Host move

[Justin B.]

OK, things are moving right along and stuff will probably be switched over in the next 1-2 weeks.  We will be upgrading to YaBB 2.3.1 and will try to make it as painless as possible.  Since DNS routes data/requests to the correct place (no matter if physical location changes) you won't have to learn/save a new URL.  Suraklyn is toying with putting a "donate" button at the top of the page so folks can chip in a few bux if they feel the forum offers them any real or perceived value.

If we move directly to 2.3.1 there will be some work on y'alls parts.  Here is a quote from YaBB:

"- In user profile, avatars, signatures and URL links have to be verified and re-Saved by ALL members."

I think if we upgrade from 2.1 to 2.3, import data, then upgrade to 2.3.1 we might not need to do anything.  I don't know if the hoster will do that or not but we are checking and requesting.

I will probably either put this old forum into "Maintenance Mode" when we move data which will not allow anybody to log in or maybe I can take the write permissions off the data files so people could still log in and look around but not create/modify/post anything.

More to come...

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Please tell Suraklyn not to be shy about the Donate button.

Thanks, again!

[aussie]

Ain't that interesting - I actually tried changing my avatar just two days ago - at first it was pretty good but after about ten mins it became so small it was pretty worthless - so I changed back - and I kinda like my 'black dingo' as trolle is wont to refer to him.

Hey Rob - a donate button? I'm a lookin' but I ain't a seein' nothin'.

[Justin B.]

We are in the process of moving the current forum contents to the new host/server so we can play with it and get the configuration straight.  As soon as that's finished we'll uodate it to the latest YaBB version, put this forum into maintenance mode, and copy the final data over to the new server.  The new server has a couple of gallery software packages that can be installed so we'll check that out before going live.

[suraklyn]

There's no button yet for donations, but we're going to implement some sort of PayPal donation option in the new forum so that we can fund the hosting services and other various forum aspects. Thanks!  

Everything seems to be going pretty smooth so far.  This should be a pretty seamless transfer once we're ready.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Hey Rob - a donate button? I'm a lookin' but I ain't a seein' nothin'.

aussie,

A forum administrator can put the button wherever he wants.

Another forum I am on has the link at the bottom of each user's information at the left of the screen, under the gender field.  
That confuses me, though, as I keep thinking it is a donation to that individual! lol!

[nhmaf]

Hey Rob - a donate button? I'm a lookin' but I ain't a seein' nothin'.

aussie,

A forum administrator can put the button wherever he wants.

Another forum I am on has the link at the bottom of each user's information at the left of the screen, under the gender field.  
That confuses me, though, as I keep thinking it is a donation to that individual! lol!

Hey, a donate button for everyone works for me, too !!!
 

[Justin B.]

I think I have the majority of the kinks worked out of the new forum installation and after your moderators (and a couple others) thrash it for a couple of days I'll pronounce it ready for prime-time and the switch can be made at Suraklyn's pleasure.  

I would estimate maybe 3-4 hours of down-time for the actual switch.  This board will have to be put into maintenance mode, the live data backed up, transferred to the new server, restored to the new forum, some file rebuilding/maintenance, and it should be good to go.

[aussie]

aussie,

A forum administrator can put the button wherever he wants.

Hmm - that to me Rob I think would be rather painful...

Yes'um - what Justin said...