Site keeps dropping me...?

[MikeT]

2 hours ago, SmartieParts said:

You need to get hold of Leadwing, it sounds like, and get access.

Sadly, Ron died not too long ago.

 

Perhaps the easiest solution is to clone the site and re-establish it under a new URL/name?

[Willys]

I was going to suggest the same, take everything from here as insurance that we don't accidentally loose it and save it for either another site or just for reference purposes....etc....probably highly sketchy....? 

The new and improved ClubSmartCar2.com  

[stickman007]

I spoke with Keith tonight. Got a lot of promising answers. He will be making a post to clarify some of the issues/questions some of us are having.

The CsC domain should be safe for now. But it will be nice to get in touch with the owners…Keith or myself will reach out.

 

I will most likely update the site next week when I have the time. After that’s done, we will really need to get together as a community to plan the future of CsC. I guess the site has been in disarray for a few years now.

[Awesys]

Hello! Old member here that hasn't been active recently (we still have our 2006 fortwo and it still has the CsC decals on it!). Saw some activity on this thread and thought I would offer my expertise.

 

If you are able to reach the domain owner of clubsmartcar.com and clubsmartcar.ca this would be great. Domain names do need to be renewed continually/annually at a cost, and so does the website hosting. I have expertise in website hosting and I can take on a domain transfer if the current owners are willing to do that. I am not sure how the Club is structured these days but I am not sure who has the authority to make that decision. I run another active forum using this same software Invision Power Board, and I think I tried to help rescue this forum back in 2013 when there was some weirdness going on.

 

Surprisingly I can still access the website control panel for this website. One of the key issues is that this site is currently using an old version and to upgrade it would probably be multi-staged and there would be risk of it not upgrading properly. I could put an inquiry in with Invision to see if they have an upgrade path from this version. I have done the upgrades with my other site but that was over the course of years. I would be worried about some of the other parts of the site like the Wiki or VIN registries potentially not upgrading to the latest. I actually worked with @MikeT on an early version of the CsC VIN database before it was transferred to this software.

 

I don't want to go around doing anything on this site without someone saying it's OK, so I'll keep my hands out of it for now, but please let me know if I can help with this.
 

Edited June 7 by Awesys

[MikeT]

That would be great, and quite apart from the VIN database for the smarts, he also did a superb one for the Peugeot 404 for Le Club 404!

 

He also hosts some transportation-related fora etc, and besides that is a super guy.

 

Anyway, I welcome your offer of assistance. Our last President died in January: Ron Sale (Leadwing). The decision-making structure is non-existent as far as I know. And there are few decisions to make, anyway, other than the structural issue you've offered to help with.

[Willys]

I agree we need to get this site up and running etc etc, but imho I think we need to have at least 2 active members at the top controlling the reins...and no I'm not looking for the job...lol. It also would be a shame to loose any part of what we have now. 

It's also fantastic that people who were working to ensure in the past this site ran well are still around somewhere.  Thanks again to those who are in the know and have come forward.   The site needs you.

[smartzuuk]

Hi all.

 

I have posted elsewhere regarding this, but in a nutshell.

 

The two domain names are still, and always have been owned by members TFM and Xandria. They continue to pay for the renewal of the DOMAINS, sometimes annually, sometimes for multiple years. We've always been able to reach them - just took an e-mail from me, was answered the same day. 

 

I am unable to login to the site from any "new" equipment. I have to be on an old laptop or PC and use IE or Edge running in IE mode. This has been an issue for some time. And no doubt related to the fact that the software version is close to 15 years old now. Yes, way beyond outdated.

 

Max Joyce is/was the most recent webmaster, who has the keys to the HOSTING. And also collects the Google ad revenue. And DID make a $1500 payment to TFM in 2016 for previous costs. (Payment provided in summer of 2016 - August or very early September as I recall.)

 

Everything Steven said is correct - the hosting itself was transitioned in 2017 away from his server where it was to that point being hosted pretty much free of charge.

 

The Google ad stuff began about a decade ago - and was built up sufficient to pay TFM the $1500 (TFM confirmed receipt - I have that e-mail)

 

Unfortunately, I do not know what the balance of those funds might be, not do I know the status even of the current hosting. Nor does anyone we're in contact with have that. I have e-mailed Max Joyce today, and do not yet have a reply, but also, it did not bounce back undeliverable either.

 

There were a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but thankfully we actually have BOD minutes of a lot of things, plus old e-mails, seeing as I was secretary.

 

We can get this sorted out, but there may be a bumpy ride if the HOSTING access (password) cannot be obtained. 

 

Some cool heads will sort out a potential 3rd domain name and new hosting to try and move the forums to.... and then if it transfers properly, we could then have the DOMAIN access update the DNS nameservers to point to this new server, and voila, abandon ship here... here being just this database and wherever it is being hosted.... which if it has a cost, then one must assume Max has been paying for it, since that was the only person with access on the HOSTING side.

 

Ultimately, Dean and Xandria's original vision didn't quite come to fruition - a legal entity that owns and runs the site, BUT..... as far as it being here for fans of smart cars, and to be a resource, it has stood the test of time quite well, despite being cast adrift through the eventual decline in interest and motivation so to speak....

 

I have posted this elsewhere months ago - if you need to reach me urgently for some reason, have questions, contact stickman007 directly, and I will respond or do what I can ASAP.

 

I cannot access the site daily at this time, as the machines don't even reside where I live. So without a prompting from Izzy, I might not even see messages for weeks or more, like this thread.....