otseng wrote:No, nobody has complained to me yet, but I can understand the sentiment. I've spent years customizing the former forum to what I wanted and now I have to start all over. I don't think anyone is more frustrated and disappointed than me that we're losing a lot of the former functionality.Zzyzx wrote: Have you received indication that members and moderators dislike the new format? I am trying to withhold judgment, but am leaning negative after a week of use. It is not a matter of resistance to change (which typically troubles me very little).
The problem is the forum software and the OS is obsolete. It's been running on the same software for over 16 years, which in itself is pretty amazing. But, now I'm not able to run the latest software. I was using an older version of PHP and the latest version of PHP doesn't support the old forum.
There's pretty much no choice but to upgrade. By the end of the year, the old OS (CentOS 6) won't be supported anyways. Over the next several years, I'll be modifying the forum, but it will take patience as I do this. And just when I get it to how I would like it, I'll probably have to start all over again.
Thoughts on forum changes
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Thoughts on forum changes
Post #1Here's a PM exchange I've had with Zzyzx that I want to share. I think many on the forum might also be interested...
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #41Yep its there, thanks Otseng!
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #44We appreciate your honesty. The forum stands out only because of its rules on civility, and nothing more. Knowing that it's good for nothing else should let people know how serious to take this site when it comes to actual debate.marco wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:45 am The new format is a foreign language that defeats any linguistic skills I think I had. I was battling with the idea of leaving the forum some months ago, but the warmth here was too alluring, what with JW's pleasant sarcasm, Mithrae's free lessons for me and William's advice on how to write .... all lovely. I enjoyed the communication and the pleasant familiarity. We have lost the record of the number of posts we have made, which is a sadness; and we no longer see that people once liked what we said. The past is a foreign country but at least I spoke its language. I accept that change was perhaps forced on us but stumbling about in a haunted midnight forest looking for this forum or that, unable to see what misdemeanour has been reported and relying on the blessings of chance to hit on something one wants is not for Marco. So a fond farewell.
This is undoubtedly the best forum I have ever visited, run by a super-efficient and super-fair gentleman. Of course i have sadness in leaving, but there are many other reasons for my departure: the format change just supplied the nudge I needed. I wish everyone a long and happy stay, with posts inspired either by the Holy Spirit or just the warm winds of chance. Marco belongs to the past, I'm afraid, and with that I say farewell to this lovely forum.
Best wishes. MARCO
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #45Otseng provides a civil forum which is not an easy task. It is up to those of us who post on it to provide compelling debate. If you consider the quality of debate to be lacking, perhaps you should seek to resolve this perceived issue by providing better quality debate.AgnosticBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:04 am
We appreciate your honesty. The forum stands out only because of its rules on civility, and nothing more. Knowing that it's good for nothing else should let people know how serious to take this site when it comes to actual debate.
If you can't do so you can turn to sites that expect little more than constant insult. You may find yourself more at home there.
Tcg
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I must assume that knowing is better than not knowing, venturing than not venturing; and that magic and illusion, however rich, however alluring, ultimately weaken the human spirit.
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #46So you are against the update? Gotta admit I know first hand that decisions get made without consultation.marco wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 7:45 am The new format is a foreign language that defeats any linguistic skills I think I had. I was battling with the idea of leaving the forum some months ago, but the warmth here was too alluring, what with JW's pleasant sarcasm, Mithrae's free lessons for me and William's advice on how to write .... all lovely. I enjoyed the communication and the pleasant familiarity. We have lost the record of the number of posts we have made, which is a sadness; and we no longer see that people once liked what we said. The past is a foreign country but at least I spoke its language. I accept that change was perhaps forced on us but stumbling about in a haunted midnight forest looking for this forum or that, unable to see what misdemeanour has been reported and relying on the blessings of chance to hit on something one wants is not for Marco. So a fond farewell.
This is undoubtedly the best forum I have ever visited, run by a super-efficient and super-fair gentleman. Of course i have sadness in leaving, but there are many other reasons for my departure: the format change just supplied the nudge I needed. I wish everyone a long and happy stay, with posts inspired either by the Holy Spirit or just the warm winds of chance. Marco belongs to the past, I'm afraid, and with that I say farewell to this lovely forum.
Best wishes. MARCO
The forum is better/cleaner. The notifications option alone is worth all my MPG coins in payment.
I will miss you. I struggled to stay recently, of course, hopefully you will be back as well.
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #47otseng wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2020 3:55 pm Here's a PM exchange I've had with Zzyzx that I want to share. I think many on the forum might also be interested...
Everyone appreciates your work Otseng but some change management and an announcement might have been nice (of course I can miss the most obvious signs and maybe you did post something). As you can imagine I am not checking the forum diligently atm. But still hanging in there.otseng wrote:No, nobody has complained to me yet, but I can understand the sentiment. I've spent years customizing the former forum to what I wanted and now I have to start all over. I don't think anyone is more frustrated and disappointed than me that we're losing a lot of the former functionality.Zzyzx wrote: Have you received indication that members and moderators dislike the new format? I am trying to withhold judgment, but am leaning negative after a week of use. It is not a matter of resistance to change (which typically troubles me very little).
The problem is the forum software and the OS is obsolete. It's been running on the same software for over 16 years, which in itself is pretty amazing. But, now I'm not able to run the latest software. I was using an older version of PHP and the latest version of PHP doesn't support the old forum.
There's pretty much no choice but to upgrade. By the end of the year, the old OS (CentOS 6) won't be supported anyways. Over the next several years, I'll be modifying the forum, but it will take patience as I do this. And just when I get it to how I would like it, I'll probably have to start all over again.
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #48I made an announcement on May 17:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37326
I also made a separate announcement to the mods.
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #49What you're saying is all true but I might suggest that the advertisement for the website be changed to say what you just said. No one is obligated to provide compelling debate and they can do that just as long as they are "civil".Tcg wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:19 amOtseng provides a civil forum which is not an easy task. It is up to those of us who post on it to provide compelling debate. If you consider the quality of debate to be lacking, perhaps you should seek to resolve this perceived issue by providing better quality debate.AgnosticBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:04 am
We appreciate your honesty. The forum stands out only because of its rules on civility, and nothing more. Knowing that it's good for nothing else should let people know how serious to take this site when it comes to actual debate.
If you can't do so you can turn to sites that expect little more than constant insult. You may find yourself more at home there.
Tcg
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Re: Thoughts on forum changes
Post #50I'm like Saint Paul I need a personal intervention and bright lights. I like the site and like the notifications the best!otseng wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:44 amI made an announcement on May 17:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=37326
I also made a separate announcement to the mods.
Good work.
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image ."