Does Stamporama have a back up site (not on the SOR computer platform) which can be used for communications with members in case something happens? For example, can the Facebook page be used to alert members if there is some type of system failure and when the site might be back up and running? This would not be for regular scheduled update work, only for emergencies.
The SOR site has run fine whenever I have viewed it over the years and I thank all for their hard work in making that so. I am just thinking out loud after seeing the other site's failure.
Mike in NC / meostamps
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Mike,
That is a great idea. On the whole the Stamporama server and the server hosting provider are very reliable. Everyone now and again something goes wrong, usually caused by a big storm on the USA east coast, and the server will not be available. In the event of a server outage, I'll post a message on the Stamporama Facebook page. To make things easier for yourselves, when you go to the Stamporama Facebook page, make it a Favorite in your browser so you can find it again.
Regards ... Tim.
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THANKS MUCH, Tim!!!!! That would be GREAT!!! Right now, several of us use a Yahoo group which Doodles was kind enough to set up years ago, but it requires a person to join Yahoo and the group in order to see the messages. Using the Facebook page would eliminate that. With SOR hitting the 2000 member mark, using the Facebook page makes sense.
The worst thing is to be sitting at a computer trying to get your daily stamp fix and not being able to connect. At least this way, with some posted guidance on Facebook, a member will know what is going on and when things can expect to be back to normal.
THANKS AGAIN, TIM!!!!!!
Mike in NC / meostamps
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Good idea Tim, but what happens for those of us who do not use Facebook or other social media?
Peter
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02:51:04pm
Just a random thought here Tim - we often have members who like to place photos of recent acquisitions or favourite stamps/covers/sheetlets, etc. to our site but never know exactly where to put them. Since there are quite a number of members using Facebook, I was thinking, perhaps that would be a fantastic outlet to share some of our favourites. No need to actually say on the Facebook page that we own the stamps (therefore no concern about having our own personal names connected with stamps that could be higher values and worry about the thefts, etc.). Just a place to share our favourite things?
Just a thought anyway. I have been tempted to do that in the past but wasn't sure if it would be appropriate.
Kelly
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Hi Kelly,
That would be fine. I think it is fine to post pictures of recent acquisitions here on the DB also. I love seeing the new material that people are excited about.
Regards ... Tim.
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Peter,
In your browser search (Google etc) just enter "Facebook Stamporama" and you will see a link to the page. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the page.
Regards ... Tim
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Tim, all I see is the home page on Facebook; there is this login page, for Facebook, not SOR. Seems you do need to be a member of FB to access it.
Peter
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10:37:11pm
Peter - I thought this too - but I did find a way to get around it.
When I googled --- Stamporama Facebook --- it comes up with the following page (I tried to turn it into a link here but I'm never successful in making it work.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stamporamacom/357736477581687
Kelly
(Modified by Moderator on 2013-08-11 22:45:07)
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stamporamacom/357736477581687
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Thanks Kelly; I think I misunderstood the purpose of the back up site. Re-reading Tim's post, I now see its purpose is to post a message about the availability or downtime of them main site, not to serve as another portal to the forum or sales sections. So for those of us who shun Facebook, we can still see the announcement without having to join.
Cheers,
Peter
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Face book is a definite no-no for me, too much hackable information there regardless what your friends and family say. Don't need it or want it! Perry
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The original poster talked of a backup site and mentioned Facebook. The site he was talking about that disappeared also had a Facebook page (now gone ?) but the members chose to discuss problems on the Yahoo site. Why ?
Facebook is good for many things, but what it is not good for is things that are negative.
So if some prospective would-be Stamporama member was looking for a Forum to join and finds the Facebook page (around 50% of any Forum members find their fix via Facebook) and sees posts with "The site is down, sorry for the inconvenience" or "Oh no not again, the site has gone, what's happening" it IS NOT a good advertisement for the forum/group/club/whatever.
If the group is looking for a site for the original stated purpose, then Facebook is 100% NOT IT.
Yahoo, the site that Wensy members use is much more suited for the purpose, much more private and will not breed bad publicity.
And if you don't believe me, spend a few hours on Facebook !!
Londonbus1
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Hi all. Since I did start this thread, I thought I would clear up my thoughts. I am NOT wedded to only using the Facebook page as an alert site, I only mentioned it as it is already in place and not on the same computer platform as Stamporama. So, I would be open to using any web site as an alert site that meets the following standards:
1. Separate from the Stamporama computer platform (If there is a problem with the server that SOR is on, the alert site would also be unreachable and useless)
2. Somewhere that does not require a membership or login to read a posted message. (The yahoo group does require that now)
So, if anyone has any suggestions for such a place, please post them.
Thanks Mike in NC / meostamps
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06:51:43pm
I think Mike is right about potential underproductive results of negative comments. Can that be cured with some knid or boldfaced notice that it is only a backup page should things go awry ?
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"Facebook is good for many things, but what it is not good for is things that are negative.
So if some prospective would-be Stamporama member was looking for a Forum to join and finds the Facebook page (around 50% of any Forum members find their fix via Facebook) and sees posts with "The site is down, sorry for the inconvenience" or "Oh no not again, the site has gone, what's happening" it IS NOT a good advertisement for the forum/group/club/whatever.
If the group is looking for a site for the original stated purpose, then Facebook is 100% NOT IT."
Stamporama already has a Facebook page so all you say still applies even if it is NOT used as a place to post a problem notification. People can still post whatever you fear they might post.
Further, its better to at least acknowledge your site is down and you are working on it than to just silently disappear or not be there when a prospective new member tries to visit the site.
The fact that Facebook can potentially attract a wider audience IS a good reason to advertise the existence of the site there and it is common courtesy to indicate when there are problems with the site. That can only be positive for the community.
Now, the issue of whether you can see "site down" messages without logging into Facebook is another issue. I don't even use Facebook and don't relish logging in, though I do have a bogus login I could use if I choose.
So, this is what I conclude:
1. SCF should continue to use Facebook to "advertise" the site.
2. As a common courtesy to the wider potential community it should publicly acknowledge any site problems as widely as possible, and Facebook is the place to do that.
3. A possible backup location to carry on communication between members should be agreed upon, such as a Yahoo group.
(Edited to fix typos - cause I never review)
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A number of the members here are also members/users of another auction site which has been down for the past 2 days. Prior to that happening, it was having some tech problems and email communications with the management have gone unanswered.
Does Stamporama have a back up site (not on the SOR computer platform) which can be used for communications with members in case something happens? For example, can the Facebook page be used to alert members if there is some type of system failure and when the site might be back up and running? This would not be for regular scheduled update work, only for emergencies.
The SOR site has run fine whenever I have viewed it over the years and I thank all for their hard work in making that so. I am just thinking out loud after seeing the other site's failure.
Mike in NC / meostamps
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re: Back up info site???
Mike,
That is a great idea. On the whole the Stamporama server and the server hosting provider are very reliable. Everyone now and again something goes wrong, usually caused by a big storm on the USA east coast, and the server will not be available. In the event of a server outage, I'll post a message on the Stamporama Facebook page. To make things easier for yourselves, when you go to the Stamporama Facebook page, make it a Favorite in your browser so you can find it again.
Regards ... Tim.
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re: Back up info site???
THANKS MUCH, Tim!!!!! That would be GREAT!!! Right now, several of us use a Yahoo group which Doodles was kind enough to set up years ago, but it requires a person to join Yahoo and the group in order to see the messages. Using the Facebook page would eliminate that. With SOR hitting the 2000 member mark, using the Facebook page makes sense.
The worst thing is to be sitting at a computer trying to get your daily stamp fix and not being able to connect. At least this way, with some posted guidance on Facebook, a member will know what is going on and when things can expect to be back to normal.
THANKS AGAIN, TIM!!!!!!
Mike in NC / meostamps
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02:48:39pm
re: Back up info site???
Good idea Tim, but what happens for those of us who do not use Facebook or other social media?
Peter
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
11 Aug 2013
02:51:04pm
re: Back up info site???
Just a random thought here Tim - we often have members who like to place photos of recent acquisitions or favourite stamps/covers/sheetlets, etc. to our site but never know exactly where to put them. Since there are quite a number of members using Facebook, I was thinking, perhaps that would be a fantastic outlet to share some of our favourites. No need to actually say on the Facebook page that we own the stamps (therefore no concern about having our own personal names connected with stamps that could be higher values and worry about the thefts, etc.). Just a place to share our favourite things?
Just a thought anyway. I have been tempted to do that in the past but wasn't sure if it would be appropriate.
Kelly
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re: Back up info site???
Hi Kelly,
That would be fine. I think it is fine to post pictures of recent acquisitions here on the DB also. I love seeing the new material that people are excited about.
Regards ... Tim.
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re: Back up info site???
Peter,
In your browser search (Google etc) just enter "Facebook Stamporama" and you will see a link to the page. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the page.
Regards ... Tim
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09:27:26pm
re: Back up info site???
Tim, all I see is the home page on Facebook; there is this login page, for Facebook, not SOR. Seems you do need to be a member of FB to access it.
Peter
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A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
11 Aug 2013
10:37:11pm
re: Back up info site???
Peter - I thought this too - but I did find a way to get around it.
When I googled --- Stamporama Facebook --- it comes up with the following page (I tried to turn it into a link here but I'm never successful in making it work.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stamporamacom/357736477581687
Kelly
(Modified by Moderator on 2013-08-11 22:45:07)
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Auctions - Approvals
re: Back up info site???
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stamporamacom/357736477581687
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03:05:37pm
re: Back up info site???
Thanks Kelly; I think I misunderstood the purpose of the back up site. Re-reading Tim's post, I now see its purpose is to post a message about the availability or downtime of them main site, not to serve as another portal to the forum or sales sections. So for those of us who shun Facebook, we can still see the announcement without having to join.
Cheers,
Peter
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re: Back up info site???
Face book is a definite no-no for me, too much hackable information there regardless what your friends and family say. Don't need it or want it! Perry
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re: Back up info site???
The original poster talked of a backup site and mentioned Facebook. The site he was talking about that disappeared also had a Facebook page (now gone ?) but the members chose to discuss problems on the Yahoo site. Why ?
Facebook is good for many things, but what it is not good for is things that are negative.
So if some prospective would-be Stamporama member was looking for a Forum to join and finds the Facebook page (around 50% of any Forum members find their fix via Facebook) and sees posts with "The site is down, sorry for the inconvenience" or "Oh no not again, the site has gone, what's happening" it IS NOT a good advertisement for the forum/group/club/whatever.
If the group is looking for a site for the original stated purpose, then Facebook is 100% NOT IT.
Yahoo, the site that Wensy members use is much more suited for the purpose, much more private and will not breed bad publicity.
And if you don't believe me, spend a few hours on Facebook !!
Londonbus1
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re: Back up info site???
Hi all. Since I did start this thread, I thought I would clear up my thoughts. I am NOT wedded to only using the Facebook page as an alert site, I only mentioned it as it is already in place and not on the same computer platform as Stamporama. So, I would be open to using any web site as an alert site that meets the following standards:
1. Separate from the Stamporama computer platform (If there is a problem with the server that SOR is on, the alert site would also be unreachable and useless)
2. Somewhere that does not require a membership or login to read a posted message. (The yahoo group does require that now)
So, if anyone has any suggestions for such a place, please post them.
Thanks Mike in NC / meostamps
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
14 Aug 2013
06:51:43pm
re: Back up info site???
I think Mike is right about potential underproductive results of negative comments. Can that be cured with some knid or boldfaced notice that it is only a backup page should things go awry ?
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re: Back up info site???
"Facebook is good for many things, but what it is not good for is things that are negative.
So if some prospective would-be Stamporama member was looking for a Forum to join and finds the Facebook page (around 50% of any Forum members find their fix via Facebook) and sees posts with "The site is down, sorry for the inconvenience" or "Oh no not again, the site has gone, what's happening" it IS NOT a good advertisement for the forum/group/club/whatever.
If the group is looking for a site for the original stated purpose, then Facebook is 100% NOT IT."
Stamporama already has a Facebook page so all you say still applies even if it is NOT used as a place to post a problem notification. People can still post whatever you fear they might post.
Further, its better to at least acknowledge your site is down and you are working on it than to just silently disappear or not be there when a prospective new member tries to visit the site.
The fact that Facebook can potentially attract a wider audience IS a good reason to advertise the existence of the site there and it is common courtesy to indicate when there are problems with the site. That can only be positive for the community.
Now, the issue of whether you can see "site down" messages without logging into Facebook is another issue. I don't even use Facebook and don't relish logging in, though I do have a bogus login I could use if I choose.
So, this is what I conclude:
1. SCF should continue to use Facebook to "advertise" the site.
2. As a common courtesy to the wider potential community it should publicly acknowledge any site problems as widely as possible, and Facebook is the place to do that.
3. A possible backup location to carry on communication between members should be agreed upon, such as a Yahoo group.
(Edited to fix typos - cause I never review)
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