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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

So hopefully we'll be back to arguing about music stands and shorts in a few weeks...






Dear extremely patient people,

Before the end of January, Harmony Central will move its forums and content to a new platform. Frankly, we’re pushing this ahead of schedule because we just can’t wait any longer to have a functional, stable home for what has got to be the most loyal and patient online community on the planet (maybe even the galaxy). We’ve been testing, running the workflow past regular users, checking off bugs, and we admit it, doing a few burnt offerings to the Gods of Endless Code . . . and so far, all signs say “go.”

However, there are a few of what software manufacturers refer to euphemistically as “known issues” (translation: “we know it’s a problem, but we haven’t been able to fix it yet”). Namely...

* At a certain date (we’ll announce it, but it’s pretty soon), all content and posts will be migrated to the new platform. That’s the good news. The bad news is that anything past that date can’t be part of the migration process, which is fairly lengthy. So, posts after migration begins will be gone forever. If you post the answer to the meaning of life after migration begins, please save it and re-post in the new environment.
* Private messages and attachments in vBulletin can’t be migrated. Anything embedded in a post (YouTube video, image, etc.) will migrate; it’s only files attached to the message that will be lost.
* We may have multiquote at launch, but probably not.
* We will not have Open Jam or the Political Forum at the outset. We need to limit traffic until we know things are working. Yes, that sucks. Yes, I know. I've argued against this and there's nothing I can do about it.
* There will be no reviews of any kind—pro reviews, user reviews, or review articles written by our staff—until February, and possibly March. Separating them out lets us switch over to the forums sooner, and we don’t think anyone will consider that a bad tradeoff.

Are we nervous? You bet. We all remember what happened with the “revision-whose-name-we-dare-not-speak.” But one of the problems before was that we moved from a site that was falling apart, yet still functional, to one that was totally dysfunctional. This time, we’re moving from a dysfunctional platform to one that shows tremendous promise.

Two more things. First, much of the non-forum parts of the site will have to be reconstructed. You may run across articles that haven’t been formatted properly, or are missing audio examples. We’ll be going through the articles one-by-one and prepping them, which will be time-consuming but also gives us a chance to do some tweaks and revisions. It’s all good.

Second, and most importantly, you have no idea how grateful we are for those of you who didn’t give up on HC. If you think this has been frustrating for you, imagine how we felt as we watched the site we’ve poured our lives into fall apart. Yes, we’re nervous . . . but we think our faith will be rewarded. And as a result, we think yours will be, too.

You have our deepest thanks and respect. Now, I have to stop typing so I can go back to crossing my fingers.

--Craig Anderton on behalf of the entire Harmony Central team (including the hamsters who kept the vBulletin servers running, No worries, they’ll be getting a generous severance package.)
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Super Contributor
Posts: 873
Registered: ‎10-26-2005

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Cool mang. Good to know. Looking forward to the new phase.
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Trusted Contributor
guido61
Posts: 28,412
Registered: ‎12-09-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

I'm presuming the new platform isn't vBulletin?

I hope it's something very similar. As we all noticed with the last platform switch, people around this place don't like change much...
--David

FOR SALE: DBX Driverack PX; DBX 231 EQ; Behringer Racktuner; Rane SAC 22 crossover; Alesis D4 drum module; Line 6 Pod Pro rackmount.

Band website: http://www.JumpStartYourParty.com
http://www.gigmasters.com/Rock/Jump-Start/

Stage gear: Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, M-Audio Venom, Neo Ventilator, Digitech GSP-1101, Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Eg544SC, Samson SM10 line mixer, Alesis Picoverb, Samson Airline 77 Wireless, APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA
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Moderator
Lee Knight
Posts: 20,527
Registered: ‎07-13-2005

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

thank you thank you thank you Craig!
"Don't bite my finger. Look where I'm pointing."

- Warren McCulloch
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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
I'm presuming the new platform isn't vBulletin?

I hope it's something very similar. As we all noticed with the last platform switch, people around this place don't like change much...
You presume correctly.

It'll be Lithium's. From what I've seen so far it doesn't look too different as far a functionality. No idea yet myself what the aesthetics will be though. I'm hoping for a lime green background with cyan blue text and tiny comic sans font.
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Super Contributor
Kramerguy
Posts: 10,247
Registered: ‎07-07-2004

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

sounds killer
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin RIP
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SpaceNorman
Posts: 4,205
Registered: ‎03-04-2007

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
I'm presuming the new platform isn't vBulletin?

I hope it's something very similar. As we all noticed with the last platform switch, people around this place don't like change much...
It seems we were both part of the same event - yet drew to very different conclusions. You appear to have concluded we are "change averse" ... while I see us having confirmed our affinity for shit that actually works.

Two way different things!
The SpaceNorman
www.facebook.com/SuperstarsOfRock

Gig Rig
Keyboards and Tone Generators: Yamaha CP300, Kronos 88, Roland AX Synth, Motif ES Rack,
Keyboard Rack: Samson SM10 Line Mixer, Motu MIDIExpressXT MIDI Interface, Shure PSM200 IEM system, M-Audio Wireless MIDI, Live Wires IEM ear buds, iPad w\OnSong.
Stage Amplification: Stereo via 2 Yamaha DSR112s
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Super Contributor
Posts: 2,015
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by Actionsquid View Post
It'll be Lithium's.
Aww crap. I've seen a Lithium board, and it sucks balls.
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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by AVisme View Post
Aww crap. I've seen a Lithium board, and it sucks balls.
In terms of function or appearance? (or both)
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Trusted Contributor
guido61
Posts: 28,412
Registered: ‎12-09-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by SpaceNorman View Post
It seems we were both part of the same event - yet drew to very different conclusions. You appear to have concluded we are "change averse" ... while I see us having confirmed our affinity for shit that actually works.

Two way different things!
The last forum they tried WORKED just fine. And while I agree it wasn't as easy to use as vBulletin, the truth is that a BIG part of everyone's discontent was simply that they were so used to using vBulletin for so many years.

Mark my words---I don't care HOW cool, simple or similar the new forum might be, the simple fact that it's different will result in MANY MANY complaints about how much it sucks.
--David

FOR SALE: DBX Driverack PX; DBX 231 EQ; Behringer Racktuner; Rane SAC 22 crossover; Alesis D4 drum module; Line 6 Pod Pro rackmount.

Band website: http://www.JumpStartYourParty.com
http://www.gigmasters.com/Rock/Jump-Start/

Stage gear: Korg Kronos, Yamaha Motif, M-Audio Venom, Neo Ventilator, Digitech GSP-1101, Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Eg544SC, Samson SM10 line mixer, Alesis Picoverb, Samson Airline 77 Wireless, APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA
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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
The last forum they tried WORKED just fine. And while I agree it wasn't as easy to use as vBulletin, the truth is that a BIG part of everyone's discontent was simply that they were so used to using vBulletin for so many years.

Mark my words---I don't care HOW cool, simple or similar the new forum might be, the simple fact that it's different will result in MANY MANY complaints about how much it sucks.
While I do think a lot of people overreacted to the 2.0 forums, I don't think it was just resistance to change. The Jive forums were pretty much the opposite of "cool, simple, and similar to vBulletin". I mean the software wasn't actually even designed with something like HC's forums in mind but more customer support questions. I can't quite agree with "worked just fine", and I think the dislike the the Jive format was pretty justified.

From what I've seen of Lithium, it's not gonna be anything that drastic. I think as long as they don't do anything crazy with the aesthetics we just might make it though this ok.

That said you are right- no matter how good it is some people will find fault with it.
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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
The last forum they tried WORKED just fine. And while I agree it wasn't as easy to use as vBulletin, the truth is that a BIG part of everyone's discontent was simply that they were so used to using vBulletin for so many years.

Mark my words---I don't care HOW cool, simple or similar the new forum might be, the simple fact that it's different will result in MANY MANY complaints about how much it sucks.
While I do think a lot of people overreacted to the 2.0 forums, I don't think it was just resistance to change. The Jive forums were pretty much the opposite cool, simple, and similar to vBulletin. I mean the software wasn't actually even designed with something like HC's forums in mind but more customer support questions. I can't quite agree with "worked just fine", and I think the dislike the the Jive format was pretty justified.

From what I've seen of Lithium, it's not gonna be anything that drastic. I think as long as they don't do anything crazy with the aesthetics we just might make it though this ok.

That said you are right- no matter how good it is some people will find fault with it.
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Super Contributor
Posts: 2,015
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by Actionsquid View Post
In terms of function or appearance? (or both)
Both. I don't know how much HC will be able to customize their version, but the layout stinks and it doesn't have many of the convenient features that vBulletin has. Lithium seems to be very intrusive as well, which is why I even remember the name. It left cookies on my browser and the logo was splattered all over the place.
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Super Contributor
Posts: 2,182
Registered: ‎12-09-2007

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
I'm presuming the new platform isn't vBulletin?

I hope it's something very similar. As we all noticed with the last platform switch, people around this place don't like change much...
It's pretty hard to get better than the vbulletin software for forums, IMO, but we'll see what they come up with.
"Vaginas are nice, but I wouldn't trade my balls for one." - boxorox
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Super Contributor
Posts: 548
Registered: ‎08-20-2012

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

"It left cookies on my browser"

Really? You're complaining about sites using cookies?

How do you think your login session is stored with vBulletin?

How do you think just about every web application out there works?
--

Hammond: BC, M3, Split L111, L122 / Leslie: 51, 760 / Yamaha: DGX-620, PF-85

Follow my new band, Dr. Bombay! We're going to be organasmic!
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Moderator
MrKnobs
Posts: 60,966
Registered: ‎12-03-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Thinking this will be a good change is the triumph of hope over experience.

Quote Originally Posted by AVisme View Post
Aww crap. I've seen a Lithium board, and it sucks balls.
Yep.

Quote Originally Posted by guido61 View Post
The last forum they tried WORKED just fine..
And you are from which alternate reality? Fine is a little 10 character column down the middle of the page surrounded by giant ads on each side, taking 10 min to load a page?

Although 10 min loads are looking good about now....

Terry D.


Telling Stories releases 2nd CD, see our WEBSITE! Please check out my GROUPIE STORY and Tales from the Road.
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Frequent Contributor
Omni'sMom
Posts: 111
Registered: ‎03-11-2007

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Hey clown shoes, how about letting people reset their passwords from their username. I have no fcuking idea what the email was I created StratGuy22 from. **bleep**br>**bleep**br>**bleep**br>Thanks**bleep**br>**bleep**br>:facepalm:
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Super Contributor
Kramerguy
Posts: 10,247
Registered: ‎07-07-2004

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

Exactly why is BWTB under "gear forums" ?
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin RIP
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Moderator
Actionsquid
Posts: 32,873
Registered: ‎03-29-2001

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!


Kramerguy wrote:
Exactly why is BWTB under "gear forums" ?

EVERYTHING is under "gear forums".

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Super Contributor
Kramerguy
Posts: 10,247
Registered: ‎07-07-2004

Re: IN CASE YOU DON'T NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE TOP- News re: site performance!

yeah figured that out.. why not HC user forums -> Live performance / General / Gear / etc.. ?

Not that I expect you to answer it, you didn't design it.. just aghast at this.. it's not looking good to me. I sincerely hope they make some major GUI improvements. This is killing my eyes.
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin RIP
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