The Auswine Forum

Please read, important forum notice.

The auswine forum is about to move!

I know its been a long time coming, as we have had a long time battle with spam messages, and phony registrations, and many other problems, caused, in part at least, by having an old version of the phpbb software, plus some issues with the hosting of the forum.

Well, good news, the new auswine forum is now ready, working well in test mode, and ready to replace our current version. It is the latest software version, and I have installed some mods (modifications) that seems to be stopping and foiling the spam invasion and completely foiling (at least so far) any bot registrations, with the ability to update and add mods as needed.

This, of course, is the good news.

The other piece of good news is, starting a fresh like this, allows me/us to change the set out of the new forum. That is, we can vary the forum sections to best suit the group's wishes and needs. As such, I will be actively seeking feedback about the sections of the new forum that should be there, the structure of the forum. Being a democracy I will try to work with the group's ideas, bearing in mind that we will never all agree, but please post any and all feedback.

There is, however, some less than attractive news as part of this move process. I will be totally unable to move the existing elements of the forum to the new software. That is, once we move, we will, unfortunately, lose our current threads, and even lose our memberships.

This is a little unfortunate, and why this change has been taking so long, as I sought to find a way to work with the old hosts to allow a complete and full move over. This has proved impossible, with the existing host simply not allowing me any access to the existing data, or the access needed to move as is.

This will mean a couple of less than perfect outcomes.

Firstly, as a result, once we move to the new software, all members will need to register again/anew. I will not be able to carry across your existing memberships. This is not an ideal result, but cannot be avoided unfortunately. Luckily it does not take very long to do.

Secondly, we will leave behind our old threads, and inevitably, some may be interrupted mid conversation! Again, not a perfect outcome perhaps, but inevitable.

In the mean time, the new forum is fully functional and operating. If there are members here who would like to help me with final 'beta' testing, please pm me and I'll send details. Anyone interested is welcome to visit, register, post, and generally use the new forum, and bug test it for me!

Well, that's it for now, I'll post back soon with a date for the switch to the new forum!

Gavin,
Some of the data in the threads could be cut and pasted to new threads. At least we would have the comments etc.

What do you think?

Cheers
Ian

rednut wrote:Gavin,
Some of the data in the threads could be cut and pasted to new threads. At least we would have the comments etc.

What do you think?

Cheers
Ian

Well, painstaking, but I can see no reason not to!

Start x new threads with the main comment from current threads.

Could sure be done, good thinkin!

I agree, cut and paste anything you think worthwhile.

For me, "What are you drinking this week" is forum unto itself.
As a noob I found it weird that it would be put into a new thread each week when there is a view new posts button.

A lot of things seem to be replicated on this forum. (each week) All of which I read. All of which I enjoy.
But each new thread stops anyone who drinks the same bottle as a person a month ago from quoting and opening a dialogue about that wine that we (as noobs) may read and gain knowledge.

There is a whole lot of new threads to scroll through here.

Just a noobs perspective.


So, how about a "what are we drinking" forum.
A "What are we buying" forum.
And maybe an "Official tasting notes" forum.

That way we can keep up with what is going on and why.

Cheers.

Will we still be able to search/access the old threads? I use this as a de facto cellar book you know. Might have to copy them onto the hard-drive

Glad you are doing this by the way. Hat's off!

cheers

Carl

griff wrote:Will we still be able to search/access the old threads? I use this as a de facto cellar book you know. Might have to copy them onto the hard-drive

Glad you are doing this by the way. Hat's off!

cheers

Carl

I second the request here. Can the old forum be left up in read only mode as it is a huge information resource that would be a shame to loose.

Glen

Gavin Trott wrote:his is a little unfortunate, and why this change has been taking so long, as I sought to find a way to work with the old hosts to allow a complete and full move over. This has proved impossible, with the existing host simply not allowing me any access to the existing data, or the access needed to move as is.

I find this pretty amazing, it's your data, they just provide the server setup!
Unfortunately beyond my capabaility, but there must be someone out there who can assist in exporting the (MySQL?) database and possibly loading it into the new one?

Red Bigot wrote:

Gavin Trott wrote:his is a little unfortunate, and why this change has been taking so long, as I sought to find a way to work with the old hosts to allow a complete and full move over. This has proved impossible, with the existing host simply not allowing me any access to the existing data, or the access needed to move as is.

I find this pretty amazing, it's your data, they just provide the server setup!

You and me both!

Without going into what is a very long, drawn out and strange saga, its a reality for me!

Assistance is being offered, and hopefully will help.

However, whatever, I must move out, and move on, both with the forum, and the auswine store!

Yeah, I also use it as a big reference tool with most of my tasting notes here alone. I guess I'll do a seach on all my posts and copy them to my PC but there's quite a few!

i guess the big question is will the two forums run in parallel for whiel and if so how long? I guess as much info about dates so we have time to salvage what we can will be most useful. I really hope it's not a big bang move though.

I don't have a problem reregistering - it's no big deal. Setting my post number to zero again though - DOH! And I was just getting close to 1000 posts!

It does seem strange that if it's just an upgrade to the same forum software there's no way to export the data and import it to the new software.

Re the tasting threads, I prefer to have all tasting notes in one place rather than in sub folders of the forum. I don't like haveing to jump about levels to read everything. I usually check the forum quickly each lunchtime and don't really have the time to jump about different folders scanning for new stuff. I prefer just to come into the All about Wine section and scan that. I'm quite happy with the current set up and haven't noticed anything on other forums that I felt was lacking here.

Definitely the tasting notes will be an immense loss, somewhat akin to burning a library down.

I'm a software developer who works with MySQL amongst other databases, and am more willing to assist. We can worry about importing later, the immediate concern is an export/dump.

xsorxpire wrote:I agree, cut and paste anything you think worthwhile.

For me, "What are you drinking this week" is forum unto itself.
As a noob I found it weird that it would be put into a new thread each week when there is a view new posts button.

A lot of things seem to be replicated on this forum. (each week) All of which I read. All of which I enjoy.
But each new thread stops anyone who drinks the same bottle as a person a month ago from quoting and opening a dialogue about that wine that we (as noobs) may read and gain knowledge.

There is a whole lot of new threads to scroll through here.

Just a noobs perspective.


So, how about a "what are we drinking" forum.
A "What are we buying" forum.
And maybe an "Official tasting notes" forum.
That way we can keep up with what is going on and why.

Cheers.

Although a relative newbe I also like the Idea.

One of the lines on my CV reads database admin so I may also be able to lend a hand if required. If it is mysql or any other sql database for that matter, retrieving the data should be trivial.

Glen

Great news.

I have been offered many lots of assistance from the IT knowledgeable members of this forum, for whom I am very grateful.

It now seems possible, even likely, that we will successfully be able to move the existing members, even current posts and full back history across, and into the new forum software.

In short, it is increasingly likely that we can 'transfer' the whole forum. as is, up to date and working, to the new hosts and new software!

I will keep members informed, but things are really progressing well!

Great to hear!

Out of technical interest, did the PHPBB administrator backup tool help?

Great news, Gavin!
I must admit I'm dissapointed that my hopes of being able to compete in the post-count stakes after a fresh start have now been dashed

Gavin Trott wrote:Great news.

I have been offered many lots of assistance from the IT knowledgeable members of this forum, for whom I am very grateful.

It now seems possible, even likely, that we will successfully be able to move the existing members, even current posts and full back history across, and into the new forum software.

In short, it is increasingly likely that we can 'transfer' the whole forum. as is, up to date and working, to the new hosts and new software!

I will keep members informed, but things are really progressing well!

Phew that's a relief. I thought I was going to have to spend half the night going through my old posts to see if there is anything I want to keep. Thanks for providing the service, Gavin.

Gavin Trott wrote:Great news.

I have been offered many lots of assistance from the IT knowledgeable members of this forum, for whom I am very grateful.

It now seems possible, even likely, that we will successfully be able to move the existing members, even current posts and full back history across, and into the new forum software.

In short, it is increasingly likely that we can 'transfer' the whole forum. as is, up to date and working, to the new hosts and new software!

I will keep members informed, but things are really progressing well!

Gavin that's great news. I don't post as much any more but I still read quite a lot.

I was amazed to hear you were told the transfer wasn't possible - other forum owners have had it done for them,
cheers

Andrew

rens wrote:

xsorxpire wrote:
So, how about a "what are we drinking" forum.
A "What are we buying" forum.
And maybe an "Official tasting notes" forum.
That way we can keep up with what is going on and why.

Cheers.

Although a relative newbe I also like the Idea.

I third this idea - sounds a good one to me. I like the idea of different sub-forums. I'd also have one for specific discussion of old world wine too, if it were me, to separate it out from the main Aussie/kiwi focus of the forum, so 5 sub-forums could be:
1. General discussion of wine
3. Old world wine
3. What are we drinking?
4. What are we buying?
5. NWR discussions

(I'd not split out tasting notes myself, as they can fit into any of the ones above, I'd have thought).
Just my two pennorth.

While you're moving it all over, you could correct those 4 members that have a post count of over 16.7 million They're making RB and TORB look like slackers.

I oppose strongly the idea of separate sub-forums for Tasting Notes, What You Have Been Drinking and What You Have Been Buying.

I like to read those threads and having to go out of one sub-forum and into another...... I like to click on All About Wine (which is bookmarked) and chosse threads from there.

If there were to be sub-forums they could be for area specific stuff like organising off-lines etc, but even that's not necessary.

Having all the threads you might want to read on one forum like All About Wine is great. You can pick and choose from there.

My 2c

Michael

Michael McNally wrote:Having all the threads you might want to read on one forum like All About Wine is great. You can pick and choose from there.

My 2c

Michael

Totally agree - Cheers,
Sue

Guys,

Do I have to copy my TNs from my "monthly 1996" thread? I am currently using this as my catalogue and diary, and sharing it with others... If things are going to end, please let me know, as I would then have to do a little cut and pasting...

Cheers,

Monghead.

Can we have 2 other forums to keep threads for:

The 2009 Ashes Series
Was Phar Lap a Kiwi

The new site seems to have developed a problem:

General Error
SQL ERROR [ mysql4 ]

Unknown column 'is_dynamic' in 'where clause' [1054]

An sql error occurred while fetching this page. Please contact an administrator if this problem persists

Daryl Douglas wrote:The new site seems to have developed a problem:

General Error
SQL ERROR [ mysql4 ]

Unknown column 'is_dynamic' in 'where clause' [1054]

An sql error occurred while fetching this page. Please contact an administrator if this problem persists

Indeed, this is organised and part of the transfer over process. The changeover is progressing well!

Gavin Trott wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:The new site seems to have developed a problem:

General Error
SQL ERROR [ mysql4 ]

Unknown column 'is_dynamic' in 'where clause' [1054]

An sql error occurred while fetching this page. Please contact an administrator if this problem persists

Indeed, this is organised and part of the transfer over process. The changeover is progressing well!

Pleasing news indeed Gavin.

rooview wrote:There's no need Monghead - posts will be migrated across.

Sounds great.

Gavin, when will the move occur, and is there a separate URL?

Cheers,

Monghead.

SueNZ wrote:

Michael McNally wrote:Having all the threads you might want to read on one forum like All About Wine is great. You can pick and choose from there.

My 2c

Michael

Totally agree - Cheers,
Sue

Here here! Agreed.

PaulG wrote:Great news, Gavin!
I must admit I'm dissapointed that my hopes of being able to compete in the post-count stakes after a fresh start have now been dashed

suggest a 'lounge' thread

Alex F wrote:

PaulG wrote:Great news, Gavin!
I must admit I'm dissapointed that my hopes of being able to compete in the post-count stakes after a fresh start have now been dashed

suggest a 'lounge' thread

The testing site had one