** UPDATE: Friday, November 18 **
It’s time! We're getting closer to moving, so now is the time to *really* start paying attention! Our estimated move date is in mid-January. Starting next week, you can expect regular updates as dates firm up. Here's what we recommend doing now:
** UPDATE: Thursday, Sept 8
If you have seen a "pardon our dust" message just now, this is the first of our technology changes. More details are available here.
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Hello again!
It’s been several months since my last post, so first and foremost, I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer. Things have been hopping for us behind the scenes and I have some important and exciting updates to share.
EX Is Moving To Jive!
As I mentioned in my blog post back in March, we have been investigating different options for new Community software. Currently the site runs on a platform called Elgg, which is quite outdated and lacks a number of helpful features which are now considered standard among community platforms. After an intensive and rigorous selection process, we recently signed a contract with a software provider called Jive. They support some of the most vibrant online communities, and have a platform that we’re really excited about. The input that you all have shared over the past year was an integral part of this selection process and so helpful in our decision making. Hands down, Jive will provide a community experience that we are confident will meet and exceed your expectations here on EX!
Just a Few of the Reasons We’re Excited About Jive
What Does This Mean For You?
The move is planned for November. Yes, it’s happening that soon!
We know this is a place where you choose to spend your precious time and we do not take that for granted. Our intent is to switch over to the new software platform with the LEAST disruption possible. Ideally, there will only be 24 hours when you won’t be able to post to the site. We will communicate exact dates as soon as we know them. And we will communicate it to you often, via the site itself and by email. We will do everything to make sure you’re not caught unaware.
So what’s involved with a change in technologies like this?
Think of it in terms of moving from one house to another. As you might imagine, there’s a LOT of stuff that the EX community has accumulated over the years… hundreds of thousands of blog posts, blog comments, pictures, group discussions…. user profiles and all the content that lives in each person’s profile. We’ll be doing some necessary housekeeping before the move, but for the most part, everything in the house is going with us! We’ve hired the best “moving company” that is bringing the biggest, strongest, heftiest movers to the job (i.e., amazing tech folks, designers, project management staff, etc.). They’ll make sure everything gets where it needs to go, safely and securely!
We Are Going To Need Your Help!
The Jive platform has a lot of functionality that is available right out of the box. But there are some key decisions that we will need to make about how we want to customize it. This is where your input will be very helpful! We would like to create an EX Community Advisory Board to help gather feedback and input, and make decisions in an efficient way. It will be open to anyone and everyone who wishes to participate. You’ll get a sneak peek of upcoming features in the new experience and the opportunity to provide feedback during the customization phase. What we’ll get are your ideas and reactions to the work we’re doing, which is of the utmost importance to us.
Click Here to Sign Up for the EX Advisory Board
“Please Pardon Our Dust”
You’ll see this phrase in various forms over the next few months. What it means is that we’ve got a big project ahead of us that will ultimately result in a fantastic improvement here on EX. But there may be some bumps and “mess” along the way. We ask for your patience and good humor and continued great ideas as we move ahead.
I hope my excitement is infectious. I have the most amazing team here at Truth Initiative and with our outside partners. I am confident we will deliver an experience that helps to support and nurture the amazing relationships that already exist and the ones that are yet to come here on EX.
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