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Thread: New Forum Software Being Installed: all members must read

  1. #1
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default New Forum Software Being Installed: all members must read

    Starting this Friday afternoon at approximately 3:00 p.m. Central Time we will begin installing the next generation version of our Forum software. As a result, the Forum will be off-line for between 24-48 hours.

    In addition, the entire site will be off-line for a few hours Friday at approximately 3:00 p.m. as we upgrade equipment. The exact time is a moving target. Prepare accordingly. If you are in the midst of a long post when this occurs it will be lost.

    Installation of the new software will log you out of the Forum.

    Once we are back up and running with the new software you will need to login with your User Name and Password.

    Suggestions that will both help prepare for this while also mitigating our involvement follow. Our work does not stop after the installation.

    1. With any failed login you can always request a password reset yourself starting here.
    2. Check that you have a valid email address associated with your Forum account here, otherwise you cannot complete the previous step.
    3. If the email address associated with your account is no longer valid or you cannot access it, change it to a valid address you can access at all times. You will lose your login access briefly as a result of changing the email because these changes require administrative approval, but this is checked many times per day.
    4. The only time it is necessary to contact us for assistance is if you cannot login AND you do not know the existing email address (or your User name) associated with your account and/or cannot access it.

    What to Expect

    • A new but familiar look.
    • All sub-forums stay the same.
    • Navigation changes designed to improve access to Social Groups and Blogs.
    • No separate mobile version. They are combined and optimized for phones with a more familiar Cafe look.
    • Group icons (the main image) for Social Groups will need to be re-added.
    • BB Codes, video embedding, Signatures, Avatars, Profile info, images, links, etc. is unchanged.
    • Expect some adjustment, and please, avoid the instinct to post questions without first seeking answers yourself.

    Your patience and respect for this process is appreciated and expected.

    This is being posted as a notice and closed for discussion. If you have immediate concerns you may use the Contact Us link found at the bottom of every single page on the entire site. Please note, while the software is being installed, the Contact Us link will be unavailable.

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  3. #2
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Forum Software Being Installed: all members must read

    Shift in gears.

    We now plan to start this entire process at 10:30 a.m. this morning instead of 3:00 p.m.

    This is a two person operation. Dan Beimborn of the Mandolin Archive, who handles server hardware and database admin is in the UK and has a full-time job and family, a 2 1/2 commute home on weekends so we're looking for the window that allows him to do his part without impacting his world so much, and for me to be available at the optimal times after the import/upgrade to customize the Forum functions so that this takes as little time as possible, still in the 24 hour range at best IMO. Turns out a later time seems to work better for us both and gives us a better shot at minimal outage.

    Sorry for the confusion and time change. It is what it is.
    Last edited by Mandolin Cafe; Feb-21-2020 at 9:11am.

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