mwillett.org

The Debate Unlimited Forum has closed: Long Live DU2

Launched 13 April 2012 after a struggle lasting a whole month the full archive of Debate Unlimited is finally back where it should be, under my control and back online: DU2

The content of the database on my website only ever belonged to me. To copy that database to steal the forum from me was an illegal action. There is only one authorized copy of Debate Unlimited and that is DU2.

DU2 uses Simple Machines Forum software which, unlike phpBB2 is still being developed and actively supported. Because of this DU2 has new features and will have more new features in the future.

The SMF format allows users to change their displayed name (while maintaining the same username in the database), it allows users to change their titles, to make friend lists and ignore lists.

There is a facility to embed YouTube videos directly into posts.

There is a facility to post attachments to your posts.

There are feeds.

There are options (not yet explored) to optimize the forum for use on phones.

There is a spellchecker built right in to the forum with a button right next to the post button.

You can edit your mistakes (you even have two minutes to do it without it showing as an edit).

There is a sign-up procedure which effectively stops automated sign-ups from spammers, this can be tweaked to maintain immunity if the spammers learn how to get past it. There is also a simple way to create new members which bypasses it so nobody need ever be frustrated by an inability to demonstrate that they are not a 'bot.

It's a whole new exciting world to explore. Right here: DU2.

DU2 is NOT Debate Unlimited reborn or rebadged. Debate Unlimited is no more. DU2 is new and it is the future. I have no interest in debating on any forum that I am not running. I tried, but it is not for me.

DU2 was launched on Friday 13th April, 2012, exactly one month after Debate Unlimited was taken down. Don't expect it to be perfect, or busy, straight away. Forums take time to develop their momentum and there will be some teething problems. Migrating such a large database was a colossal effort. I must thank Alan for his efforts in butchering the beast that was the DU database, he split it up into more manageable chunks which could be uploaded, force-feeding the huge morsels down the relatively narrow throat of my new commercial server. Without Alan there would be no DU2.

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