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Our step into the future - SMWC2 Open Beta

If SMWC is so good, why is there no SMWC2?

After almost a decade of planning and 2 years of development, I am proud to present SMWC2: a complete overhaul of SMW Central's code that introduces a new modern design with first-class mobile support, backed by stable internals that make it far easier to create new features.

Although SMWC2 has been in development for such a long time, it is still far from complete. However, this is the beginning of a new stage in its lifecycle. As of today, you can experience the new design yourself.

I would like to thank wye for creating the new design. SMWC2 was also made possible by Kieran Menor, p4plus2, and Ersanio, who pioneered the idea.

Joining the open beta
So, how can you try the new design?

To join this open beta, send a DM on Discord to bebn legg#0086, Tahixham#1111, or Telinc1#2670. There are no strict requirements - if you want to use the new design and give feedback, you can join! After I've processed your application, you will be able to select SMWC2 as a site theme from your Edit Profile page. You will also see a new Discord channel, #smwc2-beta, where you can discuss the design and suggest changes or new features.

Currently, the main page, sections (except the submission forms), memory maps, PM system, forums, and threads are among the pages fully converted to SMWC2 (other pages will use the current site design, called the "legacy theme", even when you've selected SMWC2). The new design also has three different site schemes you can choose from.

If I haven't already convinced you to join the open beta, you can look at these interactive demos of the Main Page and the Forum Index.

Future steps
At some point in the future, the new design will entirely replace the current theme. This will happen in two stages.

First, the new design will be enforced for every page currently converted to SMWC2 (see the previous heading for a list), while the other pages will continue to use their legacy designs. After this point, there will be no way to opt out of the new designs. The feedback we receive from this open beta will help us determine when exactly this will happen.

Then, I will start converting all other pages to SMWC2, replacing their legacy designs. Once again, there will be no way to return to the legacy theme for any page that has been converted. In the end, every page on the site will feature an updated design. The legacy versions will be inaccessible and removed from the site code.

We understand that this transition is a massive change. To make it as easy as possible and ensure that the new design is perfect, I urge you to consider participating in the open beta.
I remember having access to this back during my time on the staff team, and I am very glad to see that it has been under active development and is getting closer to release.
It looks great.
Owww, so exciting! :O
SMWC2 is finally coming along. Didn't expect this to happen so soon (well I guess it isn't really soon, but to me, it feels like it). Really excited to try it out. I'm sure there will be some people being annoyed by the new design for no reason (as is always the case with transitions like this), but that's to be expected. After over a decade (basically) using the same out-dated foundation, it's simply time to move on.

The new main page looks really sick. I also like how you managed to make the new design look modern, without making it look TOO different. It still looks very much like the SMW Central we all know, just somehow more up-to-date.

I'm interested in giving the open beta a try, but I'm not sure if I should yet. Knowing me, I might find it difficult to actually find the time to submit proper feedback. Would the open beta be running on the actual SMW Central database, or a dedicated database just for the test? I think participation only makes sense for me if it's running on the same database, thus letting me participate in the forum as usual. Only that way I'd actually get to experience the new design on a regular basis.
Feel free to visit my website/blog - it's updated rarely, but it looks pretty cool!
this looks incredible! modern but still faithful to the original site. im excited #smrpg{<3}

edit: just noticed that the p switch is no longer in the menu bar, so i can no longer support this project #smrpg{roar}
Originally posted by RPG Hacker
Owww, so exciting! :O
SMWC2 is finally coming along. Didn't expect this to happen so soon (well I guess it isn't really soon, but to me, it feels like it). Really excited to try it out. I'm sure there will be some people being annoyed by the new design for no reason (as is always the case with transitions like this), but that's to be expected. After over a decade (basically) using the same out-dated foundation, it's simply time to move on.

The new main page looks really sick. I also like how you managed to make the new design look modern, without making it look TOO different. It still looks very much like the SMW Central we all know, just somehow more up-to-date.

I'm interested in giving the open beta a try, but I'm not sure if I should yet. Knowing me, I might find it difficult to actually find the time to submit proper feedback. Would the open beta be running on the actual SMW Central database, or a dedicated database just for the test? I think participation only makes sense for me if it's running on the same database, thus letting me participate in the forum as usual. Only that way I'd actually get to experience the new design on a regular basis.

The beta runs on the actual smwc database, it replaces the site, basically
Been wondering when this would be unveiled to the world
SMWC2 is more or less one big fancy theme. you can switch it on and engage with the site as normal - most staff have had access to SMWC2 for well over a year, and many have been using it while browsing this site.

i also wanted to amend a little point regarding the applicants: you don't need to be capable of writing huge, in-depth feedbacks or anything. we are just looking for active users on the site who will actually use smwc2 while browsing, and if you have any suggestions you can plop them in #smwc2-beta. no pressure, and don't feel intimidated.

i should also mention that while applications are open to everyone and the bar of acceptance is pretty low (basically if you use the site actively you should be good to go), we may reject an app based on a users history of warnings or general maturity. i hope that isn't taken too personally🥺
I am interested to see if there'll be a legacy theme for all the OGs out there who want a nostalgia trip from time to time when the big jump occurs. It looks great, though i'd love to get my 2011 vibes occasionally.
I thought it said SMWCP2 and got excited for a second

allow shy guy emojis in post footers you cowards!
Very nice new site upgrade. I'd expect to use it from my Edit Profile button.
I'm so happy to see that SMWC2 is finally on its way to completion. It's really exciting that after all these years it's no longer a secret! It's been great fun making the design and collaborating with all the staff that came and went, not to mention a source of design experience. I'm proud to have been able to contribute to the site in that way.

Originally posted by RPG Hacker
I'm interested in giving the open beta a try, but I'm not sure if I should yet. Knowing me, I might find it difficult to actually find the time to submit proper feedback. Would the open beta be running on the actual SMW Central database, or a dedicated database just for the test? I think participation only makes sense for me if it's running on the same database, thus letting me participate in the forum as usual. Only that way I'd actually get to experience the new design on a regular basis.

Yep, it does! I've been browsing the site with SMWC2 enabled for probably a year now (since Telinc built it anyway).


 
how do i experience this beta when i cant use discord #smw{o_O?}
a
.mod's are kool
Originally posted by TheScratchinator
how do i experience this beta when i cant use discord #smw{o_O?}

why can you not use discord
my parents doesn't allow me to use it.#tb{''}
a
.mod's are kool
This came out sooner than I expected. Awesome!
It's easily the best thing I've done
So why the empty numb?
It's awesome to finally see the site theme in its final stages! I honestly thought it was dead for a long time, or that work on it would take ages. Happy to see that isn't the case. #tb{:D}
Oh cool. I will miss the Night Theme and the C3 8-bit theme but I'll get used to it. Things changes.
As long as the website stay as easy to use (especially browsing the ROM/RAM page by having all addresses on one page, browsing the various resources pages, and being able to disable custom forum post layouts) then I'm fine.
Nice job.

Question, in the demo link there's this at the top of the page :

Is it a custom search function for SMWC2 or just a google search bar (which add site:smwcentral.net when searching or something like that)?
Same for the language, does it launch the website with google translate? If yes are the languages available dependent of the web browser (as I only have choice between english and français)?

Wait I may as well apply for beta to get my answers.
Originally posted by yogui
Is it a custom search function for SMWC2 or just a google search bar (which add site:smwcentral.net when searching or something like that)?

It's a Google search bar that does exactly what you described.

Originally posted by yogui
Same for the language, does it launch the website with google translate? If yes are the languages available dependent of the web browser (as I only have choice between english and français)?

It's a real translation of the entire site interface (and none of the user-generated content of course). Currently, only French is available (in a half-finished state), courtesy of bebn legg. More languages will be added if someone volunteers to translate the site.