What would you like to see in a scifi/fantasy web site? The time has come for a change... — Page 3

Author: Shimraa
Time: 12-Feb-2005 8:13 PM
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hey sry for double posting but i was just wondering when you'd be thinking of changing the site. i.e. like june or july or something.

Author: Jay
Time: 15-Feb-2005 5:19 AM
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Each confirmed signature on the petition has the following info stored in the database:

ID Number
First Name
Last Name
City
State
Date Submitted
Date Confirmed
E-mail Address
IP Address

All the unconfirmed signatures have the same info except for Date Confirmed.

Nearly 68,000 signatures take up much more than just a few megs.

Add the forums (which take up a fair bit of space and will take up even more as membership grows) and server logs, and it gets crowded pretty fast in there.

I will work diligently on the new site over the coming weeks and hope to have it done in less than a month.

I'm seriously considering developing my own forum software as well. Even the latest version of FuseTalk doesn't have the functionality and layout I'd like, and reverse engineering the software and making modifications would be tedious. The other benefit to developing my own software would be easy integration with the site as a whole; I could make the layout and content customizable for each user and have a single username/password for everything (user comments on news/articles, art gallery, forums, etc.). My own forum software would also be something I could sell on the side to provide another revenue stream.

The downside would be moving the data from this forum to the new one. Not terribly difficult, but definitely an annoyance.

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Author: Bossk
Time: 15-Feb-2005 6:08 AM
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With regard to moving information over to a new forum package, I'm sure we could all work to identify which threads need to be moved while sacrificing the remainder. With a new layout, I'm sure forum use will increase so the sections will be populated quite quickly. Besides, we will need to reevaluate forum sections since we are expanding to a universal scifi approach as opposed to just SW. So that will have to be taken into consideration and should help in the process of eliminating unnecessary threads.

"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
-------------------------
Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
kapgar.typepad.com
kapgar.com

Author: ricarleite
Time: 15-Feb-2005 11:49 AM
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All you need to do is to make sure your new forum uses the same database structure, or make sure it can be easily mapped from one to another (so you can stop the server, execute a script that moves from one to another, and startup the webserver again). There are some informations you probably won't need anyway.

“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering

Author: Jay
Time: 15-Feb-2005 1:03 PM
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Yeah, most of the data will remain the same. As for the db structure, judging by a cursory glance at the FuseTalk db, it looks needlessly complicated. I think I can streamline it a bit. A fairly simple ColdFusion SQL query should do the job once the new database is in place.

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Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 16-Feb-2005 11:48 AM
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I'M SURE THAT BOSSK POSTED ABOUT CONTESTS FOR THE SITE. I'M IN A PRETTY GOOD POSITION TO PROVIDE PRIZES FOR THEM.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 16-Feb-2005 11:51 AM
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I JUST NOTICED A POST ABOUT A COMIC STRIP. I WAS A PROFESSION COMIC BOOK/ARTIST/WRITER/EDITOR. I EVEN DID A COMIC STRIP IN SEATTLE FOR A WHILE. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS AS WELL.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Zion
Time: 16-Feb-2005 4:09 PM
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Jay, you might also want to check out vBulletin boards. I'm currently involved in a project to transfer theforce.net forums (IGN boards) over to vBulletin. They are highly customizable and we are very happy with the results so far. I'm not sure what the cost is vs. Fusetalk, but I think it's worth a look.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]

Author: Jay
Time: 17-Feb-2005 4:40 AM
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vBulletin is an excellent package. Unfortunately, it requires PHP and MySQL, neither of which are supported by my hosting service.

I've debated moving the site to another host for this reason. It would save money (PHP/MySQL hosting is much cheaper than CF/MSSQL) and I could install vBulletin. I've never used PHP before, but every indication is that it's pretty easy if you're coming from other languages like ASP and CF.

However, my current hosting service offers excellent performance and the fastest response time I've even seen (most of my e-mails are answered within minutes, even at really odd hours). ColdFusion is also easy to work with and SQL Server is rock-solid.

Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I need to decide soon. Gotta start work on the site this weekend.

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Author: Bossk
Time: 17-Feb-2005 6:37 AM
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Jay, when would you like articles sent to you? Hold off for the time being? I've started working on a toy review of some of the E3 Preview Figures.

Author: Jay
Time: 17-Feb-2005 8:21 AM
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You'll never have to send any articles to me directly. Everyone will have an account and will upload their articles to the site via the content management system. Once I review the material, I'll make any necessary edits and send it back to you for your comments. Once we're both satisfied with it, I'll approve it for publication and it will show up on the site.

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Author: Zion
Time: 17-Feb-2005 8:44 AM
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I converted my site from ASP to PHP and it was pretty easy. PHP was easy to learn and I feel more comfortable using it than I did with ASP.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 17-Feb-2005 2:59 PM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Jay
You'll never have to send any articles to me directly. Everyone will have an account and will upload their articles to the site via the content management system. Once I review the material, I'll make any necessary edits and send it back to you for your comments. Once we're both satisfied with it, I'll approve it for publication and it will show up on the site.

IS THE CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MAC COMPATIBLE?

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Jay
Time: 17-Feb-2005 3:55 PM
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It's browser based and you'll access it via the internet. It should work in any browser that supports JavaScript and style sheets. I don't have a Mac to test with, so you'll have to let me know if any issues pop up.

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Author: yanksno1
Time: 17-Feb-2005 6:06 PM
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Jay, if you decide to go the PHP route and move your hosting, check out IntegraMod. It's an excellent forum mods/content management system that's based off of PHPBB. Has a lot of cool features, and best of all it's free. I really like vBulletin, but it costs a pretty peny, and you still have to have mods to run the content management off of the forums. Just something to checkout, hope all goes well with the new direction this site takes.

Author: Jedi Master
Time: 17-Feb-2005 9:07 PM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Bossk
I'm just saying that I think LFL would want to see it all there right then and there and not have to contact anybody in order to view the rest of it. I would think they would want their interest to be as hidden as possible. I'm not saying it's "useless". And I have no idea what the hell you mean by all the commit/drop table stuff.

I would get rid of all of the unconfirmed signatures, except for the most recent ones. There's several thousand of them alone. If someone signs, and they haven't confirmed within a certain amount of time, it's either bogus, or the person signing will never have it figured out. But, either way, I'm sure the thousands of unconfirmed signatures alone take up a considerable amount of memory.

"May the force be with you!"

Author: Shimraa
Time: 18-Feb-2005 2:14 PM
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you should send the petition to LFL before yo change the site too jsut to let them know you haven't given up yet.

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 19-Feb-2005 8:33 AM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Jay
It's browser based and you'll access it via the internet. It should work in any browser that supports JavaScript and style sheets. I don't have a Mac to test with, so you'll have to let me know if any issues pop up.

MY BROWSER SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. I'LL LET YOU KNOW EITHER WAY.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: DocCovington
Time: 23-Feb-2005 5:27 PM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Shimraa
maybe its just me but a sport section would be sweet.

A sport section on a SciFi site would only make sense, if it was a virtual e-sport thingie. Maybe someone could write a Flash-based swoop racing game where ppl could test their skills against each other (with monthly or quarterly championships).

Now, that would be fun!

(Or a pazaak game? Okay, I have to admit I'm totally into KotOR I, which in my opinion was a thousand times better than Ep. I and II.

)

Taylor: Oh H, whatever happened to the way of the warrior??
Harold: The way of the warrior doesn't stand a chance against the way of the wife.
('K2', 1991)

Author: DocCovington
Time: 23-Feb-2005 5:30 PM
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P.S.: I also agree with those suggesting that advertizing partners such as Google or eBay would do the job when it comes to making money with the site.

Taylor: Oh H, whatever happened to the way of the warrior??
Harold: The way of the warrior doesn't stand a chance against the way of the wife.
('K2', 1991)

Author: Darth Chaltab
Time: 24-Feb-2005 3:55 PM
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I might have said this allready, but advertising is fine as long as it doesn not involve the terms 'pop' and 'up' together in any fashion.

Author: DocCovington
Time: 24-Feb-2005 4:57 PM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
I might have said this allready, but advertising is fine as long as it doesn not involve the terms 'pop' and 'up' together in any fashion.

I'm sure you've heard about a greta little invention called "pop up blockers"?

Besides, serious advertizing nowadays rarely involes pop up windows. Mostly, it's banners and/or links.

Taylor: Oh H, whatever happened to the way of the warrior??
Harold: The way of the warrior doesn't stand a chance against the way of the wife.
('K2', 1991)

Author: Jay
Time: 25-Feb-2005 4:34 AM
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Quote
Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
I might have said this allready, but advertising is fine as long as it doesn not involve the terms 'pop' and 'up' together in any fashion.

I'm a web user, same as everyone else here. I know what users find annoying. You won't see those things here.

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Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 26-Feb-2005 4:35 AM
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HOW'S THE TIME FRAME ON THE REDESIGN COMING, JAY ???

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Jay
Time: 26-Feb-2005 5:16 PM
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At least a few more weeks. Possibly longer. It's a big undertaking. Lots of new functionality.

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