Forum Software Update

[pennymachines]

Forum closed yesterday afternoon for software upgrade.

[pennymachines]

Apologies for this afternoon's downtime during Forum software updating.

[pennymachines]

Routine Forum software update this afternoon.
Normal service resumed 8.30PM.

[pennymachines]

Around one o'clock today (Thursday 29 Oct.) I finished upgrading the Forum, which is why it looks so weird and unfamiliar at the moment.

This was not the usual upgrade, but a move to a new version of the forum software, released last year. Because much of the code has been re-written, the many painstaking modifications I made to the 'off the shelf' design have had to be abandoned. Also, the Gallery had to be retired. I have backed up and saved all of its contents so that I can reinstate it when I find suitable software.

This drastic step brings several advantages: firstly, improvements in stability, efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness to mobile devices; and secondly, a less time-consuming maintenance and upgrade routine.

Over the next few days I hope to start reshaping the look of the Forum to something more comfortable and familiar.

[pennymachines]

Routine Forum software update today, completed 5.25, Fri 12/02/16.
Also, I'm glad to say, the Gallery is up and running again (it's now a Category on the main Forum index page).

[pennymachines]

Routine Forum software update this afternoon.
Normal service resumed 5.05PM.

[pennymachines]

Routine forum software update today (03/12/16).
A few days ago the site was intermittently unavailable for short periods due to flood attacks on the server.

[bryans fan]

I did notice this issue on my PC, but my phone appeared to be working ok.
I think few of us mere mortals have any idea of the amount of time and effort you put in behind the scenes, rectifying problems and tweaking features. Hours if not days of programming!! And all for free!!!

( I am ignoring the Arena subs before anyone points it out)

[pennymachines]

Apologies if you tried to access the forum yesterday - it was down for an hour or so while I carried out a major update. Mostly done now, except the auto embedding of videos which I hope to fix today.

[pennymachines]

Downtime this afternoon while updating forum software.