might convert forum to SMF

[rtil]

as i work on the site over the years, the architecture on which the site is based on is getting older and older, and i can't really upgrade it because IPB is not free and i've modified it too much that i might break things. also, IPB is extremely difficult to modify because it is not open source.

SMF (simple machines forum) is open source and free software for forums. there's a converter tool for this forum to SMF, so none of the users or posts would be lost. but as far as skin goes, i'm not sure.

does anyone have experience with SMF? if not, do you think it would be worth converting to SMF? basically, if i do, the possibility to add things to this forum and the site as a whole would be a lot easier. so if you have any suggestions for add-ons, i could probably find a mod that already does it and easily install it, or code it myself without having to modify the existing architecture and thus preventing future upgrades.

[Shida]

The old Orange Ark forums were ran on SMF after I got sick of phpBB3. It was a nice system to deal with, refreshingly simple. I never did much on the side of modifying it myself but it was definitely easy to maintain. The only problem I remember having with it was that bot accounts would multiply like a disease, but I imagine enough addons would sort that out.

I say go for it though, if it makes it easier. Why not try out a test installation on a subdomain or something?

[dumb double posting]

[rtil]

test forum is incoming. i think i'll let people dabble with it with new accounts while i get the hang of it. then, if i like it, i will convert everything over and of course overwrite all the test accounts.

[BluPhoenix]

sounds like a plan

[cipher]

whatever floats your goat

[rtil]

i've installed it and playing around with it and i am gonna do it. but this will require that i shut down the forums for a while to do some database conversions.

some other parts of the site probably won't work for a while, either.

JUST A HEADS UP

[rtil]

test

[Thor]

this is great