United Cavers Exploration Team

I have updated the test forum at https://ucet.anduin.org.uk to the latest snapshot from this site dated about 17th March 2025.

There have been a few significant changes over the previous snapshot:

1) The forum database has been switched from postgresql back to mysql as I cannot find any cheap hosting sites which support postgresql. This means the existing HostPapa service we currently use can be potentially used for the new forum.

2) The new SMF software handles attachments differently to the Joomla/kunena code. SMF does not use the
 markers and these appeared after the text and before the photos. This has been fixed and everything should look tidier.

3) The message list and user list has been updated to pick up recent additions.

PLEASE, those of you who haven't tried it by logging on (use the password recovery on the login screen) do so as soon as possible. You should get an email with a link to reset your password, assuming you have the right email address (and you have space in your inbox!)

The more people to do this and play around - the more likely bugs will be found before the flag day when we switch over.

I have expended a huge amount of effort fixing the ropey data in the old system and converting it into a format suitable for the new forum. There is still work to do on the front page and some linkage to documents held outside the database but the forum is the most important part as it contains a lot of information gathered over the years. The knowledge bank needs a rethink and Dave Jones has kindly volunteered to help.

Bug reports to dtyson 'at' anduin.org.uk

Cheers,
Dave

Thank you to all those (24) ucet members took the trouble and managed to login to the new test site. There are still a considerable number of people who need to try to login (after using the forgotten password link).

Tim Watts identified one fault - guests could see the public forum, but couldn't see attachments. This has now been fixed.

I have also updated the member list to identify UCET members so they can see the private sections of the forum.

I have also added a few missing smilies :whistle: :sick: :huh: :evil:, if you see any others let me know (you can spot them looking for a word with : at the front and back.

Please keep up the good work - I want everyone to make the effort to login as it will reduce the hassles when the new website goes live.

I will be working on a new front page in the next few weeks

Cheers,
Dave

Hi Dave,

I have sent you a message via the messaging function on the forum. Not sure if this works yet, but thought i'd try it out.

Tom

It worked OK

have added  :lol:  :cheer:

Dave

I have updated the test forum (ucet.anduin.org.uk) to add a front page and menu items for the 'old forum' and 'contact the UCET team'

There is a new private board 'UCET Shop' which will give a single point for purchases of lamps, clothing, mugs and stickers etc.

30 UCET members have logged on the new forum after using the 'forgotten password link' - there are still a load of you that haven't and I strongly recommend you do ASAP.

Trying to reconcile the registered UCET member list with the forum is a bit hit & miss so if you are a UCET member but cannot see the UCET private boards then email or PM me and I will fix it.

The current forum snapshot is about a month out of date - I will be loading the latest posts in the next few days. Once this is done and assuming there are no problems I hope to have a test of the new forum on the current server next weekend.

This means that the UCET website and forum may be offline from all day on 26th April and may run over to 27th April


1) If everything works OK then the new website will stay live. Those of you who have logged in to the test site will find you should be able to login to the 'new site' (but watch out of you have a password manager and have chosen a different password to that on the old site)

If you go through the 'forgotten password'  and nothing turns up (check spam) then you probably haven't updated your email on the forum and will have to contact me.

I will be taking the test forum offline.

2) if it all goes pear shaped then the old forum will be back while I investigate!


Cheers,
Dave