Can't access old forums?

[LadybugEwa]

I'm looking for the fuel filter how-to that was on the old forums (I think), but I can't access them. This is what comes up, and I can't get any further I'd really appreciate some help, as I'm planning to do the job this weekend

[spdbump2001]

Try this. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ewbeetle%2eorg

Problem is that the direct links to the old forums don't work so you need to choose the cached versions. No pictures though.

Hope this helps. Sucks that the old forums appear to be dead.

[Audiophil]

All I get is the blank page too... the old forums have been down for a while now. Got a back up Jeff?

[hestersu]

It appears the old forums are gone due to the vbulletin license lapsed. At this time, we don't know if the license will be renewed. We have a valid license for the current forums, but not the old forums.

Stay tuned for additional news if anything becomes available.

[my99vdub]

Would re-upping member sponsorship help with getting the license renewed?
(I know, prolly a dumb question) - but if that helps the case, I'm in! Again!

[hestersu]

I don't know if that would help or not. If it would, I'm sure there will be an official post from the owner of the org and/or the 2 admins.

[GatorBeetle]

Bump for an old topic...which I think deserves some consideration.

When I saw it gone for god it seems, i assumed the database finally got completely scrambled...had no idea it was a license issue.

There is a tremendous amount of information in the old org. One could probably not put a money value on it, but the how-to's and the pictures alone are extremely useful.

Also, there is the question of all the friends who we will never see again, and their contributions as well.

An "owned" vBulletin license, no need for renewals, is only $160 right now. I understand completely that it might not be a good expense for the ORG itself to take on, but I would almost bet there are enough of us "old timers" who would like to see that information available, not to mention the memories.

So, here's my question. Is this an actual issue of the money for the license, or is it an issue of the database corruption? Is it an issue of equipment/bandwidth? I've been working with Databases for the last four years, I'm willing to do what I can to help.

I understand that if the old info is too far gone, we would be out $160 for the license. I'd be willing to put $10 or $15 in the hat to take a shot.

[noR]

Lots of DB corruption; very little integration between the two boards; not sure if bandwidth is a concern or not.

If we kept the old org on an old vBB it may be okay, and might be recoverable; but I'm not sure.

It'd be nice to get the old DB back, but things happen. That DB itself was 'refreshed' once after having big corruption problems.

I kinda just see it as the organic growing/dying of the community site. It sucks, but it happens.

[callisto9]

ok, can someone put that in layman's terms?

i'd be willing to contribute $$$ to get the old .org up and viewable.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by callisto9

ok, can someone put that in layman's terms?

i'd be willing to contribute $$$ to get the old .org up and viewable.

Basically, for a website like this there is a pile of data, the database. The database has to have a set structure the Forum program can read...links this person's info to their user name, their username to their posts, their posts to the thread, the thread to the particular forum posted in, and on and on. Sometimes a database gets corrupted. The easiest way to look at that is some of those links have been lost. Sometimes you can fix it, sometimes fixing it makes it worse, things become more confused.

That is why Jeff couldn't bring the old stuff into the new forum upgrade. The database corruption.

In my suggestion, we would be paying in the HOPE that it could be reserected, not a guarantee. I think if it were guaranteed, they might have already bought the license.

[Scarab 1]

Yes, I will put a second on that one(or is it a third or fourth).....Either way I have a $10 on it!!!

[CA Solt]

The important info that org members really want from the old site is mostly technical data.
If there is a limit to what can be saved, my vote is for the car stuff -not the hoo-haa.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by CA Solt

The important info that org members really want from the old site is mostly technical data.
If there is a limit to what can be saved, my vote is for the car stuff -not the hoo-haa.

I agree 100%, but at this point the whole DB will have to be repaired, and a new license bought to bring back any of it. The thought is that it is not worth purchasing another license on the chance the old info can be brought back. I feel if the risk were spread over several "interested parties" for the license, it would be worth the risk.

I have said it before, and will say it again, I am willing to help, if the ADM's agree they want someone to try.

[Darkstar]

Estimated total cost to make this happen?

[GatorBeetle]

The cost for the license is $160. Additionally, there would have to be time spent trying to recover and repair the old data, which might be beyond recovering,

Let me just say I can completely understand the thinking of the admins for a site which barely pays for itself not wanting to spend $160 on a license for information which might not be recoverable.

I have no idea, and no way of knowing the state of the database. I don't even know if it even still exists.

Personally, I'd be willing to spend time working on recovering the data, and to chip in to the purchase of the software license. None of that can happen without the blessing of Jeff.

[CA Solt]

GatorBeetle,

I'll split the cost of the license w/ you ($80.00).
That money is well worth the value of the info left in limbo.
should any more cash be needed to supplement the time spent; then I'll pony up $$$.

I would challenge anyone else who knows the old org as the wealth of tech info to also invest some dinero for the most worhty of New Beetle causes.

You new members (cars new or used) who ask the same questions that were asked (and answered) 3&4 years ago need to pay the most attention here.

[GatorBeetle]

We would need a couple more people willing to go in on this. I don't remember if it was this thread or another, but there were several people willing to chip in $10 to give it a shot. My threshold is closer to $30-$40 right now, given finances.

We also need buy-in by the owner of the data, and I don't mean that in a monetary way. At this point, the data might even be gone, or corrupted beyond repair.

[callisto9]

i'd give $20 and i know many others would too.

[GatorBeetle]

I pretty confident we could find 8 people at $20 apiece...and I'm willing to put in the time with the data.

[GatorBeetle]

actually, with the three of us, we would only need $100 more...