It's cool to just interact via our forum around here, but I have recently discovered another open source product that could probably have us up and running with some additional features in a short period of time.

They would include:
1) Forums (similar, but different...and I would be able to carry these over) with the ability to add attachments to forum posts, rather that cross posting from the Gallery.
2) Photo gallery
3) Wiki (for documentation, airstrip database, static information, like Wikipedia)
4) Personal blogs (you could each have your own blog if you so desire)

Something to consider. It all comes as a cohesive package, as opposed to our current setup here which is the website equivalent of a live-aboard Chinese junk boat.

Anybody care?

How difficult is the migration and after, how much effort to maintain ? You do a pretty good job now, will this make your end easier ?
Jay

Zane,

Don't forget the JC webcam project we talked about a few months back.

Mark

I'm always for upgrading.

But it's your time and effort.

As always I go for the KISS way. Will the update simplify the use and upkeep of the site?

-Todd Giencke

Zane you have done a great job here already, so whatever you decide I'm sure will be better?

I am curious how you are funding this website? Looking at the membership list I was pleased to see I am on it, but have not contributed a dime.

Bill

Flat Country Pilot wrote:I am curious how you are funding this website? Looking at the membership list I was pleased to see I am on it, but have not contributed a dime.

That's the whole point Bill, it's free to you. You never have to donate or pay dues. It's actually pretty cheap to run it since I don't have to pay a professional to do the programming, cuz I are one. Click the Google ads on the homepage now and then, and a few nickels and dimes fall into the bucket. Good enough!

When I get some time I will put up a demo of the new software so we can try it out.

Z

jmtgt wrote:

zane wrote: I don't have to pay a professional to do the programming, cuz I are one.
Z

Hey Zane I want to debate this comment!!!

Just cuz I don't get up everyday and go to an office or change from pajamas to real clothes before 1pm doesn't mean I'm not a pro!

Zane, this site works great But if you think a change wold be beneficial go for it. After all, you're the man.
But no blogs-- ever since I saw that old 50's horror movie "The Blog", I've been scared of them.

Eric

zero.one.victor wrote: But no blogs-- ever since I saw that old 50's horror movie "The Blog", I've been scared of them.

Sounds like animated yogurt, huh.

I think the web-logs, or 'blogs, would be cool for some of you that choose to use them. It's kinda like having your own personal webpage without the trouble of doing HTML and stuff.

Anyway, I'm eager to get a wiki going as an airstrip database, since it's something I've wanted to add to this site for a long time, but other means to do so have kinda been duds.

I agree with Eric. "Blog" sounds like whatever it was I pulled out of the bathroom tub P-trap the other day. Like my son says, "It's toooooo icky!"

Seriously, Zane - whatever makes it easiest and/or most satisfying for you, the Dark Master. An airstrip database would be very cool... or maybe a backcountry modification/337/field approval/STC by aircraft type database... If everyone on the site contributed all the things they have done to their airplanes, it would be an incredible resource.

M

I agree with Matt, that a section with back country mods/approvals for various aircraft would be a great resource to have on this site.

The current format seems pretty intuitive and has the ability to be modified by each user pretty easily. That is a great feature, being able to change how you like to see things shown.
Having said that, I have no idea how you string it all together. So, if there is a better, simpler way to do it, especially for you Zane, then i'm open to change.

My 2 cents:

I don't care about blogs.

Data bases would be cool for a number of things.

The current site is fine and dandy.

Zane's work load is more important than any / all of the above.

tom

Maybe a chatroom? That's a possibility. It's a very different experience to have a realtime conversation with someone in a chatroom than just exchanging PM's or forum posts.

If you do have IM of some sort, like MSN, AIM, or Yahoo, add them to your profile. jmtgt and I Instant Message all the time over Yahoo, and it's kinda fun. If you can type decent, it's a good way to sling BS. One way to get around the problem of not everyone having the same protocol is to just sign up for them all like I did.

jmtgt wrote:How hard is that Zane? Since I know nutting bout it.

There may be a mod that exists for instant messages between members using our server, I'll look into it.

PhpBB will popup a little window telling you that you have a new PM, if you don't have a popup blocker, or make an exception for backcountrypilot.org, but it's not quite as good as IM.

Hi, Zane;
It doesn't seem broke...so why fix it?
The learning curve for someone like me, who barely tolerates 'puters anyway, is possibly enough to shy me away from a complicated change.
I don't have time for blogs, - I already can't deal with all of my emails that pile in, and if the Wx's nice, I'd much rather be out flyin'.

I'm tickled that this site is so easy to use & to read just like it is.

This's been your vision getting it to this point, though, so if you really think it's best to tinker with it...well, we'll probably all try to follow along.
Many thanks for your creative cyber-wrenching here!
Enjoy, Berk

"New and improved" just scares the hell out of me.

That being said, all the above sounds great if it does not increase bandwidth need.

I often am on "less than optimal" connections and a trying to jam a kielbasa through a soda straw pretty well describes some of the sites I have to utilize on these slow connections.

TD

One of my main concerns is the ability to upgrade the software smoothly. Right now, with our current setup, I have it so modded that that the upgrade patches fail. So, we're stuck with this version of the forum software until I get really ambitiout and do the big upgrade to PhpBB ver 3.0. That's gonna be ugly.

If I switch to Drupal, their modification scheme is better designed, making future upgrades much easier. Trust me guys, I wouldn't make this any more complicated for you, and bandwidth is always a concerns for you dialups.

zane wrote:One of my main concerns is...That's gonna be ugly.
...Trust me guys, I wouldn't ...

Why does it make my mouse finger curl to see these phrases written in a statement about computers?

Do what you think's best, but it sure works good right now. Thanks, Berk

I agree with Berk!

I kinda like living on a Chinese junk.

KISS

I know less than nothing when it comes to website stuff so you are on your own there, but thanks for making everything we've got now possible. Especially considering were all pilots here and, therefore, by nature are too cheap to pay for anything we don't have to.

Matt