There are several changes and improvements coming to 914world over the next few months.

The move to a new server this weekend was the first step in that process. By moving the site to a new server, we can now take advantage of better hardware and more storage space.

Our old server was running close to its capacity both in terms of processing power and file storage.


Here are some of the upcoming changes:

- Refactor the current codebase for the forums
The forum software was written almost 15 years ago and it is starting to become more and more of a problem. I'll be spending some time doing a major cleanup while adding some of the new features listed below.

- Create a mobile friendly skin for the forums
As more and more people move towards mobile devices it's time that we have a usable interface that works well in that environment.

- Upgrade the database to a newer format
Our current database is getting HUGE and it's time to move it to a newer format that can take advantage of the better hardware we now run on. This should drastically improve the loading speed on the site.

- Restructure the image file storage
The way the forum software currently stores uploaded images was never meant to be used for large amounts of files. We're now at over 700,000+ uploaded images taking up some 150GB of disk space and they're all stored in the same folder on the server (!). The new codebase will use a different approach for file storage that will improve access times to those images as well as categorizing them in a more meaningful manner.

- Allow members to tag images and threads
Being able to tag posted images and threads with keywords would allow for much easier searching. This could include both predefined tags and member defined tags.

- Update the VIN pages to be part of the forum
Change the pages for the VIN database to be integrated into the forum software. This would allow for better searching as well as attaching multiple images per VIN.

- Update the "914 Info" section to be part of the forum
Many of the current pages in the 914 info section need to be integrated into the forum software.

- Clean up the current forum skins
The current HTML for the forum skins is not compliant with the latest standards and needs to be reworked to work better with all modern browsers. At the same time, i'd like to add more color options to the skin selection.

- Add search function to your PMs
Allow members to search through their PMs easily.

- Add a "reply all" option to multiple recipient PMs
Adding this option will aid group conversations utilizing the PM system.

- Members map
We used to have a members map using frappr which was based on Google maps. I'd like to resurrect that idea and have a integrated map where members can enter their (approximate) location and add additional info, like a picture of their car.

- Add member tagging using @Username
Tagging a member by using their username in a post with the @ prefix will send them a notification with a link to the post where they were tagged.
This is a simple and easy way to get someone's attention to a post or topic.
Done ...

Great stuff Andy

Great news! Seems like a ton of work, can I help in any way?

All of us are extremely grateful for all the work you do with our site and community. Thank you!

Awesome stuff! THANK YOU!

Your the bestest Andy

Thanks for all the effort. The site is Fast

I am super grateful as well, Andy, for all you do for us.

Can you include clickable links to other 914 enthusiast sites where I can still buy the shoes I need?

TIA,.... Bub

Click to view attachment
Are you shitting me?
Truly?
This tiny 'cellphone' has 1 Terabyte and has a camera.
This Collossus has 256k!It has to warm up the tubes.
Tell me futureman,has mankind reached the stars.
Is the future a time of peace?

Gripes:
01) Display color formatting---------(the snow-blindness effect of a bright screen)-------A choice of colors and contrasts suitable to the users preference.A palette of versions.
02) A highlighted cursor-------------(a return to the previous page(backpaging))------------To see where in the list you were before,a contrasting highlite.Flaming pink if you choose.
03) Large Icon View-----------------(Other than a list format)-------------------------------A glance of the subject's topic and first few lines and or pix by mousing or other interface.
04) Icon gif panel--------------------(I don't use a gif all the time)--------------------But when I do,a pop-up or dropdown works for me.May I minimize the gif panel?
05) Edtor panel----------------------(A window in the corner sucks)----------------------A normal window,min/max/drag/pop and a line length limit to display and wrap.
06) Autosave-------------------------(Lose your editor input?)---------------------------Autosave,you know,autosave,for those neanderthals who use thumbs to type.
07) Page of thread-------------------(Want page 6?)--------------------------------------Pulldown and enter #in field,mouse LB,(not enter/return))Pita.A string of page # icons.
08) Thinking of somethin..Oh Yeah,a googlemap address for the sites and /found vehicles/photo'd 914s/vendors references and other utility.(Pix of a 914,the other side of the hill.)
09) Tailending the editor string-----(Adding attachment to input,cursor is ignored)---Saving,then reopening,placing the cursor with a leading and trailing space works though.

(edit:11/13/15)
10)Tagging----------------------------(Where was I?searching the page)---------------------------------------A highlited icon to map interesting subjects,at a glance


An interesting tangent of the transistors.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/magazine/sa/1969/09-01/
http://www.joeydevilla.com/2010/01/15/mult...he-mad-men-era/

Thank you for all your hard work. It is greatly appreciated.

You are a great and dedicated guy!

Thanks for all your work!

Thanks Andy,
Let me know if you need anything. Your dedication to the forum is what truly makes world what it is.

Great work Andy!

-- brett

Thanks for your efforts!

Thank you

Thank you!

thanks!!!

-bob

Good news! Thanks for everything Andy! Let us knoe if there is anything we can do to help!

Thx Andy. Is it a pain to add the ability to send pic's via pm, while your in there?

As a fairly new teener owner I can't imagine life without this site - thanks so much for your hard work!

Aaron

We are very lucky to have such a dedicated one at the wheel or should I say keyboard. Thanks much Andy! You have made it so much more likely to keep or cars running happily down the road.

Thanks Sir Andy!!!!

Andy
Thanks for all your efforts! It is greatly appreciated by those of us who live on this site.
Dave

And keep the suggestions coming, i'm taking notes ...

super news and thank you for the hard work

YES I agree too this sight has help me connect with more experienced owners to help me along the way of learning more about the 914World .. I just ASSumed that owning a few 911's you would make you a pro at a 914 ... WRONG I was soon thought different So Sir Andy Thanks for the hard work in keeping this site up and strong ..

Yes. It's an awesome site and Thanks for taking care of if.

Good job, thanks for taking the time not everone would be prepared to do it

I echo the comments above. This is a fantastic site and owning a 914 without it would be a lot more difficult. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. You can certainly see how many of us are truly appreciative.

Andy, you are the man, thank you so much for everything that you do for this great community.

Just glad to be a part of this great group!!!

Vysoc

Not sure what all that interweb jargon means.......but the last couple days without the site was not good.
Andy, thank you for all the hard work you do for all of us.
Rory

A big thank you. The weekend wasn't the same without the world.

Glad 914World is back! Already asked my latest dumb question....

Andy,
Thanks for all you do to keep this site up and running! I was having small kind withdrawals over here. It was good though, forced me to catch up on some tail dragger threads over on the bird.

Unless I missed it above, is there any way that we can help defray the cost of this upgrade? I will gladly throw some coin your way (again) for all that you do. Please tell me how to send you some money. I know that you love this place as much or more than we all do, but you shouldn't spend a dime of your own money to keep it up. Please tell us how we can help.

Again.



for keeping this board alive. I can't tell you how much this place means to me, but I would be happy to keep it afloat with a donation. Please let me know how I can.

Ken

I've learned so much and enjoyed so much this wonderful site. Many thanks to you and everyone for making ownership of a 45 year old car possible.

I have been wondering the same thing.

DITTO!!! I would think it not free, so let us contribute...

I'd be happy if you'd just get a new battery for your car!

Way ahead of you, got one for free under warranty ...

Thanks Andy from one German to another!
I look forward to this site everyday when I get a few minutes to relax.

I appreciate all your efforts in maintaining and improving the World!

URY & I almost killed the World!

Thanks Andy!

Using wife's phone, my I phone won't work on the world. after it was down now won't work .POS phone!

clear the cache on your phone.

Andy,

It just seems too fast now

possible to upload more than one picture at a time. I know you can have multiple pictures in one post, but to be able to browse and select more than one picture at a time would be nice.

Thanks for the efforts. I go to this site multiple times a day and the proposed improvements sound like great upgrades.