As the year draws to a close, so does our presence on our current server. The CPCWiki has overgrew it, and so we had to look for something larger, better and stronger! So what better way to start 2016 than a more powerful server with more space available?
So, sometime during today or tomorrow, we will be hitting the switch for the change to happen. The new server has already been set up, but between the server switch and being able to access the new server there'll be some downtime due to the DNS propagation delay.
Also note that, although we have tried to test the new server, there were some things we couldn't test before we switch the cpcwiki.eu domain to it. Therefore, there might be some issues that are only uncovered when the move is made. What's more, there's so much stuff installed on the server (apart from the wiki itself and the forum software we have many, many custom scripts and optimisations) that there's no guarantee that everything will work 100%.
So, if you find anything not working, we apologise in advance and we ask you to report it either by replying to this email, saying so in the forum or using the Facebook and Twitter buttons at the bottom of this email. We will be working on making sure the Wiki runs at full capacity as soon as possible!
Thank you for your patience, and we wish you a very happy and 8-bit-tastic 2016!
Regards,
The CPCWiki team
Are there new versions of the forum and wiki software and will they be updated?
Is the new server much more to run?
:o I fear change... :o
...it's why I always have the correct fare ready when getting on the bus. 8)
Hehe, good one Zoe!
We'll keep an eye on possible errors.
Gryzor, shouldn't you be preparing yourself for the new year? ;)
Is Gryzor having a new year's upgrade?
;D
Apparently the server is being upgraded to a 6128 but we'll still be able to play our old tape games if we get a special lead.
Apart from Mr Freeze.
@arnoldemu (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=122) : no, no new versions. As a matter of fact a new version of the forum platform has been a long time in the coming; at first I was planning to set the new version up on the new server, then just move the database to the new installation and start doing the modifications from scratch. But the server has gotten old and full so we're just moving data. The wiki itself is always up to date, more or less. And no, the new server is not more expensive, just more powerful :) We're still keeping the backup server where we store our mirror copy though.
@robcfg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=4) : yeah, I probably should, but we're being charged on a monthly basis for the old server and holiday vacation is convenient for us, much to the chagrin of significant others all over.
@chinnyhill10 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=984) : true, but only if they're correctly programmed and don't use any illegal calls.
I ask about the forum software because stardot.org.uk had old forum software and got hacked. So I just want to know cpcwiki is protected.
So please do it when possible :)
Welcome back cpcwiki btw! :)
Ok, server move is complete and a couple of issues already fixed. Please do let us know if you encounter any!
Special thanks to our anon server admin for all the work :)
Quote from: arnoldemu on 09:36, 31 December 15
I ask about the forum software because stardot.org.uk had old forum software and got hacked. So I just want to know cpcwiki is protected.
So please do it when possible :)
Welcome back cpcwiki btw! :)
Thanks mate :)
We're generally up-to-date. But even if the server gets hacked the remote backups will ensure that we keep on running as soon as we fix things :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:37, 31 December 15
Thanks mate :)
We're generally up-to-date. But even if the server gets hacked the remote backups will ensure that we keep on running as soon as we fix things :)
On the security side of things, have you considered adding SSL to the site? Now with Let's Encrypt - Free SSL/TLS Certificates (https://letsencrypt.org/) the certificates are FREE, so the cost shouldn't be a factor.
I can help!
Experiencing some "network error get_config" issue trying to connect via Tapatalk.
@reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) : yes, I read about that a couple of weeks ago I think, and we considered SSL a while ago. But I'm not sure it's worth implementing it, really... let's discuss it :)
@dodogildo (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1547) : yeah, saw that. I'll leave TT for last since it's temperamental at its best :D
An issue we're currently having is that no email notifications are sent out. Will fix.
I want to give a big thank you to all the cpcwiki admins, moderators and the guys who back it up regularly.
You keep it running smoothly with very little downtime.
Happy New Year to you all! :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:00, 31 December 15
@reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) : yes, I read about that a couple of weeks ago I think, and we considered SSL a while ago. But I'm not sure it's worth implementing it, really... let's discuss it :)
My argument is simple: every time any user logs in, the password is sent in plain text. That's the only reason I think it is necessary. Without SSL I can't use the forum in a public network.
Usually I don't bother requesting SSL, but that was before "let's encrypt" and their free certificates and dead simple cert management tools.
As I said, I can help to set it up.
EDIT: obviously, if you think is not worth it; it is OK too. Not that my account here is in any way important, but hey! ;)
Ok, added to my to-do list :) Haven't checked how it works however, so I'll ask for help if needed. Thanks!
Hm, actually it looks as straight-forward as it could. Maybe sooner than expected...
Quote from: Gryzor on 13:04, 31 December 15
Hm, actually it looks as straight-forward as it could. Maybe sooner than expected...
Thanks!
Quote from: arnoldemu on 12:08, 31 December 15
I want to give a big thank you to all the cpcwiki admins, moderators and the guys who back it up regularly.
You keep it running smoothly with very little downtime.
Happy New Year to you all! :)
Agreed :)
Mark
Quote from: arnoldemu on 12:08, 31 December 15
I want to give a big thank you to all the cpcwiki admins, moderators and the guys who back it up regularly.
You keep it running smoothly with very little downtime.
Happy New Year to you all! :)
Oh, missed that post before. Thanks man, it's much appreciated. I know we don't always run at 100% due to real-life issues mainly, but we do our best.
On the subject of Tapatalk...
I don't use it. And after reading the quoted posts below from Atari-Forum and Stardot, I have no intention of using it unless it is rewritten.
Now it may be a different situation with this forum software, so not everything that is said below may apply here. And you may already be aware of these issues. But if not, forewarned is forearmed. (http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/forewarned-is-forearmed)
From Atari-Forum:-
Quote from: Atari-ForumTapatalk disabled
Quote from: DalAll,
We had a recent issue whereby a locked thread was successfully posted to by a standard user via Tapatalk. While this is being investigated, I have disabled the Tapatalk Extension.
I have learned through chatting to phpBB support that Tapatalk is still not an officially validated phpBB extension - meaning that it likely uses methods outside of the proper phpBB API to go about its business. I have logged a support request with Tapatalk to ask them to confirm whether or not their extension is interfacing 100% directly through the documented phpBB API. I have also asked them to confirm when they expect to have the extension validated by phpBB.
Right now, I'm of the opinion that we should wait until phpBB officially adds Tapatalk to its Extensions Database before re-implementing the function.
Sorry for the inconvenience. If you know or run other phpBB boards that use Tapatalk, you may wish to consider this information. I will update the thread as and when I get a response.
Quote from: DalphpBB support reckon they do a bit of direct database bashing. This is a HUGE no-no.
Quote from: DalQuote from: joskaSo is Tapatalk enabled again?
OMG - it actually ignores the fact I disabled it through the Admin Console!!! :evil:
OK - it's being completely removed from the file system, let's see how that goes. In the meantime, another ticket is being raised on them...
**EDIT: That did the trick ***
LinkDal also posted on Stardot (
here):
Quote from: DalI should also add that under certain circumstances it is possible for a poster using TapaTalk to reply to a thread after it is locked.
As you can see from my quoted posts, the TapaTalk extension breaks some fundamental phpBB API rules. Not least that the enable/disable switch in the Extensions manager is ignored; it's on unless you rip it all out.
I'm running phpBB 3.1 on Atari-Forum and after this lesson, I will never install a non validated extension again in the production environment (Dev environment is a different matter of course!).
More on the relevant threads that I included links for above.
Mark
Ooooh that's certainly lots of food for thought. Bookmarking for later, thanks for mentioning it...
Oh my! Can't imagine life without Tapatalk. Hope those rumours won't disencourage the Powers That Be :P
I'm doing almost all computing via my SmartPhone, even serious business tasks. D*mn! :)
Quote from: dodogildo on 14:36, 31 December 15
Oh my! Can't imagine life without Tapatalk. Hope those rumours won't disencourage the Powers That Be :P
I'm doing almost all computing via my SmartPhone, even serious business tasks. D*mn! :)
Just to be clear, what I posted are not rumours. And as I said, the problems detailed in that post (and in the links in the post) may not apply to this forum, as this forum uses different software compared to Atari-Forum and Stardot. I just thought that as someone had asked about Tapatalk, it would be wise to make sure that people here were aware of the problems that exist with Tapatalk and phpBB forum software. Just in case.
Mark
Quote from: arnoldemu on 12:08, 31 December 15
I want to give a big thank you to all the cpcwiki admins, moderators and the guys who back it up regularly.
You keep it running smoothly with very little downtime.
Happy New Year to you all! :)
I agree 100% your words.
Thanks to CPCWIKI staff for all their work.
Happy new year to all Amstrad users!
I very rarely use TT, but there are hundreds of sessions each month coming from TT so obviously several people find it useful. What's more having our site indexed through TT gives it a SEO boost. But of course if it's fatal in terms of security it should also be considered...
I'll follow those threads and even open a relevant one on the TT forum.
I hadn't seen this and was confused when cpcwiki was down this morning. Glad the move's all gone well.
BTW, for a while there I got an html directory listing with folders for a bunch of different sites, including cpcwiki. There were also a bunch of photos of some guitars and stuff... :D your band @Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1)?
Also, if you like CPCWiki, help support it with a donation! http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/treasury/ (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/treasury/)
Quote from: dodogildo on 14:36, 31 December 15
Oh my! Can't imagine life without Tapatalk. Hope those rumours won't disencourage the Powers That Be :P
I'm doing almost all computing via my SmartPhone, even serious business tasks. D*mn! :)
Lucky you! :)
@Munchausen (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=792) : we didn't have the time to organise it more carefully, it was done in a rush; but we did send out an email blast warning about it to all members, didn't you get it? (and yes, there are a couple of personal projects from older times also held on the same server).
@pelrun (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1106) : cheers mate :)
Right now our yearly costs amount to €54,17x12=€650/yr for the hosting, plus another €100 or so for the backup server plus about €10 for the domain name, so around €760 in all, or €64/month. So every little helps :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:43, 01 January 16
we did send out an email blast warning about it to all members, didn't you get it?.
Oh yeah - it was in my junk mail folder. I've marked it as "not spam", hopefully future messages from cpcwiki will get through. Now I wonder how many I've missed over the years?
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:43, 01 January 16
Right now our yearly costs amount to €54,17x12=€650/yr for the hosting, plus another €100 or so for the backup server plus about €10 for the domain name, so around €760 in all, or €64/month. So every little helps :)
I will try to donate when I am a bit more fiscally sound myself. As I see it this wiki and forum are the center of the CPC community (at least for the english speaking world), it would be a real disaster if something were to happen to it (and I am glad to hear you have a backup server). Does the wiki get mirrored to archive.org or is that disabled? It might be a good idea for longevity.
Hmmm, Spam, eh? That's definitely not good and I wonder why... strange!
But I've only sent another one through MailChimp and a couple through the system's service, so you haven't missed much :D
Ah, I didn't ever think of adding it to archive.org . I just did, I wonder how much of it it'll save...
The backup server is just that, a server on a dedicated service pulling a mirror of the filesystem on a daily basis, which is of course very useful.
Quote from: Gryzor on 11:35, 01 January 16
Hmmm, Spam, eh? That's definitely not good and I wonder why... strange!
There seems to be a small group of people who mark emails as spam instead of unsubscribing from mailing lists, etc. These people cause false positives for spam filters that take into account how users mark emails. :(
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 11:43, 01 January 16
There seems to be a small group of people who mark emails as spam instead of unsubscribing from mailing lists, etc. These people cause false positives for spam filters that take into account how users mark emails. :(
I can't really tell if that's the problem. but this specific mailing was sent by Mailchimp and the service
is used to send spam. Of course they try really hard for that to not happen, but bulk mailing is their business so... yeah.
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1): Do you know what currency conversion rates paypal uses?
I ask because I just donated in £, but the equivalent in Euro is not what I expected.
Also, the treasury page lists a different amount to the one you mentioned in your post. Should the page show the actual amount?
Thanks :)
Before sending your money, the rate was printed on the summary page. It is generaly around 5%.
It is why, I prefert to not use their system and pay with the country curency, because my bank fees are less. (it is a paypal setting)
Quote from: TotO on 12:52, 01 January 16
Before sending your money, the rate was printed on the summary page. It is generaly around 5%.
It is why, I prefert to not use their system and pay with the country curency, because my bank fees are less. (it is a paypal setting)
ok. i learn for next time ;)
Sure, because after aplying the rate, paypal took its margin...
Quote from: TotO on 13:00, 01 January 16
Sure, because after aplying the rate, paypal took its margin...
It seems the donations page doesn't show accurate euros for non-euro donations.
The difference between by expected donation and the reported donation in that page is more than 5% and the difference is more than the expected commission taken by the bank.
I think the page is not accurate :(
I am really happy I donated :)
Quote from: arnoldemu on 15:44, 01 January 16
It seems the donations page doesn't show accurate euros for non-euro donations.
The difference between by expected donation and the reported donation in that page is more than 5% and the difference is more than the expected commission taken by the bank.
I think the page is not accurate :(
I am really happy I donated :)
That's true. I'm always using USD but it shows EUR
@Zoe Robinson (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=983) , @reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) : indeed, people marking legitimate emails as spam in Gmail is a Gmail spam factor. But Mailchimp ranks very high in terms of trustworthiness... well, I guess it didn't help I made a typo in the subject (ooops! Was writing that early in the morning :D )
@arnoldemu (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=122) , @TotO (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=290) : indeed the donations page was never too accurate with conversions. I might take a look but as long as the amount listed are in the region of the amounts donated I don't mind - I have it there for transparency's sake.
Everyone: in the last days we received €134, two and a half months' worth of hosting. Thank you so much, everyone! Even the smallest amount helps, and really, it makes me so appreciative and happy every time a donation comes in because it proves people really care about our little community :)
I have quite backlog of emails, but in the next few days I'll contact each and everyone of you who donated, as I always do.
Thanks again, guys...
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1) Was just wondering when the Wiki would be available for editing again?
I thought I read a date somewhere, though I couldn't find it. :(
Quote from: AMSDOS on 10:15, 04 January 16
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1) Was just wondering when the Wiki would be available for editing again?
I thought I read a date somewhere, though I couldn't find it. :(
Ooops! my bad... try now :)
Smooth migration, many thanks to everyone involved! :)
2 little observations just because I kept noticing these:
"Log in" to the main CPCWiki.eu isn't an SSO to the forum as well:
When trying to reply to a thread, unlike in most other forums, forum "Login" takes the user back to the http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php) (rather than remain within the currently read thread) -
which itself is also surprisingly hidden on the main page under:
Wiki-related
...
Discussion forum
Might deserve a more prominent place there IMHO (possibly with some of the most Recent Forum Topics too)... ::)
Of course I realize the current level of interaction might be due to Wiki & forum being driven by 2 different pieces of software.
Quote from: OCT on 13:53, 04 January 16
Smooth migration, many thanks to everyone involved! :)
Cheers mate :)
Quote from: OCT on 13:53, 04 January 16
"Log in" to the main CPCWiki.eu isn't an SSO to the forum as well:
Yeah, as you said it's two different systems, so... I had tried doing some sort of hack integration between the two and it kind of worked, but it broke other things during testing, so I didn't pursue it... if I manage to find an official solution (rather unlikely) this is the way it will stay, unfortunately.
Quote from: OCT on 13:53, 04 January 16
Might deserve a more prominent place there IMHO (possibly with some of the most Recent Forum Topics too)... ::)
Like the banner at the top of the page? :D
Quote from: Gryzor on 16:58, 04 January 16Yeah, as you said it's two different systems, so... I had tried doing some sort of hack integration between the two and it kind of worked, but it broke other things during testing, so I didn't pursue it... if I manage to find an official solution (rather unlikely) this is the way it will stay, unfortunately.
Just my 2 (Euro)cents really: Recent Forum Topics as on the very active (after all those
years decades :) ) CPCWiki forum - Index (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum) appearing above/alongside the main page's CPC Related News as well would be more indicative of "the heat of the action", and certainly more conspicuous than "Wiki-related ... Discussion forum" or screenshot style in...
Quotethe banner at the top of the page :D
Not readable in Lynx (or on a CPC) BTW. ;D
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:02, 04 January 16
Ooops! my bad... try now :)
Thanks, it's working now. :)
Quote from: OCT on 17:14, 04 January 16
Just my 2 (Euro)cents really: Recent Forum Topics as on the very active (after all those years decades :) ) CPCWiki forum - Index (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum) appearing above/alongside the main page's CPC Related News as well would be more indicative of "the heat of the action", and certainly more conspicuous than "Wiki-related ... Discussion forum" or screenshot style in...
Hm, you mean pull the data from the forum "recent posts" and post it on the Wiki. A really great idea, but I'm afraid I don't know how to implement it :( Anyone has some idea??
Quote from: OCT on 17:14, 04 January 16[size=78%]Not readable in Lynx (or on a CPC) BTW.[/size] ;D
Well, it works fine on Arachne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachne_(Internet_suite)) ;)
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:29, 06 January 16
Hm, you mean pull the data from the forum "recent posts" and post it on the Wiki. A really great idea, but I'm afraid I don't know how to implement it :( Anyone has some idea?? ;)
Yeah, it's a bit of PHP code to do it. It's certainly do-able:
- https://blog.phpbb.com/2009/11/09/how-to-display-posts-and-topics-on-external-pages/
- https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=2176456
You'll need to embed the code into a MediaWiki page. This is also do-able:
- http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3709327/mediawiki-using-php-inside-a-form-or-page
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:29, 06 January 16
Hm, you mean pull the data from the forum "recent posts" and post it on the Wiki. A really great idea, but I'm afraid I don't know how to implement it :( Anyone has some idea??
I just have a link pointing back to the attachment, it was working while I was a Guest or Signed in, don't see why those files should go onto the Wiki. :laugh:
@Zoe Robinson (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=983) : well, we don't use phpBB, but it seems there might be a way for us too: Category:Integrating SMF - Online Manual (http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Category:Integrating_SMF) . Assuming I can pinpoint the functions (well, I can always ask for help on SMF's forum), inserting it into MW is another issue. Incorporating (s)HTML has never worked perfectly for me, but I guess I'll have to give it a go again :)
However, the home page is crowded enough as it is. I wonder where I could/should insert it...
@AMSDOS (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=330) : not talking about files/attachments, but about recent topics etc...
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1)
A small concern. If i setup to be notified of a forum category and tick the Email box . I don't get the email ?
Thanks Ray
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:29, 07 January 16
@AMSDOS (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=330) : not talking about files/attachments, but about recent topics etc...
Sorry, I don't know what made me think that.
BTW, looks like something incorrect is happening with the Notifications going out. I didn't get an email for the Mention or a Private Message, but it looks like others have already pointed it out. :)
Quote from: Audronic on 00:03, 08 January 16
A small concern. If i setup to be notified of a forum category and tick the Email box . I don't get the email ?
Yeah that's not right, it wasn't working for Mentions or Private Messages either.
Indeed, email is not working right now - because of some misconfiguration we're being blocked by some providers and we have disabled it until we figure it out. Apologies for that.
Regarding the Wiki integration, things are not that promising :(
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:16, 08 January 16
Indeed, email is not working right now - because of some misconfiguration we're being blocked by some providers and we have disabled it until we figure it out. Apologies for that.
Regarding the Wiki integration, things are not that promising :(
Err "AMSDOS likes this"? :o
You like that the email is not working? :o
Or
You like that the work on Wiki integration does not look very promising? :o
I think most members would like the email to work. And it would be nice if the forum and Wiki could be more closely integrated. Although it is not essential.
Mark
Hi likes the Apologies.
Quote from: 1024MAK on 15:30, 08 January 16
Err "AMSDOS likes this"? :o
I like it for the acknowledgements & apologies (as @TFM (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=179) pointed out).
looks like almost as much fun as developing a new game, all you get for your efforts is a load of problems and even more people pointing them out for you.
nothing to moan about from here...... yet!
That's a good way to compare it. :)
Level 1: Enter the forum
Level 2: Enter a Wiki page
Level 3: .... never made it that far :o
Quote from: AMSDOS on 22:32, 08 January 16
I like it for the acknowledgements & apologies (as @TFM (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=179) pointed out).
Fare enough :laugh:
Mark
So, back on topic: does anyone have a preferred service to check if a server has been blacklisted on mail services?
Quote from: Gryzor on 15:33, 12 January 16
So, back on topic: does anyone have a preferred service to check if a server has been blacklisted on mail services?
Sure I use CPC Basic 3 for this...
10 if server=cmo then goto 100
20 print"Lucky you"
30 on teatime continue
40 gosub yourownapplication
50 end
100 print"Poor little kitty!"
110 on teatime stop
120 wait until teatime
130 end : REM command not needed, just for compatibility reasons
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1)
The saving of pm's that i have sent, (OutBox) I am unable to find them (New Server ???)
Thanks Ray
Quote from: Audronic on 05:26, 15 January 16
@Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1)
The saving of pm's that i have sent, (OutBox) I am unable to find them (New Server ??? )
Thanks Ray
Hm, mine are all still there... anyone else can confirm?
If you want, send me your password in a PM so I can check it...
If you mean "sent items", I confirm that mine are intact.
I tried to use the "fold" button (- in a square at the right) to hide the german section, which I can't read. But it folds the general section instead. Known bug? Problem with my web browser?
Huuuuh that's weird, and kudos for noticing! the funny thing is the url that is called is correct, as you can see (General Category =1, German=3 and so on). So I've got no idea as to the why this happens :D
I'm working on updating a few things, let's see if it gets fixed...
thanks!