Drabslab,
Excellent points as usual.
Since I came out of the closet and became a full time car guy with my specialization in racing and sports cars, I've joined two really dedicated and outstanding car sites, that specialize in exactly that type of modeling.
I've also become active on AutoModeler which is very slow with a really small base membership, and unfortunately still has basic issues. But that's another story for another time.
Like you, Kit Maker Network is where I made my return to modeling from my 30 year hiatus nearly 10 years ago. 1st on Armorama, then to Aeroscale, where I remained a active member to this day. I have a great number of long time friends, while many have also moved on for numerous site issues. Their concerns and reasons which were justified then, for the most part are still issues today.
I'm not a software person, but I do understand the basics since one needed to know MS-DOS back in the windows 3.1 days to even play a game. My whole point about the post button is that we always had one, made posting about a new item, feature, etc. easy and you got to stay in that forum to finish going through the posts. As I've said, the bouncing back and forth has caused me to rarely post from those forums. if I stopped, I'm sure that a lot of others have also.
Over the years the format used on the Network seems more and more outdated as no other site I visit for any interest uses anything like this, nor does any have such a small max resolution for pictures. If Jim truly wants to not just keep his core members, but also grow the site, then he needs to offer the same options/visuals as other sites, so new people will sign on and hopefully like it here.
My original point is that in more then 10 months there hasn't been any visual improvements, the post button feature still says it's broken, just doesn't speak well to any of us, and honestly I do wonder just how much time has been devoted to upgrading the site.
Joel
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Feedback button still broken
Posted: Friday, November 30, 2018 - 02:37 AM UTC
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 10:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I believe Jim pointed out how old the php code for the site is in one of his Mail Call videos. I guess 5.3->7.2 is a big jump? I'm more of an old C/Asm programmer myself.
Well, that is relative. There was never a version 6. PHP jumped from 5.something to 7.something. The major difference is performance as PHP 7 comes with a new engine.
Most probably, all vulnerabilities detected since 2014 have not been officially documented or repaired in v5.3.29 and one can't know the impact of that.
In general, software, like a car, needs constant attention. Not doing that leads to a breakdown that costs far more than the avoided maintenance cost.
GaryKato
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 08:30 PM UTC
Quoted Text
My guess, that old code is still in php 5.3 just like the rest of the site. Today, php is on version 7.2 Hence, this code is so outdated that it constitutes (I guess) such security risk that it cannot be put back.
I believe Jim pointed out how old the php code for the site is in one of his Mail Call videos. I guess 5.3->7.2 is a big jump? I'm more of an old C/Asm programmer myself.
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 09:01 AM UTC
Hai,
I am a computer freak (spend many years working in IT related research) and the state of affairs bothers me (understatement).
I evolved from offering my assistance, to commenting on certain issues to the site owner, to posting explicit warnings that certain things were simply short-sighted, to silence.
These posts on this thread today are my first ones in weeks and I used to be a regular, even bringing in some features and reviews from time to time.
However, if I look at the reactions this post got the last 8 months then it becomes obvious that most users do not care at all about this subject, they just come here to read about modelling, and maybe post a comment from time to time. I guess that this will last until one or another hacker exploits a weakness and attacks this user community but that should not be my concern.
May all those that are not hindered by the technical shortcomings continue to enjoy the site!! To the few exceptions who are annoyed I can only say that the web is a big place and there are other options.
For myself, I will keep a silent eye on Aeroscale, because the site brought me back to modelling, and maybe, one day, it will all function brilliantly.
I am a computer freak (spend many years working in IT related research) and the state of affairs bothers me (understatement).
I evolved from offering my assistance, to commenting on certain issues to the site owner, to posting explicit warnings that certain things were simply short-sighted, to silence.
These posts on this thread today are my first ones in weeks and I used to be a regular, even bringing in some features and reviews from time to time.
However, if I look at the reactions this post got the last 8 months then it becomes obvious that most users do not care at all about this subject, they just come here to read about modelling, and maybe post a comment from time to time. I guess that this will last until one or another hacker exploits a weakness and attacks this user community but that should not be my concern.
May all those that are not hindered by the technical shortcomings continue to enjoy the site!! To the few exceptions who are annoyed I can only say that the web is a big place and there are other options.
For myself, I will keep a silent eye on Aeroscale, because the site brought me back to modelling, and maybe, one day, it will all function brilliantly.
c4willy
#305
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 07:40 AM UTC
I'm with you Joel I'm part of the wider modelling community and I know what's available in terms of websites and services offered. The thing that keeps me coming back is the people like you Joel and the others Rowan, Mal and Chuck let's not forget Chuck the guy's a modelling God in my book and so Joel are you. I value the opinions and skills that everyone is so willing to share.
However I do wonder after all this time whether this has simply become a revenue gathering exercise? I pay my subs so I can get a larger slice of bandwidth in regards to photo storage but that's all it gets me. It is the wider community that keeps me here and coming back if that was to dwindle then so would my presence here. I may not be posting much right now (commission work is taking up my time) but I keep tabs on the wider community through out my day.
I echo Joel's growing disillusion and feel as though we're simply being fobbed off with platitudes. I wonder if Jim could actually clarify the situation for us give us an idea of the why's and wherefores then we might have a better understanding of his current position? I'm fully aware that it is never as simple as we think it is and that this is probably not his full time job. However it's his website and therefore he has a responsibility to his subscribers and I for one would like to know where we stand.
However I do wonder after all this time whether this has simply become a revenue gathering exercise? I pay my subs so I can get a larger slice of bandwidth in regards to photo storage but that's all it gets me. It is the wider community that keeps me here and coming back if that was to dwindle then so would my presence here. I may not be posting much right now (commission work is taking up my time) but I keep tabs on the wider community through out my day.
I echo Joel's growing disillusion and feel as though we're simply being fobbed off with platitudes. I wonder if Jim could actually clarify the situation for us give us an idea of the why's and wherefores then we might have a better understanding of his current position? I'm fully aware that it is never as simple as we think it is and that this is probably not his full time job. However it's his website and therefore he has a responsibility to his subscribers and I for one would like to know where we stand.
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 06:20 AM UTC
Quoted Text
It's been 10 month's since my 1st post on the broken reply button, and 10 months since I've been informed that Jim is both moving and has been working on this and other issues. I'm equally sure that the problem has existing for way more then 10 months.
There have been posts that the issue was caused by some programing updates that Jim has been working on. I've asked and asked why Jim just can't replace the old code till he has code that will work correctly, as it's quite inconvenient, and at this point annoying to have to physically toggle back and forth, when it use to take one click and your post is up.
Joel
My guess, that old code is still in php 5.3 just like the rest of the site. Today, php is on version 7.2 Hence, this code is so outdated that it constitutes (i guess) such security risk that it cannot be put back.
Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 04:07 AM UTC
It's been 10 month's since my 1st post on the broken reply button, and 10 months since I've been informed that Jim is both moving and has been working on this and other issues. I'm equally sure that the problem has existing for way more then 10 months.
There have been posts that the issue was caused by some programing updates that Jim has been working on. I've asked and asked why Jim just can't replace the old code till he has code that will work correctly, as it's quite inconvenient, and at this point annoying to have to physically toggle back and forth, when it use to take one click and your post is up.
Joel
There have been posts that the issue was caused by some programing updates that Jim has been working on. I've asked and asked why Jim just can't replace the old code till he has code that will work correctly, as it's quite inconvenient, and at this point annoying to have to physically toggle back and forth, when it use to take one click and your post is up.
Joel
Posted: Tuesday, October 02, 2018 - 02:01 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextWell, the reply button is still non functional. I 1st posted on this issue 6 months ago, and it was "broken" way before then. I've gotten posts that Jim's working on the code, Jim's moving across country, takes time to relocate and setup his office, etc.
The issue is still the same, a feature that allowed us to post a comment quickly while still staying in the News, Features, etc. now has become a chore going back and forth, so I don't bother to leave a comment, which really defeats the entire process of having an online site to talk about modeling.
I suggested that Jim just turn the feature back on until he has time to work on updating the code, but that hasn't happened. It's at the point now where I'm starting to really think that the feature is gone for good. if so, then I'll reserve my posting when I'm in the individual forums if I remember to do so then.
Joel
Hai Joel,
Yep, quite annoying and the list of shortcomings, bugs ... that have not been tackled for 10+ years is very long.
I basically switched of and am no longer posting regularly because of the pictures saga, gallery not fucntioning well and much too small and then the photobucket issue.
Also here it may be relatively simple to apply a temporary solution and increase the gallery space for users. I also don't understand why this does not happen.
It was said that staff_jim is working on a complete overhaul of the site, and that is a huge pile of work, not in the least because too little was done for too long a time.
Let's stick around and see what happens
Drabslab,
I've been around since 2010, and honestly have seen very little in the way of improvements, just more adds. Like many members this isn't the only modeling site I belong to, so I can compare them to each other.
As you said, we have by far the smallest picture size of any site period. I've been told it's to save bandwidth, and keep the costs down, but every other site manages that issue nicely. I've had friends stop by as guests to checkout a build, and were amazed at the size of the pictures we have.
The whole Gallery concept is archaic and thus outdated. The only time I've ever bothered with it, is to post two pictures of my finished model for a campaign. Other then that I've never gone there for anything. And using it isn't the easiest thing to do.
I've been told in private conversations that the site functioned so it has been left as is. Now it's literally so far behind the times it's not even funny.
Even this reply box shares needed space with ads that take up about 1/3 of the available width. The space to the left is for Scale Modeling sponsors, there is an ad banner, and then the generic ads on the right.
It would be helpful if Jim posted where he is with the site updates, and what is planned moving forward.
Joel
Posted: Tuesday, October 02, 2018 - 01:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Well, the reply button is still non functional. I 1st posted on this issue 6 months ago, and it was "broken" way before then. I've gotten posts that Jim's working on the code, Jim's moving across country, takes time to relocate and setup his office, etc.
The issue is still the same, a feature that allowed us to post a comment quickly while still staying in the News, Features, etc. now has become a chore going back and forth, so I don't bother to leave a comment, which really defeats the entire process of having an online site to talk about modeling.
I suggested that Jim just turn the feature back on until he has time to work on updating the code, but that hasn't happened. It's at the point now where I'm starting to really think that the feature is gone for good. if so, then I'll reserve my posting when I'm in the individual forums if I remember to do so then.
Joel
Hai Joel,
Yep, quite annoying and the list of shortcomings, bugs ... that have not been tackled for 10+ years is very long.
I basically switched of and am no longer posting regularly because of the pictures saga, gallery not fucntioning well and much too small and then the photobucket issue.
Also here it may be relatively simple to apply a temporary solution and increase the gallery space for users. I also don't understand why this does not happen.
It was said that staff_jim is working on a complete overhaul of the site, and that is a huge pile of work, not in the least because too little was done for too long a time.
Let's stick around and see what happens
Posted: Tuesday, October 02, 2018 - 12:35 AM UTC
Well, the reply button is still non functional. I 1st posted on this issue 6 months ago, and it was "broken" way before then. I've gotten posts that Jim's working on the code, Jim's moving across country, takes time to relocate and setup his office, etc.
The issue is still the same, a feature that allowed us to post a comment quickly while still staying in the News, Features, etc. now has become a chore going back and forth, so I don't bother to leave a comment, which really defeats the entire process of having an online site to talk about modeling.
I suggested that Jim just turn the feature back on until he has time to work on updating the code, but that hasn't happened. It's at the point now where I'm starting to really think that the feature is gone for good. if so, then I'll reserve my posting when I'm in the individual forums if I remember to do so then.
Joel
The issue is still the same, a feature that allowed us to post a comment quickly while still staying in the News, Features, etc. now has become a chore going back and forth, so I don't bother to leave a comment, which really defeats the entire process of having an online site to talk about modeling.
I suggested that Jim just turn the feature back on until he has time to work on updating the code, but that hasn't happened. It's at the point now where I'm starting to really think that the feature is gone for good. if so, then I'll reserve my posting when I'm in the individual forums if I remember to do so then.
Joel
Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2018 - 04:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Do you mean that working on new code happens on the production server and not on a separate development server?
That's not a good practice. Definitely not industry-standard.
Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2018 - 03:03 AM UTC
Considering the huge amount of work required to overhaul a site, and the many bugs and other gremlins that are embedded in the curent code for many years now... I expect to see some change in about 8 to 10 months from now.
So patience is the key
OK, things could haev been done differently, with continuous improvements and small updates over the years, but that is water under the bridge.
I just hope that whatever update comes brings a solution for the most nasty shortcomings such as the gallery problem.
So patience is the key
OK, things could haev been done differently, with continuous improvements and small updates over the years, but that is water under the bridge.
I just hope that whatever update comes brings a solution for the most nasty shortcomings such as the gallery problem.
Merlin
Senior Editor
#017
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 09:03 AM UTC
Hi Joel
if it's important to you, you're quite right to flag this to ensure that it stays high on Jim's list of to-dos when he gets back to work after his house-move.
I've raised a few laughs among my volunteer team at Oxfam if they ever apologise about nagging that things need doing - I always tell them that I rely on them to nag me and "order" them to continue to do so.
I frequently face multiple equally important tasks competing for attention, and I have no doubt it's the same for Jim at Kitmaker.
All the best
Rowan
if it's important to you, you're quite right to flag this to ensure that it stays high on Jim's list of to-dos when he gets back to work after his house-move.
I've raised a few laughs among my volunteer team at Oxfam if they ever apologise about nagging that things need doing - I always tell them that I rely on them to nag me and "order" them to continue to do so.
I frequently face multiple equally important tasks competing for attention, and I have no doubt it's the same for Jim at Kitmaker.All the best
Rowan
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 08:45 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Nothing is perfect and even as a subscriber I do not expect it to be.
This is a terrific site and the administrators do such a great job I think they really need applause. It is far from easy to maintain and monitor a web site, even though it does seem like a matter of a few clicks to do wonderful things.
What can be an inconvenience to some is often a great headache to fix.
Let be...
My tuppence Ha'penny worth.
Karl.
Karl,
You completely lost me on your post. This isn't a yesterday issue, it's been since April, and most likely much longer.
I've been around along time, and consistently one of the most prolific posters and build bloggers on the Aeroscale Site. I've done everything I can to promote the site and help it grow. But that's not the issue.
This issue has nothing to do with any of the Admins nor the jobs that they all do on a consistent basis. It's a software issue that can just as easily be turned back on until Jim has the time to continue with his updating.
Joel
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 08:24 AM UTC
Nothing is perfect and even as a subscriber I do not expect it to be.
This is a terrific site and the administrators do such a great job I think they really need applause. It is far from easy to maintain and monitor a web site, even though it does seem like a matter of a few clicks to do wonderful things.
What can be an inconvenience to some is often a great headache to fix.
Let be...
My tuppence Ha'penny worth.
Karl.
This is a terrific site and the administrators do such a great job I think they really need applause. It is far from easy to maintain and monitor a web site, even though it does seem like a matter of a few clicks to do wonderful things.
What can be an inconvenience to some is often a great headache to fix.
Let be...
My tuppence Ha'penny worth.
Karl.
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 05:10 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextQuoted TextI originally posted back on April 5th that the Feedback button was still broken, making it necessary to go to the actual post in another forum to post my reply. I received a few posts that Jim had to disable this feature during site upgrades, and others posted that Jim is in the process of selling his house and moving across the country to New Hampshire. Why continue to do upgrades to the site software if you won't be able to complete them in a timely manner due to a major move? By now I'm assuming that Jim has made his cross country move, and has settled into their new home.
Well, it's now July 18, 2018, and the feedback button still is disabled. Why? Honestly at this point, I really don't see it being fixed any time soon.
It was a very handy tool to post your comments on several new items without having to go to a different forum each time, then back to the original forum.
Joel
Joel
I know that Jim is working updating the site, and this takes time as there are some major changes coming. Unfortunately, Jim has not had the time to work on this as he has just moved from one side of the country to the other. He is in the process of getting set up, and I do believe that the work will start again in getting these changes done.
Kevin
Kevin,
Thanks for the update. It's a function that I use to use quite often, and do find that the extra few steps does become an issue after a while.
Joel
I agree Joel. I used to post comments or questions all the time. now I don't bother.
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 01:54 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI originally posted back on April 5th that the Feedback button was still broken, making it necessary to go to the actual post in another forum to post my reply. I received a few posts that Jim had to disable this feature during site upgrades, and others posted that Jim is in the process of selling his house and moving across the country to New Hampshire. Why continue to do upgrades to the site software if you won't be able to complete them in a timely manner due to a major move? By now I'm assuming that Jim has made his cross country move, and has settled into their new home.
Well, it's now July 18, 2018, and the feedback button still is disabled. Why? Honestly at this point, I really don't see it being fixed any time soon.
It was a very handy tool to post your comments on several new items without having to go to a different forum each time, then back to the original forum.
Joel
Joel
I know that Jim is working updating the site, and this takes time as there are some major changes coming. Unfortunately, Jim has not had the time to work on this as he has just moved from one side of the country to the other. He is in the process of getting set up, and I do believe that the work will start again in getting these changes done.
Kevin
Kevin,
Thanks for the update. It's a function that I use to use quite often, and do find that the extra few steps does become an issue after a while.
Joel
SgtRam
Editor-in-Chief#197
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 01:40 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I originally posted back on April 5th that the Feedback button was still broken, making it necessary to go to the actual post in another forum to post my reply. I received a few posts that Jim had to disable this feature during site upgrades, and others posted that Jim is in the process of selling his house and moving across the country to New Hampshire. Why continue to do upgrades to the site software if you won't be able to complete them in a timely manner due to a major move? By now I'm assuming that Jim has made his cross country move, and has settled into their new home.
Well, it's now July 18, 2018, and the feedback button still is disabled. Why? Honestly at this point, I really don't see it being fixed any time soon.
It was a very handy tool to post your comments on several new items without having to go to a different forum each time, then back to the original forum.
Joel
Joel
I know that Jim is working updating the site, and this takes time as there are some major changes coming. Unfortunately, Jim has not had the time to work on this as he has just moved from one side of the country to the other. He is in the process of getting set up, and I do believe that the work will start again in getting these changes done.
Kevin
Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 12:44 AM UTC
I originally posted back on April 5th that the Feedback button was still broken, making it necessary to go to the actual post in another forum to post my reply. I received a few posts that Jim had to disable this feature during site upgrades, and others posted that Jim is in the process of selling his house and moving across the country to New Hampshire. Why continue to do upgrades to the site software if you won't be able to complete them in a timely manner due to a major move? By now I'm assuming that Jim has made his cross country move, and has settled into their new home.
Well, it's now July 18, 2018, and the feedback button still is disabled. Why? Honestly at this point, I really don't see it being fixed any time soon.
It was a very handy tool to post your comments on several new items without having to go to a different forum each time, then back to the original forum.
Joel
Well, it's now July 18, 2018, and the feedback button still is disabled. Why? Honestly at this point, I really don't see it being fixed any time soon.
It was a very handy tool to post your comments on several new items without having to go to a different forum each time, then back to the original forum.
Joel
Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - 06:32 PM UTC
Quoted Text
If you watch the latest "Mail Call" videos, you will hear about Jim selling his house and future move (to New Hampshire I think).
Honesty, I don't watch Jim's mail call videos, or even his in box video reviews as I've never seen any value in anyone's in in box reviews these days.
If Jim is busy selling his house and packing up the contents, I wish him well with that massive endeavor. But why not turn back on the posting till he can get back to the programing? Like I said, all it does is discourage members from leaving comments as going back and forth is a pain in the butt. These days it sure seems that there is even less posts then previously.
Joel
GaryKato
Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - 03:21 PM UTC
If you watch the latest "Mail Call" videos, you will hear about Jim selling his house and future move (to New Hampshire I think).
Posted: Monday, May 21, 2018 - 08:24 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI just posted on the AMK F-14D update, and once again I had to go to the forum post to reply, then manually back to the news forum. After a few times of this, I just moved on, and tend not to post anything unless I'm dying to say something.
It's been nearly two months since I posted about the feedback button still not working. Kevin posted that Jim is working on an improved code for a better overall experience, and had to disable this function to do so. I just can't believe that it's taking month after month after month to do this.
Joel
Relax Joel, It isn't worth it getting upset about this.
I guess there are simply too many other things to do.
For myself, I decided to wait for an improved system and limit my contributions for the time being. It makes me fail a few campaigns, but I already failed campaigns for other reasons that have nothing to do with technology.
Also, don't underestimate the amount of work required to update this site. It has barely evolved during many years (e.g. the gallery problem is there since the beginning) and now the accumulatd amount of work must be huge.
Don't forget that there is only one programmer.
At the end, it leaves more time to do some actual modelling.
Drabslab,
Agreed on all counts. Just that I've always like to post comments on the news, new items, and features, but now it's just to much effort, so I rarely do. Unfortunately, the members who this directly effects are the contributors, not the readers/lookers.
Like you, I just post less then previously. As for the gallery, the only time I ever used it was for 2 pictures of my finished model for a campaign. Other then that I never go near the place.
Joel
Posted: Monday, May 21, 2018 - 04:57 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I just posted on the AMK F-14D update, and once again I had to go to the forum post to reply, then manually back to the news forum. After a few times of this, I just moved on, and tend not to post anything unless I'm dying to say something.
It's been nearly two months since I posted about the feedback button still not working. Kevin posted that Jim is working on an improved code for a better overall experience, and had to disable this function to do so. I just can't believe that it's taking month after month after month to do this.
Joel
Relax Joel, It isn't worth it getting upset about this.
I guess there are simply too many other things to do.
For myself, I decided to wait for an improved system and limit my contributions for the time being. It makes me fail a few campaigns, but I already failed campaigns for other reasons that have nothing to do with technology.
Also, don't underestimate the amount of work required to update this site. It has barely evolved during many years (e.g. the gallery problem is there since the beginning) and now the accumulatd amount of work must be huge.
Don't forget that there is only one programmer.
At the end, it leaves more time to do some actual modelling.
Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2018 - 10:22 PM UTC
I just posted on the AMK F-14D update, and once again I had to go to the forum post to reply, then manually back to the news forum. After a few times of this, I just moved on, and tend not to post anything unless I'm dying to say something.
It's been nearly two months since I posted about the feedback button still not working. Kevin posted that Jim is working on an improved code for a better overall experience, and had to disable this function to do so. I just can't believe that it's taking month after month after month to do this.
Joel
It's been nearly two months since I posted about the feedback button still not working. Kevin posted that Jim is working on an improved code for a better overall experience, and had to disable this function to do so. I just can't believe that it's taking month after month after month to do this.
Joel
Posted: Wednesday, April 04, 2018 - 11:32 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Jim is in the process of updating the code with some new features and it needed to be disabled during the process. He working to give us a new experience, so a little patients will be needed.
Thanks
Do you mean that working on new code happens on the production server and not on a separate development server?
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