Forum Announcement

Wobbly Goblin · 10-03-2007, 09:23 AM

Just a quick note to let you know that I'm looking into changing the forum software we're currently using. I selected this particular software because I've used it for several years on other projects. Unfortunately it's no longer in development and therefore lacks support, which makes it a poor long term choice.

That said, our new forum will likely be written in PHP, which is a language that I have very little experience with. However I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to incorporate many of the features that we currently enjoy here.

I'll let you know when we get closer to making the switch.

Wobbly Goblin · 10-05-2007, 07:32 AM

I've looked at a number of different forums over the last few days and I've found two that seem to stand above the rest.

1. vBulletin has the best editor that I've ever seen. It also has a feature that will remind members when a particular calendar event is close. For example, you can tell it to remind you when something is scheduled to start in 1 hour or whatever time you select. The software will also automatically re-size attachments, so we don't have to deal with individuals that insist on posting huge pictures that distort the over-all look of the site. There's also a feature that will import all the data from this site, so we'd only loose the stuff that I wrote (birthdays, buddy & game lists). On the negative side there's no photo album and no way to add individual game icons to the left of each forum as well do here.

2. Simple Machines has a really good editor, not as good as vBulletin's...but much better then ours. It's calendar is very similar to ours and it has a photo album as well. Like vBulletin, the software does automatically re-size attachments and photo albums pictures...that's a big plus in my opinion. On the negative side there's no way to import our data, so we'd loose everything and there's no way to add individual game icons to the left of each forum.

TreeTopFlyer · 10-05-2007, 07:46 AM

My humble opinion (if anyone wants to listen):</p>

Re-sizing the pics is cool and smart. The sidebar icons don't make the forum. Importing all the data here isn't going to stop the membership. This site is so new I think we could all either repost what we think might be necessay or simply forget about it. Either choice sounds good. I would opt for Simple Machine simply because an album is a useful tool to promote sharing pics with our community. Either way you go, I'll be alright with it. I can use other avenues for sharing pics (like the Halo 3 screenshot I posted today). I don't NEED an album. I'd like to see a way to upload photos directly off a pc rather than having to post them to a webpage. That way the albums are a moot point.

</p>

Wobbly Goblin · 10-05-2007, 07:59 AM

I totally agree with you Tree. I also really enjoy having the albums, but I hate fucking baby sitting. Therefore Simple Machines is our clear choice.

I already have a copy up and running, so I'll likely start working on migrating everything that I can over within the next few days. Hopefully in time I'll get as good a handle on PHP as I do have with ASP. At that point I'll re-create our game list, drop menus and what have ya.

Thanks

The Green Guy · 10-05-2007, 10:39 AM

Albums and software that resizes images is definately a good thing. I also hate having to use a site like photobucket to store my photos, then theres the trouble of resizing. I agree with Tree that there is no need for images representing the games and it turns out to become a maintenance chore to create a new icon every time a popular game releases. I think we can also start fresh since the site is so new, we won't be losing much content and there is always something to talk about.

Wobbly Goblin · 10-05-2007, 12:39 PM

Ezboxx has been working with our MegaBBS software for years, but apparently they don't have a solution for image re-sizing either.

Wobbly Goblin · 10-05-2007, 08:23 PM

Ok, I did some more digging and found that vBulletin does in fact have a photo gallery as well as a couple other really nice features.

For example:
1. They have an xbox live page...very cool --> http://www.alliedtribalforces.com/gxboxlive.php

2. They also have an arcade loaded with games that I believe lets you compete against other forum members for high scores. Two big pluses in my opinion --> http://www.alliedtribalforces.com/arcade.php

The Green Guy · 10-06-2007, 12:58 AM

Now thats pretty cool! I wonder if they have dominoes! I'm a dominoes master!!!