Forums migration forthcoming - please take note!

[cenelson]

Folks, I've been resisting dropping vbulletin for many months. In fact, I got so tired of the frequent security bulletins for a pay-to-play software package that I turned to because it was claimed to be more stable that I've not even bothered to update in a yr or so.

Today, the license again expired. I'm not going to renew. Can't afford to, anyway. And really not interested in the product.

We'll be moving back to phpBB, maybe an SMF board, and I'm in the process of doing this now.  Some may have expired database errors just now as I was running a query against the DB to modify tables' prefixes, a potentially exhausting task made simple with a bit of php scripting. Everything is working again. We were off-line a handful of seconds, only.

Please, understand that I do not wish to start from scratch, so before any panic sets in, be advised that I will not rush the migration. The wonderful robots at vBulletin are already sending me the anticipated "Your license is expired; pay up or piss off" warnings, so there is a certain pressure on me to get this done. However, all effort will be put forth to completely convert and transfer the existing data in these forums.

As always:  I appreciate each of you. Thank you for making this place tick.

Craig

[Don Day]

Your dedication to getting this forum off the ground and keeping it running so successfully is well appreciated, Craig. Please let us know if you have any anticipated expenses--I'm sure we all have a the parts to aggregate a solid server, if needed, or would gladly support a request for underwriting any software or services you need. You are doing the right thing, and we are with you, buddy!

[martolod]

what don said:thumbsup2:

[Wayne]

Thanks Craig for pulling the strings behind the curtain to keep the beast in motion.

[Julio1fer]

What Don said above.

[Philip]

Thanks, Craig.  

And, like Don, me too -- if there's some way we can help pay for it all, let us know.

.

[cenelson]

There's no need for fund-raising. We're good to go on hosting until July or so. Actually, my hosting account shows paid through August 24th. At that time, I'll pay another year of hosting plus fee for domain registration maintenance and we'll be set for another year.

The total then would be something like $150... $129 for the Kilo hosting fee to cover a year (discounted 28% vs monthly) and $20 for the domain yearly fee. I should be able to cover everything by then.  The vBulletin fee was too much at this time, but more important was my distaste for the software as relates to my decision to move away from it.

http://www.qwk.net/shared_web_site_hosting.html

One thing that would help me is to use qwk.net and my name as a referral if you are looking for hosting for your own projects or personal sites. They've been rock-solid since we came on-line. Each referral nets me $40. Their hosting is not really for the novice, but one needn't be a rocket scientist, either. Most hosting issues are solved easily enough via FAQs and general Google queries.  What's nice about qwk.net is the lack of drama, downtime, bugs, etc.  Very stable hosting, all on-site at their location in Idaho, no co-lo server storage, which means if something goes wrong they're on it like white on rice.

I've got the phpbb site installed. Currently, I have a converter working to translate the current forums to the phpbb. You won't notice any changes here while this is underway. I've mirrored the forum to a separate working directory on the server while the process is underway. What will be noticed is a lack of new posts made from the time the conversion began. Should not amount to much difference. I hope to have it completed within an hour or so. Working dilligently.

For the time being, I'd suggest you refrain from posting any new FS posts or other important items.

Craig

[Glenn Thoreson]

Sometimes I wish I could migrate.
Does this mean the site will have a new URL? It seems we had to use a new site addy last time (?).

[LarryD]

Thanks C.E. I am sorry but I was slacking on my donations..... Glad you are keeping This great place running. I will watch because I think http://www.Commiecamera.com will need a host real soon. and I may have to fill part of your huge shoos... I will just stuff news paper in the ends.

 Thank you again for such a great home .

Larry the Redneck whatever I am..

[cenelson]

Sometimes I wish I could migrate.
Does this mean the site will have a new URL? It seems we had to use a new site addy last time (?).

Glenn - I'm confident I can have the new site load at the current URL. If not, it will mean a minor adjustment to bookmarks.

Thanks C.E. I am sorry but I was slacking on my donations..... Glad you are keeping This great place running. I will watch because I think www.Commiecamera.com will need a host real soon. and I may have to fill part of your huge shoos... I will just stuff news paper in the ends.

 Thank you again for such a great home .

Larry the Redneck whatever I am..

Larry - no donations required. Seriously.

[LarryD]

Yes they are believe me they are for 1 reason. You save me so much money and I have made money just because you were there for me in good and bad times with this place and all the great members here.

 That said I understand and I will keep my yearly dues up because this gives me so much joy as I think it gives you joy and heartache.

 Remember a donation not excepted is a gift denied from a friend.

 Thank you for being my friend.

Larry

[cenelson]

Well, folks, the conversion process was more than I could bear. PHPBB itself is a nice forum, but the conversions are not official and supported by volunteer staff...in short, a total cluster**** followed.

Backing off for now. Might have to bite the bullet and come up with $$ soon to continue vBulletin licensing, else, start from scratch.

I'll be in touch. My brain hurts and I have an hour before show-call for Fiddler.

C.

[melek]

If you give us a ballpark figure, I'm sure some of us can hold a "Nelsonfoto" camera sale to raise the cash for the license. Maybe turn it into an annual event.

[cenelson]

By the way: PLEASE do NOT send money at this time. The info below is only FYI, not a request for $$.  I still wish to get away from vBulletin if at all possible.


Two options exist:

Option 1:
$180 to buy in, then...

vBulletin (Owned License)
The owned vBulletin Forum license allows you to run the software on your site indefinitely. Along with this license, you will receive one year of free updates. Beyond the first year, a nominal fee of $60 (or $40 if purchased within 60 days of the license expiring) is payable to obtain updates for an additional year.

This license includes free support via email and on the community forum. Phone Support is not included in the license price but may be purchased for an additional cost either at the time of initial purchase, or afterwards through the Members' Area.


Option 2, our current plan:
$100 per year

vBulletin (Leased License)
The leased vBulletin Forum license allows you to use the software on your site for 1 year and gives you access to products updates for that year. After 1 year, you must renew your license or remove the software from your site.

This license includes free support via email and on the community forum. Phone Support is not included in the license price but may be purchased for an additional cost either at the time of initial purchase, or afterwards through the members' area.


As you can see, we really should move to plan 1 if we are to remain a vBulletin customer.


I'm so ticked at the moment over failure to convert the existing forum that I am ready to kick everything to the curb.  Two days lost chasing my tail...I need to relax. Signing off, heading to work.


Craig

[Lili]

I have several cameras I can donate to the site as were