I've been talking about it for a while now and the time has come. A new server has been purchased for the operation of this website. I am currently configuring the system.

Over the next two weeks (or sooner because that is my deadline), the entire site will be moving over to the new server. If everything goes well, the only thing you will notice is a faster site with more user features. Until the switch is complete, you may experience some slower download times. This will be due to the transfer of all our files to the new server and I suspect that could slightly impact the speed of the drives and network.

What are we moving up to? More faster cores, 10x more network speed, a better world location, more feature rich forums and more. How can we afford it? We can't. Don't tell the mrsfoyle.

As we progress through the upgrade, I'll post back here with information.

Sounds good, like the sound of 'feature rich' forums

Coolio

ohhhhaaaaaaa!! nice foyleman.
Tnx for all your effort

So far so good.
MODSonair and MODSWiki (aka MODSonwiki) are both moved over to the new server. I'm still transferring files between the two servers for MODSonline. Man... there are a lot of files.
I've also come up with a plan to make the move to the new site smoother.

I've been having trouble thinking of how to move to the new server, yet also upgrade the whole backend (programming that makes the site work). Since the two will not be compatible, it's a tougher situation. What I think I'll be doing is creating a temporary subdomain for modsonline and automatically redirect everyone to that subdomain. You won't even realize it unless you look at the address bar. Then, after about 24 - 48 hours, switch back to the www. domain name. That's enough time for the transfer process to make its way around the world.

Let me tease you with some new features you can expect:
- uploading of images right in the forum threads. You don't have to go somewhere else to upload your photos.
- improved BBCode. I think I'll even include Code highlighting thanks to playername. And actually, we will also have the ability to accept BBCode in the tutorials and everywhere else on the site. Currently, BBCode only works in the forums.
- Offsite URL warning. If a link in a forum goes away from modsonline, we must approve it or it will give you a warning that you are leaving modsonline. I've seen a few links that lead to hacking and hijacking sites. Admins will be able to deny routing to those sites we deem problematic with a warning. It's then up to you to continue to those sites at your own risk.

Finally you added in picture uploads. I am surprised it isn't on yet to be honest. I also like the idea of URL warnings. Great idea! Let's hope this all goes over well!

The server move it going well. MODSonair and MODSonwiki have all been moved successfully to the new server. Of course, MODSonline is the biggest site of all and it's not a simple process of move and be done. As mentioned before, I am also performing site upgrades.

On that, another upgrade option was proposed to me that I felt is necessary. So, I am here trying to work out those details. Without saying much of anything, this upgrade will help us bring in new people while making life easier for the rest of us in the long haul. I'm kinda excited about it. Oh yeah... and frazzled because of the tremendous amount of work this has given me in such a short amount of time.

Posting about it is only slowing you down... back to work you!

Alright. Great progress this weekend on prepping for the server move. I also now have a plan for the final move itself.

1. Somewhere between Wednesday and Friday I will submit for transfer of the domain from one server to the other. This can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours of which I have no control.
   
2. During the transfer time, you will see a temporary domain name in the address bar (something like moving.modsonline.com, but it will definitely be XXX.modsonline.com where XXX may change). Don't be alarmed. It's there to make sure we don't lose any posts or other important information.
   
3. Friday I will complete the move which requires final domain changes, database changes and final site updates.
   
4. Unfortunately, I have determined the final move process will require the site to be shut down for about an hour. I will do my best to minimize the downtime.
   
5. The site will re-open following these updates and I will continue to make minor adjustments throughout the weekend. There is always something left unseen during short-term testing.
   

My last bullet brings up a good point. I expect there to be a couple issues here and there that get missed during our testing. We are limited to two weeks to get the server move completed and that really isn't a lot of time considering the size of this site. Therefore I ask that you are patient and please report anything you think is wrong as we most likely don't know about it, otherwise it would be fixed already. Please report it after mid-day Friday because the move will not be complete until then.

Reporting methods can be via an email to me, contact form submission on this site as well as PM and forums. Just make sure it is addressed to me (foyleman).

I am excited about this whole move and upgrade to the inner-workings of the site. I think it's all a much needed upgrade.