Changing the forum software...

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How would you feel about a completely new, simpler forum?

New software is great, being at the bleeding edge is cool, especially if there's bugs. Lots of fun!
1
4%
I don't care what the system is, as long as it's easy to use.
5
19%
I don't care what the system is, as long as the existing content is retained.
8
30%
I don't care how the forum looks, it's the content that matters.
4
15%
I don't want to lose anything: the visuals are part of our identity and it won't be the same without them.
0
No votes
I would miss the old forum, but would be able to adapt to a new system. Change is inevitable.
6
22%
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
3
11%
I hate and fear change. I'll leave if you change it.
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 27

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Gambit37
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Changing the forum software...

Post by Gambit37 »

Hi everyone

I've been looking into upgrading the forum software. We're currently running phpBB 3.0.14 which is no longer supported, and should upgrade to the latest version (v3.2). Unfortunately, this upgrade is not fully backwards compatible: all our customisations would be lost, including Linflas' "ProScreamer" forum skin and several feature extensions (forum chat, spoiler tags, etc.)

The main reasons to upgrade is that the current version of the software runs on PHP version 5.6. This version of PHP is outdated. Applications written in PHP are now being encouraged to target PHP version 7.0+ -- it is more secure and more than twice as fast as the old versions.

This got me thinking -- do we still *need* to use phpBB? Is there anything better that we could use? Something more modern, lighter, cleaner, easier to maintain? (We only use a tiny subset of the features of phpBB and it's always been a bit overkill for our purposes). I've looked around and there are a few options, but before going into all that, I wanted to gauge how people would feel about moving to a completely new system?

REST ASSURED THAT ANY UPGRADE WILL PRESERVE ALL OUR CURRENT CONTENT.

So... please could you answer the poll above so that I can understand how you all feel about this. You may select up to 3 options. Feel free to add additional comments below.

Thanks for your time :)
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Bit
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Location: Nuts trees

Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by Bit »

If things are going to be really outdated, an ungrade is needed.
Just the week my Win-profile got somehow destroyed and it just gave me a temporary profile - deleting all changes at the end of a session... I could fix that, but somehow it deleted a lot of stuff in the registration. So the registration of my old VC-express 9.0 was lost too. Being registered at MS for getting the registration keys, I expected no problems, but oops - that link was dead. I'll shorten this: oldest version to get officially with key is from 2015 and for Win 8.1. Fortunately a few people have solutions... So - before we come in such a situation, go ahead.
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Saumun
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by Saumun »

I don't have a problem with it, but I'm a bit of an internet dunce... so it being easy to use is my main thing.
“Grynix Ernum Quey Ki Skebow Rednim U Os Dey Wefna Enocarn Aquantana” - Anon
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Chaos-Shaman
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by Chaos-Shaman »

Adaption must be first, loss of information sucks.
keep your gor coin handy
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terkio
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by terkio »

I don't care how the forum looks, it's the content that matters.
"You can be on the right track and still get hit by a train!" Alfred E. Neuman
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boyflea
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by boyflea »

Anything simple that cuts down overhead and makes it more accessible to other platforms would be great - but not at the expense of people's sanity. Let us know if there is anything we could do to help.
The stonework walls? Pristine. The floor? Level. The waterworks? Flowing. Central heating? The Dragon in the basement was grumpily heating the pipes. Lord Chaos consulted the blueprints again, looking for the bathroom. #playmygame!
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Sera
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Location: Stafford, UK

Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by Sera »

so long as there is no risk of losing content that has been built over the years, i have no problem with getting our software up to date. =)
Immortal Dungeoneer.
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Jan
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by Jan »

I voted for "I would miss the old forum, but would be able to adapt to a new system. Change is inevitable." I would really be sorry to lose Linflas' ProScreamer, it really is fantastic. But of course I understand the need to do this, security, technology, simplicity etc. must be preferred; and, as the others said, the contents is the most important thing here. I wish I could help you, Gambit. Is there any way a total computer dummy could help - except for staying out of the way? :wink:
Finally playing and immensely enjoying the awesome Thimbleweed Park-a-reno!
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boyflea
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Re: Changing the forum software...

Post by boyflea »

OMG: after all this time, you can change the look and feel? Yes, we definitely need a new forum, for dummies like me :)
https://www.dungeon-master.com/forum/vi ... 47&t=28077
The stonework walls? Pristine. The floor? Level. The waterworks? Flowing. Central heating? The Dragon in the basement was grumpily heating the pipes. Lord Chaos consulted the blueprints again, looking for the bathroom. #playmygame!
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