Knightmare.com

Howdy,

After much, but not yet complete, consideration it seems likely that in the coming weeks we will move to a new forum package.

The forum we have (phpBB) is stable and does what it says on the tin. But it's old and most of the updates that occur with it these days seem to be bug fixes and security fixes. I'd like to try and make the forum a bit easier to use and engage with. I'm therefore looking to move to the somewhat fancier NodeBB.

New features
NodeBB offers a number of features including the ability to give web notifications when someone responds to a post, or posts to a forum that you are interested in (no emails needed). It's also responsive and more suitable to a live discussion. It's easier to search, somewhat more robust to spam, and it is entirely practical for us to offer a web app at some point.

It also has a live chat capability. This will be disabled initially. But in view of the complete lack of support for web->IRC bridges, I have my eye on it with a view to moving Knightmare chat to the web.

What you need to do
Nothing. All existing posts and forums will be moved over. It is, however, likely that you will need to reset your password once we have moved. Now would therefore be a very good time to make sure your email address is up-to-date.

When?
Could be soon. I've completed a first batch of tests that have reassured me that the transfer is possible and the minimum set of features I want are present. There are still some things that I want to check. But likely once I've checked those and I have a free weekend, the transfer will happen.

It would be a shame to see the existing design go as it's something I've used and known for some years now but as with many things change is sometimes inevitable and at least I look forward to seeing what the technical team can put together. If it makes things easier or more accessible or if there's additional features or increased member interaction capability then rather grudgingly you have to accept it's for the better.

The important thing is of course is that a place for the Knightmare series actually exists outside of both TV and literary format where enthusiasts such as we have here can interact and get involved. I won't be 100 per cent happy with the proposed change if it goes ahead but as already stated it's a case essentially of moving with the times and I accept some of the features here may be in need of improvement where moving to a new up to date fan forum is the only answer.

I don't always participate now as much as would like to due to other commitments but do look in time and again to see what's new being discussed. Viewed the forum change article just now by way of example and felt the need to reply.

Change my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon.

Really hope the transfer goes well! A few years ago I shut down old phpbb forums on a website I once owned, in favour of replacing them with Zenforo. It did mean users would need to re-register, but I just thought it was best to cut that chord in favour of more modern forum software. To at least keep the "old forum" around, we locked it up and made it read only, so people could visit all the old posts and topic from the past, but recently they had to be taken offline as the phpbb was not being updated (all of the old plugins were not comparable and would break).

Long story short, the old forums are now offline and I am semi curious on how to bring them back. Seems like this could be a way to go about it! Although it seems like a huge job, and I don't even own the website anymore lol.