The upshot of this is that when we do the jump, we'll most likely have to set up a new forum at the same time. Unfortunately, another consequence of DCF being so old and long-abandoned is that none of the modern candidates can import its user base or post archives (and the EPU DCF's database is in rags anyway, which would make it a dicey proposition even if the tools did exist). The most likely scenario is that we'll have to start all over again--new accounts, zero posts, a complete blank slate. We've looked at a few candidates and found one or two that look promising, but the investigation is still in a very early stage.

As to what will happen to the old forum, that depends on what we find when the time comes. It may be possible to shut it off and leave it in place, so that posting is barred but it can still be read, but more likely we'll dump it through some kind of static site generator so that nothing of the DCF backend has to remain operational. Either way, the old discussions and whatnot will still exist in some form if it's in any way possible. Part of the reason why we've hung onto this old software this long is because I can't bear the idea of losing all the history that's piled up here in the last 21 years.

I'm also going to look at extracting the content (i.e., the Mini-Stories, Featured Documents, and whatnot--creative works that were only released directly to the boards) and putting it somewhere on the main site. I know ways of doing this, as we've seen with things like the Mini-Story Omnibus files and the static remake of Warrior Dawn: The Contract, but it's a labor-intensive process and will take... a while.

To be clear, this isn't something that's happening imminently--I got the impression from our discussion that Dave has started working on the new system, but he hasn't set a date for the cutover--but the realities of security and whatnot dictate that it's going to have to happen sooner or later. I'll try to keep you abreast of developments.

--G.
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Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod
Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/
zgryphon at that email service Google has
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.