Moving?

Okay, this has actually been on my mind for some time now, really... the idea of moving forum locations. Now, the current host is free, and it's not going anywhere soon, and I'm 99% sure they don't delete inactive accounts, so I think we're safe with not losing this place if we move, buuut...

I kinda feel like I want to do more than I'd be allowed to work with using Invisionfree 1.3 - that, and the whole idea that they've crippled it so that we can't use the search engine? Yeaaaah... not cool.

So I may try for a hostmatrix site soon. I'm not sure what their performance is like, but it's definitely worth a shot.

See, the thing is though, that I want something that essentially has the functionability of e107, though I'm sure that many of you would scoff at the idea. Though on the other hand, I'd like to keep myself to free options as much as possible. As nice as vBulletin or InvisionPower would be, they're both WAY too expensive. That, and phpBB and phpNuke both have their security problems that I won't even begin to address, so both of those are off the list.

What I'm after is something that has a blog-type frontpage, where users can leave comments to each article, perhaps a shoutbox (though I'm tempted not to use it, because that takes attention away from the forums), and maybe some segment of the site that would more closely resemble the old site I used to have.

Another preference, of course, would be to make it so that I can have banner ads... of MY choosing. You know, like on ov3rclocked, where she's got webcomics and all... but I'd have maybe a different selection of things there.

Well... my initial thoughts are to go with ocPortal and use SMF (simple machines) as the forum base, though that's something I'd need to play around with more to decide if it's really what I want. ocPortal has way too many modules that I really don't want to use, and I'm not sure if I can get the same kind of security in SMF as I'm used to getting. Yes, I know, Invisionfree's not the best either, but it still beats out phpBB by FAR.

Anyways, that's where I'm at. I've gotta decide what to do now.

Going with e107 would be a good idea, HOWEVER there are some security flaws with it. I'm not sure how fatal they are, but I know they're not ones you accidentally stumble across. Also, the forum administration isn't as powerful as it is on other forums such as IPB and vBulletin but it should provide enough power to cover the main administration concerns.

Another thing, the e107 default is fugly. You'll have to spend a while creating a nice new layout.

Bah. Like I'd ever go with the default layout.

I might see if I can reconstruct LN's old layout. Anyone with .zip or .rar files of old threads, your contributions are needed

I've got a host, and I'm working on getting the place configured. I think the checklist includes anti-bot security measures, as well as having a good place to list the games we play - that includes banners.

e107 it is I'm guessing?

Yup. Unless you have another brilliant idea

And no, I am leaving the default skin.

Oh noes!

A brilliant idea would be to get a new skin

Yup, I've picked one that's alot nicer. Way nicer. But it's still somewhat bland, too, I guess...

The new forum should have a dramatic change in dicussion (e.g Bush to Obama/Clinton) xD. Maybe the new games that Kal tried out? Either way, It's funny how I made this forum my homepage.

Well.... it is much simpler than it is now, really. There's one cosmetic bit to go, I guess, then it's ready. I think.

EDIT: I'm gonna go ahead and post the link. StalaK's got some e107 experience, so I'd hope that I can get help debugging certain annoyances.

http://xkal.simon.geek.nz

Signed up.

I'll be happy to help where I can =]