IMPORTANT: Software switch problems - Wait and import threads, or wipe forums clean?

Spark

Spark

HPIC - Hatas gonna Hate
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Hey guys -

Just to let you know, we will be switching forum software in the next few days / week or so... there is another, better software product that we've installed and are testing right now.

However, we have to make a tough choice. The new software comes with an import program that is *suppossed* to bring in the old threads and posts. It doesn't *quite* work - I can import all of the members, moderators, forum styles, etc, but when it comes to actually importing the threads themselves, it's curling up and dying.

So, we can make a choice - either wait a few days and hope that the software team can come up with a solution, or say screw it, and just open the new forums ASAP.

Your choice, let me know what you'd like to do.

BTW, the new software has all sorts of cool new features, like file uploading (for attaching pictures to your posts), editing your thread titles, private messaging, member profile avatars (50x50 pictures), buddy lists, ignore lists (filter out those users you don't want to see!!!!!!), etc.

Kevin

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
Owner, BladeForums.com
 
Spark

Are you going to vbulletin? It certainly is a better program. If stuff can be retrieved later, I'd say make the switch.

On second thought as cantankerous as things have been around here maybe a clean slate would't be such a bad idea!!!!
 
Hey Kevin,

I'm patient and willing to wait to get it right. I personally think the archives are very valuable (with the exception of a few posts I'd like to "disappear"
wink.gif
).

My vote: "Patience, not haste."

Ron
 
Spark

If it means that the ability to do searches is eliminated, I'd wait it out for awhile before dropping this valuable feature.

New features sound great, but if possible to save the search feature, I'd wait a bit.

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Dick
AKTI Member # A001365
 
Kevin,

Heck with it. Wipe the slate clean, and let's start this all over, brand-new...
smile.gif
.

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
<A HREF="mailto:glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com">glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com</A>
ICQ# 53675663
 
With the new software, searches will be better than every. Yes, we are switching to vBulliten, which has a database backend, so it's a lot faster, more stable, and much more feature rich.

Kevin

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
Owner, BladeForums.com
 
Spark,
I say lets start with a nice new clean slate!

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A Pat on the Back is only a few inches from a Kick in the Butt.
 
We have three years of data here. I don't care if we restart all of the forums but we should save the massive body of information that will take us years to rebuild.

Take it slow and do it right the first time.

n2s
 
Clean is bad. VERY BAD!!
The old posts are a very valuable resource. Some of us put alot of work into some of them and in collecting references and links
frown.gif
. I say wait and try to preserve the old threads and posts.
 
You can start clean with the new forum software - however, don't delete the old stuff! Archive it, save it somehow. I'm sure eventually we'll find a way to revive the old info. Maybe you could sell it on CD-Rom or something. Regardless, keep the old info.

In the mean time, start us fresh. Sounds like the new software is a big improvement.
-- Rob

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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
 
Don't wipe out all the information that's here now. It's way too valuable. Maybe put each years' archived material on a CD and sell them at a modest markup to help fund the place.

DaveJ

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NKCA #32649
AKTI #A001120
 
There is so much good stuff that I'm just beginning to wade through. I'd hate to loose that. Lets wait and try to import the old stuff.

 
I agree that, at the very least, existing threads should somehow be archived. Even if we all start with 0 threads and see how long it takes Glockman to hit 1000. And of course, a Sharpening Forum would help keep the General Blade Discussion Forum under control...
 
Here's a suggestion and it's gonna bite because it's a huge extra effort. But... here goes:

Run both versions during a transition period of say 90 days. After 45 days, the old forums would be closed to new threads. After 90 days, the old forums would close to all posts and would take on a new url something like www.old.bladeforums.com.

After 180 days, the old forums would be archived off on CD ROMs for sale.

This would be a huge burdon to support two massive forum sites for 90 days. It would require extra disk space and probably slow the server down etc., etc.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
SAVE the old stuff! Man, there's too much good info here on the forums to just let it vanish forever.
Smoothly transition in order to save and archive everything. Please don't format us, Spark!!
 
As a data migration veteran; all I can say is stage and phase the crossover. If possible test a small portion of the migration, if it proves sound, make the big move. Insure the test instance is stable for a few data cycles.
If any sign of flakiness, abandon the effort to plan B, which could be a clean install.

And this above all... don't promise us anything, just do the best you can within your configuration and circumstance.

Good luck,

-Seth

God made the world in seven days, but he did'nt have an pre-installed base to migrate.
 
I'd sure like to see the old stuff saved somehow. I do agree..the old stuff is valuable information.

If you can archive it someplace else, great. I'd even be willing to purchase a CD-ROM of the old forums.

whatever you do, please keep the old stuff available.

Mike

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