Thread: Software Changes

I think it's clear to everyone that a lot got muffed when moving between servers. I don't want to trash how anyone runs anything, but peeling away the layers of the onion on this board -technology-wise - has been challenging at best.

The server we live on is optimized for a certain forum software which I'll convert to. It's lesser-known than vbulletin but I've found the support to be significantly better. I think you guys have probably already seen a speed increase from moving servers, I can promise additional speed increases on the cutover.

There will definitely be bumps in the road. It's my goal to obviously minimize those but to be as transparent as possible. I'm doing this to make life better for everyone, even though short-term it may require some patience and tolerance. I'm a one-man show and all I can promise is to do the best by you guys.

Also if you guys have noticed that main screen has disappeared since the cutover. It was a casualty but with that said, I hate those generic looking screens - they're generally there for the sole purpose of helping a site out with search engine results, which is important but I feel secondary to our purpose here, which is to have the best possible place to discuss the goings-on in the world.

However in speaking to a good number of you, you did favor "something out front". In order to address those wishes I've been working on a new homepage. Keep in mind it's a work-in-progress (you'll still see some sample images in place, for example) but I did think that it was important to show everyone prior to it coming out, so that it could be developed with all of our ideas rather than just what I felt like doing -- the link is http://politicalhotwire.com/joomla . Eventually it will resolve to http://politicalhotwire.com

I believe this to be a good call.

I like the looks of that new homepage, instituting some sort of news ticker or news feed that is actually here on the site might be kind of nice. The layout works too. It could use some porn though.

We can always use more porn.

BTW if anyone uses twitter I'm feeding new topics out

http://twitter.com/PoliticsForum

I understand that you're getting rid of the reputation system. I think that it's a great idea to get rid of the negative reps as they only served to irritate and inflame. But would you consider some system whereby a member could give a kudos to another member? Perhaps only positive reps?

I think that's a good idea. The software I'm using is pretty new so it might not have all the mods ready but that sounds like something which if it isn't out already would be out shortly.

Originally Posted by PoliticalHotwire

http://politicalhotwire.com/joomla . Eventually it will resolve to http://politicalhotwire.com

Looks great! I'm currently working with Joomla a lot and I like it very much.

Just be sure to keep on top of those security updates. I've gotten 2 in 2 weeks.

Great work!