Website worries

[ferny]

This may appear negative, but that isn't the intention. 

 

Two years ago the website practically fell off the table, crawled into a fetal position against a wall and slowly started rocking itself for comfort. Is there any news into hope for it being better this year? Pages on the site when it has no load take 10-30 seconds to load at the moment. On 6th December it's going to have a real workout. Have adult incontinence pads and dribble bibs been ordered for the server in preparation? 

[mpbarrett]

should be fine as there aren't many users here anymore.... ;(

Really, really miss the old forum, this one is so hard to use and seems to get very little traffic. Its not all on FB, just drop in and see the TSSC or Sideways forum to see what an active forum is all about... Very sad.

Mike

[thescrapman]

I did note from the article announcing the RBRR in the latest magazine that Facebook is to be the primary supported method of discussion on the event.

Disappointing.

[Velocita Rosso]

Quoted from thescrapman-

I did note from the article announcing the RBRR in the latest magazine that Facebook is to be the primary supported method of discussion on the event.

Disappointing.

I support that sentiment when we have a Forum/RBRR Follow that would furnish members needs that do not FB.......especially when there are anti FB`s organising the event   

[Howard]

Quoted from thescrapman-

I did note from the article announcing the RBRR in the latest magazine that Facebook is to be the primary supported method of discussion on the event. 

I have no desire to let Facebook track my entire life for their profit & I quit many years ago after yet another change in their privacy settings.

Working many thousands of miles from the UK the contact I have with CT is through this forum & if this is bypassed for FB, I can see myself moving to another club where I can stay in contact through their forum.

I strongly request that this decision be rescinded.

Re: the forum, it has never fully recovered after the transfer & while its a little more used currently I notice its slowed right down again....

Howard

[PeteStupps]

I thought it was getting slower too! It's strikingly slow compared to TSSC & Sideways forums. Shame. 

As has been said before Facebook is no replacement for the forum - it's good for a bit of a chin-wag but impossible to search through old posts, if there's something you want to refer back to. 

[Baxter]

I was a TSSC member in my Triumph infancy in the 80s, but coming back to the fold in 2015 I found the most useful answers to questions regarding my new project came from the CT forum.  Never done FB and never will, so really hope this forum gets the support it needs from CT.

[Steve P]

Seems like the largest number of users on here now are bots.

S

[Tim Bancroft]

Quoted from thescrapman-

I did note from the article announcing the RBRR in the latest magazine that Facebook is to be the primary supported method of discussion on the event.

Disappointing.

No it is not, we intend to use this Forum and sadly FB for news....trouble is that so many people seem to like FB (for the life of me I cannot understand why). 

We have set up the FB 'RBRR Banter' pages for just for that, informal chat.

[thescrapman]

I think the wording in the article may be a bit iffy, it says the Facebook pages will be used for event specific information as well as email bulletins.

[Tim Bancroft]

Colin, as you well know, we always attempt to dish out the pertinent info to all Entrants via email.

Hope to see that you have entered the event.

 

[thescrapman]

I think you need to give priority booking to people who promise to never use Facebook ever.

If it will let me get an entry in I certainly will be there in one of my cars, If I fail I will be looking to blag a seat. 

I really really need to get an entry in as the guy I sold my 1200 Herald estate to is looking for co- drivers... and he has faster internet than me... :-)

[Velocita Rosso]

I did a straw poll  a while ago and found that members would rather wait for magazines to turn up ,rather than use computer/electronic aided technology.

This might be down to the membership, average age, getting higher.

At nearly 70 , I am only just keeping up with modern world of communications, but that`s because I may have more time than others....most may not have that, carry in the hand ,pizza ordering,Lets app facility/capability...and would just like to read things on a lap top or magazine, whilst sipping coffee over a hot radiator (sorry coal fires are out these days).

The age of wanting to be at a destination a day earlier( the must be quicker syndrome)  seems to be getting worse, and most wanting to just sit and pull out a handset and twiddle all day......then we wonder why area meetings are dropping off, because members can just discuss car(marital) problems without turning out and driving the odd mile to socialise    

[Tim Bancroft]

The reason for opening the entry for the RBRR on the 7/12 is so that all members will have received their magazines and will then know that the date of opening.

The time of 19.00hrs was chosen as it enables most to have got in from work and be ready to submit an entry, giving entrants Friday, Saturday or Sunday to get submitting. We have to have a time and the start of a weekend seemed the right time.

The post of entries to either my house or in recent times to Jason's was quite difficult to administrate and took up a massive amount of time. Online entry seems to be more democratic.

We are flattered that CT members are so keen to take part in the RBRR.

[Keith]

Sorry to contradict you Tim but that's not going to happen. The last time we started the RBRR entries at 7:00pm it was initially a disaster with everything grinding to a halt and several payment details being lost due to time outs resulting in a lot work for our Treasurers sorting it out afterwards.

Having a hundred plus people logged in all clicking refresh at the same time is a good way to test a server but not a good way to run an event, unless you have a ridiculous amount of extra capacity.

Since the 2018 RBRR launch we have learnt a lot and refined the system as well as having extra capacity. Nowadays the system will start accepting entries at a random time in the early hours of the morning on the launch day. That way the system gets a 'soft start', in practice the event will be open for everyone when they wake up in the morning. Last time it took a couple of days for the entry list to fill up, so there's no need for everyone to be online in the first minutes. This system worked well for the 10CR launch and other events since.

The system is equal and fair for everyone and enables them to get their entries in efficiently.

And after all, it's analogous to the old system whereby entry would open a random time determined by your postman.

Keith

 

[Howard]

Quoted from Keith-

Nowadays the system will start accepting entries at a random time in the early hours of the morning on the launch day. That way the system gets a 'soft start', in practice the event will be open for everyone when they wake up in the morning.

The system is equal and fair for everyone and enables them to get their entries in efficiently.

That sounds eminently fair, mind you living in the middle east I am up when those of you back home are still fast asleep 😴😴

[thescrapman]

Thank s Keith. At least that gives me a chance to enter during the day from work, 2 years ago I gave up and waited a day and did manage in the end. I don't think my super fast broadband is due until mid-2020 so that won't be any good this time.

[mpbarrett]

OT:

cant we increase the cost of joining the RBRR and then use the spare cash to develop a decent forum? Or use the Sideways funding model and get users to subscribe each year.

CT really does need to get a decent working forum again, it used to so good and could be again. Just go and visit the TSSC or Sideways to see what a decent busy forum can be...

Mike

[Velocita Rosso]

Quoted from mpbarrett-

OT:

cant we increase the cost of joining the RBRR and then use the spare cash to develop a decent forum? Or use the Sideways funding model and get users to subscribe each year.

CT really does need to get a decent working forum again, it used to so good and could be again. Just go and visit the TSSC or Sideways to see what a decent busy forum can be...

Mike

I`ll let the accountants officially answer that....along the same lines as to why the max entry level of The RBRR has been reduced.  

[NigelRBRR]

Quoted from Keith-

Sorry to contradict you Tim but that's not going to happen. The last time we started the RBRR entries at 7:00pm it was initially a disaster with everything grinding to a halt and several payment details being lost due to time outs resulting in a lot work for our Treasurers sorting it out afterwards.

Having a hundred plus people logged in all clicking refresh at the same time is a good way to test a server but not a good way to run an event, unless you have a ridiculous amount of extra capacity.

Since the 2018 RBRR launch we have learnt a lot and refined the system as well as having extra capacity. Nowadays the system will start accepting entries at a random time in the early hours of the morning on the launch day. That way the system gets a 'soft start', in practice the event will be open for everyone when they wake up in the morning. Last time it took a couple of days for the entry list to fill up, so there's no need for everyone to be online in the first minutes. This system worked well for the 10CR launch and other events since.

The system is equal and fair for everyone and enables them to get their entries in efficiently.

And after all, it's analogous to the old system whereby entry would open a random time determined by your postman.

Keith

 

Another internal CT war is about to begin & this one in the wake of our President's passing.  He would be so distraught. For me, being close to several people within the committee & having attended the last few meetings for one reason or another, there are far too many people moaning about one thing or another.  This club will self destruct very soon if we carry on like this.

So Keith, what is this random time then?

What time should people be getting up and become awake enough to use their fingers on a keyboard properly?

Knowing how keen people are to get an entry, won't they now be moaning that they are having to get up early to ensure they get an entry?

Keith, it would have been good of you to consult with the RBRR team before coming to this decision.  Come and talk to us Keith, we're not monsters.  In fact if you care to, come and talk to me on Monday evening, to try and make me understand why on earth you want to do this.

This is the first & probably the last time I've had a "moan" on the Forum, I much prefer to "go talk to someone," so let's have a chat on Monday.

 

Yours Bewildered,

Nigel

 

[McJim]

I`ll let the accountants officially answer that....along the same lines as to why the max entry level of The RBRR has been reduced.  

As a past organiser of many motoring events, I can easily see why the maximum number of starters has been reduced.

Imagine trying to find locations for controls that can cater for 160 cars and then advise Seaview and Land's End that there are going to be in excess of 320 people to be fed.

Then you have all the withdrawals - about 40 last time and you have to advise Seaview and Land's End "Sorry but we only have 240 people now" just a few days before the start.

What a wasted effort getting permission for large control locations when we could have done with smaller locations, which are more plentiful and you begin to see why the organising committee has made this decision.

Think about it.  All those extra meals for the crews who withdrew still have to be paid for at a cost to the Club.

And let's face it, there will probably be a maximum of 125 starters, the largest number ever to actually take part as opposed to 160 entrants, a good number of whom would never have made it as far as Knebworth for whatever reason.

There will be a reserve list and Tim has already stated that no one has ever been denied an entry due to the number of vehicles taking part, so why all the worry and consternation over a problem that doesn't exist.

I think too many of you are confusing the reduced number of starters on the day with the  greater amount of entrants the 2020 RBRR will undoubtably receive. 

At least the £50 penalty for withdrawing an entry may concentrate minds as well as cushioning the financial hit the Club has to take.

This is a massive undertaking.  125 cars driving 2000 miles around Britain requiring controls,  dealing with landowners, who do not always play ball - look at Morrisons in Stirling on the last event, food, organising marshals, sponsorship, a start and finish venue that can cater for the entire event at one go, at not inconsiderable financial risk to the Club and all organised by volunteers.

The RBRR has become such a legendary event that when we're all driving around in electric cars and internal combustion has become a thing of the past, people will marvel at what was acheived by the people who took part in those funny old cars and by those who organised it.

This is a superbly organised event and I can only think of LeJog as being of a comparable stature but you need a good few thousand quid to enter that.

Best of luck to Nigel, Tim and co.  Can't wait to be sitting in Knebworth, ready for the off.

Rant over and thanks for reading this far. 

I love you all too.

Jim.

 

[mpbarrett]

Quoted from Velocita Rosso-

Quoted from mpbarrett-

OT:

cant we increase the cost of joining the RBRR and then use the spare cash to develop a decent forum? Or use the Sideways funding model and get users to subscribe each year.

CT really does need to get a decent working forum again, it used to so good and could be again. Just go and visit the TSSC or Sideways to see what a decent busy forum can be...

Mike

I`ll let the accountants officially answer that....along the same lines as to why the max entry level of The RBRR has been reduced.  

I really really do not understand your reply.
However I don't wont to mix up discussion about the rubbish forum and discussions about the RBRR entries so I will remain quiet and go back to some of the fun, active forums for Triumph people.
Just for Tim, if I am around in Oct 2020 I will be more than happy to help at the  start again.

Mike

 

[RobPearce]

Quoted from NigelRBRR-

Another internal CT war is about to begin & this one in the wake of our President's passing.  He would be so distraught. For me, being close to several people within the committee & having attended the last few meetings for one reason or another, there are far too many people moaning about one thing or another.  This club will self destruct very soon if we carry on like this.

So Keith, what is this random time then?

The random time is... err... random?

I don't know why you think this needs, or is even likely, to begin "a war". Keith has stated his reasons for correcting an unwise decision, and has explained that this is not a whim but a tried and tested revision that avoids the technical chaos that actually happened for the 2018 entry launch. Yes, I do remember it, and I wasn't even one of the worst affected. Rather than pandering to the ill-advised panic of the uneducated, can't the club set a better example by reminding everyone, as Keith has, that you don't need to be the first to sign up, and if it takes you an hour longer to wake up than everyone else you will still get your entry in because, despite our constant amazement at how astonishingly popular the RBRR is, it has always been and almost certainly still will be possible for all who want to enter to get their place.

[Tim Bancroft]

Rob,

I trot out the phrase that states that everyone who has ever wished to take part has always got a place within my blurb for the event every two years. Its great that so many are keen to take part, you would be surprised about the number of people who contact Jason and me about taking part before the opening of entry. Jason used to get members hand delivering their entry forms to him at home within hours of them receiving their magazines. That is the level of interest and attention that the event gets these days. 

To defend the decision taken by the organising group of the event in public is not what we want to do, but it was made because we want everyone to get a fair and even chance at entering the event, simple. We care about our customers, not saying other officers within CT do not, we all do.

We do not understand the stampede, but in a funny way we are honoured by it. I think the start of the rush was when members wanted to achieve entry no.1. That has ended since we made the decision to reward those teams that raised the most money for the previous event's Charity. BTW, I have sent out emails to those three teams, and am awaiting their replies.

All I and the RBRR team wish to do is organise a great driving event for the membership of the Club and raise a lot of money for the chosen charity....simple!

I know Derek was so chuffed at the way the event had become popular, we seemed to be dealing with all the issues as they arose that this increased popularity brings about. He was missed when he stopped taking part and will be missed when not attending the start next October.

I cannot tell you how sad I am to be squabbling in public about what is really not that important.....a waste of time when life is so precious.

 

[RobPearce]

Yes, Tim, I know you always make the point. You're very sensible on that and just what I was wishing to encourage.

I don't know the background of why Keith felt it necessary to contradict you in public but, with him being the club's web stuff guru, shouldn't the RBRR team have asked for and adopted his approach, rather than publicly announcing a repeat of (what he has obviously felt for well over a year was) a bad method? Instead of attacking him in public for having an expert opinion?

I get what you're saying. I do. But I also get what Keith said, and it seems to me that his method, possibly more in keeping with "proportional representation" than "first past the post", achieves the goal just as well if not better. It may be a tad harder to understand but it is more egalitarian. And it won't break things and cause frustration.