13 replies to this topic

[rpr]

Hello all,

 

I'm hoping you've seen the post in the news section, I'll be taking the site down temporarily to retool and re-host as the hosting contract is coming due, but I'm not happy with the service. I'll be looking at alternative hosting solutions, either another virtual server, or something from AWS or GCP potentially. In the mean time, there is a busy group on Facebook (not my preference, but run by me) or there are two Sub-Reddits (redpepperracing run by member zakats, and redpepperracingdotcom run by myself) that we could use. I prefer Reddit myself, but whatever everyone else seems to use is fine with me. At some point before the November 16th I'll shut down this site and back everything up so I can work on the rehosting. As part of that there will be a software update, graphic redesign, a new gallery, and the manuals will be re-enabled.

 

Let me know your thoughts, specifically around the temporary home. I wouldn't be totally against using Reddit permanently, my only concern is that we are then at the mercy of Reddit for the infrastructure, which has pros and cons.

 

Anyway, I know this is a bit of short notice, hopefully it won't take me too long to get everything back up and running.

 

Tom

[thebigsleaze]

Because I'm getting old enough to fear change, I prefer a standard forum layout.

I tried to find the Facebook page, had a little rant on the thread regarding how Facebook sucks for anything other than what is happening RFN.

Installed Reddit, had a boo at the group there, and found it to be woefully lacking in archival content. Granted I may be using it wrong.

My main argument for keeping RPR forum format is because nearly all of the good stuff is archival. They haven't made these cars for 30 years and I'm pretty sure they won't be making them in the next 30 or so.

To be clear I am absolutely not against a whole bunch of new discussion and action at RPR...

1G/3G also don't have the following of the later, lego-based cars that the rice-a-roni crowd likes so much. Fools.

For some reason I haven't installed tapatalk or whatever it is nearly every other forum tries to get me to use. There is a possibility that it brings the forum into a near-facebook realm without the drivel that one would otherwise be subjected to, while also keeping the forum layout.

Just my $.02 CAD. Taking the cash rounding into account it ain't worth sweet FA.

[rpr]

Are you on mobile or desktop? That will definitely affect the user experience. Yes, there is no content on the Reddit site, it would be a a lot of work to port everything from here to there. I don't have any plans to do that as yet, my goal is to re-host the site mostly as is, with updated software and fix the stuff that is broken. The ending of the hosting contract is just the kick in the pants that I needed to start moving on it. Reddit or Facebook would be temporary until I can get the site updated and re-hosted, hopefully it won't be for too long, I just didn't want everyone to think the site was gone for good.

 

I haven't used the Tapatalk app in awhile, but from what I recall it does try to keep the 'forum' feel. I'm hoping with the updated software that the mobile experience will be 'app like' enough that you won't even need an app to access it.

[Sinub]

I like how the forum is right now. I just wish it would load faster and smoother. Fix all the links etc. 

I do hate how every time you "renew" the site and go into a subsection, it doesn't show any threads. You have to use the search bar to find all those lost threads. It really annoys me. 

[thebigsleaze]

I generally use my phone, but prefer to use the full site view.

You do what you gotta do. Myself and I'm sure the rest of the users and guests at the site appreciate the effort, time and resources you put in here.

Cheers.
Steve.

[rpr]

I like how the forum is right now. I just wish it would load faster and smoother. Fix all the links etc.

That is one of the goals (I guess I didn't actually say it) of the re-hosting, to speed up the site, as well as fix the links.

I do hate how every time you "renew" the site and go into a subsection, it doesn't show any threads. You have to use the search bar to find all those lost threads. It really annoys me.

What do you mean by 'renew'?

[Sinub]

That is one of the goals (I guess I didn't actually say it) of the re-hosting, to speed up the site, as well as fix the links.


What do you mean by 'renew'?

Every time the site shuts down for a day or two because you forgot to pay for it or whatever it is you needed to do, all posts don't appear when going into a subsection anymore. I can still find them through the search bar which isn't a problem.

Sent from my ASUS_A006 using Tapatalk

[gtpilot]

Tom,

 

Thanks for the heads up and for hosting/keeping this place alive over the years.

 

I prefer forums over Facebook type stuff (I don't even have a FB account as it seems silly to me...I don't need to know that my Brother's Dog barfed all over his new car "as it happens").  I like archives and places that I can go and search for things that you only find in forums - knowledge base is better on forums (at least GOOD forums, which RPR is one of them, thank everyone for that) and I am guessing that there are old dawgs like me everywhere.  

 

Maybe we need to be put out to pasture like horses?

 

Whatever you decide, I will understand and support.  We owe you a lot for having put up with us for sooooo long...

 

Cheers mate!

 

Kirk

[rpr]

Every time the site shuts down for a day or two because you forgot to pay for it or whatever it is you needed to do, all posts don't appear when going into a subsection anymore. I can still find them through the search bar which isn't a problem.

Sent from my ASUS_A006 using Tapatalk

 

I don't think anyone has ever pointed that out to me, does this happen often? Occasionally the server is unavailable, or I have to restart the database and the web server, so that could be related. I only remember restarting it once or twice this year.

 

Anyway, that's another problem that should go away.

[rpr]

Tom,

 

Thanks for the heads up and for hosting/keeping this place alive over the years.

 

I prefer forums over Facebook type stuff (I don't even have a FB account as it seems silly to me...I don't need to know that my Brother's Dog barfed all over his new car "as it happens").  I like archives and places that I can go and search for things that you only find in forums - knowledge base is better on forums (at least GOOD forums, which RPR is one of them, thank everyone for that) and I am guessing that there are old dawgs like me everywhere.  

 

Maybe we need to be put out to pasture like horses?

 

Whatever you decide, I will understand and support.  We owe you a lot for having put up with us for sooooo long...

 

Cheers mate!

 

Kirk

 

Thanks Kirk, I do promise to get the site back, I just can't promise how long it will take. Sports takes up a lot of my evenings and weekends, not as much leisure time as I'd like....

[gtpilot]

 

Thanks Kirk, I do promise to get the site back, I just can't promise how long it will take. Sports takes up a lot of my evenings and weekends, not as much leisure time as I'd like....

 

Sports...as in your kids, amirite?  I know that drill all too well and we are reliving it now with Grandkids!

[rpr]

 

Sports...as in your kids, amirite?  I know that drill all too well and we are reliving it now with Grandkids!

 

That would be right, hockey almost every day.

[monkeey]

I have been more active lately on the FB group but it is pretty terrible. Maybe I suck at it but for example if I try to see what is for sale, I can't seem to sort it by date so I have 2016/2017 posts mixed in with 2018 and it is hard to find anything. Also searching for info in past posts are garbage. 

 

I do wish a lot of the older posts here had working images but other than that and the seemingly missing posts in the sub sections, this place will always be my jam!

 

Thanks again for keeping this place alive 

[rpr]

I'll be honest, I barely look at FB unless someone tags me or reports something, and I periodically approve new members, but that's about it. Basically the same as what I do here, which is the bare minimum, unfortunately. I wish I had more time.

 

Anyway, tonight the site will be shut down to backup everything one last time, then I will redirect, or at least put links to the FB and Reddit, and people can choose where they go.