The new website was officially launched at the end of last year (December 2011). Modern technologies allow us to browse the Internet through mobile devices such as tablets, mobile phones and many others. That’s why we’ve told ourselves the reasons why we need a new website, and over time, we’ve found that it’s a priority. We found out that the main website “eats” almost 3 MB of data only on the homepage, so we said that the new website will also have a special version for mobile devices and this version will be lightweight (but the main version will not be so much more data-intensive), which was the first reason. Other reasons are, for example, security, which is very neglected on the current website and therefore dangerous for players. This reason raised the priority of the site a little higher, Drahy wanted more helpers and to do that he said that will help us again a new site by the fact that the new site will introduce a kind of gradual allocation of powers that the player gets for regular help to other players, contributions to the matter in the new forum, help in solving reported errors and the real interest to help the server including its residents and over time to help the other players in the regular case. This fact raised the priority of the site again a little higher, because help is needed and would have been needed yesterday. Another reason for the new website is the content management system. Drahy will have absolute control over the entire site (now me), regular updates, security and more in one click in the administration and the introduction of news will be a breeze for him and will save him a lot of time compared to the old site. Monthly fees are large and with increasing costs and without voluntary contributions and Drahy the current situation is very difficult to feed the server and so on the new site there will be advertising from Google, which will not interfere with the site and which will ensure a large part of the server's maintenance in its regular monthly fees. Another reason that raised the priority of the site. Another example is linking the site, forum and bug reporting to one account that you are logging in to the game or a new bug reporting system.
All these facts and many others have catapulted the new website to the top priority, which is why we are now more concerned with it. If it seems to players that the site is currently unnecessary and that it is not as important as fixing bugs (which we do anyway) or opening new things, it is not so and I am trying to get closer here all the time. It should be remembered that with the new website we will have more helpers (see the section on the system of allocation of powers), clearer error reports, a secure website and thus without fear that you will lose your account, more time for repairs thanks to the editorial system, easier for players to find important information, etc. So it is an investment in the future - a necessary investment. What is the point of opening new instances when there is no time for repairs after opening because there are few people or you lose your account due to an insecure website and opening them is useless to you. So you have to look at it from this point of view, and I believe I have described it in detail here. Now to the question of why the website has been delayed.
The website is a complex matter and connecting a working editorial system with the website is not an easy matter (even in the case of Drahy, who does it for free without professional companies and wants to have the website as in order and in a way perfect for the player). There have been three problems recently.
The first is the connection of the website with the server and web administration, where sometimes it is not possible to activate new and even old accounts for incomprehensible reasons. Since all accounts will be manually deactivated when the site is deployed and all passwords will need to be changed and activated, this is a major problem. The situation is difficult to deal with, because it only happens “sometimes” and not for everyone, which makes the repair much more difficult (it happens in one of 10 cases when activation simply does not work).
Another problem occurred with the new bug reporting system. Drahy and other people with whom he was working on a new component for our future website, did not agree with others at the almost final stage of its development, because others began to claim rights, wanted to make the component commercial and wanted a regular supply of fees, advertising (even for our use), etc., Drahy Of course, they did not like it (it should have been accessible to everyone for free, including us) and since they did not agree, the project was finished, although a large part of the work on the component was done by Drahy (Unfortunately not all). We are now looking for a replacement preferably in a ready-made bug reporting component that will be non-commercial and will not have to be done by Drahy himself or with people who will then want money for it.
Thirdly, there is a problem with updating to the majority version of the Joomla content management system on which the new website will run. From version 2.5 (which we are currently on) to version 3.0. This is the majority version and there are minor complications. They are not essential, but they delay. Ultimately, however, we decided to stick to version 2.5, as it’s a long-term community-supported version, and we’ll move on when version 3.5 is released, but we’ll take some things over now.
So much for the important information about our website and I hope that I did not get tired of my second news, but I wanted to mention all the important information in one block, so that everyone knows what we are on at the moment and mainly for what reasons.