Quite likely Software change.

Discussion in 'Network Information, Suggestions and Feedback' started by von Poop, Mar 12, 2016.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Right.
    In an effort to avoid any of the (admittedly surprisingly few) meltdowns the last change engendered, I'm giving fair warning that there is a good chance of a software shift here.

    When?
    No idea. Just saying. The software itself costs roughly the same subscription, but the boss has to scrape together quite a few pennies to pay someone with a large brain to transfer things like the immense gallery effectively. THIS IS JUST A WARNING (Believe it or not, I quite like you lot, and think it worth keeping you as informed as I dare.)

    Why?
    Well... IPB has been 'OK', The backroom setup has some impressive nonsense that's kept the spam down and allowed a reasonably smooth ride. Certainly more secure and solid than our previous ragbag installation, which was built from a merger of several different forums.
    But... their support for non-corporate/amateur clients is sketchy, and the front end has remained 'spiky', in my view at least. Not all that great for the most important thing about a forum - the people who use it. Daft things like the cut and paste still not working 100% have still not been sorted.
    So, the Boss wants to change, and I have to say I'm completely behind him - You all know the slightly quirky posting system, but I wish you could see just how strange and counter-intuitive some of the background settings are.

    Who?
    Almost certainly Xenforo.
    Designed by the chap who made Vbulletin, and when you go to look up some tech query, it seems so far that the question leads to open, honest, clear explanations of how to deal with a given issue. 'Modern' front end, with very good opinions out there on the back end/ technical side.
    If anyone fancies a look at what a Xenforo setup is like, Arrse is the one I can think of that's a decent size and may be familiar to a fair few here.

    But?
    Yep, there were issues in the last transfer and we lost attachments, but it appears that issue was down to strange renumbering of attachments in aforesaid forum mergers under Vbulletin. That should all have been shaken out in that move, and hopefully (haha), the next move should be smoother on that score.
    Diane has shown cunning on transferring things like the abbreviation database to spreadsheet format, so we should be sweet on that too.

    Argh! Change!?
    Man up, damn you!

    So... This is just a warning (And possibly something I can refer anyone who chooses to kick off that "They Weren't Told!" towards :unsure:.. not that anyone would do that... ahem.)
    XF (Xenforo... do keep up), is a perfectly normal but smooth and friendly software. If all goes as it should, I think it'll be fine, and hopefully a bit nicer to use than we are now.
    Say again: No idea when - there are things that need sorting first. The boss is born-again determined to get us & 2F running as smoothly as possible, but please don't hassle him - hassle me. (And Owen of course. It's always fun hassling Owen, especially on things he really shouldn't be hassled about, and will only want to abusively refer to me.)

    Cheers,
    ~A
     
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  2. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Thanks for the heads-up.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    The other (non-military) forum I spend most of my time on changed over to Xenforo last year from a very old platform, and the extent of the damage was pretty much limited to some users having to re-upload their avatars and a few inter-site links not functioning correctly. I'd imagine (touch all wood in sight) that a transfer from a much more up-to-date board like this one ought to prove smoother.

    The interface for Xenforo is, I find, simpler and more intuitive, although there are a few additional chat-like functions that I seldom use or really see the point of.

    Fingers crossed and thanks for the heads up, VP.
     
  4. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Thanks Adam, we wait with bated breath
     
  5. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the heads up




    David
     
  6. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Ohhhh, software change. What could possibly go wrong?

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  7. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the "Heads up".

    Perhaps when the new software is installed I will get notifications again! ? !
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Any chance that all the pics that I uploaded with Imageshack and that were lost when we moved will 'recover'? Just wondering as you mentioned its the same of similar to the old place :)
     
  10. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson Member

    Obviously the same holds true for our Sister Forum: http://www.ww2f.com

    Fingers cross broken image links will work again. I miss Ron Goldsteins albums above all others.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    ohooh... :mellow:
     
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  13. papiermache

    papiermache Well-Known Member

    The team will win through ( see VP in charge, underground in Cyrenaica, Sept. 1940 - Feb. 1941 )
     

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  14. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Just a brief thankyou to A and all the Forum bosses for

    a. Keeping the forum going for so long and

    b. Spending so much time and effort in ensuring it survives as long as possible

    A very grateful ww2 veteran

    Ron
     
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  15. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I'm guessing not.
    We seem to be objected to by two ISPs that have objected to us before.
    Server side rather than software, though hope springs eternal.

    Unknown. Doubt it, but can't remember if the problem was post format there or pictures moving. Seem to recall I couldn't even extract the original images from the links.

    Uncanny. Now sweeping HQ for hidden cameras.
     
  16. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    If you go down in the woods in about a month's time, you're in for a... surprise of as yet indeterminate size.
    Will update closer to the event, but the dreaded CHANGE is coming.

    Don't be alarmed... I'm not predicting anything nasty in the woodshed.
     
  17. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Never mind the woodshed, I'm thinking Scum in the greenhouse...
     
  18. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    That's pretty dark thinking... :unsure:
     
  19. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Possibly a little grim. Perhaps a lighter film reference:

    [​IMG]

    Fingers crossed all the same.
     
  20. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    [​IMG]
     
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