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 Both have been replaced by the extended topic system.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. :-)

[John Robinson]

Yes, I meant the inline definition.

I forget what they are, I think maybe top, left, etc, but you can definately move a styled item anywhere on the page. People were using this trick to graffiti the top of articles.

I think Laz might know what I'm talking about.

[supercat]

I forget what they are, I think maybe top, left, etc, but you can definately move a styled item anywhere on the page. People were using this trick to graffiti the top of articles.

I agree that would be a problem if the effects can't be contained in a [table] or [div]. Still, I hope you realize that inline style attributes are a sufficiently useful function that they should be restored as expiditiously as can be done safely.

[TigersEye]

FYL

[AGreatPer]

What ever you have to do John. Behind you all the way. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[Incorrigible]

Wow! All on mySQL? Oh my! :-)

[EternalVigilance]

Thanks once again for all of your hard work on our behalf...we'll keep you in our prayers even more in the next few days...

BTW...during the last remodeling project, you mentioned the possibility that you were developing the capability for us to use FR as an email address. Any progress on that idea??

You're the best John, and we appreciate you.

May all of God's blessings of love, joy and peace be yours in the days ahead.

[reg45]

choose your time zone, though its only good from maine to hawaii

Consider adding UTC/GMT/Zulu for the benefit of those in the armed forces or overseas. Thanks.

[reg45]

It's easy (unless you are the recent product of a government school) UUNET's 2002 bid was $7500 less than last year's bid. Verio's 2002 bid was $17500 less than UUNET's 2002 bid. Making Verio's 2002 bid $25000 less than UUNET's 2001 bid.

[jjbrouwer]

Merry Christmas to the Robinson family.

And here is hoping for a Commonwealth FreeRepublic spin-off in the New Year. (Discussed earlier on the thread).

Some of us will pay for it if required.

Best wishes, Jules.

[peabers]

Bum licker.

[jjbrouwer]

Being an Aussie you will be the only one who refuses to pay so I suppose I will have to cough up your share too.

[klee]

Some of us will pay for it if required. Best wishes, Jules.

Jules admitting to praying? Wow, he really does want this thing going ahead.

[MeekOneGOP]

Massive Free Republic Changes

Reminder/warning to all FReep-a-holics (like me!):
. . .on the 27th, Free Republic will be down while I move my network along with Free Republic to a new host.
:o(
. . .long term, it's a GOOD thing!

[PhiKapMom]

Going to be a long day on the 27th! I automatically click on FR when I log on to see what is going on! Hope the 27th is a very quiet day because I would hate to depend on the news media for my news that day if something happened!

[phalynx]

John, I hope you will have better luck with Verio than I did. I have pulled my last server from Verio to never do direct business with them again. Verio has, probably, the worst billing department in the world next to MCI/Worldcom.

I hope that your attorneys have reviewed and removed the clause in the contract that allows Verio to disconnect any services that could be considered harmful.
There is also a nice clause about all legal fees to be paid by you and all disputes settled by arbitration.

I hope the best for FR cause I love this place. I hope it will be great,,,,

[No!]

Ping... (for new search!) :)

[kayak]

bttt

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Keep this baby bumped, unless they start a new thread on the subject.
THE WORLD COMES TO AN END TOMORROW
(Free Republic offline for a day)

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Bump!!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Bump!!