Hi, this is just to let everyone know that i will be installing phpBB in a day or two.

The way i will do it is simple:

1. I will install it under another vhost, probably "test.maaca.org".
2. The current forum will stay untouched while we test the other.
3. Everyone will be able to join the new one to b**** and moan about how crap it is compared to eBlah and how it doesnt do this and that
4. I will try to fix it and implement all the suggestions to make it a forum we like.
5. Once all members are happy with it, i will move the eblah forum under "archive.maaca.org" and make it read-only. That way we lose nothing..
5. phpBB forum will be moved to themain maaca domain and be the only one we use from then on.
6. I am NOT planning to convert the userbase with a converter, i seen there was one a few years ago thou. i may give it a try but i'd rather start fresh.

If you want to have a quick idea of how a fresh phpBB install looks like, you can have a look at one i did a few months ago for testing purpose: http://www.flashtavie.com/forum

I hacked that one for leaderboard pubs at the top and bottom, ours will be different.

I'll keep you all posted then the new one is up so we can all start to brainstorm on how to make it better.

Sylvain

check out CGCC.CA/forum as well.. it's PHPBB  

if I can make a stupid request - please don't add the word 'forum' in the URL. Lots of 'net nanny' software block forums.

the current generic URL works just fine.

Quoted from sentinelking

if I can make a stupid request - please don't add the word 'forum' in the URL. Lots of 'net nanny' software block forums.

the current generic URL works just fine.

See #5 i will make EXACTLY like it was, even better actually, without that onlinehome.us crap in the url once you're logged  

Since we dont have anything else than a forum under our domain, it make sense to put it in the root, indeed.

If there's anything else, let me know and i'll make sure it is done properly.

THANK YOU for finally just doing something instead of constantly debating all the software stuff. I just want a MAACA that I can actually read and get on when I try.

Thumbs up!

ME

One dumb question that might have already been answered (I didn`t follow the b**** and moan thread...) will be need to re-register?

Quoted from medvet

THANK YOU for finally just doing something instead of constantly debating all the software stuff. I just want a MAACA that I can actually read and get on when I try.

Thumbs up!

ME

I diasagree with MedVet entirely....  I prefer a Maaca that isn't up when i have an important question or comment on B1's family history.  I would quickly grow sad at a lack of "Error 500" Screens...

Quoted from machine.slave

check out CGCC.CA/forum as well.. it's PHPBB  

Having no "portal" really sucks

Mike

Quoted from TwilightZone

One dumb question that might have already been answered (I didn`t follow the b**** and moan thread...) will be need to re-register?

There is (was) a converter for the userbase and stuff, but i think (i suggest actually) that starting fresh is a better option. (yes, interrested people would have to register again)

As i mentionned, the eBlah version will be kept, made read-only and moved to another url (archive.maaca.org) and you will still be able to read all the old messages and threads.

If everyone wants me to try and migrate the current stuff to the new one, i can try but i'd rather start somethign clean than bladly importing old crap...

What do you all thinks ?

Quoted from MrMikeman

Having no "portal" really sucks

Mike

phpBB has a portal I believe.. CGCC has just never really used it, I guess.  Probably because of the huge divide between Coin-op and Console people.  Coin-op guys would write the console stuff off as useless, pandering drivel.. and the console guys would write them off as snobbish, tight-wadded pricks.    

It's the circle of life, really..

Quoted from MrMikeman

Having no "portal" really sucks

Mike

Phpbb is more powerfull than you think... version 3 does have portal possibilities.

Check here: http://www.phpbb3portal.com/

Like i said, i will install something and then we will customize it to our needs. I'm a professional programmer and been coding for years, if the engine supports it, we'll do something.

Just keep in mind that my free time is limited, but we will move forward, i'm tired of talking about it

EDIT: I'm a programmer.. NOT an artist ! I suck at creating nice logos and layouts.. so i might need someone to help a bit.

/popcorn

Quoted from Azatotht

EDIT: I'm a programmer.. NOT an artist ! I suck at creating nice logos and layouts.. so i might need someone to help a bit.

There's lots of us here with graphics abilities.  I'm willing to help with the graphics if you need it.

Let me know what size banner or what ever graphic it is you require and I will submit samples for you as well.

Thanks to you both.

Now that the family is FINALLY in bed, i'll try to do something usefull...  

OK, so i have a basic phpBB installation done under http://futur.maaca.org

Please, everyone interrested to help build that new forum, join it and give your comments.

Try it, see what works and what doesnt. Try the things you would expect to be able to do etc...

I'll go by the list and try to fix/modify things.

Please dont pm me for everything, just post in the "Comments and suggestions" forum of the new site.

Thanks.

Quoted from Azatotht

Hi, this is just to let everyone know that i will be installing phpBB in a day or two.

The way i will do it is simple:

1. I will install it under another vhost, probably "test.maaca.org".
2. The current forum will stay untouched while we test the other.
3. Everyone will be able to join the new one to b**** and moan about how crap it is compared to eBlah and how it doesnt do this and that
4. I will try to fix it and implement all the suggestions to make it a forum we like.
5. Once all members are happy with it, i will move the eblah forum under "archive.maaca.org" and make it read-only. That way we lose nothing..
5. phpBB forum will be moved to themain maaca domain and be the only one we use from then on.
6. I am NOT planning to convert the userbase with a converter, i seen there was one a few years ago thou. i may give it a try but i'd rather start fresh.

If you want to have a quick idea of how a fresh phpBB install looks like, you can have a look at one i did a few months ago for testing purpose: http://www.flashtavie.com/forum

I hacked that one for leaderboard pubs at the top and bottom, ours will be different.

I'll keep you all posted then the new one is up so we can all start to brainstorm on how to make it better.

Sylvain

There is another option. That is if you are willing to explore it.

http://www.joomla.org/

phpbbs if the sysops (admins) want to set and forget with minimal maintenance.  joomla if you like to fiddle, tweak and expand the board into more of a CMS driven resource centre with a lot of researched sticky material and interactive features.

I think we generally fall into the first category, and phpBBS is more like E-Blah.

Cheers to Sylvain (Azatotht) for pushing this through while the rest of us were trying to best our high scores!  

Quoted from websherpa

phpbbs if the sysops (admins) want to set and forget with minimal maintenance.  joomla if you like to fiddle, tweak and expand the board into more of a CMS driven resource centre with a lot of researched sticky material and interactive features.

I think we generally fall into the first category, and phpBBS is more like E-Blah.

Cheers to Sylvain (Azatotht) for pushing this through while the rest of us were trying to best our high scores!  

PHPBB is more like eblah but not eblah. Albeit eblah is no longer!!!

Well this is it for tonight, created a few forums so you all can go nuts and try everything you might want to.

Thanks to those who already registered, have fun !

woo hoo!  I'll be top poster on there in no time  

Seriously though, I like phpBB.. very easy to use from both a user and an op point of view.  I've always thought eblah was very scattered and not very pretty to look at..  I do like the "quick reply" feature, though.  

So why on earth has E-blah apparently been stable the last day?

Quoted from 1

There is another option. That is if you are willing to explore it.

http://www.joomla.org/

Joomla's not forum software, it's a CMS. Used to create slick sites like THIS

Quoted from jonny_eh

Joomla's not forum software, it's a CMS. Used to create slick sites like THIS

You can Use Joomla for whatever you want it to be. Sales, dating, forums, video sharing, file sharing, picture gallery....... in short, ANYTHING.

There are so many extensions and  components it would make your head spin. However, I do think phpBB is a good direction for MAACA.
I was merely stating that there was another option.

Darn-

The test site is blocked at my work.

Hopefully it can be made to look and feel more like the existing site. I like the portal feature.

Quoted from wbradley

Darn-

The test site is blocked at my work.

Please give me more details (whats the error and i will fix it. I have no idea why it would be blocked and not this one ?

Quoted from 1

You can Use Joomla for whatever you want it to be. Sales, dating, forums, video sharing, file sharing, picture gallery....... in short, ANYTHING.

There are so many extensions and  components it would make your head spin. However, I do think phpBB is a good direction for MAACA.
I was merely stating that there was another option.

Yep, i already worked with Joomla and i want to stick to an easy solution (forum only). I agree it's a nice CMS and that is has LOTS of plugins and possibilities.

My time is limited (and so is my motivation  )

Quoted from Grauwulf

Hopefully it can be made to look and feel more like the existing site. I like the portal feature.

Portal is already in teh plan, i have one that i need to upload and configure.

I'll do my best to make it look like the current site, please subscribe on the other one and write all your requests/complains in there so i can keep a track and work on them one by one.

Thanks !

can you make to color the same? It's easier to read a grey page at work than a bright blue one

ok folks please sign into the new forum tell use there what you want from it. eventually we will have to shed our skin of the old and go with the new as we have outgrown what we have. it is a beta so we can take our time and shape it the way we want it is all up to you the users. go here http://futur.maaca.org/

Quoted from Azatotht

My time is limited (and so is my motivation  )

yup!!!!

Quoted from axe

I diasagree with MedVet entirely....  I prefer a Maaca that isn't up when i have an important question or comment on B1's family history.  I would quickly grow sad at a lack of "Error 500" Screens...

Wow did I miss someting? B1's history...the only thing I know is he looks like Bender from Futurama! According to auction dude!

So I signed up, loks nice, but when is the actual switchover? Or did I miss that somewhere on this tgread?
Damm spelling and beer dont mix , just wait till Saturday I get to barf on Geralds machines and blame B1

I'm there

Quoted from briguy

...the only thing I know is he looks like Bender from Futurama! According to auction dude!

That's not B1... that would be Cooke.

Quoted from briguy

So I signed up, loks nice, but when is the actual switchover? Or did I miss that somewhere on this tgread?
Damm spelling and beer dont mix , just wait till Saturday I get to barf on Geralds machines and blame B1

For the switch, it will be totally up to you all, members.

My plan is to build the best forum as possible until the switch. That means, as long as members are not happy with the new implementation, there will be no official switch, simple as that.

I've got a lot to look into, thanks to everyone who joined the new one and made comments on how it could be improved, it is much appreciated.

From now on, i will only post on the new forum for the updates, bug fixes, polls etc... It's already hard to keep up on one forum, reading 2 is near impossible, so if you want to be part of the decisions, please register over there.

Of course, i'll keep on posting and will start a poll eventually to make sure everyone is ready for the switch. Until then, keep having fun !

Thanks !

P.S. It is weird, did anyone get the 500 error after i started working on the new forum ? Damn Murphy's law...

Quoted from Azatotht

P.S. It is weird, did anyone get the 500 error after i started working on the new forum ? Damn Murphy's law...

Nope. Probably E-blah knowing it's head's on the chopping block and straightened up!

Quoted from Azatotht

For the switch, it will be totally up to you all, members.

My plan is to build the best forum as possible until the switch. That means, as long as members are not happy with the new implementation, there will be no official switch, simple as that.

I've got a lot to look into, thanks to everyone who joined the new one and made comments on how it could be improved, it is much appreciated.

From now on, i will only post on the new forum for the updates, bug fixes, polls etc... It's already hard to keep up on one forum, reading 2 is near impossible, so if you want to be part of the decisions, please register over there.

Of course, i'll keep on posting and will start a poll eventually to make sure everyone is ready for the switch. Until then, keep having fun !

Thanks !

P.S. It is weird, did anyone get the 500 error after i started working on the new forum ? Damn Murphy's law...

Here is my take on this... we will never get a 100% consensus, and we know it is time to move on to another forum base, so I suggest that we set a definitive date on a switch-over. I suggest that Azatotht picks a date since he is doing the work.

As for what is in it, and this is my view on it, as long as the same categories are there and there is a PM capability, we can work around that. I suggest that you all take a look at the new forum and make suggestions, because when the switch-over happens, all suggestions will be dealt with on a more long-term basis as we will be focusing on making it work.

So Az, pick a date and let's make it happen.

And as for re-registering, I can always do some automatically by registering you all myself... you would get an email asking to revalidate you account, but I figure I can do my part.

Quoted from Sparky

Here is my take on this... we will never get a 100% consensus, and we know it is time to move on to another forum base, so I suggest that we set a definitive date on a switch-over. I suggest that Azatotht picks a date since he is doing the work.

I agree with Sparky on this.  Big kudos to Sylvain for carrying this through and my appologies for letting my work get in the way.  Free hands off (or on if you want me to help administrate) hosting offer is still on the table - but let me know if its no longer needed so that I can reclaim the space I had set up for it on our server.

Thanks!

Quoted from Sparky

Here is my take on this... we will never get a 100% consensus, and we know it is time to move on to another forum base, so I suggest that we set a definitive date on a switch-over. I suggest that Azatotht picks a date since he is doing the work.

Totally agree with this.. you'll never please everyone, especially if they're French  

*runs away*

Allright, i'll give us a little while to polish the new one and announce a switch date.

Right now, the main thing is the portal. I am debating installing the plugin or not, because i think it will cause some issues with the templates. I will try it thou, as long as i can remove it after...

What do you all like so much about the portal ? I never use it myself, i always use the "latest posts" view...

Just trying to see if its that much the portal or a feature that you like.. might be implemented in another way.

I never use the portal, i'm fine with no portal personally.

I use the Portal view in E-blah exclusively as my entry into the site.  

It's the rundown of Latest Threads list that I find most useful.  Everything else is superfluous, although sometimes "Top Members" is useful and Active Users.  

The "Recent Posts" is a nice view but I don't use it as it's too much reading and too cluttered.

The only other "required" option that I would like, is to be emailed for subscribed forums/topics.  That doesn't work for me in E-blah now (which is why Gory beats me to the good pin sales).  Subscribed threads works, but not subscribed forums/topics.

Quoted from Azatotht

What do you all like so much about the portal ? I never use it myself, i always use the "latest posts" view...

Just trying to see if its that much the portal or a feature that you like.. might be implemented in another way.

The recent post is too detailed.  The portal shows just the titles so guys can choose to read or not.

Mike

Quoted from MrMikeman

The recent post is too detailed.  The portal shows just the titles so guys can choose to read or not.

Mike

Try it on the phpBB version, it does show the threads only and not all the posts...

Quoted from websherpa

The only other "required" option that I would like, is to be emailed for subscribed forums/topics.  That doesn't work for me in E-blah now (which is why Gory beats me to the good pin sales).  Subscribed threads works, but not subscribed forums/topics.

Try it its on onthe phpBB site, look top right of a forum/thread, there is a "subscribe this forum" button.. it's supposed to work, let me know if it does.

the "subscribe" and pm notifications features of phpBB work great, and they're instant.

I also use the eblah portal exclusively.. it'd be missed for sure.

Quoted from machine.slave

I also use the eblah portal exclusively.. it'd be missed for sure.

Can you please elaborate and tell me what about the portal is so great ?

Recents threads with posts (exists on phpBB), rest is just some random stats ? Maybe i can add what you like in a different way without having to install that portal plugin ?? Let me know, your opinion is important for me  

Actually i fixed the "View active topics" on the phpBB forum.

This does exactly like the eBlah portal and you can even decide of the duration--> Display posts from previous XX days (actually display the threads and not the individual posts).

Quoted from machine.slave

Totally agree with this.. you'll never please everyone, especially if they're French  

*runs away*

That may be a joke , machine.slave , i ' m not separatist . I was in Vancouver for 10 years and don ' t have any trouble with Shakespeare language, but it ' s not the case with most Quebecers and not all of us are separatists .

I know for a fact and was told by some "FRENCH CANADIANS" , ' cause after all , that ' s what we are , got offended by some comments like this one .

So , lets try and not get political here ...  

BTW , i got the internel error 500 yesterday on both old MAACA forum and new MAACA forum at the same time ...

I'm for re-registering on the new site....
1) It will get rid of the hundreds of inactive accounts
2) I can change to a nickname that I actually use...having to introduce myself in person as "Hippochrome" has felt really stupid the past few years  

Quoted from Hippochrome

I'm for re-registering on the new site....
1) It will get rid of the hundreds of inactive accounts
2) I can change to a nickname that I actually use...having to introduce myself in person as "Hippochrome" has felt really stupid the past few years  

And Hops is better

Yes, error 500 was all over the place friday night, on all the domains hosted in that 1and1 account (pinregen.com, mtlpl, old maaca, new maaca..).

So it is now clear that it is a server resources issue. I just dont know if it's eBlah causing it or not.. but once the server crapped out, everything goes down.

So now there's only 2 possibilities, either we move on another hosting (Websherpa probably), or get 1and1 to fix their mess !

Why not take what you have for the new site and dump it on another server.

WebSherpa has offered, Brock has offered, hell even I have a hosting site with unlimited space and unlimited bandwidth so if you want to use my site you can do that as well.  

Take the new site, dump it on a new server see if the error happens.

Quoted from Vengeance

And Hops is better

"Hops" is short for Hopkins...and allot easier to say then the many syllable "Hippochrome"
The other new user names in the running were "Hiphopapotamus", "Mr. Prime Minister", or "The Big Bamboo"  

Quoted from Vengeance

Take the new site, dump it on a new server see if the error happens.

Just turning the old one read-only might fix the issue, if it is the main cause...

I will go forward and create all the categories in the new site and we'll do a few days test drive with eBlah as read-only to see what happens.

Quoted from Azatotht

Yes, error 500 was all over the place friday night, on all the domains hosted in that 1and1 account (pinregen.com, mtlpl, old maaca, new maaca..).

So it is now clear that it is a server resources issue. I just dont know if it's eBlah causing it or not.. but once the server crapped out, everything goes down.

So now there's only 2 possibilities, either we move on another hosting (Websherpa probably), or get 1and1 to fix their mess !

I think our hosting would solve the issue, I spent a lot of time researching hosts for my customers to find a responsive service with good customer service, I've rarely had any glitches and those have been fixed immediately (not to mention answering my many dumb questions about hosting set-ups (we do both IIS and Apache hosting). I'll be passing on the parameters to Sylvain so that he can give it a try.

If hosting is free now, does that mean we can get rid of Google Ads?  

Quoted from machine.slave

If hosting is free now, does that mean we can get rid of Google Ads?  

What, and eliminate a source of revenue for the site's sponsor???  

Quoted from websherpa

What, and eliminate a source of revenue for the site's sponsor???

I thought it only brought in revenue if the links were clicked?  

Quoted from machine.slave

I thought it only brought in revenue if the links were clicked?  

No, actually, there are some advertisers who pay based on impressions (# of times it comes up on screen), but I think it's per 5000 impressions or something like that.  

Just to let everyone know, i've been busy this week with work and family + sick, so this is still in the plans but i havent touched anything this week.

Just a note ; Seems like the new MAACA ' s in the air , we dont ' t get the "ETERNEL" 500 error anymore ...

When (if ever) is this happening?

Quoted from Chromizone

When (if ever) is this happening?

  You only get to ask that question after you have about 1,000 posts.... then imagine how aggravating the dreaded 500 errors can get!  

It's still a valid question.  IT keeps sliding off my radar, as its a bit of a committee effort, but I think the big thing hindering it was what to do with the archival posts....

I'm so busy at the moment, this isnt in the plan for a while.

+ the 500 error is part of the maaca experience now, i would miss it if it was gone.