Your views on the future of the Chat Forum

MSE_Martin

Here is the issue. The reason for the forum software is that when the site was first set up it was free (and the site was titchy).

Now it's mammoth and there are swifter, more functional chat forum softwares out there.

While it should be possible to port the chat forum over to the new software, there will be problems. Not everything would move, not all the links would work, especially the external links to the forum and the internal links within the forum to other posts.

So do we stick with what we've got. Or bite the bullet and move over, taking the hit that a lot of the interconnectivity would be lost at first?

Opinions welcome

trafalgar_2

If it's more functional I presume that means better ;D so go for it ::)

Interconnectivity would be lost 'at first' so I take it the new stuff will all settle down nicely in time. :-/

sra

I like the current software but I do think it feels older than others I use (which is probably why I like it - but is that the best image for the site?).

Everywhere I go on the internet I seem to see boards who have moved from YaBB to vBulletin so I'm wondering if it's inevitable.

This site has changed and they note:

"1. YaBB SE had a concept of "display name" versus "real member name". The real member name, whatever it was is the only thing that could be converted to vBulletin and still keep the login credentials the same (same password). So, approx 200 members who were using different display names now have their IDs back to what they originally registered with."

This would affect a lot of the posters - Just look at the highest posters here and you see some of the people we've become accustomed to have different usernames. (MSE MARTINS username is 'admin' in his profile)

So should the software be changed? - I think you might have to sooner or later

Edinburghlass_2

No matter what you do Martin and team, somebody will complain so in my opinion you go with what makes life easier for you as a team and as the business you now are.

divadee

Would it be viable to change over financially? If it would cost an absolute fortune that I say leave it.

If you think that changing it would bring in more people and potentially more revenue for the site then go for it.

Im not fussed either way as long as i get to keep my username

aussielle

sra55,

Is this a feature of Bulletin or something else?

I've noticed it on a couple of sites.
When you put the cursor over the title of a post, a little text box appears and it reads the first few lines of the post, without actually clicking anything.

tru

No matter what you do Martin and team, somebody will complain so in my opinion you go with what makes life easier for you as a team and as the business you now are.

I agree with this

I assume that the links already posted might not work, but ones posted on the new software will? If that's what you mean, it doesn't really matter, it's easy enough to copy and paste into a new window ;D

aliasojo

I agree that you should do whatever is best for yourselves. I'm sure we'll all get used to whatever's new.

One thing though.......please don't have one of those forums with black backgrounds! They're everywhere now, and they're not as easy on the eye IMO.

16011996

i'm with alias, not the black backgrounds, i have a vision impairment, and i can't read them. personally, i love the site as it is, but you gotta do whats best for you in the long run. (so long as i can keep my name!!!)

160

MSE_Martin

It's interesting to read. I actually think it is very useable now and the 'speed' is much faster than it used to be (for me - i hope for everyone else too).

To be honest it isnt a financial issue, it will take some work, but we're hiring a developer, we're lucky enough to be able to do that so i can do changes.

I am aware how much time many people spend here too - and therefore its as much an impact on you as me. Which boards do you think are nice and functional and easiest to use. And no don't worry, no black backgrounds.

(ps are you getting used to the left hand side yet?)

martin

divadee

I think it is very usable at the moment, the speed site has changed a lot since server upgrade (im on broadband so cant comment on dial up). Left hand side doesnt bother me as I have 17" screen which i think helps.

If you changed the software would it still have this sort of look or would you change the whole thing to something like sra555 suggested?