Why scrap the old one you might say? - Well there are several reasons, the most important being cost. Even though the old board was hosted in the USA where web hosting is generally cheaper because of the more competitive telecoms market and bandwidth availability it was still costing a fortune to run, and as it got busier the costs were increasing.
I have now managed to do a deal to move the board back to a server in the UK, and it is now hosted virtually free of charge. You will also notice some fundamental differences to the way the board operates, even though it's appearance is largely unchanged. I have achieved this by using an updated and modified version of the cgi script used to generate the pages.
Without getting too technical, the script is split up into several modules which control individual functions of the board - this should make the whole thing run a little faster, and also allow a few extra and/or improved features:
1). The default display for visitors logging on for the first time is one day's worth of messages. This variable can be changed in the "preferences" menu as before.
2). I have now programmed the script to hide ALL email addresses and IP numbers from posts. Only the moderators can still see them, but this is necessary if we have to hunt any spammers down.
3). You now have the option to tick a box when posting a message if you'd like to receive an email notification when someone replies directly to you. Please note that this will only function if you input your correct email address into the posting form. Those of you who previously were reluctant to use their real addresses need not worry now, because they won't be shown to anyone else.
4). The "Post Message" form now appears on a new page, and when the message has been posted your browser will automatically redirect you back to the main index using a meta refresh.
5). If you want to post a "no text" message, you no longer have to put "sd", "afc" or whatever in the message box. The script will recognise that it is a blank message and will automatically append the subject line with a "(n/t)" suffix.
6). The "Top 10 Posters" page has now turned into the "Top 20 Posters" page.
Smilies - you can now use various smilies (that wear Arsenal shirts) either in the subject lines or the main bodies of posts. Here are the various ones you can use:
>:-( |
|
:-D |
|
:-( |
|
8-) |
|
:-| |
|
| :-O |  |
| :- |  |
| :-) |  |
| :-b |  |
| ;-) |  |
| :hehe: |  |
| :nono: |  |
| :rolleyes: |  |
| :shrug: |  |
| :homer: |  |
| :shout: |  |
| :nod: |  |
| :chav: |  |
| :wanker: |  |
| :yikes: |  |
| :love: |  |
| :puke: |  |
| :shakehead: |  |
| :banghead: |  |
| :thumbup: |  |
| :wave: |  |
| :fight: |  |
| :cry: |  |
| :smokin: |  |
| :driving: |  |
| :cooper: |  |
| :yellowcard: |  |
| :redcard: |  |
| :hide: |  |
| :moon: |  |
| :tout: |  |
| :eat: |  |
| :police: |  |
| :bald: |  |
| :guinness: |  |
| :lager: |  |
| :readit: |  |
| :cloud9: |  |
| :champions: |  |
| :bow: |  |
| :titles: |  |
| :muppet: |  |
| :yawn: |  |
| :clap: |  |
| :trophy: |  |
| :shit: |  |
| :titsup: |  |
| :dickhead: |  |
| :music: |  |
| :sherlock: |  |
| :watson: |  |
| :wallace: |  |
| :gromit: |  |
| :viking: |  |
| :kebab: |  |
| :curry: |  |
| :toilet: |  |
| :blow: |  |
| :spud: |  |
| :manc: |  |
| :nurse: |  |
| :calmdown: |  |
| :rubchin: |  |
| :judge: |  |
| :phone: |  |
So thats about it - feel free to mail me with any feedback. I'm always interested to hear your suggestions as to how the board can be improved, even if I do completely ignore you. It is possible that we will experience teething troubles with the new board, but as usual I'll do my very best to make sure that it's up and running at all times.
Acceptable Use Policy and Disclaimer
You should note that the Arsenal World Interactive Message Board is a moderated board. If any posts in the forums offend you, please let us know and we will look at them. If we agree with your complaint, we will remove them.
You are personally responsible and potentially liable for the contents of your posting and may be sued should your posting contain content of a defamatory or other illegal nature.
Every message posted leaves a traceable IP number.
We check the forums at various times of the day and remove offending posts.
Other supporters are welcome but abusive or silly posts will be removed.
Every message posted leaves a traceable IP number.
We check the forums at various times of the day and remove offending posts.
Other supporters are welcome but abusive or silly posts will be removed.
Arsenal World expresses the right to remove any posting it deems inappropriate.
If you don't like the way we moderate the board, don't use it - it's as simple as that.
Before using the board, please read the terms and conditions below.
Access and Use: This User Agreement with Arsenal World (we/us) sets out how the user (you) can access and use the message board hosted by us on the "Arsenal World" web site (the Services). You can use the Services for your own private use, but not for any commercial or unlawful purpose. You acknowledge that we may at any time without notice withdraw the Services or your access to them. These terms may be varied from time to time. The revised terms will be posted on the Services and by continuing to use the Services you will be considered to have accepted them.
User Responsibility The Services allow written communication to a wide number of people and you are encouraged to use good judgment and to think before you transmit or "post" material to the Services. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THE CONTENT OF ANY MATERIAL YOU POST TO THE SERVICES. YOU ALSO AGREE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS WRITTEN ON THESE PAGES. YOU AGREE NOT TO POST DEFAMATORY, LIBELOUS, OBSCENE OR OFFENSIVE MATERIAL; TO POST COMPUTER VIRUSES OR ENGAGE IN COMPUTER MISUSE; TO IMPERSONATE OTHERS OR TO OTHERWISE USE THE SERVICES IN ANY WAY WHICH IS OR MAY BE UNLAWFUL OR LIKELY TO CAUSE DISTRESS, OFFENCE OR ANNOYANCE TO OTHER USERS, US OR THIRD PARTIES. YOU AGREE NOT TO USE THE SERVICES SO AS TO INFRINGE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (EG. COPYRIGHT, TRADE MARKS ETC.) OF ANY OTHER PERSON. BY POSTING MATERIAL TO THE SERVICES YOU AUTOMATICALLY GRANT, OR WARRANT THAT THE OWNER OF THE RIGHTS IN THE MATERIAL HAS EXPRESSLY GRANTED, TO US A ROYALTY-FREE, PERPETUAL, WORLDWIDE, IRREVOCABLE LICENSE TO DO ALL SUCH ACTS WITH THE MATERIAL AS THE OWNER OF THE RIGHTS IN THE MATERIAL MAY DO.
Our Responsibility We do not give any warranty as to the Services or the material available on them and you agree that, to the full extent permissible by law, we shall not be liable to you for any damages or losses arising in connection with the Services. You accept that it is your responsibility to check the accuracy and completeness of any material on the Services and that we will have no liability to you for any reliance you place on that material.
Monitoring The board is designed for communication and discussion. The board is operated by Arsenal World, [who will not edit material prior to its appearance on-screen or monitor the Services continuously] but will guide and supervise the operation of the Services. We shall be entitled, but shall be under no obligation, to remove any material at any time at our sole discretion.
Governing Law This Agreement is deemed to have been made in England / Wales and is governed by English / Welsh law. Any dispute relating to this Agreement shall be referred to the English / Welsh Courts.