Forums are now moved and upgraded! Yippee!

[oldweirdherald]

Finally it's actually happening!

The Slot Car Talk forums are moving to the newer bigger better faster server sometime this evening (USA time evening).

After wrestling for ages trying to do it on my own... I finally got professional help. :unsure:

No... not THAT kind of professional help (although I'm sure I probably need it). :lol:

I mean I got my tech support guru dude from the new hosting company to make it happen. :cool:

Thanks to the kind donations of a few loyal readers, I finally was able to take the plunge and get it done right.

So... the forums will be down for a bit (perhaps a couple hours, but maybe more)... and then hopefully up and running without fear of crashing constantly.

Thanks again to some very kind & generous folks who have helped make this finally happen!

For any of you who would still like to show your support and chip in... well I could still use some help towards that pesky ISP bill and the server bill that is coming up again very soon.

Any and all donations are always very much needed and appreciated!

I have my fingers crossed - we should be back up and running on the new server by tomorrow! :D

Paul K @ OWH

[oldweirdherald]

We are now up and running on the...
NEWER BIGGER BETTER FASTER SERVER!!!
YIPPEE!!! :D

Only one slight glitch that I know of... the "New Posts" or "What's New" buttons are getting an error page. (my personal favorites) :(

But my tech guy says that is probably something to do with the fact that I am still running a very old version of the forum software now on the latest php on the server...

I now need to upgrade the forum software, and I am pretty sure that problem will go away (along with adding a whole bunch of new features as well as a ton of security upgrades.

A HUGE THANKS to all of you who have pitched in and helped out with your contributions!!!

And thanks to all for your patience - the OWH Slot Car Talk forums are going to be BIGGER BETTER NEWER AND FASTER now!!! :)

Paul K @ OWH

[skigolfmike]

it affects search also as the What's New? is essentially a search function tied to a button.

[oldweirdherald]

it affects search also as the What's New? is essentially a search function tied to a button.

I'm pretty sure the upgrade will fix whatever problems there are (and hopefully not get any new problems!).

I'm going to practice by doing the upgrade on a test forum first as a practice run... to help reduce the odds of me screwing up on the real forums. :p

I also want to figure out the settings on the new upgraded forum - there are so many new whistles & bells, that I want to turn most of the new features off until I learn how to use it!

Man.... I really miss the "New Posts" button... but I'm using the "Latest Posts" block in the right sidebar for now.

Hang in there... hopefully get the upgrade done tomorrow. :)

PK @ OWH

[skigolfmike]

Wasn't a complaint, just an observation and feedback. I know what it's like upgrading to new software.

[Zippity]

I use "New Posts", all the time.

Well I used too :(

Paul, you need to find, fix and reinstall the NP and search for old posts function ASAP, otherwise this Board will be useless :(

[oldweirdherald]

I use "New Posts", all the time.

Well I used too :(

Paul, you need to find, fix and reinstall the NP and search for old posts function ASAP, otherwise this Board will be useless :(

I've been working on it day & night.

It's frustrating, and I also use the "New Posts" button... but I wouldn't say "useless" without it - perhaps inconvenient to you... but certainly not "useless".

You somehow managed to find this thread, didn't you???? :eek:

You can check the "New Forum Posts" block on the right sidebar... or simply scroll down the main page and check the "Last Post" column for topics with today's date on them.
I realize that takes an extra couple seconds and a little extra effort... but I'm sure once I get the upgrade done, you'll probably find something else to complain about. LOL :p

But yeah.... I'm working on it.... day & night... just to make sure that YOU are happy, Zippity. LOL :rolleyes:

PK @ OWH

[oldweirdherald]

We're Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :)

Forum is now on the new server and upgraded to the latest version of vBulletin!

The "What's New" button works - and gives a bunch of new options to change the range... etc...
Also the "New Posts" button and all the Search options!

A whole bunch of cool new features to figure out how to use!
(I had to turn most of the NEW stuff OFF until I can figure it all out!) LOL :p

I also installed a new plugin that I hope is going to stop those annoying automated hacker attacks, that keep attempting to logon to user accounts. FINALLY.

The forum gives them 5 tries, then locks them out after 5 failed attempts.
That's great - and it works... but then it sends you an email telling you somebody tried to logon to your account.
That part is really annoying, and I have gotten a lot of emails saying "It wasn't me!!!" (and those were the nice ones...)
The new plugin is going to give the hackers (or YOU) only TWO tries. After TWO failed attempts, on the third try...
it makes you (or the hacker bot) fill out one of those annoying "reCaptcha Human Verification" thingies.
So I'm really hoping that manages to stop the hacker bots. :)

I'm sure I will still have some tweaking to do... but I can take my time on that. This was a very long and grueling process, and I am just extremely relieved to finally get it done & back up and running. Now I want to redo that old logo.... :p

So.... if anyone would still like to kick in to help support the forums, the ISP bill, and the server bills which are due again very soon...
or just to buy me a well-earned cup of coffee...
That would be awesome!

But I have a feeling that I am going to sleep well tonight! :)

Thanks to all of you for your support and your patience!

Paul K @ OWH

[Zippity]

Thank you Paul.

Normality has been resumed......

:)

The reason that I like the NP feature, is that it shows me what thread I have made a comment in. That way, I don't have to browse through needless rubbish and bitch fighting to find something interesting.

The LP column was very restricted in its content.

[oldweirdherald]

Thank you Paul.

Normality has been resumed......

:)

The reason that I like the NP feature, is that it shows me what thread I have made a comment in. That way, I don't have to browse through needless rubbish and bitch fighting to find something interesting.

The LP column was very restricted in its content.

"Normality"??? "Normality"??? I think it goes waaaaaay beyond "normality"! I think it kicks a$$! LOL

The New Posts button has some additional filters now - as well as the "What's New" button. You can select 24 hours or past week, or month.
(I kinda wish it had a 2 days choice LOL)

There are so many other new features... I had to turn most of them off for now.
I figured you would complain if you had to figure out too much new stuff. LOL

But the main "new feature" that I really like the most..... is NOT crashing or shutting down every other day.
I really like that "new feature" the best of all. :)

Anyway.... I'm glad I could make you happy, Zip.... you know I went to all that work, for over 9 hours.... just to make YOU happy. LOL

(so where's YOUR donation??? hmmmm?) :p

PK @ OWH

[Zippity]

Will you accept postage stamps? :lol: :lol:

Only 9 hours? I expected more!!

[oldweirdherald]

Will you accept postage stamps? :lol: :lol:

Only 9 hours? I expected more!!

Can you send postage stamps via PayPal? LOL

I kinda think if you snail mailed me a postage stamp... it would not exactly be worth anything after it gets postmarked. :(

The 9 hours was just counting when I finally got around to buckling down and actually doing it.
I know all the tech guys reading this are probably scoffing at how they could have done it in an hour or less.
But then they don't have an internet connection that varies from... say .97 mbs down to.. zero mbs. (supposed to be 3mbs)
And those scoffing probably also already know how to do it. That can tend to be a bit of an advantage. :rolleyes:

I didn't count the countless hours of researching & learning how to use SSH & WinSCP and Google instructions to learn all the little secret handshakes & super secret command line stuff. Or the time I spent whenever giving up and just calling my tech support guy Sam (with my NEW server host - Sam is awesome!).

And I wouldn't even begin to count all the years of procrastination while thinking about the server & forum upgrade. LOL :p

But I did it ALL just for YOU Zippity...... and all you offer is postage stamps??? Pppppppptttttt! :p

LOL

Paul K @ OWH

[Zippity]

I offer you postage stamps cos the Kiwi dollar is worth ****e, and I'd go broke trying to match you in US $$$$ :(

[oldweirdherald]

I offer you postage stamps cos the Kiwi dollar is worth ****e, and I'd go broke trying to match you in US $$$$ :(

HA!

You think the Kiwi dollar is worth ****??? Try dealing in Philippine Pesos! LOL

Many hard working Filipinos here work 12 hours a day just to earn around 300 pesos (around $6 USD) :(

I can't imagine anyone trying to earn pesos and then spend in US dollars. :eek:

But that is why most VA's & internet entrepreneurs here try to earn US dollars and then live on Philippines Pesos. :)

The good part is... I can get a really good 1 hour massage here for 150 to 300 pesos ($3 to $6 USD).

I just don't know any of them who work for Kiwi stamps, however. :p

PK @ OWH

[Zippity]

Paul,

While you are in such a forgiving mood, is there any chance that you can make the "New Posts" tab, the most furthest left tab replacing the "Forum Home" tab?

It would make life that little bit more easier :) :)

[oldweirdherald]

Paul,

While you are in such a forgiving mood, is there any chance that you can make the "New Posts" tab, the most furthest left tab replacing the "Forum Home" tab?

It would make life that little bit more easier :) :)

Wow Zip....

Seriously? Moving a link on the Nav bar 1/4" would really make your life "that little bit more easier"?

Man... you must have a really rough life!

So... if I did the math... on saving you about .01 seconds a couple times a day....
verses the hour or so I might spend trying to figure out how to swap menu bar items....
I'm guessing ('cuz it would take me another hour to actually DO the math)
that it might have saved YOU the time time I invested by about the year... 2035???

(where's Guy "MentalKase" when you need him? He would probably actually DO the math!)

And this... from a guy who's posted over 4,000 posts, but asks if I take Kiwi stamps??? LOL

BTW - if your excuse is the **** exchange on the Kiwi vs. US dollar...
then I suppose 5 Kiwi dollars might not go far against paying the US server bill.
But if instead I converted it to Philippine Pesos... 5 Kiwi bucks could get me a 1 hour full body massage!
(from that little gal who doesn't take stamps)

So how much is swapping around the menu bar worth to ya now? LOL

Yeah... kinda blows that whole "return on investment" time savings calculation thing out the window. :p

(now I probably won't sleep until I finally do finally figure out how to change the Nav bar... darn you)

BTW - I just accidentally discovered another cool new feature from the forum upgrade! "autosave"!!!
While I was sitting here attempting to calculate... a little yellow "Auto Saved" thing jumped up at me.
Wow... for all the times I have typed some long-winded reply, only to have it wiped out when I hit "Reply",
that seems like a pretty cool feature.
Probably even worth another Kiwi stamp or two! :p

PK @ OWH

[oldweirdherald]

Scroll up now... Zippity-Do-Dah. :p

My masseuse gal is waiting. :cool:

PK @ OWH


P.S. I just realized that for F1 fans I'd probably have to make a "Jensen Button" LOL

[Zippity]

Well I guess that common sense will never prevail here :(

PS. Why make your reply so personal? I wasn't attacking you.

[oldweirdherald]

Well I guess that common sense will never prevail here :(

PS. Why make your reply so personal? I wasn't attacking you.

Personal??? I thought the smileys were there to let you know I'm trying to be funny!

Nothing personal.

Do you like the button? I thought it would make your day...

PK @ OWH

[Zippity]

Communicating via the internet is one of the worst ways to "talk".

Button?? What button, I asked myself. I have just seen it :)

Was it there all the time?

The best button on this screen :D :D Thank you, Paul.

[Zippity]

Hey Paul.

That new button you created is great :)

P.S. Don't tell anyone else what is is for ;)

[oldweirdherald]

Good!

I had a really crappy day (week, month, year... oh hell... LIFE) today, and offending you was the very last thing I ever intended to do.
So obviously you replied to my post before you scrolled up and saw "Zippity's Button". (DOH!) :p

I was having fun sparring with you, and I probably have grown just as attached to the "New Posts" button as you.
So when I stumbled across the new feature of adding custom buttons to the Nav bar, I couldn't help myself.
I hoped you would get a kick out of it.

I may even change the name of it once in a while just for sh*%s & giggles... or even add other magic buttons... just because I can.

I will also activate some of the new features, once I figure them out, and I'm sure you and others may hate any changes.
Which makes it sound kinda fun to me. LOL

You have been a long time supporter of this forum (probably one of the first, if not THE first) when you have made many positive contributions,
and even when you are being a bit feisty or downright pesky, you still help kindle the sparks and provide entertainment value.

You have made $ contributions in the past, and I know you will when you can - so I will stop trying to guilt trip you about that...
I was mostly yanking your chain for nit-picking on my brand new upgrades. LOL

Glad you like the button... but don't forget to skim through the older posts once in a while or you might miss something. :p

PK @ OWH

[Mic Byrd]

paul
Funny zip needs a button he's in most post i read LOL

[Mic Byrd]

Great Job . it's running like a champ

[oldweirdherald]

Great Job . it's running like a champ

Thanks Mic! :)

PK @ OWH

[Racer36]

What in blazes does the Zippity button do? I am afraid to click on it!!!!!

[oldweirdherald]

What in blazes does the Zippity button do? I am afraid to click on it!!!!!

I'm not telling. I guess you'll never know unless you click on it. :p

PK

[Mic Byrd]

It's a get Zippity going button LOL

[Zippity]

Thanks again Paul.

I apologize for being over hasty in my bitchy reply :(

All is well :)

Ron

[Zippity]

What in blazes does the Zippity button do? I am afraid to click on it!!!!!

Be a man!! Click on it :D :D