Progress? We're waiting...

[yhiaali3]

Man, feels like my Grand kids will be the ones to enjoy the new forum software that is, provided the tech behind its build isn't old by the time of it's release 

I remember when I registered for the first time in the forum, I asked the older members if the forum would be updated, and they told me that a new version of the forum was under development. I was very happy.

It's been about 5 years since then, I'm close to 50 and I'm still waiting, I hope I can use the new forum before the day I die

Is there anything new?

[Upgrade00]

It's been about 5 years since then, I'm close to 50 and I'm still waiting,

I registered around the same time and also met the same talk about the new forum software being ready "soon". Comparing the talk about it then with now, it's obvious a lot of users are no longer anticipating it and have resigned to the fact that it would my be ready soon.

Let's give it the next 5 years and see what progress we make.

[TheBeardedBaby]

I'll echo what I said many times before. Theymos wants us (the users) to test the forum software and when most of the bugs are fixed then maybe we can see it coming to life here...
For me, paid testers would do much more efficient work in a shorter time frame, but that's just me

[logfiles]

I'll echo what I said many times before. Theymos wants us (the users) to test the forum software and when most of the bugs are fixed then maybe we can see it coming to life here...
For me, paid testers would do much more efficient work in a shorter time frame, but that's just me

I would be more than willing to test or report any bugs, but only if we were doing via the current forum and I believe most members would do the same... Not registering a new account on another new forum. Obviously, I may personally have no time for that

I still wonder why Theymos won't do this.

[Synchronice]

I'll echo what I said many times before. Theymos wants us (the users) to test the forum software and when most of the bugs are fixed then maybe we can see it coming to life here...
For me, paid testers would do much more efficient work in a shorter time frame, but that's just me

I think that theymos has forum funds and manages to host this forum and keep it alive but it looks like the situation here is following: Here is the forum, now, users, take care of it, you are open to get some data or scrap this forum, sort it, manage it and create new tools.
So, right now, I think that the only way to get new forum software is if developers that are also active on this forum, decide to work on Epochtalk, improve it, add new features, do testing, etc and get a like/approve from theymos. Then, we may get a new forum software, before that, I think we have to just willingly use an old SMF.

[logfiles]

So, right now, I think that the only way to get new forum software is if developers that are also active on this forum, decide to work on Epochtalk, improve it, add new features, do testing, etc and get a like/approve from theymos. Then, we may get a new forum software, before that, I think we have to just willingly use an old SMF.

I have been seeing activity from the server repositories for quite some time as there is a bot that keeps making updates in the discord server. I am not sure how long it will take, but the other two forums I know that were created by members to do some testing are inactive at the moment. In fact, one of them is even probably offline (it was not able to load it)

So after the server part is set up, I wonder what the next step would be. A road map would really come in handy here.

[TheBeardedBaby]

I think I'll just leave this here, it's old but I guess theymos has not changed his mind yet so...

The software is substantially complete. The main period of development was a while ago; the current work is mainly just maintenance & relatively minor improvements. Try running it yourself and you'll find that it's working, fast, and nearly feature-complete.

The things blocking a transition from the current software to the new software are:
 - There hasn't been enough testing. I think that immediately after transition, a variety of small missed features, bugs, and performance issues would crop up. As a result, if the transition happened now (which is technically possible!), I'd expect the post-transition user experience to be poor for months while these things are fixed, which I don't want.
 - I am the only bitcointalk.org sysadmin and on-demand programmer, and I'm used to the current software. Furthermore, I need to frequently make changes to the current software, but each change I make might require alterations to Epochtalk, which is problematic.
 - The current PHP software, while ugly and sub-optimal in many ways, performs well, especially since I have extensively modified the backend to add features and improve performance. So I don't feel much urgency.
 - The data-transition procedure still has a few known minor bugs.
 
We continue to work on these issues. I think that ultimately I may need to hire one or more full-time people, since a big problem is that the full transition is likely to create a ton of work which I won't be able to effectively handle alone.

The software is not vaporware (it's long existed in a runnable state, and is currently basically feature-complete), and is not abandoned (look at the git commit log). If anyone is unhappy with the progress, I invite them to take the Epochtalk code and create a competing forum with it; since they won't have to worry about the transition issues, they'd have a much easier time, and their testing will also end up helping us.

In short: If you want the software quicker, go run your own forum with it, and work to get any problems or missing features you find resolved via bug reports, etc. This would increase public interest, provide much-needed testing, and I might even hire you to work on bitcointalk.org when we're ready to do the final transition here.

[L4rs_]

Yeah a more modern forum software would be very nice for how big this community is
Just look at top left of the site, I mean it's 2023

[Stalker22]

~
Just look at top left right of the site, I mean it's 2023

There! I fixed it for you. 

[L4rs_]

~
Just look at top left right of the site, I mean it's 2023

There! I fixed it for you. 

Hahaha
Yeah I meant the "menu" with the small bar and the general appearance and usability, I mean it's crazy for such a big forum like bitcointalk.org that it runs of software from 2006-2009

[logfiles]

Hahaha
Yeah I meant the "menu" with the small bar and the general appearance and usability, I mean it's crazy for such a big forum like bitcointalk.org that it runs of software from 2006-2009

Lucky for you. You have been here a few days. Now imagine those who have waited for the new forum software since somewhere in 2014?

Yes! The new forum software that has no yet been integrated into bitcoin forum is making a decade next year. It might be worth celebrating  

[L4rs_]

Does bitcointalk.org have an owner or how development can be so dead?
I mean it can't be impossible to upgrade/merge it into something better, even changing some HTML/CSS would help to improve the user experience.
Never seen such a big forum that neglected xD

[BenCodie]

Does bitcointalk.org have an owner or how development can be so dead?
I mean it can't be impossible to upgrade/merge it into something better, even changing some HTML/CSS would help to improve the user experience.
Never seen such a big forum that neglected xD

The current forum isn't neglected. Members like PowerGlove are continually contributing to new patches and improvements to the base SMF 1.1.19 software which are implemented by theymos from time to time.

From what I can see about the new forum software, they took up a big mission too early, they failed, now the project is in limbo. Maybe one day it will be picked back up and there will be a mirror with new and revolutionary software, though it seems like a pipe dream at this point or else I am sure there would be some update since the new forum software was funded by a lot of the community.

I don't think anyone should expect that the highly modified SMF 1.1.19 software will be completely replaced in the future. I think that would be a big shot in the foot as the majority of the community love the forum the way it is.

[logfiles]

Does bitcointalk.org have an owner or how development can be so dead?

Yes, the forum has an administrator who is technically the owner as of today. The development doesn't seem "dead" but it's painfully slow and one of the reasons is probably because the admin is reluctant to let go the current forum set up which he feels is efficient and secure.

Just read up the thread, you will see some quotes from the admin himself about why things are probably not being worked on so fast.

[L4rs_]

Ok I get it. In the end it's whatever and I mean it's not that slow + most likely secure. Switching/improving forum may be a hard task anyway but I just thought that the forum could be improved even by simple HTML/CSS improvements like f.e a logo, bigger menu, etc

[titular]

I think that would be a big shot in the foot as the majority of the community love the forum the way it is.

It is essential to consider the potential ramifications of implementing forum software changes at this stage. The majority of our users have developed a high degree of proficiency and comfort with the existing software, making a transition to a new forum with unfamiliar features a potentially vexing endeavor. It is noteworthy that those advocating for the new forum software primarily do so on a principled basis rather than practical necessity. Consequently, the prospect of discontent and disruption among a substantial portion of the user base looms large, underscoring the need for a deliberate and judicious approach to ensure a harmonious transition that respects the established user preferences and expectations.

[logfiles]

It is essential to consider the potential ramifications of implementing forum software changes at this stage. The majority of our users have developed a high degree of proficiency and comfort with the existing software, making a transition to a new forum with unfamiliar features a potentially vexing endeavor.

So what was the point of spending lots of bitcoins in developing a new forum software if the transition was going to be a problem?

It is noteworthy that those advocating for the new forum software primarily do so on a principled basis rather than practical necessity. Consequently, the prospect of discontent and disruption among a substantial portion of the user base looms large, underscoring the need for a deliberate and judicious approach to ensure a harmonious transition that respects the established user preferences and expectations.

We live in changing times. Change is inevitable. Which is why when you are renting a place that doesn't seem to suit your demands and lifestyle needs as you grow, you "painfully" transfer to a new place, the whole process may be bothersome, but it's worth it at the end.

[titular]

So what was the point of spending lots of bitcoins in developing a new forum software if the transition was going to be a problem?

We live in changing times. Change is inevitable. Which is why when you are renting a place that doesn't seem to suit your demands and lifestyle needs as you grow, you "painfully" transfer to a new place, the whole process may be bothersome, but it's worth it at the end.

From a principled standpoint, I fully concur. Individuals have invested financial resources to support the implementation of the new forum software, and it is only fitting that they receive commensurate rewards.

From a pragmatic perspective, could you elaborate on the specific 'demands' that this forum presently fails to address for you? What functionalities or features do you find lacking in the current forum software that you want to see implemented?

[Gragebox]

I rather they take their time and make sure it works well, and it's secure, work is progressing on GitHub so not that they are not working on it either.

[logfiles]

From a pragmatic perspective, could you elaborate on the specific 'demands' that this forum presently fails to address for you? What functionalities or features do you find lacking in the current forum software that you want to see implemented?

Not just to me, but to many other members too.

Things like 2-factor authentication, the outdated search button etc. I would like to challenge you. Just look through this New forum software board and you will see very many suggestions from different members about different features

You can also look at this - Current requirements

I rather they take their time and make sure it works well, and it's secure, work is progressing on GitHub so not that they are not working on it either.

I guess you wouldn't mind if the forum software is ready for use after 20–30 years