LPMuds.net Forum Software FAQ

Written by Cratylus @ Frontiers, October 2006

This is the ugliest forum software I have ever seen. Why don't you change it?

You are a tricksy trickster! This is not an LPC site, it is a Dead Souls site!


This is the ugliest forum software I have ever seen. Why don't you change it?

Ok, let me make a few points, which add up to the reason
we are where we are:

* I'm not a web developer *at all*. My idea of a well-designed
page is black text on a white background...period. 

* The LPMuds.net forums started up around the same time that the
LPUniversity forums died and LPU closed down. The Beehive software
was the thing I happened to be testing at that point. I realized there
was a pressing need to have forums available, so by happenstance
Beehive happened to draw the short straw.

* Because my aesthetics are simple to the point of primitivity, it
honestly never occurred to me that anyone would complain about the
forum software. I'm not kidding! To me, it's simple, it works, end of story.

* As more and more people gripe about the site, I realize there is
a general feeling of displeasure with the forum software. This is
supported by the informal poll held some weeks back.

* I take these complaints seriously, and for the past few weeks
have been working on trying out different webserver/database/forum
configs. I am, honestly, for real, developing a solution.

* This will take some time. It will take time because I
do not want to have to do it again, and I therefore will be making sure
that it is done right. Since this is my first entanglement with
forum software, I am learning as I work, which slows the process more.

* In theory I could scrap the current stuff and just put up new stuff
immediately. However, I feel very strongly that the site's success
relies on the faith people can have on the integrity of its 
continuity. I do not want to establish a reputation, right from the start, 
of a site that discards user data and forum content as convenience wills.

* Therefore part of the solution involves a migration plan for the
current database. Since there are limited automated options, I need
to teach myself sufficient SQL (of which I know nothing) to do this
properly. Again, this will take time.

* I look forward to this work. I am actually enjoying developing this
solution. I've wanted an excuse to learn database stuff, and this is
really a wonderful opportunity. You can expect that I will put the
same level of zeal into this solution as I have into the lib work
I've done.

* Those who know me know that I don't do empty promises. What I say
I will do, I do.

* However, most of my waking hours involve me working on things that
actually feed my family and shelter us from the elements. I can offer
you no timetables, nor a specific plan.

* What I can promise is that I will do my best, and I believe it will
suffice. Once I've got things roughly under control, I'll open a test
site where people can offer critiques and comments, etc. Obviously it
will not be possible to please everyone, but I will do my best to be
a responsive site admin.

* In the meantime, I ask for your patience. I'm scrupulously patient 
with LPC newbies. Please be patient with my admin site noobicity. We'll
get there, I promise.


You are a tricksy trickster! This is not an LPC site, it is a Dead Souls site!

There is no debate about what, as of this writing, is the overwhelming
content of the site: discussion of the Dead Souls 2 LP mudlib. I maintain
that lib, and I own this site. There is an obvious bias in the current
demographics of the site membership.

I mean...you know. Duh.

However, the point of my work has been not only a revival of Dead Souls, but
a revival of LPC by using Dead Souls as a tool to get to that renaissance.

Perhaps I am deluded in my belief that spreading popularity of Dead Souls
is a net plus for LPC. I grant you that. But don't doubt that this is my
honest belief. My maniacal fanaticism in support of Dead Souls should be
clear evidence that I may not be rational on this point, and merit a
little humoring.

That aside, I do think that a reliable, trustworthy site open to any and all 
LPC discussion is sorely needed, and I want to make it possible for that
site to be lpmuds.net. I have been making clear to everyone that all
LPC discussion, regardless of driver or lib, is welcome and encouraged,
and it is my hope that, though started as largely a DS support site, it
becomes a hub for activity and discussion of LPC of all persuasions.

Call me nutty or mistaken. But don't call me deceptive. I'm up front about
what I'm trying to do, and people can decide for themselves whether 
they like it.