we have used YAF since 2008 on thecarversite.com. The code is old, and the site is in need of an overhaul. However, I have a BIG problem now. Developers do not want use ASP.NET anymore, and it probably wouldn't be wise to do so when investing a lot of money for the future. Instead, Devs are using MVC, which is not compatible with YAF's ASP.NET.

So now I'm stuck. It is very important to us as a community to retain our database and links to posts.

Are there plans to convert YAF into MVC?

Every Dev has told me they would have to remake the site from scratch! This means $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Please help.

Of course i would like to move YAF to MVC.

The problem is we not have the resources. I'm the only developer and i only have little time. Converting YAF to MVC would require a complete rewrite of the fronted. At this point it is impossible,

Why not start a fund to get this rolling?

What is the best alternative to YAF, now? I do not even know, I have had enough with security problems, urgent updates, frequent "optional" (but in reality "mandatory") paid updates to consider a move. Even if I could find a better product, how long would it stay with us? Forums are not tiny phone apps, they last for years and years, users get accustomed to them and changing is a good move only if it gives BIG improvements.

So, in my opinion, radically changing architecture in a free software to satisfy the needs of a user who has his own developers to make their job easier is not an option tha_watcha should consider being the only remaining developer. Real job, family, friends, etc... ARE important.

Raising funds to aid further developement of this platform is an interesting option I would subscribe, but does the_watcha have even the time to organize a poll to decide which functions should be up on the list? Could he find anybody to help out with code? I believe he could, and I wish this project will continue, but I do not think it is fair to push him towards this.

My personal opinion: I *really* think that if he could devote a couple of hours a day to help new developers these could be found, helped by a small fund raising among YAF users who would be happy to pay for new functions or remote assistance, as in many open source projects out there. Make a living from open source is hard, but not impossible, this is why this kind of project has frequent changes in staff. Now, the_watcha is alone and I sincerely hope he will not give up on the project which is still very promising, only needs to be revived.

We have to remember that he did a great job solving almost every bug users found in this software, which is now excellent.

Not many new functions are necessary, but one thing is really in need of improvement: mobile version. Be it responsive design or another solution, nowadays the most of visitors come from mobile platform and YAF is not up to date in this regard.

I really do not understand admins who ask for fancy new functions forgetting the most of their users have a non-optimal experience when browsing YAF from tablets and smartphones, that is to say for the MAJORITY of their time on the forums!

So, the_watcha, a big thank you for all you have done, but do not give up now on further developement: YAF is one step only from a perfect forum, just mobile functions should be updated. Stop bug checking, write a new "to do" list, ask for help by new developers and start a fund raising. I am in!

I'm not trying belittle tha-watcha in any way - he's a crusader and I'm grateful for every post and every update he does for this project.

However, we're spending thousands of dollars updating our site - thousands which perhaps I could have invested in THIS project to get it up to date with the 21st century.

It is getting a bit old, as you say. I still prefer it over bugged softwares, but it cannot be denied.

The "problem" with YAF is that it is an almost perfect product under the reliability/security point of view and it is not mainstream, so only decently experienced administrators use it and they do not write too much on the support forum.

Opening developement to new programmers could be the key to a new era in YAF evolution, but this can be decided and made true by the_watcha only.

He did a really great job, until now, I am sure he will not abandon his creature!

other than MVC is the preferred model for web development, and basically the future model for developers.

Honestly, no dev has ever been able to explain to me why - other than they don't want to touch ASP.NET webforms - they'd much rather use MVC.

I've been looking into learning MVC and what you said, is essentially what I've heard myself too!

I don't know man - programmers live in a different world. :lol:

I run a forum with thousands of users, about 2500-3000 unique visitors/day and it stands up very well regarding performance.

Regarding webforms, in the corporate world there is still a lot of new development made in webforms since there is a lot of time, money and effort put into it, just like YAF, so developer love for the MVC model is a personal dream and not a standard yet. However, spanking brand new web application projects are of course most likely orientated towards the MVC design pattern in the corporate world too.

I've looked at the MVCForum project, but it's not quite up to the standards of YAF (yet).

I completely agree. We could have just stayed with the present webforms model and just upgraded YAF into a new site. But I've been told that going MVC will put the site in a better place for the future.

I don't know if that exactly true - but that was the impression I was given.