Posted by Kim on January 2, 2019, 10:39pm
Oooooooo you've all convinced me that now is the time.Some of the code that RPR runs on is now nine years old, and was written by Baby Programmer Kim who Didn't Know Any Better. Much of it is written in an old version of PHP, pieces of which will soon be "deprecated" (be shut off in favor of newer things.)
I've known for some years that eventually, eventually, I'd have to find some way to rebuild as much of that code base as possible, to restructure, to modernize, to breathe new life into it -- either because of "code rot" or because the things we needed were just too grand and exciting for the old foundation to support. I've done what I could here and there. But the real plunge? I've been so scared of doing it. Fam, this site is HUGE, it is bursting with features. Rewriting the bulk of it makes me quake in my boots.
I did this last year with another (much, much, MUCH smaller) site of mine, and the difference has been incredible. Features that would take months to build on the RPR are sometimes turned out in weeks or days over there now that the transition is done. Managing speed and scaling issues has gotten so much better, too. And yet doing that took me a couple of very devoted months, and the RPR is soooo much bigger, I had resigned myself that such sweeping improvements for the RPR would not be possible.
But the things you want most, the bugs that still linger, the ideas that I have that I barely dare dream of... It's time. We need it. The RPR needs to be rebuilt on a more modern codebase. We could have cross-platform notifications, better chat, soooo muchhhhh deeeeeeper customization and easier management for characters and groups alike, even APIs -- and Epic Week games beyond my wildest imaginations.
I'm not totally sure how we'll manage this transition yet. Maybe I'll try to run a Kickstarter to fund me taking time off work to hammer it out for a few months? REALLY not sure. Full of excitement and nervous energy.
Last year was, for me, kind of personally awful and full of soul searching and was much thinner on RPR updates than I had hoped. I hate to start this year by saying that I might now deliberately pause updates to the existing site in order to create an RPR 2.0, but... I think it has to happen sometime if the site is to continue to thrive, and I think the sooner it happens the better.
I also think the stuff we'll be able to build afterward will be rip-roaring AWESOME.
I don't have an exact timeline yet, or a clear plan of how I'll find the focused time in my schedule. But I wanted to let you know that I'm listening really closely to your wish lists, and that your wish lists have lit a fire under me to do big, bold, audacious things to try and make as many of those wishes as I can come true. I'll keep updating you as I figure out more!
Comments
Hey, Kim...
KNOCK 'EM DEAD
KNOCK 'EM DEAD
You've got this fam!
I am so proud to have joined this site just before the turning point- so I get to experience some before, and after 
Cornerstone-standing,
Jibun no yume o
Oikakeyou!
<3<3
Cornerstone-standing,
Jibun no yume o
Oikakeyou!
<3<3
Rogue-Scribe
January 3, 2019
2:39am
Sounds like a major undertaking to keep our little playground here working well into the future! I admire your drive and dedication Kim! If you do a Kickstarter or GoFundMe, I'll definitely donate a few bananas (aka Australian Dollars) to the cause.
Like everyone else said, updates on pause for a base code upgrade I can wait for no problem. You got this Kim! If the community can help just say the word and I have no doubt well all jump at the chance.
Hades_
January 3, 2019
12:21am
I would gladly wait out updates if it meant that RPR got itself a good upgrade on the foundation level! That would do you so many favors in the long run, and hey, if it kicks off on RPR's 10th birthday, nearly 2 years from now, it would be incredible! I'd be in support of seeing this site continue to expand and explode with newer, better code foundation that will support the requests and stand so much stronger than the previous version.
I can trust that Kim will implement this change in the smartest way possible as well. WAY TO GO KIM! You've got the community at your back supporting you as best we can!
I can trust that Kim will implement this change in the smartest way possible as well.
WAY TO GO KIM! You've got the community at your back supporting you as best we can!
So you wanna be the Master of RPR!
Do you have the skills to be Number one!?
I wanna take the ultimate step
Find the courage to be bold (RPR)
To risk it all and not forget
The lessons that I hold
I wanna go where the site's never been
Far beyond the code (RPR) Yeah!
Learn the way to take command
Use the coding that's in my brain
Oh hey!
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
I wanna be the greatest Coder of them all!
(Greatest Coder)
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
Put myself to the test
To be better than all the rest
Ungh!
So you wanna be the Coder of
RPR!
Do you have the skills to be
Number one!?
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
I wanna be the greatest Coder of them all!
Got the power right in your hands
R-P-R!
Sorry not sorry.
Go Kim Go!
Do you have the skills to be Number one!?
I wanna take the ultimate step
Find the courage to be bold (RPR)
To risk it all and not forget
The lessons that I hold
I wanna go where the site's never been
Far beyond the code (RPR) Yeah!
Learn the way to take command
Use the coding that's in my brain
Oh hey!
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
I wanna be the greatest Coder of them all!
(Greatest Coder)
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
Put myself to the test
To be better than all the rest
Ungh!
So you wanna be the Coder of
RPR!
Do you have the skills to be
Number one!?
We all live in a RPR world
(R-P-R)
I wanna be the greatest Coder of them all!
Got the power right in your hands
R-P-R!
Sorry not sorry.
Go Kim Go!
This would be absolutely amazing! I would TOTALLY wait for updates and other things if it meant you could do more in a faster timeline. The kickstarter idea is also a GREAT idea!
I think this is our next evolution that we stand upon. Go for it. >_<
Aye Kim, you can do it!
I would gladly wait on updates if it meant an overhaul that could improve everything. 
I wish I knew what to say. All I can think is to say--wow. It has to be incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking all at once, but I'm positive that if anyone can get it done and done right, it's you. I think the Kickstarter idea is a good one, and I bet it tops out in no time, flat.
OH MY GOD!
DID SOMEONE SAY DO THE IMPOSSIBLE?!?!
I've been on the RPR since 2010 and watched it grow and change and adapt, and I've been so proud of you and the community. This is both exciting and terrifying, but in the best way possible! You've got my support all the way.
Soooo excited.
Ben
January 3, 2019
6:09am