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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Admins
Posted by: timothy_nd28 Jan 14 2013, 04:50 PM
I noticed that this forum is modeled by "Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2013 IPS, Inc. "
After Googling, I noticed a much nicer version.
Can this old POS be upgraded to something easier on the eyes?
Posted by: slothness Jan 14 2013, 04:57 PM
Hey Andy,
Sounds like someone just volunteered for unpaid, long-hour job. 
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Jan 14 2013, 05:08 PM
What's the matter with the way It is?
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 05:10 PM
You shouldn't have skipped those motivational classes ...
This old version was a one time expense (compared to the subscription monthly payments for the new version).
Also, and even more importantly, over the last 10 years we have accumulated many, many, many custom modifications to the board source code to improve the site.
All that custom code would be lost with an update.
And then there's the issue of migrating the old data to a newer system. Our old version is not upgradable so this would have to be a manual process.
So, at this point, unless someone here volunteers to do all that work, there's no way i will have the time and energy to tackle a project like that.
![popcorn[1].gif](style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Posted by: McMark Jan 14 2013, 05:18 PM
Also, new code means new exploits for hackers.
Have you tried alternate skins/colors in the bottom left menu?
Oh, and you should upgrade your POS 914 for a Boxster. 
Posted by: Rand Jan 14 2013, 05:23 PM
OLD code means MORE exploits for hackers. But believe me I know the stakes and don't mean to enter a dog into the fight.
Uber thankful for this board and our admins. 
Posted by: carr914 Jan 14 2013, 05:26 PM
Don't Hackers give up on Old Code and go Trolling for the New Stuff?
Posted by: McMark Jan 14 2013, 05:30 PM
I would agree if we were running an out-of-the-box version of IPB. We've taking steps to close exploits on our own, beyond the efforts of Invision. New features mean new openings.
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 05:53 PM
Our code base is 10 years old an was the last version before they went to a completely new code base.
Meaning, by then most bugs and exploits had already been patched in our code base.
We have not had any hacks or exploits on this code base for at least 8 years. All the wannabe hacker kiddies have long moved on to greener pastures.
Posted by: 914Eric Jan 14 2013, 06:04 PM
Not to enter in on any side of this, but at some point won't this code base become unsupportable?
A company I support has an Access 97 application that would no longer run on windows 7 and had to be completely rewritten from scratch at great time and expense becuase the 15 year old application had never been upgraded.
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 06:11 PM
Supportable by whom?
The site is written in PHP which won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I don't see any reason why this code base would simply stop working some day.
And even if that did happen, i already have a backup plan that would allow us to keep all the existing posts and images.
Posted by: kg6dxn Jan 14 2013, 07:09 PM
IBTL
[EDIT] This place is awesome!
Posted by: jdlmodelt Jan 14 2013, 07:14 PM
Supportable by whom?
The site is written in PHP which won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I don't see any reason why this code base would simply stop working some day.
And even if that did happen, i already have a backup plan that would allow us to keep all the existing posts and images.
Thanks SirAndy, this site is excellent!
Posted by: balljoint Jan 14 2013, 07:34 PM
Does the new software have a PM reply-all button? 
Posted by: Rand Jan 14 2013, 08:25 PM
Don't Hackers give up on Old Code and go Trolling for the New Stuff?
Hah, hardly. Well, some do, but thousands more exploit the exposed holes. Ask Microsloft. There's a reason for "patch Tuesday." If you run Windows and follow that logic, you are at a huge risk. Run your updates!
But glad to hear this board is in a bit of a different boat, because our admins are handling the patches in house.
V9.1.4 rules.
Posted by: scotty b Jan 14 2013, 08:51 PM
FWIW I am on several forums and this one is BY FAR the most user friendly when it comes to PM's, and especially posting pics. Some other sites pic posting setup just plain sucks 
Thanks Andy 
Posted by: carr914 Jan 14 2013, 09:13 PM
FWIW I am on several forums and this one is BY FAR the most user friendly when it comes to PM's, and especially posting pics. Some other sites pic posting setup just plain sucks
Thanks Andy
Posted by: toolguy Jan 14 2013, 09:15 PM
If it ain't broke don't fuch with it. .
Posted by: timothy_nd28 Jan 14 2013, 09:48 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful for what Andy has done for all of us, especially during the DOS attack endeavor this past summer.
But, last week in the school's computer lab, a friend poked fun at this forum, stating that his commodore 64 has a better GUI than this site. I can handle the NARP statements, however it's a different story when someone yell's NARF (forum)
I agree totally about leaving stuff alone when its not broken. However, what exactly would it take to update this forum to the 21'st century? Are we talking a few hours and a couple hundred dollars? Or, are we talking months and a few thousands dollars? Perhaps we employ some illegal immigrant programmers, to carry out the tedious tasks
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 09:53 PM
He's obviously too young to actually have worked with a C64 since the C64 did not have a GUI at all.
You're either looking at a complete, custom re-write of the forum software or a tedious migration to a off the shelf product.
Pick your poison. Both solutions will take a good amount of time which i don't have. The $ aspect is secondary if i don't count my time as $. The time aspect however is a deal killer for me since that is the one thing i do *not* have.
Posted by: McMark Jan 14 2013, 09:58 PM
What in the world does a "good" forum look like?
I really can't fathom that...
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 10:01 PM
I really can't fathom that...
Something along the lines of these templates:
http://www.websitetemplates.org/category/cars/page2.html
Posted by: Woody Jan 14 2013, 10:11 PM
Don't change a thing. Some of us are simple minded and like simple things, especially the Canadian contingent. Don't ruin it for them.
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 14 2013, 10:11 PM
Or more specific, Forums:
http://www.websitetemplates.org/category/forums/
Posted by: euro911 Jan 14 2013, 10:48 PM
Thanks Andy
Just because Yahoo mail seems to think they need to change their format every few months, doesn't mean World has to. Andy is doing a fine job with this one
Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Jan 14 2013, 10:58 PM
Thanks Andy
Just because Yahoo mail seems to think they need to change their format every few months, doesn't mean World has to. Andy is doing a fine job with this one
+1on "The Samba"
Posted by: mittelmotor Jan 14 2013, 11:05 PM
Thanks Andy
Just because Yahoo mail seems to think they need to change their format every few months, doesn't mean World has to. Andy is doing a fine job with this one
Agreed. Don't change a thing. It's very easy to post pics here compared to some of the other sites I'm used to, requiring a link to photobucket, etc.
--Doug
Posted by: bigkensteele Jan 14 2013, 11:10 PM
Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful for what Andy has done for all of us, especially during the DOS attack endeavor this past summer.
But, last week in the school's computer lab, a friend poked fun at this forum, stating that his commodore 64 has a better GUI than this site. I can handle the NARP statements, however it's a different story when someone yell's NARF (forum)
I agree totally about leaving stuff alone when its not broken. However, what exactly would it take to update this forum to the 21'st century? Are we talking a few hours and a couple hundred dollars? Or, are we talking months and a few thousands dollars? Perhaps we employ some illegal immigrant programmers, to carry out the tedious tasks
I am a fellow computer geek but in a completely different niche from web-based stuff. I couldn't create a website right now if you asked me, but give me couple of days, and I could crank out something.
What I do know is that moving to a new release of software where there is no migration path and the code is highly modified is extraordinarily resource intensive. In the corporate world, upgrading this site to the new version would take hundreds of hours and certainly in the tens of thousands if not the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Andy operates this site more or less as a hobby, for our benefit, and I am damned thankful that he does. This is the most functional and enjoyable community that I have ever been a part of. I also find it extremely intuitive and easy to navigate, thanks to his modifications.
Andy, when it comes time that an upgrade is inevitable, please tell me what I need to learn, and I will be glad to help get it done.
Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 15 2013, 01:11 AM
I looked at ths when the site went down, and thought it was going to be down for quite some time.
Leave it the way it is, if Andy feels the need to make changes, great, but otherwise, keep it easy for Andy.
He does all of this for very little thanks.
So thanks again Andy.
-Mark
Posted by: Dasnowman Jan 15 2013, 01:24 AM
One thing that would be nice if we could have some kind of Buyer/seller feed back in our member info? Would be nice to know when buying off other members if we are going to be scammed or buy off one of the good ones.
Other then that very happy with the people and info on this site, top notch.
Posted by: Mikey914 Jan 15 2013, 02:47 AM
If you have a question on a deal or vendor, you can search or start a thread.
Low post count would be a red flag, but thant's the extent for now.
Posted by: MoveQik Jan 15 2013, 07:24 AM
But, last week in the school's computer lab, a friend poked fun at this forum, stating that his commodore 64 has a better GUI than this site.
Oh...now I get it. Someone just learned something new in class and now knows more than someone that's been doing it in the real word for 20 years(just an estimate, Andy).
This site is awesome especially when compared to other forums that I am active on.
Posted by: rnellums Jan 15 2013, 07:30 AM
I like it the way it is. Plus, what kind of 914 guys would we be if we changed from version 9.1.4?
Posted by: timothy_nd28 Jan 15 2013, 08:49 AM
Negative ghostrider. Just because I had a class in some computer lab, doesn't equate to me majoring in some computer science degree. It was actually some boring ass statistic class. It's ironic you chimed in though, weren't you the guy that was solely responsible for bringing our site down for many weeks?
Posted by: MoveQik Jan 15 2013, 09:08 AM
Negative ghostrider. Just because I had a class in some computer lab, doesn't equate to me majoring in some computer science degree. It was actually some boring ass statistic class. It's ironic you chimed in though, weren't you the guy that was solely responsible for bringing our site down for many weeks?
No I was not responsible for the site going down, wise ass. I asked a question about a website. Several people more savvy than me did some research that suggested the site was a scam. From there the hackers that ran the website I asked about continued to take this place out. I don't have the skills to do such a thing.
Posted by: timothy_nd28 Jan 15 2013, 09:26 AM
Negative ghostrider. Just because I had a class in some computer lab, doesn't equate to me majoring in some computer science degree. It was actually some boring ass statistic class. It's ironic you chimed in though, weren't you the guy that was solely responsible for bringing our site down for many weeks?
No I was not responsible for the site going down, wise ass. I asked a question about a website. Several people more savvy than me did some research that suggested the site was a scam. From there the hackers that ran the website I asked about continued to take this place out. I don't have the skills to do such a thing.
I didn't realize that this was a sensitive issue with you. It's water under the bridge at this point. Besides, I should be thanking you. With the site being down last year, my GPA slightly increased that semester!
Posted by: MoveQik Jan 15 2013, 09:35 AM
Negative ghostrider. Just because I had a class in some computer lab, doesn't equate to me majoring in some computer science degree. It was actually some boring ass statistic class. It's ironic you chimed in though, weren't you the guy that was solely responsible for bringing our site down for many weeks?
No I was not responsible for the site going down, wise ass. I asked a question about a website. Several people more savvy than me did some research that suggested the site was a scam. From there the hackers that ran the website I asked about continued to take this place out. I don't have the skills to do such a thing.
I didn't realize that this was a sensitive issue with you. It's water under the bridge at this point. Besides, I should be thanking you. With the site being down last year, my GPA slightly increased that semester!
No need for the thanks and not a sensitive issue at all. It was out of my hands. I feel badly that the hackers caused Andy a lot of headaches but that was certainly not within my control. And clearly you gained some knowledge that semester. You are now smart enough to know that this site is, and I quote your initial post, an "old POS".
Posted by: SLITS Jan 15 2013, 11:39 AM
Come on Mike .... take credit where credit is due. We all know that you are responsible, but you're so handsome we decided to overlook your faux pas.
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 15 2013, 11:51 AM
Since 1978 ...
(and no, that's not a typo
)
Posted by: MoveQik Jan 15 2013, 11:54 AM
Since 1978 ...
(and no, that's not a typo
)Damn. You Germans age really well.
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jan 15 2013, 12:30 PM
They had computers in 1978?
Posted by: 914Eric Jan 15 2013, 12:53 PM
They had computers in 1978?
They didn't have PCs...Andy must go back to the IBM mainframe days.
Posted by: euro911 Jan 15 2013, 01:11 PM
Elliot started out with an abacus and graduated to a slide rule
Posted by: Rand Jan 15 2013, 01:19 PM
Elliot started out with an abacus and graduated to a slide rule
If Elliot is using a slide rule, you are screwed.
Posted by: bigkensteele Jan 15 2013, 07:11 PM
Since 1978 ...
(and no, that's not a typo
)Damn. You Germans age really well.
No
!!! Either he was 10 when he started, or he as aged very gracefully!But, Germans are apparently horrible photographers
Posted by: CG-914 Jan 15 2013, 08:30 PM
First of all this is a great Forum and we should be thankful of any extra!
But why question what is good and I am suggesting an APP if somebody wants to spend time for some upgrades!
Maybe somebody that wants to help can do that... 
So whats that about us germans? 
Well I guess its a compliment that we age better
Posted by: warpig Jan 15 2013, 11:05 PM
This place is just fine like it is. 
I will never understand the need to "upgrade" software every time you blink your eyes. Old shit doesn't smell as bad as new shit, remember that.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Jan 15 2013, 11:20 PM
I forgot all aboot Mike bringing the site down!
Posted by: bulitt Jan 16 2013, 01:26 AM
They had computers in 1978?
They didn't have PCs...Andy must go back to the IBM mainframe days.
Crap, I remember using card readers when I took Fortran in college.
Posted by: MoveQik Jan 16 2013, 07:27 AM
I forgot all aboot Mike bringing the site down!
Keep talking Erc. I'll do it again. I'll take PMB out too!
Posted by: pcar916 Jan 16 2013, 08:04 AM
I couldn't afford a PC when I went back to school and the LSU Computer center IBM-PC's were taken by grad students who required no sleep.. ever. So I used a Commodore 64 first... When that gaggle of hardware took up too much space, I traded my Opel GT for a Kaypro and got good at CPM and hacking the CPU clock to run at 2, and 4 MB per second!
I was smokin'... so were the Z-80's.
Hmmm, Arduino/PIC and the 914!
Back on topic, This site's fine with me.
Thanks!
Posted by: Rockaria Jan 16 2013, 09:07 AM
They had computers in 1978?
Yes, we had the Apple II, the 8088 was just a year away. We also had access to the mainframe at LANL from our high school.
Posted by: KaptKaos Jan 16 2013, 11:49 AM
I could have this whole thing running on the Raspberry Pi that runs my coffee maker and have it done by tomorrow morning.
Posted by: 914Eric Jan 16 2013, 11:57 AM
Yes, we had the Apple II, the 8088 was just a year away. We also had access to the mainframe at LANL from our high school.
The Apple II might have been introduced but it was years away from being useful or anything but a novelty.
Posted by: tdgray Jan 16 2013, 12:06 PM
You shouldn't have skipped those motivational classes ...
Has to be the funniest quote in the thread and everyone just danced over it
Posted by: Kirmizi Jan 16 2013, 12:13 PM
And the irony of how the original post could easily be attributed to our cars 
Posted by: BarberDave Jan 16 2013, 12:13 PM
Leave ANDY alone! This site is GREAT with Me. Of course I am old enough
to remember my Aunts Grank Wall Phone !!! I also bought my Son a Commodore
64 , and had no idea or clue of how it worked.
Do this wait till I die then change it all.
Please,
Dave
Posted by: 914Eric Jan 16 2013, 12:35 PM
This place is just fine like it is.
I will never understand the need to "upgrade" software every time you blink your eyes. Old shit doesn't smell as bad as new shit, remember that. All operating systems and development platforms are continually being improved and capabilities added. As they ADD new capabilities, they also stop supporting "Old stuff" that is obsolete. Operating systems like Windows, browsers like Internet Explorer, and custom applications like this site must ALL WORK TOGETHER in order to continue to work. That is why all business keep their software upgraded.
10 years ago the internet was just becoming a place where business could be done. 20 years ago Internet Explorer didn’t even exist. And now…things are changing EVEN FASTER.
I like this site, and think it is fine and it might run fine for another 5 years…maybe even 10 if Internet Explorer, Firefox, and the other browsers keep an “Antique Browser Code” mode.
But be assured that at some point, new browsers will begin having problems with this site and then we will have no choice but to upgrade; and then it will be done under pressure.
Posted by: Rockaria Jan 16 2013, 12:55 PM
Yes, we had the Apple II, the 8088 was just a year away. We also had access to the mainframe at LANL from our high school.
The Apple II might have been introduced but it was years away from being useful or anything but a novelty.
I never said we actually used them for anything... Just that they we had them in 1978. Just think though, within 6 years of that we had the Macintosh. And we definately used them.
In fact I still have my MacPlus, Quadra 950, and first gerneration PowerBook. They all work perfectly, very slow, but they work. No need for any upgrades or support. They do what they were designed to do.
Posted by: Rand Jan 16 2013, 12:59 PM
Leave ANDY alone!
There's a word for the day. And all the other sentiments that boil down to this. We are in good hands.
Posted by: MDG Jan 16 2013, 02:40 PM
I forgot all aboot Mike bringing the site down!
Gint, Doc, Ferg, me . . . all us us were shocked - and ashamed - when it turned oot to be a Michael behind all of that.
I bet Woody causes the next crash.
Posted by: timothy_nd28 Jan 16 2013, 03:32 PM
Leave ANDY alone!
There's a word for the day. And all the other sentiments that boil down to this. We are in good hands.
We are in great hands, till his fingers start to hurt or Danny hunts him down
Posted by: Rand Jan 16 2013, 03:39 PM
dANNY can't hunt anything down except his next drug.
Thanks again to our local admin crew.
Posted by: N14 Jan 16 2013, 04:10 PM
Don't change a thing. Some of us are simple minded and like simple things, especially the Canadian contingent. Don't ruin it for them.
Why thank you very much for your expression of thought for us simple minded Canadians. You have a kind soul - Hockey's back
Love this site
Posted by: Steve Snyder Jan 16 2013, 05:08 PM
All operating systems and development platforms are continually being improved and capabilities added. As they ADD new capabilities, they also stop supporting "Old stuff" that is obsolete. Operating systems like Windows, browsers like Internet Explorer, and custom applications like this site must ALL WORK TOGETHER in order to continue to work. That is why all business keep their software upgraded...
...But be assured that at some point, new browsers will begin having problems with this site and then we will have no choice but to upgrade; and then it will be done under pressure.
While that is true, it was noted early in the thread that this forum is coded in PHP. Pretty much all the current forum software is also PHP-based, so I doubt there is much to worry about near-term (other than normal issues such as some of the older front-side HTML commands being deprecated which all sites have to deal with).
The initial post seemed to be concerned about the presentation (CSS) being outdated, not the functionality. Personally, I think a forum about 40 year-old cars should look a bit outdated.
Posted by: Steve Snyder Jan 16 2013, 05:10 PM
..and thank heaven hockey is back!
Posted by: SLITS Jan 16 2013, 05:16 PM
Hockey??? .... a bunch of dudes fighting on an icy pond ....
Watching grass grow is much more exciting.
Posted by: SirAndy Jan 16 2013, 05:24 PM
Dude ...
Posted by: balljoint Jan 17 2013, 07:17 PM
Hockey??? .... a bunch of dudes fighting on an icy pond ....
Watching grass grow is much more exciting.
Et tu, Brute?
Posted by: Pat Garvey Jan 17 2013, 08:03 PM
FWIW I am on several forums and this one is BY FAR the most user friendly when it comes to PM's, and especially posting pics. Some other sites pic posting setup just plain sucks
Thanks Andy
Yo to that!
Posted by: charliew Jan 17 2013, 09:20 PM
Andy I think it's great. My experience at IBM was everytime we changed equipment or software on a customer it was expensive to transfer all the data to the new system.
Posted by: Dinobx Jan 17 2013, 09:39 PM
Great site Andy. Thanks for all of your work and time (which is in short supply).
Dino
Toronto
Dude ...
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