A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Hoops McCann on August 19, 2012, 04:11:40 AM

Title: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Hoops McCann on August 19, 2012, 04:11:40 AM
The AMIT staff will be upgrading the installation of SMF, the software that makes this forum work, in the coming week. The newer version of the software will fix some security flaws and hopefully provide a faster and smoother user experience. SMF plans to stop releasing updates for version 1.1.x of this software at some point so it's important that we carry out this upgrade sooner rather than later.

This is the largest upgrade to the forum that we've installed and it will require some site down time, however, if everything goes according to plan it won't take more than one hour to install. I will carry this out late in the late evening EDT, since statistically this is a low use period for the site. Since most users are in various European time zones, I suspect most won't notice the down time, or at least that's the thought behind it.

You will notice changes in the way the site looks once the upgrade is complete. However, nothing about the content or your personal profile will change. You can still use the same username and password and use the site in the same way that you do now.

I will post back to this thread with an exact date and time soon. Thanks.

UPDATE: As of 8/23, we're on track to perform the upgrade this Friday evening, 8/24, beginning at 9 PM EDT. That translates to 1:00 GMT on 8/25.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: Pottel on August 19, 2012, 10:58:09 AM
thnx dan. as always.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: Jules on August 19, 2012, 11:07:42 AM
Efficient!

 :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: dmg on August 19, 2012, 12:03:47 PM
Thoughtful.

 :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: dustyvalentino on August 19, 2012, 12:16:46 PM
Thanks for all your hard work Dan.  :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: ingridswing on August 19, 2012, 12:36:13 PM
As always a huge thank you to our technical director  :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: JeroenvG on August 19, 2012, 01:53:13 PM
 ;D Great work!
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: surferboy on August 19, 2012, 03:15:46 PM
Thank youuu.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade Coming Soon
Post by: superval99 on August 19, 2012, 03:20:04 PM
Many thanks, Dan!   :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: IrisRose on August 24, 2012, 07:26:05 PM
You are greatly appreciated.    This software cannot be free.    What do the editors owe?   
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: ingridswing on August 24, 2012, 08:52:45 PM
That's right AND Irisrose what do we owe you? Still have seen no bill for this year from you either!
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: JeroenvG on August 24, 2012, 09:14:36 PM
Maybe an idea to make a paypal account so we can all send some money for this forum?
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: ingridswing on August 24, 2012, 09:16:41 PM
Maybe an idea to make a paypal account so we can all send some money for this forum?

Really nice of you, we thought of that when starting it, but because the costs (till now)are pretty low, we shared it with the editors. Maybe one day we need you all for a little gift, we'll see
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: ingridswing on August 24, 2012, 09:18:07 PM
The AMIT staff will be upgrading the installation of SMF, the software that makes this forum work, in the coming week. The newer version of the software will fix some security flaws and hopefully provide a faster and smoother user experience. SMF plans to stop releasing updates for version 1.1.x of this software at some point so it's important that we carry out this upgrade sooner rather than later.

This is the largest upgrade to the forum that we've installed and it will require some site down time, however, if everything goes according to plan it won't take more than one hour to install. I will carry this out late in the late evening EDT, since statistically this is a low use period for the site. Since most users are in various European time zones, I suspect most won't notice the down time, or at least that's the thought behind it.

You will notice changes in the way the site looks once the upgrade is complete. However, nothing about the content or your personal profile will change. You can still use the same username and password and use the site in the same way that you do now.

I will post back to this thread with an exact date and time soon. Thanks.

UPDATE: As of 8/23, we're on track to perform the upgrade this Friday evening, 8/24, beginning at 9 PM EDT. That translates to 1:00 GMT on 8/25.

Thanks Dan, I hope all goes well so you will have your sleep as well. Good luck dear technical director  :)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Hoops McCann on August 24, 2012, 10:24:51 PM
Thanks guys. I will admit I am feeling just a little bit nervous about this one. I have a fairly detailed change plan and back out plan in place, but then there's Murphy's Law and all of that...  :)

The forum software is Simple Machines Forum, and yes, it's free.

Quote
Simple Machines Form (SMF) is an open source, free forum software package that webmasters can download and install on their own websites. If you see a copyright as above, it probably means that the webmaster of the site is using our software. This means that no, the site isn't ours - they simply use our product. At this time, Simple Machines only owns and operates http://www.simplemachines.org and http://www.yabbse.org, including various sub-domains. A website running on any other URL is not under our control. (This includes some websites which may use smf in their name, such as smfforfree and smfservices, none of which are official Simple Machines sites.).

http://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/copyright.php
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: ingridswing on August 24, 2012, 10:32:54 PM
Ok, so Irisrose send your bill to us, I feel guilty when not sharing the costs
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: tunnel85 on August 24, 2012, 11:59:39 PM
Thanks a lot for the hard work and efforts to keep that forum the best in the world.  :)
If one day you need anything...   ;)

 
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Hoops McCann on August 25, 2012, 03:03:45 AM
9 PM but still some folks browsing around. I shall wait...  ;)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: koobaa on August 25, 2012, 03:25:09 AM
You can ignore me, Dan. I am addicted so I will be checkin' in even when it's down  ;D

Thanks for doing a great work!
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Hoops McCann on August 25, 2012, 05:37:10 AM
OK, the core upgrade is complete and the implementation was fairly flawless! The only issue was that it took longer than expected to back up some of the files, so I had to start a bit later than originally expected.

Should you find anything not working or missing, please post a message here (http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php/topic,2564.0.html) so I can fix it ASAP. Thanks!

Also, the current theme is the "light" theme. It's supposed to somewhat imitate the old white theme, which wasn't compatible with the newer version version of SMF. I will work on a "dark" theme soon.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: shangri la 1 on August 25, 2012, 07:02:54 AM
 :) ;) 1000's of thanks Dan. I have seen just the tip of the iceberg behind the scenes folks and it takes a very clever person to keep something this size/complexity running smoothly.  :D
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: a visitor on August 25, 2012, 10:57:22 AM
Looks great! Simple, clean and stylish. The old layout was starting to feel a bit outdated.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Justme on August 25, 2012, 01:33:02 PM
Looks great and works like a well-oiled machine. Thx!
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Hophead on August 25, 2012, 02:31:52 PM
Well done Dan...an impressive job!   
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: superval99 on August 25, 2012, 03:39:31 PM
Thank you Dan!   After my initial problem, everything "today is OK"!    I like the softish colour scheme too - very soothing!    8)
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: ingridswing on August 25, 2012, 07:45:50 PM
:) ;) 1000's of thanks Dan. I have seen just the tip of the iceberg behind the scenes folks and it takes a very clever person to keep something this size/complexity running smoothly.  :D

Totally agree Shangri-La. It must have been a hell of a job and I am really happy we have Dan on board to do this technical stuff.
Thanks a million
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: knopfling on August 25, 2012, 07:50:29 PM
I like it! Thanks very much.
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Fieneke2 on August 25, 2012, 08:51:41 PM

Whaauww this looks great! Thank you Dan for the Upgrade! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/Fieneke2/Emoticons/Blowingkiss.gif) .....Haha, I think I might be the only one that blows a kiss your way! LOL

Watching the things that are possible, I see some things I never used, well I better say I never dare to use it!
Can you tell what "Toggle view"  (second row - right)  means? (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/Fieneke2/Emoticons/confused01-1.gif)

Fieneke
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: superval99 on August 25, 2012, 09:06:03 PM
Hey Fieneke - I can't see Toggle view anywhere!    ???
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: IrisRose on August 26, 2012, 12:05:17 AM
As far as appearance goes, it looks great.    I like the font color matching the outline of the album title name.   Good work.    As far as how it's working--it seems nice and smooth.     Thanks again, Dan.   
Title: Re: Forum Software Upgrade - 8/25, 1:00 GMT (8/24, 9 PM EDT)
Post by: Fieneke2 on August 26, 2012, 06:58:03 PM
Hey Fieneke - I can't see Toggle view anywhere!    ???

Val if you respond to a message, you see the first row with "B - I - U - S" , Font Face - Font Size- Change Color" etc

When you watch the second row at the end there is an arrow if you put the cursor on it, then you can read "Toggle view".

I wonder where we can use it for!  ::)

Fieneke