Admin Doesn't Care????????????????

[mikepvg]

OK, I've been informed that the "ADMIN" does indeed care & I do believe that, but the "sub-contracter" has a communication issue that we'll have to work around...







Mike

 

[Bob Wagner]

oh boy

I feel strike one coming up...

 

[B.G. Smith]

Care

I think they are trying to do a good job, it's just hard to make something work that will satisfy everyone, even Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel owners. We all have something in common(we want a truck that will go from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds, tow a 35,000 pound load up Wolf Creek Pass and hit the top at 65 mph, stop on a dime, run for 400,000 miles with no problems and get at least 24 miles per gallon of fuel) not to mention, out run any PSD or D-Max any time. We get most of what we want and expect but it is doubtful that we will ever be able to agree on everything, at least I hope not. Would be kinda dull wouldn't it? bg

 

[danandamy]

Maybe the rest of us don't care either

 

[brucew]

a caring administrative staff

regarding the initial comments about uncaring administrators. i probably would have agreed until recently when alot of effort on their part to allow me to respond by putting in my two cents. thanks for the efforts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Lets give these guys a break - there are 7823 registered members that means there are at least 15646 opinions on how this site should be run and how it is being run. I feel they are doing all they can and are addressing the issues creating the major problems first - they will eventually solve the all problems that can be solved.



It's a great site and the benifits far out-weigh the problems. Just my 2c worth.

Happy Trails

 

[boatpuller]

Bob,

Does that mean we all have dual personalitys or some only have one and the rest of us can have many????

Caleb

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Caleb

Not sure where Silverdale is but if it's within say 150 miles of Portland you and I should try to get together (the 4 of us that is) and swap opinions it would make a great 6 way conversation.

Your truck has many of the upgrades mine has.

Happy Trails

Bob

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Am i missing something???

 

[mikepvg]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL

Am i missing something???

I re-worded my original sternly written in haste post...



Basically, I was CLOSED OUT of a thread when I pointed out to Ken (ADMIN) the fact that the new "upgraded" software has an unstable historical & current link flaw.



I have "recorded" a series of informative thread links enabling me to help other TDR members w/ factual info on certain tech topics, w/ either providing the link or the info in it. My own little TDR ref "library" of info, so to speak. The new software "wiped" out my library because historical links are no longer valid in the new version.



Not only that, while researching the previously recorded old links I discovered that ALL links are UNSTABLE in the new version. i. e. If you were to record an informative thread for future reference & then depending on a sequence of editing (that could & does easily happen), your recorded link becomes corrupted (a non-functioning reference). When you research old threads, ever notice how many thread link references are corrupted & non-functioning? Very annoying.



All the new bells & whistles are nice but they are just that. I thought the whole point of the TDR site was to help other TDR members w/ factual tech data & communication etc. . not just be a "chat" board but to be a technological powerhouse for all TDR members, commanding respect ( by Cummis & others). W/ the new software "bugs" suddenly there was more interest in last names & avatars than important issues (such as the communications response by Cummins on the KDP issue). Many new members will not even read about the KDP & Cummins letter because these issues fall on the wayside very quickly on an internet site. Therefore they need to documented so all TDR members coming & going can easily be informed.



So w/ the new software working at below average speeds & a lack of interest in the software flaw by the tech guy, I've decided to direct my energies elsewhere...

Mike

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Thanks for the fill in. Alot of stuff i had not realised. I too agree that the TDR upgrade did nothing to make it any better. Just more features you dont need. if you ask me, it was fine before

 

[Midnite]

Well, the new software actually eliminates some security issues with the old UBB software. I can't remember what those issues were specifically, but I think they allowed someone to get in and do admin functions when they shouldn't be allowed to.



Note: I have nothing to do with the TDR site, or the outfit that hosts it. I'm a unix system administrator at the University of Alaska Anchorage.



Mike

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Tonight alone i got 2 "Server busy, try again later messages" I NEVER got one of those messages before the changeover.

 

[TDRadmin]

Additional Information

I just read this thread and thought some additional information might be helpful.



I spoke with mikepvg personally (via telepehone and e-mail) regarding the problems with archiving old threads using this new V-Bulletin software.



He is correct. The new software doesn't allow us (from what I understand) to create and maintain links back to informative threads. The reason this flaw seems acceptable to TDR staff is because we were constantly receiving complaints/negative feedback because UBB was extremely slow when processing a search request. V-Bulletin, on the other hand, is very fast. This speed issue was a big issue for many users.



When I spoke with mkepvg, we discussed having him help us design/develop some method for "collecting" those very good (technical/informative) threads and making them available to the TDR membership in some sort of archive. He agreed and I believe is working on some ideas about how we could make this work without it becoming an administrative nightmare. I am looking forward to hearing back from mikepvg when he's got some ideas sketched out. We are certainly open to ideas for managing this issue.



Just a quick note that we realize the server performance is not where it needs to be. We're currently (and carefully) researching the purchase of new equipment, but we're taking our time so that whatever we buy/lease will have the ability to grow with us for several years. We are committed to eliminating unnecessary site performance problems.



Thanks for your patience, and I hope this additional information is of interest.



Robin Patton

TDR Staff

 

[DavidGardner]

I believe the adm. does care. When they first changed over to the new system I could not log on. I called on the 1-800 line and talked to Robin personaly and she was able to get everything fixed after many phone calls. I only have one ph. line so I cant be on the ph, and the computer at the same time. This occured after 5 pm. in Ga. so I know she was kind enough to stay after hours until my problem was solved.

I do agree though that I liked the old system better. It just seemed easier for a dummy like me to use. Remember "if it aint broke, your just not trying hard enough".

 

[mikepvg]

Re: Additional Information

Yes I also can give two thumbs up to Robin & Robert Patton.



Yes I will be looking at this problem/solution for helping members w/ already documented tech tips facts etc



BUT I am gonna have to wait till the server has the ability to "compress" all the new board info (for transmitting) enabling me to research in a more effective manner. I am currently restricted to a 56k modem/tele line, therefore I can not get adequate speed to get much if anything accomplished. Its very frustrating.



Since I'll be travelling for the next several weeks, its a good time to just take a break & let ADMIN work on its server issues etc. . & then I'll try to tackle this problem with fresh resolve in the very near future...





Mike

 

[TDRadmin]

Sounds Like A Plan

Sounds good mikepvg. Have a safe trip, and tell your wife I said hello (and I hope the hand is still healing well).



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[admin2]

Compression....

B. G. Smith,



Thanks for the kind words. Some people fail to realise that when you treat people with courtesy you can expect courtesy in return. And when you belittle people repeatedly you can expect the same. The majority have been patient with the time and effort involved, especially considering the lack of human resources we face. Overall, we've had the majority of the users very satisfied now that the server isn't constantly bogged down.



danandme,

You're probably right.



brucew,

You're welcome!



Bob Beauchaine,

You hit the nail on the head. We've got thousands of users. There's one full time subscription administrator and one part time techie to handle the load. We're dealing with a purchased software package and you can't expect miracles nor perfection using purchased software solutions... there will always be drawbacks as anyone in the field for a long time can tell you (though I've dealt with a few programmers who think their own code is perfect). I can make minor changes to the way it works but we're pretty much stuck with the functionality purchased.



boatpuller,

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic and so am I!





EMDDIESEL,

The users started asking for an upgrade over a year ago. We complied. Either way, some people will not be satisfied but if you never upgrade, we'd all still be using typewriters.



Midnite,

You are correct concerning the security issues. Plus UBB runs into a "wall" where it can no longer function as the boards grow. F150Online is going through that right now.



EMDDIESEL,

Overall, even with the occasional server busy messages, the new system is faster. A server busy message lasts about 15 seconds. On the old software, the average search lasted 3 minutes. You'd need 12 server busy messages to equal the time required for one seach under the old system.





David Gardner,

Thanks! Not everyone is happy with the change and I can accept that. Users who disagree without being disagreeable are the most likely users to be regarded when making decisions concerning resources, application issues, etc.



To everyone, we've got a lot of things planned and we're investigating the best route for a long term solution for the server. TDR realises an in depth review of the options takes longer than a quick upgrade but we don't want to go through major growing pains again.



I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who has been patient with us during this transition!



Ken

uncaring TDR Admin