Some people are going to like this post and some aren’t I’m afraid. I know some people are very set with the format of these forums while others (including some that no longer post) have long been asking for something newer.

I’ve taken the decision to modernise these forums for various reasons.

Each time there is an OS upgrade or change the likelihood of the run-time scripts failing increases. Ultimately they will. Given that some of them are encrypted and the only person that had the key passed over 20 years ago, the chances of fixing things if that happens are zero.
Similarly the chances of me getting everything to work if I had to move it to a new platform are pretty remote.

The current forums will all become archives in the same way I handled the old CCA message board and the scripts for those should continue to run ok although there may be a limit to how long I will be willing to fund the old server.
The new forums will run on xenforo (same as Poker Chip Forum). The existing forum URL’s will take users directly to the new forums and there will be links back to the archives.
In addition there will be a central landing page where users can enter each forum or access other resources.

I might consider taking advantage of the flexibility of the new forum software to create sub-forums. I would be interested in hearing users views of that here - see bottom of post

Users will be required to register on the new forums if they wish to post. They will be able to view (but not post) as guests. A single registration will cover all 3 forums.
It will take some time to set all this up and customise the new forums. I’m not expecting to transition anything until at least the end of October. The new forums will be secure URL’s from the start and users should not experience any of the issues we’ve seen with the chipguide migration.

Making this change means that the longer term future of the forums is secure as there is no server to manage and control can be passed to someone else in minutes.

So for example and discussion, here are some ways the forums could be structured.

1. Simplest form, same as we have now

TheChipboard
TheStrikePoint
SlotCardBBS

2. Separating out certain categories of post like NCR (or sales). Either per forum like this

TheChipboard
----General
----NCR
TheStrikePoint
----General
----NCR
SlotCardBBS
----General
----NCR

3. Or globally like this

TheChipboard
TheStrikePoint
SlotCardBBS
NCR

Additionally I could provide a classifieds section for ‘wanted’, ‘for trade’ and one off ‘sales’ listings and a Marketplace Vendors section for regular sellers like PCF.
.