The Curious Hotel

Quote from: RodjerKerr on Sep, 15, 2024, Even though there would be a massive loss of data and information that is currently available on this current site, how difficult and expensive would it be for Sandra and/or a few backers to just start from scratch and create our own new PHP-based forum?  Yes, it would take an extremely long time to get back to where we are today with the current hotel site, but wouldn't it be worth it to control our own destiny? Is there a way to place banner ads that would generate some revenue to pay for the ongoing maintenance  and upkeep of the site? Unfortunately, I am, not knowledgeable about these things, hence my rather naïve point of view.

I think I know where you're coming from and, I agree.  However, that would only work realistically for a software engineer who wants to run such a site.

So; if Sandra gets the necessary details she will, for once, have that control which you aspire to having.   
I hope she can get them before any other wheels fall off.

I wonder how many PHP or JavaScript (JS) coders are on here?

An amateur could, in theory, build a new site but without the knowledge of a professional, I suggest, there would be so many bugs and security holes that it wouldn't be long before it broke.
To build a new one isn't simple or straightforward.

1. It needs to function on the current server.
2. It needs to be portable, which means it will work on another server type if the content of the site means an ISP won't continue to host it or if cost makes sense to move to another server provider. 

Most providers operate with terms and conditions which preclude content, such as incest, from being hosted on their servers. (Personally-speaking, and for that reason, I would remove all incest stuff). Those unhappy with that would need to get their own site but I doubt they will because as already has been done, they have complained about unfair treatment, with others going further.

Sandra isn't god or goddess. Well, in looks OK, but she's never going to control or be able to dictate to a server provider who will shut down any site that breaches their terms and conditions. Perhaps such lack of intellect suggests incest isn't a good thing?! lol   I digress.
 

3. It needs to be built such that it  works cross-browser. JavaScript is another aspect of it - and it can be a pain. Some JS which is perfectly legit code and works on Firefox desktop, won't work on user's desktop or tablet Mac. Other perfectly correct code will work on a FF desktop but not on an android mobile. 

4. PHP-only won't be user friendly. It's JS that makes it easier to use.
Some of the features on this site are JS driven eg the little icons above this text area, that I am typing in. Those icons for adding an image of changing the text style or colour; they are JS driven. So too are the icons for adding emojis to a message. Image uploads - I don't recall doing that here but that is usually also a JS driven feature.

That's why writing forum software is costly.  It's why those who have done it to varying degrees of accomplishment, have rolled it out as 'forum software' so the cost per user is affordable yet the writers get the correct remuneration.  (Usually more than they should [a subjective comment] when rolled out to so many).

I'm not looking for work and have never yet been motivated by income.
Were I to write one myself - for myself - I'd need to allocate an initial amount to make up for income I would've made on my normal work. As the development progressed that 'budget' would be reviewed and measured against more features that need to be added, to add the bells and whistles, such as video hosting and management. A live chat-room too such that, as we chat in text - as a conversation - people in that chat could put up photos as well as typing.  Other things too.

A good software engineer can earn over £500 ph. That depends on his employer, obviously, but self-employed ones earn even more. If it takes 3 months (90 days), to build at 10hrs a day, that's 900 hrs * £500 quid.

So yes, a php/JS solution that Sandra is in control of would be good but I doubt there is the budget for that.

That said; If someone were to offer Sandra such help and, from then, gradually to get such a top-end site running, Sandra would need to understand and appreciate the huge value being offered, which (because she is a non-IT person), is unlikely.

Still; the best outcome here is that she gets the details from those she put trust in before and to maintain control from now on, whomever else she works with in the future. 

Because she is a non-IT person, that is a little too optimistic, imv, because those she places trust in will know more about what they are doing than Sandra does and, potentially, they could run rings around her. I'm not suggesting that is what's happened to date.   

Anyway; to minimise that risk, she'd need to employ them and that introduces another level of cost to running the site on top of those issues regarding the evaluation of who that other person should be.

Regrettably; I think it's clear that running it ad-hoc, with such easy detachment from it by those who become weary of the workload or ill, isn't sustainable.   

I hope that sheds some light on it for you Rodjer.

 

Thanks for sharing, Max.  So appreciate your insight and ability to break it down to where even a novice like me can almost understand it. I guess we can remain hopeful for now.  If I can ever be part of a solution, please let me know.

Quote from: RodjerKerr on Sep, 15, 2024, Thanks for sharing, Max.  So appreciate your insight and ability to break it down to where even a novice like me can almost understand it. I guess we can remain hopeful for now.  If I can ever be part of a solution, please let me know.

Thank you for that Rodjer.
I like to hear such feedback because, whilst most of my clients may know how to run their business, they are not IT people.
Explaining it in layperson's terms is, I think, a good thing and assures them I'm not spinning or BSing them.

I am emailing our host today about ALL our problems and asking what they want me to do first,

(I WILL keep you ALL updated)

 

Sent today to hostwinds.

My site is hosted by you and was setup by a friend a few years ago, at the beginning of this year he had a accident and as from June this year I have had no contact from him, all emails have failed and I can not get any details about how to login to the cPanel to correct errors.

Recently my SSL certificate expired and I applied to have a new one, apparently there is also a CSR issue.

I would really like the cPanel logins and help with what I should do first to resolve all these problems.

Thank you

Hi Sandra,

It seems my assistance is unwelcome so, to avoid potentially mis-leading members, please revert my status from tech-maintenance, to whatever it was before.

Thanks.   

To Hostwinds

My site is hosted by you and was setup by a friend a few years ago, at
the beginning of this year he had a accident and as from June this year
I have had no contact from him, all emails have failed and I can not get
any details about how to login to the cPanel to correct errors.

Recently my SSL certificate expired and I applied to have a new one,
apparently there is also a CSR issue.

I would really like the cPanel logins and help with what I should do
first to resolve all these problems.

Thank you

---

Thank you for reaching out.

The account associated with your email does not show any active services or domains. If you pay for the other services via Paypal or credit card, you can recover the other account.


If you paid via Paypal:
- We would need you to create a new email from the Paypal email address you used to sales@hostwinds.com with the title "Account Recovery."

We look forward to hearing back and assisting you further.

---

I have sent some screenshots confirming payments for URL and site from PayPal to hostwinds, and screenshots from hostwinds confirming payment from PayPal using 18twistytubes@gmail.com.

QuoteThe account associated with your email does not show any active services or domains.

I am not aware I have another account.
Thank you

09/18/2024 (02:05)
Paul S Staff


We have located your Paypal payments from the email account you have contacted us from. As this email, 18twistytubes@gmail.com, is currently associated with an inactive account, we will need another email address that you have access to in order to complete the account recovery. Once you have access to your other account, you will be able to obtain full access to the login credentials to the services in your other account.

Please let us know your alternate email so that we can update that information on your other account.

Thank you for choosing Hostwinds.

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You can use pinkhotelgroup@gmail.com I have access to that account at gmail.

Thank you

Everything seems to be working again.

All Hail Sandra 

Is there no browser warning window now?

No warning on my end