[RabidRat]

Forked from the "No Need to Start a New Thread" thread, because... there is a need to start a new thread :p.

[...] the forum is starting to fall apart (Skinny's been cobbling stuff together in the back end, and it's barely holding together with duct tape). Not just falling apart as in loading slower or ceasing to function, but also that there are unpatched exploits and we're increasingly being hacked - it just happened again a couple of weeks ago.

The motivation is just to keep stuff running: I think it should be akin to picking up a new Camry to replace our 25 year old Camry, rather than updating to an ES500h.

Yeah the software literally HAS to be replaced now. It should have been long ago, but it kind of went unnoticed for a long time. But now it's under attack constantly, so the vulnerabilities have to go. I have done what I can to keep it up for now

The new software is basically still a forum layout. It still works in the same way, with forums, threads, replies. We're not switching to like inline replies or chat based or anything like that. Still a forum, just modern.

[SkinnyPupp]

So the time to move on from 20 year old forum software is upon us.. I mean it was a decade or so ago, but now we REALLY have to move on.

The options are to upgrade to xenforo (new version of vbulletin). This is the easiest to migrate to, has the closest interface, and is the best way to keep things the same

The problem is it costs $200 for a license, plus $60 per year for updates and support

There are free options that I could look into, but before that I want to see if someone wants pool together and chip in for the upgrade

The other option is to let it finally die. It seems to be getting less and less busy over the weeks.

[Traum]

I was just wondering about this the other day -- would there be any interest in setting up an RS community on WhatsApp to supplement the forum? The idea was just to have something quick and instant to supplement (and not replace) RS.

Personally, I really see chat groups and forums serving some very different purposes, and I'd really prefer a forum environment for the better discussions that we can hold in it. But if the options are between having no RS at all, versus having it only exist in instant messenger form, I'd take the latter.

The downsides with WhatsApp, of course, is you lose the anonymity -- your name and phone number would show up. You can still sort of mimmick the subforms with different chats within the community.

[SkinnyPupp]

Discord would be better than WhatsApp if you wanted to go that route

[Badhobz]

So the time to move on from 20 year old forum software is upon us.. I mean it was a decade or so ago, but now we REALLY have to move on.

The options are to upgrade to xenforo (new version of vbulletin). This is the easiest to migrate to, has the closest interface, and is the best way to keep things the same

The problem is it costs $200 for a license, plus $60 per year for updates and support

There are free options that I could look into, but before that I want to see if someone wants pool together and chip in for the upgrade

The other option is to let it finally die. It seems to be getting less and less busy over the weeks.

We can’t let this die. Everyone fork in money and keep it alive !!!’

[N.V.M.]

big whoop,$200.

[supafamous]

big whoop,$200.

That's a lot of avocados that I'd have to leave off my toast!

I'd happily chip in money to help pay for this.

[whitev70r]

Could Hehe put in the $1500 seed money that can generate $60/yr for the annual fee. That's like just pocket change from CNY red envelope money.

[bcrdukes]

I was faced with a very similar situation last year. I own and operate a private vBulletin-based forum for my close friends. The traffic isn't very high anymore as many of us have other priorities, but we all agreed to keep the forum alive. A string of events lead to us having to upgrade the old vBulletin forum for a variety of reasons.

First, the host we were using stopped supporting the version of MySQL, so the forum was bricked, much like the errors some of you experienced the other day. Second, the PHP version became unsupported, adding more salt to the wound. In a panic, we had to find a new web host and upgrade to the new version of vBulletin, at a very high cost. The upgrade came with some of its own headaches, but we managed to sort it out. However, the overall look, feel, and user environment was not the same, and I feel that pushed people to visit the forum less and less. Had I known about the Xenforo forum software, I would have gone that route. It was created by the original team who started vBulletin.

In the end, it's a lot of work to manage an online community, especially a forum of this nature. I genuinely hope the forum stays alive as it has been a very meaningful part of my life and I am thankful to everyone who has posted on the forums over the past 20+ years.

[68style]

I’m in for like $20 for sure just need 10 of us, I can collect the $ if need be I sent $ to skinny before for watch repairs.

[SSM_DC5]

We can’t let this die. Everyone fork in money and keep it alive !!!’
That's only like half a meal for you! Can just YOU fork money?

big whoop,$200.

Thanks for offering since $200 is nothing to you. :alonehappy:

[EvoFire]

$60/y, even if it's USD is hardly a huge amount of money. I'm sure some rich mofos can afford that given they just blew 17k on a new Tesla :lawl:

[RabidRat]

If we do this forum upgrade, will we finally have the ability to block post visibility to randoms (people who aren't logged in)? And to block new registration for anyone who isn't vouched for?

And I guess this means the forum database stays intact?

[SkinnyPupp]

If we do this forum upgrade, will we finally have the ability to block post visibility to randoms (people who aren't logged in)? And to block new registration for anyone who isn't vouched for?

And I guess this means the forum database stays intact?
That's basically how it is now for registrations. Nobody has contacted to join yet though

Maybe after the update everyone can remind some old members that it's still around, and will be mobile friendly for once

[RabidRat]

Ok, I'd love to chip in to keep the forum alive, provided post visibility is blocked for people who aren't logged in.

Otherwise yeah I think I'd prefer Discord or Whatsapp or something. Seems kinda creepy for unknown randoms to just go through everything. Esp now that it's a smaller group of folks, which has made the content more personal.

[SkinnyPupp]

Whoever wants to chip in, PM me and I'll keep an accounting of everything on a thread in the mod forum. I can accept interac. It'll be $255 USD (so $355 CAD)

I'll also keep track of it anonymously in this post, so you can see where we are in donations:

1) $50 ($305)
2) $20 ($285)
3) $30 ($255)

[unit]

yeah if you move RS to any different platform be prepared to lose 75% of the existing already small member base... just keep it alive

[bcrdukes]

yeah if you move RS to any different platform be prepared to lose 75% of the existing already small member base... just keep it alive

RIP to our forum (IYKYK)

[donk.]

If this forum dies again. At least ban me one more time

On a serious note, maybe registration needs to open again, with a couple anti-spam filters for sign up. As others have said, we are down to a fraction of users, and you can see it tailing off every few weeks

[SSM_DC5]

You trying to say you don't want investment advice from a stranger?!?

Those scammers invade WhatsApp groups.....it's rather annoying as I generally don't silence notifications on my WhatsApp.

[mikemhg]

This forum is fascinating.

In some posts you have guys bragging about retiring at 40, poopooing the latest Lambo cause ugly, claiming to be big ballers, yet stringing $300 to keep a forum alive is like pulling teeth.

Funny that.

[CivicBlues]

Can't we just start a private subreddit and leave it at that?

[bcrdukes]

This forum is fascinating.

In some posts you have guys bragging about retiring at 40, poopooing the latest Lambo cause ugly, claiming to be big ballers, yet stringing $300 to keep a forum alive is like pulling teeth.

Funny that.

It's harder for people to come out to a car meet and make a charitable donation to a social cause such as the BC Children's Hospital Foundation unless a bet was made! :ahwow:

[SSM_DC5]

All walks of life here. I only know how to be poor. I live my rich life through you boobs.

[donk.]

This forum is fascinating.

In some posts you have guys bragging about retiring at 40, poopooing the latest Lambo cause ugly, claiming to be big ballers, yet stringing $300 to keep a forum alive is like pulling teeth.

Funny that.

You may think most are chinese

But they are actually jewish

[SkinnyPupp]

Update:

1) $50 ($305)
2) $20 ($285)
3) $30 ($255)
3) $20 ($235)
4) $50 ($185)

Some people are PMing asking for payment info. I'll give you that once the goal has been reached. For now just let me know how much you'd like to donate, and I'll contact everyone from there.

[Razor Ramon HG]

There are open source alternatives, but maintaining the infrastructure is probably more work than just paying for a cloud hosted solution at our age.

I do like the idea of Discord since you can create channels much like the subforums, but the use of threads aren't very good last time I checked and I also don't know how many people actually use Discord on RS.

Private subreddits could work, but seeing comments in a reddit thread wouldn't bump the post to the the top of the subreddit like vBulletin. And sorting comments sucks.

I'm in favour of migrating to another cloud platform.

[supafamous]

Update:

1) $50 ($305)
2) $20 ($285)
3) $30 ($255)
3) $20 ($235)
4) $50 ($185)

Some people are PMing asking for payment info. I'll give you that once the goal has been reached. For now just let me know how much you'd like to donate, and I'll contact everyone from there.

Put me down for $50

[SkinnyPupp]

OK we've reached the goal! I'll PM everyone with details for e-transfer (supafamous we reached it before your message was posted)

[bcrdukes]

Put me down for $50

:peek: PayPal it to me: bcrdukes@revscene.net :whistle:

[RabidRat]

Should we start an endowment fund for RS?? I feel guilty that I didn't chip in more while I still could :/

[bcrdukes]

What is this now? A non-profit organization?

[68style]

Everyone on here is already so well endowed though

[Gerbs]

$60/y, even if it's USD is hardly a huge amount of money. I'm sure some rich mofos can afford that given they just blew 17k on a new Tesla :lawl:

We spend more than that on 2 cocktails on someone's ungrateful daughter

[Hehe]

Down for next year $60 if needed.

[spoon.ek9]

me too, next round I can definitely contribute! RS is required content

[punkwax]

I missed out on contributing. Couldn’t read a post for 2-3 days. I’ll contribute when the annual fee comes up.

[Badhobz]

Awww boo !!! I didn’t even get a chance to help. Me in Paris with le wife.

[SkinnyPupp]

I missed out on contributing. Couldn’t read a post for 2-3 days. I’ll contribute when the annual fee comes up.
We're still waiting on 3 more payments out of the 8 who pledged. I don't want to bother people with reminders so soon, but I'll send some out tomorrow since there are others like you who are eager to take their place

[underscore]

I'm down to contribute as well if needed. I'm not able to be on here as much as I used to but I'll try to remember to check in over the next couple days.

[supafamous]

Out of curiosity how much does RS bring in via ads especially as so many people use ad blockers? Is the cost to run this site low enough that we can just crowd source the funds needed to keep it around?

[bcrdukes]

I would springboard on top of that to ask what the roadmap is for Revscene. Is the intention to keep the forum open to only existing users? Or are there plans to revive it back to its former glory?

[EvoFire]

It's unlikely there's enough population to go back to it's former glory. Discord is actually not a bad choice as we don't really create new threads much anymore, we can just have the various channels corresponding to the various popular threads.

[mikemhg]

Ya I'll throw in too if needed.

TBH if we moved to a Discord or something, I'd say most people would bounce.

[68style]

Yah I don't use discord at all, tried it once when playing some online game but didn't enjoy the experience

[Eff-1]

Out of curiosity how much does RS bring in via ads especially as so many people use ad blockers? Is the cost to run this site low enough that we can just crowd source the funds needed to keep it around?

Let's say $150 a month?

At the risk for embarassing myself, this is a VERY rough guess, and it's more likely i'm wrong than right, but here goes anyways.

similarweb stats show RS gets about 13k visits a month, and about 6 pages per visit.

Each page delivers 3 ad impressions on average.

So that's roughly 234k ad impressions.

Adsense pays anywhere from $0.20 to $2.00 per thousand impressions so that works out to $50 to $450 a month.

So let's say $150. Just a wild guess though.







.

[Eff-1]

Maybe it's just me, but I like the fact RS has stuck to the old forum style. I'm already glued to my phone for so many other things. My desktop gives me a bit of a break and that's the only place I look at RS.

RS was successful because of a perfect storm of factors, but mostly common interests and the prevailing technology at the time. Times have changed too much to try and revive that.

If we wanted to modernize it and open up to new members, like someone else said, may as well just start a subreddit.

[RabidRat]

Well to be clear, the only motivation to modernize is that the forum is starting to fall apart (Skinny's been cobbling stuff together in the back end, and it's barely holding together with duct tape). Not just falling apart as in loading slower or ceasing to function, but also that there are unpatched exploits and we're increasingly being hacked - it just happened again a couple of weeks ago.

So if our motivation is just to keep stuff running, I think it should be akin to picking up a new Camry to replace our 25 year old Camry, rather than updating to an ES500h.

For example, I'm on rivianforums.com. It doesn't look that different to RS:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/forums/rivian-r2-forum.8/

[Manic!]

I say no to discord. If RS needs some money find a on demand merch drop shipper and sell some really overpriced merch. I would buy some really overpriced RS gear.

[RabidRat]

I say no to discord. If RS needs some money find a on demand merch drop shipper and sell some really overpriced merch. I would buy some really overpriced RS gear.

I'd be down for some RS merch!!

[donk.]

I'd be down for some RS merch!!

Getting stickers is like pulling teeth, good luck on actual merch lol

[SkinnyPupp]

Well to be clear, the only motivation to modernize is that the forum is starting to fall apart (Skinny's been cobbling stuff together in the back end, and it's barely holding together with duct tape). Not just falling apart as in loading slower or ceasing to function, but also that there are unpatched exploits and we're increasingly being hacked - it just happened again a couple of weeks ago.

So if our motivation is just to keep stuff running, I think it should be akin to picking up a new Camry to replace our 25 year old Camry, rather than updating to an ES500h.

For example, I'm on rivianforums.com. It doesn't look that different to RS:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/forums/rivian-r2-forum.8/
Yeah the software literally HAS to be replaced now. It should have been long ago, but it kind of went unnoticed for a long time. But now it's under attack constantly, so the vulnerabilities have to go. I have done what I can to keep it up for now

The new software is basically still a forum layout. It still works in the same way, with forums, threads, replies. We're not switching to like inline replies or chat based or anything like that. Still a forum, just modern.

[68style]

Will it be possible to import all the post history over?

[RabidRat]

^ oh shit... I just assumed that it would be.

[roastpuff]

I'd be down for some RS merch!!

I can arrange for RS merch I just need the logo files and I can get some quotes to show costs etc.

[bobbinka]

I'm all for keeping RS a private forum till it dies.

We're all still here because this is the format we are comfortable with and like. I'm positive that switching to a different channel of communication (discord, fb group, reddit sub) would basically be the end of RS as we know it. There may be new people that join and the name is kept alive, but it wouldn't be the same anymore. All the other forums i've been in over the decades that switched to FB group have just become people posting pictures and selling stuff. there are basically no real discussions, just very surface level comments (and bots/trolls) for the post of the day and that's it. Let the kids have their thing, this is what we got :okay:

Having said that, there's nothing to stop people from creating their own discord channels and reddit subs if they feel it's viable (while we keep the forum). but i dont think a lot of users would migrate.

[SkinnyPupp]

Will it be possible to import all the post history over?
Of course!

[underscore]

Any chance we can have a skin that keeps the same look too?

[SkinnyPupp]

Any chance we can have a skin that keeps the same look too?
I'll try to use a similar set of colours yeah

[bcrdukes]

Please retain the smileys!

[donk.]

Please retain the smileys!

We need a plathora of new ones too tho

Such as

Dukes and Hobz in bikinis and roller blades

Dont know what context it would be used in but..........

And dark with 17k less in his pocket (sorry) Leave dark alone!

[SSM_DC5]

Can we keep our join date?:joy:

[OriginalJC]

Can we keep our join date?:joy:

:awwyeah:

[RabidRat]

Please retain the smileys!

And let's be real: there's only one in particular that really matters.

:jizz:

GLOW's gratuitous jizzing is the heart and soul of Revscene.

[CivicBlues]

I don't really care what format this forum morphs into, I just want to stopped getting logged out constantly. Sometimes literally seconds after logging in. Anyone else have this issue?

[RabidRat]

That happens on one of my Macs but not the other. Haven't tried to A/B test what the difference is. Could be Chrome vs Safari e.g..

[supafamous]

I don't really care what format this forum morphs into, I just want to stopped getting logged out constantly. Sometimes literally seconds after logging in. Anyone else have this issue?

It's happened to me in the past and sometimes now on my phone but I haven't had that problem in a long time on my Mac/Safari.

[donk.]

I don't really care what format this forum morphs into, I just want to stopped getting logged out constantly. Sometimes literally seconds after logging in. Anyone else have this issue?

I useto have this to the point where i wasnt on the forum for a long time, didnt matter if i reset cookies / data / browser / pc / phone / etc

68style has the solution i think, he can chime in

[mikemhg]

When you're logged out, try clicking on an actual forum link (off topic or whatever), it usually logs you back in and fixes the issue.

[RabidRat]

[placeholder]

[bcrdukes]

RIP Support Forum

[CivicBlues]

When you're logged out, try clicking on an actual forum link (off topic or whatever), it usually logs you back in and fixes the issue.


Hmm, nope doesn't work for me. Fuck even as soon as I clicked reply on this I was logged out.

I am using a Macbook/chrome, perhaps it's Apple or Google fucking me over.

Edit: happens on Safari as well.

[JqC]

I started lurking Revscene in high school, and I still lurk now as a 40 year old. I'll gladly contribute next time to keep this site going.

[snowball]

$200 for update + $60 for support but is there enough money to keep the servers hosted? Seems like we still get a random traffic and I can't imagine bandwidth being cheap.

[snowball]

I can arrange for RS merch I just need the logo files and I can get some quotes to show costs etc.

I've put out this offer before, but if I can get the logo as well, I can print stickers for free!

[SkinnyPupp]

Hmm, nope doesn't work for me. Fuck even as soon as I clicked reply on this I was logged out.

I am using a Macbook/chrome, perhaps it's Apple or Google fucking me over.

Edit: happens on Safari as well.
This should definitely not be happening, even on the old software with URL problems. Try wiping out your cookies completely, and enter from https://www.revscene.net/forums/ and nowhere else

[underscore]

I don't really care what format this forum morphs into, I just want to stopped getting logged out constantly. Sometimes literally seconds after logging in. Anyone else have this issue?

Are you actually logged out or does it just look like you are? Years back I had an issue where after I logged in it looked like nothing happened, but if I went into any of the threads or menus it worked properly.

[CivicBlues]

Actually logged out. I'll write up a long post and then hit reply and then I'm taken to the login screen. SwiftRage

It's so intermittent though so can't really make heads or tails of it but it seems to be worse now than ever. I've cleared cache several times for unrelated reasons but still happens.

This should definitely not be happening, even on the old software with URL problems. Try wiping out your cookies completely, and enter from https://www.revscene.net/forums/ and nowhere else

Yeah I've been going to https://www.revscene.net/forums/search.php?do=getdaily because lazy, but I'll do that from now on and see what happens

[SkinnyPupp]

I assume it's some sort of weird browser privacy setting or something? Anyway it won't matter for long.

[JDMDreams]

Huh so there is some issue, I have been unable to load rs occasionally in the last week, like the generic web page not available. I did also get logged out, but it only happened like twice.

I will make future donation or buy merch if available.

Possibly in $14 increments. :ifyouknow:

[red kryptonite]

i missed this one, but im down to throw in a few bucks next time around.
id say keep RS old school and private, us old farts are set in our way.

[Akinari]

Do you take Klarna :troll:

Count me in!

[Badhobz]

The only issue I have is when I view on iPhone, I lose like 20% of the right side as it shrinks itself in the browser. Not a deal breaker but slightly annoying.

[eclipseman]

Been here since IC/RS. 43ma 4 life. If you need funds again, i'll throw in a few bucks...

[bcrdukes]

Where are all the old skool members like TRD2000GT and Super_Lammy?

[donk.]

Where are all the old skool members like TRD2000GT and Super_Lammy?

Lost their log in and no option to reset a decade ago as the link was broken
:troll:

[68style]

There’s no way that TRD2000GT is still alive based on how he drove and ate

[rymack]

Also missed the cash call. Happy to donate to this round or the next.

[bcrdukes]

There’s no way that TRD2000GT is still alive based on how he drove and ate

Are you confusing him with Badhobz? :troll:

[68style]

It crossed my mind, but no... Badhobz is too put together in real life hahaha

I still remember clear as day a an autocross back in the Boundary Bay days, TRD20000 coming out with a front wheel drive Volvo S60R and if the front tires weren't smoking, they were folding so far under the rim I don't know how they didn't de-bead... just kept it matted to the floor the entire run with zero smooth or gradual steering inputs.

[Eatman]

How many active users are there nowadays anyway?

Also, I'd be down to throw down some money next round.