Hello Guys,

So here we are... I'm starting to work on the new version of the forum (gopinball) and the tables list (currently pinsimdb).

Here are my current thoughts about what should be done:
We will only use one domain - gopinball.com
The forum address will probably be "forum.gopinball.com"
The table list will probably be "pinsimdb.gopinball.com" - the domain "pinsimdb.com" will be kept for a short period (for search engines) - it will only redirect permanently to the new address.
There will be a default page at "www.gopinball.com" which will display a message and links to the forum and the table list. Maybe some news (IF people are motivated to maintain it - I don't have time or motivation to do it).
TO DISCUSS: if people are interested / motivated, I can install a wiki software (with an adress learn.gopinball.com for example). I insist, people MUST be motivated (I won't maintain / fill it). The idea is to organize all the help about FP / BAM (setup, howtos and so on...).
Regarding the chat, we should probably have a discord.

We will migrate in multiple phases (no fixed planning AND I will do it in my free time and motivation ):
Phase 1: short term.
- Test migration of the forum software to the latest PHPBB version and installs it in the test. Depending on my health (I think I have a flu), I will give it a try this week-end.
- Test everything works (Some of you are going to be involved in the testing process, some volunteers?).
- Make a new theme for PHPBB (see below - by the way, I'm not a graphic guy at all - pinsimdb is the best I can do ).
- Make the new forum public (there will be probably a short period of downtime)

Phase 2: mid term.
I'm developping (in very early stage) a new version of pinsimdb. It will be way lighter in functionnalities (it will probably have only the table list, table details, comments and downloads) but will use a powerfull search engine (elasticsearch for those who knows it).

Phase 3: wiki?

For the first phase, I need some help from you:
Is someone able to create a logo for GOPINBALL and a general color scheme to apply on the forum / table list (nothing to fancy, please avoid background images - only flat colors, maybe some shadows and color gradients, but I prefer not)
Choose a template for the forum, I particularly like this one:
1. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1436

But I'm open on discussion for these too:
2. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1261
3. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1296
4. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1306
5. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1546
6. https://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo/3.2/b ... style=1576

Which one do you prefer? Should I do a poll for this?

Now, I'm waiting for your thoughts about all this.
Best,
Alex

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Hi Alex,

it seems very good ! It's time to renew gopinball & psdb
I like the first template too.


LvR

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PinSimDB.org projects : PinSimDB.org - FPM Editor - FPWine - Speed Devils table

All the templates are OK for me.
And OK to test (when I am at home, I left my home 2-3 days every two weeks).
And a big OK if the new forum have no spams (or few).
And a big thank for your past work and also for your future work.
And, at last, take your time...

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Les cons ça ose tout. C'est même à  ça qu'on les reconnaît.
My tables avalaible at http://www.pinsimdb.org/fpreleases/ and http://www.irpinball.org/


Le prix s'oublie, la qualité reste

Personally I prefer number "1296" but it is not that important.

I think we should use a single name for both the table posting site and the forum. For the name of the forum, we should just add "Forum" to the base name we select. We can use any one of these 3 options for combination of names:

1) "PinSimDB" and "PinSimDB Forum"
2) "PinSim Database" and "PinSim Forum"
3) "GoPinball Database" and "GoPinball Forum"

I think this is necessary to make sure new members understand that both sites are connected. It would even be more desirable to have a single site for both although I recognize it may not be possible.

This is a basic "branding" concept used in marketing.

George

I agree, that's why I proposed GoPinball.com as the main name and subdomains for the forum and the list (forum.gopinball.com / pinsimdb.gopinball.com), this will be clarified in the header of the page (which will be the same for both "sites").

So:
GoPinball Forum
GoPinball Tables database (or Tables vault, Tables list, Pinball Simulation DB...)
GoPinball Knowledge Base (for a Wiki if we ever built one)

Any graphics artist willing to help?

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OK. I'm good with that.

George

Count me in thanks Alex !

This all sounds great Alex! I'll certainly be contributing. Any chance Steve Paradis is still willing to help out? I think his graphic design work is the best, so much better than I could ever do.

Excuse my ignorance. What formats do they need? What extensions? What words?

Greetings

Gianfranco

GianFranco, the idea is to have a basic colour scheme and a logo to put in the forum header (we can't use anymore the banner created by Steve Paradis because it uses the flash (swf) plugin).
So you only need some photoshop skills (or Gimp or whatever graphics software you prefer).

Here is what I have done so far (since this morning):
- I have installed the current version of the forum on my machine
- I tested the migration procedure from the current version (3.0.x) to the newest PHPBB (3.2.5) and make the recaptcha working (google captcha solution) . The forum is now working pretty good on my machine.
- I have installed a theme and customized it a bit. This version of PHPBB is fully responsive which means you can display it on any device, the layout of the site will automatically adapt its content to fit your screen.

See attachments for screenshots of current progress.

So what I need is someone with graphics skills that can customize the header (create a logo) and redefine the colour scheme (because it's very ... grey for the moment).
I do prefer light colours (the current dark style is very bad for my eyes - way too much contrast).
If you only know photoshop, it's not a problem, I can modify the CSS. Simply use the screenshots in attachments (or ask me whatever you need).

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