We're looking at an upgrade to Studio Forums. And since this will result in more expenses I'm looking at some various options. One option would be to just upgrade the plan with Infopop - basically keep everything the same as far as the Eve platform here. In that case we'd just upgrade plans. The upgrade would give SF more bandwith and disk space, plus we'd get Chime [ Infopop's chat client ] included.

Where we are in terms of useage, according to an Infopop rep, "In May, your site used about 12 GB of bandwidth and 350 MB of disk space."

Or we could do a couple of other things, such as switch over to http://www.vbulletin.com Or switch to http://www.ubbcentral.com/ - which is still Infopop, but would be hosted on our own server.

I didn't know Studio Forums would ever grow like this. Originally, SF was a place to have forums for people to post about The Listening Sessions. And everything else just grew from there.

And now we've added Studio Reviews zine, and things are growing even more. The rate at which SF is getting new members is increasing.

So, the question I'd put out to all the SF'ers [ aka "Studs" ] here is: We obviously have to prepare for some bigger and beefier digs. Do we just keep things as they are as far as the Eve platform – or do we consider moving into something else?

I actually like Eve. But I haven't liked when they've upgraded and I have to deal with the headaches. The way SF has been working since it started is that this message board is on Infopop's servers. We're on a plan, and they can do an upgrade whenever they see fit. And we can't say no, we have to just go along for the ride and hope for the best. I do think for the most part that the upgrades have been good, but they've been PITA's to go through them.

A few things: I like the size and pace of SF. I don't want to try to turn this place into another Harmony Central or homerec.com. But we also have to allow room for growth – because we're growing...

Any input appreciated. Any ideas and suggestions for moving over to another platforms welcome.

Hi Dan
Personally, I like the current site and it's growth. It's good to be able to log in after a couple of days out of Internet land, and most new posts are still contained on the one page.

The software is also cool, probably one of the coolest I've used. The look and feel of SF is spot-on IMHO. I'm a mod for another board, and been one on another, and they've both been hacked. I notice that's never happened here.

If you go to a bigger, more feature-laden site, will it become un-feasible (money wise?). Would some of the other mods be able to help sort out some of the software upgrade issues if they ever happen again? (Pop perhaps?)

Basically, I like it as-is.

Tube

Well of course SF rules!!!!!!!!

Personally I really like it. I like the look and the interface and from a user end I have never had any problems what so every with the site or included forums. More than i can say about most things in life.

Tubedriver and Ronan said everything I'd want to say. SF is excellent as is, although it may take bigger and faster machines to keep it that way.

I like the current format if future growth permits it

Another positve vote for the forum as it flows now but whatever it takes to keep it up and running effeciently and able to adapt to the growth is okay by me.

Well I'm used to this interface now and find it pretty smooth. I'd have no problem keeping it this way...but are the headaches worth it and are there any measures that can be taken to ease the bumpiness of infopop upgrades? What would need to be done to cover the added cost--more advertising and so-on?

I'm certainly not the most active poster here, nor the most internet literit, but I do like the current look and feel of this forum. Much better than some I've been to. From strickly a users point of view, I say don't change a thing. On the other hand, as the admin, if you're needing to upgrade to facilitate growth, there may well be growing pains, and that's just something we'll need to accept. It's all part of the process.

Joel

OK, seems everyone is cool with the way things are. I am, too. The expenses aren't a problem. I think the "bumpiness" of the Eve upgrades may well be over for the most part. The biggest bump was probably just that first Eve platform changeover in March of 2004.

I've upgrade plans on the Eve platform we've been using. The only difference you'll notice is more bandwidth and a Chime chat client that we'll start using.

Thanks for the input!

Cool, Dot. I think the chat will be fun!

what about something like wiki, Like in your studio tips so that it has a front page a remains like that.

( and and remains like that) "me fail english that's unpossible"

doh

menso

josan, Studio Reviews is really like a front-end for Studio Forums now. And we'll be adding lots of little articles and tips over time that will stay in one place. Plus folks can use the search function here, too.

BTW, since the upgrade went through yesterday the performance here on the forums seems have gotten faster. Anyone else seeing this?

I think this is a nice platform - and if I didn't, being a relatively new member wouldn't help much.

Anyway, I don't know all the features of this platform, but what I miss are the "sticky" posts. All the "yet another" (yes, that includes my first posts) would decline in number if there were some posts that inluded all that's been said on mics, pre-amps, monitors etc. (this would probably require an editor btw).

It'll be good for everyone:
1) New visitors get a good idea without having to ask questions since a great number of us have already asked those questions and they can read those responses.
2) The regulars won't be bothered by the "yet another" questions - looking at the feedback on my posts I'd draw the conclusion that not many are inclined to answer these type of questions unless you mention a > 1K budget (business is business).

My 2 (euro) cents...

IMHO, as far as stickies go all we would need is one to say "try our search function, it works great."

(Naturally) I don't agree. I've had several occasions where I got a "search is unavailable at this moment" error. Besides, if you're gonna search for "low budget quality studio monitors" you won't get any results - while these are typical newbie questions.

"Search" is great however for looking up all that's been said on a certain product.

Yup...faster here.

And I second Tubes sentiments...Easy to keep up here after being away for a few days. With other forums it can be like starting from scratch.

-Stixxs