Members run roadster forum
 

Is there no way we as members could not buy this site and bring it up to date. Its not just the spam although its done untold damage. I think the whole site has outgrown the boots its wearing. I do believe it could do with things like a traders section, gallery, seperate build thread section, in the workshop section, and thats but to name a few. I had a quick look up on google and a forum would run out to pennies per member to run and maintain. How do we go about talking to haynes with the view running the show with the mods we have?????

Bob

In theory it would be a nice idea,but in practice could it cause problem once politics/opinions get in the way?

[quote=shh120m;84273]In theory it would be a nice idea,but in practice could it cause problem once politics/opinions get in the way?[/QUOTE

We have two shit hot mods that make all the decisions so where is the problem?
Its not like we would all be bitching about how its run , just bring it up to date with a few more sections job done:confused: ish:) :)

Bob

might be a good idea then, seing as haynes dont really care. They would probably want one squillion pounds tho:eek:

Bob I agree with all your reasoning above, looking at other forums and their presentation this does seem a little dated and would really benefit from both updating and reorganising some of the material.

Whether Haynes would allow the use of their name/logo outside of their control is another question.

Just some randomly plucked figures - prior to the spam issue I believe there were approx 200 member, assuming only 60% would be willing to pay for example a £10 annual membership that could raise approx £1200 annually. I have no idea how much a forum costs to run.

I think what we're really missing here is any form of an update from Haynes/Admin!

Nathan I see your point but I think that could be easily solved by paying members electing the Mods, my guess is the existing Mods would be re elected without hesitation if that ever happened :)

Just my thoughts :D

Other forums like the one below are free membership in part with paid up only to view certain areas. sign up is about a week while their vetting is done. No one joins without a bit of a proper email address with of few emails exchanged . A section for everything and thousands of happy bunnies :) Oh and no spam:cool:

http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/index.php

Bob

Only 5 oft the 25 currently logged in are proper members and 3500 of the active members are spammers .Great:(

4 ways forward.

1) It gets fixed up
2) It gets abandoned and we all say cherio
3) It gets abandond and we build a fresh comunity losing all the super content.
4) it gets transferred to new management/system with the old content rolled in.


3) & 4) require a platform

vBulletin is a pay for licence, however a converter is available to convert the forum to phpBBx

https://www.phpbb.com/community/view...f=65&t=1722325


there's various options for where and how to actually host it. Ranging from free to expensive.

TT

Actualy make that 5.

Admin get's devolved to the comunity but remains on Haynes Servers.

Rob

I seem to remember Ronnie, Bonzo, starting his own builders forum a while ago - guess what it's still live:

http://www.bonzoronnie.com/forum/

I think the problem ultimately is due to the outdated software the forum currently uses (V3.6 was released in 2006 IIRC). vBulletin are now going onto V5 (which is in beta release, the stable version is 4.2). The upgrade would cost $209, with an outright purchase being $249. Plus factor in admin time/cost to perform the upgrade, then there is a financial cost for Haynes to consider before it can be done.

I will say it would be a right shame to lose this forum, so I hope abandoning it isn't on Haynes' list of options!

To wait any longer is not an option so who is going to make the phone call? Thats a call to someone that gives a stuff not an email to someone who seems to busy to care.

Bob

Steve rendall is the man you want to get it sorted

Indeed that humble forum is still alive ( Has been dormant for a good while though )

In all fairness, I must say that the forum was created during the last crisis that befell the Haynes forum & was not intended to be a rival to the Haynes forum.

During the last forum meltdown we lost 1000's of posts & threads due to a hack.
I was surprised to find that the admin of this forum did not take the time to make a back up of this forum, as a result we lost a lot of valuable information ( Gone for good :( ).

As said, my forum was created at the time so as genuine members could keep in touch with each other whilst the Haynes forum was closed down ( With no indication of when it would be back )

Some at the time thought I had a hidden agenda but that's not the case.

The Haynes forum was once a lifeline to the outside world for me, just trying to give a little back. :)

Would be happy to host the forum at my own expense ( Providing the costs were not prohibitive )
Already paying for plenty of empty web space.

I can see how folk are cheesed of with the current situation, it was all so easily avoidable.

Just the thoughts of this old fool :D

I had no idea that site existed Ronnie, fair play to you:) Looks like its me that has to make the phone call tomorrow so i will post back the news good or bad. If it all goes pear shaped how could all the info and build threads be tranfered cos there are tens of thousands of useful bits and pieces on here:confused:

Bob

Perhaps I'm being naive, but could an option be to just transfer stuff across to locost builders? I use that forum a bit as well as this one, a lot of questions that get raised on here are generic to lots of kit cars, not just the Haynes...

Lots of good options and thoughts here, unfortunately without some form of communication from Haynes with regards their intent we're all in the dark a bit:(

I think this has to be done one step at a time.

1. phone god of haynes to see if he will stop stroking the white cat on his lap and listen to our plight.
2. see if they are prepared to upgrade the site.
3. if there are financial constraints see if we are in a position to fund the changes.
4.If they show no interest ask if members could buy the site still useing the haynes heading/domain name.
5. if all the above fails take up ronnies offer.
6. commit suicide and join the locrust forum:eek: :eek: :eek:

Bob:)

Get the database, and site files.

Build the temp site on Vbulletin,

Install other free BB software.

Run converter.

Launch new site.

That's the "Basic Guide" ;)

TT

Bob, one to add to the top of the list, Ronnie's been kind enough to offer his forum, just in case H pulls the plug smartish then anyone that wants to keep in touch should register there.


TT, out of interest, how many G's of data are on the forum?

Well that seems very simple should'nt take you much more than 20 mins then............. WTF did he say? I don't know either, just nod and smile son just nod and smile..

That's me to a tee Phil, it's all double dutch to me too. :o :D

Good job Junior is a none too shabby web designer.

Just as a back up, I do have a dedicated domain name already registered.

Might be a good idea if you are agreeable Ronnie to have some info on all and sundry if it goes boobs skywards.

you may be old but no fool .:p

That was the noddy version....

The more ( nearly accurate version ) assuming a linux host.


cd /srv/www/sitename
mysqldump sitedatabase > sitedatabase.sql
cd ..
tar cvzf site.tgz sitename
scp site.tgz user@newhostserver:/srv/www
ssh newhostserver
cd /srv/www
tar xvcf site.tgz
cd sitename
mysql
>create database sitedatabse;
>exit;
mysql -d sitedatabase < sitedatabase.sql



Then just make sure the DNS is set, and that the webserver knows how to handle the virtual server you have just created.

With a fair wind, no hicups, and a does of luck...

Could be a 5 minuet job...

but it usualy has no wind, rampent hicups and dose of pain...




But that's assuming you have access to the server to run the commands to export the site.


Long time since I have moved a forum, but it's no different to shifting other databased sites.

TT

See , I even made a mistake there that would cause the new site to fail.. Darn typograpucal eroros

TT

I promise not to say what I really think and wont put my foot in it. Probably end up with odd job instead of mr H:)

Bob

i spoke to haynes IT the other day and they are looking at upgrading the forum software to a newer version so unfortunately i guess its just a case of waiting for the purchase order for the newer software to be signed off by haynes management so IT can go out and buy the software and install it.

The Truth Is Out There :confused:

That reads like when and if they look at upgrading the software at some point there may or may not be a purchase order for the management to may or may not sign off.

HMMMM fudge comes to mind so I will still make the call.

Bob

Being kept in the dark = Total disrespect, not good :(

Oh no the spammers are here again:eek: :D

Dont panic I have RD D2 working out a translation:confused: :)

Made the first call this morning, mr rendall not in the office but is about so will try later in the day.:)

Bob

Call 2 made still no one about have left my mobile number.

Bob

Ronnies forum
 

I tried to join ronnies forum. I posted a message and then was deleted???? Now I cannot seem to re register

If you read this Ronnie have you blocked me? If anyone is in touch with him can you let him know

David

Just sent ronnie a message david, sorry its so late i have only just got home,
Been to see that ugly lanky bugger in hartlepool:eek:

I also told ronnie that your a nice lad really;)

All sorted
 

Hi David,

Nathan let me know of the problem earlier.

I had a word with admin & he has sorted it earlier this evening.
You should be able to log in now. :)

Not sure what the problem was, one thing for sure, I have absolutely not blocked anyone ( And I do mean anyone )

All are free to join in if they wish . :)

www.roadster-builders.co.uk

If the problem persists, drop me a pm or email.

Cheers Ronnie it works now!!!

Cool
 

Pleased it's all sorted David :)

register at www.roadster-builders.co.uk
 

Hi Ronnie,
Tried to register at your forum and got a msg that an activation email will be sent to my registered email. How long is the delay before I will get the activation email? I have registered as bz100

Good morning Hans
 

Thanks for letting me know of the problem.

I will have a look into it in a moment :)

Edit

I have activated your account, you should now be able to log in :)

Let me know if you continue to experience problems.

activating account
 

Thanks Ronnie. Its working now;)