Plakias Forum

[Ploppy]

Invision have released version 3.0, a brand spanking new upgrade to the forum software.

I'm tempted to upgrade us over the weekend but thought i'd get your reaction.
It is a no cost option whilst we ponder the long term future, i.e possibly moving away from the Invision hosted package and hosting ourselves with other forum software (or even stick with IPB software)

The big downside is that we lose the modifications that we have, i.e Articles, Arcade etc.
Plus it maybe difficult to add them back in as the new forum will be encoded (though the new system uses a new built-in plugin system so we may be ok) and the mods wont exist for a while.

However we will have the new functionality plus of course PM (Personal Messaging) will be back online.


Over the weekend I will probably install SMF on my personal website to give it a trial, i'll give you the details so that you can check it out if you want. (SMF has both an Article system and Arcade mods)

Any thoughts/ideas?

[compage]

Like any brand new software, it is likely to have bugs.
It will also take a while for the add-on writers to catch up and provide ones that work with the new forum software.

For those reasons I suggest we keep the current software for a few months until the dust settles.

[Greecemad]

Like any brand new software, it is likely to have bugs.
It will also take a while for the add-on writers to catch up and provide ones that work with the new forum software.

For those reasons I suggest we keep the current software for a few months until the dust settles.

I'm with John on this

[Graham_and_Karen]

Same here. If you're like me you just love to get the 'latest and greatest' but it would be a shame to lose the article system. i know we will probably have to switch or upgrade eventually but probably most members are happy the way things are. Take the Facebook group as an example - I wouldn't say it's been all that popular so far - so no suggestion that people are looking for something different.

As always - thanks for the effort you put in. Looking forward to seeing you and Marge in Sept.

[harribobs]

we have used SMF on the manchester regiment forum for the last two years or so, we have nearly 1200 members, 1.8 people joining and 1200 views per day, it's a very busy forum

we haven't had any problems (yet!) no spammers to speak of, no spambots at all. but more importantly, it's free! you have to pay for hosting your site, which iirc is about £20 a year and your domain registration, probably a fiver

it's a damn sight cheaper and just as good with better security (IMHO)

chris

edit, anyone interested can have a look at the manchesters forum, it's open to guests. i won't expect you to understand whats going on in the military and family history but you can get an idea of how it compares to this one  

[Ploppy]

OK I will hold off for now.

I have setup a test board and imported some of our data so if you are interested you can have a play at:

http://ploppy.me.uk

You should be able to use your normal username and password (though my password didn't work - just get it wrong three times and have the board send you a reset e-mail)

I like it, similar look and feel to Invision.

Let me know what you think.

[John R]

.

Let me know what you think.

you are doing a great job for us here - many thanks. I like the look of the new style version you have so helpfully set up. Perhaps holding off for a short while may be wise but if it is felt that we have to go then it is a very acceptable alternative.

John R

[Barny]

It looks good to me.

              Barny.

[Graham_and_Karen]

I agree - seems at least as good as the current forum (at first glance). My only concern with moving was that we would lose existing content but it it can all be imported, there shouldn't be a problem.

[Ploppy]

The more I play with SMF the more impressed I am.

I have added 2 article systems.
One can be accessed from the menu at the top.
The other is part of the portal system I have also installed which is great.
Also there is a 'who was online today' right at the bottom

[Kerstin]

Let me know what you think.

Hello Paul,

I believe, I would not have any problems with the new modification.
Many thanks for you support. Really, you do a great job.

Cheers,
Kerstin

[John R]

The more I play with SMF the more impressed I am.

I have added 2 article systems.
One can be accessed from the menu at the top.
The other is part of the portal system I have also installed which is great.
Also there is a 'who was online today' right at the bottom

I would think that the way things are developing so well in parallel - thanks to you superb efforts and feedback that
a switch over will be inevitable. I think we should leave it up to your judgement in particular if it makes it easier for you
and if we have a good product

john R

[Chas]

The "look and feel" are fairly similar and you seem to have most/all the facilities nailed, so I'd say go for it ....... just one thing:

backup ... backup ... backup ... backup ... and remember to BACKUP

[Steve Jones]

Please upgrade to this new system as it looks fine to me.

[Greecemad]

Looks good to me at first glance...........BUT .......Could I suggest deleting all the "iffy"  posts in the Recyle Bin section  

Will the map still be available on the new Forum?

If all the content can be kept, I don't see anything wrong with moving to the new Forum.

Speaking of the map, the building to the west of Kyriakos and across the road (and due north of the doctor's surgery) is the Fedra or Phaedra.

Also there's a new pharmacy about where Ali & Dave's shop was. Not sure whether this was their shop or was their shop the one that is now a fish shop? (raw fish, not a fish and chip shop).