discussion Feedback needed

[John]

I have to admit when I'm wrong. When I moved the forum to vBulletin, I thought it would be a good decision. vBulletin used to be an excellent piece of software, particularly before version 5. However, it has become quite a challenge to administer, as Ian would agree. It also doesn't seem as user-friendly as XenForo was. We have lost a lot of good members, some of whom weren't so great, and we aren't seeing new people join.

I’m considering moving back to XenForo. What does everyone think? I would only make the switch if absolutely nothing is lost. I’ve been in touch with someone who can handle the migration, and they have a lot of experience, so it should go smoothly.

 

[kacitgirl]

Data loss is a big issue i sometimes find uploding media is a tad slow however it is an issue that needs more feedback

 

[PaulTRose]

As long as its reliable and is easy to use im not too bothered where the site is hosted

Key things is loss of pics/threads etc during transition and that new host has a pic upload facility like we currently have

 

[Steven000]

I'm flexible John, if it makes your life easier then I'm in. Cheers

 

[flyjoe180]

Given the frustrations many of us have experienced with pictures not loading into posts, difficulty in establishing GB threads, and the fact you reckon that there would be no data loss, I say do what you think is right for the forum John.

 

[pjgtech]

I am happy to use whatever software/platform that you feel is right for the forum.
I don't really have a preference, I'm already on a few other different forums, some good, some not so good.
I was not on this forum when it last migrated, so can't compare the two.
If you are confident of not losing data and starting threads, posting pics will not be harder, then I say go for it mate.
Cheers

 

[simontie]

When i first joined the forum it was easy to use, since the change i have struggled to come to terms with it. Im 60 in march and fairly good with a pc,
but the old site was so much easier to use.
i have had issues with up loads and post but worked away with it
be happy to go back, but i also understand thats a lot of work for you and your helpers,
I also miss the old banter from the old site
simon

 

[Valeron]

I've had no issues with using the new site or the old one and would be happy with your decision. Having a site hard to administer can't be a good thing.

 

[Airborne01]

I can only see that as a definite, positive step forward John.
Steve

 

[Gern]

Whatever is best for you John.

 

[Stefee]

I am by no means a tech guru but when using the old and new sites I had a learning curve to negotiate but have no preference for either. I think if changing will make your life (and moderators) easier the go for it.
Whilst you are pondering this decision please also consider reverting back to the " subscription fee" model you had previously as the amount you charged was the bargain of the year and may help support the forum.

 

[A7man]

As a new member I don't know if I used the old software. This software is fine by me, but if the old software was better for the site then I will vote for that.
Lee

 

[Geoffers]

I’m not fussed if you want to change back John.

I didn’t have any problems with the old site and haven’t really found any problems with this site either after the initial change.

If it makes it easier for you to run it then go ahead

Geoff.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I have used both the old site, and this site, and don’t really find either a problem. This site handles PMs better I think, but I rarely use them so that wouldn’t be an issue. I also think picture handling is a little more flexible. I haven’t had any problems using this site after the initial learning curve, and I didn’t have any with the old site either.

The biggest issues with the last change was the complete loss of history when the old photos didn’t upload, and the loss of members when a large percentage of the regular posters migrated away because they couldn’t or didn’t want to learn how to use it.

The migration was orchestrated by a disaffected member who saw it as a chance to take some of the core posters and set up his own site as I recall. I don’t think this would happen now, but careful management of the change should ensure this.

Loss of history though remains a distinct possibility. Last time you were promised that this wouldn’t happen, and then, when legacy photographs were made virtually unintelligible, that it was going to be fixed. It wasn’t, not by any fault or lack of effort on your part, but by the basic incompatibility of different hosting softwares. This was a real blow to the site. If it happens again it could kill it. The change therefore needs carefully consideration to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

From a personal perspective I don’t post much these days because I am in a modelling slump and am not doing very much at all that I can post about. I still look in most days, and comment occasionally, but that’s about all. I therefore don’t really have a dog in the game as such and will go with the flow.

 

[yak face]

Ive found the new site almost as easy as the old one ( note ,almost ) , but the one thing that I find frustrating is that on any posts made before the move , the pictures cant be expanded and just appear as tiny thumbnails , so any reference to an older thread becomes useless . If we go back to the old server will we get all the pictures back?
. As always I’ll go with whatever you think is best John

 

[John]

Talking of lost posts, Ian accidentally deleted the a portion of the group build forum, I've thought of a way that I might get them back without having to do a full install of the backup, off shopping for a new car today so might get chance tomorrow to do it

 

[Richard48]

I say go with whatever is best and easiest method that suits the admin etc who run this site.

 

[Nicko]

I say go with whatever is best and easiest method that suits the admin etc who run this site.

My thoughts exactly. Ultimately we'll use what we're given even if there's a bit of a learning curve.

It's your forum John and it is you and your fellow admins who have to do the heavy lifting.

Nick

 

[Jim R]

I have found both old and new ok to use. Whatever is best I would happily go along with.

 

[Neil]

I was on the last site but I stopped modelling for ages and then recently (last year) started again seriously so I don’t really recall the differences now as there was a big gap in my experiences.

That said, I also used to be moderator on a gaming site and was chief moderator for a year or two but the politics of toxic members made it a nightmare to work with. Some of the extras were great fun, the other side of toxic crap was not. That used vBulletin but a much older version - it was pre-2017 and worked well and I just checked and it still is on vBulletin. As i recall, it was easy to use and administrate but I didn’t use XenForo

What I find annoying here is I can’t see who added a reaction to a post and some pictures are always thumbnails but I can live with that.

However, to throw a question out, if you revert to XenForo will that pull users back to the site or are they lost for good? Would that get new members?