Hi Don....
Two comments......
First - I have to give you 40 lashes with a wet noodle for keeping a database linked to any live website
See, if I moved those threads, or updated the Forums by moving threads, or the database crashed - ummm - all the links would have been lost.....
Second - HOWEVER - my thanks for your confidence in my ability to keep the Forum "live" and backups!!!
Seriously - your links will work in a few days again, as I'll put the old foums back - BUT - it will be closed to all new posts with a link back here. When that happens - your links will work - BUT - when they do, maybe a better idea would be to archive the threads on your system for your own use, or copy the content of the post you are using within your database itself, without external links?
Best to you - and thanks for the faith in this upgrade! Yep - you should be fine in a day or two - just hang on for now, OK???
John D.