We're moving - need advice and help

[Todd W. White]

Dear Altec Family,

Well, the time has come to move. Hostboard is too unstable, and we're going to lose our collective camaraderie if we don't.

Some months ago, a fellow, who shall remain nameless, tried to coerce me into moving us to Bill's GPA website, which he was in control of, and dump the responsibilities of running it on myself and AltecBest, my helper. I resisted because I sensed something afoot, and turned out to be right. To be CLEAR - it had NOTHING to do with Bill, and Bill put a stop to the nastiness once I informed him what the guy was doing, how he threatened to file lawsuits, etc.

That being said, the input many of our people here gave about why we should move WERE and ARE very valid! And, since that time, Hostboard has become increasingly unstable, and, quite frankly, virtually unusable.

Therefore, I have talked with AltecBest, and he is talking with the guy who owns Hostboard, and is trying to figure out how we can move without losing all of the years and years of posts, data, and advice that you have all contributed. This is THE MOST complete resource of ALTEC-related information online anywhere, and I am determined not to lose it!

SO - here's what I am asking for:

1. Suggestions on how where to move to?
2. Do we purchase our own forum software/program and go to our own server (the fellow who hosts my Altec website is very reasonable, loves Altec, and not expensive)?
3. Would all of us be willing to chip in some to help get whatever we do paid for?

Advice? Comments? Experiences?

Whatever you can do to help with ideas, technical expertise, etc., would be MUCH appreciated!

Now, since there is the very real possibility that this post will not be visible at all times to our members here, I suggest you contact me through Facebook or directly via email at: [email protected]

I appreciate and respect all of you, and hope that no one will be offended by my asking for help.

Keepin' it GREEN since 1960,

- Todd

[Old Guy]

I just bought altecusersboard.com and altecusers.com

Yours free we can redirect to wherever you choose.

I can help with funds and have some tech skills.

Steven was offering us a backup for money at one point

interesting:
The Easiest Way to Create a Forum - Website Toolbox

I suggest your guy on hosting

He may be able to help setting up

RMH

[Audio_by_Goodwill]

I've always been under the impression that hosting/running a board was quite technical... more so than just using pre-made software. Another board that I used to frequent had a member that was doing all the heavy lifting when it came to the software, and it took him a lot of time/expertise. I suspect it it needed to be paid for it would be quite expensive. Also servers need to be upgraded every couple of years if owned by a forum.... I wonder how that would compare with paying for hosting?

Sorry, I can only bring up questions, and no answers.

[Old Guy]

I've always been under the impression that hosting/running a board was quite technical... more so than just using pre-made software. Another board that I used to frequent had a member that was doing all the heavy lifting when it came to the software, and it took him a lot of time/expertise. I suspect it it needed to be paid for it would be quite expensive. Also servers need to be upgraded every couple of years if owned by a forum.... I wonder how that would compare with paying for hosting?

Sorry, I can only bring up questions, and no answers.

I have to disagree with most of what you posted. Don't buy a server. Rent it.

The software I posted a link to is $25 per month. Realistically there will setup charges. But we should be able to operate a board for a reasonable cost. It won't be $50 a month. But it won't be 500 either.

I own a computer company BTW. So Todd if your server operator needs hardware we should talk.

RMH

[Audio_by_Goodwill]

I have to disagree with most of what you posted. Don't buy a server. Rent it.

I believe if you re-read what I posted, you will see that I wasn't suggesting buying a server.

[Todd W. White]

We're making some progress on moving our forum.

I'll let everyone know what we're looking at and how everyone can help make it possible shortly.

THANKS for being willing to help!

[Old Guy]

I believe if you re-read what I posted, you will see that I wasn't suggesting buying a server.

Sorry-I misunderstood.

I was suggesting buying time on a server, that way upgrades are the responsibility of the service. I use GoDaddy, have never had a problem.

Most difficult part is setup and maintenance.
RMH

[Altec Best]

I have been in talks with Steven...He has offered to sell Hostboard to Us.. I think he said Godaddy won't work due to the format this board is written in...If I understood him correctly.I have to call him again for more details.The board is backed up daily.However to do an export and import a lot of details have to be worked out before an attempt is made.Also we don't want to buy problems that Hostboard has at the moment so all these things need to be ironed out before we can decide on a direction me thinks..More info needed...

[Nickd]

Anyone thought of contacting John at Audio Circle? The ?circle? format works great, the audience would get bigger and there is strength in numbers. Costs would also be reasonable. The users there are mostly well behaved and you of course get your own ?moderator? status in case someone crosses the civil responsibility line.

Hope everything works out. I really enjoy the folks here but have never liked the host board format and technical glitches.

Blessings,
NickD

[Audio_by_Goodwill]

I have been in talks with Steven...He has offered to sell Hostboard to Us.. I think he said Godaddy won't work due to the format this board is written in...If I understood him correctly.I have to call him again for more details.The board is backed up daily.However to do an export and import a lot of details have to be worked out before an attempt is made.Also we don't want to buy problems that Hostboard has at the moment so all these things need to be ironed out before we can decide on a direction me thinks..More info needed...

What does "sell the board" mean? Our Content? Servers? Software/installation?

If that means anything other than our contents... which technically he may own? I think this is a terrible idea. This board is broken, and has been broken even after "fixes" and upgrades. Hoping that we could run the same board better is not a good idea.

It does not surprise me at all that he is willing to sell... This board is like a clapped out retired school bus being used by a underfunded non-profit... the mission/people may be a good one, but the bus is still a pile of crap.