Forum/Server Upgrades - Status updates and questions go here

[sirwoogie]

ANNOUNCEMENT

We will be performing a complete server switchover on Sunday,  November 21st at ~11pm EST. We'll be making the following changes:

• ISP move
• Website access changes (see below)
• Forum software upgrade
• email transition

There will be a new addressing scheme enforced for this transition:

• http://arcadecontrols.com/ is the main site now. Notice there is no prefix of 'www' there.
  
• http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/ is the home of the forum system and it's subsequent items. There are redirections in place to handle all linkages, and you may see links on the BYOAC content still reference the old way. This will update over time, but the redirection items will still remain.
  

This upgrade will also include an upgrade of the YabbSE forum software to the latest replacement software called SMF. This is the next iteration of the YabbSE software, and has plenty of revamped code and some additional features (mainly explored in your profile settings). We'll be enabling some additional features, which will be covered in a subsequent forum post here.

If anything has been missed, or items are not working correctly, please contact us at:

transition@arcadecontrols.com

Thanks, and enjoy the new server!!!

BYOAC staff and moderators

[sirwoogie]

EDIT: I will keep the running tab of reported issues and resolution items here...

Old Poll voting categories and results are lost

This is known. The upgrade process carried over the fact there was a poll, but not the option or the votes cast on each. This data is still around, and I'm working on a way to convert them over to the new table entries.

Attachments that are images show up as in-line images in posts

(FIXED) This is a feature of the new software. In an effort to be courteous of our bandwidth-challenged users, the feature has been disabled.

Spell check is bringing up a blank pop-up

(FIXED) Some dictionaries were not installed for aspell that the forum software required.

New smiley are ugly

(FIXED) I personally agree. You can change this in your forum profile:

Code: [Select]

Modify Profile -> Look and Layout Preferences -> Current Smiley Set -> classic
Will enable the old ones.

Attachments cannot be viewed and/or posted

(FIXED) The global permissions disallowed attachment posting and viewing for everybody except the Administrator role. Adjusted to allow global read of attachment, and member post of attachment.

There used to be a little light for on/offline, now it's a text thingy.

(FIXED) Yep, in fact all icons were not showing up. The Theme setting had icons to display as text by default. I re-enabled icons for all buttons, which includes "ONLINE"

Smileys are showing up as text in messages and the Message compose screen

(FIXED) Icons directory permission problem and missing files.

Attachments do not download (GIF, etc)

(FIXED) Forum was misconfigured to look at an invalid attachments directory.

Forum topic links embedded in topic threads do not redirect properly

(FIXED) Rewrite rule adjusted to not include "Escape" HTTP code '%25' when fixing ';' translation to HTTP code.
This is a known problem. It appears that our redirection system causing a translation of the ';' into it's HTTP code equivalent with an escape HTTP code: %253b. Currently, clicking the link will take you to the board index page. Substituting the HTTP code with the ';' will work temporarily.

[Tiger-Heli]

Can someone re-add the links to the main page and the other forums at the top of the page.

Also, links to messages in the old format do not seem to be working.

[SirPeale]

Also, links to messages in the old format do not seem to be working.

That'll be a problem, esp. for the FAQ @ the top.

[sirwoogie]

Yeah, we know about the links at the top. Those should be in later today.

Regarding the topic links, I'm a bit confused.  In all of my testing, the links to the /yabbse worked seamlessly with previous installations of this new software. Now, the links simply take you to the top of the board. I agree that needs to be fixed, and we'll look into it.

[SirPeale]

There is an issue with the attached pictures not showing up.  As far as I know the admins know about it, and are working on it.

[RetroJames]

Dang guys!  Bugs aside, nice job on the upgrades.  The site is screaming fast!

[saint]

I take full credit for staying out of SirWoogie's way as he kicked butt and took names! Serious props to him for all the work he's done - particularly when you factor in his having to wait for me to stop hemming and hawing and get off my duff to let him do his thing!

--- saint

Dang guys!  Bugs aside, nice job on the upgrades.  The site is screaming fast!

[SirPeale]

There used to be a little light for on/offline, now it's a text thingy.  Is there an option to show that icon?

[saint]

There are still several things to be tweaked on the new forums. When all is said and done, you should be able to view and create attachments again, have the list of message boards up at the top, etc. In other words, it should look essentially identical to the old forum, with better speed and more features. I will tackle some of it when I get home tonight after work.

I *think* I have viewing of attachments back in business, let me know if that's not the case.

-- saint

[SirPeale]

'tis not the case, sire.

[sirwoogie]

'tis not the case, sire.

Should be fixed. Tested with guest account.

[Kremmit]

'tis not the case, sire.

I see 'em...


edit: don't you just hate when somebody else beats you to the punch while you type a post 

edit 2, later the same day:  Wow, just posted elsewhere and when I pressed save, I got a warning message that said (more or less) "Warning:  A reply has been added while you were typing; you may want to review before posting", and the new post was on the screen, with my post still in the editing box!  Neat new feature, Thanks!

[Jabba]

New site looks real good guys. Message boards also feel considerably faster. Good job!

[SirPeale]

'tis not the case, sire.

Should be fixed. Tested with guest account.

Not for me, anyway.

I just tried with another account, and I can see the attachments just fine.  Looks like it's just being rude to my account.

[sirwoogie]

In a matter of speaking it was. Global moderator permissions didn't get selected. I pushed the policy to all of them:

Guest: view only
All members: view/post

[sirwoogie]

I take full credit for staying out of SirWoogie's way as he kicked butt and took names! Serious props to him for all the work he's done - particularly when you factor in his having to wait for me to stop hemming and hawing and get off my duff to let him do his thing!

You sly dog. 

I appreciate the kind words! However, let's not overlook the fact that if it hadn't been for your site and the dedication the community has shown towards this effort, I wouldn't have had anything to do! You're site is what got me into what is now my favorite hobby (and money waster!).

Props to you boyeeeee   

[datac0re]

The new forums rock! Plus I love the three themes you can choose 

Overall the performance seems a lot better. Keep up the good work!

[sirwoogie]

To be honest, I'm pleasantly suprised at the performance. I didn't think I'd eek out this much for this machine, and this isn't even totally new technology.

New box is a 3Ghz HT P4, 1G RAM and a 120G hard drive.  Previous was a 1.7 Celeron, 512G, 40G hard drive. I've thrown gentoo and the 2.6 Con Kolivas kernel in. I optimized the Mysql and apache installations on this machine as best as currently possible.

We went from average 50% busy to 4% busy, and the forum speed has gone from average 0.6 sec generation to 0.045 sec generation. Pretty good stuff. Upgrading the forum software has helped too.

[Tiger-Heli]

Many of the threads that I had "Notify of replies" selected yesterday are deselected now.  Possibly due to yesterdays changes, but not certain.

Overall, this has been a very seamless upgrade.  Thanks for all the hard work.

EDIT:  Before I normally checked notify of replies when I answered a topic.  Now I found it got hidden under additional options, so I probably didn't click it for yesterday's replies, I also noticed that it's a profile option now as well, so I updated my profile.

Thanks and sorry to bother you with my mistakes.

[paigeoliver]

Yesterday I had the title "Posting God". Today it is gone.

Where did it go? 

[SirPeale]

I had it to.  Must have shut it off.

[Matt, GoC]

Some posts are missing attached pictures.

[Tiger-Heli]

Is this a bug or is there an option somewhere?

There's an option - When you send a PM there's a checkbox for "Save in Outbox" and there's also a default that you can set in User Profile.

[Matt, GoC]

Ya, just noticed that option

[saint]

Yeah, I turned it off  

I had it to.  Must have shut it off.

[sirwoogie]

Ya, just noticed that option

Matt, Please give me the topic links and I'll check it out. The upgrade is an "overlay" process where we make the changes on top of the existing installation directories, so no files should have been lost that were there. But, there may be some linkage missing from the topic and it's associated files.

[SirPoonga]

Are we going to have the top menu tothe forums and other forums fromt he old template soon?  I miss one click forum navigating.

[sirwoogie]

Are we going to have the top menu tothe forums and other forums fromt he old template soon? I miss one click forum navigating.

Yes, we will have it back. The forum template has changed a bit, so it will take a bit longer to reformat it for the current template.

[Shape D.]

I don't know if it's just me, but i have to refresh the page to clear the new flag off what i've read. just wondering if it's me or if its a part of switching the server over?

[sirwoogie]

I don't know if it's just me, but i have to refresh the page to clear the new flag off what i've read. just wondering if it's me or if its a part of switching the server over?

This was an option in the forum to cut down on some bandwidth by allowing the browser to pull it's cache instead of a refresh of the page when the backward/forward buttons in the browser or forum were used. This doesn't seem totally necessary, so I'll turn it off and see how we go.

[darktemp]

I don't know if it's just me, but i have to refresh the page to clear the new flag off what i've read. just wondering if it's me or if its a part of switching the server over?

This was an option in the forum to cut down on some bandwidth by allowing the browser to pull it's cache instead of a refresh of the page when the backward/forward buttons in the browser or forum were used. This doesn't seem totally necessary, so I'll turn it off and see how we go.

I use Mozilla Firefox and the forums always returned to the top of the page when doing back/forward operations.  After the forum upgrades it finally started remembering the page location for about a day and now it's back.  This is a known bug in Firefox and I believe that option is what made it return, is there anyway you could leave the auto refresh off?

[Matt, GoC]

Here are two topics that are missing attachments:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,27659.0.html

[SirPeale]

I don't know if it's just me, but i have to refresh the page to clear the new flag off what i've read. just wondering if it's me or if its a part of switching the server over?

This was an option in the forum to cut down on some bandwidth by allowing the browser to pull it's cache instead of a refresh of the page when the backward/forward buttons in the browser or forum were used. This doesn't seem totally necessary, so I'll turn it off and see how we go.

Too bad, I like this option.  That way I can click 'back' and jump right back to where I was browsing down the thread lists.  The other way it reloaded each time.

[Tiger-Heli]

I don't know if it's just me, but i have to refresh the page to clear the new flag off what i've read. just wondering if it's me or if its a part of switching the server over?

This was an option in the forum to cut down on some bandwidth by allowing the browser to pull it's cache instead of a refresh of the page when the backward/forward buttons in the browser or forum were used. This doesn't seem totally necessary, so I'll turn it off and see how we go.

Too bad, I like this option.  That way I can click 'back' and jump right back to where I was browsing down the thread lists.  The other way it reloaded each time.

I'm pretty sure I agree with Peale on this one . . .

BTW, can we add an option - Send an e-mail notification when Peale's avatar changes - just keeping, my in-box couldn't keep up with it anyway.

[SirPeale]

I'm pretty sure I agree with Peale on this one . . .

The mind ray is working.  Good, my precioussssssssssssss...

BTW, can we add an option - Send an e-mail notification when Peale's avatar changes - just keeping, my in-box couldn't keep up with it anyway.

LOL...I was just trying out some new ones I found recently.  It'll be back to the Superman one...for now.

[pointdablame]

I really miss the forum links up top... glad they're coming back.

I have to agree though about the auto-refresh on "back."  It's a bit of a nuisance compared to the old version where the "new" flag was gone from threads I had read, and I was at the area of the page I was previously at.  I'd really like to see it back.

[SirPoonga]

We are running on SMF now, right?

Man, this is so much better than yabbse.  I like the warning that if a new message came in as you hit reply it warns you about it.  Many other little feature make it better to browse the forums.

I haven't tried the search too much yet.

[SirPeale]

You took away the calendar.  Please bring it back!

[sirwoogie]

To answer SP and Peale,

Yes, we're running SMF RC2 at the moment. I have some other little tweaks and things to throw in  sometime that we might do in a "TESTBED" theme so we can get comment. Try the search engine, you'll be astounded how much faster it is.

With regards to the calendar, what you like to see with it? Saint and I don't really care one way or the other. It can also be used to post events and other items on it besides birthdays and holidays. If we get some comments, we can consider turning it back on and using it for the community benefit.

[SirPeale]

With regards to the calendar, what you like to see with it? Saint and I don't really care one way or the other. It can also be used to post events and other items on it besides birthdays and holidays. If we get some comments, we can consider turning it back on and using it for the community benefit.

Events are good,I was going to post the NEBYOAC meetup, when I found it was off.  Birthdays are always cool too, you can hit it up and see who's just knocked a peg off Death's abacus.

[SirPeale]

Can we get an idea of who liked the refresh page thing more or less?  I liked going back to where I read. The way it is now is like the old boards, but you can really reduce the bandwidth if it doesn't refresh each time.

[Tiger-Heli]

Can we get an idea of who liked the refresh page thing more or less?  I liked going back to where I read. The way it is now is like the old boards, but you can really reduce the bandwidth if it doesn't refresh each time.

Well, I'm pretty sure that using Firefox (which I am), it doesn't refresh anyway, but I prefer having it not refresh and I can always click the "Reload page" browser toolbar button if I want the latest page.

[SirPeale]

I'm using FireFox, and yes, it reloads every time I go back or forwards.

[sirwoogie]

OK, I turned the calendar back on, and it'll post events in the Main forum. Saint didn't really have big problem with it, just to reduce clutter. I guess we can see how it goes.

I'm still going to leave the refresh on for a bit to see how people think it goes, and then we can evaluate whether it should still be on or not.

[paigeoliver]

You do realize that there is still no link back to the main site, at least not that I can find. I have the messageboard bookmarked, not the main site, and I always used the messageboard links to get to the main site.

[SirPeale]

Some of the forum tags don't seem to be working.  Here's an example:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=18352

The table tags should make a table, not display.

[JoyMonkey]

I've a very minor suggestion;
I notice that when I do a search now, the results seem to be out of order. The old search (whenever it worked) used to sort by most recent first. Can it be defaulted back to sorting by date?

[JoyMonkey]

Some of the forum tags don't seem to be working.  Here's an example:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=18352

The table tags should make a table, not display.

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML. So it goes like this:

Code: [Select]

[table]
[tr]
[td]This cell is full of arse[/td]
[td]Don't know what to type here[/td]
[tr]
[/table]

Doing it this way allows more complicated tables to be created, the old software was painfull at handling tables.
Older tables that don't have a TR tag won't display correctly (like yours).

[sirwoogie]

I've a very minor suggestion;
I notice that when I do a search now, the results seem to be out of order. The old search (whenever it worked) used to sort by most recent first. Can it be defaulted back to sorting by date?

Under 'Advanced search' you can set the search order. I'd rather leave it at relevant since it actually is pretty good in it's results on most basic queries.

[sirwoogie]

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML. So it goes like this:

Code: [Select]

[table]
[tr]
[td]This cell is full of arse[/td]
[td]Don't know what to type here[/td]
[tr]
[/table]

Doing it this way allows more complicated tables to be created, the old software was painfull at handling tables.
Older tables that don't have a TR tag won't display correctly (like yours).

Couldn't have said it better myself

[SirPeale]

It seems that the table tag now needs to have the TR tag nested in order to work, just like real HTML...

Good call!

[DrewKaree]

I may be wrong on this, but I thought when sending a PM to someone, we used to be able to add attachments.  Even if I'm wrongn on this, is it possible to send an attachment to someone via PM with this software?

[Matt, GoC]

Is it possible to add the option to have attachments not appear unless you click on them?  Like during the transition, there was a point where pics would not appear, just links.  This would be handy, as we wouldn't have to scroll past several pictures we've already seen, just to get to the unseen ones.  This would also save saint bandwidth, and 56k users a long wait.  Could this be done?

-Matt

[sirwoogie]

Is it possible to add the option to have attachments not appear unless you click on them? Like during the transition, there was a point where pics would not appear, just links. This would be handy, as we wouldn't have to scroll past several pictures we've already seen, just to get to the unseen ones. This would also save saint bandwidth, and 56k users a long wait. Could this be done?

Since this was the behavior of the old forum software, I will re-enable it. I agree this could help the bandwidth challenged users that would have to wait a long time on attachment loads.

[Matt, GoC]

Cool, but now I don't know where to change the option.

[pointdablame]

I have to agree... is there an option to turn the attachments BACK on.  I understand the need for it with 56k and all, but what if you are on broadband and WANT to see the attachments.   The idea on clicking through 10 pictures in a thread is not as appealing as simply scrolling down.

[RetroJames]

I have to agree... is there an option to turn the attachments BACK on.

[sirwoogie]

Unfortunately, there is no profile specific option to enable. If I turn it back on, it's on permanently. I think I'll just renable it, and look for a way to modify the forum code to make it a profile option

[Matt, GoC]

Don't toil over it too much, sirwoogie.  I'm not quite sure how customizable the software is, but since it's PHP you should be able to hack it.  I agree that having it off is annoying.  Just thinking of ways to help save saint some money by not having to pay for as much bandwidth costs...  If he can't pay for the bills, this entire community will vanish... so you get the basis for my concerns.

-Matt

[saint]

Don't let that worry you. We have 500 gigs of bandwidth a month to play with on this new server and we aren't coming close. Use 1 gig, use 500 gigs, the cost is the same. You're going to see this site become more multi-media oriented, not less. The only thing holding that back is concern over 56k dial up users.

Thanks

--- saint

Don't toil over it too much, sirwoogie.  I'm not quite sure how customizable the software is, but since it's PHP you should be able to hack it.  I agree that having it off is annoying.  Just thinking of ways to help save saint some money by not having to pay for as much bandwidth costs...  If he can't pay for the bills, this entire community will vanish... so you get the basis for my concerns.

-Matt

[vader]

People still have 56k ?....say it ain't so

[DrewKaree]

I'd LOVE to say it ain't so, but with their requirement for a year-long contract and my sketchy work schedule in the winter months and the ability to ditch my dialup for a month if need be....I just can't make the jump until prices come down - and I DON'T mean all the "dynamite prices for 3-6 months, then back to the high prices" deals they pimp out there. 

Others prolly have the same thoughts as me, and others here may not be the ones paying for their ISP, so it sucks, but it won't change.

Just some possible reasons you may not have thought of 

Oh, but for the record, I use Firefox and just open topic after topic after topic and let them open in their own tab - yet ANOTHER reason to like Firefox over IE.

[vader]

Firefox is King.....IE bow before it's knees....... ...you can usually get away from the contract if your provide your own modem, that is what I did with bellsouth....so I can walk out anytime I want......but where would I go...I'm to spoiled now.......3000K vs. 56k......hmm...decisions...

Tim

[Jabba]

People still have 56k ?....say it ain't so

Unfortunately, the answer is Yes from me too. I can only get dial-up or satellite in my home. I am only 1 mile away from the main road but thats just far enought that the cable company/telephone company won't "invest" in a line.

I tried a Satellite connection, but it was cr@p. High bandwidth to download, 56K modem to upload. Plus, it was $70/month plus another $24.95 for dial-up. I lasted 6 months and then reverted back to dial-up.

[mahuti]

I would like to move out in the sticks... but anywhere I move has to have cable or dsl....

ah, the curse of being a web designer.

[DrewKaree]

In using the SMF (is that the right name for that theme?) I noticed that the forum links at the top of any screen are absent.  I'm currently back to the default theme and noticing a few things I'd like to see on the other theme, as I like the look of it

Another question is that at the top of a forum in the default theme, it gives a little "X number of members and X number of guests are browsing this forum".  Is that also possible to implement in the SMF theme?

Lastly, in the SMF theme, it's DARNED hard to tell what is stickied, what is locked, or whatever the icons for each thread are.  Is there another set of icons that can be used for that theme?

I know these questions would only apply to the SIX of us that were using that theme, but if they could be implemented, I for one would really appreciate it, as I'd like to switch back, but this theme currently has more functionality to it.


*edit*
I also JUST noticed, after looking ENDLESSLY for these options in the old theme, that they are right at the top in this theme...again, possible to implement in SMF?

[DrewKaree]

Sorry to be such a PITA, but the SMF default theme has some options I think would be useful for the others as well

The things noted in the pic are what I'm referring to.  I know they already have a search button, but a quick search bar

[sirwoogie]

It is possible to implement the new theme items in the old theme and vice-versa. I just didn't take the time to replicate between the two. That'll be a new years project along with plenty of other enhancements.

[DrewKaree]

SirW, I noticed today the changes to the optional theme - thank you very very much! 

[sirwoogie]

..and to answer your questions regarding the icons in the SMF theme for the thread status, I agree that they are difficult to read. You have to look close, but there is a difference in the sticky icon vs. the real icon vs. the lock icon (sticky has a slight drop shadow, lock has a little padlock in it). The legend is at the bottom of the main index page for your reference. I don't plan on changing the icons in the default theme, but rather offer a different theme that blends aspects of both and some other theme's I'm cooking up.