I asked Discourse to begin investigating migration of the 4specs forum to this platform. I posted a note about the migration on the 4specs forum and include it here too:
Hello everyone,
When Colin started the 4specs forum many years ago, the software he chose was state of the art. Now the software maker no longer exists and the system is unsupported. To ensure the forum continuity with technical support, 4specs will move to a new software system.
I investigated several top-rated forum solutions and settled on Discourse to host the forum. Discourse hosts thousands of communities and helps promote each one. A primary diver in the decision is the email notices the system will send to keep the conversations going, just like 4specs does now. Several staunch 4specs forum contributors experimented with the new software and provided feedback. You can try a free sandbox if you wish at try.discourse.org to check the interface and features.
Discourse is confirming how to complete the migration and retain all the existing valuable content and entire user base. The migration will not start until Discourse completes its investigation.
I look forward to bringing you a great new experience with the new software. I hope to enhance what you have come to expect from 4specs by expanding the user base and increasing participation.
More to come as it is available. All Questions are welcome.