What would you like to see here?

[DáinIronfoot]

The theme would be awesome, but as long as we can preserve all the old data, that would be enough for me. That's our HISTORY we're talking about.

Kralik, I have extensive experience creating, moderating, and administering forums, including phpBB types. I've never taken an existing database and re-created a forum from it before, but I've done vitually everything else, so if you need some help with anything, just let me know.

This is so exciting! I can't wait to see how it all works out.

[Kralik]

Neither do I have any experience turning a raw DB into a working forum. But I'm nothing if not determined!
As far as I understand it, I should be able to install phpBB2 and set up a basic configuration, including a MySQL DB. From there if I import Cobra's database dump through my website's central backend... *crosses fingers*

[Kralik]

Here's my last word from Conor this morning:

Kralik,

The files were created in phpMyAdmin, one with the "CSV" option and the other with the "SQL" option, both leaving the default settings intact.  Let me know what version you'd like to work with, and I'll upload it to my other webspace.

I'm afraid I don't remember the exact version number I was using, but it was definitely 2 rather than 3.

I had made some of my own hacks to add specialized functions to the forum, some of which included additions to the database structure.  In particular, there's a new field which carries the "post-autolink" message (when a post was made, it was parsed for card names using the store's database, which were then turned into appropriate links, and the new version was stored alongside the original).  There are also a few fields that were used to enhance voting for the article contest.

These changes are additions only, I never modified the database structure in a "destructive" way, so I don't think this should cause any problems.  Just wanted to warn you though.

--Conor

[DáinIronfoot]

Neither do I have any experience turning a raw DB into a working forum. But I'm nothing if not determined! Grin
As far as I understand it, I should be able to install phpBB2 and set up a basic configuration, including a MySQL DB. From there if I import Cobra's database dump through my website's central backend... *crosses fingers*

Yes, that should do it. phpBBs are usually pretty easy to work with, so I imagine it's a rather straightforward process. My only real worry is the sheer size of the CC database. That sucker's got to be MASSIVE.

One other concern I have is that you may suddenly lose your admin rights once the forums are up, since you and I are not admins in that database. But I imagine it's forgiving enough that that WON'T happen. I THINK it will keep you as an admin and then just add the old admins (probably only Conor) and mods that we had over at CC. If you want me or anyone else as an additional admin or mod after that, I would think you could then just change our status in the user administration panel.

Again, let me know if you need/want any help. Like you, I'm determined, and also like you, I bet I can feel my way through it if you get frustrated along the way.

Good luck, my friend!

[Kralik]

Well, phpBB itself will choke if you try to Backup/Restore databases too large. However, since I will be working with the MySQL backend, not the phpBB ACP, it should handle it just fine. I gave the admin issue some thought, and I have two solutions:

1) With direct access to the SQL DB, it should be easy to set myself up as an admin.
2) Even if it wasn't, I'm sure Cobra could log in and set a new admin if asked to do so.

[MR. Lurtzy]

Too many big words for me to handle. Please explain in simpleton what's going on!

[Kralik]

cobracards.com is officially dead.

I'm in touch with Conor and will try to restore CC, including posts/gold/etc, on this domain (lotrtcgwiki.com).

[MR. Lurtzy]

Groovy. 8)

[DáinIronfoot]

But it's going to take a while.

Yet hope remains while the Company is true.

[Kralik]

If I had the time I might be able to bust it out in a day, but I have to work tomorrow. 

[Shieldmaiden]

Ah, I see, some people actually work!   

It all looks like a good start so far, great to have the LotR icons available.    I'm glad that someone knows about this technical stuff because I don't. 

Edited to say: Oh, and I LOVE the name of the forum!  Great job Thran!

[Thranduil]

Could we have our twilight symbols? And, just to be really demanding, can we have the culture symbols not capital sensitive and include as well as [ Dwarven ]?

Plus, I think there should probably be an MTG section. I never used it, but it feels wrong that it isn't there!

Thranduil

[FingolfinFinwe]

Wow ppl this is looking really good.  I've been curled up in a ball since CC went down, so I'm grateful. 

The name rocks, thnx for the lotr icons, the color and layout is fine... now we just need to inform everyone about it!

[Hobbit_Pizza]

I see that we are accumulating gold...is there somewhere to use it yet? If so I couldn't find it...

[DáinIronfoot]

No, but that brings up an interesting thought...once the CC forums are restored, can we add items in the "store" that can be purchased with GP? I would think we could....

Oooo, I'm getting all excited again!