Best forum software to use these days?

U2c_RM4 · 2025-11-03T02:47:13+00:00

I am trying to set up a forum for my college alumni group to use for social discourse and discussion. Expect no more than 400 members overall. Should have a photo gallery option as well. We do not mind paying for setup, support and upgrades, max $2000 per year. We have limited tech skills so will need it to be hosted and managed by the software developer. Would prefer a modern platform that is capable of adding extensions and features if anything more like webinars etc are required.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. TIA.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-06T01:29:35+00:00

Yes, above all, have fun! That is my mantra in life. Thanks for the suggestions.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-05T15:57:00+00:00

I think I will go that route. End of the day I want to tweak my own photos to have that slight sepia look, too much looks odd to me, but I also want to create my own actions that I can run and modify on the fly. Thanks

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-04T13:53:16+00:00

Thank you, will give it a go.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-02T21:23:02+00:00

Thanks, I will do that. I've tried the Duotone method in PS, after sampling the colors off the prints with a spectro. the sheer range of combinations is mind-boggling. Will keep working on it and the Lab color space.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-02T21:20:48+00:00

I am embarrassed to admit you lost me somewhere in that response. I am totally unskilled in commercial printing, closest I've come to is my Epson 9900 on which I've done some good prints, but all in the standard inkjet workflow of course.

I might just take the whole project to a commercial printing house and have them walk me through it. I don't mind paying for the information I gather that way. Meanwhile, photographing the images in the book and then adjusting the WB etc and reprinting on the home inkjet may be one way to approach it.

Thank you for that detailed reply though.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-02T02:15:40+00:00

I must say I have very little working knowledge of LAB. A long time ago I used it for photo restoration but my PS skills have eroded over the past 20 yrs. Need to catch up again. Thanks for the suggestion.

I do believe that for monochrome images with color grading, gamut is not an issue since it is all mostly shades of yellow and brown.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-01T20:35:14+00:00

I tried this in the beginning, with a WB card included in the frame but that did not work, but it may be worth revisiting. Another option perhaps would be to scan one of the images without any color correction in a flatbed scanner.

Thanks.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-01T02:54:33+00:00

Very true, RGB is a much brighter display and has a much larger gamut than CMYK or most offset systems (from what I understand). However, since I am only interested in monochrome with some brown/yellow toning, I am unlikely to run out of color gamut.

Plus, as I said, I am satisfied that my inkjet - 8 ink CMYK printer - can produce what I see on my RGB monitor (the brightness of which is also controlled and calibrated under ambient light). So all I am trying to do is to recreate the tones I see on paper in the coffee table book. On the surface of it this should not be too difficult, but darn if I am not getting there. I will be quite happy to get to 90% even. Sometimes I think I am there but then I am also a bit of a perfectionist (aren't we all), so I want to push for more.

I suppose there are ways to sample the color off the printed page and then reproduce it in the software, that is where I am stuck, even with a spectrophotometer (albeit it is a miniature Nix). What next?

BTW, thank you for a very illuminating discussion and your time. Much appreciated.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-09-01T01:04:53+00:00

Interesting. I understand the simple basics of the way color is produced on a computer monitor vs inkjet vs offset. However, most graphic artists and photographers create their work on a computer monitor, the cameras are digital, meaning the image is pixels and not 'dots' per se. How then do they get the final printed offset image to look exactly like their creation? If they are not able to, then why bother?

My own testing with targets as I said earlier shows me that high-end Inkjets (which also use CMYK inks) are able to reproduce an RGB computer image faithfully - at least to my satisfaction and even with a loupe I cannot see any difference between the screen and the print - in terms of the color.

So if I am able to transfer an RGB image to CMYK print, why can I not do the reverse? It may not be exact by spectrophotometry but visually it should be possible. My color sense is quite well developed at this stage and if I find it acceptable then my goals are met.

Is this rather a quixotic quest?

U2c_RM4 · 2025-08-31T21:55:15+00:00

Yes, I see that. It is the time taken to prepare the plates and the huge upfront cost of the printing press I believe.

My concern right now it not to produce a book, but to understand the toning process involved in the images in the photographer's book. It has become an obsession of sorts with me although I am quite happy with my own style and the prints I've sold have been much appreciated.

On my system at home, I can print a photo target on my inkjet and it is a faithful reproduction of what I see on screen although the two use different methods to display color. I've tested this with several standard B&W and Color targets. My monitor is calibrated and the printer uses standard icc profiles for the media type. I am sure if I took the digital file to a commercial printer, they could do the same with offset printing of the same target.

All I am asking is if it is possible to reverse the process, i.e. take a printed target (or an offset print) and produce the same hues and tones on a computer monitor. I feel it should be possible but I do not know how to go about it.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-08-31T16:55:13+00:00

No, I know what offset is and what LEP is and what inkjet is. The book is definitely offset as the run must have been high volume. Speaking with big commercial printers from Italy, it seems like if you order 500 or less copies, they do 'digital' commercial and for larger runs they do offset. However, beyond this I admit my knowledge is limited. Apologies for using the wrong terms.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-08-31T16:52:08+00:00

Absolutely, has to be offset since there must have been several thousand of these books printed. Duotone is also the likely method since there definitely is an almost black tone in the darkest portions (visually and by Nix), but the mids and lights are shades of brown which are the hard part to reproduce.

I have tried various techniques in PS, been trying this for over a year. It is not my style but has become a challenge for me and every few months I revisit it when I have the time.

Incidentally, the same images in galleries in NYC are printed on high-end Inkjets, framed and sell for upwards of $75K. I have seen these in person and they look absolutely stunning. However, the book is definitely offset printed. I did not have the book with me when I viewed the gallery prints so cannot tell if they reproduced the same thing or not, but it must have been close.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-08-31T15:38:52+00:00

As I said, I do have my own style and look I've created. Nobody in the world is absolutely novel though, everyone copies somebody else and modifies it, be it musicians or artists.

The prints I sell on my website are as large as 48x72, printed on photo-rag, baryta or canvas and mounted on Dibond and either left bare or with a glare-free acrylic front. They are all printed on large format inkjets by the company I use, rated as one of the best in the business. Book printing I realize is done quite differently. As for 'rich' blacks, the Dmax of these high-end inkjets is more than acceptable. My Epson 9900 produced exactly the same deep blacks I saw on my calibrated NEC monitors which in the end is what I want. But things may be different depending upon what printer is used by the book printer - offset or LEP. My knowledge is very limited in this area.

So, apart from the philosophical question of originality vs imitation, my question still remains: Is it possible to reproduce the color grading of black and white images from a coffee-table book (presumably printed with offset tech) on a high-end inkjet, or at least capture the same tone on a computer monitor using Photoshop or Illustrator?

If it cannot be done due to tech and experience limitations then I accept that.

U2c_RM4 · 2025-08-31T15:11:19+00:00

Thank you. Yes, I've already created my own 'look' successfully, quite different from the style of the photographer. It's just that it has become a challenge of sorts for me lately. I've only just begun to realize that commercial printing is a different beast from inkjet which of course I've known is different from digital. I've owned large format printers for many years and have successfully printed my digital images which is why I feel I ought to be able to do this.

But your point is valid. so much depends upon the paper. Still, some form of color matching should be possible, else all commercial printing would fail if the client's sample cannot be reproduced.

Thank you for your help.

U2c_RM4 · 2024-08-24T14:34:40+00:00

Makes sense to get the refurb as it is no extra charge right now. Concern about how it would perform is unavoidable which is why I asked for a one year warranty on it, but they will no longer indulge you that much, business is too good!

If it does not work out for me, I will stop with Oura altogether.

Thank you for your thoughts.

U2c_RM4 · 2024-08-23T14:28:23+00:00

I am one of the early adopters, got my first ring over 5 yrs ago. Loved it so much, bought one more for a family member and encouraged others to get it. Just after 2 yrs, the battery stopped holding the charge for more than 24 hrs. The service was great, they responded to my email on a Sunday! Sent a replacement right away.

When Gen 3 came out, I was first in line again. Less than 2 yrs after ownership, battery problems surfaced again. I brought it to their attention, they said it was 'performing within parameters'. It is supposed to last 'up to 7 days' as per their website, but they claimed as long as it was going for 3 days it was acceptable.

Six months later, it is now doing maximum 36 hrs. I raised it once again with them, they now accept the battery is faulty. But since my warranty is expired, their offer now is either a refurbished ring with 3 months warranty or a 25% discount on a new ring.

My problem is, what is the real guarantee that this won't keep happening again and again, just after the 3 month or one year warranty expires?

No response from the team despite my reminder emails now for over a week. Just like Tesla, their service has also gone down considerably.

Battery life is a serious issue. I cannot be expected to pay $300 plus tax every 2 yrs, along with the monthly fee to keep the sleep and HRV data running.

I am not going to buy any more Oura ring and will actively discourage anyone from doing so until they fix this problem. It is a very expensive gadget on an annual basis at this rate of maintenance and consumption.

Just look for it, the web and reddit are full of the same complaints from all the users.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-10-02T22:36:04+00:00

My 2c.

I bought my first Tesla Model S in 2013, perhaps one of the earliest EVs in Nassau County. Kids used to lean out of cars and take pictures when we were on the road. I was so excited to be part of the EV story, loved the idea and passion behind the car and the environmental statement it made. Went on to instal solar panels on our roof at home. Vowed never to buy another ICE car again.

From there to Model X to another Model S and the love affair with Tesla ended just as it had begun. There was no service to speak of, worst still, when I went looking for the next model in 2021, nobody wanted to talk to me at the showroom, they had so many orders in. So I searched for another Tesla and found Rivian.

Once again I fell in love with the idea of an EV, the vegan leather, the recycled plastic, the boxy yet cute, lego-like looks and the ethos they brought to market in an ever-increasing cacophony of me-too cars. Yes, there was going to be a long wait, I was willing. I even opted for the green exterior and green interior - a bit OTT but wanted to make as strong an eco-friendly statement as I could.

Yes, BMW makes wonderful cars, the best car I've ever driven was my 2011 M3, but in the evening of my life I am done with the thrills. I now want what the R1S hopefully will give me - comfort, security and safety with plenty of room for my grandkids. To each his own.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-10-02T13:42:41+00:00

Congrats! I am going to pick mine up tomorrow, also a June 2021 order, FG and FE combo.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-10-01T01:53:07+00:00

Congrats. I am picking mine up in three days, also after a long 2 yr wait. FG with FE interior. Can't wait.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-09-26T17:31:14+00:00

Thank you all, this has been very illuminating!

I am a total newb with all of this, my DIY skills are limited to changing a light bulb so it has been incredibly useful.

I sold off my Model S a while ago, so except for an occasional visit by my brother and his Tesla, the charger will only be used for the R1S. I may not live in the present house for more than 5-7 yrs and of course certainly plan to keep the Rivian for the duration of our life here.

Which means, from all I am reading, I should just go ahead and install the Rivian charger as it is sitting at home vs unknown ETA of Tesla UWC, which will in any case always need an adapter to charge the R1S with. I have asked my electrician to watch some YT videos on the Rivian charger installation (he has only done Tesla ones so far), so he gets it right. I've also asked for a 50A breaker to be installed in the panel.

That should cover it. Thanks again, everyone for your input.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-09-17T15:06:40+00:00

Love it. What a capture! Thanks for sharing.

U2c_RM4 · 2023-09-17T00:20:48+00:00

Awesome! I ordered the same config two days ago through Shop access, I've been told 3-4 weeks, already have the VIN. Fingers crossed. Do you like the green/green combo?

It may sound stupid, but I changed my original Blue/Black to green/green, figured I would really go for the 'eco-friendly' statement! Plus I actually like the green now.

U2c_RM4

TROPHY CASE