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View Full Version : The new and improved Clarkblog.org is coming soon!! Please Read Me Now!!


LouisWu
01-05-2008, 10:01 PM
To our Members and our Readers;

The decision has been made to finally upgrade the site software here at Clarkblog.org in a very significant fashion. When the site was first stood up in September 2006, we decided to utilize the freeware that came with the server package to stand up the site and see how it would perform in a limited area like you have in Clark County. Chief and I have battled innumerable gremlins in the software and many of the regular posting members are well aware of the limitations that Simple Machines Forums software brought with it.

The Principals that run this site have purchased a lifetime license to vBulletin, a very powerful forum sortware program. We are going to shortly begin the process of transitioning Clarkblog from SMF to vBulletin, and re-launch the website with an entirely new and updated look. Chief and I agree that the benefits are worth the effort, and we both trust that the members will agree with us once this process is complete.

We are doing this to give us better control over the site, and to improve the way it looks, and operates. Our Archiving process has been proven to be badly flawed, and that is largely a result of the inherent limitations of the software we have right now. VBulletin will not only give us expanded archiving, but errors will be reduced, access speeds and post times should be significantly better, and the overall management of the website will be greatly simplified.

The biggest change that Members will see will be the appearance of a better structure for Members, along with additional Moderators to help keep the site flowing. Also, our Front Page will be vastly different, more informative, and better looking to boot.

Sometime in the next 48 hours, I expect to take the site offline for as long as the conversion will require. If all goes well, we should be back on line very quickly, and I will put up notice before we take the site down. Once we come back up, you will have to log in with a temporary password, which you can change once you log back in to whatever you want. I intend to make sure post counts transfer as well, but everyone is responsible for their own numbers, just in case. I can restore your post totals, but only if you know what they are.

For now, nothing will change. Continue posting while I get to work behind the scenes and on the server. Details will follow as need be.

Thank you for your patience, and your ongoing support of Clarkblog.org

Louis Wu
Administrator

LouisWu
01-06-2008, 06:00 AM
I am backing up the site in preparation for taking it down to start the conversion process. Anything posted to the site after right now will not be saved.

Louis Wu
Administrator

Waterbuffalo
01-06-2008, 03:18 PM
Can't hardly wait! Would love to see what is going to be coming up next.

LouisWu
01-06-2008, 03:22 PM
I have successfully uploaded vBulletin to the server. It will take me several more hours to configure everything and to make sure that we are perfectly in order before I finalize the conversion. In short, the conversion is proceeding very well.

Once again, nothing that anyone has posted since 6:00 AM will be saved, since that was the cutoff time for the Master Backup. Very little data will be lost if everyone refrains from hitting the site until I give the all clear.

Thank you for your patience, and your support.


Louis Wu
Administrator

Chief
01-06-2008, 04:55 PM
Many thanks indeed are due to the intrepid Louis Wu for his efforts today. I played almost no role in getting the server setup accomplished, and I stand in awe at those who did. Our Tech Reps on the server were an enormous asset to the process today (as I understand it) and Louis, I will gladly pay for your cellphone this month.

I just had a peek at the construct, and I'm psyched about getting started on vBulletin. Louis and I agree that we'll have the new setup going just as soon as we are able, and we'll make an announcement before we make the actual switch. Stay tuned for emerging details....

;D

Waterbuffalo
01-06-2008, 05:34 PM
"Stay tuned for emerging details...."

Now that should have been the name of this thread? :-)

LouisWu
01-07-2008, 02:16 PM
Update

I am still chasing server issues in an attempt to get the new system up and running. I sense we are close, but until we can resolve a couple of problems with the server installation, I cannot complete the setup. Chief and I remain confident that we can get the system up and running sometime this week.

Thank you for your continued patience and support of Clarkblog.org.

Louis Wu
Administrator

Edited to add: Chief, you owe me more than a cell phone bill. If this doesn't do it, ask my Mom, she knows which ones I like. If they are out of the Coronas, get the Churchills.

http://www.thecigarstore.com/Cigars/Carlos-Torano/Carlos-Torano-1916-Corona.htm

Carlos Torano 1916 Corona
SKU: 02CAT16CO

Carlos Torano Cameroon 1916 Corona cigars comprise rich, savory Honduran & Nicaraguan tobaccos encased in delicately spicy African Cameroon wrappers. Medium bodied, well-balanced and complex with a marvelous aroma, this fine cigar is great for after dinner or after anything, for that matter!

Manufacturer: Carlos Torano
Filler: Honduras
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Honduras
Package: Box of 25
Size: 5.5 " x 42

And another fifth of the Scoresby will be just fine with those as well.

Louis

Chief
01-08-2008, 05:12 AM
Louis and I have made the decision to repoen the forum for now. It is likely going to take an addditional day or so to finish the conversion, so we will run a new set of backups when we are ready to go.

Post away!

LouisWu
01-08-2008, 05:43 AM
I reluctantly agreed to reopen the board, only because I cannot give Chief a time certain when I will be done with the conversion. I hope to sort out the last niggling details on the server today, and start test imports to the new software late this afternoon.

It could take up to another couple of days to get things where I want them, and I will give everyone as much advance warning as I can before I run a new set of Master backups and effectively close the site again. My goal is to leave the site up and operating as long as possible, then take it down for the actual conversion and reopening it as quickly as I can. I am sticking to my goal of having the conversion completed this week.

Chief will keep everyone informed about progress, so please direct you questions to him.

Thank you for your support of Clarkblog.org.

Louis Wu
Administrator

karma
01-08-2008, 09:44 AM
ThanksL ouis Wu for all your hard work!!

Waterbuffalo
01-08-2008, 02:14 PM
Thank you Louis..

Now if I can remember where the Gramor inflatable dinghy and political life preserver, may be I'll be able to whether the political storm during the time the Board is down for final fixup and re-opening.

Chief
01-08-2008, 08:28 PM
I just got off of the phone with Louis, and he tells me that we now have a 100% operational copy of vBulletin on our server! This is significant progress, and it means we are that much closer to launching the new system.

As I understand it, his plan is to begin some test imports of forum data to the new system, and see what it will take to debug it. Depending on how the uploads go will determine how long it will be until we relaunch. We are back on track for getting the system up this week.

Developing....

;D

Waterbuffalo
01-08-2008, 09:41 PM
Can I nominate Karma for fashion Diva and political satire columnist/moderator of Clark County Enviromentalists? <evil grin..> I think we need to keep her around busy doing SOME THING!

LouisWu
01-09-2008, 11:16 AM
I am running a new set of backups right now, so be advised that anything entered here after this notice is posted may not be saved.

Louis Wu
Administrator

Chief
01-10-2008, 06:44 AM
Well! After a monumental struggle this week, we finally have the basis of the new forum set up and accessable. It may not look like much at the moment, but just having the site viewable is a major milestone.

You may have problems logging in. Try it one time, and if you get an error message, click on the "reset password" option in the error box. If you cannot get your PW reset, drop me an e-mail at bkoski@worldaccessnet.com, and I will coordinate resetting it for you.

After you get in, you will need to navigate to your "User CP" to reset your account options.

Thanks for your patience, and welcome to the new system!

Chief

Waterbuffalo
01-10-2008, 01:27 PM
One could just hit the reset the pwd thing like I did and they could get the same results that I did faster than emailing and waiting for a password or other help from you.

Unless of course they have not been a member before, then they need to contact you.

tefen
01-10-2008, 03:27 PM
I just want to say thanks to Louis for all your hard work. I know the pains of website upgrades, I try to avoid them as much as possible.

It was really smart putting the software into a subdirectory and re-directing people into it. It makes it easier to upgrades in the future, just get everything working in a new subdirectory and then redirect the traffic there.

Thanks again!

Chief
01-10-2008, 04:39 PM
If only it were that simple....but thanks for your votes of confidence.

Right now we are running on the default template in vBulletin, and i hope to start upgrading the appearance this weekend. Bear with us as we get the site smoother and smoother, and I believe that you will all eventually be quite pleased with what emerges.

Waterbuffalo
01-10-2008, 06:32 PM
Yep. Probably going to take some time to get every thing set up and tweaked. Wonder what colors and template is going to be used.