New board-Mike

[RRich]

Notice how few posts there are now? It isn't near as active as it was. Wonder why?
1. It takes several tries to get in, server messages: Does not have DNS entry, Busy, etc. Sometimes my computer waits a long time before connection is made.
2. Cookies - the way viruses are often transmitted, and other sites use them to get your passcodes, credit card numbers etc. I set my browser to notify me when cookies are set. This board sets 8 - 10 cookies each time. the other board did not require it, this one won't work without cookies to be set.
3. Loading the forum takes an inordinate amount of time. Some people's older computers may not be able to do it at all.
4. About every 4th time I come on the preferences I've already set have dissapeared. I have to login again, then there is no good way to get back to Jeepsters.
5. Just writing a post is a pain, it does not auto carraige return.
6. When you are finished, it goes through lots of monkey motion to finish it, not just "post."
7. Often when finishing it says "no DNS entry.

The other BB worked, too bad idiots made it necessary to try to keep them out. But now it keeps the regulars out too.
I'm turning off the ability for others to invade and intrude my computer - COOKIES OFF!
RRich

[Jeepsterman]

I've forwarded your comments on to the sys admin who is responsible for the new software. Until last couple of nights, I haven't had any problems. We did move the board to another server this weekend as it looks like the old one died.

Thanks, Mike Childs
American Jeepster Club Webmaster

<font color=green>Notice how few posts there are now? It isn't near as active as it was. Wonder why?
1. It takes several tries to get in, server messages: Does not have DNS entry,
Busy, etc. Sometimes my computer waits a long time before connection is made.</font color=green>

The new server will hopefully clear that up. I had been having terrible problems up until today (new server is up and running now).
<font color=green>
2. Cookies - the way viruses are often transmitted, and other sites use them to get your passcodes, credit card numbers etc. I set my browser to notify me when cookies are set. This board sets 8 - 10 cookies each time. the other board did not require it, this one won't work without cookies to be set.</font color=green>

I didn't realize this was a problem, do people really get viruses this way? I've never had a problem with having cookies on. Besides, I don't have anything particularily important on my computer anyway.
<font color=green>
3. Loading the forum takes an inordinate amount of time. Some people's older computers may not be able to do it at all.</font color=green>

Here again, hopefully the new server helps. Are you loading the main page first and then going to this page? You can bookmark this page and not have to log in as long as you don't log out. I run a P90 16 meg RAM, usually connected at 28.8 on a phone line. I don't have much of problem with the speed.
<font color=green>
4. About every 4th time I come on the preferences I've already set have
dissapeared. I have to login again, then there is no good way to get back to
Jeepsters.
</font color=green>

Again, new server.
<font color=green>
5. Just writing a post is a pain, it does not auto carraige return.
</font color=green>
I have my Text Area set at 40 columns and 15 rows in my Display Preferences. This fits nicely on my monitor and auto carriage returns.
<font color=green>
6. When you are finished, it goes through lots of monkey motion to finish it, not just "post."
</font color=green>
You can set it to skip the Preview Post feature in your Display Preferences.
<font color=green>
7. Often when finishing it says "no DNS entry.
</font color=green>
New server?
<font color=green>
The other BB worked, too bad idiots made it necessary to try to keep them out. But now it keeps the regulars out too.
</font color=green>
I agree, but I like a lot of the new features. Once you get it set-up the way you want it and you get use to it, this new BBS is great. I'm just wondering how this new server is going to work (also curious to know why they didn't think to use it to begin with).

<font color=red>jo-jo
'77 CJ5 Fozzy Locker
20 degree RTI 1250</font color=red>

[dave]

I've also noticed fewer posts on the new board. I've had several ideas why the low post count. I think RRich has some very good reasons that the new board is not well liked! I would like to take a moment to say to RRich that in the last year or more, his post have been very good and very helpful! I hope that RRich continues to drop in from time to time with more helpful posts.
I do not claim to know much about "cookies", but I delete my "cookie files" very often. I often have to wait to get connected to lots of different web sites, I've noticed that there is a peak use time. I think the date time stamp on the post will show that most Off-Road readers want access to the server at the same time. Servers are expensive, with about 1,200 registered users could it be cost effective for Off-Road to expand servers?
I don't disagree with RRich, I like his input to Mike, and am glad to see Mike pass the input to the BBS Administrator. I'd like to see the outcome of this very polite, but direct to the point input.
Ture to form RRich,
You are the man!

I use Communicator 4.6 on an old Mac and on a new Mac, with both direct and dialup links, and I haven't noticed any performance problems.

As far as cookies go, there is a 2 year old hoax about AOL cookies allowing AOL staff to snoop around your hard disk. I've never heard of a cookie-borne virus. I don't like cookies, but they're a necessary evil sometimes. You should be able to set preferences to only send them back to the originating server. That should limit privacy issues if you only connect to web sites that you trust.

If you haven't done so already, get Norton Antivirus. I use it, and it catches lots of viruses in files I get from supposedly "clean" sources. It's the best $40 you can spend for your computer.

Also, I assume that some of the preferences are stored in cookie files, so if you delete them your prefs will be lost.

Personally, I like the new board. I like not having to jump back and forth to follow everything in a thread. I also like the fact that our anonymous jerk friends can't post vulgar and rude messages anymore.

[RRich]

Wow, I just found out I'm not who I thought I was. I turned off accepting cookies. I couldn't get back in here at all to post or reply. So I turned it on again. Then I had to log in again. It wouldn't accept my password anymore! I had to get a new one. Funny, I looked in the mirror - maybe it's right, I looked older but not wiser!

Even my emails didn't work properly anymore.

I investigated cookies in Yahoo.com They have a good explaination about them. I've been told they can carry viruses, but it says they can't - who knows.

I use the computer for financial stuff, like playing the stock market - I make 8 - 10 trades a day - yes, a day trader, (but I don't carry a gun.)

I'm still nervous about the cookies, a hacker could cause trouble. I always turn off the computer and re-boot after I access the accounts. Maybe this helps?

I'm going to try something, maybe I'll lose my identity again, but I'm going to try.
When I boot my computer goes to DOS, then I bring up Windows 3.11. I'm going to try a batch file that always replaces the cookie file with an old one, one that has the basic info generated on it, but no new stuff. Each time the computer reboots, it will replace the new batch file with the old one. That way it "starts over" each time. Don't know it this is the right way, but we'll see.

Cookies are a way the advertisers decide your interest, they also keep passwords, account numbers etc. available. Try changing the browser so it's reports every time a cookie wants to be set - you'd be amazed!
There may not be any good or easy answers.
(I think I'll take a picture of me and send it to the server, then next time it says I'm not who I am they can compare it - If I don't look even older by then.)