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Post by Ъøhïcâ on Jun 3, 2008 8:41:54 GMT -5
Ryan has finally realized that relying on Proboards to host our forum is not in the best interest of our community. To that end, over the next couple weeks, I will be choosing and installing new forum software. All posts on this site will remain here, and we will basically be starting over. We will keep a link to this site available for reference, however, you will no longer be able to add new posts to the proboards site as we will be locking down all threads. If anyone has a recommendation for new forum software, please post it here. However, keep in mind that the new software MUST be written in ASP.NET. Those of you who are used to vBulletin should note that PHP is very insecure, is prone to hacks and spam and, in my opinion, is NOT a viable option for us. Also, if there are any features you would like to see added to the new forum, please let me know and I'll code them in. Right now, I have the choice narrowed down to a short list of vendors. They are: www.yetanotherforum.net/forum.snitz.com/ - I'll have to add upload capabilities, but that code's already written www.fusetalk.com/www.idealscience.com/site/products/idealbb.net.aspxYour input on this matter would be appreciated. |
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Post by TOO EZ on Jun 3, 2008 18:01:35 GMT -5
I must agree with Bohica post.
For almost a year now we have been discussing changing software and my BIGGEST issue with changing the software has been:
- Members signing back up
- Posts will be lost.
Last year at this time we had about 180 +/- active members. I do go through our user list and DELETE people that have not logged on in 6 months. To date we are around 300 +/- members. The more we continue to use Proboards the MORE of a problem it will be for us as the forum slowly grows.
What I mean by problem is - Various softwares offer a migration between software. So, if areleady used ABC company - we could make a switch to XYZ company and NEVER have to have our members sign back up again.
That being said, we must pick a software than can and will do that so this will be the LAST TIME this ever happens. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the forum would have grown to almost 19,000 posts. Seriously.
And, in hindsight - You get what you pay for! And the "Forum Software" has cost us Nothing. Hosting the home page cost us a few bucks and the purchase of the Picture Gallery software cost a couple bucks. When its all said and done (I think - correct me if I am wrong Bohica) if we pick a software it will cost around $200-$300 for a license agreement w/ yearly renewals in around $30-$50 per year.
We are a small community of friends and family and wish to remain a tigh knit community therefore, I think the SWITCH will be much easier for all of us with the Spirit of Friendship and Camaraderie in mind.
So, to answer your Question Bob my requirements are very simple.
(a) I want this to be the LAST TIME we Ever ask someone to sign up.
(b) I want uploading pictures to be much easier!
Some members don't know how to use the picture forum and often forget to put the IMG w/ brackets OR get confused in how they use it. I hate to say this but, I will..... SF has a very EZ option when it comes to uploading pictures.
(c) I still want a Cesspool for limited access.
(d) I still want to promote the local B&T shops along with anyone else wanting some Free Promo.
Lets keep in mind that we are a TEAM and EVERYONES input shall be noted!!! It's not my place... it's our place.
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Post by Daddys Toy on Jun 3, 2008 18:47:17 GMT -5
Another signup would be nice  I can fumble through but easier picture uploading would be cool BUT, I still like the set up of enabling through password only by you or Bohica Cesspool is cool. I may actually have time soon to start posting on a regular basis.  B&T promoting-YES. There's a few stores up my way that take good care of me. BH gets some good service from his places, etc... I'll think some more Thresher fishing Thursday.  ;D |
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Post by Daddys Toy on Jun 4, 2008 4:53:56 GMT -5
Kind of a shame, you're 460,000+ hits. Wouldn't be too long to hit the half mil mark. |
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Post by Ъøhïcâ on Jun 4, 2008 7:26:03 GMT -5
I've downloaded a copy of www.yetanotherforum.net/ 's product. It has a very similar look and feel of what we're used to. I was able to modify the New Post/Reply page and insert the upload controls that I built for this site. You still have to cut and paste the IMG tags into your post, but I don't think that's a big deal. I'll work on inserting uploaded pictures directly into the post later. It's nice having the source code. I can do ANY modification we want. Alot of the other vendors only ship .DLL's and short of reverse engineering the binaries, which is possible, but a pain in the ass, modification would be difficult if not impossible. Therefore, I vote we go YAF. I'll put a copy up on DMF, and we'll take a test drive. |
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;D