Forum Upgrade Pending

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Yes, it's that time again, after four years of continuous operations.

Details have been provided in a new announcement posted on every forum, but I will quote it below for ease-of-access.

You may use this thread to discuss software-related operational concerns and suggestions, or to simply post questions as they occur to you. Try not to whinge too much, this new package is costing me enough time & money as it is!

Ladies & Gentlemen,

This is just to advise you that a major Forum upgrade is planned for sometime in the very near future.

The base software package will be upgraded from v2.3.5 to v3.6.8; this is to (1), rectify certain errors such as the auto-mailer function (lost passwords etc); (2), give us better control over potential spammers and spambots trying to register; (3), streamline Forum speed & efficiency, and (4), generally increase Forum security on all levels.

You will all be given at least 24 hours' notice prior to this upgrade, and the anticipated down-time will be anywhere from four hours to one day.

This is because the complexity of the newer software; while all IDs, passwords, PMs and posts etc WILL be saved, anything not embedded in the database will have to be reconfigured, with any specialised graphics and all files governing look & layout reloaded and tested until we're satisfied we have replicated what we have now as much as is possible.

Most of these should be transparent to you after the fact, but there WILL be new features you will be urged to investigate before you get stuck in to your usual traffic.

Immediately I post this announcement I shall also start a specific thread in the Sergeants' Mess governing the upgrade, so that you have an outlet through which you can voice your comments, concerns and suggestions. I will address what issues I can, when I can.

Because our membership is scattered across the four corners of the earth, some here are inevitably going to be impacted more than others. All I can promise is that before I take this down to back-up and upgrade, I'll conduct a study to determine the time of least impact.

That is all.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Good t'ing it's the Sgt's mess...sure as hell wouldn't have worked in the officers mess forum...
You are doing a great job Jif....we may even make you an honourary Sr.N.C.O...

[PPS]

I always thought that it was the:-

Private soldier who told the Corporal, who told the Sargeant, who told the Sarn't-Major, who told the Officer, that made things work

Seriously though, I enjoy coming onto the site and reading the posts, watching how various projects are proceeding, and the "funnies", etc.

Anything that improves the site can only be of benefit to all of us, no matter how little or how much we use the site.

Geoff, I congratulate and you on all the hard work that is put into the site. Please keep it up, and long may it continue.

Paul.

P.S. I wonder if it is legal to the "idiots" (you would remove me if I put my REAL thoughts on them) who try and "interfere" with sites such as this one?

Paul.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Good t'ing it's the Sgt's mess...sure as hell wouldn't have worked in the officers mess forum...
You are doing a great job Jif....we may even make you an honourary Sr.N.C.O...

Hey, Air Vice Marshall Blair...would it be appropriate to make the following comment...vis a vis the relationship 'twixt Officers and NCOs (not bloody NCMs!!!)...

When something is Commissioned, it is deemed to be workable.

When something is Warranted, it is bloody well going to be workable.

[Ryan]

Cheers Geoff, thanks for the heads up and a big thanks for the hard work and time you put into the site.

Hi ... just wondering if finally upgrading the software to current or even more current than the now 2003 version might do away with the conflicts causing forum access problems??? Is this possible?

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Hey, Air Vice Marshall Blair...would it be appropriate to make the following comment...vis a vis the relationship 'twixt Officers and NCOs (not bloody NCMs!!!)...

When something is Commissioned, it is deemed to be workable.

When something is Warranted, it is bloody well going to be workable.

Hi Jon..
There are exceptions to my statement..there are some dandy Officers...They are the ones that have been Commissioned from the Ranks..(CFR's).
I believe you fall into that catagory ,don't you..??
I turned down the opportunity three times..Once as a Sgt.and twice as a Warrant officer..
..
An' D'ats 'da t'roof...

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

G'day all,

This is to advise the upgrade has been purchased and will be performed by the experienced vBulletin technicians in the next few days. I will endeavour to give you as much warning as possible before the Forum is taken down. I'm hoping the duration will be only a matter of a few hours, but that's dependent on them to some extent.

The new software will look very similar to the package we have now, but with new features which we'll all have to investigate! I know the security aspects will be improved so reduce our workload in handling spammers, and the other features mentioned in my original post will also be included. I will have to manually reconfigure the graphics etc once the software itself is verified as operational; I stress that we WILL NOT LOSE ANY POSTS OR OTHER USER-RELATED INFORMATION.

During the upgrade process, you may keep in touch with me through an alternate email address of corowa30 _at_ sympatico.ca (remove the _at_ and substitute with the regular email sign, no spaces). Please note that NOW, not go looking for it once the Forum is down...

Thanks, I'll be in touch!

Jif

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

EVERYONE --

The Forum will be upgraded at 0800 PST/1100 EST/1600 ZULU/0300 AEDT tomorrow, Sunday 03 February 2008.

This means that I will take down MLU at approx 0900 EST/1400 ZULU/0100 AEDT to backup everything first.

Please be advised that installation and reconfiguration should take at least a couple of hours, so please do NOT anticipate using the forum until at least 1300 EST, and don't be surprised if it takes longer than that for testing, adjustment and proof-posting. Service WILL be restored Sunday afternoon EST one way or another.

Thanks for your understanding!

Jif

[Pedr]

Getting withdrawls already at the thought.

Pedr

Excellent news to hear the actual day and time have arrived and I hope it all goes smoothly ... maybe I'll visit some of the same newer version forums who use the software to see what it looks and acts like beforehand ... just to get an idea

Yes ... I predict many will go through bouts of MLU Withdrawals and I can only recommend a visit to your local hospital emergency ward if the anxiety and shakes become too much to bear ...

I found a military interests forum using the new version if anyone wants alook, BUT, Geoff, will you be able to keep the same current background and looks etc, or will you have to have a whole different look I wonder?


Here's the forum (and I visited many having much the same looks and setups as this one)
http://www.militaryimages.net/forums/index.php

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir 2nd
Geoff, will you be able to keep the same current background and looks etc, or will you have to have a whole different look I wonder?

Same as at present. There will be other mods I will be instituting, but not immediately.

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Same as at present. There will be other mods I will be instituting, but not immediately.

That's great. I have always really liked the forum "look"!!!

[PPS]

Well done and Good Luck Geoff.

We ALL know that you work hard to make this Forum what it is, and the assistance of others does not go unnoticed either.

Paul.