--!! Imminent Major Changes !!--

[dave]

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you all know that very shortly there will be a time you log on to the forum and you will see major changes.

The forum software we're currently running on has reached the end of its shelf life so to keep up to date I will be upgrading to the latest version Unfortunately for me it's not an easy upgrade and the theme/styles you see now have to be rewritten for the new version which is no small task. I am working on a theme which will be as close as possible to the current theme but there will be changes.

So for the sake of site security and stability the changes are partly out of necessity, however once upgraded there will be new features on the forum to make reading/posting etc easier.

One major addition I will be adding in once the new forum is up and running properly is an 'articles' section. Gathering useful information from within the forum and creating specific articles based off the content I believe would be a great resource for people.

I may also allow members to create their own blogs right here within the website.

I am also playing with the idea of a 'rebrand'. I would like to hear your thoughts on this if possible but I was thinking it is worth considering a change from 'Maine Coon Forum' to something that now reflects us more as a community, so Maine Coon Owners Club, or Maine Coon Cat Club, Maine coon cat lovers etc.. along with an easier to remember website address.

So the upgrade is essential for the safety and longevity of the forum, however all the other ideas are up for discussion at the moment.

Thanks for reading.

Dave (and Hank)

[jckkerrison]

I still can't find my way round here properly yet so this could be fun,still trying to sort out how the multi quote bit works....
Modern technology doesn't go very well alongside me but no doubt will find my way about again with a few more of the "How did I manage to do that"thrown in.
Thanks for updating though & giving us the opportunity to keep in touch with each other,have needed the support this year.

[Peter Galbavy]

Personally, I'm on so many forums/fora that regular look and feel changes are a daily thing. Hopefully you can add a facebook style "like" button next to Thanks

On the subject of rebranding... I would avoid calling is a club unless you have an intention of either having a real membership and rules and stuff - and you could be treading on the toes of those who already have face-to-face style breed clubs. I am not a member of any, so again I am not affected.

Thanks for all your hard work, and I hope you can continue to dedicate the time, effort and money required.

[Howlinbob]

Hi Dave, the changes sound very exciting. I like the idea of an 'articles' section. Not sure a name change is necessary...but I like 'Maine Coon Lovers'. Looking forward to seeing the new forum!

[dave]

Interesting point on the possible club title issue. I'm really just thinking how the site can eventually become more of an authoritative resource in addition to being a forum.

Re' Facebook, I will certainly be using both facebook and twitter in the new setup. Facebook so threads can have 'like' buttons and an easier way for facebook users to quickly register using their facebook credentials. As well as a dedicated facebook page as was previously mentioned, that will also post links of new threads to the facebook page so users can be notified of anything new as it happens that way.

The twitter account will be similar in the sense any new threads will automatically be tweeted, so followers of the twitter account can be notified as new threads go up.

I have been using this on another forum I run which has been quite popular, a lot of folk who use twitter like to have the notifications pop up on their phones etc so if something interesting catches their eye they can then go to the site.

another name suggestion : Maine Coon Fans perhaps ? or is that a bit cheesy

[dave]

I've completed the first stages of the move, there are still many things to bring over. But the forum content & messaging system should be working ok. I should have the rest, images/albums/top stats/thanks etc etc done by tomorrow.

Thanks

[candes]

Thanx for your hard work Dave. Updates are difficult work. Installing the software is a breeze. The customizations bite big time. Glad to hear you aren't done yet, since I nearly had a heart attack over our beloved gallery. Whew! Not that we want you to have more work though....

[Peter Galbavy]

Seems to have worked, however I got very confused logging in to the new site - and if I get confused whoa betide some others. Having the Facebook Connect button in the same place as the login / password area made me try to connect before logging in. Can the "F connect" button maybe move to the same place a the "new ? register here!" type thing and also put a connect option on the post logon dialogue ?

Namewise, howabout "Maine Coons Are The Bestest" ? Or more seriously, simply "Maine Coon Cats" perhaps ?

[harrymc]

Hi Dave, I'm not a computer person but I can appreciate all the hard work you would have had to do and will have to continue doing. I just hope you haven't had Ria and the kids on your back this lovely bank holiday weekend As for the name what about Maine Coon Twitter ? I can't think of anything else other than what has been already mentioned. Alison x

[claudel]

Like the new look...

Thanks for doing this...

IMO, "Maine Coon Forum" is already a great name. Concise & informative...