Shall we move/upgrade, to Threads?

[Silver Hilton]

Jenny, is Threads the name of a different package, or is it a feature of the board. There is a feature of newsreaders that allows conversation to take of on multiple threads, my first reaction was that you werelooking to add that feature, which I would recommend against.

If it's just a different package that provides better features for you in terms of resource usage, I'd say go for it. Thumper's point is well taken however - if you convert and the conversion isn't obvious to the users, you'll lose some folks for a while. I quit going to Steelheader.net at the time of the conversion because it lost my info, and it wasn't worth restarting for me. That would have implications for your advertisers.

[WaterDog]

PLEASE go to UBB Treads. It is better and has more functions. TheDieselstop.com has been using it for some time and it loads faster and has features I wish we had.

[Jennie@ifish]

OK, Waterdog, convince me. What features do you like, and why?

And how can we help Thumper to learn how?

There are a lot of Thumpers out there... meaning... a lot of people who don't get into trying to figure out all the ins and outs of how to do all the new stuff. I tend to even be that way. I get so used to one thing, it's hard to change.

What will we need to learn to do differently?

Is it a whole bunch different?

Jen

[WaterDog]

I like how it tells you how many replys have been made to threads since you last visited. It tells you how many views a thread has had. (wiz bang info)

If your following a thread and have viewed it, when you click on it again it will take you to the posts that are new since you visited. No more scrolling though to find where you left off. :grin:

It is more customizable for the user. Allows different ways to view threads in the forums. It also loads much faster and thedieselstop has plenty of banner ads and "who's online" is turned on. It allows a user a "Favorite Threads" list so you can keep them handy or keep track of topics your particpating in.

I would also guess that there are better admin fuctions as well.

It's up to you and I'm sure it's not a cheap upgrade. I just know I prefer it over what we have here. Yes some of the things are "wiz bang" features but it does have more fuction. Besides if it's made to handle more traffic, why wouldn't you upgrade anyway?

edit: As far as the thumpers go I think they'd get use to it. It is not that different. If a bunch of diesel drinking, soot sniffing, chest pounding, power hungry, gearheads can figure it out, I'm sure our crusty ol' timers will figure it out. :tongue:

My 2 bits. :smile:

[ 01-10-2004, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

[Big TULE]

Would we lose all of our info??? I know i visit ever day but i do not post as much as alot of people... I have been on ths board since sept 2001 and i am still under 400 posts... I do not want to lose that... I would be a fry for at least another year...I guess that sounds stupid or selfish of me but hey it is what i look forward to... And i am proud that i was here before the big bang...

[jet]

I also frequent the same Diesel site and Rich and a Dodge site as well. It does have advantages as Rich states above. There is not much of a visual difference as I can see.

Jet~~~

[Fshklr]

Why mess with what is working so well and has great success.
I have viewed the other boards and really prefer ifish and the UBB.
You have lead us this far and we will continue to follow what ever you choose.

[Thumper]

Originally posted by Jennie@ifish:
And how can we help Thumper to learn how?

There are a lot of Thumpers out there... meaning... a lot of people who don't get into trying to figure out all the ins and outs of how to do all the new stuff.

Jen

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Yeah. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] "Crusty old timer" here.

Just make it REALLY easy to re-register. Plizz [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Firedog]

I like the threads format. Pretty easy to use once you get used to it. Here is the link to The Diesel Stop it is the same format as Steelheader.net for those that want to look and compare.

[nitroduk]

not like i'm an old timer or anything, but i am just getting this one figured out, i like it the way it is, and it's less work for jennie!

[First Light Bite]

If its isn't broke don't fix it.
With that said you started all this, where you go we will follow.

[Jennie@ifish]

OK... we are all switching from Windows to Linux.

Get ready! LOL... that's a joke... get it? :smile:

Anyhow... Dieselstop went to a customized server and tweeked it to handle their traffic. They have that knowledge. Jennie doesn't. :smile:

One thing I don't want, is the fighting that I see on that site. Oh, that poor owner. :depressed: I feel terrible for their fighting. It can happen anywhere, I guess. Theres was such a nice site, and then the bullies came. :depressed:

It's not that expensive to upgrade, in the hundreds, but.. it is the time that is my expense. Marty told me that he had a heck of a time tweaking it until he got it where he liked it.

But, the main reason, is that I'm tired to death of our pic upload, and photo post fits right into Threads so nicely. I'd really like not to have to delete all of our important pics.

It's heartbreaking to delete fish pictures, you know?

:depressed: There goes Jen and her halibut... There goes Pilar and Jen, there goes Pete's springer... there goes the pizza party.. :depressed:

You know?

Anyhow... I'm very hesitant about it. It is a big move for me. I have to make sure there is NO fishing going on, if I do it, and that I have 2 weeks to work on it, before any fishing might happen!

Jen

[jimh]

The biggest advantage is being able to jump to the new messages automatically. This functionality really helps me efficiently read on Steelheader.net and sure would help a lot on the long threads at Ifish.net.

[crabbait]

A LOT OF THUMPERS!!! :shocked:

Don't do that, Jennie, for a minute I thought he was multiplying. One is enough. :smile:

[Bait O' Eggs]

There are a lot of Thumpers out there

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Being single probably creates this situation ever seen a rabbit that didnt multiply like...... well a rabbit :tongue:

[SafetyChain]

My vote is for Threads and forthe exact reasons Waterdog listedplus the ability, if chosen, to get reminders of new posts you have posted in via email. In other boards I read, I really like to see the number of views vs posts as "who is online" Not to mention the speed everything loads. My other boards have the "tech Tips" threads which are HUGELY healpful for searching realy old information.

an example Thread example

THREADS, THREADS, THREADS!!!!!

[ 01-10-2004, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: SafetyChain ]

[Firedog]

Here is one more site that I visit that uses that format accuratereloading.com

[DF]

Lets give it a shot! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[guitgary]

I, for one, am happy with any change that will make posting pictures easier. I think I have finally figured it out, but I am not new or unfamiliar with computers and posting to the web...do it all the time. Just my two cents, but I really do enjoy the pictures and I'm sure alot of my fellow 'fishers do, as well.

[Uglygreen]

Allcoast Sportfishing

Another fishing board that uses threads - biggest in California I think. I like it. No problems here.

UG

[Jennie@ifish]

Yes, there are millions of web sites that use Threads. I hope we don't list them all here!

I know it will be a lot of work, and we haven't reached the crunch point yet. I kind of keep waiting for ifish to level out. If it stayed like this, I could keep UBB, but it just keeps growing, and growing, and growing...

Jen

[skrimmy]

Works for me either way Jen. Even we old dogs can learn new tricks when we have to.

[steelheadslayer]

I like Ifish the way it is. When Marty switched over I posted a couple times but what a pain in the butt it was. I guess If you really needed to change, I could learn something new. We might need a comprehensive tutorial to get really fluid in it. But, If pic uploading will be much easier, then maybe I can try and learn really hard. I'm like thumper, sometimes change can cause a lot of stress. Here's to Team Thumper!

[corkyking]

Ifish is growing and growing for a reason. Well organized, stated policies and rules and good monitors to keep things in check. If you can do threads and still keep the good things and is easier for you.......but I think you said it wouldn't be easier.

I belong to the other boards but visit only when I've gone through this one and am satiated.

PP has some good features like the "Tips" but the forum subjects are all over the place. BC Adventure Network is pretty well put together and reasonably interesting but not very well organized. Steelheader is a disaster but I'm sure that they are trying.

[Jennie@ifish]

UBB Classic is the program that we use now.
It was never intended for a site, this big.

As we grow, it gets more and more difficult to integrate the things that I would like, with UBB Classic.

Many people know of www.steelheader.net. He is now using Threads. Do you like it?

If you'd like to try it, you may take a peak, by going here. You may also look at steelheader.net to see if you like it.

It has different options, and may have a learning curve, for both the admins, the mods, and for you.

There will be some things you like, and some you don't. Vote the way you really feel, here!

Some things that we could have, if we moved to Threads is a photo post that works better, and perhaps, even an online members directory, where you could advertise your business. It will also be faster.

Benefits of staying this way, are ease of use, and ease of Jennie's work. :smile:

Like it? Want to move? Or stay with what we are used to...

Your choice!

Jen

[ 01-10-2004, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Silver Hilton]

Jenny, I looked, and I am not seeing what the functional difference is. Can you clarify?

[Riverliver]

Jenn,
Why are you thinnking about the change.
RL

[Stz ll]

I really like the current format. However if the new format allows for more things maybe you should give it a try.

[Ryan Pultz]

I do not see much of a difference. Maybe its just me but I feel it is not the look of ifish that keeps me coming back but the people on it rp

[Jennie@ifish]

Mostly thinking of upgrading because UBB Classic is a resource hog, and Threads is run by MYSQL, and is made for larger boards. Runs more efficiently, and faster.. It integrates with data base driven software, so that I can integrate a picture upload, and a members directory with it.

The ability to grow on an as-needed basis. The UBB.classic™ software is designed for maximum portability and compatibility across servers, and thus is subject to some scalability limitations. The UBB.threads™ can handle much higher usage and traffic because of their database back-ends.

However... I love my UBB~!

Here is a chart of differences
Jen

[ 01-10-2004, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Thumper]

Sorry Jennie. That is all gobbledygook to me.

I used to post on Steelheader.net. When they switched over I couldn't figure out how to get re-registered. Gave up. Not all of us are gung-ho internet types. K.I.S.S.

[ 01-10-2004, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[north coast kook]

I totally like the new one better. Just a few things I noticed in the 3 seconds I looked at it; your avatar is bigger, more info about people(under the avatar), it tells who is on line at the time, plus it's new and exciting! Change is good.
-KooK

[Jennie@ifish]

Sorry bout the avatar... Even if I changed, I'd still have tiny avatars. I could change it, here, too... but I feel like it looks messy with big ones. I don't know... just tidy, I guess. :smile:

Jen

[Bill Monroe]

The thing about us thumpers is that we found (or, in my case, are finding) our way through this system and we'll struggle into another one.

I'm for anything that makes Jennie's life easier. She's got an awful lot on her plate to begin with.

It would be kind of nice, too, to have a directory.

[Smj]

Not that my opinion should count that much but, WOW, what a mess that site is to try and figure out for me. Where's the different boards? Are all the topics and boards just jumbled together? I suppose I could figure it out in time if you did switch, but what a pain in the brain.

The picture upload on this site wasn't hard, even for me, when I followed the instructions.

Small avitars are a good thing IMO, the sites that use the large avitars and all the icons and "doohickys" leave me serching through all the gunk for the WORDS.

Guess you know how I voted

Smj

[Fish-n-Fever]

Here are some links to info from people in the know.
ubb classic vs threads
Ron

[wannacatchem]

No change please.......took me a year to figure this out, and I'm still the search the archives idiot

[Chacal]

I will be honest and say that I have often wondered why we couldn't see how many times a topic has been viewed or have some other cool things like other boards I visit.

But, it isn't manadorty we have all that stuff. I think the people are what make the board.

So, my opinion is to trust Jennie. Whatever. I will always come here for my fishing fix.

Chacal

[Silver Hilton]

Jenny, one comment down in the one of the reviews site was something to the effect of,

"Threads maintenance is simple and quick compared to Classic. If you used the Classic maintenance routines from the admin panel, you will giggle w/ glee at Threads' maintenance"

That sounds like a good thing for you, even if it would make Thumper moan a bit. :smile:

[Thumper]

Hey! I'm O.K. ... Just fine ... Just fine. :depressed: snif

[ 01-11-2004, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[Fish mojo]

One thing I do not like about steelheader.net is there are way too many catagories.
I like ifish the way it is.

[Bobby Ray]

Jen,

That's nice of you to evolve Ifish members in this decision but if I was you I would just make the change cause It's best. It's easy for members to say don't change but do they know what it takes to maintain this board? Do what needs to be done, the fish won't go away.

[24 on/ 48 off]

Threads.

"If you build it, they will come". :smile:

--spud-- :smile:

[corkyking]

24 On-

"If you build it, they will come"
but will they stay?

Based on my experience with other boards - no.

[FishSniffer]

Having an extensive internet development background I often wondered why iFish wasn't using threads as maintainance for the admins is much easier and less time constraining. And, for the viewer/subscriber much easier to follow a given topic and to pick-up where one left off, IOW, to see the last message you read and to select the next after that which you haven't yet instead of loading the entire topic (time consuming on low bandwidth).

However, I don't like the implimentation of UBB.threads that I've seen.

I'm a registered member of steelheader.net and I seldom visit. Why you ask? Initially it's a pain in the butt to get to where you're going and once there I just don't like the user interface. Simply stated "The GUI sucks". And I think that's why many of their sections go unused. Then again it could just be that people like iFish better. Hmm. Wonder why.

To those who like iFish the way it is I can say this. Once you get past the rather short learning curve you'll prefer threads and the ease at which you'll navigate topics leaving you more time to fish and tie rigs.

Just my 2 cents. I'll follow where ever you lead me. Good luck (switch and save admin time).

[kayakfisher]

I find your format now to be very user friendly and very easy to view.

The steelheaders' site was hard to register on, and not all that user friendly for a first timer, which all new regitrants are, right?

If you can design the format to be as you wish, and if it makes your life easier in the long run, sounds good. Your current format is so much more pleasant to view than the steelheaders, which has lots of bright colors, but they (to me) are detracting from the real stuff....the wisdoms found in the posts.

Would it also allow the retention of all the old posts of ifish? They are a superb resource, and the searches are a wealth of information...to loose them would be a shame...at least to people like me who are basically beginners in the world of fishing.

M.

[love2fish]

I checked out steelheader.net, and I ended up spending about 30 mins. there. I didn't find it that difficult to find my way around (and I'm not very smart either). I say whatever is easier for the admin.

love2fish

[Pitch Pocket]

Threads. Yes!

[glassblower]

I am really suprised to see that more people are not inrested in the change. It is allot has allot more to offer for the users. I have been posting on boards for years and several of the boards I post on use threads. I think given 2 weeks of use most users would not go back.

[Jennie@ifish]

I ask because I LOVE my UBB and I don't want to change.

I also ask because I need help in making a decision.

However, if ifish keeps growing, I will HAVE to change, at some point. As I said, UBB Classic is just not made for larger boards. We are chugging along and doing alright, but someday, we may risk crashing, and perhaps losing data. That scares me.

In a move, no, we would not lose that past archives at all. Nothing lost.

I did put into a schedule about 2 weeks of members groaning and moaning, when we change. No one likes change. Period.

However, Threads, when I have to do it, can be customized to retain a look very similar to ifish now.

I really like Marty's board, and I think he's done one heck of a job with it. I think that mostly, it's a Washington board, and he has mostly Washington members... Just like we have mostly Oregon. He has put his heart and soul into that board, he is still tweaking, and there are new things available all the time. I know you are only debating the choices, but please don't criticize it here. Steelheader.net is our friend. :smile:

I think I'll put it off for as long as I can, but for now, I just want to thank you for your input.

Thanks!
:smile:
Jen

[ampersat]

Being a somewhat techie guy, I'll weigh in on this:

1. Most importantly, make the move the a MYSQL-supported format regardless of which vendor you choose. Staying with the UBB folks makes sense because you've got a standing relationship with them. The flat file format of the current version is a resource hog. Translation: the upgrade would move faster and be more efficient.
2. Reading over the link to the difference in features it would appear that the same template could be applied to the threads board so it would look the same. How far that same look and feel would carry over after the upgrade, I'm not sure. Only a trial run would tell that. I'd bet that you could make the switch with only a few changes to way Ifish looks today.
3. Sooner or later, things are going to change here on Ifish. UBB will stop supporting old versions and force users to new versions. This will involve "look and feel" changes. If you're going to learn something new, it might as well have the most bang for the buck for all involved.
4. The code behind the software is written by techies but it's made to be as useful as possible by the end users, regardless of whether you're a techie or a help-me. Yeah, you might have to click a different button for a familiar old function, but they try their darnedest to make it as user friendly as possible. If the coders added a feature, it's there because people will likely use it and like it. If they moved something, it's to facilitate ease of use. In short, once you get over the learning curve, it'll be better.
5. The existing Ifish data would have to be manipulated and massaged to get it to the proper format but there is no reason why we couldn't get all of the info across to the MYSQL version intact.
6. Ifish is going to continue growing and this is just another growing pain. Change to the site, sooner or later, will be inevitable. If we must face a change, let it be one that has the most benefit for everyone.

Jennie, I'd say wait to make the change until UBB forces you to a significantly newer version or the site grows to the point that it makes sense to make the switch.

[craigc]

Jen,
I would like to offer the following...

1. I forecast ifish membership will grow in the future.

2. Most ifish members will attempt to accomodate to whatever software you implement; and will only give up if the Threads software is not easy enough to learn.

3. You should determine how much of your time and energy is going to be consumed supporting the Threads vs. UBB software years in the future[ We don't want you to quit out of exhaustion ]

4. If the Threads software will take less of your time in the future, I'd plan for a 'controlled' implementation of the new Threads software at a time of YOUR choosing in the future...

5. Allow others to help you through the transition period, if it's going to require additional resources/time.

From time to time, you appear to be overwhelmed by the amount of work that is needed to support this website. I'm glad you're trying to plan for the future. Best wishes for a happy new year, Craig C.

[FishingNewbie]

jen, do what works best for you. if you want to do it, for whatever reason, go ahead. we will either learn to adapt or we won't. if it would have been that from the beginning, we'd have figured it out. this is YOUR site, we are just thankful guests.

[Hoosier Daddy]

As long as the graphics aren't too intensive, I'm ok with whatever. My computer doesn't like all the doodads (slow connection and low memory) so more stuff generally makes navigating the site more difficult and less worth-doing.

[Jennie@ifish]

Hope you know the problem is, I don't know the software, either, so I certainly don't know how "easy" it will be.

Thanks for your input.

No graphics will change, only the speed will increase, due to a data base driven app.

Jen

[MightyBeav]

I was on steelheader.net before coming here. I came here cuz steelheader.net is mainly washington folk, this seems to be more oregon. The feature i miss most about steelheader is the automatic marking of posts you have read, highlighting of new posts since you last logged on. It also takes you to the new posts on threads you have read. It is a great feature and time saver. I recommend it highly.

MightyBeav

[West Linn Wader]

Whatever is easiest for Jen and the mods to work with would get my vote.

WLW

[GOT2FISH]

I would like to change my vote. After playing on the other site this weekend I think the change would be a good one it seems to me the other type has a lot more options, but if you dont this is still cool. :grin:

[FishSniffer]

My appologies about the comment with regard to the user interface on steelheader.net as I'm sure once you get used to it.... I had not intended to tear down Marty or the board as they do provide a great value, especially when I'm headed north.

[zipper]

Jen. This is still your home. Clean it, remodel it or leave it the same as you see fit. If change will make your life easier, then go for it. Membership has increased 10 fold since I registered 3 years ago... plan for more growth. We will continue to visit your home as long as we're welcome. zip