DTCA website upgrade 2023

Hello Ravi,To answer your main question straight away, yes, the database data on this site can be exported as csv or xml.Now, I had a look at the promo video for wp-all-import. Like almost all plug-ins for wordpress, there is a free version. Unfortunately these tasters only include the most basic features - and this one is no different. As the presenter tells us, picture importing is a premium feature. Also we would need to import all the users. If you skip to 4:22 on the video, you can see the premium version with that feature is $299. There is no budget for this - and I couldn't guarantee that it would actually work perfectly. Some of the user feedback is ... well, let's say it is less than complimentary. there's no mention that the utility can handle forum data structures and I suspect that it can't for that reason. We see the presenter showing how to import page or 'post' data, but this isn't forum data. WP can install forum plugins like bbPress but, again like any other plugin, it's just the basics. Any further desired features ... uploading images... inline images... notifications... quickly turns into a premium product and there is no budget for any of that.So my plan is to continue with the next generation Drupal when it is finally working. I see version 10.1.6 just arrived - but again my first attempt to install this with the host shows their config is still in conflict. I'll hound them again of course. Meanwhile, this website's drupal generation has had its support extended to 2025 - a truly abject climbdown after all the fanfare. There is now an update that might cure the bug that's hiding the wysiwyg editor on some pages types - which is really the only problem from a user perspective.The two year cushion might persuade me now to fix the ssl issue (might just be a dns config) and do something about the missing gdpr notices.

Hi Al,Thanks for checking out wp-all-import. I understand your point about additional costs.Cheers,--Ravi

Hi Al. Can you provide an update regarding the realization of a new DTCA website? The target date was November, but I understand from the correspondence that it is not easy. What are the expectations at the moment? Do you think we will be able to exchange New Year's wishes with photos as usual around the New Year? Kind Regards, Jan Oldenhuis

What a challenge, wondered what the noise above my head was, just wish I could help. How would a budget help, if practical and affordable, perhaps the users would contribute, I would, and how much would be needed to get the best? Would the club own the lience? Useable sencable questions need to be answered. Could we then eliminate the annoying adverts? Anyway what ever your efforts are I and I suspect all appreciate your efforts. David

I second! Kind regards, Jan

The DTCA needs to make this its very highest priority, and hire paid help to assist Al in getting this done. There is no more important lifeline to the club for us overseas members, and any stick-in-the-mud members in the UK who do not do things online need to move into the, er, 1990s, and realise that an online presence is not a 'nice to have,' it's essential.I will renew my membership for next year shortly, but after this year's events, it is not an easy decision.

I completely agree with Jonathan. It is now time for the DTCA board to put all hands on deck. As of March, the forum no longer works and mutual collectors' communication has come to a complete standstill. This should never have lasted so long. That is fatal for this medium and our mutual communication. it's not just essential, it's vital. You won't make it with just a DTCA Journal. I am also in doubt about renewing my membership because I have not heard any cry for help from the DTCA board to resolve this before January 1 and extend my membership. Membership with a forum without exchanging photos is of no use to me. Before January 1, decisions must be made and a solution must be found. We as members are entitled to that after 3/4 years of radio silence. I hope the DTCA board reads these messages. In any case, I am also sending this message to Chairman Michael Driver. it's a cry for help! there's no point in flogging a dead horse. Then you have to buy a new one. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis

I am an advocate of open communication and I regret that I did not receive an answer from Al to my question about the current state of affairs. That is why I have sent a message to the chairman because I have the feeling that no budget has been made available for a new website. In Al's story I come across twice that there is no budget and even 50 is still too much. I find that worrying. Then it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to carry out this work successfully. If financing is an issue, disclose how much money is needed. Perhaps we as members can contribute to solving this. So Al. Please let us know how far you are. Do you currently have sufficient tools to create/renew the new website or are you being hampered by financing problems? Can you do this alone or do you need help? I appreciate all your efforts. I wish you all the help, wisdom and perseverance to bring this to a successful conclusion. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis

Yes, as a member an appropiate budget needs to be set, the problems being encountered need to be transparant and solved. I always thought that the forum and the club worked hand in hand, clearly not, the Journal is one of the best but see that much information comes from the forum. The forum could be the libary of all information regularly updated and accessable to all members. Who updates the infromation and what can be done to improve all. This is now the opportunity but no doubt will have a monitary cost, hence the need to get an appropiate budget. Many members will specialize in certain aspects of the hobby and may want to contribute and make their specialty known but not knowing how to acheive that goal can be irritating, can the knew forum help in that way I do hope. It would be a travasty if some of the more influential and experience members loose their ability to inform Please do not wait until the next AGM for any decision the chairmen needs to act swiftly before it is to late.Regards David

Thanks for the comments everybody. I understand it's frustrating to be still waiting to be able to do picture uploads. The news on the website update is that the host suddenly resolved its build issues last week and I now have the working framework of a new website , ready to try a test import of all the content from this one. So progress has lurched forward quite suddenly if invisibly. I'll update again by the end of the week - if all goes well, with more tangible info.Also, you may have noticed that the advertising has been heavily scaled back in response to members feeling that it was too intrusive. Ad content should now be restricted to the margins. Please feedback if you find this tolerable or still not.

Hello Al. Thank you very much for your information. That makes a lot clear to us and is very hopeful news. Fewer advertisements are indeed noticeable. Personally, this doesn't bother me that much, because a well-functioning website is more of a priority for me. But that's purely personal. I also notice that when I right-click I get more options than before. The menu is longer. And I also see that when logging in, the message 'not safe' or something similar no longer appears on mij laptop, but well on my IPad. Is it more secure now or is it the same? As far along as you have now sounds like music to my ears. I wish you continued success in your further work on this. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis

Great news and thank you for all the hard work. Im looking forward posting some interesting photos again.