Site maintenance heads-up

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Well, my ISP is updating their PHP software between April 20th - 23rd. Every time they do this it screws up the forum because I cannot figure out how to upgrade the site software. So if the site goes off-line at any time during those days, just hang tight. I usually just have to call them to undo the update and we're back up. Wish they'd just leave the shit alone.

If there are any problems, we can temporarily post at the new site location:

http://www.undermountain.org/Forum3/phpBB3/

Wish I could find someone to make the same theme and port over all our old posts to the new site.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

OK guys, some bad news. Here's the problem...

My ISP is upgrading from PHP 5 to PHP7. And our forum is running on phpBB 2.0. Not compatible with PHP 7 (PHP and phpBB are two different things). So, the ONLY (and I mean ONLY) way to keep the BIP site (at least the forums) up is to hire someone to upgrade the site and port over all the thousands and thousands of posts. I've tried with one of the tech support guys at Hostmonster but they only offer limited support and it did not work.

So now I gotta hire someone to update the site. Ideally, I would love to just update the NEW site, port over all the posts from THIS site and then have them re-program the parchment theme we use here (which doesn't work with the new phpBB versions). I fucking hate technology - always constant tinkering with it.

I've been hunting for estimates and it looks like it's going to run between $150 and $200. That's just money I can't spare right now with the shutdown and everything else. Just had to dish out $700 to fix the brakes on my car. This is coming at a very bad time.

So I'm going to ask if anyone wants to contribute something to help afford this because it's finally gotten to where there are simply two choices and only two choices in reality...shut down the forums or pay someone to upgrade there. There really is no third option.

Let me know what you think. Trying to find some other solution.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Some good news. I found someone who can update the site, and also KEEP THE CURRENT THEME! That was a big thing I was hoping for, was to be able to keep the parchment theme (it's called Chronicles). So hopefully this week, we'll get it started. Already did a full back up. The reason this has to happen is that PHP5 is no longer supported on the web, and ALL sites using those older versions will simply generate an error page. There's no way around that.

I'm thinking that once we update this site, the original, I can do away with the other alternate (new) forum site. Or leave it as a back up site. Kinda redundant though. Not much need for it if this site is fully functional and updated.

Fingers crossed!

[garhkal]

Once the update's done, and we migrate ove, will anything happen to our accounts??

[Halaster Blackcloak]

No, everything should remain exactly as it is, where it is. All he needs to do is update the phpBB software for this site, so it's modern and compatible with PHP7.4. And nothing changes. It just still works, that's really all it is. But he's pretty sure he can also re-write the cool theme to remain as it is, the parchment stuff, so it's compatible with the new version. All the changes are behind the scenes. We shouldn't notice any difference, other than any new features that come with the new version. For example, it should be easier to use the bold, italic and underline function. Right now on this version, you have to sort of type it in. In the new version we should be able to highlight text and click bold or italics or underline and it'll instantly be tagged. So an upgrade for sure.

Good thing is, we can still sign up new people because the admin interface will work, so no need to split new people off to the other forum.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

On a side note, the new forum (that we don't really use) that I created last year or whenever, it gets TONS of fake accounts trying to sign up. I just delete them unactivated. Not sure why it's targeted.

[McDeath]

Chinese prolly.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Ok, just a heads-up. I'm going to get the tech guy to start the upgrade. If for any reason the site doesn't work during the upgrade, give it a few hours and if it's still down email me or check in at the alternate site:

http://www.undermountain.org/Forum3/phpBB3/

Supposedly we won't have any downtime except possibly for an hour or less as the updates load. Let's hope this works as smoothly as they're saying it will

Also,if anyone wants to donate a couple bucks towards the upgrade, just send me an email. I'd appreciate it.

Fingers crossed, we should be able to keep the same theme!

[McDeath]

Alright! I got logged in. Thanks a bunch.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Awesome! The old theme should be back up later today, and the avatars restored to their proper place on the left side of the posts.

[Tawnos76]

Able to get logged back in. Had to do a password change as what was saved in my password locker no longer worked.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Hey Tawnos! Good to see you back! We've been worried about you.

[garhkal]

Welcome back T..

[McDeath]

Anyone post a giant pic to see if it auto-resizes?

[Halaster Blackcloak]

Still have to test that.