Would You Like To See A Mobile Application For The Forum?

This topic has 18 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 12 months ago by Joe Chapline.

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August 2, 2011 at 7:36 pm #910226

Tim Kelley
Participant

The software running this forum has the ability to be used by a mobile client like a smartphone or tablet.

There is some more information on this here: https://www.vbulletin.com/index.php?do=mobile

Would forum users be interested in having a feature like this for when you are out and about? There is a small cost and some time involved in getting this up and running so we’d like to make sure it’s something people would want to try out. Do any of you power users have any experience with this type of thing?
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August 2, 2011 at 8:15 pm #928940

americancyclo
Participant

There’s a couple of fora that I’ve used recently that ask if I’d like to use their mobile app. I would use one for this forum, and I would also be happy to see a mobile version, since I’m not always in front of the computer, or might like to post trail conditions from the field.

August 2, 2011 at 8:16 pm #928941

acc
Participant

I can access this site on my phone now. In fact if there is something strange going on trail-wise I’ve pulled over and posted.

ann

August 2, 2011 at 9:13 pm #928942

Joe Chapline
Participant

@acc 6752 wrote:

I can access this site on my phone now. In fact if there is something strange going on trail-wise I’ve pulled over and posted.

Good to know. What kind of phone are you using? I don’t think vBulletin’s mobile suite includes anything new for mobile web. I think it’s just apps for Android and iPhone.

Any reports about how well the forum works on mobile devices now would be appreciated. It works fine on my iPad.

August 2, 2011 at 9:39 pm #928943

jrenaut
Participant

It looks fine on my Droid.

I have had problems with Chromium (the completely open-source version of Chrome) on Crunchbang Linux. I realize that’s a fairly obscure combination, but I haven’t had any problems like this on any other site. I can’t view uploaded photos, and I can’t use the “Reply to Thread” button. The little reply button on each post works, though.

August 2, 2011 at 9:42 pm #928944

SteveTheTech
Participant

I personally do not think a mobile version is really needed anymore.
The large car forum I volunteer as a mod for had a large scale discussion on this topic recently. Making something that would work with tapatalk and the other mobile based readers was not deemed to be worth the work needed.

Anyone with a semi smart phone should be able to render the graphics here.

I’m running Gingerbread on my HTC evo 4g and the site works great. Posts and edits properly.

I’m pretty interested to see what this awesome group a’ locals thinks

August 2, 2011 at 10:18 pm #928945

CCrew
Participant

Thought Tapatalk supported vBulletin?
http://www.tapatalk.com/

August 2, 2011 at 11:03 pm #928947

acc
Participant

I have an i-phone. In fact at least half of what I post is from the phone.

ann

August 2, 2011 at 11:43 pm #928948

americancyclo
Participant

It looks ok now on my Verizon Droid. I just wish the nav buttons were all visible on a single page. Also would be nice not to have to zoom in so much. Of course these are all “nice to have’s ” not needs.

August 3, 2011 at 12:05 am #928952

StopMeansStop
Participant

I really don’t like the mobile versions, especially the sites that want you to download an app just for their site when the native mobile browser works just fine.

August 3, 2011 at 7:37 am #928957

JimF22003
Participant

Not me personally.

August 3, 2011 at 9:40 pm #928982

hencio
Participant

A mobile app would be nice, but really, a mobile specific site that is optimized for the modern smartphone browsers would work just fine.

August 4, 2011 at 2:32 am #928986

DCLiz
Participant

The advantage of an app, presumably, is that it could be used without a wireless connection (like on Metro). I’d use it for this purpose.

August 8, 2011 at 2:46 pm #929059

Joe Chapline
Participant

@CCrew 6757 wrote:

Thought Tapatalk supported vBulletin?
http://www.tapatalk.com/

The Washington Area Bike Forum can now be accessed with the Tapatalk app for Android and iPhone. This is a very popular app that provides access to thousands of forums. It works offline, and is designed for small screens. On Android devices, you can create a widget to get to the forum directly.

After installing the Tapatalk app ($2.99) you can search for the forum by name, or go through their network hierarchy — it’s under Sports/Running and Biking. I’d rather have it under Transportation, but they don’t have a transportation category, and this is where all of the bike forums are.

I researched vBulletin’s solution for creating a mobile version (vBulletin Mobile Suite). Apparently it provides a way to develop custom apps, which we would then have to submit to Apple and Android Market. It looks like a pain, I’m seeing a lot of negative feedback about it, and there doesn’t seem to be a big demand. So we’re going to shelve that idea for now.

August 8, 2011 at 8:36 pm #929078

StopMeansStop
Participant

Do not like. Getting that annoying tapatalk message every time now.

August 8, 2011 at 8:43 pm #929079

Joe Chapline
Participant

Tapatalk Features

Using Tapatalk, you can instantly generate a map of your location using your device’s GPS. This might be useful for trail condition reports. You can also upload photos saved on your device. I’m trying it now, using the iPhone app.

Joe

919 Argonne Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
[IMG]http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=39.338219,-76.601947&zoom=15&size=480×320&maptype=roadmap&markers=39.338219,-76.601947&sensor=true[/IMG]
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