Forum Upgrades

[Blunks]

If anybody knows a bit about forums, you might know vBulletin (what we use) is Alpha Testing vB4, so i want to know weather you think we should upgrade.

FpsOverload started on vBulletin 3.8.1 and we upgraded too 3.8.2 within a few hours, no problem, but upgrading to vBulletin 4 is a lot bigger and we may run into problems.

It would require most of a day to upgrade.

The whole site; database and files, would be backed up to another server AND downloaded to my hardrive were i'd copy it a few times onto externals.

I would use it as a chance to tweak around with the server, to improve MyOverload's service and FpsOverload.

Then I'd begin to update, thats where problems could occur, if there is something in our database, vb4 doesn't like, it might mean a waste of a day and time.

Anyway, if it all goes well, it should be a smoother, faster and more feature-full forum.

But there are some downsides..

All the current modifications we have installed will cease to work (Donation Bar, Points System, Form's, Competitions, downloads, etc...).

A days downtime.

I'd have to re-code the whole design, to fit the new software's template system.

If you want to know more about vbulletin check out vBulletin - Instant Community / vBulletin Announcements - vBulletin Community Forum

Thought i'd get your input before making any moves We've still got a while (Months) before its released, and then i'd work on the design, on a local installation before installing it here.

[^ Diesel]

sounds good to me

[Jibble]

Could we have a backup forum or website for updates on progress if this falls through?

[Ice-7]

eh, why to upgrade the vbullettin and in alpha stadium too?
w8 a little longer to be released and then buy it/install it.
thats my thought. i vote not sure cause i like new things but not unused new things,

[Blunks]

We will be installing the stable release. I'm saying the alpha is out now.

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Also, what do you mean jibble?

[^ geRR<3]

he means that if the new thing fails we can always have our old forums

[WeedMan]

jarhead, read above what blunks said.

The whole site; database and files, would be backed up to another server AND downloaded to my hardrive were i'd copy it a few times onto externals.

Then I'd begin to update, thats where problems could occur, if there is something in our database, vb4 doesn't like, it might mean a waste of a day and time.

all the data will be saved so that's not a problem.

blunks, rate the downsides and the upsides before making any decision. but like always, times passes, softs are getting old, and updates are necessary.

how much does it costs?

[Jibble]

We will be installing the stable release. I'm saying the alpha is out now.

---------- Post added at 00:13 ---------- Previous post was at 00:13 ----------

Also, what do you mean jibble?

It's not necessary, just a suggestion. A temporary site for to check to see how the installation of the new forum is going.

[Blunks]

Can do that

Will be an hour or so of server downtime though, but that can't be solved.

[raw114]

sounds like a god idea. i always like trying out new things