Plans to migrate AZS site to new, modern forum format [soliciting donations to help defray costs]

[admin]

As many have mentioned, this site has been built to be as inexpensive-to-run as possible. We use phpBB for the forum software. The base code is free, but this site is moderately customized (by me). Given the site needs and requirements, we can't use a shared hosting environment, so we have dedicated VPS and Database servers that we use, along with additional storage due to the features we have here to upload pics. Having a DB server and a VPS server along with additional storage is not cheap and I thank the handful of users here who support this site on a monthly basis - without their support, the site wouldn't be here. It's also a lot of work to keep the servers updated, the site updated, etc.

However, to try to bring this web site into a more modern age, I think it's time we look at moving to a new forum format. Several have asked for it and it makes sense. Most of the big sites out there use XenForo, so after some research, this seems to make the most sense. It's great on a computer as well as a phone and is much more 'modern'.

The downside... I'd like to keep the forum data, user accounts, PM's and all the info we can, so that a migration is as seamless as possible. However, it's not a quick or simple migration to go from phpBB to xenForo, despite sharing the same DB back-end (MySQL). While I'd love to do the migration myself, I simply don't have the time for it and will need to contract that work out. I've got that lined up, but I'd like to try to raise some funds to do that.

If you enjoy the forums, please consider going to the Patreon page I have set up to donate to the site: https://www.patreon.com/ArizonaShooting

Please note that the Patreon site says "20 members". This number is inclusive of anyone who has ever donated at some time - even a $1 donation for 1 month. That number is not representative of a recurring amount of donations. I think we have 6 people that currently donate on a regular monthly basis (which is mind-boggling to me) and one advertiser. So yes, donations are needed and appreciated. I understand that not everyone can commit to $2 a month... but even a one-time donation is helpful (meaning, subscribe and then cancel), especially for the migration work I'd like to do this month.

Once we get migrated, for those that assisted (and especially those that have done so all along), I will try to do something - whether it's a special badge on the new forums, or some sort of ongoing acknowledgement.

I will provide updates on migration plans soon!

Link to donate to AZS: https://www.patreon.com/ArizonaShooting

BTW, while I appreciate it, I am not looking for suggestions around, "look at this forum software, or look at this web host". Those decisions have been made - not on a whim - and more goes into it than price.

[paulgt2164]

Signed up / joined on patreon. Thanks for keeping the place running.

[DrEarlCordova]

Can I just send you a PayPal once a year, like I do for Wikipedia when they have a fund drive ?
For some reason I really dislike monthly payments.

[smithers599]

Am I one of the six? I thought I signed up, but I don't rightly remember.

[admin]

Can I just send you a PayPal once a year, like I do for Wikipedia when they have a fund drive ?
For some reason I really dislike monthly payments.

The biggest issue with not using Patreon, is that I can't guarantee to keep track of which accounts donate like that. What would be preferable is to just sign up for the tier you want and when you hit the amount you want to give, just cancel it.

If you don't are about your forum account being identified as a site donor or potential benefits (even though I will try to do so), then sure, one-time donations are appreciated and can be sent to admin@arizonashooting.org.

[admin]

Am I one of the six? I thought I signed up, but I don't rightly remember.

PM sent.

[Suck My Glock]

Signed up under my covert identity

[Gatsby]

I have been a site supporter (almost) since inception, but I could send an additional one-time donation to help with this. How would I do that without f'ing up my recurring one? I don't have Venmo or PayPal, but my wife knows how to use Zelle if that helps any?

Thanks
Joe

[admin]

I have been a site supporter (almost) since inception, but I could send an additional one-time donation to help with this. How would I do that without f'ing up my recurring one? I don't have Venmo or PayPal, but my wife knows how to use Zelle if that helps any?

Thanks
Joe

You have indeed - and I am VERY appreciative of those who have continually supported the site for so long - THANK YOU!

I wouldn't feel right soliciting funds from those who are already supporting the site and have for so long. If you still want to donate, PM me and I'll send you the info.

[smb]

Just signed up, it's not even a question at this point. I've met way too many good people and have had a ton of solid handshake deals along the way. Onward and upward, hopefully the board migration goes easy.

[admin]

Thank you.

I've done migrations in the past, but those have always been lateral moves; changing a hosting provider or database server, but retaining the same web site and forum. Those were not even smooth, so I expect there to be some bumps in a migration like this... but the phpBB to XenForo has been done before and the group I am getting to do it has experience, so like you said, hopefully it will go smoothly.

[Abbey]

What is the ballpark cost estimates? I'd be happy to send a one-time to help out.

Also, for what it's worth, I wouldn't be upset if we just ripped off the bandaid and started fresh on a new platform. It's nice to keep the user & post history but I wouldn't lose sleep if I had to start fresh or even use a new user name.

[guardyan_angyl]

Signed up on Patreon. Glad to do what I can to keep this forum going! Love this place.