Here's an idea that strangely enough hasn't been implemented yet, especially since it's such a simple one which I don't believe would require much code work:
What's the best way to keep the forum data safe? Answer:
back up the tables regularly.
What's the easiest way to do this for the average user? Answer:
use the 'backup tables' function in the CP.
Now this is something that we should all be doing, in my case I do this every fortnight. Some of you might even be doing this on a weekly basis, or even more regularly (damn, this sounds like I'm writing about something else... <img src="https://www.ubbcentral.com/boards/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).
Obviously the best time to do this is when the forums are the LEAST busy, which is probably when you users are fast asleep. There's only one problem - having to manually switch the board off and on again.
When I hit 'Submit' and start my table backup at around midnight... I have to wait until 2:30-3:00 AM so that I can switch the board back on before crashing out myself. Why isn't such a simple task automated? Why can't the table backup feature automatically close the board when it starts... and then reopen the board after it's finished with everything?
