TOCH Down :(

[Chris Goss]

This week it is up AM, down most of the day then up again late PM. Any prognosis for the future? I do miss it when down and these problems are a disincentive for others

[Stig Jarlevik]

With the risk of sounding like an idiot, would it help if the site was "cleaned up"?

How many individuals are looking at old messages? I know a few references are made
to previous discussions but what about skipping everything that is older than let's say
2014?

Cheers
Stig

[Maciej Góralczyk]

I'd say the main advantage of forums over FB groups etc. are the opportunity of keeping online the old discussions and the ease of finding them. Given that the forum is almost text only, with a rather limited numbers of users the photo upload option, I don't think the database is particularly large.
And I suppose that those who like this place would consider participating in the necessary expenses. Count me in.

[Andy Mitchell]

Ruy,

Is there any movement on this as it is getting very frustrating.

It is also noticeable that there are fewer users logged in to the site at any one time which suggests that some people may be voting with their feet.

[oquaig]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Thak you Ruy for your detailed reply.
May I offer a possible solution?
Would it be an opportunity to address the membership of perhaps an opportunity to subscribe some sort of financial membership fee ? Or even voluntary contribution to help save and keep the TOCH alive for years to come ?

The membership list shows a total membership of 4,705.

Just to let you know, I like this idea.

[edwest2]

I would like an explanation. Whatever is going on needs to be fixed.

Best,
Ed West

[John Manrho]

Seems most of the older posts are gone? Last page mid 2023? Jeeezzzz

[edwest2]

John,

The problem with the internet is this: unless you copied it, it's gone. Forever. Years of research gone. Printed books and magazines remain, but this internet thing has a very big problem. LWAG gone. So, copy whatever it is. The LEMB remains as an archive but for how long?

[musec04]

I noticed today John Manrho's post saying that all posts on the main board earlier than mid 2023 are now gone.

I don't know if the earlier messages are still recoverable, but if so I have a suggestion for you Ruy.


Could the earlier posts not be restored as they contain information regarded as useful by board users.


In order to free up memory would it help if instead threads chiefly containing links to ebay photos were deleted, including those posted by myself on the prewar board.I admit I’m not an expert in the technology so possibly the following suggestions would not help, but if they would help I hope you’ll give it your consideration.


If possible deleting posts within these threads up to say six months ago, but if not, delete them entirely.

I would argue that the future information value of these threads is low compared to many lost posts on the main board As an example,not just my posts on the prewar board but also threads started by Snautzer and continued by Ed West, could be pruned or deleted to provide more memory.


Examples being The Luftwaffe Interest and the Captured German Aircraft threads on the main board and the Allied interest thread on the Allied and Soviet board.



Several hundred pages could be saved in this way. Several hundred pages which could be used to restore pages of higher information value, if a restoration is feasible and if the memory saved is worthwhile. As I say, I personally I don’t know the answer to this.

These threads, although enjoyed at the time, now contain hundreds of pages with nothing but outdated ebay links.

I hope this is helpful and constructive.


I’ll close by saying that like other posters here, if a cash contribution would help to provide a better functioning site, I too would be prepared to contribute.


Regards,

Clint