Change is coming...

[WadeFillingame]

On October 10th the hosting servers updated their PHP version and that knocked onlinehumidor off the air for about 24 hours.  This software package is old.  SMF went to version 2.0 almost 10 yrs ago and stopped updating version 1 about 8 yrs ago if the date on the 1.1.21 update version is correct. 

The host tells me that updating to the new PHP version will be compulsory soon.  So, knowing that I have to update the site.  (JL, I may get rid of the beige)

My concern yrs ago when SMF switched to version 2.0 yrs ago was to preserve the databases here so that membership registration and the posts archive were preserved.  I've seen other sites (CF) wipe their history during an update and I think a site loses something tangible when that happens so I really have a goal of making an update happen while keeping the history of the site.  (and maybe keeping this guy too  :nana:)

I'll let you know when it's happening as I get closer. 

[WadeFillingame]

regarding the effort to update. 

There are three forum package options that I'm evaluating.  there is vBulletin, its a couple of hundred $$; phpBB which has been around for ever and is free other than the time to do the setup and migration; and the current version of SMF (2.*.*) which is also free.

The free ones require that I do the setup, and I haven't played with an FTP protocol in 8 yrs so I've got to "refresh" (i.e., relearn) how to set up a site. 

With vBulletin it can go either way, I can set it up on the servers I use now, or I can put the site up on their cloud, that involves a monthly fee, but I'm paying for server hosting now so it's probably a wash.  The transition to SMF or phpBB would be almost instant for the users.  Once the site is setup I just change where the gate points and everyone is going to see the site. 

Moving to another server has historically ta) ken a day or two while the new address propagates on the DNS servers.  There are a couple of other steps in here but not too painful.

It all mostly comes down to hours.  Once the site moves I have to re-establish all of the site parameters, profile settings colors ( :bait: ) etc...

[OtotheD63]

Thanks for all that you do, Wade. I sent a donation just now to help contribute to some of the costs that you’ll take on for this upgrade. Hopefully you won’t have to come out of pocket.

[B44]

Thanks for the update and creating this place for us to enjoy. Let us know how we can help/support. Thanks Wade!

[vinnyvega]

Just sent over some funds.  Let us know the damage.  We got you,  Wade!

Joe

[Pole Lock]

Thanks for the effort, Wade.  Made a small donation - good luck!

[Uncle Lou]

Thanks for keeping us here, yesterday I tried to log in and got a server issue, so I tried down for everyone or just me it said the site was up, I guess that was wrong though I was able to get to an old landing page and sent an email to Wade not sure if it came through though.

[JL Miller]

If Wade get rid of the “baby poo brown,” I’ll donate $50.

Thanks for thinking of me!

[lvergilis]

Thank you Wade. Made a small donation. All the best.

[canadianbeaver]

Thank you so much Wade!

CB