Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]


A Reyvateil's Melody

Ar tonelico fan site forums.

Add Reply
This new forum...
Topic Started: Jan 6 2014, 05:34 PM (589 Views)
Plasma Bell
Well I understand that the community has moved away from the old one for a good reason, but I still have a few questions about it.

1. Why did you choose to completely start over from scratch? As far as I know, if you have a database backup file for your old forum you can start a new forum while importing data from the old forum. Sure some data may be unrecoverable or flawed(such as private messages and password), you will at least get users, forum threads/posts carried over. Was the decision to start from scratch made because of technical reasons? Or did the staff believe its actually better just to get rid of all old contents?

2. Why did you choose Zetaboards? I know that Zetaboards is a well-known free forum hosting service provider, but it has lots of problems. I personally dont like it, though I can live with it(unlike proboards, which I'd not even visit forums like that). I believe you can get better options, there are hosting service providers that allow you to use better forum engines such as MyBB, SMF or Phpbb. Was Zetaboards chosen randomly or was it actually carefully planned? Note in future if you wish to move away from Zetaboards, it wont be easy.

3. What will happen to the main site after the forum has moved? I mean, according to what I knew the old site/forum was not maintained anymore, but the old forum came with a site, it was not just a forum. Are you still working on the main site? Or will it be abandoned? Just curious.
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Utsuho Lazy
Regarding the first issue, it was purely due to technical reasons. We do have backup of the old forums, but we were unable to find a way to import it back, not without getting a new server for ourselves. We have reposted most of the important discussions onto the current new forums.

The old site consists of the forums, a main site, a chatroom, and a wiki (among other minor stuffs). Most of the contents of the wiki can either be found duplicated somewhere else or (as far as I know) can easily be migrated because it uses the MediaWiki software. Likewise, many of the information on the main site are also found somewhere else. The forums are still up for reading for as long as we possible can hold on. This leaves the chatroom as the only feature that cannot be easily replicated (we do have a backup chatroom, but it's less ideal).
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Plasma Bell
I see, I thought the staff wished to start over since it usually boosts activity in a short run? If it was purely on technical reasons, have you ever thought of importing old database back? I am sure theres a solution, I've done it myself before. Nowadays hosting services are rather cheap, at $3-6 a month. I'm sure with adsense it will easily cover the cost, unless the price is still too much for this site?

Still I wont recommend zetaboards as it does not allow you to have your database backup for free, it will charge you hundreds or even thousands of dollars someday if you wish to move away with your database. At that time, you probably have to start over again or pay $$$$.


Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Thunder
The main reason for the move was because the member who was taking care of all admin work, hosting, maintanence on the server, etc, wanted to separate himself from the community. (It's a long story) The revelation came to light rather suddenly, so we basically were scrambling around like ants in a flood trying to preserve as much as possible as quickly as possible. Decisions were made with a great sense of urgency in typical "Man the life boats!" style.

As Lazy said, there are a few members who have backup files of isisARM. I also provided links "mirrors" via the waybackmachine in the Obervatory section. Note that those mirrors do not preserve everything in the forum. Some threads may not be available, as is the case with Old ARM.
Member Avatar
Aurica's Oracle & Arcadia's Vanguard
Aurica Nestmile's #1 fan!
The Thunder of Arcadia Army Creed
PURGE COUNT: 273
Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Plasma Bell
umm so the decision was indeed made in a rush. If the intent was to preserve as much as possible, then why did you end up with Zetaboards? It does not make much sense to me on this aspect.

And if you dont mind elaboraring, what is isisARM? I thought the old forum was isisView? Also a backup file should in theory preserve at least the user and threads/posts information, I wonder why in your case it does not. Anyway the point is that so long as you have a server/hosting account. In your case its a phpbb forum, so all you need is a server capable of hosting a phpbb forum. There are some hosting services phpbb recommends on its home page, and they aint really that expensive.
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Omegasword
Plasma Bell
Jan 11 2014, 11:17 PM
And if you dont mind elaboraring, what is isisARM? I thought the old forum was isisView?
isis A Reyvateil's Melody, also known as this.
Edited by Omegasword, Jan 12 2014, 02:24 PM.


Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Plasma Bell
Oh I see, ARM stands for a reyvateil's melody. Thanks for clearing up the confusion.
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Thunder
Plasma Bell
Jan 11 2014, 11:17 PM
If the intent was to preserve as much as possible, then why did you end up with Zetaboards?

None of us are what you'd call "technically inclined", so we went with the option that was open to us right out of the gate, and that was this forum, the one that ilutiern created. Honestly speaking, Wiz (Wizzardx) is/was the last of the techincal staff we've had for the past nearly 5 years.
Member Avatar
Aurica's Oracle & Arcadia's Vanguard
Aurica Nestmile's #1 fan!
The Thunder of Arcadia Army Creed
PURGE COUNT: 273
Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Plasma Bell
I see, I understand what you mean. Its difficult to live without a tech staff that has been with you for such a long time, the transition will not come easy. I do hope that someday ARM will move to a better and more reliable place, as far as I know you have some members who are willing and/or able to do that. If you have the old database backup, it would be better since it provides an extra incentive.
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Thunder
That's true, even the change to here wasn't without its reservations, and lost long time members. Indeed we do. As far as I know, Lazy has a backup of isisARM, and I believe that Twilight may have a backup from Old ARM. If not, Wiz has it, and should allow us to obtain it when the time comes for him to close up shop for good.
Edited by Thunder, Jan 17 2014, 01:02 AM.
Member Avatar
Aurica's Oracle & Arcadia's Vanguard
Aurica Nestmile's #1 fan!
The Thunder of Arcadia Army Creed
PURGE COUNT: 273
Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
Plasma Bell
Thats good to know, so you are confident that at some point you will be able to get a full database backup file? I'd recommend you to get it as soon as possible though, does not need to happen right away but within a few weeks or months maybe. Once this zetaboards forum grows larger, you will have another issue moving away. As far as I know, zetaboards charge money for database backup/transfer. If you do not have enough money to pay for a reliable webhost, chances are it will not be easy to afford a zetaboards database either.
Member Avatar

Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Members and Community · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Ar tonelico series, characters, and artwork © 2006-2010 GUST CO., LTD. and NBGI

Skin orginally created by Tariq | Converted by Lewis of the ZetaBoard Theme Zone