New look forum coming this week

It appears that the new look forum will be going live towards the end of January. There is a test site that was last updated 21st November. The website address is mot-testers.freemessageboards.com/ and you'll be able to view it now (you may need a new global account - see below), bearing in mind it may change as more features are added and some may go. Some things may look different due to the nature of converting this forum to the new one but nothing should be lost. For example, the smileys may not look the same as the one you originally posted and it's possible that you may think a member is "having a go" where in fact they were have a laugh and putting a wink on the end.

You'll be able to access the forum using the current address in future - it will automatically redirect you - but we'll make a post once up and running to remind you all to change your bookmarks.

At the same time, they are implementing a new global login system. There is a video explaining it all here . You'll have to create a new account using your email address and that will be your new login. You'll still be able to keep and/or change your display name ( the name that appears by your posts).

We'll let you know if there are any further updates.


Edited to add that the test site was last updated 21st November and no posts from here have been added after that. There has been a few more test posts and testing of new and added features that are not visible to everyone.

There's a search engine on this forum already and it's not going away.

There's also a shoutbox as default but with the possibility to turn it off if it gets abused.

And loads of behind the scenes benefits and extras.

I've been told it should be going live Thursday or Friday. There will be some downtime while the conversion takes place but should last no more than 15 minutes. Hopefully all the links to the left and right will survive but I've kept a copy just in case.

David is doing the colours so prepare yourselves for a psycho shock to your eyeballs