.
good job.
Excellent work! You just keep putting out winners here. What's your secret?
No life, hahaha.
Well...if you keep doing what you're doing, you're going to have a very nice life. Your work is greatly appreciated around here and everything you earn is well-deserved. Many of us would be lost without the contributions that you've made so far.
Thanks @ats-david, the support from you and others means a lot to put this kind of effort into these projects.
ChainBB is awesome to use...Thank you for your hard work @jesta.
This community is like a magnet for all kind of apps and initiatives!
I used ChainBB to post on Steemit, but later there was some problem and it wouldn't allow me to post. Would love to check out the new improved version.
Wow. Thanks for posting this. I didn't know much of anything you were talking about up untill now. So guess I'm going back to 50/50 😋. Thanks for he info..
Going to try and start using it again.
upvoted .... so much information thanks for all you do :)
also resteemed.. how could I not .. great job
Good job))
It is great that chainBB has changed for the better again @jesta I also have seen that the hang on posting is non-existent anymore. Rock on!
It was very informative, for as long as it was translated by my translator. Thank you.
Hey, that beneficiaries system looks amazing. I will probably do some posts and help some people with some %! Cool!
Y de casualidad maneja bitcoins entre toda la plataforma o solo steems?
Thank you for adding the cancel button and drafts, sometimes the posts may get stuck on the submission and I would just lose all the things I typed and need to retype.
Nothing worse than that! Hopefully these two features make when that happen a little less painful
Very interesting. I'll definitely check out ChainBB. Thx for sharing.
It's always interesting to poke the post that was released by @jesta