New Bigger Faster More Powerful Server for BCM Forum and Website

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 24, 2018, 04:18:02 PM

After using this old server since the beginning of time, BCM just upgraded to a new server today. The new server has significantly more disk space and will be 8X faster than our old one. This will allow us the ability to make significant improvements over time to our website and the Forum that were not possible on the old server. We at BCM are always striving to improve your experience because unlike big companies, we appreciate your support.

We now have the server, but the painstaking process of moving all of our software over will be a two months process so please be patient. There may also be hiccups along the way but we always strive to keep disruptions at a minimum.

So the question is, now that we have a more modern server, that will allow us more functionality, what would you like to see improved/changed to make it easier and more useful for you, our users? We are open to ideas. Start queuing them up and we will see what we can do. We really want to keep our customers happy.

chessie4905 · March 24, 2018, 04:53:51 PM

Try to not to loose any archives. Less restriction on image size?

GnarlyBus · March 24, 2018, 06:13:41 PM

I second the request for larger image sizes. It seems that some people post to third party sites to get around the small image and overall limit per post, then when I check old threads the images are gone.

Also, an automatic image resizer would be really handy!

Oh and we should look into a way to add a Tip Jar or something like that that people like me can throw some money into when we receive valuable help for the people who frequent this forum. That would help keep up with hosting costs.

Thanks for improving the forum!

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 24, 2018, 06:19:28 PM

Quote from: GnarlyBus on March 24, 2018, 06:13:41 PM

Oh and we should look into a way to add a Tip Jar or something like that that people like me can throw some money into when we receive valuable help for the people who frequent this forum. That would help keep up with hosting costs.

Thanks for improving the forum!

The tip jar is already there. Sign up for a subscription. http://busconversionsstore.com/product-category/magazine-subscripton/

The Forum is supported by generous donations called Subscriptions.

eagle19952 · March 24, 2018, 06:20:56 PM

Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on March 24, 2018, 06:19:28 PM
The tip jar is already there. Sign up for a subscription. http://busconversionsstore.com/product-category/magazine-subscripton/ The Forum is supported by generous donations called Subscriptions.

or send bitcoins.

lvmci · March 24, 2018, 06:21:45 PM

Ditto on pictures or image resizer and thanks for investing in us, tom, lvmci...

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 24, 2018, 06:22:03 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on March 24, 2018, 06:20:56 PM
or send bitcoins.

Gold and Silver will be fine too.

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 24, 2018, 06:24:57 PM

Quote from: lvmci on March 24, 2018, 06:21:45 PM
Ditto on pictures or image resizer and thanks for investing in us, tom, lvmci...

This my pet peeve too folks. Drives me crazy to try to post a photo and then have to resize it over and over again to get it to upload. Previous size was limited due to the cost of addition disk space back then, but we should be able to increase the size significantly with our new server and new Forum Software. Mark Zuckerburg watch out!

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 24, 2018, 06:27:47 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on March 24, 2018, 04:53:51 PM
Try to not to loose any archives.

We have 368677 posts right now and we intend to keep every one of them. But after we get done, I will need a volunteer to compare the posts on the old website to the post on the new websites just to be sure we didn't miss any.

GnarlyBus · March 24, 2018, 08:02:22 PM

Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on March 24, 2018, 06:19:28 PM
The tip jar is already there. Sign up for a subscription. http://busconversionsstore.com/product-category/magazine-subscripton/ The Forum is supported by generous donations called Subscriptions.

Sure, I saw that coming.

Certainly subscriptions are great!

I think there are are people who would give to help keep the forum up but aren't going to subscribe to BCM. Then the subscription fees can go to support the magazine rather than supporting the forum which has a wider reach? Idk.

I've seen the tip jar concept on other forums and websites. I've kicked in on websites that had a tip jar that helped me delete some virus, solve some automotive problem, or provided entertainment on YouTube. I'm thinking it would be more geared towards people who don't login everyday or subscribe to the magazine.

Trying to be helpful, not critical. Just an idea that might help the forum pay for more of itself.

I really appreciate this place.

Scott & Heather · March 24, 2018, 08:18:38 PM

Hey please please somehow activate the "like" post feature we see on other forums. It would be nice to "like" certain posts. And please I beg you, keep Tapatalk support in place. Many of us use it extensively.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

windtrader · March 25, 2018, 10:01:39 AM

better image handling including easier and larger image uploads

oltrunt · March 25, 2018, 06:41:45 PM

All great suggestions. But for an old fart like me? I think i'm going to have stroke! Jack

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 25, 2018, 06:48:09 PM

Quote from: GnarlyBus on March 24, 2018, 08:02:22 PM
Sure, I saw that coming.

Certainly subscriptions are great!

I think there are are people who would give to help keep the forum up but aren't going to subscribe to BCM. Then the subscription fees can go to support the magazine rather than supporting the forum which has a wider reach? Idk.

I've seen the tip jar concept on other forums and websites. I've kicked in on websites that had a tip jar that helped me delete some virus, solve some automotive problem, or provided entertainment on YouTube. I'm thinking it would be more geared towards people who don't login everyday or subscribe to the magazine.

Trying to be helpful, not critical. Just an idea that might help the forum pay for more of itself.

I really appreciate this place.

Hummm. Never thought of a Tip Jar Windtrader and yes you are right, we estimate that about 95% of the folks on the Forum are not magazine subscribers. Bottom line, not many people are converting buses and this business loses money every month and the possibility is there that I may not be able to continue supporting it forever. You also make a good point, I can see where some folks are just not interested in the magazine but we have a lot of folks interested in the Forum and I would hate to see it go away. I even use it myself.

However I would never charge for using the Forum but you are right, just like NPR and Wikipedia, I donate a little bit to help chip in because I believe in them and want to support them. The Banner Ads and Google Ads are supposed to support this Forum but it costs a lot to support it. Phil works for basically peanuts which I deeply appreciate. Without him, there would be no Forum. He is the one responsible for keeping our up-time at over 99.9%, which he does behind the scenes which takes a lot of work.

So I will come up with a Tip Jar as you call it and if everyone who appreciates this Forum and wants it to continue, I will do something simple so those of you who want to help support this Forum can make a small donation and that money will go directly into supporting it so we can keep it going.

Thanks for the idea and this may be just what we need to keep this Forum going.

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · March 25, 2018, 06:50:06 PM

Quote from: Scott & Heather on March 24, 2018, 08:18:38 PM
Hey please please somehow activate the "like" post feature we see on other forums. It would be nice to "like" certain posts. And please I beg you, keep Tapatalk support in place. Many of us use it extensively.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Scott & Heather. There have been many times I want to hit the "Like" button too. I assume this will be built into the new software. Great idea.