Just an update on what I'm planning to do on the site. Posting it here is just a way for me to remember it as well.
The US webhosts haven't received my money order yet and I sent it almost 2 weeks ago [:P]. I need that finalised before I migrate everything over there. My current hosting plan is just about to end, so it's getting a bit close for my liking. Krome was happy to sponsor the site for another year, which is fantastic! I will post more about this after the site migrates and everything is settled.
Currently testing the site making sure everything is working there. I'll be implementing that thumbnail image resizing ability for members once the site has migrated, and I'll have to adjust the site to use another mail component. Hopefully that'll be really easy.
Other plans include spitting out all the main body of every news item in the Sumea database as individual txt files which will be zipped up in a news archive. At the moment, the whole news is chucked into the database (including the sizeable body/text of the news) and the only useful reason I can imagine for keeping it in the database would be for a keyword search feature, which I did have over a year ago but removed because it really slowed things down. Nowadays you could just use google instead which would do it much faster.
Less data retrieved from the database means a more happier, faster Sumea, and in return the database is *much* trimmer too. I think it's a good plan for the future if Sumea were to go on for another 5 years or so, the news won't bulk up the database and slow the site down. I think that's what most major commercial news sites do anyway, archive news stories/articles in zip files. Gonna use the same idea for member posts - all text files compressed in a members zip archive.
From a visitor or member's point of view, you won't see anything different apart from a slightly faster loading time..
Gonna build some functionality for the gallery so that visitors can post comments under the picture (comments will be zipped up in an archive as well).
Need to fix the missing graphics for the section pages and redesigning the member profile pages, linkstation, and gallery pages.. And yes, I'll add another field to the database so you can upload a cam photo of yourself for a Sumea cam portal shot thingy. :)Just been waiting for migration to the new server before I do that.
Of course, all this is a HUGE amount of work, so that'll keep me busy for a year or so of slow paced tinkering. [:)]
Does anyone know where I can find a VERY cheap local ISP where I can place 10mbs or so of Sumea website gfx? I don't need an IP, domain name, email or anything other than an FTP account and 10mbs of space.
i dont know any ISP's, but i think the mugshot thing is a great idea!