Epic Fail

Colton · Post by **Colton** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

http://www.mischiefsociety.com/vb/index.php

^ That is a vbulletin. I've been running this one for YEARS. Its spectacular forum software. From a users standpoint its very very easy to use, has many features like Thread Subscriptions to keep track of your 'want to sell' ads, policial threads, RSS feeds for the upcoming shows section, a mobile version of the site so you can view it even easier on cells and pda's, and so many other features I couldnt even begin to list. Just take a look! Its a wonderful piece of software that many of us here at rockpage would like to see ron use. From a technical aspect, its wrapped in ajax, is very low bandwidth, and is optimized like crazy to reduce SQL queries.

However, its 160 bucks for the license. And no, this is too good of software to even consider pirating, besides we dont want anyone on Ron's ass! I'm willing to pitch in 40 bucks towards this. Would anyone be interested in helping pitch in, or maybe getting a benefit show together for Ron to help pay for this vBulletin and maybe help with some bandwidth bills?

I've been barkin up this tree for a while, and it seems the money is the factor.

Lets upgrade rockpage!

Ron, ill even import the database, and recreate your theme, as well as get to work on band-page software. You wont have to lift a finger if you dont want to.

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Dude, with me, you are preaching to the choir. Vbulletin is the king of forum software - I have been playing with it since it was version 1, and installed it in many of sites. It is however, very costly, which is probably why the site hasn't switched over to it.

$160.00 plus $35.00 a year for the extras license and upgrades. It is well worth it, maybe if we had a fundraiser or something for ron to get it ? Set up a paypal account and people give a little bit to go towards it. I know we could get enough to cover the cost of it for the next couple of years. Besides - With all that Ron has done, it is only fair to think of something like that...

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

This shit is all japanese to me.
If money is an issue we could do a RP jam?
I like RP format though. Some sweeter emoticons would be cool I guess.

Colton · Post by **Colton** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

It'll pretty much look and function the same for the most part brian, just have alot more features and kewl little buttons. hehe

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

If Ron doesn't have the time or energy to upgrade, Colton, you could make your own site, and you'd be the moderator, now that would be cool.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

A forum is only as good as the content.

handful of blue · Post by **handful of blue** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

I know I'm new to Rockpage and my opinion doesn't mean much, but for what it's worth, I agree that the software does sound like it would be beneficial. I'd also be willing to contribute something to the cost of the start up and upkeep.
Just let me know.

peace, Mary

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

my .02 leave it the way it is. if ron wants to change it, then he will change it.
may be i'm missing something though because i don't go on other forums so you guys are more hip to that stuff. i'm all for a rp jam to raise some doe for ron and his site so it doesn't have to come out of his pocket. def good idea.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Jimi Hatt wrote:A forum is only as good as the content.

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

bassist_25 wrote:
Jimi Hatt wrote:A forum is only as good as the content.

You guys are gonna get me banned for sure

Colton · Post by **Colton** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

I guess what I could do is use my current vbulletin license and put up a 'demo' site, copying the style, layout, etc, of rockpage, then provide the rockpage users with a link. If everyone liked what they seen, then perhaps ron would be more in favor of a switchover.

Joe, as much as I'd love to have my own musicians forum that I could moderate and work on in my spare time like I do that gaming website, I'd never want to steal RP members, or put ron's site out of business if you know what I mean. If ron were to say he didnt have time, and go ahead with whatever, that'd be a different story. Kinda like a 'hand-me-down' thing or something... But I'm no user stealing asshole. All this upgrading would be for the rockpage users, not for my own personal gain.

Post by **Ron** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Colton, I don't think you realize the amount of work involved. This is not the only site on this VPN, and most of the other sites would take a lot of work to get them to be able to run on the PHP and MySql versions required by vBulletin. I would roughly guess about 20,000 lines of code (one of them is a real estate site). I also don't have near the disk space, and I'm on the edge with the needed available RAM and CPU cycles needed to run vBulletin with all of the added features.

Not to mention, why? You said yourself that the look and function would be the same, just more features (ugh!) and cute buttons (ugh! ugh!).

Remember the old adage... if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

Believe me, this isn't a gamers forum where 99% of the users are computer savvy. I spend a decent amount of time fixing problems for people who are frequently here and have little to no computer knowledge, and phpBB has way more features than they want or need. More gadgets and features = more confused musicians.

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Ron wrote:Colton, I don't think you realize the amount of work involved. This is not the only site on this VPN, and most of the other sites would take a lot of work to get them to be able to run on the PHP and MySql versions required by vBulletin. I would roughly guess about 20,000 lines of code (one of them is a real estate site). I also don't have near the disk space, and I'm on the edge with the needed available RAM and CPU cycles needed to run vBulletin with all of the added features.

Not to mention, why? You said yourself that the look and function would be the same, just more features (ugh!) and cute buttons (ugh! ugh!).

Remember the old adage... if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

Believe me, this isn't a gamers forum where 99% of the users are computer savvy. I spend a decent amount of time fixing problems for people who are frequently here and have little to no computer knowledge, and phpBB has way more features than they want or need. More gadgets and features = more confused musicians.

What he said!

DickShackBass · Post by **DickShackBass** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Ron,
Thank you for all you do here. This site is fine as is IMO.

witchhunt · Post by **witchhunt** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

DickShackBass wrote:Ron,
Thank you for all you do here. This site is fine as is IMO.

Agreed. Unless RP could merge with YouPorn.

Gallowglass · Post by **Gallowglass** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Firstly, I would like to say that I think Ron does an awesome job, now is as good a time as any to say thanks for that. This forum is ultimately in his hands and whatever he thinks is best for the forum is what will stay.

Having said that, V bulletin is the tits. I belong to a couple of forums w/ that setup and I do feel it is way better. For one thing, I like the ability to "Thank" certain posts, eliminating the need to clutter the forum up with all the unnecessary "+1"'s and all that crap. I also like the personal user control panel option for monitoring subscribed threads, etc.

If money is an issue, I'd love to play a RP benefit. Hell, it would give us all another excuse to play.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Ron wrote:
Remember the old adage... if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

I have to agree. Coming from an IT background, I realize the attraction of wanting to always upgrade. Speaking personally, I see no problems with the fuctionality of Rockpage. Some new bells and whistles would be cool, but Ron is one man. Rockpage is a cool resource, and the most important thing is that Ron does it without ad subscriptions.

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

i agree...i like RP as is

floodcitybrass · Post by **floodcitybrass** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

I'm not boasting but I have a Ph.D. in computer science. My theory is if it ain't broke don't fix it. I live this theory every day as I manage many servers at UPJ.

Colton · Post by **Colton** » Wednesday Sep 03, 2008

Ron, I knew every word you were gonna say before you posted it. It was worth a shot. I was even going to offer to purchase hosting for this, because I figured your servers were as old as the software that was on'm.

Oh well, this thread's dead.

(no offense meant in any way, trust me)

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Sep 04, 2008

witchhunt wrote:
DickShackBass wrote:Ron,
Thank you for all you do here. This site is fine as is IMO.
Agreed. Unless RP could merge with YouPorn.

That would save a lot of time and hassle for me.

I'm usually at the max of my abilities typing with one hand.------>JMS

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thursday Sep 04, 2008

bassist_25 wrote:
Ron wrote:
Remember the old adage... if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

I have to agree. Coming from an IT background, I realize the attraction of wanting to always upgrade. Speaking personally, I see no problems with the fuctionality of Rockpage. Some new bells and whistles would be cool, but Ron is one man. Rockpage is a cool resource, and the most important thing is that Ron does it without ad subscriptions.

Tons of mixed feelings on this one... I love updated software. I hate updating it.

I would have to agree that not changing forum platforms is the best move. Not to insult anyone, but I'd have to say that a majority of people here wouldn't take well to a change. Only because its just that much more to re-learn just to do the same old thing. I can't imagine any feature in forum software that would magically make people agree about what guitar/amp/mic is best, let alone who should win the next election

As far as the "ain't broke don't fix it"... thats hogwash fed to the lazy masses to keep them in their place... "Innovate or die!!!!"

The porn integration thing... that is pure money right there.. Would definitely cut down on the politics

McCain, Obama, McCain, Oba.......... oooo....... boobies......

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Sep 04, 2008

JackANSI wrote:The porn integration thing... that is pure money right there.. Would definitely cut down on the politics McCain, Obama, McCain, Oba.......... oooo....... boobies......

Classic.

Porn, the male common denominator.

-------->JMS