Scheduled Downtime

[psalms 91]

If this site was a priority it wouldnt take three years. At the end of the day I just want an answer is the arcade and blessibngs coming back or should those of us who like these features find them elsewhere? A simple answer is all we need.

 

[Puptart]

If this site was a priority it wouldnt take three years.

I can't help but agree with you.

At the end of the day I just want an answer is the arcade and blessibngs coming back or should those of us who like these features find them elsewhere? A simple answer is all we need.

Pauler mentioned in this post that the arcade was taken off line due to code-holes allowing for people to attack the site, and he asked people if they'd like to see the arcade come back despite this. He also mentioned he is working in a "work around" for the blessings system.. which I'll say again: they've been trying to find "work arounds" for things for years now, it's probably time to start considering the from-the-ground-up-again option.

If they find a work around for the blessings system, perhaps that will open more problems for other areas of the site.. who knows at this point.

I would imagine anyone who really loves this site will be willing to stick around and build it back up again. There would be people obviously who would flake and peace out on the project, but at the end of the day you'd end up with a stable product to build on going into the future, creating a lot more opportunity for posters, rather than trying to fight with the old outdated system month after month, year after year, while people all quietly leave in the background anyway.

This site isn't the same place it was three or four years ago.. what it was back then was amazing. I feel like I've come back to somewhat of a shell of the former CF. It's depressing.

I hope and pray for a return to those days, but I realize it isn't possible, so all we can do is build on something stronger for the future, rather than keep trying to resurrect the past.

 

[razeontherock]

This site isn't the same place it was three or four years ago.. what it was back then was amazing.

You see my join date, and that was the first I discovered CF. I have happened upon some much older posts, and state those have value! I'm no techie so can't comment, but merely request that whatever is done to improve this "stability," not lose all the old archives. (I'm not against trimming down idle banter and only preserving good substance)

That being said, how does current posting activity affect "stability?"

 

[Puptart]

You see my join date, and that was the first I discovered CF. I have happened upon some much older posts, and state those have value! I'm no techie so can't comment, but merely request that whatever is done to improve this "stability," not lose all the old archives. (I'm not against trimming down idle banter and only preserving good substance)

My join date was 2003, not reflected by this account I'm afraid. I'd love to see the old archives kept because if nothing else I'm nostalgic about it, having been around for so long.. but would personally be willing to start from a blank slate at the same time if it meant we would be in a better place a year from now (a better place than if we keep hauling around the old code, I mean).

I'm sure there are potential ways to carry the database between versions, though.

 

[drjean]

I vote for keeping the Blessings Exchange (if that's an issue still)... I have over 700 new members I've welcomed and no blessings to give them

Plus, as I've noted, the Arcade is a great way to distract the mind when overwhelmed with life.

 

[psalms 91]

I have been here since 2004 and it is not the same nor will it ever be again I fear. Erwin created something special and that drew a lot of people but sadly most have left and the traffic here is biut a shadow of what it once was. The site needs dedicated IT people that maintain this site and this site only. A few people dedicated to this site dull time would do wonders but I wonder if the desire is there to do that on the part of the owner.

 

[Puptart]

I vote for keeping the Blessings Exchange (if that's an issue still)... I have over 700 new members I've welcomed and no blessings to give them

Plus, as I've noted, the Arcade is a great way to distract the mind when overwhelmed with life.

Pauler is working on getting the blessing exchange back up so I don't think it is entirely on the chopping block at the moment.

Yeah the arcade is a great way to distract the mind.. but you can get games to play on Facebook, Google+, your smartphone, more online websites than I can count, etc. If the CF Arcade has buggy code that leads to troll-hackers trying to mess with the site (leading to, I assume, more down time), I don't see the logic is bringing it back.

I have been here since 2004 and it is not the same nor will it ever be again I fear. Erwin created something special and that drew a lot of people but sadly most have left and the traffic here is biut a shadow of what it once was. The site needs dedicated IT people that maintain this site and this site only. A few people dedicated to this site full time would do wonders but I wonder if the desire is there to do that on the part of the owner.

I miss Erwin am I allowed to say that?

And I agree 100% with everything you said.

 

[psalms 91]

I no longer wish to debate on this site as noone changes their mind nor do I find it profitable anymore. I was debating the same people and the same issues year after year and I finanally grew past all that. The arcade is a big part of why I come here and hopefully it will remain but if not as I said just give us a straight answer and I will look elsewhere if that is what is desired.

 

[LadyOfMystery]

Pauler is doing the best he can, and as he said earlier he IS working on it, but it's taking longer than anyone thought it would. He has said that he is working on the Blessings issue, and asked if we wanted to keep the Arcade or not because keeping it may make the arcade (and CF Im assuming) vulnerable to viruses and bugs. He's trying to keep our happiness in mind and also do things that keep CF safe to unnessary things. This site is a priority, but things take time. Remember he is only one person.

Now mind you, I know Pauler cant please everyone, but he has already stated he's working on it. I think right now we all just need to be patient, and if you have a problem, to contact a staffer about your concerns instead of on the open forum.

 

[Puptart]

I'll agree to disagree with you, in that I think discussing it on the open forum lets many people get their questions answered at once (and harbors transparency and openness), but you're the boss(es), so I'll defer to you in this instance.

He's just one person but perhaps he could keep a running, separate thread that only he can post in at least weekly of the things he's doing with the forum week by week (even if they're just technical jargon to some of us!), that way everyone knows what's up at all times! Just a thought.

 

[pgp_protector]

Pauler is doing the best he can, and as he said earlier he IS working on it, but it's taking longer than anyone thought it would. He has said that he is working on the Blessings issue, and asked if we wanted to keep the Arcade or not because keeping it may make the arcade (and CF Im assuming) vulnerable to viruses and bugs. He's trying to keep our happiness in mind and also do things that keep CF safe to unnessary things. This site is a priority, but things take time. Remember he is only one person.

Now mind you, I know Pauler cant please everyone, but he has already stated he's working on it. I think right now we all just need to be patient, and if you have a problem, to contact a staffer about your concerns instead of on the open forum.

Part of the problem is Lack of communication.
The Last post from Pauler was on the 18't of may (this thread note about security issues), the thread was started on March 22.

Before that (The Living Avatar Issue) the closest to a post about that were some Testing Post back in October.

Yes we know he's busy, but he did decide to take on the responsibility of managing this site when he bought it.

 

[LadyOfMystery]

I'll agree to disagree with you, in that I think discussing it on the open forum lets many people get their questions answered at once (and harbors transparency and openness), but you're the boss(es), so I'll defer to you in this instance.

He's just one person but perhaps he could keep a running, separate thread that only he can post in at least weekly of the things he's doing with the forum week by week (even if they're just technical jargon to some of us!), that way everyone knows what's up at all times! Just a thought.

This is a good idea,

 

[psalms 91]

First, this needs to be open and discussed and Pauler needs to keep us informed. Two, he is just one man but he owns quite a few sites and has IT people. He is not like Erwin where he does most of the coding and so forth. As I said this needs to be out in the open and not hidden away. I will continue to post here until otherwise directed by a warning or the thread being closed as any communication from staff concerning these issues has been non existant because they were not being told anything either.

 

[razeontherock]

This is a good idea,

Yeah, maybe a sticky in this sub-forum that only Pauler can post in?

Anyway, just wanna give some appreciation for what I know can be a thankless (and tough) job

 

[arborvita]

Posting as a member not an official staff post here

People like to talk about the hay day of CF in the past. I think people forget all the times that CF would crash without warning and be down for periods of time. Also how Erwin turned CF into Foru.ms and totally took the true identity of CF away back in 07. Everyone likes to remember the glory days but seem to forget all the headache that was the flip side to that coin. At least now we do not have to worry that the site crashes we still get to post and interact with each other. Posts are the true heart beat of a forum not the bling but the content and fellowship. Everything else is kinda like frosting.

Serving as a volunteer on this site for all 3 owners I can vouch that if Pauler says he is going to do something he will. It may not be a quick turn around time like most would like but he will hold true to his words.

Kindest regards

arbor

 

[Puptart]

That's the funny thing about "glory days", Arbor. Have you considered the fact that we do remember all the problems.. but that it just wasn't important because the site was that awesome?

It was, you know. And I do remember all the bad times.. the funny thing is just that I don't care. I'd take every one of those "bad times" back if we could bring back the good ones.

But to that? I agree with what psalm said.. there was something great created that perhaps cannot be recaptured. Maybe we're all trying to bring back ghosts that have long moved on.

You're totally right that the spirit of the forum is posts. The problem is that in the process of the site's transition into whatever it is now.. we've lost a lot of the people who were the real pulse of this site.

I don't know that it's been worth it. But.. no turning back now. Can't change the past.

[/dramatic speech]

So we look to the future, whatever that will be... at the very least, it'd be nice to see a "Pauler says" thread, that is updated regularly. Maybe?

 

[razeontherock]

And I do remember all the bad times.. the funny thing is just that I don't care. I'd take every one of those "bad times" back if we could bring back the good ones.

Maybe we're all trying to bring back ghosts that have long moved on.

I have a radical idea here: (not really)

it's not good times we want to bring back, but good people. Contributors. Posters. How do we retain them?

And frankly, people go through phases. Some may post all the time, but many will have a "cycle." Many former great posters left, for that reason and no other.

To retain the good posters we enjoy, we want to make the experience here enjoyable, and for all. Sure mgmt has a role to play, but every poster does too. In fact as staff, what they can do is actually kinda limited, as far as influence within a thread, whereas Jane/Joe Blow can have more influence. (At least in some ways)

Just my .02,

Ray

 

[gods prophetess]

praying all goes well

 

[razeontherock]

While I have no techie knowledge to understand what "stability" means, for a few hours CF has been very slow, and usually when that happens the status line reads "waiting for CF"

Just now it reads "waiting for Google analytics"

Don't know if that tells anyone anything, but I thought it was odd and worth a mention

 

[psalms 91]

I do remember the bad and the good and this was an amazing site. The worst was 777 but that was due to advice from some of the staff which most had the decency to resign if they were involved in giving that advice, some did stay on anyway but the site was a wonderful place to be before then. Many have left and sadly will probably not return and the site is slow people wise compared to what it was. I dont doubt Pauler will do what he says but so far I am not sure what he has said he will do and what he wants input on. I just want to know if the features that many come for are coming back.