Technically, the old forum still exists, and works, and has all its old stuff. But… eventually I have to make a new forum, and I figured that now’s the time to do it :(

Reasons being… (and sorry if they aren’t the best reasons in the world).

- Wanted to integrate TextFugu usernames and Forum usernames so they’re the same.

- Wanted to have “members only” sections of the forum. With the new forums, anyone can read anything (except areas marked members only) but only members can post (at least I think that’s how it works, we’ll see).

- Wanted the forums to be integrated into the actual site. Before it was a separate thing, with different menus, etc. Just wanted it to be streamlined so you could do a lesson, then be right back in the forums, etc.

- Needed to get on to a platform that will actually get updates :( bbpress standalone was pretty much dead. This is also bbpress, but now it’s a plugin, and now it’s actually getting updates, which I think is kind of neat.

- Timing seemed pretty good too. Right after / during a redesign is a pretty good time to do it, I think.

- Wanted to add a few more sections, so thought I’d do that now.

So, those are my reasons… There are some problems that come with it, though, but hopefully they get fixed with future versions of the bbpress plugin.

> Some functionality has gone / changed. The only one I can think of is the naughty word filter (say nice words instead, mkay!) and the ability to put sweet titles under people’s names :( So, nothing TOOOO huge, but those titles were fun to make up… I’m sure things like that will come in later.

> bbpress posts importer isn’t working… I think you have posted too many posts – way to be active on the forums, sheeesh. I’m going to keep trying to import all the old posts from the old forums, but in the meantime the old forums will be there with a link to them.

I think the worst thing is probably that (as of right now) I’m unable to import all the old stuff to the new forums, but hopefully that will be fixed soon!

So… welcome to the new forums! I hope you like it okay, and super-duper sorry for the cons part of switching to new forums :( Let’s get this new one up and running in no time, though!

Let me know if you notice something totally broke, too please!

I mean, sure it’s kinda poo that all the old stuff is gone. In another way, it’s kind of refreshing to have a new start and all that jazz. I just wonder if my display name is different. Hooraaaay.

I like the idea of a fresh start too, tho :D So purdy.

Try F.lux – makes the screen less bright, and you can set it to adjust depending on what time it is (at night, it makes computer screens so much more lovely!). Should be a free app, too, I think.

http://stereopsis.com/flux/