PLEASE READ - CPCWIKI SERVER CHANGE NOTICE!

[Gryzor]

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

[arnoldemu]

Are there new versions of the forum and wiki software and will they be updated?

Is the new server much more to run?

[Zoe Robinson]

   I fear change... 




...it's why I always have the correct fare ready when getting on the bus. 

[robcfg]

Hehe, good one Zoe!

We'll keep an eye on possible errors.

Gryzor, shouldn't you be preparing yourself for the new year?

[arnoldemu]

Is Gryzor having a new year's upgrade?

[chinnyhill10]

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.

[Gryzor]

@arnoldemu : 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 : 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 : true, but only if they're correctly programmed and don't use any illegal calls.

[arnoldemu]

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!

[Gryzor]

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

[Gryzor]

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

[reidrac]

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 the certificates are FREE, so the cost shouldn't be a factor.

I can help!

[dodogildo]

Experiencing some "network error get_config" issue trying to connect via Tapatalk.

[Gryzor]

@reidrac : 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 : yeah, saw that. I'll leave TT for last since it's temperamental at its best


An issue we're currently having is that no email notifications are sent out. Will fix.

[arnoldemu]

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! 

[reidrac]

@reidrac : 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!

[Gryzor]

Ok, added to my to-do list Haven't checked how it works however, so I'll ask for help if needed. Thanks!

[Gryzor]

Hm, actually it looks as straight-forward as it could. Maybe sooner than expected...

[reidrac]

Hm, actually it looks as straight-forward as it could. Maybe sooner than expected...

Thanks!

[1024MAK]

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

[Gryzor]

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.

[1024MAK]

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.

From Atari-Forum:-

Tapatalk disabled

All,

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.

phpBB support reckon they do a bit of direct database bashing.  This is a HUGE no-no.

So 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 ***

Link

Dal also posted on Stardot (here):

I 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

[Gryzor]

Ooooh that's certainly lots of food for thought. Bookmarking for later, thanks for mentioning it...

[dodogildo]

Oh my! Can't imagine life without Tapatalk. Hope those rumours won't disencourage the Powers That Be
I'm doing almost all computing via my SmartPhone, even serious business tasks. D*mn!

[1024MAK]

Oh my! Can't imagine life without Tapatalk. Hope those rumours won't disencourage the Powers That Be
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

[FloppySoftware]

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!