INTERCOT Issues & The Plan Forward

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10-23-2020, 11:39 AM
John

INTERCOT Issues & The Plan Forward

Morning All:

Over the last few days, the site has had some issues that were a combination of maintenance that was overdue and technical issues that we may now have a handle on.

I apologize for the down time and know that it can be frustrating.

That said - we are actively looking into the path forward. The biggest change initially that you'll likely see in the site at first is the discussion boards moving to Vbulletin Cloud - which means we'll have all the latest doo dads and gee whiz stuff - and hopefully it will bring us into modern day communications and sharing.

From there - we are also beginning work with contractors to update the site as a whole and get on a modern Content Management System. This should allow us to bring the magic to you for years to come.

This all has been needed for a while - and while the timing isn't great as AD Revenue is down due to COVID and this all costs $$ - it's part of ensuring that a site that has now been online for the last 23 years can keep serving you - our guests.

Wish us luck - and please don't forget to support our travel partner - Magical Journey's - who literally helps us keep the lights on here at INTERCOT!

Thanks!
JOHN
10-23-2020, 12:13 PM
baldburke

Thanks for the updates John! I thought it might have been me when I tried to log on a lunch a couple days this week. Interco has always been my favorite place on the web to post and discuss all things Disney (not a big FB fan). Good luck with the endeavor and cheers to many more years of Intercot!
10-23-2020, 03:55 PM
pjbs35a

Great news.
Does that mean i have to upgrade my CompuServe dial-up service?

:confused::confused:
10-23-2020, 04:19 PM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjbs35a

Great news.
Does that mean i have to upgrade my CompuServe dial-up service?

:confused::confused:

Yes Frankie - it does. Lol
10-23-2020, 05:12 PM
Cinderelley

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldburke

Thanks for the updates John! I thought it might have been me when I tried to log on a lunch a couple days this week. Interco has always been my favorite place on the web to post and discuss all things Disney (not a big FB fan). Good luck with the endeavor and cheers to many more years of Intercot!

Yeah. I like the discussion board much better than Facebook too. Intercot is the only one I come to, because it stays friendly, unlike many others.
10-23-2020, 05:14 PM
Cinderelley

I also want to throw out there that it would be fun to have another fundraiser like when we got personalized avatars.
10-24-2020, 09:49 AM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinderelley

I also want to throw out there that it would be fun to have another fundraiser like when we got personalized avatars.

Certainly I can set up a link to donate if folks want to help out with the costs.

That said - I think we may just let folks upload their own avatars moving forward. It will make it a little bit more challenging but it’s probably time.
10-24-2020, 11:02 AM
brad192

I remember the last big update - there were a few things that changed which I didn't like, but overall it was well worth it. Keep up the good work everyone involved! Looking forward to the improvements!

Totally off topic - Any plans for a 25th anniversary celebration in the works? The date is fast approaching...:party:
10-24-2020, 04:18 PM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad192

I remember the last big update - there were a few things that changed which I didn't like, but overall it was well worth it. Keep up the good work everyone involved! Looking forward to the improvements!

Totally off topic - Any plans for a 25th anniversary celebration in the works? The date is fast approaching...:party:

The good thing here is that it’s still Vbulletin so most of the features should remain the same and there should be some upgrades at the same time.

All the old threads and members will import over. Plus it will be in the cloud which for stability and backup purposes should be better.
10-24-2020, 04:20 PM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad192

I remember the last big update - there were a few things that changed which I didn't like, but overall it was well worth it. Keep up the good work everyone involved! Looking forward to the improvements!

Totally off topic - Any plans for a 25th anniversary celebration in the works? The date is fast approaching...:party:

Oh and on the 25th - we will do something but kind of need to clear the whole COVID thing first. October 2022 is still a bit away but we are looking forward to celebrating.
10-24-2020, 06:38 PM
DizneyFreak2002

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjbs35a

Great news.
Does that mean i have to upgrade my CompuServe dial-up service?

:confused::confused:

I'm worried my 14.4 baud dial up via AOL will no longer be sufficient to load the site... I think I need to look into this broadband thing I keep hearing about... :cool:
10-26-2020, 01:20 AM
Cinderelley

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Certainly I can set up a link to donate if folks want to help out with the costs.

That said - I think we may just let folks upload their own avatars moving forward. It will make it a little bit more challenging but it’s probably time.

I would be more than happy to help.

P.S. It's good to see you on the boards more. :)
10-26-2020, 01:41 AM
Cinderelley

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizneyFreak2002

I'm worried my 14.4 baud dial up via AOL will no longer be sufficient to load the site... I think I need to look into this broadband thing I keep hearing about... :cool:

This is the guy I <3 seeing on here. I can't handle seeing Disney through too many rose colored glasses. I'm always ready for a dose of reality. lol
10-26-2020, 11:45 AM
baldburke

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinderelley

Yeah. I like the discussion board much better than Facebook too. Intercot is the only one I come to, because it stays friendly, unlike many others.

Indeed! That's not to say that we don't have or express opinions, but its certainly civil...at least 99.9% of the time. Thanks to all for keeping this site up and running.
10-26-2020, 12:08 PM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldburke

Indeed! That's not to say that we don't have or express opinions, but its certainly civil...at least 99.9% of the time. Thanks to all for keeping this site up and running.

That's kinda been the hallmark of the site and one reason I'd like to keep it open - to be a refuge from the rest of that stuff going on out there. Kind of like how Disney is an escape for all of us...
10-27-2020, 08:16 AM
PopPhan

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Certainly I can set up a link to donate if folks want to help out with the costs.

That said - I think we may just let folks upload their own avatars moving forward. It will make it a little bit more challenging but it’s probably time.

Cool!! I wouldn't mind using my facebook avatar here as well.
10-27-2020, 04:52 PM
azcavalier

I would also contribute to help keep the site running. I've been on here for quite a while, and while I've never met any of you, it's kind of like home.
10-28-2020, 12:56 PM
baldburke

Quote:

Originally Posted by azcavalier

I would also contribute to help keep the site running. I've been on here for quite a while, and while I've never met any of you, it's kind of like home.

Ditto on the donation. Heck, if there was a way to monetize it then I might be open to that too. Keep it free for the general user as to not detract new or existing users but then maybe like add some kind of perk for a premium user. Maybe John would invite you to hang out in his mancave if you are ever in the neighborhood.
10-28-2020, 12:58 PM
John

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldburke

Ditto on the donation. Heck, if there was a way to monetize it then I might be open to that too. Keep it free for the general user as to not detract new or existing users but then maybe like add some kind of perk for a premium user. Maybe John would invite you to hang out in his mancave if you are ever in the neighborhood.

LOL - you can stop by the arcade here in HHi anytime.
10-28-2020, 07:18 PM
Wayne

I appreciate that the site continues, but I miss the old days when there was a lot of activity on the site. I still stop by every day, though.
10-29-2020, 12:28 AM
DizneyFreak2002

Maybe, possibly, have a recurring premium membership??? Like, $5, $7, bucks a month or like $55/65 a year??? And with that premium membership, you get to have your own avatar/profile picture, special title, no ads, and a premium member lounge, where maybe premium members, in the lounge only, can share their Disney trip pictures... That way, main site isn't cluttered, and not playing favorites on the main site... I would seriously consider becoming a premium member for Intercot... I believe this was the first Disney fan forum site I joined in 2002, and been the only one I consistently read....

Yes, we may have had some fun times... hehehehe, but there was never any hard feelings when issues arose... John been a great leader, and the mods have been fantasmic.... See what I did there... Fantastic/fantasmic?? yea?? no?? ok, i'll stop....
10-29-2020, 04:27 PM
Coleby

I can't contribute financially, but ICot is one of the few sites that I allow through the adblock program. Gotta help some how.

I have been coming here for since 2003 and it has always been a good place to go. The moderators have always been good about bouncing someone who causes problems, and it does feel like family. We laugh with you and cry with you. I don't know any of you in person, but I feel like I do know you. You know?
11-19-2020, 07:26 AM
Cinderelley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coleby

I can't contribute financially, but ICot is one of the few sites that I allow through the adblock program. Gotta help some how.

I have been coming here for since 2003 and it has always been a good place to go. The moderators have always been good about bouncing someone who causes problems, and it does feel like family. We laugh with you and cry with you. I don't know any of you in person, but I feel like I do know you. You know?

There are definitely people from Intercot past that I wonder how they are doing. Some current people I am Facebook friends with. Others, I have their phone numbers and text them occasionally.
11-19-2020, 11:09 AM
pjbs35a

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coleby

I don't know any of you in person, but I feel like I do know you. You know?

We know. That's why this is such a special place.

Think Positive!