After some extensive research, I’ve now implemented the following software strategy starting with my own websites.
* Sites that require a forum will use SMF 2 – this has been implemented on Is Anybody There? (General Discussion Site) and My Footy (AFL Football Site)
* Sites that require blog software will use WordPress
* Sites that require both a forum and a CMS will use WordPress bridged with SMF. This has been implemented on TRIM User Network
* Sites that become large and require more features than SMF will use the XenForo forum.
As I’ve posted previously, I performed a trial migration of the Yellow and Black website from Invision Power Board 3.1.4 to XenForo 1.0.4. This was a complete success and was completed in about an hour. Not bad for 360K + posts and 2600+ users! The resultant test site performs superbly. I’ve added the XenPorta portal which really makes the site look fantastic!
A screenshot of the homepage appears on the left.
My only issues are migrating the IPB Gallery to the new structure and whether to impose another software change on the site members a year after moving from vBulletin to IPB. Until I can migrate the Gallery, the latter isn’t a concern as the site will stay as is.
I’ve recently started using the Invision Power Board (IPB) IP.Content component on the Yellow and Black website. IP.Content is a CMS that integrates into the IP.Board software to enable the publication of articles and the creation of databases that can be used to display various data on the site.
Having tested it for a few months and now implemented it, I’m not sure if it’s what I want on the site. Much to my dismay, I’ve found that the database component isn’t a relational database. I had hoped to use it to drive the Yellow Sash Award on the website but this isn’t possible the way that the IP.Content databases have been written. I may have to learn some PHP and do everything directly from a MySQL database myself.
In any case, I’ve migrated a copy of the current database onto another server and have a working copy of the IPB site there. I’ve also converted this to run on vBulletin 4.1.3 and am in the process of migrating to XenForo 1.0.1. The end result will mean that a backup copy of the data from the production site will be able to run in my “lab” on 3 versions of software. I’m looking forward to testing them all to see which software performs the best.
At present, the current IPB installation is performing terribly slowly. I’m having difficulties migrating to vBulletin 4.1.3 as the post attachments are unable to be migrated without throwing an error. I’ve raised a ticket with the vBulletin support team but have yet to hear back from them after over a week. I purchased XenForo this morning and am currently migrating the IPB database over to run on this software. So far, (51.85% into the Thread and Post migration) everything has gone well. Fingers crossed that it migrates without any issues so I can give it a good test.
From what I’ve seen so far, XenForo is pretty responsive and easy to use. If XenForo continues to perform this well, I may seriously consider moving Yellow and Black to use this software in the future.
I’ll post my findings here when I can.
I’ve been thinking about another site for some time now. I already have a successful Football fan site – Yellow and Black and a moderately successful site dealing with another of my favourite subjects – the TRIM User Network.
Initially, I was looking for a site with which I could use my vBulletin 4.x license. I installed it and created The Aussie Forum; a site where just about anything goes! I needed somewhere where people could swap jokes, talk about their problems and desires, discuss sex, talk politics, and generally talk about anything they want to. The Aussie Forum is that place!
I’ve now replaced the vBulletin forum as it didn’t suit the needs of the site. Tonight, I’ve replaced it with the phpBB software. It’s their latest software – phpBB Version 3.08. In the next few days, I’ll add a Joomla CMS to the site to enhance the user experience.
I hope that you’ll call by and check out the site. I also hope that you’ll start a topic and or add your opinion to an existing one.
For many years now, I’ve run another footy forum – it started out its life as “My Footy” and recently changed its name to “FootyBeat”. My time is a little more limited now than when I first started the My Footy website, so I’ve decided to do away with it and redirect all the site’s URLs to the Yellow and Black website.
I’ve run the AFL WebRing for nearly 10 years now and have used the My Footy/FootyBeat website to provide support, tips, and discussion about the WebRing with it’s members. I’ve also moved this forum to Yellow and Black so that members of the AFL WebRing can still get support where needed.
To get started as a member of the AFL WebRing, simply visit the WebRing Hub page and sign up!
I would like to announce that version 4.1 of vBulletin Publishing Suite and vBulletin Forum is now available. If you have an active vBulletin license, you can download your copy of 4.1 from the vBulletin Members Area at: http://members.vbulletin.com
Important
Two items that we had envisaged to make available as 4.1
- Updated Editor – to enable WYSIWYG editing in Webkit browsers (Chrome/Safari)
- “Flexible URL Mapping”
Are not included in this release. Due to both the editor, and the flexible URL mapping affecting all aspects of our product, development and QA has taken a longer period of time than we had initially envisaged, and we are not sufficiently satisfied with the level of quality of either item to release them as features in their current state. Both items will be made available in future releases. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
Here is a list of the major features and/or bug fixes that are included in 4.1
The list of template and file changes can be found below this post.
I’ve decided to change the main website of Peter’s Web and IT Services from http://www.petersweb.com.au to http://www.petersweb.net.
This change reflects the product range being available worldwide, so it was important to have a less-geographical domain name.
The .com.au domain name will be kept for some time to ensure that you can always find me!
I’m pleased to report that Peter’s Web and IT services (a.k.a. PWITS) has teamed up with Wild West Domains to provide Domain Name and Web Hosting Services.
Hosting
Everything you need to give your Web site the reliable, high-performance home it deserves!
From only $3.99/mo!
Email
Fast, reliable, private, secure and spam-free! Free web-based email software included.
From only $9.99/yr!
All of our domains are loaded with FREE STUFF!
Get your domain name today!
.COMs from just $9.99*/yr!
Dear Windows Live Spaces customer,
Important changes are coming to your Spaces account that affect you and will require you to choose an option that is right for you. We are very excited to announce our collaboration with a premier and innovative blogging service, WordPress.com, to offer you an upgraded blogging experience. We’ll help you migrate your current Windows Live Spaces blog to WordPress.com or you can download it to save for later. You should know that On 16th March 2011 your current space will close.
With the new release of Windows Live services, we’ve made a series of changes and improvements across our products. We chose to partner to provide our users with a fantastic blogging solution. However, we realise the changes will have an impact on you – this email aims to address any concerns you may have.
Tuesday 13 July should be marked in your diaries if you use Windows XP SP2 as from this date Microsoft will end support of this product as part of the normal product lifecycle policy. End of support means that if you are using Windows XP SP2, you will no longer receive security updates. Microsoft strongly recommends that you have upgrade to Windows XP Service Pack 3, which is a complimentary download.*
- Support for Windows Vista without any service packs ended on April 13, 2010.
- Support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) will end on July 13, 2010.**
If you’re running one of these versions after support ends, you won’t get security updates for Windows.
* Download charges may apply as set by your Internet Service Provider
** Note: There’s no SP3 for the 64-bit version of Windows XP. If you’re running the 64-bit version of Windows XP with SP2, you have the latest service pack and will continue to be eligible for support and receive updates until April 8, 2014.
I’ll have some information here soon as well as an online shop so you can purchase some of our products!
About Me
Peter’s Web and IT Services has provided Domain Name management, Hosting, and Website programming for 6 years. Recently, Peter’s Web and IT Services also includes the services provided through its affiliate, Information Management Specialists. Information Management Specialists assists organisations with their information management needs. We do this by assisting with the creation of an Information Management strategy for your organisation. We can also assist with the implementation of this strategy, tender/RFP/RFT creation, provider selection, Project Management, and Implementation Management.
Recent Posts
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Software tests and a new standard
by PetersWeb with No Comments
After some extensive research, I've now implemented the following software strategy starting with my own websites.
* Sites that require a forum wil... -
Forum Software comparison
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I've recently started using the Invision Power Board (IPB) IP.Content component on the Yellow and Black website. IP.Content is a CMS that integrates...
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A new site is born!
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I've been thinking about another site for some time now. I already have a successful Football fan site - Yellow and Black and a moderately successfu...
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FootyBeat website no more
by PetersWeb with No Comments
For many years now, I've run another footy forum - it started out its life as "My Footy" and recently changed its name to "FootyBeat". My time is a li...
-
vBulletin 4.1 – Now Available
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I would like to announce that version 4.1 of vBulletin Publishing Suite and vBulletin Forum is now available. If you have an active vBulletin licens... -
Website change
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I've decided to change the main website of Peter's Web and IT Services from http://www.petersweb.com.au to http://www.petersweb.net. This change re...
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Now offering self-serve Domain Names and Web Hosting
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I'm pleased to report that Peter's Web and IT services (a.k.a. PWITS) has teamed up with Wild West Domains to provide Domain Name and Web Hosting Serv...
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Changes coming to your Windows Live Space
by PetersWeb with No Comments
Dear Windows Live Spaces customer,
Important changes are coming to your Spaces account that affect you and will require you to choose an option that... -
Deadline Approaching for End of Support for Windows XP Service Pack 2
by PetersWeb with No Comments
Tuesday 13 July should be marked in your diaries if you use Windows XP SP2 as from this date Microsoft will end support of this product as part of the...
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Welcome to the new look site!
by PetersWeb with No Comments
I'll have some information here soon as well as an online shop so you can purchase some of our products!