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Please keep feature requests out of this thread. When the new forum software goes live, I'll start a thread for that purpose. Restrict your questions to current forum features and how they may or may not change in the new software. Some functionality will be missing at first so we can get the forum up quickly, and new features will be added on a running basis.
You'll notice while looking at these FAQs that a lot of data won't be carrying over to the new software. This is because the software isn't a simple version upgrade, but an entirely new custom application with a unique database structure. Some data is best carried over, while other data is best thrown away and re-entered to avoid trouble down the road.
When the new software is ready, you'll be given ample warning of the planned launch time. Please check back here daily for updates.
The List:
1. Will my username/password carry over to the new forum software?
All usernames will remain intact. However, it's likely your password will be reset. The exact mechanism for resetting passwords hasn't been finalized, but you'll most likely receive a new password via e-mail. It's vital you have a valid e-mail address on file with us so we can send you your new login instructions. If your e-mail address isn't valid, you'll be locked out of your account.
2. Will my personal information (name, location, forum settings, etc.) carry over?
No. You'll need to enter this information again.
3. Will my signature carry over?
No. Since many of your signatures contain the special forum script for formatting, images, and links, and this script is being changed in the new software, the majority of signatures will need to be retyped anyway.
4. Will my avatar carry over?
No. Those of you who were fortunate enough to upload a custom avatar before the tool broke will lose your avatar. The default in the new software will be no avatar. If you have a custom avatar, please save it so you can upload it using the new forum software (which will be fully functional for avatar uploads).
5. Will my PMs carry over?
No. All PMs will be deleted. If you have anything important in any existing PMs, make sure you back it up.
6. Will my buddy/ignore lists carry over?
No. You will have to rebuild your buddy and ignore lists, so please save the usernames on these lists.
7. Will my post count remain intact?
The new software will perform a count of your total posts and generate an accurate post count. Since a large amount of threads dating back to the launch of the site were supposedly lost, you might think this new post count would be wrong. A recent discovery within the database may reveal that these posts were not lost after all. However, if these posts are truly irrecoverable, I'll do my best to keep your current post count intact. No promises. Worst case, your signup date will be intact, so even if your post count gets nuked, people will know you're old school. Given the prolific posting nature of some members here, those of you lamenting the possible loss of your post count shouldn't take too long to recover.
8. Will it cost anything to join the new forum?
No. Forum membership will remain free.
9. Will we be able to specify color schemes, threads displayed per page, messages displayed per page, etc.?
You'll be able to adjust the number of threads and messages that appear, either by absolute numbers ("Show me 100 threads.") or by date ("Show me threads from the last 2 days."). Color customization probably won't be ready for launch, but it will be implemented soon after. It'll actually be a site-wide setting.
10. Will all threads and posts carry over?
Yes. All threads and posts will be moved over to the new forum.
11. Will links to individual threads still work?
Unknown. I'm considering a script that scans all forum posts as the data is moved to the new database and rewrites links automatically so manual updates won't be necessary.
MTFBWY…A
