OK, on to the next phase in preparation for moving FOTMD to our NEW HOME on a NEW platform...
It's an amazing thing that we are going to be able to successfully save and move about 90% of all this huge site's content over safely to our new completely different platform and location. I used to think this would not even be possible due to Ning's limitations, but we're going to be able to achieve it!
There are TWO kinds of content that we will not be able to copy and move over to our new home:
1) Existing private INBOX messages
and
2) Your current Friends list
Inbox messages- For reasons of privacy, Ning does not even give me access to anyone's private message storage or inbox. This is a good thing for your protection! But it means that none of your private messages can be archived and moved to the new site in a few weeks from now.
There IS a whole similar private messaging system on the new site and we'll be able to send private messages to each other there much the same as we can here. But I can't bring your messages from here to there, so all messages from your INBOXES and SENT boxes etc will be left behind and deleted once we have migrated and this older site is shut down.
So... please go through and save/copy any important messages or info you may want to save from your inboxes here. This must be finished within the next couple of weeks, by April 15th, please. Note- I will not be able to postpone the site move to wait for folks who don't get this attended to in time.
Friend List- Like the private message content, The Friend system on FOTMD here on Ning does not allow me to archive and move it or otherwise capture data from it, so the current Friends lists will not be save-able. There is simply no way for me to save or move that particular information for each member. Personally, I don't see this as a huge loss, since many of us have 'friends' in our lists that we no longer communicate with anyway. It'll be a good time to start over fresh!
Our new Jamroom platform has a similar yet slightly different system, and it's called 'Followers" rather than "Friends"...but functions pretty much the same way. Basically, the most important thing to remember is that two people have to be 'followers' of each other (both ways) before they can then send private messages back and forth. I don't see any real need to make copies of your current Friends list, unless that is real important to you. You can always take screenshots to make a record of who is currently on your Friends list. But it'll be easiest to simply start over fresh with the new site's Following/Followers system once we get there.
After working part time on the new site for over 5 months now, the move is now weeks away rather than months away. There are still a few major feature tweaks, and content and navigation changes going on before the new site is all ready. And I'll be honest- there will be quite a few things that will be finished, added, or made better AFTER we have already gone live and moved there. Some things will take additional time to refine but don't merit keeping us from moving in anyway.
I'm guessing it's about 80% ready at this point.... exciting times!
Thanks to you all for your cooperation.
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