Warning: Forum outage this weekend!

[CzarCastic]

Get your posts in now because the forum will be down for maintenance this weekend. Canis will provide the details, but it's possible that you won't be able to access the forum for a few days over the long, holiday weekend.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we've been working behind the scenes to upgrade to the latest vBulletin software. This will include a major overhaul of the look of the front page and forums. We're still working on the details, actually, but hope to have the little stuff worked out soon. It's looking pretty good, though!

[mendicantbias00]

[UncleGramps]

We all know that the forums are dead during the weekend. People only come here when they are shirking off workplace duties.

[Canis Firebrand]

Thanks for the post Czar.

My plans are to shut the forum down Friday at noon. This seems early for a work day, but I want to give the forum and database a bit of time to sit so people are not trying to access the site.

Later in the evening on Friday, I'll be making a complete backup of the current forum files and database. I'll also be making a complete backup of the current front page and its database.

Once that is done, I'll be moving the files to an archived directory on our webhosting space. Then, I'll install the new vBulletin software at our current URL of 8-Bit Brigade

After installation is done, I'll be working to import the user accounts, threads, posts, usergroups, private messages, and forum layout for the forum side of the new vBulletin software.

Once things are imported, it will be a bit of work to clean up the layout, permissions, etc.

The new software will be handling the front page and forum section in one integrated solution. The nice thing about that is that one login will be needed for both areas. For the majority of members it won't be an issue. But, those that want to submit articles, they will need only remember one login to be able to access the article submission section on the front page.

Once I get all the behind the scenes stuff, I can work on getting the new look in place. Czar will be working on images that will be necessary to match our new logo and new layout.

There will be a number of changes with the new software. Many of the little customizations that are in place now might not be back or be implemented after the fact. I fully admit that I went overboard with little add-ons and customizations with our current forum setup. With the new software, we're going to try to stay more standard to allow upgrading in the future to be done with less hassles and worry about things breaking.

The only add-on that will be implemented at launch, provided there is a solution for the new software, is the chatbox. I don't think our site could handle not having a chatbox. I believe that the coder that designed the current one has been updating his software as vBulletin released new versions. I'll verify and if he has not, there will most likely be another coder that has released something.

The plan is to open the forum on Tuesday when everyone returns to work, since Monday is a holiday. I don't have a set time for that to happen. So as to not hammer the site, in case I am finishing up minor things on Tuesday, I'll set a rough time frame of noon EDT. I'll make sure that there is a notice on the main url 8-Bit Brigade to keep everyone updated in case I run into delays.

I'm looking forward to the new design being rolled out and what everyone thinks. Some images and other tweaks will happen after the launch of the new site as they are not priority items that need to be done before the new site can be made live.

Feel free to post any questions you have. I know that a weekend without the forum will cause some people to wonder what to do. But it is a holiday weekend and not having the forum will allow you to spend time with family, friends or whomever. Or, you can get in some more gaming.

Anyways.. Thanks for taking the time to read this and being understanding with the many changes behind the scenes that the Captains have been busy setting into motion and place to make our site more attractive and functional.

[mendicantbias00]

Am I going to lose my chat-box post count?

[UncleGramps]

I certainly hope so!

[Canis Firebrand]

Am I going to lose my chat-box post count?

The chatbox will be started over, since it will be a new installation, so everyone will be at 0. You'll just have to work hard to reclaim that title.

[UncleGramps]

YES!

[Music]

You stole my pic/post!

[CzarCastic]

You'll just have to work hard to reclaim that title.

Not gonna happen!

[mendicantbias00]

So much hard work... all for nothing...

[mendicantbias00]

Not gonna happen!

Oh yes it is!

[red binary]

Sorry Mendi, but there's a new lurker in town. Prepare to have all countable things dominated!

[Music]

Uhmmm lurker =/= post count +

[red binary]

Er, troll. F you. You should know what I mean, even if I say the opposite!

[Music]

[M Polo]

Good luck with the upgrade!

[red binary]

[F8L ERROR]

[fightclubjeff]

Thanks Canis for taking on this huge task. The forum could not survive with out you.

[blue rabbit]

Side note to anyone doing fantasy football, keep in mind the draft is Monday, so when the forums are down don't come here looking for any info. Thanks Canis for all the work you put into the site. I'll have a boring afternoon on Friday trying to find something to do at work...

[Primal Urges]

Side note to anyone doing fantasy football, keep in mind the draft is Monday, so when the forums are down don't come here looking for any info. Thanks Canis for all the work you put into the site. I'll have a boring afternoon on Friday trying to find something to do at work...

Yea that! This just means I'll have to leave work early.

[red binary]

[mendicantbias00]

Are you sure you didn't mean forum outage this Wednesday?

[blue rabbit]

Mendi did it!