Pat DiPersia
SCCoA Admin
I've begun researching upgrading or migrating the SCCoA forums. We currently run vBulletin software, version 4.2.5. vBulletin version 4 was released in 2009; 4.2.5 is the last update for version 4 and there will be no more updates. 4.2.5 was released in May 2017. Support ended on vB 4 in December 2017. That means any security vulnerabilities that exist in 4.2.5 (Since May 2017) are still there and aren't going away.
There is a vBulletin version 5. But I have yet to find anyone online that truly recommends the upgrade to version 5. Comments I've heard is it's slow, unwieldy, etc. And the best part? There is no easy migration path from v4 to v5 in terms of look and feel. You need to redesign your site from the ground up, though content will come over.
So with that, I am considered either an upgrade to version 5 or a migration to completely new/different forum software. There's a small handful of forum applications that are on par with vBulletin. I'll most likely work with a consultant to help handle most of the heavy lifting of the migration as I don't have the time or knowledge to do it all myself. Unfortunately, this means money - both for the software and the consultant. To that end, I'm also looking at bringing back SCCoA merchandise to help finance some of the costs. This will be done through an on-demand print type company, which means higher prices for merchandise, but no effort on anyone's part here. Vendor will simply print/make whatever we have setup in our store and ship it on demand as opposed to someone handling inventory. More on that later.
Wanted to give everyone a heads up this is in the works (No timeline established yet, very early on.) While I'll try to incorporate everything we have here in terms of look and feel, there WILL be changes. I know we don't like change, but it's inevitable, and hopefully those changes make the forums even better over time. Regardless, we need to get on a supported and secured platform.
When the time comes, I may setup a thread requesting opinions on option A or option B in terms of how the forums might operate or look/feel, when we have an option. I'd like the forums to represent the community that we are and try to take in as much feedback as possible, though obviously won't be able to conform to everyone's opinion.
I'll be in touch!
There is a vBulletin version 5. But I have yet to find anyone online that truly recommends the upgrade to version 5. Comments I've heard is it's slow, unwieldy, etc. And the best part? There is no easy migration path from v4 to v5 in terms of look and feel. You need to redesign your site from the ground up, though content will come over.
So with that, I am considered either an upgrade to version 5 or a migration to completely new/different forum software. There's a small handful of forum applications that are on par with vBulletin. I'll most likely work with a consultant to help handle most of the heavy lifting of the migration as I don't have the time or knowledge to do it all myself. Unfortunately, this means money - both for the software and the consultant. To that end, I'm also looking at bringing back SCCoA merchandise to help finance some of the costs. This will be done through an on-demand print type company, which means higher prices for merchandise, but no effort on anyone's part here. Vendor will simply print/make whatever we have setup in our store and ship it on demand as opposed to someone handling inventory. More on that later.
Wanted to give everyone a heads up this is in the works (No timeline established yet, very early on.) While I'll try to incorporate everything we have here in terms of look and feel, there WILL be changes. I know we don't like change, but it's inevitable, and hopefully those changes make the forums even better over time. Regardless, we need to get on a supported and secured platform.
When the time comes, I may setup a thread requesting opinions on option A or option B in terms of how the forums might operate or look/feel, when we have an option. I'd like the forums to represent the community that we are and try to take in as much feedback as possible, though obviously won't be able to conform to everyone's opinion.
I'll be in touch!