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Rafael · 08-11-2010, 01:30 PM

Hehe, sure. :twisted:

Seriously, maybe now, since we're on it, it's the best time to get things done.
To implement phpbb 3 should be considerably easier, though I don't know if we can preserve the current black skin.

The big bonus would be that at least I could help you with the maintenance of the boards from then on, and that phpbb 3 makes everything much easier.

As to the printer help, let's forget about that. :? Saw it in action, decided against it. One of the advantages of phpbb 3 should be that one can fix how many posts are displayed on the thread pages, which makes printing the long gaming threads extremely easy.

But anyway, you're the boss! Smile

***Angelo*** · 08-11-2010, 02:16 PM

We can change the number of threads per page here too, similarly with bbPress. I'm sure phpBB3 has better options/more granularity. (And is probably less clunky too.)

Although I'm probably not ready to jump on it just yet, the questions I will have are:

* Does Havard want to make the changes to his site?

* How do people feel about moving to phpBB3?

* Has Havard or someone else set it up before, and would be will be able to do it and the migration with minimal help from me? (If that is the case, then the group would be free to have more control over the software anyway.)

* Do people have enough experience with phpBB3 to know the features they may be losing since I customized this forum?

I think, for example, the Piazza is an example of a fairly vanilla phpBB3 install. It sends notifications, but not the text of what was responded (which I always thought was a big help for games). Aside from that, I think phpBB3 may have added all the functionality I added in the past to phpBB2--so it's probably a relatively small change.

If it would be me maintaining the software, after that recent move, I would like to keep phpBB2. It just works. If someone else is willing to do the phpBB3 work and maintain it, then the sky is the limit on modifications, themes, etc.

I'm sure phpBB3 is better in a lot of ways, but what are the things that are the most desirable?

Eventually we may be forced to switch to phpBB3--I don't know. But I do think I've given up completely on bbPress Wink

***Angelo*** · 08-11-2010, 08:12 PM

By the way, in keeping with my desire for simplicity I have just told my gaming group(s) they need to come back and play here too.

And before any migrations to anywhere else, I think I'd want to see if I can delete any spam accounts here. Don't know when I can get around to it though.

Rafael · 08-12-2010, 03:51 AM

Just a quick note, sorry I don't have more time:

Maybe, if that is easier, we could export the phpbb 3 configuration I have for the Wayfarer's Inn (I would cover the financial side of this), and then fusion the two boards?

***Havard*** · 08-12-2010, 11:48 AM

Angelo Wrote:* Does Havard want to make the changes to his site?

That depends. I am pretty happy about the way things work right now.

Quote:* How do people feel about moving to phpBB3?

I *do* like the way things work at the Piazza from a user point of view. However, it really depends on whether the work put into a move is worth it, especially given our recent experimentation.

Quote:* Has Havard or someone else set it up before, and would be will be able to do it and the migration with minimal help from me? (If that is the case, then the group would be free to have more control over the software anyway.)

Let me stress this. I do not have any technical skills that we can rely on here. Also, I am getting back to work tomorrow so I will have much less time on my hand for such things than I have had for the last few months.

In the end, I am in no rush to see changes made. I could see the benefit of merging in the Wayfarer's Inn, but I wonder if we have the time and resources to do it right now?

-Havard

***Angelo*** · 08-12-2010, 12:51 PM

My guess is that a simple upgrade is not hard. However, I was thinking about merging, and I realized given the fact that most web software (phpBB included) uses MySQL without referential integrity because it's "easier" (I don't even know if MySQL enforces integrity at all) it makes merging a real pain.

It can be done through some diligent and orderly process, but basically you have to renumber the id's of all posts, users, and forums so you don't get collisions before you merge. In any decently designed DB environment, it would be easier because you could cascade all the changes.

I guess if we just pick some appropriately big number that will ensure no collision like 10000, and add it to all the ids it would work fine.

Then of course you'd have two users for anyone who has a login on both sites.

I looked at the site where the other forum is hosted. They charge the most to export the site--I guess they really don't want to lose that business.

Anyway, I know you're just doing this to get out of having a black colored site!

Rafael · 08-12-2010, 03:07 PM

Read the post, will comment tomorrow - much to study tonight.

Found my zen of anger. Which will make me studious.

***Angelo*** · 08-12-2010, 03:38 PM

Don't let the anger of zen consume you. I'm sure that as time goes on and the ideas sink in... the way will become clear.

***Angelo*** · 08-18-2010, 01:16 PM

By the way... I noticed that the https version of the site works in case anyone wants to use it. It messes up the URL a little bit, but that's about it. (And you have to confirm a security exception because the certificate belongs to the hosting company and not this domain.)

Rafael · 08-18-2010, 01:21 PM

Cool. More on the weekend. Exam tomorrow.