# Forum Updates **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Tags:** forum, mailinglist, announce\ **Created:** [3 August 2023 01:02 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056 "2023-08-03T01:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [3 August 2023 01:02 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/1 "2023-08-03T01:02:16Z")
This topic will be where updates to this Forum are posted. This might be changes to configuration, addition of new capability or changes in guidelines or terms of use. It will act as a mailing list > [@Utilising discourse topics as mailing lists](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/docs?topic=236): > > How (and why) topics can be used like mailing lists. so anyone can watch this topic to automatically be notified when there are updates to the forum > [@How-to watch a topic (video)](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/docs?topic=792): > > About How to watch a topic on the forum and get notified by email if there are any updates. Who is this for? Everyone in the community should know how to watch a topic: there are a number of mailing-list topics that you will need to follow to be kept up to date with important activities. How do I watch a topic? Most of what you need to know is contained in this video: [[How to "Watch" a Topic on the Forum] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13sgFeSccm0) It is also [explained in the forum user guide](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-user-guide/95#topic-notifications-20). Please do not reply with questions to this topic. Either find an existing topic in #site-feedback or create a new one. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [3 August 2023 01:02 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/2 "2023-08-03T01:02:23Z")
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**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [3 August 2023 01:03 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/3 "2023-08-03T01:03:07Z")
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**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [3 August 2023 01:23 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/4 "2023-08-03T01:23:03Z")
# 14/07/2023 Changed default email notification to “always” to ensure mailing list style topic updates are delivered by default. Context: > [@Email notifications from watched topics (de-facto mailing lists)](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/email-notifications-from-watched-topics-de-facto-mailing-lists/990): > > As a community we are making [extensive use of announce topics](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/tag/wg-announce) as [de-facto mailing lists](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/utilising-discourse-topics-as-mailing-lists/236). Some people are finding they aren’t receiving emails with updates to topics they are watching, leading to a lack of trust in the idea of using topics in this way. In some cases an email might not be seen because it is caught in a spam filter, or there might be a confusion about what notifications are being referred to. There is also a 10 minute “grace period” before email updates are sent out, to give the … This may have slightly increased the amount of email notifications you receive from the forum. Before this change you would not be notified if you were active on the forum within 10 minutes of an update to any topic you are following. Note this is only the default setting. You can change your settings in [preferences](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/my/preferences) in the “Notifications” section. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [3 August 2023 01:40 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/5 "2023-08-03T01:40:34Z")
# 1/08/2023 Anonymous mode has been enabled. > [@Anonymous mode: What is it and how do you use it?](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/anonymous-mode-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-use-it/1041/1): > > About A description of anonymous mode, what it is useful for and how to use it. Who is this for? Anyone who wants to create topics, or reply to other topics, anonymously. Some [do not feel comfortable posting in a public forum](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/anonymous-posting/1032). Anonymous mode allows logged in users to assume an anonymised identity to post to the forum. How does it work? How it works is covered in this topic Note that the anonymous user id is automatically assigned, is unique to you (no-one else will be assigned that id), but… ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [30 August 2023 06:09 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/6 "2023-08-30T06:09:13Z")
# 30/08/2023 We have a new logo! Woo hoo! Thanks @NBateman-bit ![ACCESS icon FORUM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/1X/d8217396f46876e65685c86067b9f8c89d230627.png) This is to make it easier to distinguish the Forum from the main ACCESS-Hive website, so users were clearer about where they are. I’ve replaced as many of the previous icon as I could find (as it was used as a place-holder in many places), but if I’ve missed any please let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [2 September 2023 06:54 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/8 "2023-09-02T06:54:14Z")
# 2/09/2023 In case people didn’t realise this forum has mathjax support enabled, which means you can do LaTeX like maths e.g. On it’s own line \sqrt{(-1)} \; 2^3 \; \sum \; \pi and inline \sqrt{(-1)} \; 2^3 \; \sum \; \pi works as well. > **[Discourse Math](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-math/65770)** > > :discourse2: Summary Discourse Math uses MathJax (default) or KaTeX to render maths in your Discourse forum. 📖 Install Guide This plugin is bundled with Discourse core. There is no need to install the plugin separately. Enabling Math The... ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [11 September 2023 06:12 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/9 "2023-09-11T06:12:01Z")
# 11/09/2023 Post voting is now enabled. This enables stackoverflow style voting on replies: > **[Discourse Post Voting](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-post-voting/227808)** > > :discourse2: Summary Discourse Post Voting allows the creation of topics with votable posts. 📖 Install Guide This plugin is bundled with Discourse core. There is no need to install the plugin separately. Features To create a new topic... This has been a long-requested feature (ping @holger) > [@More Categories: Social, and Questions and Answers](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/more-categories-social-and-questions-and-answers/46): > > Hi I would add two more sections: Social, where people can discuss social interactions, and technical Q&A that could work similar to Stackoverflow. Cheers Holger I have turned this on by default for the #Technical category, but it can be enabled in any topic (see above link to Discourse Meta). EDIT: I have turned it off again for the technical category by default. I had feedback that this was confusing for users, as it has quite a different format. Note that any post can utilise this functionality, but rolling out by default might need to be re-thought. One possibility is to have a dedicated Q&A sub-category of technical for this. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [13 September 2023 12:14 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/10 "2023-09-13T12:14:15Z")
# 13/09/2023 There is a new field with the sign-up window to (optionally) select a working group to join. ![login_window](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/3/3c01d6d9a36de9ef44f689ed93f4474af00464e2.png) This triggers an automation to add the user to the selected working group. The idea is to reduce the number of steps required for new users. At this stage it is optional to select a working group, but it is highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [14 September 2023 07:37 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/11 "2023-09-14T07:37:26Z")
# 14/09/2023 ## Watching Working Group Topics and Categories As a follow-up to the previous update, we have made changes to facilitate on-boarding for the forum. The take-home is this: [join your working group!](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/docs?topic=470) If you do this you no longer need to specifically watch the announce topics, we’ve made it so that members of a working group automatically watch specially tagged topics (the announce topics). We’ve also set the default so that members of a working group will get notified of all new topics in their working group sub-category. This has the added benefit that you can then reply to an email about a new topic that have actions on the forum. Supported operations are: - `+1` or `like`: likes the post - `watch`: watches the topic - `track`: tracks the topic - `mute`: mutes the topic So if you reply to a new topic just with the word `watch` you will receive all subsequent replies to that topic. These changes, combined with the ability to join a working group when you sign up, are designed to reduce the barriers to users getting the information they need when they join the forum. ## Working Group Navigation Bar A section has been added to the left hand navigation bar to make it easier to find and join working groups: ![wg section](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/e/ee37489d1487661e15b9a3dff6006a33c38ea0b8.png) These are links to the relevant “About” topic for each working group which detail what the group does, who are the important people to contact, what topics to watch (less important if they join the group and this is done automatically). This is also an attempt to reduce the barrier to users finding the right place to go to join a working group. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [16 October 2023 03:09 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/12 "2023-10-16T03:09:40Z")
# 10/10/2023 # Reduced default links in left sidebar Responding to [feedback](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/left-sidebar-is-the-top-menu-useful/1438/10) the default links in the sidebar on the top left has been reduced to _Latest Topics_ and _My Posts_: ![default menu](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/4/4b61e9512a0e6e1689ae792a2e12714edcd226a4.png) Al the rest of the links are available if you click on _More_ ![more](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/1/1477a4e9a1705b08c7e49f8be5ae76a6ddf515ab.png) ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [16 October 2023 03:41 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/13 "2023-10-16T03:41:12Z")
# 16/10/2023 The [mermaid-js theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-mermaid/218242) has been installed. Mermaid JS can be used to create diagrams programmatically, and discourse will render them in your preview window to allow feedback and iterative improvement. Mermaid has a number of different built-in diagram types: ## Flowchart > **[Flowchart](http://mermaid.js.org/syntax/flowchart.html)** > > Flowcharts – Basic Syntax ​ Flowcharts are composed of nodes (geometric shapes) and edges (arrows or lines). The Mermaid code defines how nodes and edges are made and accommodates different arrow types, multi-directional arrows, and any linking to... ```mermaid flowchart LR A[Hard edge] -->|Link text| B(Round edge) B --> C{Decision} C -->|One| D[Result one] C -->|Two| E[Result two] ``` Code: ```auto flowchart LR A[Hard edge] -->|Link text| B(Round edge) B --> C{Decision} C -->|One| D[Result one] C -->|Two| E[Result two] ``` Another example with subgraphs ```mermaid flowchart TB c1-->a2 subgraph one a1-->a2 end subgraph two b1-->b2 end subgraph three c1-->c2 end one --> two three --> two two --> c2 ``` Code: ```auto flowchart TB c1-->a2 subgraph one a1-->a2 end subgraph two b1-->b2 end subgraph three c1-->c2 end one --> two three --> two two --> c2 ``` ## Gitgraph > **[Gitgraph (Git) Diagram](http://mermaid.js.org/syntax/gitgraph.html)** > > GitGraph Diagrams ​ A Git Graph is a pictorial representation of git commits and git actions(commands) on various branches. These kind of diagram are particularly helpful to developers and devops teams to share their Git branching strategies. For... ```mermaid gitGraph commit branch hotfix checkout hotfix commit branch develop checkout develop commit id:"ash" tag:"abc" branch featureB checkout featureB commit type:HIGHLIGHT checkout main checkout hotfix commit type:NORMAL checkout develop commit type:REVERSE checkout featureB commit checkout main merge hotfix checkout featureB commit checkout develop branch featureA commit checkout develop merge hotfix checkout featureA commit checkout featureB commit checkout develop merge featureA branch release checkout release commit checkout main commit checkout release merge main checkout develop merge release ``` Code: ```auto gitGraph commit branch hotfix checkout hotfix commit branch develop checkout develop commit id:"ash" tag:"abc" branch featureB checkout featureB commit type:HIGHLIGHT checkout main checkout hotfix commit type:NORMAL checkout develop commit type:REVERSE checkout featureB commit checkout main merge hotfix checkout featureB commit checkout develop branch featureA commit checkout develop merge hotfix checkout featureA commit checkout featureB commit checkout develop merge featureA branch release checkout release commit checkout main commit checkout release merge main checkout develop merge release ``` And there are many other styles. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [27 October 2023 05:26 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/14 "2023-10-27T05:26:53Z")
# 27/10/2023 The Category Headers Theme component has been installed and enabled > **[Discourse Category Headers theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-category-headers-theme-component/148682)** > > This theme component provides a number of enhancements for the Discourse category header. The ‘standard’ Discourse category header is displayed at the top of each category page, above the navigation links and list of topics. It is normally only... It provides a mechanism for configuring what information is displayed at the top of category pages. The end-result is that categories show a small banner with the icon and descriptive text, and sub-categories the same, but with the category name prepended. ### Category Example ![Category header](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/e/ebf59e4d49e987a72568cec783d9abe05a2ee989.png) ### Subcategory Example ![Subcategory header](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/access1/original/2X/8/8d31e0408668228345efa557068f671b53bce567.png) This provides more information about “where” a user is within the forum. This is intended to make navigation more intuitive. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2023 06:12 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/15 "2023-11-15T06:12:36Z")
# 15/11/2023 An automatic update means footnotes are now enabled by default > **[Discourse Footnote](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-footnote/84533)** > > :discourse2: Summary Discourse Footnote allows users to create markdown footnotes in posts. 📖 Install Guide This plugin is bundled with Discourse core. There is no need to install the plugin separately. Enabling Footnote The Footnote... What does this mean? \[1\] Or you can specify the footnote number and text separately \[2\] * * * 1. you can **have inline footnotes** 2. This style _allows for more formatting_ apparently ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [20 November 2023 02:59 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/16 "2023-11-20T02:59:09Z")
# 17/11/2023 Added links to the main topic explaining the ACCESS-NRI support model and how to get help and support through the forum: > [@ACCESS Help and Support](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/access-help-and-support/908): > > How do you get help and support? [Create a topic here on the ACCESS-Hive Forum](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/new-topic?tags=help) Tag it with #help. face_in_clouds Private help option (NEW!!) Prefer not to post your question publicly? [Write a private help request!](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/new-message?&body=%253Cdiv%2520data-theme-toc%253D%2522true%2522%253E%253C%252Fdiv%253E%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520Description%2520of%2520request%253A%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520Environment%253A%250A%250A%253C!--%2520NCI%253F%2520ARE%253F%2520gadi%2520login%2520node%2520or%2520PBS%2520job%253F%2520--%253E%250A%250A%253C!--%2520List%2520software%2520versions%2520if%2520relevant.%2520--%253E%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520What%2520executed%253A%250A%250A%253C!--%2520copy%2520and%2520paste%2520any%2520commands%2520and%2520output%2520in%2520a%2520code%2520block%2520--%2520%253E%250A%253C--%2520for%2520code%2520you%2520are%2520writing%252C%2520prepare%2520a%2520minimal%2520reproducible%2520example%2520(https%253A%252F%252Fforum.access-hive.org.au%252Fdocs%253Ftopic%253D843)%2520--%253E%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520Actual%2520results%253A%250A%250A%253C!--%2520Copy%2520full%2520error%2520messages%2520if%2520relevant%2520--%253E%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520Expected%2520results%253A%250A%250A%2523%2523%2520Additional%2520info%253A&groupname=Support) This opens a new private message with the ACCESS-NRI Support team only. Other ACCESS-NRI staff will be added only if the Support team thinks they can help address your request. What happens after you create a help request? 1. ACCESS-NRI help and community help (NEW TAGS!!) For fu… to the top left hand menu and also the top of the topic listing which is visible on the front page and in any category view. Did this to lower the barrier to asking for help and support. ---
**Author:** ![Aidan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/aidan/32/42_2.png) [@Aidan](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/Aidan)\ **Post date:** [2 January 2024 00:42 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/forum-updates/1056/17 "2024-01-02T00:42:06Z")
# 2/11/2024 The feature for setting a custom status has been enabled > **[User Status](https://meta.discourse.org/t/user-status/240335)** > > With this announcement, we’re making publicly available a new feature that enables you to set a custom status message. After setting, that message will be shown next to your avatar on posts, in chat, on your user card etc.: You can use it to... This allows any logged in user to set a custom status message, emoji for a specific duration, or indefinitely. This can be very useful when you are absent, on holiday or for work, sick, or just very busy.