View Full Version : vBulletin Switch
Jezebel
11-06-2007, 09:53 AM
The forum software is going to be switched to vBulletin.
Hopefully this won't be met with too much resistance...
Admittedly, this is mostly a change for my own convenience and what I'll be getting on the admin side, which is why I never asked for feedback. I wasn't sure how well this forum would do when I started it. This software was free and I figured I could play around with the source code as a project while the forum was growing. The forum has been doing too well for that though and all the time I have for it gets sunk in managing it. I guess next time I want a forum to grow slow enough to use as a plaything I'll start an ESFP forum. ;)
This will take place within the next week. Probably this weekend but I haven't set a day yet. I'll update this again in a couple of days with an exact time, but I'm posting this now to increase the number of members who see this message before the change takes place.
I already did an installation + import of this forum in a test environment and everything went smoothly. We will not lose members, posts/threads, private messages, custom avatars, or post counts. Passwords will be lost though, so you'll have to reset those when you log into the new forum. Please make sure your email address is up to date and working in case you need to have account details emailed to you.
I could have the chatroom setup while the forum is down if anyone is interested.
Any questions?
I could have the chatroom setup while the forum is down if anyone is interested.
Interested..
rwyatt365
11-06-2007, 11:28 AM
vBulletin, hmmmm. I like vBulletin - has some features that can be useful.
That's great. vBulletin is a much better format. Organization of threads is much more effective and easy to navigate. Good choice!!
I think if you had the dark grey and blue as the default setting then it would entice more people.
The default colour scheme isn't that great for lurkers.....
(People can change the colour settings in their admin panel).
Jezebel
11-06-2007, 05:53 PM
I think if you had the dark grey and blue as the default setting then it would entice more people.
The default colour scheme isn't that great for lurkers.....
(People can change the colour settings in their admin panel).
vBulletin only comes packaged with one template. I have a strong aversion to using the default vBulletin template as the forum's default though. However, this doesn't mean I take any pride in originality. So if anybody comes across a forum color scheme they like, I'll gladly consider ripping it off and adding it as an option. I also haven't decided what to use as the default yet, but I want something kind of neutral. I don't care if it's "boring", I want the main template to be functional and easy to read.
Color schemes only though, I don't want to deal with major template changes and having multiple image sets.
generalowk
11-06-2007, 06:57 PM
I've tested out vBulletin as an admin for another board, and thought it was pretty good. (Even though we never made the switch.)
Jezebel
11-06-2007, 07:12 PM
I've tested out vBulletin as an admin for another board, and thought it was pretty good. (Even though we never made the switch.)
My biggests complaints are that *the admin area could use better organization and the templates should have been isolated from the code better.
It will be nice having access to a lot of features without the need to install many addons though. Out of the available software options it is by far my favorite to use as a member, and on the admin side I'll be able to manage the forum more efficiently.
The change will most likely occur Saturday night since I will have all day Sunday to work on it. The installation + import process seemed fast on the practice run (maybe around 30 minutes or less?), but tweaking the settings and fixing broken formatting from the import might take a while.
cielo market
11-06-2007, 08:00 PM
Whenever you do make the switch, can you change the fact that avatars have to be re-uploaded whenever a change to a profile is made?
Jezebel
11-06-2007, 08:02 PM
Whenever you do make the switch, can you change the fact that avatars have to be re-uploaded whenever a change to a profile is made?
That will no longer be an issue after the switch.
Fissiongrid
11-06-2007, 11:15 PM
Love vB. Good job guys!
Jezebel
11-07-2007, 01:27 PM
I'm also putting all other noncritical forum issues on hold since we'll be switching in a few days anyway.
Jezebel
11-08-2007, 07:46 PM
More details:
Time: this Saturday, 5 pm
Expected Downtime: Unknown, but expect to be unable to access the site for a few hours. The actual import process is fast, but there are some things that won't import with vbulletin as it is set up. How long this takes to correct will depend on how much we can figure out how to automate beforehand.
The chatroom is not connected to the forum and will be available while its down. Go there if you want updates during the process.
rwyatt365
11-09-2007, 03:43 PM
More details:
Time: this Saturday, 5 pm
Expected Downtime: Unknown, but expect to be unable to access the site for a few hours. The actual import process is fast, but there are some things that won't import with vbulletin as it is set up. How long this takes to correct will depend on how much we can figure out how to automate beforehand.
The chatroom is not connected to the forum and will be available while its down. Go there if you want updates during the process.
5PM; EST, CST, PST, GMT?
Jezebel
11-09-2007, 03:55 PM
More details:
Time: this Saturday, 5 pm
Expected Downtime: Unknown, but expect to be unable to access the site for a few hours. The actual import process is fast, but there are some things that won't import with vbulletin as it is set up. How long this takes to correct will depend on how much we can figure out how to automate beforehand.
The chatroom is not connected to the forum and will be available while its down. Go there if you want updates during the process.
5PM; EST, CST, PST, GMT?
PST, of course. What's wrong with you people? I figured everyone already adjusted their clocks to line up with my schedule. If not, please get on this asap guys. Rwyatt, please go around and make sure nobody is going by one of those "other" times. Thanks.
qwerty
11-09-2007, 11:00 PM
Although I'll be at work or asleep it's always bugged me that no-one uses GMT to tell the time for all the international guests. I mean it's a google away for us to check your time but still :'( :'(.
So long as my email address is not public on the new forum I'm happy.
Jezebel
11-09-2007, 11:06 PM
Although I'll be at work or asleep it's always bugged me that no-one uses GMT to tell the time for all the international guests. I mean it's a google away for us to check your time but still :'( :'(.
I know, I'm a jerk. ;)
So long as my email address is not public on the new forum I'm happy.
don't worry, I'll make sure they stay private.
The Rose
11-11-2007, 03:56 PM
... Passwords will be lost though, so you'll have to reset those when you log into the new forum. ...OOOOoooooh. THAT'S what happened.
<goes to try signing in as The Rose>
OMGSH
I'm loving the new format *flying hugs Jezebel*
athenian200
11-26-2007, 03:50 PM
I don't really mind the switch, but I am curious about what made you want to switch for a few reasons. vBulletin is rather expensive, so I'm wondering what made you willing to spend that much. Also, you said you gained something on the admin side... what kind of things? More moderating assistance? Easier interface?
Interestingly, I managed to figure out using the reset password feature on my own. I saw that the software had changed, and that my account was still intact, but I assumed that something must have happened to the password because of the software change since I couldn't log in, and decided to use the reset lost password feature to see if that fixed it. And it did.
Interestingly, I managed to figure out using the reset password feature on my own. I saw that the software had changed, and that my account was still intact, but I assumed that something must have happened to the password because of the software change since I couldn't log in, and decided to use the reset lost password feature to see if that fixed it. And it did.
What's so interesting?
So did I.
What's so interesting?
So did I.
Yes, but your not a translation robot are you? ;)
Jezebel
11-26-2007, 08:03 PM
I don't really mind the switch, but I am curious about what made you want to switch for a few reasons. vBulletin is rather expensive, so I'm wondering what made you willing to spend that much.
I'm willing to spend money on video games, eating at restaurants, movies, books, and other hobbies that require supplies. Not that I'm a big spender (I actually tend to be somewhat frugal), but I don't mind spending money on things I enjoy now and then. My reasoning was that running the forum is a long term hobby for me, so I don't mind putting money toward it the same way I do with my other hobbies.
Also, you said you gained something on the admin side... what kind of things? More moderating assistance?There are a lot of options to automate tasks that I would have had to do manually before, and I'm a big fan of automation. I also have more control over the forum overall without the need of installing a lot of addons.
Easier interface?Not if you're referring to the admin panel. It could have been arranged much better.
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