TTD Site Savers Post Here! (small update)

[U2Lynne]

UPDATE: we possibly have someone to update our site software. However, this may mean we need money for a second server while this happens. BUT, we still need a Site Admin. Someone needs to take over running this site and making decisions about this site. I will help you. You will not be alone (I was still around when Bradley took over). If no one takes over as a Site Admin, then this site is gone.


This is a thread for anyone who may be interested in taking over the site and keeping it alive. I'd like to only have comments here from people who would want to help keep the site open. Please do not be upset if your comment gets deleted if you are only posting here to chitchat/complain. I want to actually see only who is interested in saving the site so that they can get together and do so.

First off, I have not contacted anybody regarding taking over the site at all. Ideally, I would have one person take over as the main site admin and they can figure out where they want the site to go from here and then coordinate with the appropriate people to make it happen. The people who 'make it happen' will need PHP/MySQL knowledge and also some server knowledge.

One of the main things that needs to be figured out is exactly where to go from here. Bradley actually has a thread where he outlines some of his ideas - TTD reimagined research and ideas (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202461). I am not the right person for this since I have not kept up with software or programming since leaving vBulletin several years ago, nor have I kept up on what other music sites are doing these days.

TTD is making due right now, limping along, but it really isn't sustainable. We are running on old PHP/MySQL software and old vBulletin software. I do have newer vBulletin files to upgrade the site to use newer PHP/MySQL, but someone with PHP knowledge will need to actually go through and compare the old files to the new files, upgrade the files, and then also upgrade the PHP modifications and the tracker for the site. Someone will also have to upgrade the PHP/MySQL for the site. This is NOT an easy job to do which is why I am not wanting to do it again (I've already done it about six times for this site so far). It's not easy, as I said, but it obviously is doable since it has been done several times already.

So, who may be seriously interested in helping to keep the site alive? Please be specific on what you are willing to do.

Thanks! :whip:

(I am user number 1, since I installed the original software for the site. My start date here was October 19, which I will consider the start of the site. So, I figure if we are going to close our doors, then we will close them on October 19 so that we can say we were around for a whole 20 years. Who woulda thought we would last that long? I know I never even thought about how long the site would last when we first created it!)

[kcjonz68]

Hi U2Lynne, Would financially reaching out help matters? :wave:

[PhishPhucked]

Perhaps. At a minimum please create/request a backup image of the site (.vhdx) if possible. We'd need to chat. I'll be on travels / somewhat unavailable till October 7th. Till then sunshine. Peace.

[U2Lynne]

Hi U2Lynne, Would financially reaching out help matters? :wave:Money isn’t the major issue here. I mean, unless someone knows someone who will upgrade the site for pay (which I would understand since it will take many hours to do).

[dandrew]

Lynne, I mentioned in a prior PM to you that a non-member (whose email addy I sent you) had expressed an interest in taking over.

If you can't find the email or need me to resend the addy, please let me know.

[dcbullet]

To be clear to anyone interested in helping on the tech side, money should not be an issue.

[lePoo]

my buddy audioarchivist referred me here. i am more of a UX/front end developer with JAVA experience. not passionate about server or admin work at all. however i have some php / mysql experience. if you give me the right access i might be able to tell you if i am willing/able to do that side. thanks, stef

[U2Lynne]

Lynne, I mentioned in a prior PM to you that a non-member (whose email addy I sent you) had expressed an interest in taking over.

If you can't find the email or need me to resend the addy, please let me know.
I will email him, however, from what you quoted he said, he would be interested in helping to update the code, but not necessarily run the site.


Edit: I just sent him an email.


Edit again: He may be willing to help upgrade the PHP, but is not interested in running the site at all.

[dandrew]

He may be willing to help upgrade the PHP, but is not interested in running the site at all.

Argh. OK.

[jonjonjon]

I can't commit to helping run the site because of other volunteer activities but could provide programming help.

[jeffmbike]

I can also help out with money to keep this going

[Yeoman]

At the Genesis Movement torrent site they have a donation button to help with the costs. I'm sure a lot of us would happily contribute. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to help in any way than financially.

[Orangeboy]

Adding emphasis to your update:
UPDATE: we possibly have someone to update our site software. However, this may mean we need money for a second server while this happens. BUT, we still need a Site Admin. Someone needs to take over running this site and making decisions about this site. I will help you. You will not be alone (I was still around when Bradley took over). If no one takes over as a Site Admin, then this site is gone.
...

[dandrew]

Lynne,

Glad to hear there's someone to perhaps run the software. That's a good first step.

To facilitate the quest to find (hopefully) a new site admin, I wonder if you could elaborate a bit, even if in general terms, about what exactly that entails as it might help people decide whether they have the bandwidth to do so.

[ehodgson]

I can potentially take on the responsibility of running day to day operations of the site and small server issues that arise, I have some web management, server management experience as i run several other medium scale websites. I am somewhat tech savvy, and have the ability to self learn most aspects to survive.

If i had the support of decent programmers to work on site code, I could support them in their needs to bring TTD into the next level of its existence.

Feel free to reach out and discuss with me the particulars to decide if I have the skills and aptitude to Administrate TTD effectively.

*edit*
Regardless of accepting this offer contact me i can potentially set up a small box at my home office to host a test/development server to get a new site ready for public consumption to help lower cost for sometime

[U2Lynne]

So what I am seeing right now is that no one wants to run this site. That is Fine! But, it means we will be closing in less than a month.

[roarke.dallas]

I would only change the above to say, "No one that knows how wants to run this site." I am sure there are plenty of us that would do it if we understood how to :)

[Orangeboy]

So what I am seeing right now is that no one wants to run this site.

I wonder if the reality of the site closing down hasn't set in with folks. Maybe taking the forum, the tracker, or both, offline for a day or two would wake the people up.

This is going to sound lame, but I personally want to participate in running the site (in some capacity), but I cannot see how I could. Time and ability are hard things to find.

Is it possible for a board or committee to admin the site? Is the thought of "one to run the site" just too overwhelming for anyone to volunteer?

That is Fine! But, it means we will be closing in less than a month.

You are truly an amazing person. :worship: <--- a sincere and genuine use of the smiley
You have had the skill and patience to build and run this site for 20 years. Finding Bradley (I hope he is doing ok: "Last Activity: 2024-09-02 10:13 PM") seemed against the odds, but I am glad it happened. Is it possible to catch lightning in a bottle a third time? I hope so.

[J-dot]

This is the question that it seems more than a few of us are curious about...

What would someone need to attend to on a daily / weekly / monthly / annual basis?

For example, on a daily basis, how many hours need to be dedicated to keeping an eye on things?

Lynne,

Glad to hear there's someone to perhaps run the software. That's a good first step.

To facilitate the quest to find (hopefully) a new site admin, I wonder if you could elaborate a bit, even if in general terms, about what exactly that entails as it might help people decide whether they have the bandwidth to do so.

[78jazz]

This is the question that it seems more than a few of us are curious about...

What would someone need to attend to on a daily / weekly / monthly / annual basis?

For example, on a daily basis, how many hours need to be dedicated to keeping an eye on things?

I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a big enough chunk of time that it wouldn't appeal to a lot of people.

[J-dot]

No, I think we all get it - but the question of what exactly it would entail has not been answered. Without that information, it would be hard to just step up and offer to take over, me thinks.



I wonder if the reality of the site closing down hasn't set in with folks. Maybe taking the forum, the tracker, or both, offline for a day or two would wake the people up.

This is going to sound lame, but I personally want to participate in running the site (in some capacity), but I cannot see how I could. Time and ability are hard things to find.

Is it possible for a board or committee to admin the site? Is the thought of "one to run the site" just too overwhelming for anyone to volunteer?



You are truly an amazing person. :worship: <--- a sincere and genuine use of the smiley
You have had the skill and patience to build and run this site for 20 years. Finding Bradley (I hope he is doing ok: "Last Activity: 2024-09-02 10:13 PM") seemed against the odds, but I am glad it happened. Is it possible to catch lightning in a bottle a third time? I hope so.

[Hitman Horton]

So what I am seeing right now is that no one wants to run this site. That is Fine! But, it means we will be closing in less than a month.

If you would like to see the site continue to exist, here's my suggestion. Tell people what they will need to do to run the site. People are asking. How much money will need to be invested. How much time does it take. Provide as much detail as you can. Only then can people make an educated decision on whether or not they can step up.

[WilliamFruntz]

One of the main things that needs to be figured out is exactly where to go from here. Bradley actually has a thread where he outlines some of his ideas - TTD reimagined research and ideas (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202461). I am not the right person for this since I have not kept up with software or programming since leaving vBulletin several years ago, nor have I kept up on what other music sites are doing these days.

TTD is making due right now, limping along, but it really isn't sustainable. We are running on old PHP/MySQL software and old vBulletin software. I do have newer vBulletin files to upgrade the site to use newer PHP/MySQL, but someone with PHP knowledge will need to actually go through and compare the old files to the new files, upgrade the files, and then also upgrade the PHP modifications and the tracker for the site. Someone will also have to upgrade the PHP/MySQL for the site. This is NOT an easy job to do which is why I am not wanting to do it again (I've already done it about six times for this site so far). It's not easy, as I said, but it obviously is doable since it has been done several times already.

Isn't this the main issue and thing that a new admin would need to address, along with anyone who has ideas or a strategy on how to transition the current site out of 2000's technology and into an easier to run site using modern technology?

[AlexPhoenix]

So what I am seeing right now is that no one wants to run this site. That is Fine! But, it means we will be closing in less than a month.

Hi Lynne

My understanding from re-reading previous posts is that you have a possible offer of IT support from someone with the necessary skills to take care of that end.

I can possibly help with the admin/running of the site, but like previous posters I need more information as to what that might entail.

I have admin experience, having run several businesses over the years. I am semi-retired nowadays.

[ehodgson]

So what I am seeing right now is that no one wants to run this site. That is Fine! But, it means we will be closing in less than a month.

I thought, I said I could and would run the site... I guess I need to make it clearer, PM to talk about what all needs to be done to "run" the site, lets discuss the needs to administrate and iron out all the details before i commit 100% but from what I have seen I am capable of the job...


Reach out to me either here via PM or email me at [email protected]
We can discuss the needs.

[daddyray]

I'd do whatever little I can.

[ehodgson]

I thought, I said I could and would run the site... I guess I need to make it clearer, PM to talk about what all needs to be done to "run" the site, lets discuss the needs to administrate and iron out all the details before i commit 100% but from what I have seen I am capable of the job...


Reach out to me either here via PM or email me at [email protected]
We can discuss the needs.

Edit I hada typo on my email it is [email protected]

[dorrcoq]

Edit I hada typo on my email it is [email protected]


I hope it works out!

[beatlogger]

Hello there, fellow peoples.

I've had some development experience over the years, in various terms, and I had started with supporting PHP/MySQL backend, adding some new functionality to the CMS being used, etc.

I believe there are 2 possible strategies here:
1) To keep the whole project working "as is" is better than to turn it off and to call it a day (such a high level of importance for worldwide community, years of archive data, so on, so fifth -).
2) To upgrade the whole project to modern IT standards is better than keeping it working as it currently is (higher performance rate, more friendly and responsive graphical interface, etc.).

So I think it would be reasonable to walk in a progressive enhancement way here, i.e.:
1) to start with the minimal first option: to export all of the data (files and database dumps) from the current hosting (that, as far as I can see, is not that easy to work with on a regular basis), and to deploy it to some admin-friendly hosting that would be easier to maintain;
2) and then (having good old TTD still working properly on a regular basis), to start its upgrade process, to some modern frontend/backend frameworks, and, of course, the torrent tracker itself (but maintaining the source database data), to be able to switch it to the newer version sometimes, as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

I may take part in such migration process, but for sure I won't be able to run it alone ("With a little help from my friends") :). Therefore it would be great to create some group or chat in some messenger (Whatsapp, Viber, Telegram or something) to talk the issue, migration steps, who would like to do what at certain point, to coordinate, to make some periodical Zoom calls. It should be much more real time and effective in comparison with PM or email communication.

No man is an island, anyway... :wave:

[Audioarchivist]

Okay, unemployed me with no programming experience would be interested in being part of an admin team, depending on what that actually is... haha! I do have some time (although I don't always use it wisely haha) but no real experience but totally willing to learn to keep the place afloat if that's what it's gonna take!

I'm imagining some folks need to do day to day checking of new posts, deleting spam, etc. to oversee general behaviours and to police the site a bit, correct? And that's where we're having a problem to find help? Is that what I am hearing?

Like I say, I feel like a team of users could do those sorts of front-end duties, if that's the case. While programming and other code type things can be done by other folks that seem to have been found, right? It's the day to day admin duties that haven't got a replacement. I'm not sure if I can take ALL of that section over, and not even sure if one person should be in charge of site decisions that might affect everyone (more than closing altogether haha) - some things should be decided by a team, a vote, or something, depending on what hypothetical that could eventually be.

So, look - if the place is gonna die with nobody to steer the ship, put my name on a list to do it, but I feel like there should be more than one to do it together to make it keep working. I like the idea of a site upgrade update at some point, while maintaining the existing site until a new version can be achieved. I think if we all hurry up and get it together and put our heads together we can get something going before the final deadline. Let's do it, gang!

But, am I right? It's front end day to day site running stuff, clearing spambots, moderating stuff, that's in need of workers? Not programming the site, but operating the program? It's been asked before here: what is still needed for personnel to admin, and what would they really need to do? I think if that was clearer, it would help. What is an admin's job description, exactly? Can programming / coding not be a part of an admin's job to be successful?

[PanTau]

Reach out to me either here via PM or email me at [email protected]
We can discuss the needs.

You can (and probably should) also send a PM to @U2Lynne and ask Lynne, to take matters into your own hands and actively show your interest.

PanTau

[anarchist]

cant ai run the site?

[WilliamFruntz]

It seems like right now a lot of people are saying they are interested in certain roles, but there is nothing to connect all these people and form a plan of attack with who does what. Maybe someone needs to organize this and be a project manager even if they aren't going to be the admin. Maybe Audioarchivist can do this based on his post. Most project managers in the corporate world don't actually know most of the skills that their teams do but organize who does what and checks off boxes of what gets done.

Set up a google doc where people can sign up for certain tasks and post what they are familiar with and their skill set. Then like beatlogger was saying, get on a conference call where everything can be discussed and tasks can be given out and assign the tasks in the google doc or some other way. In the corporate world, this is usually done on Teams or Slack. In the online world people have been moving to Discord for this since it's free. Discord allows video/audio conference meetings along with chatrooms in the call if people aren't comfortable talking or showing their face. Edit: Also on Discord you can set up different chat rooms for different topics and give access to them for different users. You can also upload files to the server, if you files need to be exchanged. It can be private and invite only so only the people who need to be in there can be.

https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/204849977-How-do-I-create-a-server

[jeffmbike]

Hello All AS i mentioned earlier I will make a large donation to keep site open. About how much money do we need to make upgrade?

[bluorangefyre]

cant ai run the site?

Do you want Skynet? Because that's how you get Skynet! Although at least it'll play us some great tunes as it's wiping us out.

Although, I am fully aware that things like ChatGPT can actually aid in writing or fixing code. I asked it if it could do MySQL, and provide help updating the code of a (not this) site, and apparently it can.

[Dan33185]

I am a community moderator on Rate Your Music, and could do the same here if it's needed. I don't know any coding or anything, but in terms of just community moderation or handling reports, I can do that easily. I am on disability, so I am at home a large portion of the day and am always near my computer.