possible switch to vbulletin
 

I would like some feedback from you guys on this one.

Right now we're using a software called Drupal, which is a highly configurable CMS (content management system). It's mainly used for blog sites (www.blogger.com) and news sites (www.theonion.com).

It's very powerful if you are using it for the right thing. Drupals strongpoint has never been forums, which is exactly the problem.

The forum module on this software is lacking in so many ways.

I admin another forum that uses vbulletin and I've grown to like it more and more. It's very user friendly and it's VERY easy to administer. It's highly customizable and the load times are really fast.

I think I'm sold, but I need to first find out if the move will be supported by the users here.

If we do make the move it will happen all behind the scenes, so don't expect any downtime. The messages will all be transferred over to the new software, and I'll also figure out a way to make the old links still work. MPG data and garage info will also be transferred, albeit slowly.

I'm looking for a more stable, user friendly software to host our growing community.

I'd love feedback and thoughts on this. It will most likely take a while to do as I'll have to create a bunch of custom scripts to transfer everything over. I'd like to get started however and see how much I can do.

yes to Vbulletin. Will we
 

yes to Vbulletin. Will we get the latest version?

Sweeeet!
 

Sweeeet!

Re: yes to Vbulletin. Will we
 

I think 3.5.4 is the latest version, so yes.

Like I said, this could take a while. I have this combined with about 12 other projects I have going on right now. I might want to prioritize this one though as it will most likely remove many of my other headaches.

cool
 

cool

I just purchased the license
 

I just purchased the license and have begun installation.

Sites to "Test Drive"
 

Are there sites that use the program that you'd recommend visiting to try it out?

RH77

The onion is worth visiting
 

The onion is worth visiting for hilarity!

Re: Sites to "Test Drive"
 

I would visit www.Bikeforums.net to see a nice clean example of vbulletin, and because it's run by a friend of mine.

Oops, I suck
 

Oops, I suck

If it helps...
 

I guess if it helps (as in attracting new members and helping with load times) it would be better -- but this site's format has a less-cluttered look and an easier way to view multiple thread topics. Maybe I'm just nostalgic...

RH77

Re: If it helps...
 

I personally really like the layout of this site as it is. The downside is that there is a real glass ceiling with the software, and we're already really smashed up against it.

Behind the Scenes
 

Not knowing what goes on behind the scenes here, I would have to vote for whatever expands the possibilities. I'm sure we would get used to it pretty quickly. I assume everything would carry-over as far as thread order and content...

RH77

Re: Behind the Scenes
 

That will be the biggest headache, but do-able I'm certain.

The install today was a
 

The install today was a success. I emailed one of the developers and he may be able to make the importation script for us to import user and forum data.

I would like to ask a question, however.

We have two options: Switch over now and temporarily lose the ability to use the wiki, gaslog, local gas prices, and garage

OR

Wait until suitable replacements are found for all of them. Some of them will require custom coding (probably all of them) so it could take a while.

I'd wait.
 

I'd wait.

willing.
 

Willing to wait.

Props on the switch for less headache on your end.
So IF you can reduce headaches on your end by switching now, I say do it now. As members and humans we will adapt. :)

Re: I'd wait.
 

I just hope I'm willing to wait :P

I need to investigate how difficult it is to code plugins for this new software. Odds are it's easy as the software itself is amazingly powerful.

Re: I'd wait.
 

I've decided to try to outsource the coding for the garage/gaslog/wiki/etc. With any luck I'll be able to get something good and without much headache.

I'll wait also. Good to have
 

I'll wait also. Good to have the stuff in the meantime, I think.

Re: I'll wait also. Good to have
 

what he said.

I'll wait also.
 

I'll wait also.

Re: I'll wait also.
 

There may be a nice gentleman in Pakistan willing to program for us. I'll see.

here's an odd question: If the "EPA Rating" for each vehicle were to be filled in by each user and not selected from a database, how likely would you be to actually look up your EPA rating and input it yourself? It might save a big amount of time/difficulty in the programming process.

if you provide the link
 

if you provide the link where it is I'm sure members will look it up.

Extremely likely Matt. And
 

Extremely likely Matt. And anyone that wants to know, I volunteer to retrieve that data for you. PM me and I'll hook you up.

Re: if you provide the link
 

I think you're right.

switch... i would rather be
 

switch...
i would rather be able to edit my posts and navigate like every other site i use....
this site is so 'unique' on my list of favorites
i feel like i'm going somewhere else
journey to the other side of the internet

You can edit your posts, why
 

You can edit your posts, why not? Anyway, if need be I'll set up EPA stuff for people, but that might get boring after a while.

Re: You can edit your posts, why
 

I can help you with that if you need help.

People can Probably Look it Up
 

If you provide a link to the EPA's economy pages and maybe a give little instruction, I think people can handle it. It sounds like more work than it's worth.

RH77

Re: You can edit your posts, why
 

I think I'll let people get their own data. Really, no one has a reason to lie about their EPA rating, and odds are everyone here already knows this information prior to visiting the site.

I'll probably just provide a link so people can enter their own EPA valuves. We don't need a person who does it for everyone.

More progress... sorta
 

I was talking with a guy who was going to program everything for the gaslog and garage, but he seemed to have quit replying to IMs and emails. After talking with a friend it turns out this guy is notorious for doing this type of thing.

Sooo...

I'm going to write my own garage and gaslog plugin for the new forum. The wiki will come after vbulletin is up and running.

Work is really busy right now, so expect it to take al ittle while longer to get the garage/gaslog up. I'm also waiting on a vbulletin developer to finish the import script from drupal to vbulletin, so we do have a little time.

Thanks for the patience and donations so far.

i assume vbulletin has an
 

i assume vbulletin has an e-mail notify feature that lets you know when threads you've posted to are updated.

does it also have the ability to notify you by e-mail when *any* thread is started/updated?

can you opt for full-text of new posts via e-mail?

You must heart email, Metro.
 

You must heart email, Metro. What the hell is your name, Metro?

it's not that i particularly
 

it's not that i particularly heart e-mail, but i already check it regularly, and it would save me also obsessively checking the gassavers site for new stuff ;) cut down on the carpal tunnel risk, you know.

real name? = darin

also, i may know of some other people who would use the site if it were also accessible by e-mail (no web access - military)

Hmm, Canadians with there
 

Hmm, Canadians with there names...

eh?
 

eh?

That jokes prolly doesn't
 

That jokes prolly doesn't make sense to anyone else, sorry. It's a fine name.

Re: i assume vbulletin has an
 

Vbulletin lets you subscribe to threads, including threads that you start. Email notification is a part of that I believe.

As for the "daily digest" being sent to your email, I'm unsure if this is an option. If it is I'm unsure if I would install it as it would remind me a little too much of Yahoo groups.

Anyway, I'm working on the garage plugin still. I've had a few snags trying to learn this new software and all of it's little tricks. I seem to have overcome a rather large stumbling block last night though around 3am, so I'm hoping to move forward a bit faster for now.

THe developers at
 

THe developers at vbulletin.com just finished the import script from Drupal to vbulletin. We're almost ready for teh switch.

I just need to finish the garage/gaslog and we'll be in business.