JMich: Hopefully not. We did say that there is a trove of knowledge in quite a few of the older threads and that they should be preserved, which may complicate the migration a bit.

ZFR: Why not just archive this forum as read-only and start a fresh one. Why attempt migration?

p1881: 6)+7) Apparently GOG knows that the current forum software sucks - but I'm getting told by our Glorious 6 that a proper one would take such a long time that it can't be specified. And knowing that the software sucks GOG wanted feedback on how to improve moderation. Doesn't that sound irrational? You know the software is junk but instead of making it your highest priority you rather tweak moderation.

JMich: So you will need 2 forums software running, one for the read only part and one for the new one. Assume the read-only will need fewer resources, so you move it to a different server and keep the current forum server for the new software.
Isn't that migration?

ZFR: Why does it have to necessarily be a new server? But even if, I still wouldn't call it migration.

JMich: Not sure how well two different forum software would play on the same server. Possible that there won't be any issues of course, but also possible that there would be.
Either way, no worries, I do think that moving from one forum software to another is migration, even if no posts are moved.

drmike: They would have to merge/ connect/ move over/ etc. the user database at the very least.

Maighstir: That is, a new forum software will most likely just be hooked up to use the current user database, not migrate them to a new and forum-specific one.

drmike: That's why I put the word "connect" in there. :)

Maighstir: Please consider my post an attempt to clear up any possible confusion from future readers, then :-)

drmike: To be honest, it really depends on the software and (to be honest) the client's wishes. Importing and merging and screwing around with forums are something we do a couple times a week. Running a separate user database where a website, a forum and whatever else is something we look at a lot. We try to hook it in to one of the softwares but that's not always an option. Dealing with licensing is another issue because some software are rather restrictive and having another software hooking into the first's software is a big nono.

Each instance is different.

Lemon_Curry: GOG, what the bloody hell do you're think you're doing?!

I just noticed the return of the recently discovered (and subsequently removed) 'Consent to marketing communication' option in the 'STORE NOTIFICATIONS' section.

Now, since I was subscribed to 'Releases and Announcements' you had been so kind as to tick the new box for me. Needless to say, I immediately removed the tick marks from both of those boxes and headed back to the forum. However, a few seconds later I returned to get a screenshot and the result (as evidenced by the attachment) speaks for itself!

I'm completely speechless... have you guys learned absolutely nothing from prior experience?!
How can you consider it acceptable behaviour to force customers who are interested (and, apparently, even those who aren't) in receiving store notifications to hand over their personal data for marketing purposes?!

I've just returned to the page once more and thankfully this time the box had not been ticked automatically. I'm sure it won't stay that way for long.