Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

New Client Tools – Invoicing

April 28, 2012 in Site News and Information

For the past few years, I’ve been using a web-based invoicing system which has many features that I have never used.

I’ve now installed a new invoicing system that will run directly from this website.  This means that my clients won’t need to go to a third party website to view their invoices any more….you’ll be able to do that right here!

Coupled with the a client service area, this website will be the hub for all contact with Peter’s Web and IT Clients.  If you have any general-type questions, please send them to us via the contact form.

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

We’re adopting Buddypress on our sites

March 9, 2012 in Buddypress, Site News and Information, Software, Wordpress

Regular visitors to this site (not many I’ll admit!) may have noticed a change to the regular WordPress tools.  I installed Buddypress on the site to aid user interaction and allow a more community-type feel.

In addition to Buddypress, I’ve also installed an invoicing plugin that will soon allow Peter’s Web and IT Services clients to access their invoices via this website.  The Buddypress Groups will also be used for clients (and anyone else who cares) to post questions and information about topics that interest them.  Where possible, I’ll respond as soon as I can but if you know the answer, feel free to provide it!

I hope that you enjoy the new tools that are available on this site.  I hope to introduce more as the need arises.

Tags: , , , No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

Times are a changing!

March 8, 2012 in Site News and Information

I’ve added the ability to get some user interaction on the site.  In the past, I’ve used this site primarily to post the odd (sometimes very odd!) update on what I’m getting involved in from a business perspective.

From today, I’d like to encourage you to join me in discussing Web technologies, Domain Names, Hosting, and Information Management.  These are all subjects I’m interested in and ones that I concentrate on in my business.  I’m happy to discuss these topics in the Group forums so come on and get involved!

If you’re looking to host your own website, don’t forget that you can purchase your Domain Names and Hosting Packages through my storefront.  You’ll find the link to the storefront on the top right hand side of the homepage.

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

Software tests and a new standard

September 4, 2011 in Forum Software, SMF, Software, XenForo

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.

Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

Forum Software comparison

May 9, 2011 in Forum Software, Software, Web Sites, XenForo

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.

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

A new site is born!

April 16, 2011 in Joomla, phpBB, Web Sites

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.

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

FootyBeat website no more

February 18, 2011 in Web Sites, WebRings

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!

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

vBulletin 4.1 – Now Available

December 4, 2010 in Forum Software, vBulletin

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.

Read the Full Details

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

Website change

November 6, 2010 in Site News and Information

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!

No Comments »

Avatar of PetersWeb

by PetersWeb

Now offering self-serve Domain Names and Web Hosting

November 5, 2010 in Site News and Information

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!

Search Engine Visibility – Get traffic and commerce to your site via search engines.

Site Analytics – Capture vital Web site data.
Domain Names
All of our domains are loaded with FREE STUFF!

Get your domain name today!
.COMs from just $9.99*/yr!

To find out more, visit the Peter’s Web and IT Services Storefront for details and pricing.


No Comments »