Single user database, multiple forums (discussion)

[AntonyF]

Hi there everyone,

Love the site, but this is my first time posting. I already have a vBulletin board, and will be putting four more over to it soon. Three of those I want to have one user database.

I know there's been talk about this before, and there's even a mod guide on how to do this. However I'm not necessarily trying to do it the same way, and am currently working (well, playing) around and seeing what can be done. But, I'm not that familiar with how vBulletin is coded or works yet so holes in my knowledge sometimes hold me back. And that's why I'm here, to pick your brains and debate pros and cons (and hopefully be able to offer a finalized 'alternative' as a mod once I'm done).

I've been symlinking various database tables, for example so that the forums share the user database, and most of it's gone well so far. I'm quite interested in having a merged PM database, but this hasn't gone so well. It seems there's some sort of caching that goes on in terms of the PM list. The user on board #2 has to have some activity, say send a PM, before they see a PM from board #1 listed.

Does anyone know if this is the case, or where vBulletin stores this caching info for PMs?

Thanks