opinions: should I upgrade the mz engine?

minuses:
- loss of a day or two of data
- some crossover time
- probably a few weeks/months to fix the theme/colors
- would also require some work to fix faq's
- would have to re-work some modules

plusses:
- much faster access throughout the database
- download section would accept actual uploads
- No Cookies (php sessions)
- less clutter on the frontpage
- (we could have a "recent updates" page)
- general layout improvements
- better prepared to take on future updates.

List of required rewrites:
- webchat (would be first)
- photo album
- "did you know?"
- language flags for forums
- translation footer
- newsletter
- webrings

If we do the upgrade, we'll set a date for starting the transition, and will do the upgrade on a backup of the current system. This should minimize any real downtime (though we may lose a few days' worth of data).

What is everyone's thoughts on this?

Go for it!

And perhaps a few days of downtime is better than loss of data?

And when your'e at rewriting things, how about adding a "show all" button to the "did you know" function?

Well, the only real loss of data will be any new users (will turn of registration), and forum posts (though this could be avoided by pointing everyone to the beta site).

Upgrade upgrade!

I see more pros

may the force be with u

Although the site looks good right now, I always like to see a good upgrade.

If I may make a suggestion, I would like to be able to go directly to a specific page in the forum topics--similar to the way Amigaworld.net works.

--Aaron

I'm all for an upgrade! I think it would be a great thing for the
site!

Upgrade at will Captian.

well, if and when we know exactly when it's happening, we can then postpone doing certain things (uploading or posting a pic, etc) that would hinder your work. and lose data.

and as you complete sections we can all go and check out stuff and see if it's working right.

something new is always nice :)

In the last year or so, MorphZone's database has grown to be about 13M. While not incredibly large, it's bigger than I thought it was. Anyway, the xoops database interface is showing it's age. That's what is really driving me to want this update. If we stay on xoops another year, collect another 13 or 20 meg of database data to search through.... Well, you get the idea.

I've already put up a test site using the exact same data morphzone had at approxamately 19:00 GMT. The beta site is at least three times as fast, producing pages in about 3/4's of a second [some are produced at around 1/10'th of a second]. A huge difference.

When the update actually hits, I'm going to shut down morphzone, make *another* backup, and put the new site online. Once I translate the "theme" to the new system, I'll ask the mods to inspect it for me.

In the meantime, the ONLY change is that I ask anyone who wants MorphZone to host their files to PLEASE use PPCZone's MorphOS Download area, as each of the files here will have to be moved to the new system by hand. I'm fairly certain I can save the pictures in the gallery, the documents, and even the forum posts throughout the upgrade.

Go for it!

Steve

Upgrade it!

And implement things as url parsing

URL parsing will appear

Also, everyone will notice that some of the functions seem to be dissappearing. This is only temporary as we prepare for the upgrades.

Sorry for any inconveniences.