Web site problems: Please read

[AdaSooner]

As most of you know, the web site has been down since mid-morning. With OUHoops out of town with poor access to wifi, it couldn't have come at a worse time. He sends his apologies to everyone here!

 

[OUHoops]

Re: Web site problems

Apparently, our board software is so ancient that it's on its deathbed and I need to upgrade to a costlier version of VBulletin. Which I find odd because we haven't had any issues for years.

Honestly, I have no idea about HTML or what this entails. I just know how to post and run the admin part of the site. Our hosting company tells me we'll be lucky to make it through March without an upgrade.

So I'm at a crossroads as to whether I want to do that, give it to someone else who wants to do that and carry this thing on, merge with another site, or just end it.

Would appreciate any advice on this board software issue from any of you who have expertise in this field.

 

[sybarite]

Re: Web site problems

Voluntary contributions seem to keep wiki open.

 

[billyball]

I'll pitch in.

 

[AdaSooner]

Count me in. You have been footing the bill on this web site since it started more than eight years ago. Time for some of the posters who enjoy this board to pitch in and help.

I have a feeling that won't be a problem for most of our regulars. A number of them have offered to contribute in the past, but you have always rejected the idea. Now, it's our turn to help you! When you get an estimate on the cost, please post it here.

 

[quick release]

Re: Web site problems

I'll pitch in as well.

 

[j2d2]

Re: Web site problems

'Sign me up.

 

[sdcloud9]

Everyone needs to help if they can.

 

[thebigabd]

Put some kind of fundraising section on the site and lets see if we can get it met.

 

[Big Old Booger]

count me in. How much do we need for the upgrade?

Can we get the :clap emoticon to work again?

 

[Price is Right]

I would be extremely upset to see this site go down. I've been reading ever since being introduced to the site by a former coach 7 years ago. I don't comment often, but I love coming to a place where others share a passion for ou basketball. I almost feel like I know many posters personally through their posts and shared perspective. I will gladly pitch in.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I could chip in.


Or we could just call up boca and he could get Steve Nash to help out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Soonerinkc]

Blake? ...LOL..


I'll try. Just cut my life ins policy, cable, to reduce monthly costs..but I do enjoy the board.

 

[Stikboy]

In

 

[OUHoops]

Appreciate the comments, guys. I've been on a weekend trip with the wife. It's the first time I've been gone for a game all season, so naturally this happens now.

I'll get some numbers/estimates on the new board and possibly come up with a GoFund me page if anyone wants to help out. I'm honestly dreading the actual setting up process of the new forum moreso than the cost. I just that I don't have the patience for the "set up" aspect of it that I did when I started this thing way back when. For example, due the usernames/posts transfer over? Etc.

I also need to look into if what I'm being told about this current format/software being on it's deathbed, and if that is really true. I'm sure it is, they tried to get me to upgrade to a newer version several years ago and I declined. Again, I know nothing about HTML/websites/servers etc.

But, like I said above, it's been YEARS since we've had even a small issue. Actually, the last major issue we had was two years ago and that's because I forgot to renew the ouhoops.com domain name. :facepalm. It's been way more than two years since this thing has had software issues, and that was because I had to put the site on a better server to handle the traffic.

Anyhoo, I'll keep you guys updated. Things seem to be working fine for now.

 

[thebigabd]

Ok, so I see two problems here.

1.) There may be an upgrade that costs money
2.) You are tired of the admin related work to the site

Solution to Problem 1 is obvious, start a fund and people will donate. I am not worried about that.

Solution to Problem 2 is more complicated. Ideas:

1.) Bring on some partners to help admin the board, more than just content, but the actual running of the website itself. Perhaps some members could do that?

2.) Find some message board system that provides admin services for stuff like this. I saw ProBoards.com provides a totally free service for this, they maintain the site and do all that. You pay $14 a year to use your own domain name. Thats it.

Another one I found is called "BoardHost", they do all the hosting. Free version has ads, non-ad version is $15 per month.

3.) Email Joe Castiglione and Lon Kruger and form a partnership with the University to make ouhoops.com the OFFICIAL site for OU basketball.

 

[CoachTalk]

I'll help $ and time.

 

[globecode]

I am happy to pitch in financially and also help with the upgrade.

I am a sys admin as my job and although I haven't dealt with vBulletin in a long time I have installed it a few times before and would understand what needs to be done.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

3.) Email Joe Castiglione and Lon Kruger and form a partnership with the University to make ouhoops.com the OFFICIAL site for OU basketball.

This sounds cool on the surface....but do we really want the type of posters this would bring?

 

[SoonerinNC]

I'm in