New Dinosaur Toy Forum

[Dinotoyforum]

Further to the recent develoment on the Dinosaur Toy Blog, I've also set up a new home for The Dinosaur Toy Forum. It isn't open yet, I'm still setting it up. But I'd be very interested in peoples thoughts at this stage. Unfortunately we would be stating from scratch and everyone would have to register there. I can't export data from the current forum.

www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/

[Tyrannax]

It looks excellent. Is that the theme you've chosen?

If you haven't discovered this already, you can find many more theme choices here:

custom.simplemachines.org/themes/

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

I don't think there's especially a need for a new forum. Maybe just re-design this one and link it to the blog?

[Griffin]

If you mind me asking is there a particular reason why we are getting a fresh forum? I think its more beneficial to just keep using the old one to be honest.

[Gorgonopsid]

Looks great. ;D Would we have to re register? Or can we stay here if we choose? Sorry I like the prehistoric one I'm on now. lol

[stoneage]

I'm happy here and don't understand the need for a new forum. What would I gain?

[Tyrannax]

I have to agree with some of the members. It may not be entirely necessary or even worth a transfer. I chose SMF over Proboards because I honestly enjoy the forum builder more, but I'm not sure if the cost of such a move will be to your liking.

[nobs]

Please dont start another forum! Its takin me over 2 years just to get a 3 star rating, and I was one of the first to join this place! It would be a shame to start from scratch again

[Dinotoyforum]

The theme and general appearance are a minor thing, it is functionality and utility I'm interested in. The decision to move will primarily be a back end one...

From an admin / moderator point of view, SMF is more flexible and easy to use, which will save us time. SMF allows us to make backups of data, which proboards does not. If I could transfer the data from this existing forum I would, but I cant because I don't have access to it. That's the problem. So, SMF will provide independence and security. Centralizing the forum and blog on a single domain also makes sense - it is more professional and better for Google. Moving to SMF will also mean members won't have to suffer random proboards ads any more. I'll be in charge of the advertising instead, which should help towards paying domain and database fees.

From a members perspective, little, if anything, should change, it is easy to use. I'll be testing it out with the moderators shortly and then we will make a final decision to move or not.

[Dinotoyforum]

Apr 14, 2010 19:08:58 GMT nobs said:

Please dont start another forum! Its takin me over 2 years just to get a 3 star rating, and I was one of the first to join this place! It would be a shame to start from scratch again

I will be able to set members star ratings as they join up so that they match the old forum.

By the way, If we move, I'll also keep proboards as a sort of read-only archive.

We can also manually transfer some of the more popular threads post by post.

[Gorgonopsid]

The ads don't really bother me at all.

[Dinotoyforum]

The potential new forum is starting to take shape.
www.dinotoyblog.com/forum
The moderators are currently testing the waters. Registration remains disabled but comments still welcome.

[Dinotoyforum]

Ironing out some glitches...

[stormnl]

cool new forum,,,give it a shot,,

[Dinotoyforum]

If anyone is wondering, there are server issues at the new forum that I'm trying to resolve. We won't move until (or if) they're all sorted...

[crazycrowman]

I personally like this forum, but would move if that is what you decide is necessary/best.

[Dinotoyforum]

The new forum is officially on the back burner for now. I just don't have the time at the moment to do all the troubleshooting required. It's a project for the future.

[Dinotoyforum]

I'm again experimenting with a new format for the dinosaur toy forum. Last time I tried this, about two years ago, we encountered technical issues, and we had to abort. However, I've long envisioned a fully integrated forum hosted on the dinotoyblog.com server, and I wonder if now is the time.

From an end-user perspective, there may not be many obvious changes. But from a management perspective, the new forum provides far more flexibility and freedom.

Ideally, I would migrate all our content and users by copying the database. Unfortunately, Proboards doesn't allow access to their (our!) database, or any other files for that matter. Therefore, there would be no simple way to move existing content. This lack of flexibility and freedom on the part of Proboards is frustrating, and it is part of the reason why I am considering moving.

Anyway, I'd like to invite all members to join and test it out, put the new forum to the test, see what you think. Comments, queries, and questions are welcome.

www.dinotoyblog.com/forum/

[Himmapaan]

*Bangs gong* Come along, folks, in case it has escaped your notice, the new Dino Toy Forum is live. There are presently still only three of us there! Shift your things and let us make the move.

Do I have to do an impression of Mushu?

[Dinotoyforum]

Yes, I'm very happy with the new forum and I have decided that we will eventually move there permanently. There will be a period of transition and I apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause. However, I'm making this decision for the benefit of the forum in the long run.

So, we look forward to seeing you there, and hope you settle in swiftly and smoothly Comments, questions and queries welcome as usual. I'll set up a thread on the new forum for comments etc. related to the new forum.