Tactical Command boards - discussion

[CyberShadow]

I will use this thread for discussion and updates on the status of the Tactical Command boards (TacComs).

[CyberShadow]

Firstly, it appears that we need to change the forum software... again.  

While this may not be the lead culprit in recent problems in the board, the previous software has never settled down properly and some features have either been difficult to get working or clearly full of bugs. Couple this with the fact that the development/support group for the board software have not had an active web site - or even a working forum of their own (never a good sign!) - for over a year, and we arrive at the conclusion that the board software will need to be changed in the near future anyway. It is likely that the forum software was making the problems that we had much worse by the way that is was written. So, although changing software may not solve all problems, I am of the opinion that it would certainly help matters, and is required anyway, and so worth being the first thing to do.

However, because this would be a complete change, we would be unable to transfer posts/threads/attachments to the new forum, and would therefore have to start again from scratch. This may not be a terrible thing, and I would attempt to keep the current/previous boards available and locked for reference.

Currently, I am looking at a number of possible forum applications. The ones that I am considering, in current order of preference are:
- Invision
- phpBB
- SMF (the software used on these boards)
- YaBB

I am therefore looking for opinions in two areas:
- What do you (TacCom members and potential members) think of changing to a totally new forum application
- If anyone has any experience of any of the above (aside from SMF, I know that system!   ) then any feedback and comments would be welcomed.

Thanks.

[The Dog]

Change cause its not stable and it will put people off.

I have only used phpBB as a moderator not as an admin and found it stable and feature rich enough to do what we wanted.
These might help.

Comparison of Internet forum software (ASP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_forum_software_%28ASP%29

Comparison of Internet forum software (PHP)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_forum_software_%28PHP%29

Comparison of Internet forum software (other)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_internet_forum_software_%28other%29
.

[Pulsar]

If it is causing that much of a problem then starting from scratch is ok as long as the old one is around for comparative reference, it'll be alot of work and I think as long as everyone is willing to put the time in and get all the threads up and running it'll be ok.

[Zog]

I've used Invision as an Admin and its pretty good with great support.

i use phbBB as a mod and its fine i prefer Invision, also invision runs great free boardsso in the event of failure...

Just my 2 cents.

I miss tactical command.

[Biggles]

I have no experience of any of the software, so cannot help there. The only thought I have is that there may be some criteria to guide the choice:-

1.  The ease of transfering Ids etc
2.  The ease with which the old SG and now TacComs boards could either link or be converted to the new software etc.
3.  The ease with which reference material can be resubmitted / retrieved from the main contributors (army lists, online rule books etc)
4.  Compatibility with other boards
5.  Security and stability
6.  How quickly 'normal service' can be resumed.

This last may be the most important point as IIRC it was the delays and potentially the lack of references and links that did the most damage last time we changed the boards.


Meanwhile good luck with the conversion

[GlynG]

I do hope the original can be locked and archived for reference, or a lot of good discussion will be lost. I can't offer any comments or help with choosing software though sorry.

[Erik M]

*phew* Not old sins catching up with me. 

phpBB has the best reputation, hasn't it?

And it ought to be possible to migrate, doesn't phpBB even have a "migrate DB" button?

Anyhow, keep up the good work Iain! 

[Vaaish]

In my experience with forum software, Invasion is nice but I think it's pricy. PhPBB is free and I've only had good experiences with it. I would try to avoid YABB though since last I used it it didn't use a database to store posts and user data, just text files which makes it very difficult to change to another board.

[Evil_and_Chaos]

I do hope the original can be locked and archived for reference, or a lot of good discussion will be lost. I can't offer any comments or help with choosing software though sorry.

I wouldn't mind starting again from scratch on a new board, but I agree it would be a big shame to lose the discussions there, there are threads leading back to before Epic :Armageddon was released, if you know where to dig, as well as some extensive debates.

[semajnollissor]

as long as it has image attachment capability and unread message tracking, I'll be happy.

I'm on the fence about threaded vs flat, mainly because I think threaded posts tend to devolve into several separate discussions, which can be distracting for a forum dedicated to rules development.

[adam77]

i've heard good stuff about phpBB - free, stable, big community

[Mephiston]

I've run a couple of very small phpBB boards and never had any problems.

[BlackLegion]

As long as the old forum can be kept as a ressource then lets move!

[Hena]

I would suggest switching to another software, but I haven't admined any boards so I wouldn't know which is best.