Leigh HoneywellJun 16, 2023
I think we can all agree that if Reddit’s recent bullshit ends up meaning people go back to running old school forums it’ll be the absolute funniest possible outcome
Show threadEaton
@leigh
Jun 16, 2023 at 10:31pmWeb
Show threadLeigh HoneywellJun 16, 2023
@eaton lmao
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@leigh @eaton  is still alive and well! #PHPBB
Show threadErotic Mythology 🌹Jun 17, 2023
@ramsey @leigh @eaton No joke, I have honestly thought about installing a phpBB forum on my website but I didn't find any way for mobile users to conveniently browse it.
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @leigh @eaton Is the UI not mobile friendly?
Show threadErotic Mythology 🌹Jun 17, 2023
@ramsey @leigh @eaton The one I was looking at did not have app integration that would notify users of new replies etc. akin to, say, the Discord app. And I think that is needed for mobile only or mobile first users to engage.
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @leigh @eaton Ah, yes. I wasn’t thinking about notifications. I guess you would need a dedicated app with push notification functionality for that.
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @leigh @eaton This looks promising. It’s not free, but the pricing looks reasonable. The board owners would need to install it, though. https://phpbb.pro/pushnotifications
phpBB Browser & Mobile Notifications Extension

phpBB Browser & Mobile Notifications Extension sends notifications from your board to the user's PC or smartphone even if not viewing your board.

Show threadErotic Mythology 🌹Jun 17, 2023
@ramsey @leigh @eaton That is very reasonable pricing indeed and as I understand it, it works on mobile without having to install an app? 👀
The board owner would be me, so that wouldn't be a problem 😁
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @leigh @eaton That’s what it looks like. It appears to use the built-in browser notifications system (on both desktop and mobile). I’ve never seen notifications from a mobile browser, though, so I’m not sure how well it works.
Show threadErotic Mythology 🌹Jun 17, 2023
@ramsey @leigh @eaton I just tested it. I can enable it on desktop but it doesn't work for me on mobile. Might be my browser or settings but the option to enable browser notifications just doesn't show up at all, not even in desktop mode.
Show threadBen RamseyJun 17, 2023
@AimeeMaroux @leigh @eaton It looks like the Push API is disabled by default in mobile Safari, if that’s what you’re using. Here’s how to turn it on: https://www.xda-developers.com/how-enable-safari-notifications-iphone/
Show threadErotic Mythology 🌹Jun 17, 2023
@ramsey @leigh @eaton And if it is already activated, I didn't get any notifications 😕
Could be I have to activate it in the phone's settings somewhere, though.
Show threadGaëtan PerraultJun 17, 2023

@eaton @leigh was literally talking about this with friends yesterday.

Honestly, it's easier to run today than it was 15 years ago. We have containers and open source observability. We have push button cloud servers and load balancers.

It's not easy, but it's far more accessible and way cheaper.

Show threadTech Support Jun 18, 2023

@gatesvp @eaton @leigh I used to run a few small instances of phpBB, including one heavily modified to be a semi-public KnowledgeBase/communications tool, it was absurdly flexible and easy to modify.

I think better moderation tools and solid oath identify management would have made it a solid contender for these massive services.

Show threadJargogglesJun 17, 2023
@eaton
@leigh
Time to dust off vBulletin.
Show threadWendy LadyJun 17, 2023
@eaton @leigh this made me laugh so hard. I ran one of these for a Robot Chicken fan site....until my stupid ass couldn't figure out how to wipe the spam attack on it so I just gave up and deleted the whole thing.
Show threadLeigh HoneywellJun 18, 2023
@NerdRage42 @eaton a classic way forums end!!
Show threadWendy LadyJun 18, 2023
@leigh @eaton oh man. It was the worst. I was at a point where it had spread out of control and users were miserable and I apologized one last time and said I was in over my head and then ≈BLIP≈ Gone.
Show threadMichal Bryxí 🌱Jun 20, 2023
@eaton @leigh #OhGodPleaseNoNoNoNoAnythingButThis