TPF is moving: please register on the new forum

Nice.

Done. :up:

To Whom It May Concern - I found I couldn't register on my cell phone. I had to register on my computer first. Then I could get access on my cell. After that no problem.

Reply to T Clark

Can you remember what the problem was exactly?

Reply to Jamal

I had some difficulty, where the software didn't send a confirmation email initially and even after a resend was requested.

It seem I needed to attempt to login to my unconfirmed account, to get presented with an option to resend the confirmation email which actually worked.

Reply to Jamal
There was no registration button.

Reply to T Clark

Ah, I just tried it myself and found the same thing. On my phone, in Firefox, the button is getting hidden behind the "Saved passwords" thing at the bottom. Generally I think the design for mobile devices isn't perfect.

I actually just managed to tap on the very top edge of the button to submit, but yeah, it's not good.

Reply to wonderer1

That's odd. At least you got there in the end.

Reply to Jamal As I noted, I was successful in registering on the computer.

Note--I am T_Clark from now on. @Jamal--Can you please change me to that on this web page.

Reply to T Clark

I'll miss that troublesome space.

But are you asking me to change your username here, on the old site?

Quoting Jamal

But are you asking me to change your username here, on the old site?

Yes. That way it will be easier to find my posts on the archive. Won't it?

Reply to T Clark

I see, yes, good thinking.

EDIT: Done.

Reply to Jamal

I'm not sure how to register once I get to the new website? Do I have to press sign up or something?

edit: I got it, sorry

Reply to ToothyMaw

Yes, you should see a "Sign up" button. If you can't see it (I think it's hidden on mobile devices), go to Log in and then "I don't have an account" or "Sign up" or whatever it says.

But as @T_Clark pointed out, it might be impossible or difficult to submit the signup form on a mobile device. So I recommend signing up on a tablet or PC or something else with a bigger screen than a phone.

I'll look into fixing the signup form. The one I set up has two custom fields, which is unusual. That's probably why the button has been pushed down out of view.

Reply to Jamal

Cool, I got it done. Thanks.

For what it's worth on mobile you can click "Log in" at the top and then there's a "Sign up" link on the page.



Or rotate to landscape.

Quoting Jamal

But as T_Clark pointed out, it might be impossible or difficult to submit the signup form on a mobile device.

I can't be the only one who finds that a bit weird.

Still, good news you got around to setting things up sooner than later. I look forward to subscribing.

Quoting Outlander

I can't be the only one who finds that a bit weird.

It's just a regular design problem. As I explained, it's probably because I'm using more custom fields on the signup form than is normal.

Quoting Outlander

Still, good news you got around to setting things up sooner than later. I look forward to subscribing.

No time like the present :wink:

Reply to Jamal
Does it matter if I use current password or not?
EDIT: I did and it worked.

Quoting Paine

Does it matter if I use current password or not?

Out of pure impish curiosity on my part, why might one think it would? :chin:

Quoting Outlander

Out of pure impish curiosity on my part, why might one think it would?

Because you might be stealing someone else's if you change it. Duh.



In my official capacity I would like to clarify that this is a joke and the picture is a clever deception.

Reply to Outlander
I was thinking along Michael's lines. I was wondering if keeping the same email was enough assurance against pilfering.

Quoting Jamal

But are you asking me to change your username here, on the old site?

Quoting T_Clark

Yes.

You asked for this now that we are moving to a new site. :lol:

If you had asked for this earlier, you could have saved us the pain of citing you all these years. :rofl:

Quoting javi2541997

You asked for this now that we are moving to a new site. :lol:

If you had asked for this earlier, you could have saved us the pain of citing you all these years. :rofl:

The new forum will not allow me to use my old name. I had to add the underline for it to work.

I don't know what's going on.

Can someone break it down for the old man?


What is the new website and when is there

an official switchover date and the date of

the shutdown of this current forum?

Reply to T_Clark A reasonable decision.

Reply to Alexander Hine February 26th is the last day of this sacred place.

But don't get sad! We are moving to a new platform, and this one will stay as an archive.

I don't want to be too much of a negative voice, but I find the new forum a bit cluttered and I miss the clean appearance and design of this old one. This focuses on the text and posts in an intuitive way that isn't so cluttered with unnecessary information when you're into a discussion and want to have good readability.

I know a lot will come around when getting used to the new place, but there's a lot of distracting and cluttered information that would be better cleaned up or optional to see.

It would be nice to have some kind of switch to get a cleaner view when you're locked into a discussion and want to focus on reading and writing.



But maybe I'm missing some option or something?

I have registered.

I don't like that I can't keep my user name the same.

I don't like the font, formatting or bright colours.

It seems to large and cramped on phone screen.

The desktop site looks better on phone screen.

But if I want to save a page link to my desktop

I am blocked by the demand to download

an app, which I frankly never do.

Reply to Alexander Hine Reply to Christoffer I expect complaining, dissatisfaction, annoyance, resentment, etc. TPF/PlushForum is a familiar, comfortable, old shoe (whatever its deficiencies) and TPF/Discourse is a stiff new leather shoe (whatever its virtues) that just doesn't feel the same.

I too like the current format - old-shoe that it is. But change is the only constant, and I am grateful I didn't have to do the shopping for a new platform. Thank you, Jamal.

Quoting BC

But change is the only constant, and I am grateful I didn't have to do the shopping for a new platform. Thank you, Jamal.

Gracias, BC. :up: :up:

Quoting BC

I too like the current format - old-shoe that it is. But change is the only constant, and I am grateful I didn't have to do the shopping for a new platform. Thank you, Jamal.

And thank you, BC.

I understand that some people prefer the simplicity of PlushForums. I agree, it's great as far as it goes, a very elegant design in terms of functionality, look and feel, and performance. I only wish they'd been able to develop it.

But it's not about design preference; it's about long-term viability. PlushForums is effectively in maintenance mode, with zero ongoing development, which means no updates, no fixes, and increasing risks over time.

Discourse by contrast is an actively developed platform used by large communities worldwide. It receives continuous updates, security improvements, and new features, supported by a huge developer community. Moving to Discourse ensures that TPF remains secure and sustainable in the years ahead, even if the interface takes a little getting used to.

Personally, I find the experience of writing a post or OP in Discourse, and interacting with other posts, vastly better than here.

Yes, what's with the 'download an app' decision in place of desktop short cut to the webpage on chrome. Is that a consequence of the platform itself?

Thanks for your undivided attention.

FYI I won't be staying around here to have a conversation about it though. I'll keep an eye on this thread just to check if people are having problems signing up at the new place. Otherwise my TPF time will now be spent at the new place.

Reply to Alexander Hine

Please ask questions about Discourse on the new (Discourse) forum.

Reply to BC

Yes, I’m not really against change, I just noted if there’s a possibility to customize for a cleaner look, that would be nice. Clean minimalism is timeless.

Quoting Jamal

Personally, I find the experience of writing a post or OP in Discourse, and that of interacting with other posts, vastly better in Discourse.

Yes, I understand the reasons and I’m not suggesting not having the new site. Some features, like writing is better; good to see a preview at the same time as writing.

But a cleaner interface, if that becomes an option later on, would be preferable. I’ve never been a fan of burger-menues and modern forum design, everything looks the same today and the cleaner feel was something I valued a lot about this forum.

If ever there was some updates that would enable simplicity as a custom option, that would be nice.

Reply to Christoffer

Seems pretty clean to me:

Quoting Alexander Hine

Yes, what's with the 'download an app' decision in place of desktop short cut to the webpage on chrome. Is that a consequence of the platform itself?

It's just the site, but loaded in its own "app" with a stripped down version of Chrome. You can still open it in a regular browser.

OK, I said I wouldn't get into another conversation here, so...cheerio.

Quoting Christoffer

Clean minimalism is timeless

Live simply. Use Helvetica.

Reply to Jamal Couple o things:

Is "sign up" the same thing as "register"? I see a "sign up" button but nothing about registering,

It tells me that "J" is too short as a username. Any way around that? If not, what do you think is the best way to create some kind of continuity for my posts? I could be, for instance, "Jay"?

Quoting J

Is "sign up" the same thing as "register"? I see a "sign up" button but nothing about registering

Same thing, yes.

Quoting J

It tells me that "J" is too short as a username. Any way around that? If not, what do you think is the best way to create some kind of continuity for my posts? I could be, for instance, "Jay"?

There are technical downsides to having single-character usernames. Currently the minimum length is 3. There's a way around it though. You can use "Jay" for instance, and then in your preferences enter "J" as your full name, and I think there might be a setting to show your full name on your posts.

Reply to BC

Helvetica is lovely but I can't get over the following problem.

In a font with serifs:

Ill

In Helvetica: Ill

Reply to Christoffer

There's someone here (I forget who) who writes "plug-ins" for browsers. Similar to the "Ignore list browser extension." It's more of a "hackish" workaround but effectively the same idea.

Maybe this person will read this, your concern, and make something superficial like that for this new forum. It can't be that hard. Shoot, I might even take a crack at it.

But I think the real question on people's mind is: What about "image emotes?" A small yet fairly significant part of me may die upon discovering @Hanover's thumb will never be seen again on the new platform.

All in all, I think @BC's metaphor sums up everything fairly. It is like a new pair of shoes. It's different. Only an issue if you take the time to dwell on it. Before you know it, it'll be like nothing changed. We're self-professed intellects, allegedly. We should be able to find the same joy and level of engagement if we were writing one another letters and conversing through physical mail, I'd say. So with that in mind. Full steam ahead. :grin:

Reply to Jamal Serif fonts are probably easier to read [decode] than sans serif fonts. That's what I've heard. Context solves the problem of "Ill"--is he 3 or is he sick? I'm not an a graphic artist, but such people have intense opinions about precisely which font goes best with what kind of text.

The very common fonts are generally easy to read and reasonably attractive.

We did it! What a magnificent way to start this Thursday!

Reply to javi2541997

I suspected you'd photoshopped it at first. :grin:

Well, that was easier than expected! Useful, because I expect we'll need to upgrade to the Pro Plus plan, which will give us more storage space for images, and more staff members if we want them.

Anyway it's a bit misleading, because it includes a one-off payment of £200.

Quoting Jamal

Anyway it's a bit misleading, because it includes a one-off payment of £200.

Well, the result is satisfactory; it doesn't matter how it was done. :lol:

Reply to javi2541997

Yeah, it's great. I just mean we're not raking in £255/month.

Quoting Jamal

I just mean we're not raking in £255/month.

We will, Jamal. Good things take time. :smile:

Reply to javi2541997

That's the spirit!

Pro Plus will be £180 (including sales tax) and then the next one up is the Business plan, which is £500/month.

Quoting Jamal

Pro Plus will be £180 (including sales tax) and then the next one up is the Business plan, which is £500/month.

Why would you need the Business plan? Sure, Discourse is a business, they have every incentive to make a profit even shrewdly. Would you say the cost-analysis benefit as far as their pricing plans are fair? Not withholding anything relatively vital to a high tier? Just curious. :chin:

Reply to Outlander

I don't think we'll need the Business Plan. Pro Plus should be enough, and it'll be a while before we need that.

It's about image storage.

1. There's no way of convincing people to use external image hosting while image hosting is built in to the site and works so nicely (as it does in Discourse, something I'm unwilling to turn off, even if I could)

2. Discourse doesn't let me restrict uploads in any way apart from individual upload size. Like, only certain groups being able to upload images or a maximum number of uploads per person per month or whatever---these are not possible.

What this means is that sooner or later we may need more storage space.

Sorry if this has already been covered, but do I have to create an account or are passwords and login for this one automatically transfered over by any chance?

Reply to I like sushi

You have to create a new account:

Quoting Jamal

Please create your account there now if you intend to continue participating. User accounts and passwords cannot be transferred automatically from the current forum.

Quoting Jamal

It's about image storage.

1. There's no way of convincing people to use external image hosting while image hosting is built in to the site and works so nicely (as it does in Discourse, something I'm unwilling to turn off, even if I could)

2. Discourse doesn't let me restrict uploads in any way apart from individual upload size. Like, only certain groups being able to upload images or a maximum number of uploads per person per month or whatever---these are not possible.

What this means is that sooner or later we may need more storage space.

Surely you can just make an announcement and institute an effective "honor system" where everyone decides which images are valuable (worth sharing).

You must definitely be able to see who uploads what and what users take up what amount of MB or data space, yes?

You must have thought about the repercussions.

Hmm... so if I get banned one day for my "knee-jerk contradictions" (in my view, unacceptable falsehoods that fly in the face of common sense forcing an immediate reply for the sake of all that is good and True) I can make an account and just upload image after image in "good faith" and force you to upgrade spending your hard earned money lest others be deprived of equal creative freedom. Interesting. :naughty:

Reply to Outlander

How about you stop blabbering and get over to the new forum? I expect you'll have more trouble than most owing to your paleolithic computer, so I'd like to help you through any problems you have (if it's even possible).

:smile:

Reply to Jamal

I absolutely intend to. And will soon. I'm merely deciding if I should re-invent myself. If not just to avoid the current possible "heat" I have as-is. I have been warned, formally. Which as you know happens "only once", gulag style. Perhaps something new and edgy. Like the opposite of my current moniker. Something like "Buddy" or "Bro".

In all seriousness I will shortly and certainly will subscribe. Comes up easily on the phone and I just brought my tablet out of retirement (I'm assuming I own it now since I was making monthly payments for it to use as POS system for my former employees and the cellular company made a change without me paying off the full balance yet just forget about it apparently). What annoys me is that even though it's no longer wireless equipped (cannot make or receive calls but of course can connect to Wi-Fi) the battery drains regardless. Like. What is it doing while powered off? Should I be concerned? :brow:

Quoting Outlander

Like the opposite of my current moniker. Something like "Buddy" or "Bro".

Or Inlander?

Quoting Outlander

Comes up easily on the phone and I just brought my tablet out of retirement

Glad to hear it :up:

Quoting Outlander

Should I be concerned?

Who can say?

Quoting Jamal

2. Discourse doesn't let me restrict uploads in any way apart from individual upload size. Like, only certain groups being able to upload images or a maximum number of uploads per person per month or whatever---these are not possible.

You sure? Looks like it's editable via trust levels?

Quoting Michael

You sure?

After looking into it again, yes.

Where did you get that image? Could it be that it's not showing anything configurable?

Even if some installations allow it (perhaps with plugins), it's not possible on Discourse managed.

Reply to Jamal

https://meta.discourse.org/t/trust-level-permissions-reference/224824

Reply to Michael

Aha. Note the gear icon = "Can be enabled or adjusted by an admin setting". It doesn't appear in the "Post images" or "Post attachments" rows.

Reply to Jamal

Weird, on https://dohost.us/index.php/2025/09/22/managing-users-trust-levels-and-permissions-in-discourse/ it says:

Can I customize the trust levels in Discourse?

Yes, you can customize the criteria for each trust level, although the default system is designed to work well out-of-the-box. Navigate to the admin settings to adjust the requirements for each level.

Edit: this is probably saying that you can change what a user must do to reach a trust level

Hi, Jamal,

I just tried to login the new site. It didn't seem to like my password, so I clicked on "skip the password".

The response promised a link "soon". I've been waiting 15 minutes, which is long enough for other sites.

Nothing. What I am doing wrong?

Quoting Michael

Edit: this is probably saying that you can change what a user must do to reach a trust level

Exactly.

Reply to Ludwig V

This might sound like a dumb question but have you signed up?

Reply to Jamal

Not dumb at all. I took the instructions to allow me to login.

Red face.

I'll try signing up. After I've had something to eat.

Thank you

Reply to Ludwig V :cool:

Signed up no prob. Call me vain, but would like to update my user avatar, the control seems read-only.

Reply to Wayfarer

I'm afraid you have to pay for the privilege. Only subscribers can upload their own avatars.

Reply to Jamal :up: I just discovered that. I might subscribe but am no longer earning so am very careful with subs.

Reply to Jamal
Now signed up, no problem.

Thanks.

Reply to Ludwig V :up:

Reply to Jamal
On reflection, perhaps it will help others if I report what happened to me.
And for the avoidance of doubt.
NOT a complaint.
I had to change my "handle" for the forum. The system did not like the space in it.
So the "V" got dropped.
When we move I shall be simply "Ludwig".

The furniture has been removed. I feel a bit like Gregor.

Quoting Paine

The furniture has been removed. I feel a bit like Gregor.

Hope you don't wind up with an apple embedded in your carapace.

Reply to J
It is a pleasure to be understood.

@Jamal

Question ??

Have you entertained the donation site "buy me a coffee" for voluntary site hosting donations?

I notice the post from ten years ago asking how this platform is to be funded going forward.

Is the new site $49 a month like this one, or more than this one. Are you only reliant on voluntary donations, or are you sponsored or something like that?

Reply to Alexander Hine

https://thephilosophyforum.discourse.group/t/a-new-era-for-tpf-supporting-the-forum-s-future/34?u=jamal

https://thephilosophyforum.discourse.group/s/prod_TzQUJGDVuKeScS

@Jamal

Is the desire to comply with online safety laws a step too far if it is the reason that inflates your operating costs?

IMO. All regulation is confetti. You have to examine how it is enforced or if it is enforceable at all.

Quoting Alexander Hine

Is the desire to comply with online safety laws a step too far if it is the reason that inflates your operating costs?

I don't think that's relevant, because I couldn't single-handedly repeal the Online Safety Act even if I wanted to.

Quoting Alexander Hine

You have to examine how it is enforced or if it is enforceable at all.

I've done plenty of examination of the situation over the past year. How it will be enforced in the coming years cannot be predicted.

Besides, there are many other reasons for moving to Discourse. Read the earlier discussion about it if you are interested; it's a done deal.

Reply to Paine :smile:

I am hoping that it is not too complicated to register on the new site. I tried once and was unsuccessful. So much comes down to digital technologies and I hope that engagement in philosophy discussion doesn't come down to that alone.

I will.try to register with the new site, but hoping that the new site is not a barrier in the overall perspective, with those who are the most competent in digital technology being those whose ideas are carried forward. Personally, I am struggling with digital technologies on my phone, but trying to adapt. The information age is here but philosophy may be more than mere information.

In particular, I have messages from 'Gemini' as a new AI assistant. I am unsure about this and do wonder if ideas of human beings are becoming redundant. It is in this context that I am apprehensive about tne new site and its 'robotic' aspects of thinkers. Will human thinking be dismissed?

Reply to Jack Cummins

As to the practical matter, what was the problem you faced when you tried to sign up?

Reply to Jamal
I am not sure; because at this point, it is unclear what the new site will entail. I wish to engage in so many aspects of philosophy discussion and don't wish to be excluded on the basis of difficulties in digital technology. Of course, it is impossible to keep up to date and embrace the future aspects of thinking in its variable forms. I hope that I am not I am completel dinosaur of the past and will be able to engage in future discussions. But, I am a little demoralised in the context of artificial intelligence in philosophy and where philosophy discussions are going in the twentieth fust century. Ideas evolve and have a history of philosophy.

Reply to Jack Cummins

Ok, but from my point of view I just want to make sure you successfully sign up on the other site. If you were not able to do that for some reason, I may be able to help you if you give me more information. This is a technical problem, nothing more.

Quoting Jamal

I'm afraid you have to pay for the privilege. Only subscribers can upload their own avatars.

Will you accept gift cards?

I'm using 64-bit Firefox, but the link tells me my browser's not supported. I'm not tech wizard. What's going on? Virus program or Add-blocker interfering? Windows 7 too old?

Reply to Dawnstorm

Finally! My sister in technological obsolescence. (Or brother, not sure. "Dawn" just seems feminine to me for whatever reason)

We got two choices. Use a smartphone. (Yes, annoying, especially for older folk)

Or petition DIscourse to force them to support older browsers. Which I would assure is essentially a waste of time. See planned obsolescence.

Quoting Dawnstorm

Windows 7 too old?

If I feel that my Windows 10 is already too old, imagine how Windows 7 would be. :sweat:

Quoting Dawnstorm

I'm using 64-bit Firefox, but the link tells me my browser's not supported. I'm not tech wizard. What's going on? Virus program or Add-blocker interfering? Windows 7 too old?

Unfortunately yes, Windows 7 is too old. Firefox dropped support for Windows 7 in 2023 (I think), and Discourse droppped support for old browsers in 2025:

[quote=meta.discourse.org;https://meta.discourse.org/t/dropping-ios-15-other-old-browsers-in-july-2025/358131?tl=en]The minimum Firefox version with support for these features is v128 (July 2024), and the minimum Chrome(ium) version is v119 (Oct 2023). Users who are able to update to a newer version of these browsers can do so to avoid being impacted.

For users of Windows 7 and XP who are unable to update Chrome/Firefox, you may want to consider a third-party chromium fork such as Supermium or Thorium[/quote]

Other options are to use a phone, tablet, or install Linux.

Reply to Jamal

You genius rapscallion, you!

You're right. You can download Supermium at: https://win32subsystem.live/supermium/

Install it. Then launch it and the new site works. Takes 2 minutes.

I offer this, as proof.

Here is the forum index:



And one of the topic view:

Reply to Outlander

Great news! Thanks for trying that, that's good to know.

I can't see those images though. "Content not viewable in your region"

Reply to Dawnstorm See Outlander's post above.

My concern is, some posters may be old, not particularly tech-savvy and on older computers. This may be a pleasant hobby but nothing defining or crucial. And if some people just see "oh it's gone I can't use it" that may simply be the end of their participation forevermore. Basically, I strongly suggest you continue to help "hold people's hands" per se, especially if they ask for it. It's easy for me, since I'm fairly young and for better or worse computing and technology has become my bread and butter. But for those who do not well... it goes without saying!

Quoting Outlander

Basically, I strongly suggest you continue to help "hold people's hands" per se, especially if they ask for it.

I'm here to help :halo:

The question is, once this domain is pointing at the new forum, where can I leave the information they need, since they won't be able to get in? On an old browser, is it possible to browse the new site and find the contact details?

Quoting Jamal

I can't see those images though. "Content not viewable in your region"

That is so weird; yet not the first time I've heard that. It's a "UK" thing, or so I'm told. I swear it's a conspiracy, everything I use and love must be destroyed for no other reason that because I love and use it. Ah well. Here are the same images on the more generic "postimages.org":

Forum index:


Thread view:

Reply to Outlander

Looks good.

Quoting Jamal

On an old browser, is it possible to browse the new site and find the contact details?

This is what I see on my current (default) browser:



So... yes, no, maybe so? :lol:

Once again, that's a very good (if not frustratingly valid) concern you have.

Edit: Yes, you can view the threads relatively normally, just devoid of all image and color. But the text is perfectly legible.

Quoting Outlander

So... yes, no, maybe so? Once again, that's a very good (if not frustratingly valid) concern you have.

If the Lost (as we can call them for convenience) can find the about page or one of the policy pages then they'd be able to find the email address and contact me.

EDIT: Because the point is, I think, that you can't log in.

Quoting Jamal

If the Lost (as we can call them for convenience) can find the about page or one of the policy pages then they'd be able to find the email address and contact me.

The only link that has the information you're referencing is the "Guidelines" at the VERY bottom of the page. And even that isn't something I'd be prone to click even if I was feverish to participate.



(and the only contact information is on the very bottom of THAT page as well!)


Without taking much time, that's the only place any contact information available can be found.

So, I mean. Surely you can view site statistics from your hosting provider or even the software itself? As long as you don't see too many Windows 7, etc... maybe it's not the end of the world. Though it may very well be for someone. :gasp:

Quoting Outlander

Surely you can view site statistics from your hosting provider or even the software itself?

Can't you view that now from your top level domain website "manager software" or whatever you have? You should be able to.

A nice albeit annoying pinned topic for a fair period of time that beckons those "having problems viewing or using the site" would probably solve 9 out of 10 relevant grievances imo. :chin:

Quoting Jamal

EDIT: Because the point is, I think, that you can't log in.

Let alone even sign up, yes, that is correct.

But you can read things, like a disturbed and unwanted peeping tom, at least. That much is to be grateful for.

I can get browser and OS stats from my google analytics, yes, but I haven't looked. It doesn't matter if it's only a handful, I'm just trying to get some minimal thing in place son they could get in touch.

Those supermiun screenshots are showing the light colour scheme, but I thought I set the default to dark. :chin:

Quoting Outlander

Let alone even sign up, yes, that is correct.

What is wrong with you? You register the same way you register in any website.

Quoting frank

What is wrong with you? You register the same way you register in any website.

Some people have out-of-date software that is missing modern features required for an optimal experience. Kind of like your brain. :snicker:

Oh I kid, I kid. It's all in good fun.

Reply to Outlander You can get a palm sized computer with windows on it for like $150. Just sell your butt on the street until you make enough. Should take you a few months.

Quoting Jamal

Those supermiun screenshots are showing the light colour scheme, but I thought I set the default to dark.

That's what I see a minute after installing. Perhaps because it's a "fork" (which means a hackish workaround, I believe) a few more modern subtle features (perhaps cookies) are less than perfect.

I'll let you know when I sign up and login. But, that's how it is from the last version of Supermium. Perhaps in all other and otherwise up-to-date browsers your preference is respected and visible. I wouldn't know.

Anyway.

On mobile, not logged in, default theme is Light as well. Perhaps it's only for those who are logged in? But wouldn't that be odd? Perhaps it's only set that way for you or your specific account type? :chin:

Reply to Outlander

Well, I guess it doesn't matter. It's easily customizable by the user.

Quoting frank

You can get a palm sized computer with windows on it for like $150. Just sell your butt on the street until you make enough. Should take you a few months.

I really enjoyed this entirely unmotivated insult. :clap:

Quoting Jamal

I can't see those images though. "Content not viewable in your region"

Yeah, Imgur decided to block the UK rather than comply with the Online Safety Act.

Reply to Michael

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

Quoting Jamal

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

Again, every time I take a liking to something, it's as if the forces of this world have nothing better to do but to destroy or corrupt it in front of me.

First it was Four Loko, a popular American malt "liquor." (Sold at any gas station)

It was great. My staple in 2018. Then I couldn't drink it without vomiting.

Then it was Fireball whiskey. Great stuff. Then eventually it also made me vomit.

Then they came after KFC. When I was a boy my father would bring me home the "KFC kid's laptop meal". Shown below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzLkq-Eya0

I don't know why but everything that I cherish gets destroyed. They're trying to destroy me. But I'll destroy them first. Bet. :wink:

Perhaps I should hesitate from joining the new forum. :yikes:

I'll be there in spirit. :sparkle:

Quoting Outlander

I don't know why but everything that I cherish gets destroyed.

So you have the reverse Midas touch?

As in, everything that turns to gold touches you.

Wait :chin:

Quoting Outlander

Finally! My sister in technological obsolescence. (Or brother, not sure. "Dawn" just seems feminine to me for whatever reason)

I'm male for those who care (I don't). Yeah, it seems Win7 is outdated. I've been waiting for something like that to happen. It's infrequent as of yet (this is the first time I encountered problems). I imagine my computer will croak sometime in the next few years, so I'll update then.

We got two choices. Use a smartphone. (Yes, annoying, especially for older folk)

I don't even have a smartphone. I didn't like the all-in-one trend, so I didn't get on board. One can live like that. I'm not a luddite, though... I think?

As for the solution: I don't like clutter. As long as it's only one forum, I'm not going to install anything like that. Here's what I'll do instead, and I hope it works:

I'll register at work, then activate the account via e-mail at home. I'll be able to read at home, but not log in. I'm fine with that. Likely I'll be posting even less (I never was a prolific poster anyway, so I can live with this.)

Thanks to you and Jamal for letting me know what's going on and what can be done about it. I'll definitely keep the solution in mind if the problems pop up like mushrooms, as they well might.

Reply to Dawnstorm
Just go to the nearest library or Kinko's. They have computers you can use. Ask the friendly guy behind the counter to help.

Quoting frank

Just go to the nearest library or Kinko's. They have computers you can use. Ask the friendly guy behind the counter to help.

That's certainly an option. I work odd hours, irregularly, though, so I tend to only go out for necessaries as it cuts into sleeping time. Not a biggie. I can manage.

Reply to Dawnstorm
Sleep is good.

Quoting frank

Sleep is good.

And you never appreciate it as much as when it comes hard and goes easy...

I've registered on the other site now, so I just have to wait to get home to confirm the email address, then I'll see tomorrow whether it worked or not.

Reply to Dawnstorm
Cool.

Quoting Jamal

Those supermiun screenshots are showing the light colour scheme, but I thought I set the default to dark.

The default for me was "Auto", which tracks system preferences. I think that's the friendliest option.

Reply to SophistiCat

Yeah, I realized that was the reason after I'd said that.

The text size is weirdly large on my phone? Compared to other pages on the same chrome browser.

Not in the discord app though. So perhaps it's moot. Although if there's a control for text size?

Edit
Of course there is :lol:

And the app shouldn't be showing more than the rules and shoutbox as yet? (Because mine isn't.)

Edit
Oops :yikes: disCOURSE?? Ok :cool:

I thought someone mentioned an app? Nvm :smile:

Quoting bongo fury

The text size is weirdly large on my phone? Compared to other pages on the same chrome browser.

I've set it to be "normal" size by default. Maybe the theme design just happens to specify a large font size for "normal", on mobile.

You can adjust the text size in your preferences.

Quoting bongo fury

Not in the discord app though. So perhaps it's moot. Although if there's a control for text size?

Discourse, yes? EDIT: Ah, I now see you've corrected it. Easy mistake to make :smile:

Quoting bongo fury

And the app shouldn't be showing more than the rules and shoutbox as yet? (Because mine isn't.)

When you say the app, do you mean the standalone launcher on a phone that looks like a regular app, which you installed when Chrome offered "Install as app" or "Add to home screen" or something?

It should show the whole site, so I'm not sure what's going on there. Are you able to attach a screenshot?

Pardon the confusion, it's the discord app and it's "haven"



Anyway the new site is just a web page as usual?

Reply to bongo fury

Ah, that's the Discord app.

Our new forum is currently at https://thephilosophyforum.discourse.group

Yes, and on a web page via a browser as usual?

I guess that haven thing was just a previous experiment?

I am now scrolling the new page on chrome, and it's great

Just wondering.

Quoting bongo fury

Yes, and on a web page via a browser as usual?

Yes, although in Chrome on a phone it should offer to install it as an app, but that's just a stripped down dedicated instance of Chrome anyway.

Quoting bongo fury

I guess that haven thing was just a previous experiment?

Yep, a place to go if this site went down, which I was worried about at the time.

Quoting Jamal

Yep, a place to go if this site went down, which I was worried about at the time.

Ah yes, remember now.

Quoting Jamal

although in Chrome it should offer to install it as an app, but that's just a stripped down dedicated instance of Chrome anyway.

Cool, might try it :pray:

Quoting bongo fury

Cool, might try it

Works for me :up:

Reply to Jamal

Can we change our screen names on the new forum at will?

Reply to Outlander

No. There's a setting in admin defining the number of days after signing up during which the username can be changed. It's set at the default 3 days, which seems reasonable.

Members can still request a change when they want, of course.

Can we disable the AI summary butt...

Actually, can we disable AI?

Reply to bongo fury

I mean, you don't have to click the button. :smirk:

Are you worried of low quality people (not me!) clicking the button and then responding to it because they have the all too common unfortunate combination of having something to say and nothing better to do? :cry:

Quoting bongo fury

Can we disable the AI summary butt...

Actually, can we disable AI?

The summarizer can be disabled globally by me, but it can't be disabled in your preferences.

I would've been happy creating a "Machine-assisted thinkers" group that you have to opt-in to, but I've just looked into it and you can't restrict the AI summarizer to groups. It's on or off for everyone.

I'm choosing "on" at the moment. Just try to ignore it.

Reply to Jamal

Just curious. Will you be physically hosting Discourse on your own private FTP? Like, where you have access to the core files and whatnot? Or no?

Reply to Outlander

No, we're on the Discourse managed pro plan. That's why I've been pestering people to subscribe.

However, we could move to a VPS later if needed. Discourse makes that fairly straightforward. But the Discourse stack is quite demanding on RAM and CPU (it's a fairly heavy Rails/Redis/Postgres stack, not just simple text and PHP) and maintaining good performance is non-trivial. The managed service has great performance and reliability guranteed.


Technicalities

What you don't get on the managed plan:

- No SSH or terminal access
- No Docker container access
- No direct Rails console access
- No filesystem access
- No ability to install arbitrary plugins/themes from disk
- No custom background jobs, cron tweaks, or low-level config edits
- No editing of app.yml or container configuration
- No manual rake tasks or direct Redis/Postgres access
- No patching or modifying server-side Ruby code

What you do get:

- Full admin UI with normal site settings
- Theme and theme-component installs from Git repos via the UI
- Official plugins (including Discourse AI)
- Backups and restore tools
- Data export
- API access
- SSO configuration
- Custom domain and CDN support
- Discourse-managed upgrades, security, email, and infrastructure
- Ability to request certain maintenance actions from Discourse staff


Bottom line

Advantages to the managed service:

- Automatic upgrades and security patches handled for you
- Infrastructure monitoring and incident response by Discourse staff
- No need to manage Docker, OS updates, or dependency issues
- Email deliverability handled (SPF/DKIM/bounces/reputation management)
- Built-in CDN, performance tuning, and scaling handled automatically
- Reliable backups with supported restore process
- Protection against common misconfiguration errors that can break a forum
- Official support channel for troubleshooting and maintenance requests
- Predictable monthly cost instead of variable server/admin time costs
- Faster recovery from outages or migration mistakes
- Less risk of data loss due to admin error or failed upgrades
- Frees the owner to focus on community, policy, and content rather than sysadmin work

On a self-hosted setup, all of that would fall on me to manage.

Reply to Jamal

Wow. That's the most robust reply I've ever had from you (or anyone really) in the 6-7 years I've been here. So thank you.

I'll leave it as a quiet footnote that I've yet to observe anything on the new forum that couldn't be done in basic 2010-era PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL.

In the context of digital technology, if you build something right, it lasts forever. I've honestly never heard of a case where an admin is busy with "sysadmin" work for a simple back-and-forth discussion forum. Sure, back in my day when things were brand spanking new there was always an exploit that could be found by the right mind. These have all but dried up like Lake Chad in recent years. At least as far as basic discussion forums. I remember like it was yesterday. It was always, always the images. Always the uploads and attachments. 95% of the time.

Please don't take this as critical of your understanding but critical against the in my opinion artificially and purposely constrained requirements that have been heightened for little to no reason other than to have done so on the part of the company. I'm sure your understanding is entirely 100% percent (functionally) correct. But only for the aforementioned reason.

The only reason I asked the original question is because I used to do stuff like that (editing core source files to make things easier and fulfilling the requests of users) all the time in 2010 IPB (Invision Power Board). My glory days as a site admin. A deluge of nostalgia. :cry:

Disclaimer: Sure, perhaps if you have 100,000 people visiting the site every second, I might be just a tad mistaken. But just short of that. I'd wager not.

Disclaimer 2: The DDoS and (temporary) attack stuff is a good point. But between most any reputable hosting company and CloudFlare and other modern services, coupled with the site's relative obscurity, well, it's just not the foreboding dragon it used to be, in a manner of speaking.

Quoting Outlander

I'll leave it as a quiet footnote that I've yet to observe anything on the new forum that couldn't be done in basic 2010-era PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL.

Even if the older tech could replicate the visible features and front-end functionality (and it mostly couldn't), the main difference is Discourse is a real-time application with queues, caching, background workers, and live updates. This all demands much more in terms of the stack and the infrastructure it runs on.

But like I say, the old stack would struggle to replicate the interface anyway. As you know, Discourse runs as a single-page app with live updates and persistent browser state, whereas older forums were multi-page-load. Matching that would mean adding a modern JS app plus real-time infrastructure, no longer just "basic 2010-era PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL."

However, we've had the SPA v MPA debate before so I'll stop there.

Quoting Outlander

Please don't take this as critical of your understanding but critical against the in my opinion artificially and purposely constrained requirements that have been heightened for little to no reason other than to have done so on the part of the company. I'm sure your understanding is entirely 100% percent (functionally) correct. But only for the aforementioned reason.

I think I've made a good case for the move and the choice of platform over the last months.

It's not a simple website. It's a serious application that gets a lot of use.

Reply to Jamal

If I could just say one thing. People like me were making, pioneering, and above all illustrating all of that in the 2010s era. Before it was mainstream. Again, it just wasn't mainstream or the norm at the time.

All I'm saying is the technology was there, most people simply didn't know how to use it.

Quoting Jamal

I think I've made a good case for the move and the choice of platform over the last months.

I agree. That line of questioning and debate could not be further from the motivation behind my sharing of the prior anecdote.

I suppose I just like hearing myself talk these days. Sigh. What else is an old man whose glory days are long gone to do but speak of such to all who would listen. Even those who I know do so politely only out of position-derived obligation. How kind of you to hear my tales of times past. Much success to the future platform. And all wise enough to come aboard. :sparkle:

Quoting Outlander

I suppose I just like hearing myself talk these days.

Really, I hadn't noticed :grin:

Quoting Outlander

Much success to the future platform. And all wise enough to come aboard.

Thank you Outlander. Now, when are you going to join? Only a few days to go!

Quoting Jamal

Only a few days to go!

What does that mean? :brow:

Reply to Outlander

See the OP. Here's a quote:

What Will Happen Next:

[*] On February 26th the current forum will become read-only (no new posts).
[*] The archive site, https://archive.thephilosophyforum.com/, will be populated with the final content of this site.
[*] The main domain, thephilosophyforum.com, will be pointed to the new website.
[*] The current forum (where you are reading this) will then be closed.

This website will be closed to new posts at 00:00 UTC (UK time) on 26 February.