NodeBB v4.3.0 — Remote Categories are a go!

<p>We're happy to announce the release of NodeBB v4.3.0, which contains native support for remote categories, bringing better integration with other NodeBB forums, WordPress, Lemmy, PieFed, mbin, and other "group-based" implementors on the ActivityPub network!</p> <h2>What does this mean? :thinking_face:</h2> <p>It means that starting with this release, you will be able to "browse" to other categories simply by searching for them in your <code>/world</code> page. Just like with regular categories, you can "track" or "watch" remote categories — the former will show up in your <code>/unread</code> page, and the latter will also send notifications on new topics.</p> <p>Prior to this change, remote categories were rendered just like regular users, and there was some confusion over who was a user and who was a publisher.</p> <p>The integration with blog platforms like WordPress also mean you'll be able to use NodeBB kind of like a feed reader, with built-in notifications when new content is received. We're hoping to also extend this to support Ghost as well :hand_with_index_and_middle_fingers_crossed:</p> <p>Some examples of categories loaded remotely in this NodeBB:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://community.nodebb.org/category/fediverse@piefed.social">"Fediverse" on piefed.social (running Piefed)</a> — <code>@fediverse@piefed.social</code></li> <li><a href="https://community.nodebb.org/category/protocol@socialhub.activitypub.rocks">"ActivityPub Protocol" on SocialHub (running Discourse)</a> — <code>@protocol@socialhub.activitypub.rocks</code></li> <li><a href="https://community.nodebb.org/category/blog@vivaldi.com">Vivaldi Browser Blog (running WordPress)</a> — <code>@blog@vivaldi.com</code></li> <li><a href="https://community.nodebb.org/category/news@community.openbeta.io">"General Climbing News" on community.openbeta.io (running NodeBB)</a> — <code>@news@community.openbeta.io</code></li> <li><a href="https://community.nodebb.org/category/fedimemes@feddit.uk">Fediverse memes (running Lemmy)</a> — <code>@fedimemes@feddit.uk</code></li> </ul> <p><img src="https://community.nodebb.org/assets/uploads/files/1746044168915-da0f00e4-aeac-4b7b-bedd-8d20e2a7a7f7-image-resized.png" alt="da0f00e4-aeac-4b7b-bedd-8d20e2a7a7f7-image.png" /></p> <p><img src="https://community.nodebb.org/assets/uploads/files/1746044185736-9b2e5ab5-d2cc-46be-81aa-1e82057e0652-image-resized.png" alt="9b2e5ab5-d2cc-46be-81aa-1e82057e0652-image.png" /></p> <h2>Other notable changes in v4.3.0</h2> <h3>Chat allow/deny list :left_speech_bubble:</h3> <p>There was some desire for more fine-grained support for allow/deny lists for the chat system. This is now available in v4.3.0. Per <a href="https://community.nodebb.org/user/baris">@<bdi>baris</bdi></a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Leaving allow list empty would mean anyone who is not in deny list can message you.<br /> Leaving deny list empty would mean anyone who is in allow list can message you.<br /> If both are empty everyone can message you.<br /> Current restrictChat toggle can be turned into a toggle to disable chat completely.<br /> Upgrade script can add the users following to the allow list if they have restrictChat turned on.</p> </blockquote> <h3>Show number of topic watchers :eyes:</h3> <p>You are now able to see the number of users watching a specific topic alongside the existing stats (posts, views, etc.)</p> <p><img src="https://community.nodebb.org/assets/uploads/files/1746044917406-80bc61e4-0bbd-4dce-ab3b-6ab9df2eb1b1-image.png" alt="80bc61e4-0bbd-4dce-ab3b-6ab9df2eb1b1-image.png" /></p> <h3>Accessibility updates</h3> <ul> <li>Avatar background colours are now selectable via keyboard navigation</li> <li>Post drafts are now accessible via keyboard navigation</li> </ul> <h3>... and of course</h3> <ul> <li>Bug fixes and security updates</li> </ul>