Surely Martin this process of migration would be quite database intensive, but actually straightforward, like a simple mapping of forum settings and transfer of post data. I'm not sure if this is a showstopper.
I've been waiting to see the outcome of a conversation between you and Sam's boss. I notice you have some problems with NG's code. I'd be interested in what this means.
And also the interface. (Cluttered). Point taken, but in a hypothetical future with NG, this is surely part of the process. Really, where is the adequate evaluation of NG.
Re Advanced forums. I have not seen these, so I have no point of comparison. I am interested to note this tracker item: https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-39707 (evaluating Advanced forums for incorperating into Moodle core) and https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDLSITE-1910 (some for Moodle.org)
I'm concerned that putting effort into cobbling together enhancements for Standard forums are making decisions by default, and it will be using valuable coding time. I wonder what has bumped subscriptions to be 'critical' for Moodle.org, which I see as a philosophical shift. I support this: but not at the cost of clear thinking on a way ahead with forums.
I've also noticed this: https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/CONTRIB-3681 where Sam has basically moved on with work on this thing (an evil hack that I have no idea of the significance of it). I hope this does not mean development of NG is stalled outside OU for migration to future versions of Moodle.
My final comment: we've had a number of conversations about the functionality of the ideal forum. Here we come to the old issue of one person's vital is another person's essential. How we come to consensus about this is still a question. I've had my say about this elsewhere (drafts, 1<>1 options, inline, tags etc) but we could be wasting time developing lots of single issue developments and merely bolting them onto existing forums.
Is there anywhere public where we can check out MR advanced forums? Is there something in the way of user notes?
I do not think we should underestimate the significance of this issue of getting a decent forum into Moodle core. In Most settings, online, forums are a key component of an LMS. Functionality, simplicity and power (or lack of it) is a big factor in how easy it is for tutors and lecturers to manage dialogue. Just one illustration of what I mean. Currently, click reply and you loose the view of the whole thread. The inline reply of an AJAX version has huge power for many users. To say OK, use tabs, cut and paste etc is fine, it puts a consistent overhead on the activity of everybody.
We have yet to have any discussions on what the best for the end user really is in terms of the learning and interaction.
Is this correct? - our options fix existing forums (may incorperating some bits like AF from MR) (maybe getting input from HSU read later etc) or incorperate NG (after a develop) and offer a migrate process.
Off my soapbox now. As with Buddy, we are also following this conversation with interest.
-Derek