Migration to NEW software & server

As this has been discussed to some degree on other threads, we thought it wise to start this thread where we can discuss the pending move to a new version of the software.

For absolute clarity, there is still an awful lot that we are yet to learn/find out about, so whilst we almost certainly won't have all of the answers right now, as things progress we will be able to keep you updated in this thread and will endeavour to answer any question and allay any concerns you might have.

The entire Admin team @wiseowl @shiney @JWK @Loofah @Fat Controller are now tagged into this thread (and you can tag one or all of us if you have a specific need to), so we will hopefully be able to give as much information as we can in a timely manner, between us.

Please, please remember - all of the Admin team are volunteers. We have day jobs, families, pets and gardens all seeking our attention, so if you don't get an instant answer, please bear with us!

 

The facts as we know them currently:

• The new software is still Xenforo based, so should feel like an evolution for us all
• We currently do not have a timeline as to when the migration will take place - as soon as we do, we will post here to let you know
• Right now, there are tech specialists working on building the new platform - once that is complete, then the Admin team will go and have a furtle and do some learning and setting up
• There is a possibility that we might need the help of some of YOU in the testing phase - if this is to happen, it would be a version of GC at a different website address (a temporary address). IF this is to happen, we will ask for volunteers nearer the time - please note, you won't be forced to partake!
• Thereafter, the data from this version of the forum will be migrated across with the aim to retain as much as possible
• There are some features that are wholly incompatible with the new version of the software, and in the following posts, we will outline the ones that we know about at the moment and what the strategy is to handle that.
• Many of you have already asked this, so it is purely for info... whilst GC does not charge any membership fees, there is a cost attached to running any website and especially when it comes to software and server migration. If you wish to make a voluntary donation then you can to so from the Donate button on the Home Page. You are under NO obligation to do this, but any and all donations are gratefully received and go toward the costs involved.

 

Features we know that won't work #1:

Blogs

The new version of the software does not have the ability to handle Blogs - at best, we'd be looking at a Heath-Robinson lash up to a third party piece of software that sits outside the forum with no guarantee how well it would work. With that in mind and the fact that there hasn't been an actual blog entry (that isn't an error or back-door attempt at advertising) in at least two years, the Admin team feel that we are on safe ground in saying that this is a non-issue.

 

Features we know will change #1:

Gallery

Whilst the new version of the software does have a Gallery plug-in, it apparently differs from the Gallery in this version. Whilst there is every intention to copy everything over during the process, there is always the potential for problems and for something to disappear.

It is STRONGLY recommended that you have a look at any Gallery you might have created here on GC and download any images that you wish to retain and no longer have a copy of already. We sadly cannot accept any responsibility for any images that happen to get lost in the process, so please do not leave it to chance!

 

Things we know that won't work #2:

Business Directory

The new version of the software does not have the ability to host a business directory. As yet, we haven't fully decided how best to handle this one or indeed whether we need to at all. To date, many businesses have registered user accounts with GC solely to post an entry in the Business Directory, only to then disappear and never be seen again. Whilst this is not against any rules, we'd much rather have members actively taking part and for any business who really wants to advertise properly, to have them come on board as a forum sponsor.

We are considering the potential for a sub-forum at some point in the future where we could have a thread for each business, locked immediately after posting, to provide a list of businesses - but, this is still under discussion!

 

Other things currently in planning/discussion/construction:



The current layout above has quite a lot of forums and subforums, to the point that it can be hard to find the trowel among the compost. We're looking at reducing these in number to make things easier to navigate. Whilst the final list is a long way off ready, to give a flavour of what the change would be, one section of the forum discussed over the weekend saw 25 of these forums/sub-forums reduce to only 9.

Our thinking here is that not only will it make things easier for us all to navigate, but it will eliminate the odd 'dead' corner of the forum that we currently have. Plus, it will make things a lot easier for new members to get used to.