TFM DF Migration FAQ

[RR]

Frequently Asked Questions about the TFM DF migration

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What is the migration all about?

We are retiring the flat, no-login style forums and moving to a new feature-rich TFM DF.

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Why are you doing it?

The TFM DF currently has no registration or login, and so the forum moderation was very difficult. The migration is done mainly to handle this, and keep the TFM DF a clean place for fun. The new TFM DF will also be feature-rich which means discussing TFM will be a new experience!

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Where will the new TFM DF be?

The new site will be on a phpBB based platform. It'll be on 'The Hub' co-hosted along with the new Forum Hub. For those who don't know, Forum Hub is one of the most active hubs for discussing tamils related topics. It is another site managed by yours truly the TFM Page team. Both sites have had many common visitors for a long time. Since there is going to registration in the new site, we thought it would be inconvenient if they have to access each site with the two id's. (there are some technical difficulties in just sharing user data between two sites.) We decided on a simple and neat solution: co-hosting.

It's at: http://new.tfmpage.com (Scroll down to see the 'TFM Page Related' category)

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How will this co-hosting affect me?

Nothing much, generally speaking. You''ll be able to view, post, start threads as before (though following a slightly different method).

Some concerns are

1. 'Disturbances' from some nasty forumhubbers: Forum Hub, incidentally, is also going thru a revamp. With the registration thing in, be rest assured that such elements will be taken care of. so, fear not.

2. TFM DF related forums getting lost in a huge maze of Hub index: We will have an interface almost similar to the current TFM DF. So you really won't feel much of a change in terms of view topics lists. In other words, we'll try to keep the transition smooth.

A vannila version is here: http://tfmpage.com/forum/new.html . Ultimately this page will replace the current DF.

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How do you plan to do it

We'll be doing it over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more.

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What will be the changes during/after the migration?

We are trying to keep the migration as smooth as possible. But intermittent troubles are to be expected. During migration, posting will be disabled. And, some topics may not be available for viewing.

You have to get used to the new style of posting and viewing the DF. It sounds a bit complicated at first, but after a few posts you'll find it user friendly. We'll try to help to shorten the learning curve.

Registration

First and foremost, you have to register to create topics or post replies. (But you can view all topics without registration.) Pl do it ASAP (link on top). It is FREE, just takes a few secs.

Topic list view

In addition to the new phpBB style of topic list view, we are trying to keep the old style of viewing topics: So you have the option of staying with current TFM DF topic browsing style, while also having phpBB features, etc. Best of both worlds!

Topics

As mentioned above, all good topics will be transfered. Every post will be transferred too, except if the topic has too many old responses, and requires lot of space. We'll just link it to old responses, in this case. We won't delete the files in old TFM DF for quite sometime.

Poster details

Unfortunately, your old names and emails cannot be linked your ids. So your 'No. of posts' in the new forum will not include your old posts. All the transferred posts will appear as posted by Oldposts.
The post details can be found in the subject of corresponding post, including time of post. Some details may have been truncated due to subject length limits.

Posting

You have to get used to the new method. See 'Welcome to the new TFM DF' thread.

Bookmarks

If you have bookmarked a page (i.e. added to Favorites), no need to worry. Once the new site comes up, it will be automatically redirected to the corresponding thread in new TFM DF.

These are the fundamental ones. Others will be posted in due course.

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What can I do to help you?

Get yourself registered first, and be patient :) There may be some hiccups initially, please bear with us.

Also help us do a stress test during the experimental phase by trying out all the features of the new forum and give us feedback.

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What if I have some other question?

Post here. Or 'pm' me (click button at the bottom of this post).

[*]

In the old DF, all bogus postors or those with other intentions could be traced with their IPs. I guess that wont be possible here. Do you have tracking methods to weed out the unruly elements? Or you will just ban those accounts?

[TISK]

Dear RR,
Congrats! Will you pl. transfer the Thiruvasakam in Symphony thread to this one please? It is in its final stages and would like to continue the topic for a few more weeks at least. Thanks.

[RR]

In the old DF, all bogus postors or those with other intentions could be traced with their IPs. I guess that wont be possible here. Do you have tracking methods to weed out the unruly elements? Or you will just ban those accounts?

IP's are visible to moderator & admin.

As for ban control, phpbb has a very comprehensive system in place. No worries. But keep us alerted on abuses, we look forward to your help.

[RR]

Dear RR,
Congrats! Will you pl. transfer the Thiruvasakam in Symphony thread to this one please? It is in its final stages and would like to continue the topic for a few more weeks at least. Thanks.

Thanks.
There are some concerns about the move to new site. So, we will continue at the old site for sometime (unless there's strong demand). Pls continue there. I hope you understand.

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Migration Plan

The permanent topics will be migrated first starting today. After the migration, the topics will automatically redirect to their respective new locations. The old pages/old responses will remain accessible in the archives.

List 1: Raga of songs, Old songs, Music Quiz. (Nov 3 8AM EST) - Done!
List 2: JFF,PP and few more.. Done!

[Thiru]

Thanks RR..

Just a quick tip for first time users. If a thread spans over a lot of pages, instead of clicking on next and going to the last page, you can sort the thread by selecting 'NEWEST FIRST' . This option will be found at the bottom of the thread. Doing this will sort the messages based on time posted and the most recent post will appear in the first page making ur life easier.. PM me if you need more info/tips :)

[RR]

Latest Migration Plan

The rest of TFM DF will be moved over Dec 25-26 EST. An initial set of topics (requested & some admin-picked) will be transferred first. All old pages will remain in the archives. So you can request for topics to be moved, later also.

The process will be:
1. Compile topics to transfer, during Dec 18-24.
2. Migration starts Dec 25.
3. At the end, old DF is replaced with the Lite version of new DF.
Check back the usual place, but you need to login for posting. Login is needed only once.

[jaiganes]

Hi,
I just want to know the status of existing topics in tfmpage? Are they being moved to the new hub?

Thanks,
Jaiganesh :?

[RR]

Update: Migration has finished, and a first batch of topics hae been moved. To request for any more topics to be moved, pls go here:

http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/viewtopic.php?t=1061
OR
http://forumhub.lunarpages.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=1061 (Lite view)