Massive Free Republic Changes

[John Robinson]

There will be some massive changes to Free Republic from now through the end of the year. I'll quickly iterate those changes now.

1. Most important, on the 27th, Free Republic will be down while I move my network along with Free Republic to a new host. We're moving from UUNET to Verio. This in itself is a massive undertaking, and availability of the site may be intermittent. We will use all available resources to mitigate outtage. Verio underbid UUNET by about $17,500 on a one-year contract, so this is really worth it. ;-) Overall, bandwidth will be less expensive 2002 by about $25,000 which will be passed straight to Free Republic.

2. I'm making massive changes to the structure of the database, will be replacing the posting program, and the latest posts program. While I'm converting the database and working out bugs some features may be down. Hopefully for not too long.

3. When Free Republic's new posting program is online, the routine to post an article will be different. First, an article will be indexed into many topics. So instead of a pulldown to select the topic, there is a field where you can list as many topics as you feel appropriate. And at any time later an article can be added to additional topics.

   Second, no more "Category" and "Section". Both have been replaced by the extended topic system.

   Third, the posting of an article and a comment have been decoupled.

   Fourth, there will be different types of articles you can start. Shouldn't really call these articles anymore, discussions is a better term. The very basic "Discussion" requires just a topic, title, and body. "Article" requires topic, title, body, source, source url, etc. Some topics may not allow some types of discussions. There will be only 'article' type threads in "Breaking News" for example.

4. The topic system in general will be completely changed. Once again you will be able to create your own topics. But to keep the topics from becoming the anarchy they were before my 1999 changes, all topics will live in topic groups. Those groups: General Interest (all existing topics); Highlights (Breaking News, Extended News, etc -- these are their own topic now); Hot Topics (current interests, such as Anthrax Scare, etc.); Local Topics (These will replace the Locales); User Defined (a sea of Freeper topics.)

5. Bump Lists will be integrated with the new topic system. Bang_List could have its own topic.

6. It will be possible to host many forums within Free Republic. Each forum would have its own management features, user list (with independent user levels), moderators, etc. Some forums may be private, some may be created for special projects, some may just be alternatives to Free Republic.

7. Finding articles should be much easier. There will be a title search, you will be able to list articles in a specific topic, or with a specific keyword. Maybe full searching of the article itself or its comments. (Looking for the right technology.) And Author and Source searches will work again.

8. Sidebars. Any topic can be added to your collection of sidebars.

9. There are more features, but I'm really pressed for time. :-)

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

there you have it.

Did you use to be the Austrian Emperor Joseph (from Amadeus)?

[ValerieUSA]

Wow, you are a busy boy! The changes sound super. I love Free Republic and FREEPERS! Merry Christmas!

[Luis Gonzalez]

Thanks for the heads up John.

Could you figure out a way to return to an article once you've sent a private reply, rather than going through the mail, comments, self-search and THEN back to the article?

[mountaineer]

The AFholes continue to demonstrate their singleminded hatred. LOL, you've been branded a fundraising shill by the pathetic on their lonely little site ---> Email: lotf2000@yahoo.com

[Mikey]

Hey you guys aren't going PC are you?

[runningbear]

I'm going to have withdrawals when you are down... :o(

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you John Robinson for all you do.

Thanks RonDog for helping with the Canteen so much.

[carenot]

I don't like the changes that have already been made.

Why do y'all keep fixin' somthing that ain't broke?

[Snow Bunny]

Bump for information

[CounterCounterCulture]

I usually just open EVERYTHING in a new window

[maestro]

Thank you, John!
A very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and the whole Family!!

[beckett]

Some forums may be private, some may be created for special projects, some may just be alternatives to Free Republic.

This feature could destroy Free Republic. I hope you have thought it through.

[lkside]

....When this is down... why don't we all go over to DU and "play"... I got kicked off there, AGAIN, for the 4th time last week. Still have a few more acc't names to use!

[1John]

Forget what I just said and just go HERE to download that free Mac SpellChecker.

[Concentrate]

I miss the old FR. There's just noting you can do about growth. Des anyone know of a good site where comments are more than sound bites? Please link. Thanks.

[Wordsmith]

bump for later

[John Robinson]

Well, if you had your own forum, you could only nuke or ban a member from your forum. What you do would not affect the other forums.