Hello all. This is your ADMIN speaking. The smoking lamp has been turned on, but please remain in your seats with the seatbelt fastened.
Here's the whole story:
We are currently being horrendously overcharged for our local dedicated server and bandwidth. So, 3 months ago we decided to switch ISPs, to one that is NOT local. First we had to move this board, as the software is complicated to install and upgrade (not a DIY project). Upgrading to the new version of Scoop was mandatory, for security issues. Scoop is now being hosted by one of the few ISPs that supports it, with a real human for tech support. It now costs us only $50 a month to host this board.
Next, we move ALL the rest of our websites to a new ISP, (a different one, so that problems here do not impact our other websites). But I am waiting to do this until Scoop is running reliably.
Even we do not know all the new ways the upgraded board works. Variables changed, code changed, features were turned off, others were turned on, and we are still learning all this along with all of you--and trying to find out how to fix things!
THAT SAID --
I am trying my best to get this board fixed up. The latest problems ('upgrading' message and no site access at various times of day) were due to a corrupted database from the 'whos online' feature, and appear to be fixed as of last night (at least from here).
Neither of the owners here at Forcefield are able to do the PERL coding required to fix the board problems, I'm the only one here that can do it. Last time we asked for free programming help and got it, it was a disaster, and the board crashed. This software requires an expert.
I am not an owner at Forcefield-- I'm simply a part-time employee who also has a real job that demands much of my time. It also demands lots of travel; For 2 weeks in October, I was offline while traveling and unable to even read the board, much less try to fix anything that went wrong or try to add features (photo uploads in comments, for example). And, as most of you know, all of us here at Forcefield travel frequently to give wind turbine lectures and seminars, we also give seminars at our location. When these are going on, we are not able to read the board, post, reply, or make fixes...seminars are 24/7 events.
So, Volvo Farmer in particular -- It's NOT apathy! What we would really like to do is migrate this board to a new software package and ISP, without losing all the postings, and without losing everyone's logins and passwords. This requires hiring a programmer. But I am NOT a programmer, I'm a writer and photographer. Forcefield does not have the money to hire someone new, even for a one-off job -- we have the 2 owners, plus 2 part time employee including me. That's it. We all make just barely above minimum wage, but we continue to work in the DIY windpower field at low pay because we enjoy it.
So, I guess what I'm getting at is, complaining does not do anyone any good, unless you can suggest workable and affordable solutions.
Move the board and all its content to new, modern software, with avatars and private messaging and all that stuff? YOU BET. Who here is volunteering to do this for free? We'll pay for renting the server and for the hosting. Bring it on. A fund drive? SURE! But there needs to be a price set to hire someone to do this change over to new software. We have no clue who to hire, and going online to 'hireafreelancer.com' is VERY risky.
Any takers?
ADMIN
(Dan F)