We’ve got big plans for G&GR over the off season with our goal being to build a fully integrated blog, forum and ruggapedia (knowlegebase).
To cover the ongoing operational costs such as hosting G&GR, in addition to purchasing for the planned software upgrades we are asking for donations.
There is a Paypal link below if you’d like to donate, or if you prefer a direct bank transfer then contact us via email on paypal@greenandgoldrugby.com .
Anyone who donates will get some form of recognition that shows next to your name each time you post in the forum (and blog, if I can get this to work)
Features of new site:
- single login to access the entire site
- new blog posts show up in the forums as a new thread
- integrated blog/forum replies to articles
- push blog traffic into the forums, forum traffic into blog
- colaborative editing of ruggapedia articles
Blog – WordPress
- is doing a great job
- familiar with the software
- most features, plugins and widgets
- integration is available with vBulletin
- open source – and free!
Forum – vBulletin (US$195)
- integrates with wordpress
- integrates with wikipedia
- has an upgrade path from smf
- new version 4.0 about to be released looks really good.
- built in search engine optimisation; will increase hits from google exponentially
- hover-reveal function to explain player nick-names and integrate wiki with forum
- cheers hack; can show your agreeance with a post without having to post
- vBookie; odds based betting system for vBulletin; note this would have to be ported to version 4.0, not sure on eta.
- already familiar with the software
Knowledge base – VaultWiki (US$50ish – pricing to be announced for their upcoming v3.0)
- integrated with vBulletin
- familar interface to vBulletin – BBCode etc
- open source (free)
- will allow us to collaboratively generate a knowledge base on Australian rugby
- we maintain control of the information, putting it on wikipedia is a big hassle as they let the power go to their heads
Rough plan
1. Raise cash
2. vb4 gold released (currently in beta 4)
3. Install vb4 on dev site
4. Install wiki on dev site
5. Migrate tys database to dev site
6. Integrate blog and wiki with vb
7. Build GAGR theme for vb and wiki
8. Open up dev site for beta testing
9. Promote to live site
10. Drink beer
