Badmovies.org Forum

Hi all.  Sorry about being so scarce lately.  I seem to be having very little time for non-work pursuits, which has been limiting what I do on the site.  Most of all, I have been using much of the time I would usually be here with maintenance on the server.  Been seeing some stupid dictionary-spamming attacks, which fill up the var directory and crash services - like the bbs.  It has been eating into my Badmovies.org time.

I also am looking to move the site to a new hosting service, probably in December.  This is partially due to the problems, also the cost of the current provider.  Looking for something sustainable, no matter what.

That being said, with the change I have been looking at message boards.  Does everyone like Phorum?  It is very basic, which is not a terrible thing, but I have also been looking at other systems .  One possibility is vbulletin, which is probably the favorite one I have seen.  However, it costs.  I am not against purchasing the software, if everyone would really like it.

VBulletin:
http://www.vbulletin.com
A site that uses it:
http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/index.php

Phorum:
http://phorum.org/phorum5/list.php?12

Hey Andrew, good to see you've been about.

Personally I prefer Phorum because of it's simplicity and it just seems more personal.  Though I'm open to new things, I just can't help feeling that the board won't be the same if we change it [I'm afraid of change, so terribly afraid... :-P]

I just don't see the point in having things like 'rep points' for example, and I really don't care about how many posts somebody has: that just seems a little intimidating to people who don't post as often.  Pictures and locations are cool and all that, but, hey, we have frapper now, and anyway we can just ask and talk about it.

The way I see it is that if it ain't broke don't fix it, but hey, that's just my opinion, I'm open to change, but I'll just miss the ol' black and green...

Well, if you like it then it's alright with me.  The Straight Dope Message Board (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/) uses it, which is the only other message board I regularly read (but don't use because it costs money).

I don't really care which one you use.   What keeps me coming back to this board is the content, that is, posts by the regulars.  The message board software might as well be invisible.

If it's going to cost you money, I would only recommend it if it saves you time somehow.  Or saves you money in the long run.  Perhaps extra protection against spammers and the like.  But it's your site, so if you decide to with new software I have no complaints.

I think this forum that you have is unique because it brings you the latest topic responce straight to the top. For some reason I like that. If a topic becomes tired it falls to the bottom of the page then it falls to a back page if nobody reponses. If someone want to they can do a quick search to find the topic again. It feels fresh as other boards had dead topics that stay on the front page.

I'll give a new messageboard a chance. Why not. Just have to get use to a different style of posting. The other styles do work on other websites, but I've never been that interested in them and don't usually post. Maybe I would have to see the new board and see how it goes.

Maybe put both types of messageboard up and see which becomes more popular. Probably to costly, but maybe for a few months only to see which everyone prefers.

I say stick with this Phorum.
It is without a doubt the most unique type of message board I've used.
It does seem to have a personality all its own that no other message board I've ever visited has.
I also agree with Scott as to how the board puts messages back up at the top when you post to them.  I like that.

Sure, you could always set the color scheme of a different board to black & green, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Please keep this board!



Post Edited (11-20-05 21:07)

ASHTHECAT wrote:

> I also agree with Scott as to how the board puts messages back
> up at the top when you post to them.  I like that.
>

VBulletin can do this.  The one the Straight Dope uses has a "flat" view of all the responses, and there is a button next to all posts that will take you straight to the newest post.

This isn't the first time Andrew's changed the board.  When I showed up who knows when there was a different board, though I don't remember if that was phorum or not.

Er...I suppose Mofo, but like dean previously said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."



Post Edited (11-20-05 21:36)

I say stick with Phorum, for the reasons already given.

I agree with the "stick with phorum" chorus.  I like this one, and unless it just does not offer some features you need to make admin easier, from the user standpoint, it ain't broke.

BTW, have you considered just hosting the site on your own server?  If you have your own reliable broadband, that might be a good approach.  It gives you direct control of everything, right there.

I refer other people to the simplicity and user-friendly interface of this Phorum both as examples of what a good message board should look like, as well as how easy it is to use. It brings new threads to the top, it has a section for private e-mailing and pictures, and black and green are so sexy.

I agree with Dean, or whomever made the comment on post-tracking. I find it intimidating when I come onto a new board and each person has hundreds of posts next to their name, and I have 0. It separates people from what they really love, BAD MOVIES.

Furthermore, the idea of separating topics by categorizing them into their own special place on the boards is quite a hassle. I think we have a good system here: for off-topic posts, you simply use 'OT: ' Everything else is fair game.

And, everything else everyone else has said already too.

Glad to see you around, Andrew.

I like this forum because its unique. I go to 2 other sites that have V bulletin and while I like them it seems that alot of forums use v bulletin. Also the black and green seem to give a vibe of B-movie for some reason.

-------------------------------------------------
Most of all I hate dancing then work, exercise, people,stupid people

Count my vote for Phorum as well. I reiterate what everybody else has said: simplicity, speed, and no rankings; although those particular features could probably be emulated with vbulletin.

Stick with the Phorum... It does the job and you don't have to do much clicking through or anything.
-Ed

I have to agree to sticking with Phorum because of what everyone else said. But, if it makes your job easier we can all adapt.

I know about the hassles with spam and such. I run a little website for my old Navy unit and I had to recently change the guestbook service because the old had no spam protection. I was constantly having to go out and clear dozens of posts from spammers.

If it will free up some time for you to review more movies or have more time for the wife and kids, go with something that will make life easier.  But if that's not your concern let's just stay with what's working now.

I like this board but I could like another board just as easily. I have gotten used to this board but I do use other boards and there are pros and cons to all of them, it's just a matter of getting used to them. I think what many people are overlooking here is that this board is paid for by you so if this one is a burden on you, go to another one. I am a member of 2 other boards which both seem to work fine for me and are quite easy to use. One board is run by vbulletin and is quite a well organized and well run board with many features. Go check it out at arachnoboards (http://www.arachnoboards.com).
The other board is run by Simplemachines.org which works real well too. You can check this out at tapsforums (http://www.tapsforums.com). I can put you in touch with the guy that runs the whole thing there if you have any questions.
Of course I don't know what these cost but they may be worth looking at, Andrew. Ultimately it's up to you of course since you're the one paying for it. I, myself, will be satisfied with any board as I don't come here just for the board but rather the people and the topics.
I will say one other thing though, it was nice of you to think of asking this rather than just changing without any consideration. That is one major thing that will set your boards apart from others no matter who is hosting it.

Andrew,

I say stick with Phorum.  I've used numerous different versions of VBulliten (joblo.com, ruthlessreviews.com, etc) and I much prefer Phorum.  It's simple, quick, and fits perfectly with the site.

I'll completely support a change, but I do rather prefer the current format.

Two cents from me too --
Just leave things as they are -- I'm a very big fan of the "ain't broke/no fix" philosophy --
peter johnson/denny crane

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.  I like Phorum, but wanted to make sure everyone else did too.  I will just upgrade us to the latest version when I move the hosting.  That  will probably go the 1st week of December.

Andrew,

I'm really glad you decided to keep Phorum.  I really don't care much for VBulliten as I said.  It's fairly cluttered and can be a bit of an eye sore.

We all really love the board Andrew, and I know that I spend most of my day on here, constantly F5-ing waiting for new posts.  You've given us a place where we all come together, rib on each other and help each other out.  You should be proud that you have one of the best damned boards out there.

Also, feel free to post yourself on frappr.com/badmovies.  It would be great to have a post from the main guy himself.



Post Edited (11-21-05 18:35)

I say keep using "Phorum."

...Wow, is my response completely late or what? Where was I when this conversation started? :)

Skaboi wrote:


> We all really love the board Andrew, and I know that I spend
> most of my day on here, constantly F5-ing waiting for new
> posts.  

And now Dean has learnt a new way of doing the exact same thing.  Like a fool I'd just click the refresh button.  Now I can just reach across the keyboard and not move a further muscle!  

Oh, and yay for the keeping of Phorum!

The board is so enjoyable due to the people who visit and post.  I just unfsck the server when it is having problems and try to write a new review now and then.  Not so easy when your wife insists that the cover of "Night Beast" should not be left out where Jenna can find it.

Added myself to the frappr.

I am perfectly happy with the phorum as it is.

Glad to see you're keeping Phorum, Andrew.  It creates a unique dynamic to a board that I really like, more than any other board.

I need to upgrade my site's Phorum too, but I'll let you do it first and work the bugs out.  ;)

I could use a different board, with avatars and so on, but the truth is that the present one is serviceable enough, and I like the reply notification as it is, which allows me to follow replies without re-entering the site. Other board systems I've seen look more sophisticated on the surface, but they don't allow such things and are more prone to errors and other problems.

My vote is for keeping the present system.

I know that I'm a newbie here and that no one knows me but I am going to provide my 2 cents anyway. :P

I rather enjoy the feel of Phorum because it's nice and simple.  This is something that I rather enjoy when I pop in here because I can just look and see all the posts to find something I want to read through.

And even though it looks like you have already chosen to stick with this program may I offer a suggestion?  I perused through that site you provided with the Vbulletin and noticed that it was extremely similar to Invisionfree.  So if you do randomly change your mind you might want to look into Invisionfree(if you haven't already) because they are so close and, as the name states, it's free!

Phorum.

friend good....


change...baaaad

Heard loud and clear everyone.  We will stick with Phorum.  I am working on moving the site to the new server.  That will probably go into effect this week.  There may be some issues for people as the DNS servers catch up to the move from the old server to the new one.

OH-MY-GOD!!!!! You mean that the site may actually be down while I'm at work? NOOOoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me like old simple system.  New system too hard, make head hurt.
PS, I like the green & black motif.

And odinn7, you could try what I tried when my internet connection goes down at work:  work.  Yes, it is a radical solution, and you shouldn't do it all the time, (I don't, too fraught with peril) but once in a while is ok.

And gawd but I'm still stuffed from Thanksgiving.

I'm cool with this phorum, I like the color of gren and black, it's got a nice dark and slimey feeling and yet it's not unfriendly.

And we got a cool Frapper.

raj wrote:


>
> And odinn7, you could try what I tried when my internet
> connection goes down at work:  work.  Yes, it is a radical
> solution, and you shouldn't do it all the time, (I don't, too
> fraught with peril) but once in a while is ok.
>

The hell you say! Bite your tongue man! Work! Well I've never heard such an outlandish statement in my life! Don't even talk to me anymore if you're going to be like that! Hmmph!

Just keep the green and the black, and i'm cool with it.