Restoration

[Kirauni]

Dear members and visitors of Lea Halalela,

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be working on restoring some of Lea's old topics and postings. I might have to shut down the board for about 1 or 2 hours, but hopefully I won't have to do that. I'll let you know once I'm done and don't worry in case you see a notice stating that the board is in offline mode.

If everything goes well, we can finally have many of our old postings back. Yay!

[Simbaspirit]

:D thanks so much!!

[nathalie]

I came to peace with them being gone.

Not sure I wanna see my old posts :lol:

[Kirauni]

You're welcome, Simbaspirit. :timonsmile:

Finally, after about 12 hours of work I'm almost done. Phew... that was some awful work!
But first things first.

Sadiki gave me the old backups he got from Mufasa back in 2008, I think.
As many of you know, they have been corrupted badly and could not be repaired. Some of the most important tables were missing (users, threads, etc.).
However the vital post-table could be saved and it contained usernames, threadname and of course the messages.
But without a working structure and the thread-tables no converter could work it it. On top of that, back then, the backup was made with vB 2. We are running vB 4 what made the dump incompatible. So yes, it appeared that the threads and posts had been lost for good.

Then Sadiki told me about what happend and as I already got quite some experience with "restoring" lost forums (e. g. The Furry Forum, The Savannah, and several other forums) I had an idea of how to restore the postings, but I lacked the experience when it came to coding.
That's where my friend s-tlk (also a long-term member here) came in.
He had already offered his help before and he's a real genius when it comes to scripting!
So I told him about the situation and showed him our backup. He was able to retrieve some postings and included them into a plain vB3 installation. I don't know what kind of magic he did there, but after some problems it seemed to work. In case you are interested he could surely provide some details once he's back from his "journey to the wild".

So with that all done, that's where I came in. I merged that installation with this board.
Unfortunately, this was really ugly since the import script didn't work at first and I had to manually adjust some setting and tables in the database. I also had to deal with wrong post- and thread ids, crashed databases and other creepy things... But don't make me go into details there.
:timontongue:

I'm glad I'm able to take a small break now. :timonrelax:
And thank God it all seems to have worked out in the end.. I couldn't have done it alone!

To make a long story short: Now you can find what we could restore in the forum "great kings of the past" (not availabe for guests, sorry.)
However, since the thread table could not be saved we could not sort them in the proper subforums. That's why they are all mixed up right now. Maybe the team here will work on that someday, I don't know. We'll see about that.

So now it's there for you, in case you're interested. Of course I understand if you're done with it and just want to start over. That's also fine.

There are still some issues like merging imported users with the existing ones or fixing minor code issues, but for now things look okay. In case you notice something odd, you can write me a PM with detailed information. That would help a lot.

Oh and I also took some time an added new Timon smileys (or is it smilies?). Hope you like them!

:timoncool:

[nathalie]

236 pages ??? lol Great job !!

Too bad it won't bring the older members back, but it'll bring back a lot of nostalgia, lol.

[Kirauni]

Lol, yeah that sounds insane, doesn't it?
And I'm glad you think it's a great job. That really means a lot to me!
:timonhug:

I was a little bit worried about you being angry with me... Yeah sounds stupid, I know. But I since you've gotten over the lost postings, I just had the feeling you didn't want them back and that I hurt you with restoring those things anyway. You know I'm so into this forum-archaeology-stuff and I sometimes forget that not everyone is as keen on keeping "old" things alive as me. But for me these pieces of the past are valuable and worth keeping. And somehow I thought Lea and of course the members who stick to the board even now deserve it.

Sure, you can't get the old users back. But maybe they will come back someday, remembering the "good old days" and then they can revive some of the good momens again. At least I love a place I can always return to. Especially when RL is changing fast. But I'm getting a little bit philosophical again...

Bare with me :timonsmile:

[nathalie]

Why would you think you'd hurt me with it? All I said was, I came to terms with the fact they were gone. There was nothing we could do about it, so that was just it.
And neither of us here had the experience like you guys do to actually get most of it back.

I'm not hurt at all ;)
I probably won't be catching up much from the old posts, haha, I know what I sounded like back then :lol:

I think at Lea we were very keen on keeping old posts. Because once in a while, you do get the urge to browse through them, and go "awwww" haha.
I remember someone from the staff deleting a bunch of older threads once (without the other staff people knowing) and we were all very upset about it.

[ThiagoPE]

wow, my post count had a "boom" (it were multiplied by 6) and seems my join date is "more accurate" now (even tough i think i joined even early here)

Great job Kirauni, it was nice see the old posts and old members.

[nathalie]

I didn't even notice that, mine went up with 5.000 haha, and my join date is 100 % correct.
10 years at lea now.

[HasiraKali]

Thanks for doing this. While I don't see myself going back and reading old posts, I know a lot of other people will be doing just that.

I also wish we could get members back. I just don't know what else to do for that. :p

Also, love the new Timon smileys.

[Dare]

Well, this is something I never thought would happen.
Thanks Kirauni!
This should be very interesting, yes indeedy! ^__^

*ponders*

While there are a handful of threads that I'd be happy to re-read again (and perhaps find some lost information that I've been searching for since circa 2007-2008)...on the other hand, I think some things from Lea's past (omg the shenanigans) should probably stay there. Also, I think there may some formerly "staff only" threads that are now visible - dunno how the adminisphere folks feel about that or if it's an issue, but wanted to make a note of it.
*le shrug*

*wanders around*
Wow, it's hard to believe that there was a time when I had more than 1,000 posts here.
Kind of weird to have my old "Wicked" account restored though - it seems I am now inadvertently violating forum rule #7.
:evilgrin:

[cleargreenwater]

Ahaha, omg! I forgot I joined here once during one of Lilymud's bandwidth blackouts! Holy crap! :D

That was fun, lol.

[Guntur]

I can't believe I deleted my first account or I could join in and read some of the cool stuff that was left behind.

Anyway Good work, congratulations and excellent for restoring the old data to the new site. I'm glad we could see this again, instead going to the time machine site just to see the content.

[Kirauni]

wow, my post count had a "boom" (it were multiplied by 6) and seems my join date is "more accurate" now (even tough i think i joined even early here)

Great job Kirauni, it was nice see the old posts and old members.

Thanks, Thiago. The "join date" is basically the oldest post in the board. But I noticed that not all of Lea's posts are back. Probably because it was not included in the backup. Or maybe you joined earlier but didn't post or we could take your join date right off the backuped database... Anyhow, I'm glad it's more accurate now. :smile3:




I didn't even notice that, mine went up with 5.000 haha, and my join date is 100 % correct.
10 years at lea now.

Glad to hear that, too!
I came across the ?nathalie? account... Should I merge it with your current one or is there a special reason for it to be there?



[...]
Also, love the new Timon smileys.

Thank you. I'm glad you like them :timonpleased:


Well, this is something I never thought would happen.
Thanks Kirauni!
This should be very interesting, yes indeedy! ^__^


You're welcome, Dare!



While there are a handful of threads that I'd be happy to re-read again (and perhaps find some lost information that I've been searching for since circa 2007-2008)...on the other hand, I think some things from Lea's past (omg the shenanigans) should probably stay there.

Good luck on that. Oh and don't worry about the "shenanigans". As far as I'm informed certain topics were pruned on a regular basis. Something about 1000 posts per topic? I don't know for sure... Like the "this or that" game.





Also, I think there may some formerly "staff only" threads that are now visible - dunno how the adminisphere folks feel about that or if it's an issue, but wanted to make a note of it.
*le shrug*


Yes, thanks for pointing that out. We've already talked about that, too. The problem is that with the thread-table gone, we have no way of knowing where a thread belongs to unless we check every single one manually. But it's being worked on. The question is if we should put certain topics in their proper forums or if we just keep them in the archive. But there were some interesting TLK topics I noticed. In my opinion they are worth to be moved to the right place. Like the Translation of TLK lyrics etc.
But that also remains to be seen.




Kind of weird to have my old "Wicked" account restored though - it seems I am now inadvertently violating forum rule #7.
:evilgrin:

Good that you mention it. So you were the user called "wicked"? I could merge the two accounts if you like. So you would not be violating the rules.
:timongotit:


I can't believe I deleted my first account or I could join in and read some of the cool stuff that was left behind.

Uhm... you lost me there. What did you mean? Can you rephrase that, please?



Anyway Good work, congratulations and excellent for restoring the old data to the new site. I'm glad we could see this again, instead going to the time machine site just to see the content.

Thank you, Guntur. By Time Machine you mean the Way Back Machine, right? Unfortunately it hasn't stored much data so it hasn't been of much help. Too bad Lea 3 (well.... the one that came after Mufasa's Lea went down) was for members only. Otherwise the Way Back Machine could have saved a few postings and we could add them to the pile. Oh well... you can't have everything, right?

[KanuTGL]

Woow, that's amazing work, Kirauni (and s-tlk)! It's quite a substantial amount of posts you've managed to recover...! Well done! :wow:

[Dare]

So you were the user called "wicked"? I could merge the two accounts if you like. So you would not be violating the rules.
:timongotit:


Sure, might as well merge 'em, if it wouldn't be too much trouble.
*nodnods*

[Kirauni]

Thanks, KanuTGL!

Don't worry Dare. That's no trouble at all. I assume you want to keep the name "dare" and not "wicked", right?

[nathalie]

I came across the ?nathalie? account... Should I merge it with your current one or is there a special reason for it to be there?


Haha, that was my "special" user name back then, it was •nathalie•

I never registered again with those circles, was a pain to log it at times :lol:

[Guntur]

Uhm... you lost me there. What did you mean? Can you rephrase that, please?



I deleted my first account in rage back on 06, I wish I would just use that account. :lol: I believe this is my forth or fifth account or name change on this beautiful site.

Anyway if you find Phoenix, or Guntur, or Fendi, on the database that would be me and I would love to merge it if it's possible.

[Dare]

Thanks, KanuTGL!
I assume you want to keep the name "dare" and not "wicked", right?

Yes please
:)

[Kirauni]

Ah, thanks for the info, Nathalie. Should I merge this account with your current one then or leave it?


I deleted my first account in rage back on 06, I wish I would just use that account. I believe this is my forth or fifth account or name change on this beautiful site.

Anyway if you find Phoenix, or Guntur, or Fendi, on the database that would be me and I would love to merge it if it's possible.


Okay, I checked what you wrote and yes... you really had many accounts or names :zazueek:
I found both "phoenix" and "Fendi" and merged them now into your "Guntur" account. It really looks better this way.



Yes please
:)

Aye aye! :zazuayeayesir:

I merged them and updated your postcounts, ranks and of course the thread information. Have fun!

[KanuTGL]

Also, I just wanted to say that I love the added smilies :P

Though... haven't a few of the old ones changed? I don't remember ): (: and o: (but mirrored, of course) being these :( :) :o before.

[Simbaspirit]

:D so exciting!! Thanks so much :hugs:

[Guntur]

Okay, I checked what you wrote and yes... you really had many accounts or names :zazueek:
I found both "phoenix" and "Fendi" and merged them now into your "Guntur" account. It really looks better this way.


I just love the expression.

:lol: :slimey: :slurp:

Thank you for retrieving and merge my account. ;)

if lion_roog is still in the database I will inform him to rejoin the community. :)

[Kirauni]

Also, I just wanted to say that I love the added smilies :P


Thanks! It's nice to get some feedback. I'd do more if I have some time to spare. But for now we go with some new Timon and Zazu smileys. I just love that bird... :zazulove:



Though... haven't a few of the old ones changed? I don't remember ): (: and o: (but mirrored, of course) being these :( :) :o before.

Yes, that could really be the case. You know the "generic smileys" like the ones you mentioned were imported from the backup as well so they might have "overwritten" something.
Unfortunately, the smileys you just posted are the "new" ones, if I'm not mistaken? At least here I can see Nala, Sarabi and Kiara in your post. But when I browse the board with my mobile app, I see them as "normal" yellow smileys. Could you explain a little bit which ones were the original? I'd replace them then. Thanks for pointing that out! It never occured to me ^^'




:D so exciting!! Thanks so much :hugs:

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.


Thank you for retrieving and merge my account. ;)



Same here. I'm glad we finally could retrieve those accounts. :zazusmile: And if I'm not mistaken it was just in time for Lea's anniversary, right?


if lion_roog is still in the database I will inform him to rejoin the community. :)

As far as I know, he is. At least while I checked the threads I noticed that his name has been mentioned. Wait... I think that's his profile:
http://www.leahalalela.net/member.php?283

It would be great if you could contact some old members like him. Maybe they want to come back and have a look at it. Oh... but in case he forgot the password, he probably can't have it e-mailed. The script had some problems with the e-mail addresses, so I didn't save them. But he could write me or another admin and we could send him a new password.

[nathalie]

I guess you could merch my old account with this one, it's all "me" anyways, lol.

I hadn't had any time yet to really look through stuff in there, when I'm on, it's on my phone, I hardly manage to get behind my laptop lately *sigh*

[Guntur]

It would be great if you could contact some old members like him. Maybe they want to come back and have a look at it. Oh... but in case he forgot the password, he probably can't have it e-mailed. The script had some problems with the e-mail addresses, so I didn't save them. But he could write me or another admin and we could send him a new password.

Guess we should invite the old members through facebook, I know some of the old timers use Lea's Facebook group to keep in touch with the Lea friends.

[Kirauni]

That's all right Nathalie.
I've merged your accounts as well.

And Guntur, it would be nice if you could contact him. I don't have a facebook account so I won't be able to help you there.

[Guntur]

I already contact lion_roog and SimbaTheLion on facebook. and I just made a post about the old account has been recovered on Lea Group in Facebook.

[Kirauni]

Thank you! I've just sent a password remider to SimbaTheLion. Hopefully he'll find his way back here. Let's wait and see.

Oh and I noticed that deleted accounts could not be transfered because back at Lea 1 (or was it 2... I'll never know :rafikitongue:) deleted accounts seem to have lost their usernames as well. So the script had to replace the username by a joker-name like "zero" (since the user's id was 0). But that led to a little bit of confusion, so I renamed "zero" to "unregistered user" now. I Hope that's better.

[Guntur]

For some of you know, I'm currently PM my lea friends in Facebook to rejoin the community as I said that their username database are still intact and ask 'em if they are interesting to join back into the pride.

Well I'm here to relive the community like it was on the peak of it's time. Hope my mission here are doing well.

[Sharifu]

Wow, nice job Kirauni! It's weird going back and reading some old posts, seeing all these old member's names that I have once forgotten about. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to make those people rejoin. But it's still cool to go back and read some of those old posts. But I can't believe some of the posts I made in the past, they're embarrassing. :lol:

[King Simba]

But I can't believe some of the posts I made in the past, they're embarrassing. :lol:
I feel the same. :lol:

Thanks for doing this Kirauni, it makes me feel all nostalgic again. :D

[Kirauni]

Heh, yes I know how you feel. I've experienced this with other boards I helped restoring, too. But hey, that's our past and it kind of made us who we are now, right?
Or as Rafiki would say: It doesn't matter, it's in the past. :rafikiinnocent: :p

When I went through the pages I noticed that there are still some threads missing. At least if I compare the total numbers of the threads from here with the backups, there are some threads missing. Either the numbers in the backup were wrong (which could be) or we didn't restore all the threads. Occasionally, I'll go through the databse table manually and try to find out if there are really some threads missing. But that takes a lot of time and patience, and I'm not sure when I'll be done with that. But it's something to look out for.
I just wanted to inform you all about that.

[nathalie]

Spam account? I'm at work, I can't really do anything about it now, in Rafikis tree.

[Kirauni]

That doesn't have anything to do with the restoration, but thanks for mentioning. I've just noticed it myself and taken care of it.

[nathalie]

I know, but its hard to quickly type between work, so couldn't browse to someplace else really fast.. Managed to remove the threads though.

[Kirauni]

Ah, I see. i hope you don't mind me moving our posting to a new thread? There we can discuss things if another spambot should come here.

I've "soft deleted" the threads at first, so that only the staff can view the threads. I wanted to have a look at them later and try to find clues how the bot managed to get past our questions. But I guess you were faster. Oh well, now they are gone and I hope we won't get to see another one of those nasty spambots soon.

Thanks for deleting the threads :)

[Guntur]

But I can't believe some of the posts I made in the past, they're embarrassing. :lol:

*echoes KS post*

HAHA yeah, I posted it on the chat section too. :lol:

Well to me those were the good times we all had.

[KanuTGL]

Yes, that could really be the case. You know the "generic smileys" like the ones you mentioned were imported from the backup as well so they might have "overwritten" something.
Unfortunately, the smileys you just posted are the "new" ones, if I'm not mistaken? At least here I can see Nala, Sarabi and Kiara in your post. But when I browse the board with my mobile app, I see them as "normal" yellow smileys. Could you explain a little bit which ones were the original? I'd replace them then. Thanks for pointing that out! It never occured to me ^^'
Yes, I meant that the "new"/replaced smilies are Nala, Sarabi and Kiara. I can't quite remember what the "o:" used to be, actually, but I think the sad smilie used to be of cub Simba and the smile used to be of Mufasa? Anyone else remember? xP

[Guntur]

Yes, I meant that the "new"/replaced smilies are Nala, Sarabi and Kiara. I can't quite remember what the "o:" used to be, actually, but I think the sad smilie used to be of cub Simba and the smile used to be of Mufasa? Anyone else remember? xP

I remember the smiling picture were from Simba.

That's all I can think off at the moment, will edit this one if I managed to remember the rest of the basic smiley.

[Kirauni]

Yes, I meant that the "new"/replaced smilies are Nala, Sarabi and Kiara. I can't quite remember what the "o:" used to be, actually, but I think the sad smilie used to be of cub Simba and the smile used to be of Mufasa? Anyone else remember? xP

Hmm that's really confusing because now that you mention it, I have others in mind. I think it's best if I check out a backup and set it back here :)

Edit: Okay, fixed it! I should have checked the backup in the first place. Oh well... next time :timonredface:

[This Land]

This is brilliant ! 8D

It's crazy how you managed to do this. I tried to recover posts with the database backup I had of the forum but it was out of my knowledge. Hehe

I'm currently going through all the threads I made, I cringe at some then laugh at others, haha xD

Again, amazing job, well done =D

[soulImbibe]

Kirauni,

When you get a chance, can you merge the old account "soulimbibe" with this one? My old password and email reset were not working.

Thanks!

[Kirauni]

Sure thing :)
I'll do it right away.

And thank you for the kind words, This Land! I'm glad you like what you see ^^