behind the scenes I have been building a better server for our site.
the new system has a dual core CPU, 4G RAM, and can handle up to 4 SATA drives.
over the next couple of weeks once the cutover is complete and stable, we'll be updating to a RAID5 setup and a more reliable detached backup system.

this work will put us in a capacity position to integrate additional file hosting capabilities such as embedded photo hosting in the forum, permitting file uploading, etc.

I hope to make this cutover happen today [12/15/2010]
Please excuse any interruptions

good luck with that and thanks for all the time and effort!

Your hard work is appreciated, many thanks and hope all goes well.

test post :D

looks like i'm getting better at this :choo: :D

I broke the smilies :banghead:

observe, you can now attach files to posts

and now I broke the avatars. sigh.

fixed!

very noticeable improvement in speed

yeah the forum pages seem to generate a lot quicker. this is what I was hoping for.

Awesome Mike - Big thanks from me and, I'm sure, everyone else.
Plus what the hell else can you do trapped in Oregon all winter?

Easy - Ethan

Thank you Mike! a Forum enhancement without ruining the original concept (as several seem to do)