Question about forum software - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

John$ · 11-10-2010, 01:26 AM

Hi,

I noticed the request for donations to support this site for among other things, the forum's software. As a professional software developer for almost 50 years, I am retired at this point, I was curious about the software used here and how it was maintained.

For example, is it owned by a company that charges for modifications? If so, do you have a source code protection agreement were you retain a copy of your software? How is the software written, the scripting tool, the base language, and the data base used?

Also does the site administrator back up the data base and source code to a personal computer each week. I know of a group that had lost 3 years of membership with thread records and software modifications because this practice was ignored.

Thanks,
John

Cynthetiq · 11-10-2010, 05:50 AM

I can't answer this fully at the moment as I'm trying to get my day started but let me take the first swing at it.

The software company that develops this forum software is vbulletin. They continue to update it for features and security. We are currently using vb3.8.6 and last year they introduced v4. In order to have access to the upgrades there is a minimum fee. For vb4 it was a total rewrite so it was resold as brand new application and license structure.

For back ups, we have redundant drives on our server for backups. I recently started backing up to my personal PC in preparation for upgrading to v4 so that I can spend time looking at what the new software does with respect to our fine community.

John$ · 11-10-2010, 10:03 AM

Thank you for the prompt reply.

The software you use is proprietary. My questions about it would need to be answered by vbulletin. I have 2 discussion groups of my own and I use the open source software product from Simple Machines LLC. I am currently evaluating how best to deal with the several issues I dislike about that product.

It is good you have your own server. May I ask if you work with a hosting company? That method is easier than maintaining the server in house, which is something I may end up doing some day.

I do encourage the practice of backing up to your personal PC. It is a simple procedure that ensures the safety of the community information. Every in house operation or hosting company I have ever set up did use an off site backup of some kind.

Thank You again for your answers.

John

11-10-2010, 01:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
John$ Upright Location: Lowell, Massachusetts - USA	Question about forum software Hi, I noticed the request for donations to support this site for among other things, the forum's software. As a professional software developer for almost 50 years, I am retired at this point, I was curious about the software used here and how it was maintained. For example, is it owned by a company that charges for modifications? If so, do you have a source code protection agreement were you retain a copy of your software? How is the software written, the scripting tool, the base language, and the data base used? Also does the site administrator back up the data base and source code to a personal computer each week. I know of a group that had lost 3 years of membership with thread records and software modifications because this practice was ignored. Thanks, John Last edited by John$; 11-10-2010 at 01:28 AM..

11-10-2010, 05:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I can't answer this fully at the moment as I'm trying to get my day started but let me take the first swing at it. The software company that develops this forum software is vbulletin. They continue to update it for features and security. We are currently using vb3.8.6 and last year they introduced v4. In order to have access to the upgrades there is a minimum fee. For vb4 it was a total rewrite so it was resold as brand new application and license structure. For back ups, we have redundant drives on our server for backups. I recently started backing up to my personal PC in preparation for upgrading to v4 so that I can spend time looking at what the new software does with respect to our fine community. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-10-2010, 10:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
John$ Upright Location: Lowell, Massachusetts - USA	Thank you for the prompt reply. The software you use is proprietary. My questions about it would need to be answered by vbulletin. I have 2 discussion groups of my own and I use the open source software product from Simple Machines LLC. I am currently evaluating how best to deal with the several issues I dislike about that product. It is good you have your own server. May I ask if you work with a hosting company? That method is easier than maintaining the server in house, which is something I may end up doing some day. I do encourage the practice of backing up to your personal PC. It is a simple procedure that ensures the safety of the community information. Every in house operation or hosting company I have ever set up did use an off site backup of some kind. Thank You again for your answers. John