It pains me, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

[psy_commando]

You know, I think we'd probably lose some people while transitioning over to a social media website. Some might not want others to track them on reddit via their reddit account.Some might not like reddit. Some might not find reddit really convenient/easy to use. Etc..

Not to mention that SFO isn't only a forum. Some of the content in the gallery, like the scans and etc would need a new home too. (It seems the links to those disapeared when we made the move to the latest IPB, but they're still accessible via URL)

And well, if we move threads "worth moving over" manually, who's going to decide if a thread is worth saving? And that would probably take a lot of time. While doing a database export would be much faster and automated. And what if DZ or someone else wants to get the website back into shape eventually? We'd need to port over stuff from reddit manually, and that's sure to be a pain in the butt, considering there is no chance anyone can migrate stuff from over there via script or tool..

I really think the best idea for the near future is to start by trying to bring costs down to something more sustainable first. So it can be maintained via donations for a while. Then, we'll be in a better position to consider other options, without having to deal with a really close by deadline..

 

I did some looking around and I don't know the requirements for running SF-O, like the average monthly bandwidth usage for instance, but dreamhost has cheaper plans ( with less capable hardware ) :

https://www.dreamhost.com/hosting/vps/

And then, bluehost is even cheaper apparently ( they limit bandwith on their VPS plan to 1TB and up (Though I'd really be surprised if we're even using 1TB of bandwidth per month)):

http://www.bluehost.com/vps

And if we ever need to move from IPB, it seems IPB 4 is apparently vastly unsupported as far as migration tools go, but I haven't searched that deep. So that's something to keep in mind..

[CrypticQuery]

 

You're absolutely correct; I consider Reddit to be a last resort option, and certainly a brighter one than the total loss of SF-O, in the event that any of the previous solutions are not feasible.

[Shmibli7]

Im gonna cry.  Its like we're all getting ready for the axe head to fall. Dang, this is tough.

[The VGM Lover]

Remember the Star Fox logic:

"Never give up! Trust your instincts!" Peppy Hare and James McCloud

"Hold together!" "Don't go soft on us, Fox!" Falco Lombardi

- Star Fox 64, N64, 1997

[LoneWolf]

Oh shit.

I'll donate what I can (and I should be able to donate regularly). We'll make it. Also I'm down for ads as long as they aren't for shitty HOT FUCCBOI SINGLES NEAR YOU. I'm down for anything to limp the site along. Even if I'm not super active this place is pretty important to me. I literally grew up here, after 5 years of insane stupidity and fun it'd hurt to see this place go. I'll see what I can do as far as donations.

Perhaps look into locally hosting. Getting a reserved IP and a shitbox computer would probably cost less than a hosted service every month. I don't give much of a shit about site performance or if you have to dump threads. I'm here to see this out to the bloody end. A subreddit would be acceptable too.

But DZ, let me be straight with you, if you have to let the site go to move forward in your life, so be it. You're a real person with real adult problems and even if the site goes down, we'll figure out a way to keep the spirit of SFO alive.

[DZComposer]

OK, so I was able to secure some limited financial assistance. It won't end my woes, but I may be able to keep SF-O running if some changes are made.

Firstly, I will cease using the dedicated server and move SF-O back to a VPS. Hopefully that will reduce the cost enough that I can manage it. Continued donations would ensure that.

Secondly, I will need to let go of some site features, most likely blog, downloads, and chat. That will bring the license renewal costs down.

Ads aren't something I want, but some of you seem OK with them. If I did show ads, I would probably use Google AdSense, which is mostly text-based ads. The last thing I want is to turn SF-O into an annoying ad pit. Note that I will only consider ads if they would pay enough to mage a significant impact on the hosting bill. If they pay like $3 a month, it isn't worth it.

Thank you guys for stepping-up. The donations that have been made have helped a ton. I need time to read through and process this thread. I am committed to doing what I can, within my means, to keep SF-O running.

Edited September 8, 2015 by DZComposer

[Arminius H O Fiddywinks]

Our beloved chat going?

Oh well. If it's for the betterment of the site, so be it. The PM system will still be in place, though?

[unoservix]

i was under the impression that the chat had basically moved to skype anyway so that's no real loss i guess

[The VGM Lover]

To be honest, I rarely use the chat feature anyways, but only because each time there's multiple people already in, I'd feel like I'm just musslin' in on someone else's racket, cuz I can't see what they're already talkin' about before going in, but if it has to go, it's not gonna bother me, either way.

[psy_commando]

OK, so I was able to secure some limited financial assistance. It won't end my woes, but I may be able to keep SF-O running if some changes are made.

Firstly, I will cease using the dedicated server and move SF-O back to a VPS. Hopefully that will reduce the cost enough that I can manage it. Continued donations would ensure that.

Secondly, I will need to let go of some site features, most likely blog, downloads, and chat. That will bring the license renewal costs down.

Ads aren't something I want, but some of you seem OK with them. If I did show ads, I would probably use Google AdSense, which is mostly text-based ads. The last thing I want is to turn SF-O into an annoying ad pit. Note that I will only consider ads if they would pay enough to mage a significant impact on the hosting bill. If they pay like $3 a month, it isn't worth it.

Thank you guys for stepping-up. The donations that have been made have helped a ton. I need time to read through and process this thread. I am committed to doing what I can, within my means, to keep SF-O running.

Good to hear!

But please, be sure to put yourself first! We still need our favorite composer/admin to be around and in good health! And we could probably manage with the website running on the cheapest plan as possible.

VPS sounds good!

And I doubt anyone really used the blogs. And we can probably find some way of hosting downloads on free services elsewhere. I'll try looking around. And for the chat, the skype channel is doing a much better job IMO.

And that sounds good DZ, adsense are reasonable enough.

No problems! And really, we should be thanking you for your dedication! Most would have given up on the website if their quality of life would be affected in the slightest! I'm sure that with all our efforts together we can keep this place running for a while!

[Dr. Orange]

When in doubt, the Journal Sub worked for sometime.

But seriously, the blogs must die if we are to survive.

Down with blogging.

[Sideways]

I remember the site running on SMF. Wasn't as fancy as is now, but it worked.

[AlGore'sleftshoe]

I can live with adds and a freehosting if that is the best option.

DZ, I've seen this site years ago, left, and I've seen it now, not gonna get into that...

ANYWAYS DZ, I hope what you are going through is only a brief low-bend before you further your career and rise to new heights and see the horizons better than you have ever dreamed of, I hope you strive on successfully without drag to slow you down. The best of luck to you, good sir.

[LoneWolf]

I remember the site running on SMF. Wasn't as fancy as is now, but it worked.

To be perfectly honest I really liked SMF.

[Robert Monroe]

I too am cool with killing the chatroom (which Skype has usurped anyway) and the blogs (which only a few people ever used anyway). Downloads is a bit iffier but as long as DZ has MASTER BACKUPS then all is cool. If we downgrade the forums I'm cool with that too, a functional forum > a fancy expensive one.

 

And sure, bring on the ads! As long as they don't play goddamn sound I can tolerate any ad really.

 

I wish I could donate money though :C I NEED TO DO SOMETHING FOR MORALE

 

WAIT, I KNOW

 

ILL DO A MEGA RANT ON STARFOX ADVENTURES LIKE I DID ASSAULT

 

MMMMMYESSSSS

[fires up his Wii]

[Robert Monroe]

ALRIGHT YOU WANKERS

 

IT'S BEGUUUN

 

Discussion Thread.

 

Rant Thread (READ ONLY!)

[DZComposer]

Note that when I say "Downloads will be going away," I mean the Downloads IPS app. The files will stay (the vast majority of them are still on http://f.starfox-online.net from Mr. Krystal's old layot ). I honestly haven't been terribly satisfied with Downloads for our use case anyway. It's great for a general file repository but it sucks balls for media files. I will be able to do better using Pages databases. Also, Blogs turned out to not be used much and it turned out that the idea of feeding site articles using it is also better done using Pages databases, as it is now.

I will also look for a way to replace the jukebox with something more modern and mobile-friendly. Hopefully something that I can integrate properly.

I'm not looking forward to cataloging the 700 some-odd voice acting lines from SFAd. I've been putting it off, but when I break-out of downloads it will force me to do it. Yay...

Since the focus is now restructuring, I will go ahead and lock this thread for now. I will post a new one when I have figured out exactly what I am going to do.

Edited September 14, 2015 by DZComposer