DTCA website upgrade 2023

Hello Jan and everybody. We would really like the website to be shown only through https:// only, so that the security certificate is picked up. If you view the site through (missing an s), you'll see the security lock crossed out and likely get these unsafe warnings. This is really of a concern if we were doing any kinds of transactions or keeping critical personal data - well, we are keeping email addresses, so the security layer should be in place even just for the sake of that. The site is old, predating such innovations and resistant to retrofits. The new site should *should* cure all ills at once and make it possible to introduce new, more robust, features like classifieds/wanted and such.

To give a little background of the history of the website. It was founded by Peter Golden who was building and running it as a hobby project, I believe. That must have been about 12 years ago at least. I also believe he was, at least initially, doing all that out of his own resources because the club has never really had the financial scope to run something so specialised. But then the club did attempt to do it after Peter passed away... but the site was soon broken and a business hired to build a new one - but they could not import the posts and pages that had already been made. At that point, I seem to remember it was John and David who asked me to come in and make it work. it's been lumbering on for quite a number of years now... dodging all expenses that might have contributed to higher subs, largely by the advertising, nuisance that it is. But the site has just about finally reached the end of its service window. It should have been retired in November in fact ... but the axe has been stopped to 2025 because the replacement framework just hasn't been available in readiness by the (mainly hobbyist) group that has been developing it.

Okay Al. Clearly. Thank you very much for this security. Jan O.

As a method of sharing images meanwhile ... if only as a temporary measure... there are any number of free services where you can upload pictures and share links For example: imgbb.com postimages.org yourimageshare.com Here's one uploaded at imgbb.com https://ibb.co/HNr2YvX

Al,Thank you for all the information you have shared. It bears repeating that all of us who have complained about the website greatly appreciate your efforts. Our issue, if any, is with the (perceived?) lack of support that the DTCA board is giving you. I know that before he passed Dave Busfield aired our concerns eloquently at the last AGM.Regarding advertising, my personal opinion is that the issue is not with advertising per se, it is with advertising that is intrusive and has nothing to do with our hobby. I think most members would accept or even be pleased with advertising from Vectis, for example, in the form of a banner that could be clicked on to learn about their various auctions. Since Vectis has apparently supported the Journal over the years, a Vectis ad on the DTCA website would not be unwelcome. They could be given a friendly rate that would be a 'win win' for Vectis and the DTCA alike.Cheers, Jon

Al, can I echo people's thoughts about your efforts. we're fortunate to have continued so far, it seems. The advertising is only a problem for me if it obscures our content. Otherwise, if it helps to maintain the site then I'm happy to endure it. In recent months the Facebook Dinky Toy Collectors Group has gone from strength to strength, now having over 10 thousand members, so the interest is definitely there. More effort to attract some of those members should be a priority. Best wishes to all for Christmas and the New Year. John Powell

John, in July this year I pinned a post in the FB Dinky Toys Collectors Group advertising the DTCA. The post has been viewed by 1000 members. Hopefully more references to the DTCA in this and other FB Dinky groups might draw individuals to the DTCA website.

John, in July this year I pinned a post in the FB Dinky Toys Collectors Group advertising the DTCA. The post has been viewed by 1000 members. Hopefully more references to the DTCA in this and other FB Dinky groups might draw individuals to the DTCA website.

Well done, Ravi! I must look for more opportunities to do the same.

Yesterday I received the January 2024 Journal and I was very disappointed, yes very angry. Not a single word from the chairman or anyone else in the Journal about the forum's problems. No word to solve it. On 17 December 2023 I sent an email about the forum's problems to our chairman Michael Driver as I indicated on the forum. No response received. Not on the forum and not by email. Now also nothing about it in the Journal. As if nothing is wrong. After a year of promises and waiting, still no photos can be uploaded. I no longer believe in it that this can be repaired and I feel cheated because the chairman has not responded to our problems in any way. I'm just saying it how I feel. I am for open communication and say how I feel about this in a polite manner. I hope Al Keeling reads this and is willing to fully disclose why this can't be resolved. Are the repair costs the problem or are you not getting enough support to solve the problem? Is there no suitable software available or can it no longer be repaired at all? Just tell us what's going on and if it can't be repaired, just say so so we know where we stand. I have a number of articles that I would normally like to post on the forum, but it has been impossible for a year. My enthusiasm breaks down. Kind regards, Jan Oldenhuis

I agree with every word Jan has written. The situation has become untenable and it is inexcusable that the latest Journal (I have of course not received my copy yet in California) should not even mention the website and difficulties with it.I will write an open letter to Michael soon and share that here. But the short version is that the DTCA needs to hire professional help to get the website working as its very highest priority. It is not an option, it is a matter of life or death for the club.

I agree, Jan and Jon, and you have my full support. The last words of my article in the January issue were: 'Let's hope that in the meantime the DTCA's website and forum, which we sadly missed in the past year, will be fully restored in 2024, for the benefit of all of us'. I really thought that on publication of this January issue the problems would be solved again. In vain, apparently.