Warning: Change is coming

[admin]

Those if you hankering for easier to read posts (sans the red background) are getting your wish.

HOWEVER (you knew that was coming) making these changes means there will be adjustments.

To be honest, we are updating the software that powers the discussion board for security reasons.

When we flip the switch everything will look different, and in the coming weeks we'll often make other changes.

There will be times you won't believe it, but there are plenty of improvements. Still, you will have to learn a few new tricks, and a few times to do things differently than in the pass.

So we're starting this forum to give everybody a place to share tips and find solutions to . . . well, we're not sure what. We'll find out together.

[steveh]

Eek?

S.

[Insidious Rex]

Yes losing the red will certainly be a help for those of us who surf this sight at work... No more neon blinking sign that says IM NOT WORKING!

[gestyr]

So I don't need to panic? :P

Actually progress is good. Thanks for these forums.

[fretlessman71]

A cool profile function would be to choose your background for your personal computer when you log in. Just a thought.

[cul8rv8]

vBulletin 3? My forum I run has been bugging me to make the change from 2, but I refuse. :)

[admin]

Some version of vbulletin 3.

We've been using it at Probrewer.com for some time.

The switch over totally threw some people for a loop.

[Jeff]

I'm re-reading "Who moved my Cheese" but I'm still not feeling it. I think I might hide in a corner. :eek:

[cul8rv8]

Originally posted by admin
Some version of vbulletin 3.

We've been using it at Probrewer.com for some time.

The switch over totally threw some people for a loop.

Yeah, that's why I've refused. :) That, and all the custom hacks I've put in ours don't work on v3. I told them to find a new admin to change it, because I don't have time to re-code all my hacks I created.

[DecoJuicer]

Will all of the old threads be transfered over? I'd hate to see us lose years of great threads.

[admin]

The threads will remain in place. We've upgraded before, but last time wasn't as radical.

[got_homebrew]

As long as the changes dont effect the LOW BANDWITH users I dont mind, theres some forums I subcribed to that take 5 or more minutes to load up! I'm not a cheap bastard but being in the very extreme south central missouri dial up @ 32Kpbs is the only option possible

[psychodad]

Will this change enable e-mail notifications to quote the thread that has been updated? I really like that feature and it seems this is the only forum I can think of I use where this doesn't happen.

And FWIW, I don't mind the red background. I've seen far worse.

[psychodad]

Originally posted by GOT_COORS
As long as the changes dont effect the LOW BANDWITH users I dont mind, theres some forums I subcribed to that take 5 or more minutes to load up! I'm not a cheap bastard but being in the very extreme south central missouri dial up @ 32Kpbs is the only option possible

I've seen some forum software verions that have a Low-fi version just for that. No smilies, pictures, images, etc.

[wortchillergoal]

Change is good.
Change is reason for a beer.
Beer is good.
Beer is reason for a change.

Could we get an on screen notification of a PM if one comes in while we are on the site?

Could we get one that will filter out wort's bad jokes?

[steveh]

Wort -- right now, when you're logged in and go to the main forums page: http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/index.php?s=
there is a PM section at the very bottom that tells you your PM info (how many messages, how many new or unread).

Of course, I can't tell you what the new format will bring.

S.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by steveh
Wort -- right now, when you're logged in and go to the main forums page: http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/index.php?s=
there is a PM section at the very bottom that tells you your PM info (how many messages, how many new or unread).

Of course, I can't tell you what the new format will bring.

S.

Thanks Steve, I knew that was there. At one of our goalie boards, a pop window opens if you are on site and a pm comes in to let you know it is there. It is cool as you don't have to remember to check the PM section before you leave.

[chazwicke]

Just please let us know right before the switchover.

[Arassuil]

Originally posted by GOT_COORS
As long as the changes dont effect the LOW BANDWITH users I dont mind, theres some forums I subcribed to that take 5 or more minutes to load up! I'm not a cheap bastard but being in the very extreme south central missouri dial up @ 32Kpbs is the only option possible Ah yes, I remember when I lived in the Cascades and my connection had the speed of a telegraph. I had the best laptop of the day but still had to climb the pole and stick two wires in the side (kinda like the old show Green Acres)

I've been through MB upgrades many times before at various sites, so if there's anything you really don't want to lose, best save it just in case. Usually these things go off without a hitch, but there had been a couple times I remember....

I'm sure all will be well. Thanks for the heads up.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Just please let us know right before the switchover.

Sorry, you missed it -- how do you like the new RealBeer? ;)

Honestly, Stan says there should be no downtime. Should. So if it happens overnight, you may never know until you log on the next day.

Scary, I know -- but wot ya gon' do?

S.

[beerking]

Originally posted by steveh
Honestly, Stan says there should be no downtime. Should. So if it happens overnight, you may never know until you log on the next day.

"Should be no downtime" Translation: "Transparent to the user." Further translation: "The whole thing will come crashing down around you and you won't be able to recover for days."

<g>

-Beerking, who has done testing and CM of software purchased by DoD for 12 years.

[12:55]

Good luck with the changes!

[admin]

I will also put this info in a new thread in this forum . . .

The boards will be closed for a short period early Friday morning. (At least early for those in New Mexico and California.)

That allows us to do all the updates without something being caught in the Discussion Board Twilight Zone.

If the boards don't reopen after a few hours* please send a rescue team with plenty of beer.

*I'm told copying databases is more in the 15-minute range.

[beerking]

Originally posted by admin
I will also put this info in a new thread in this forum . . .

The boards will be closed for a short period early Friday morning. (At least early for those in New Mexico and California.)

That allows us to do all the updates without something being caught in the Discussion Board Twilight Zone.

If the boards don't reopen after a few hours* please send a rescue team with plenty of beer.

*I'm told copying databases is more in the 15-minute range.

RUN AWAYYYY, RUN AWAYYY!!

(One of the greatest moments in cinema history)
<g>

[Arassuil]

Originally posted by admin
The boards will be closed for a short period early Friday morning. (At least early for those in New Mexico and California.)
So sometime after 6PM tonight for me. Thats ok. I'm hardly ever on in the evening anyway, and I'll be on the road this weekend so I'll look for the new board and hopefully any bugs will be squished by Monday morning (Sunday afternoon in New Mexico/California) ;)

May it all go well and the binary force be with you.

[corkybstewart]

I do love the new look, but I can't find the View New Posts link.

[vadavid]

I do love the new look, but I can't find the View New Posts link.

Blue bar at the top of the page:
"User CP FAQ Members List Calendar New Posts Search Quick Links Log Out"

[corkybstewart]

Blue bar at the top of the page:
"User CP FAQ Members List Calendar New Posts Search Quick Links Log Out"
Thanks, I was looking for the old style link on the right.

[12:55]

Is it me...or does something look different on the board?

;)

[steveh]

Thanks, I was looking for the old style link on the right.

Or, you can use the Quick Links at the upper right and go to Today's Posts in the drop-down menu.

I posted that trick at the "We're Back" thread...

S.

[psychodad]

You guys are good. Quite a few of other boards I'm on got messed up for days when they tried to update them. And to think, you all were likely drinking when you did this.

[Fouled Anchor]

I check out for a couple of days, come back and all the furniture is rearranged. Now I will have to surf the forums a few times without drinking any beer to get reaquainted. Easy Day.

[zoom6zoom]

I've seen some forum software verions that have a Low-fi version just for that. No smilies, pictures, images, etc.
You can turn those things on and off in most browsers - no special forum adjustments needed.

[Banjoman]

I miss the red background...I thought it gave this board some class :mad: :eek: :rolleyes: