Temporary Breakfastroom closure

[greg_strange]

It would be a sad day if the Breakfast Room had to close on a permanent basis, because over the years it has been a great resource and information tool with advice from Pete, Griff, Stephen Howard and other helpful and knowledgeable people, and it is great to discuss the saxophone, and other saxophone and music related subjects with people from around the planet.
Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Greg Strange.

 

[PaulyT]

I echo everyones sentiments. Whilst I haven't contributed too much toward the saxual aspects - being a beginner and all - I have learnt so much and talked to (and met) some great people off here. This meeting place is a national treasure and I'm sure I speak for all when I say thank you to Pete for running it and, if at all possible, PLEASE keep it going!!
Thanks,
PaulyT

 

[Pete Thomas]

I must admit I did almost close it down recently, but things seemed to have calmed down now. At the worst, I will switch over to new software and will have to start again from scratch, ie everyone will need to re register and all the old posts will only be available as read-only archives.

Djangette, phpBB is just a format for the forum. It would allow more security and easier to control spammers/abusers etc.

 

[Pjonah]

I'm probably being a bit thick here, but what the hell do these scumbags get from ruining a brilliant site? Where do they get off?

I don't understand the whole virus thing or the perpetrators.

Simon

 

[Smiffy]

Having only just found it, I really hope it stays or is carried on in another format

SOTW is good but to big for me I get lost in there

 

[richard_perks]

Wow I totally agree with all above......... Hope all goes well Pete. Maybe switch to new board and email???? all with new address, I for one would take the time to change.... It would also clean up your membership if there are some who only signed up but did'nt stay.
Again hope it is all fixable.

 

[david_tannahill]

Gosh Pete, I am ever so sorry that you have to deal with such crap. You have worked so very hard and have something very special.

It would be a real shame to lose everything because of those t*ss**s. I would do the migration while you can and if you you have enough energy. I know that it would be a headache for so many reasons but the peace-of-mind might be worth it in the long run. I wish I could help more.

 

[pkreli]

Hi Pete,

I'd like to offer my help to migrate this forum to phpBB or vBulletin, whichever you choose (I am a System Admin by day job). Its really worthwhile to keep the forum as intact as possible.

I'm a new registered user here but have been lurking for quite some time. In fact, I bought my first sax, a Walstein Alto on your advice (in SOTW). And your website and this forum is my main source of info for learning the saxophone. I'd like to contribute to keep this running.

 

[Mikec]

Pjonah wrote:
I'm probably being a bit thick here, but what the hell do these scumbags get from ruining a brilliant site? Where do they get off?

I don't understand the whole virus thing or the perpetrators.

Simon

Assuming that the problem is spammers rather than viruses, the whole thing is automatic. Software searches the internet for entry forms, like the one we use to post here, and fills it in automatically with Viagra adverts etc. making a cursory attempt to resemble a human being's post. They work automatically, completely randomly and can some times send to the same site hundreds of times in a day. Poor Pete has to delete these by hand. It's a menace and has seriously degraded the usability of the internet's interactive and feedback capabilities. I run two sites and have had to abandon feedback on them both because of spamming. I haven't yet found a software solution.
Why do they do it? Just like all the rubbish that comes through my front door, they get enough responses to make it worthwhile. They have no scruples about spoiling anything.
I can only echo all the other posts and hope that this site keeps going, Pete.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Spam is one thing. I think I will need to move to a better software format for that. I'm also trying to avoid people signing up just to market their (or their associates') products. I've seen it happen on other saxophone forums and I'd prefer if it wasn't going on here.

Note that you were allowed to say the V word, other software would allow me to automatically filter out that and various swear words.

What I'm researching now is how to crossover to a better software without losing the messages and user accounts. May be tricky.

I also need to switch host as 1 & 1 don't allow a database larger than 100MB.

 

[Taz]

Pete, if we need to re-register for a new site to keep this great community alive then its a small price to pay. I am on long term sick leave at the moment with time on my hands, so if there is anything I can do to help you only have to ask.