FYI. (Long but a must read)

[Talon]

For those of you that don't seem to understand the reasons behind our new format....let me clear things up.

First off, we have been having severe security issues with the forum for a long time now. We have been battling hackers, malware, viruses etc.  Many times the forum has been down in the last few years due to hackers getting in and wreaking havoc.  The private message system has not worked on many occasions. The front page stopped working, posting videos and pictures has become almost impossible. Things would just disappear.   I was continually contacting the tech guys asking for them to fix this or that, letting them know we were down and inaccessible. Even GOOGLE didn't want you in Greyforums..when GOOGLE gives you a deceptive warning, it's for good reason, not just because...

Members may not be aware, but Greyforums doesn't make a dime by paying the money it does to keep this forum up and running.  It is strictly run by voulunteers helping out here.  So getting the tech support we needed which cost $$,  well, we were not a priority when you don't generate income.

It was only a matter of a short time, before our forum was inoperable due to the malicious activity in the background because we  lacked a secure site to say the least .  It wasn't a matter of IF that happened, it was a matter of WHEN that happened, and all content would be lost forever.  

WE here at GREYFORUMS, are LUCKY enough to have a member who wanted to pay it forward....to THANK members .....to show his HEARTFELT GRATITUDE  for all the advice and support he was given in trying to bring his grey into the US.  Fighting the red tape and difficulties for years, which I can't even comprehend, but that is a greyt father, a dedicated grey owner.  Yes, I am talking about KevinD, Sukie's dad.  That's one lucky grey I might add.

Kevin came to our rescue as well, he spent countless months trying to save Greyforums and continually being turned down. I am  grateful for his relentlessness, he didn't give up on Sukie, and he didn't give up on Greyforums.  And it would have been real easy to go somewhere else where another grey forum was in place that worked properly.  

He spent countless hours, and days cleaning out the viruses and garbage that has accumulated  in the back end.  Then begins the process of setting up a new server, new hosting site, a new server etc.  when did he do this?  On his nights and weekends when he wasn't at his full time job. Taking time asway from his grey to help us. He would answer my many emails and phone calls in an instant.  ALWAYS putting us, this GREYFORUM family ahead of his own time.  And not to mention the $$ he has spent on this site,  making sure we had what we needed to move forward making it secure and giving us a mobile site which is something we have never had. 

I will I'll be forever indebted to him for his kindness and generosity.  There aren't many people who are so giving in the works these days.  Most want something in return, but not Kevin.

is the forum different? Of course it is. That's what we wanted,  a new look.  Many of you don't know, but we went thru a huge format change many years ago as well. It seemed foreign at first, but in time as you learned things, you loved it and found it quite easy.  This will be the same process.  Due to the severity of the damage that was done to the site, it will take time to get everything up and running perfectly, things need to be added, tweaked etc.

I would hope you would hang in there and be PATIENT with the process and the people trying to help.

It angers me to see rude comments in the chat box complaining like this is a paid site where we are entitled to perfection.   

So I ask all members to be PATIENT. We will get everything working in time.  Perfection doesn't happen over night 

 I too work full time and then some. So writing a tutorial is something I am working on and hope to post over the weekend.

So, hang in there, don't worry about people finding us, there is a redirect. If your still getting a deceptive warning, Clean out your cache, your history and delete your old bookmark. GOOGLE us, and find the page you want and bookmark it.  

And mostly, be THANKFUL to Kevin that there is a GREYFORUMS 

 

 

[KevinD]

Wow, I really don't know what to say, was going to stay anonymous, but thank you and all of you here for helping Sukei and I.

What was said technically was SPOT on. You have no idea how close you came to loosing everything.

 

I have no problem answering questions, or fixing/adding wanted additional functions as time allows.

That being said, the current status of things is I have an IPB engineer working on some of the proprietary issues with the re indexing and post DB conversion issues that I cannot address.

When the core issues are solved, Ill be glad to address any requests I can.

In trying to address "The Looks" of the place, which is generally the biggest complaint with a format change, there are 6 different flavors to choose from. Choose from themes at the bottom of the page.

 

I will say this though, I am much more receptive to positive requests/comments than negative ones.

 

Thanks again Talon, the pleasure was all mine in keeping the place going.

 

Great write up all around

 

K   

 

[judygram]

I knew you had something to do with the new changes and it all looks good. Like greys I don't take to change as easily as I used to but once I finally was able to access the forum rooms and threads I am liking it more and more.

[SRSeedBurners]

Haahaa...I doubt he's taking time away from Sukei.  If Sukei is anything like GreycieMae, he's right there 'helping'. 

[neoow]

As I have mentioned on other threads, thank you so much for all the work you have undertaken for this change. I think it looks great and is a lot more responsive than the previous site, plus it's mobile friendly too! No complaints here. You might just get the odd question whilst I poke around and find new things!

Change is never easy but is sometimes necessary. Sounds like this one was definitely necessary!

[kittykittykitty]

I am so very thankful I can access Greyforums again.  Thank you.

Howardine

[Greywings]

Exactly!!! Believe me all you hard work is appreciated>:>

 

Jill D

[Acappella]

KevinD, thank you for saving GreyForums.  I don't know what I'd do without this forum, where I can brag, vent, and share what it's like living with one of these little grey tyrants.