January 25, 2011 5:46 PM PST
During the next few days we will be moving the Isara website to a new server and also upgrading the site's software. During the switch the website might be unavailable for a few hours and some user data will be lost. Any private messages you have in your Isara.org Inbox will not be transferred. We recommend copying/pasting any messages you need saved into a Word document.
Some of the upgrades will include:
- Photo and Video Albums for all members (with member tagging)
- Instant Message chat (similar to Facebook)
- Member blogs (Isara volunteers will have a blog instead of a forum topic)
- Facebook integration (login using FB and post status updates to FB from Isara)
- Site-wide activity wall (newest blog entries, uploaded photos, forum posts, etc.)
The current version of our site did not improve the navigation the way we had hoped. We feel the new changes will make the site much easier to find the information visitors are looking for.
Thank you for your continued patience as we build a website that better represents our charity.
January 26, 2011 4:13 AM PST
When you say the website might not be available for a few hours do you mean more than 2? Ack!!! ;-) Can't wait to see Isara evolve!
January 26, 2011 4:28 AM PST
Sounds GREAT!! :) I'm ready and very excited to see the new Isara website!! :)
January 26, 2011 7:47 AM PST
Can't wait to see the new upgrade! :)
January 28, 2011 4:35 AM PST
Wow!! I like it!! The home page is so organized. :) I can't wait to see more. :) Thank you to volunteer Ian for donating the new server and programing. Thank you to volunteer JamesP for helping with the programing. :) Great job guys! :)
January 28, 2011 5:53 AM PST
Nice improvements!
It's weird, all week I've been getting DNS lookup fail for Isara on my computer at work. At home I see the site fine. Maybe this is just a problem with my work computer...but thought I'd let you know.
February 2, 2011 1:21 AM PST
Thanks, everyone. Glad you like the changes. :-)
We tried doing something like this with the last upgrade (back in August) but it never fully developed because of the limitations of the software we used. This new software is much more suited for the interaction we want between Isara and our supporters.
Feel free to put the site through its paces (upload photos, videos, make groups, add friends, etc.) and let us know if there are any problems.
The real difference will be on the inside. Once you login you will be introduced to a whole new plethora (that's right, I said plethora) of fun stuff to play with and explore.
One problem we've run into is the fact that passwords will not transfer to the new site. This means that all our member's passwords will be reset. Members will be sent an e-mail with their new (temporary) password. Upon first login, members will need to visit their "Settings" page and change their password to whatever they'd like (fill out their Profile Info too). Avatars will also be lost so members will need to upload a new picture.
Ian (hillscott) has been working hard to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible (he also donated the use of the server, which is NOT cheap). Thank you, Ian!! :-)
Our current volunteer, JamesP, has also been helping with PHP programming. It's not easy getting all our members and forum topics/posts into the new system but, with the help of both Ian and JamesP, it might just be possible. 
