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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 26, 4:32am
Post #1 of 23
(1218 views)
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1-25-26 ANNOUNCEMENT - BOARDS MIGRATING TO NEW PLATFORM
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Greetings!
Everyone here is aware how slow the boards have been. Thanks to all of you for persevering to get in! This is to let you know that help is on the way!
In the next 4-6 weeks these forums will be migrated to a new cloud software platform: Xenforo. Once migrated, through an agreement with TORn, Xenforo will take care of all data storage and software updates on the back end. I will still be the ‘Superuser’ and administer the forums on a day-to-day basis, along with the current forum admins.
Why is this necessary? The old Gossamer Forum software is no longer compatible with modern SSL server standards, so the current boards cannot run on TORn’s newer server. The old server is old and rickety and needs to be retired. In addition, the forum developers stopped supporting Gforum years ago, so it eventually became outdated, and unable to defend against modern, sophisticated internet bots that slowed the site down significantly.
The good news is that all of the threads, posts, private messages, and user information on these boards since their inception in 2007 will be migrated, so none of it will be lost! The only thing that will not migrate is passwords. So, you will eventually have to log in and create a new password once the migration is complete.
Unfortunately, the one thing we’re going to unavoidably lose is ‘threaded’ mode. Some of you will rejoice at this, while others will gnash your teeth. But the sad fact is that only a very few forum platforms offer it any more, and those that do take someone with developer skills who can dedicate themselves to set-up and maintenance. Also, they don’t offer migration services, so we’d have to start over from square one.
Therefore, Xenforo is really the best option. To be sure, it will take some getting used to, but having newer and more robust features will make it well worth it. There *is* a ‘in reply to’ feature that will help keep track of the conversations.
Check back here for updates. If you can’t get in, you can email me at altaira@theonering.net with any questions. But, keep in mind that we’re still at the very initial stages of getting this going, so I don’t have any answers to questions about how things will look or work. I’m guessing that will take at least 3-4 weeks, and will also all be laid out in a new board FAQ.
Keep persevering, and we’ll have shiny, new forums soon!
(This post was edited by Altaira on Jan 26, 5:44am)
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jan 26, 7:30pm
Post #2 of 23
(1152 views)
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What a monumental Quest! That TORn can be saved is such a relief. And that the guts of our Community since 2007 can also be saved has put a huge smile of relief on this ol' gammer's face, though it sounds like the posts previous to 2007 won't make the trip. *sniffle* Still... this is a fair trade, imho!
Praise our TORn home and Admins with great praise!!! 
 
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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Lissuin
Doriath
Jan 27, 3:40am
Post #3 of 23
(1143 views)
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That is, indeed, good news and worthy of a toast with the best ale in the Shire.
[Inline Hobbitcheer.jpeg]
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Lissuin
Doriath
Jan 27, 3:50am
Post #4 of 23
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That is, indeed, good news and worthy of a toast with the best ale in the Shire!
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Felagund
Mithlond
Jan 28, 1:57pm
Post #5 of 23
(1130 views)
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Not sure if this migration is the cause but most of my login attempts are resulting in a 'You are banned' notice. If I've been actually banned, then that's on me but the Internet tells me that this is a relatively common problem for Message Board denizens. Is there anything you can do in the interim to help?
Cheers in advance!
Welcome to the Mordorfone network, where we put the 'hai' back into Uruk
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NottaSackville
Doriath
Jan 28, 2:46pm
Post #6 of 23
(1122 views)
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It's such a gift to have so many people that are still willing to spend the time and effort to keep our little community going. Your work is greatly appreciated!
Happiness: money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important and so are friends, while envy is toxic -- and so is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude. - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner as summarized by Lily Fairbairn. And a bit of the Hobbit reading thrown in never hurts. - NottaSackville
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Jan 28, 6:15pm
Post #7 of 23
(1111 views)
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And I'm glad to see that the 'bots have been beaten back for now.
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 28, 9:02pm
Post #8 of 23
(1103 views)
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Banning legitimate users is accidental (and a note on vpns)
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First off, you for sure haven't been banned.
To fight the bots, I have to ban IP address ranges because they're so sophisticated now that their IP address changes slightly with every click they make. But, the first group of numbers is usually the same, or very similar.
As most of the bots are from China, India, etc., it's usually safe to do it that way because the chances of accidentally banning a legitimate user is low. However, it's not zero. In fact, I've accidentally banned myself several times because even static IP addressed change periodically! 
I'll look into it and tweak things which should fix it. 
Also, a note to anyone who uses a vpn to protect your browsing location: sometimes IP address vpns use to mask your location may, temporarily, be in a banned range. The solution is either to close your browser and re-open it, or turn off the vpn while using TORn. Not sure how the new forums will handle this, but it may not be an issue soon. That's a bridge we'll cross in the near future.
(This post was edited by Altaira on Jan 28, 9:20pm)
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cats16
Gondolin
Feb 2, 8:52pm
Post #9 of 23
(1029 views)
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Thanks so much for the update!
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Sounds like great things are coming soon - very exciting! Thanks so you and everyone behind the scenes sorting it all out.
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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noWizardme
Gondolin
Feb 5, 5:13pm
Post #10 of 23
(994 views)
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Best of luck with the migration to the new software...
[In reply to]
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Best of luck with the migration to the new software. And thank you to all those doing the work!
~~~~~~
"I am not made for querulous pests." Frodo 'Spooner' Baggins.
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Meneldor
Doriath
Feb 8, 7:08pm
Post #11 of 23
(961 views)
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Not sure if this migration is the cause but most of my login attempts are resulting in a 'You are banned' notice. If I've been actually banned, then that's on me but the Internet tells me that this is a relatively common problem for Message Board denizens. Is there anything you can do in the interim to help?
Cheers in advance! I think it's been more than a month since I was able to even read here. It's still very slow and glitchy today. I'm looking forward to the move.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
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Lossefalme
Mithlond
Feb 16, 10:34pm
Post #12 of 23
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All good info and it IS time for an update. I appreciate all of your hard work and care!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of Andúril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. “Elendil!” he cried. “I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil’s son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!” TTT, Book III, Chapter 2
And Éomer answered: “Since the day when you rose before me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and that love shall not fail.” RotK, Book VI, Chapter 5
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Finding Frodo
Dor-Lomin
Feb 21, 2:12am
Post #13 of 23
(700 views)
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I’m delighted to learn that I didn’t accidentally offend someone and lose my TORnsibs, even though I’m not around much. Thank you, Admins!
Where's Frodo?
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Feb 22, 9:32pm
Post #14 of 23
(610 views)
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I kinda liked getting the "You have been banned" notice
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Normally it's a lotta work to get banned from TORN. You have to say things like:- "There are too many women in LOTR, and all the men are wimps."
- "The best wizard in LOTR is Obi Wan Kenobi."
- "I hope Frodo's ship to the West hit an iceberg and sank."
I've said stuff like that for years, and just get a "tsk tsk," but suddenly I used a VPN, and it's ban-dom for me. Who knew it was so easy?
Jokes aside, I hope the migration work is going well, and thanks to all involved. Don't talk to any Black Riders on empty country roads as you migrate or pick up any shiny golden rings!
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Jeremy
Ossiriand
Feb 28, 4:02pm
Post #15 of 23
(474 views)
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XenForo is very functional forum software and it will be a great upgrade for TORn!
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Eldy
Dor-Lomin
Mar 2, 12:10am
Post #16 of 23
(459 views)
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... that the 2007–present "newboards" will be carried over, rather than this being a hard reset. I'd understand if that was necessary, of course, but this way is the best of both worlds. Thank you to everyone involved!
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Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Mar 2, 9:01pm
Post #17 of 23
(436 views)
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I suggest starting a TORn "banned" garage band. Or
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a very long thread on all possible ban-related puns.
Or, a discussion on all things "banning" in the Legendarium.
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Tintallë
Mithlond
Mar 5, 5:01am
Post #18 of 23
(433 views)
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First time in a very long time!
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And, it seems, just in time for this announcement of a change.
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Roheryn
Dor-Lomin
Mar 11, 10:02pm
Post #19 of 23
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would be Split Entz. Or possibly Mordorhead. 
(These boards have gotten sooo slow! Great to see that they're getting a much-needed migration.)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 12, 3:24pm
Post #20 of 23
(332 views)
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Aulesmith. And of course, the Eagles.
Great to see you, Ro, I hope all is well with the family!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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CuriousG
Gondolin
Mon, 7:24pm
Post #21 of 23
(229 views)
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That begs the question every fan labors over: why didn't The Eagles take the One Ring on tour with them to sing backup??? Dang, now I'll never fall asleep tonight.
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Lissuin
Doriath
11:28am
Post #22 of 23
(121 views)
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Fletwood Mac, you've been banned from Lórien.
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That's alright. Don't stop. Go your own way!
(Oh, gee whiz! It feels sooo good to finally be able to pun at you guys again! Missed y'all! )
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
1:53pm
Post #23 of 23
(78 views)
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Don't get hit by the Rolling Stones off Caradhras!
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Gimmie shelter for the Fellowship!
Don't start me up about this, cuz you'll get no satisfaction there! Then again, like Saruman found out... you can't always get what you want.
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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