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Posted on 04/05/07 1:58:18 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply  |
Forum log-in problems
A number of you have been experiencing problems with the forum not working properly, and this has got worse over the last few months. Thought you'd like to know why this is happening, and what we're doing about it. When I started the forum a few years ago, I used a little-known but (apparently) easy to use piece of software called SimpleForum Pro. It ticked along nicely for a while, but as the number of members and posts rose, it's become too unwieldy for it to handle. As a result, several files keep getting corrupted in the process. You'll have noticed the double name thing in posts: this happens when a reader's profile is suddenly duplicated, for no reason I can discover. Those Configuration Error messages have been tracked down (by David) to a corrupted stats file; forums suddenly appearing empty are caused by a corrupted viewcount file; and the inablity of members on some platforms to access the forum appears to be due to a 'guest' file suddenly growing to several megabytes in size. We have no idea why these files keep corrupting, but we do now know how to fix which problem. It's just a matter of us knowing there's a problem in the first place. So, what to do? Well, it seems we're going to have to migrate the entire forum onto a different application, probably phpBB, which seems to be the most popular. David and I will be doing this, with any luck, in the next few weeks. Trouble is, there's no way to copy all the old posts to the new system. Which means that not only will everyone have to register again, you'll also be unable to read old posts in the new forum. We should be able to make the old forum available as read-only, but to reply to posts you'll need to start a new thread in the new forum. I realise this is going to cause some upheaval, and will probably entail the entire site being down for a few days while we sort it out. When you've registered again, I should be able to copy both your view counts and your titles to the new system. Bear in mind this may take a while, as there are a lot of you! If you'd like to comment on all this, or make any suggestions, then please do so here. Thanks for you patience in the meantime Steve |
Posted on 04/05/07 2:42:48 PM |
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Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician Posts: 1319 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
If there is anything we can do to help please let us know. It would be great to keep the old forum even if only as read only as there is so much information in it. Thanks Steve and David for all your time spent on this forum. |
Posted on 04/05/07 2:47:45 PM |
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katew
Virtual Virtuoso Posts: 681 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
I'd definitely like to see this forum kept as a read-only one. As Deborah says, if there's anything we can do, just ask! _________________ Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up ... |
Posted on 04/05/07 3:22:34 PM |
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Wayne
Printer’s Devil Posts: 312 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Well said Deborah and katew. Steve and David, hope the upgrading goes smoothly. |
Posted on 04/05/07 10:00:07 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4033 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
It would be great if the old forum can be kept as 'read only'. If this can be done with a link from the new forum then so much the better. |
Posted on 05/05/07 00:48:19 AM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Agreed! Take the time you need, we'll be here! If you can keep the old forum as read only, great! When you get through this, I'll pay you two guys a beer the next time I go to England. Note that I've never been to England...  _________________ |
Posted on 05/05/07 11:10:40 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Oh, you should. We all drive Minis here and work for Mr. Bridger. We also have no doors. _________________ If you hold on to the past, sooner or later you'll lose your grip. |
Posted on 05/05/07 2:45:21 PM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Don't you wear those as well? 
Here in Canada, it is -10° all year round, we live in igloos and eat raw beaver. _________________ |
Posted on 05/05/07 3:42:05 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4033 Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Mmmmm!!! Raw Beaver. Yummy! |
Posted on 05/05/07 5:16:16 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Oooh matron! _________________ If you hold on to the past, sooner or later you'll lose your grip. |
Posted on 05/05/07 5:36:56 PM |
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Eggbox
Ovoid Opportunist Posts: 797 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Be'aver yourselves |
Posted on 05/05/07 8:54:03 PM |
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Pierre
Constructional Confabulator Posts: 637 Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Eer... ok... sorry... 
Get it?  _________________ |
Posted on 06/05/07 4:03:15 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
 _________________ Leap and the net will appear |
Posted on 07/05/07 00:09:53 AM |
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dirtdoctor23
Guest Reply |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Thanks for the information, guys. I'm in with the rest of the group. If there is anything we can do to assist don't hesitate to ask. Neil _________________ "I haven't failed.... I've found 10,000 ways that don't work!" Thomas Edison |
Posted on 09/05/07 8:24:37 PM |
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BigVern
Q Quipper Posts: 674 Reply  |
Re: Forum log-in problems
Steve and David, Thanks for all your hard work, inspiration and encouragement in providing first a great book and then a really useful and enjoyable forum to be involved in. The content of both are invaluable so please do keep a read only version available. Best wishes for a smooth transition and see you on the other side. What did the beaver say to Bambi when he wanted to take his home? Frankly my deer I don't give a dam! |