[Jon]

With all of the recent requests for adjustments to the board, I've been considering a move to a different piece of bulletin board software.

(More info -- the bulletin board is a piece of software, just like you might buy a piece of graphics software, or engine-building software. The board, instead of being a piece of software that you buy and use on your computer, is a piece of software that we buy and install on our computer (server), and let everyone login and use. However, since we know the computer language that the board is written in, we can make adjustments, improvements, and other "tweaks" to the programming code of the board. These adjustments might be user suggestions, quick interface tweaks, or changes to make the board run faster or better.)

The software we currently use is called Ultimate Bulletin Board, from a company called Infopop. You've probably seen boards on other sites that look similar. They are probably also using the Ultimate Bulletin Board. It was one of the first major full-featured production boards for websites. Over the years, we've hacked, tweaked, and adjusted the code of the board numerous times. We've done some things here that I still haven't seen done on any other website.

However, sometimes it feels like we're trying to squeeze one last drop of horsepower out of an engine that already has every power upgrade in the book. Ultimately, we might need to bag this 350 and drop in a serious powerplant.

My first choice is a piece of software called VBulletin, made by a company called Jelsoft Enterprises. Externally, it is similar to our Ultimate Bulletin Board. Generally speaking, it is faster, much more powerful, and easier to tweak and adjust. Every feature you enjoy here is available with VBulletin, and many more. Many sites use VBulletin.

The latest release of VBulletin, version 3.0, is still in beta. This means that Jelsoft Enterprises has already completed in-house testing (known as "alpha"), and is now publicly testing the board ("beta"). Once it is out of beta, I would like to consider a move to the new board.

If and when we move, your membership details (login, password, other stuff) will be automatically transferred to the new board. There will be some adjusting, but it shouldn't be anything major.

Jelsoft Enterprises maintains a large support board for VBulletin users, and that board is currently using VBulletin version 3.0. You can check it out at <a href="http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/index.php" target="_blank">VBulletin.com/forum/index.php</a>. They even have a forum entitled "A place to test things out", where you can register a username/password, and place some test posts. Please have a look.

Comments, feedback, questions?

[willys36@aol.com]

I'm just a milker at this here dairy. Not smart enough to have an opinion.

[mustang66maniac]

Sounds like a good idea, I say go for it. Do all of out posts get erased when you do the switch?

[deuce_454]

I like the member database and the "times viewed" counter on every topic. ofcourse the graphics are a little diferent and takes some getting used to. but overall it looks a little more finished than "our" current board.

also it has a chat function if i am not mistaken..

i am all for it Jon

keep up the good work

[Halloweenking]

I'm with Willy's Go for it, I don't care where, what or how I get here as long as I'm here. I'm easy, I'll adapt. More power to you, may the force be with you and to the moon alice <img src="graemlins/drunk.gif" border="0" alt="[drunk]" />

HK

[Barz51]

We fear change.

Just kidding, looks good to me. I say go for it.

Cory

[johnnymopar]

easy decision.

what's the alternative?

JB

[chrome_ashes]

I'm a member of another board that already uses the vbulletin software and I must say that it seems a little more user friendly. It does take a little getting used to, but I like it.

I say go for it!!

[Mr.56Chevy]

I am for it. I am assuming all topics wwill be lost? Either way, I am willing to change, change is good.

[Jon]

[quote]Originally posted by Mr.56Chevy:
<strong>I am assuming all topics wwill be lost?</strong><hr></blockquote>

We might make a read-only archive of the older stuff, or something similar, but nothing will be lost. I want our great-great-grandchildren to be able to read this.

Here are a couple of other automotive sites that use VBulletin:
Club Hot Rod

[neil madsen]

will the background still be black? I like how this bord looks.It looks better that the white background.Other than that I think I would be a great idiea.I am going to miss this old 350.But hey,I like big blocks too

[helrazr3]

it does have some nice features you can e-mail or pm a member right from a post i'm for it whatever makes your life easier is fine with me but i do really like the black board.


and that reminds me will this board be compatable with our opticlly challenged members?

[Jon]

The colors, graphics, and other parts of the layout are all customizable, so we can stay pretty much like this if we want to. The primary reason for the change is that the backend is more powerful, and quicker. There are also some excellent advanced options on vBulletin. The search function in particular is better than the one we have now.

Many of the tweaks we've made to the board over time have now been integrated as robust options in vBulletin. Users would be able to choose from multiple color/size templates, including something similar to Easy View like we have now. We'd still have the photo album, company reviews, etc.

We'd run a standard conversion script to move everything (posts, membership data, etc.) from one board to the other, and we'd have some members test it out before it went live.

[neil madsen]

sounds good to me jon

[stonedchihuahua]

Put it this way what jon is thinking of doing can be compared to a car...

He is putting a new engine in to replace the tired one...

He is also adding a hood scoop and a bit of chrome on all the door handles, bumpers and such to make it look better...

And hopefully keeping it the same black color...

Black shows flaws and it shows craftsmenship at the same time