XF 2.3 Taking Forum offline - how to backup/save

[Alvin63]

I'm taking one of my forums offline completely. What is the best way to do this, while saving/backing it up in case I want to put it back online again please?

Presumably I need to delete it in the server to take it offline? Is there somewhere I can save or download it before doing so? Thanks.

 

[Mr Lucky]

I think there is some misinformation out there, especially this A lot of forums are having to close due to the huge requirements of the new legislation

They are closing because the requirements appear huge and are presented in a very confusing way. That's not to say I don't understand them closing, especially give the scary message that they could be fined £18M for not doing something they don't understand how to do.

It's bit like there is suddenly legislation that says if you own a dog and take it for a walk you must have it on a lead or else get fined, except that they don't manage to simply say what kind of lead you must use.

So everyone decides to kill their dog.

 

[Alvin63]

I did a kind of halfway thing in my view. It's not offline, just hidden, with a static home page. Which means it could be started up again if I want to. But means everyone would have to sign up again. But there were only a handful of active members. It's just the way I decided to do it rather than pull it and try and work out a holding page. And because I didn't want to lose the home page. It could go two ways - things might change and it could be just activated again. Or I might feel I want to just close it down completely and convert the home page into a web page.

I think with the legislation, people do react differently depending on how much of a burden they feel it is or how big the forum is maybe - all kinds of things. I did read a lot of forums had closed down but mainly smaller ones I think - and not necessary XF ones either.

I hear what you say that you could just set the whole forum as read-only. Just didn't want to do that - that is harder in some ways - seeing it and not being able to login and post on it. But I just don't want the extra responsibility of the new legislation - it was a complete headache just reading everything.

I very much appreciate the help I've had with working everything out - and just wanted it sorted by today.

 

[CedricV]

You guys do realize, you're fined on what the income is of your website, right?
A fine is granted, when you do nothing about the complaint in the first place.
Also, if you don't make money on your site, the fine is still zero.

 

[Alvin63]

Also sorry if I've asked a few different options at different times. I was dealing with two forums one at a time and was going to do different with each of them - but ended up doing the same with each of them. Not thinking about it too much right now as I'll miss using the XF software.

 

[CedricV]

Also sorry if I've asked a few different options at different times. I was dealing with two forums one at a time and was going to do different with each of them - but ended up doing the same with each of them. Not thinking about it too much right now as I'll miss using the XF software.

I think you're making a big mistake. You are obviously scared of what could happen.

Question yourself this, have you ever (in all these years you manage your site) have to deal with a complaint that is about this new law?

If your answer is no, then you'll realize you're overreacting.

If your answer is once, then you can easily deal with it.

If your answer is on a daily basis, then you made the right decision.

 

[philmckrackon]

I think you're making a big mistake. You are obviously scared of what could happen.

Question yourself this, have you ever (in all these years you manage your site) have to deal with a complaint that is about this new law?

If your answer is no, then you'll realize you're overreacting.

If your answer is once, then you can easily deal with it.

If your answer is on a daily basis, then you made the right decision.

Plus one, think through your response.

 

[Mr Lucky]

I hear what you say that you could just set the whole forum as read-only. Just didn't want to do that - that is harder in some ways - seeing it and not being able to login and post on it.

What people would see is valuable information.

As it is now if I want to find the right size wheel for my hamster I need to go to xenForo.com

A

Post in thread 'UK Online Safety Regulations and impact on Forums'

Mar 15, 2025

those will be the first....cant even find a gif for that ;P
for real tho it feels like they just want to be able to kill any website they dont like and the best way to do that is keeping things vague.....its also probably the best way to limit challenges as well....pretty convenient response like, ask your lawyer to contact us etc. ugh....it sounds like they are already working on the next round of privacy busting legislation as well so i start to think its best to just exclude the uk and hopefully the citizens will pressure...

• Alvin63

• 

 

[zappaDPJ]

You guys do realize, you're fined on what the income is of your website, right?
A fine is granted, when you do nothing about the complaint in the first place.
Also, if you don't make money on your site, the fine is still zero.

Although I agree the most likely outcome for a small forum is probably insignificant, that's not how the legislation reads to me.

Companies can be fined up to £18 million or 10 percent of their qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Online Safety Act: explainer

www.gov.uk

 

[CedricV]

@Alvin63 - @Ozzy47 has just saved your forum!

Thread '[OzzModz] Conversation/DM Keyword Monitor [Deleted]'

Mar 16, 2025

Ozzy47 submitted a new resource:

[OzzModz] Conversation/DM Keyword Monitor - Monitor conversations/direct messages for keywords

Requirements:
XenForo 2.2+

Description:
This addon will scan each pm/dm as it is created for keywords you specify in the addons options. This is useful for ensuring your members are not engaging in illegal or unscrupulous behavior on your forum without your knowledge.

If keyword(s) are detected, a report will be created in the forum you have specified in the addon options detailing the message contents. It has an option to set the...

• Ozzy47
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Add-on releases [2.x]

Install this, delete when you have a trigger, and you're safe!

 

[Ozzy47]

Install this, delete when you have a trigger, and you're safe!

I wouldn't delete the conversation, I'd lock it and preserve it in case you need it for evidence.

 

[CedricV]

I wouldn't delete the conversation, I'd lock it and preserve it in case you need it for evidence.

That is an option as well of course.

 

[Mr Lucky]

I wouldn't delete the conversation, I'd lock it and preserve it in case you need it for evidence.

Yes. In my terms I say that any illegal content will be removed from public view but retained, on the database as evidence and the perpetrator reported to law enforcement. I see that as a deterrent that can be probably be used on the risk assessment to reduce low risk to negligible.

 

[Alvin63]

Looks like a great addon! Great stuff. I just have too much on in life to start thinking about all this stuff But couldn't completely let go hence keeping the home pages online. I had three forums. One was dead as a dodo and I've just deleted that one.

 

[robt]

You guys do realize, you're fined on what the income is of your website, right?
A fine is granted, when you do nothing about the complaint in the first place.
Also, if you don't make money on your site, the fine is still zero.

Is OFCOM's guidence from last month wrong? https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/guide-for-services/

We can also fine companies up to £18m, or 10% of their qualifying worldwide revenue (whichever is greater).


If I make £0 from my site as you say, what is the theoretical fine? To me, £18m is 'greater' than my worldwide revenue of £0.

IMHO it isn't helpful to tell people they are overreacting then give them incorrect information to reassure / explain why.

 

[CedricV]

There’s still s difference between a company and an online forum that has no business.

 

[Alvin63]

I think it can still be classed as a business even if it's non profit making can't it? Eg domain name ownership, google tag details etc. Anyone using google adsense would be classed as a business presumably?

 

[Mr Lucky]

I think it can still be classed as a business even if it's non profit making can't it? Eg domain name ownership, google tag details etc. Anyone using google adsense would be classed as a business presumably?

It’s possibly any person or business

The rules apply to services that are made available over the internet (or ‘online services’). This might be a website, app or another type of platform. If you or your business provides an online service, then the rules might apply to you.

 

[Alvin63]

The other thing I wasn't keen on was having to have your name publicly displayed on a site. Just don't need to be targeted! That might bother some people less than others. The TOS needs updating with info about what you're doing to prevent illegal online stuff. Not a big deal but maybe needs some correct legal wording? Also a complaints procedure published which must be easy to find and contact details and TOS easy to find. Could be argued that small links at the bottom aren't easy enough to find or prominently displayed. So changes would be needed to add things near the top perhaps. It's all doable but hassle!

 

[Mr Lucky]

The other thing I wasn't keen on was having to have your name publicly displayed on a site.

I must have missed that bit, although I have no issues with that.

 

[robt]

There’s still s difference between a company and an online forum that has no business.

Lucky OFCOM are vague on that, elsewhere they say "Under the Act, where we identify compliance failures, we can impose fines of up to £18m or 10% of the service provider's.... " so not 'company' as specific word.

OFCOM will fall back on the actual law... which states:

Maximum amount of penalties
4(1)Where a penalty is imposed on a person in respect of a regulated service provided by that person, the maximum amount of the penalty for which the person is liable is whichever is the greater of—

(a)£18 million, and

(b)10% of the person’s qualifying worldwide revenue for the person’s most recent complete accounting period (subject to sub-paragraph (5)).

Source https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50

So person, company, service provider... its the entity that runs the forum in terms of what we are talking about here.

So, to go back to the point; If I make £0 from my site as you say, what is the theoretical fine? To me, £18m is 'greater' than my worldwide revenue of £0.

Do you agree?