Feb 20, 2010: New Database Server

[arn]

We're running on a new database server. There may be some residual issues. If so, please let me know here.

arn

 

[pknz]

Forum Spy doesn't seem to be updating at the moment.

 

[techfreak85]

Forum Spy doesn't seem to be updating at the moment.

Same here.

 

[arn]

thanks. spy should be working now.

arn

 

[techfreak85]

thanks. spy should be working now.

arn

Works great now. Thanks.

 

[mac88]

Everything seems ok.

 

[celticpride678]

So, is it that the database ran out of space and that's causing the slowness issues? Also, the Forum Spy is working now.

 

[arn]

no, the disk space issue wasn't directly responsible. we just outgrew the previous server and may be adding another one soon. We'll see how this changeup goes.

arn

 

[techfreak85]

How about updating to a newer version of VB while your at it?

 

[arn]

How about updating to a newer version of VB while your at it?

ya, that's on the list too. soon, I hope.

arn

 

[celticpride678]

ya, that's on the list too. soon, I hope.

arn

And maybe a new theme?

 

[arn]

And maybe a new theme?

new forum theme's further down the line, not on the list at the moment

arn

 

[techfreak85]

Say you move to vB v.4, would you use the CMS built into it for the Front Page vs keeping the the other front end like Wordpress (or whatever you use)?

 

[yg17]

ya, that's on the list too. soon, I hope.

arn

Just my advice, hold off on vB 4 for awhile. I've helped migrate a site to it and there are still a lot of bugs, even in 4.0.2. IMO it should still be in beta status, it definitely feels like it was rushed. I would wait until 4.1, or at least wait for a couple more minor point releases for them to get the kinks worked out.

 

[richard.mac]

i have noticed that the forum has been slow or down a few times this month with the most recent downtime about an hour ago, most probably due to configuring the new database.

seems to be ok now. good luck and thanks for the upgrades!

 

[arn]

Say you move to vB v.4, would you use the CMS built into it for the Front Page vs keeping the the other front end like Wordpress (or whatever you use)?

Just my advice, hold off on vB 4 for awhile. I've helped migrate a site to it and there are still a lot of bugs, even in 4.0.2. IMO it should still be in beta status, it definitely feels like it was rushed. I would wait until 4.1, or at least wait for a couple more minor point releases for them to get the kinks worked out.

We're not going to 4.0, and even if we did, we wouldn't use their CMS.

The biggest hurdle in upgrading is supporting search on these forums. vBulletin's search doesn't scale well for large forums, so we're dependent on some hacks which can be version dependent.

arn

 

[techfreak85]

We're not going to 4.0, and even if we did, we wouldn't use their CMS.

The biggest hurdle in upgrading is supporting search on these forums. vBulletin's search doesn't scale well for large forums, so we're dependent on some hacks which can be version dependent.

arn

So then, would it be possible to switch the entire search function over to MRoogle instead of relying vB's junky search?

 

[arn]

So then, would it be possible to switch the entire search function over to MRoogle instead of relying vB's junky search?

i don't see how google search is better, and is already an option under the search menu.

arn

 

[techfreak85]

Ok, well, I'll just keep on using MRoogle.
Also, something I just noticed, the favicon is gone. Just on the forums. I assume this is from the update.

 

[arn]

Ok, well, I'll just keep on using MRoogle.

google search is the same (if you are searching the forums)

 

[twoodcc]

just curious, but how big is the database?

 

[Angelo95210]

Works well for me. Seems like a welcomed upgrade... This forum was sometimes so slow !

 

[GGJstudios]

When clicking a link to "Find all threads started by" on any user profile page, I get this:

​

It doesn't happen when clicking "Find all posts by".

Isolated glitch? Or something you should attend to?

just curious, but how big is the database?

I would think that is proprietary information.

 

[RedTomato]

i don't see how google search is better, and is already an option under the search menu.

Not Google search. MRoogle which is google tweaked with several MR-custom options. And yes, it is far, far, far better than the VB search. I don't think you yourself use the VB search much, or you would realise how dire it is.

Another bonus - using MRoogle will take some load off your servers.

No need to take my word for it. Ask around the mods and subscribers, maybe poll them?

 

[angelwatt]

Not Google search. MRoogle which is google tweaked with several MR-custom options. And yes, it is far, far, far better than the VB search. I don't think you yourself use the VB search much, or you would realise how dire it is.

The Google search on MR does essentially the same thing as what MRoogle does, it adds the argument "site:forums.macrumors.com" to the search. MRoogle just offers those little links above the search box that help refine the search to one area of the site. That's all.