RootsChat.Com
Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: spiderboy on Thursday 19 November 09 18:20 GMT (UK)
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Is anyone else having trouble getting onto the site or is it just me? It was working last month as far as I can tell but I’ve been trying all this week and can’t access it.
Spiderboy.
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Hi Spiderboy,
It's working for me; unlike some of the Rootschat buttons/links!
Anything I can check for you?
Nanny Jan
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Working fine for me at 21.00
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Hi nanny jan and redroger
Thanks for your replies and thanks for the offer nj but there is nothing specific that I want checked at the moment. The last time I was on the site I noticed that there had been some updates and wanted to go back and see if there was anything new for me.
Now I’m really puzzled! You both have it working but I have now tried on four different computers in three different locations and can’t get the site up on any of them. Attempting to access from my favourites I get a screen with “Oops! This link appears to be broken” with “DNS error – cannot find server”. If I try the suggestion “View cached copy of the page from Google” I see a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 14 Nov 2009 and I notice that on that in the heading on the page is “Last updated 14 November 2009”. I now wonder if it something to do with the update to the site – but that still wouldn’t account for you being able to access it and me not.
Spiderboy (Very frustrated!)
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Working fine for me too ... I'm using IE ...
http://www.opcdorset.com/
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Thanks for posting the link Lydart but unfortunately it didn’t work. It did make me think again though. It occurs to me that all four of the computers I used have PlusNet as ISP and I think I remember hearing somewhere that some sites have the option to block access from ISPs they suspect of generating spam. Not sure what to do if that is the case has anyone any thoughts?
Spiderboy.
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Do you not have the option to use Internet Explorer ??
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Using Ie would seem to be the answer to your problem.
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:( Actually, no, it isn't. I've tried both IE and Firefox and am having the same problem as Spiderboy. I've sent a PM to the Dorset OPC co-ordinator but she has not replied as yet.
Nell
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Its very odd isn't it ... I'm on IE right now, and have just two minutes ago been on the Dorset OPC site ... its fine !
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I have to admit that I am using IE6 (but so far it ain't broke, so no need to fix it! ;) ) - perhaps that has something to do with it.
Nell
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Mine is too !!
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I've just been on there, using Firefox.
Very strange ???
Jan ;)
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Oo-err ??? is all I can think of to say.
Since I can't even get onto the site, I've no idea of the contact details so that I might alert them to a possible problem. :( As I say, tried a PM to the co-ordinator who has posted here on RootsChat, but I see that she has not been online since April. :(
Nell
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Have you tried this one ... which I think may be the person to contact ??
dorset.opc AT SIGN vectisjon.com (leave out the spaces)
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Hi Nell
I've contacted the coordinator giving a link to this thread
Jan ;)
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Thank you, Jan :). I'll keep my fingers crossed that someone can offer an explanation.
Nell
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Hi,
I can't get on to the Dorset OPC site either. Tried it using both my normal Firefox and IE8.
Interestingly, like the original poster, my ISP is also PlusNet. ???
Odd!
Lara
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Thank you all very much for your assistance. I have now been out and tried via yet another computer this time using a different ISP and got straight in. It would appear that it is a problem connected with PlusNet for me, Lara and Jan. I have just been in touch with PlusNet and they say that the problem is not at their end implying that for some reason Dorset OPC or whoever is hosting their site is blocking our access. Apparently they will try and look into it further and come back if they find anything but are not making any promises. Hopefully Jan will get a response to her email as this might be the only way to resolve our problem. Meanwhile could I ask anyone who can get onto the Home page if they can see any mention on it of who the web host is – possibly at the bottom of the page – as this might help us.
Spiderboy.
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I just checked for you ... zilch ! Sorry ...
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Many thanks for looking Lydart. I'll have to see if there's another way to find out.
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I went into the OPC site in a little more depth and found this:dorset.opc@vectisjon.com Hope it helps.
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I don't think you read my reply #14 RedRoger ! ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Quite right Lydart. Smacked wrist!!!
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;)
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I guess that is the one that Jan sent to and presumably as yet no reply. Assuming it is the same person that Nell sent a PM to via this site as well I’m a bit reluctant to inundate them with emails as they are volunteers who are doing a very good job for us and I still suspect that it is their web host that is causing our problem so the coordinator may have no direct jurisdiction over it.
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I guess that is the one that Jan sent to and presumably as yet no reply. Assuming it is the same person that Nell sent a PM to via this site as well I’m a bit reluctant to inundate them with emails as they are volunteers who are doing a very good job for us and I still suspect that it is their web host that is causing our problem so the coordinator may have no direct jurisdiction over it.
Hi Spiderboy
As yet no reply from the coordinator - I agree with all you said above. Hope everything gets sorted at some point for you and others having difficulty accessing the smashing site. Personally I'm having no problem.
Jan ;)
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Though I accept the points made about the co ordinator; if that is the only potential point of contact then I believe that he should be contacted until a reply is received.
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Have Googled (again) and picked up a thread on another forum. It looks as if one of their members, not in UK, had a similar problem earlier this year and although several people sent emails to the coordinator they apparently didn’t get replies. Can we have a new Smiley for I’m feeling very frustrated?
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Good point, they obviously realise that they have such a good site no one will boycott it in protest!!
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I'm using IE and am with Orange....no probs for me,got in as always ;D
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Have just heard back from PlusNet who have said that there is “misconfiguration with the name server delegation of the domain”, whatever that means and then after more technical jargon end up by saying that the matter is beyond their control and they advise contacting the domain admins or hosts. I have sent the gist of this to vectisjon and will have to wait for a reply. As those using other ISPs are not having any problem it does seem to be confined to those with PlusNet. I have also managed to identify the host company so if I don’t hear back from the coordinator will be contacting them and will let you all know if it is resolved.
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Thanks for all your efforts on this Spiderboy :) Hopefully all us PlusNet users will be able to get back on the site soon.
The worst thing is that I can still search the site via Google but can't then look at the pages it brings up! :-\
Lara
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http://www.opcdorset.com/
The site loads for me.
Have you tried OpenDNS: http://www.opendns.com/
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I have just received a very prompt and courteous reply from the opc coordinator vectisjon who assures us that he has done nothing that might cause our problem although he has heard from some other users who are encountering difficulties. He suggests that our only way to resolve the problem is to try by contacting our ISP again, which I will.
Can I take this opportunity to thank all Rootschatters for their input and allowing me to use the forum to air a problem that is apparently confined to a relatively small minority.
Alan b – Thank you very much for the link to OpenDNS, should I fail to get any satisfaction from PlusNet I will certainly try your suggestion.
Spiderboy.
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Hi Spiderboy
No luck for me today either with Dorset OPC. Have had difficulty now for over a month. It's such an excellent site and being unable to use it is seriously slowing down my research. I did email several weeks ago but had no reply. Let's hope it is temporary.
Miggens
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Thanks for all your efforts Spiderboy, hope things are soon resolved satisfactorally.
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Hi, I was alerted to this thread by Spiderboy. My name is Jon and I am currently the acting OPC Co-ordinator for the Dorset OPC. Apologies to anyone who is having problems accessing the site, I have had a very small number of contacts alerting me to this problem. The issue is related to the user's ISP and not browser or version related. There are also no sites that have been blocked by me, and the list of blocked sites is very small as far as I can tell (with my very limited knowledge in this area)
The first time I was alerted to this it was from a couple of folks in Australia both turned out to be with a particular ISP (TPG). The same thing happened with a couple of Metronet/Plusnet users and eventually Plusnet Techies resolved the problem by getting the user to configure an alternative DNS server address for their TCP/IP installation on their PC. I don't have a clue personally how this is done, but the only way I can help to resolve the issue in the short term is to recommend that you work with your help desk at Plusnet to see if they can work through this with you - they should be able to do so and should know about this problem. You can view the thread about this in the archives of the Dorset rootseb mailing list, starting 30th October:
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/DORSET/2009-10
and the resolution at:
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/DORSET/2009-11
I would love to be able to help more, but as I've explained to Spiderboy, support for the opcdorset site's hosting organisation is non-existent. My predecessor moved the site to this organisation and since she is no longer involved with the project and is now completely out of communication I am resolving this by moving host in the next couple of months (has to complete before end February when the domain name expires - the domain is registered with the hosting org.) So, its now in hand and the project is moving towards being on a firm footing again.
In the meantime, there are a lot of updates being added to the site, it is vey busy again. Although of no comfort to any Plusnet users who are unable to access the site, the fact is that the site is experiencing very heavy traffic from a large number of visitors. I sincerely hope that any users who are having issues do get this resolved with the help of their ISPs.
Jon
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I'm not one of the people who has problems with access ... but can I thank Jon on behalf of all RootsChat users for your help and explanation (which I don't understand, not being a techie !) but lots will.
Your site is THE BEST ... and I am indeed fortunate that the cover for my Dorset ancestors is so good and all thanks to the time and care taken by your volunteers ! Long may you last and continue to expand ...
Three cheers for the Dorset OPC's ... hip hip .... etc. !!
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Thank you, Jon, for responding here on RootsChat.
I've just had a quick read through the messages on the links that you posted. And tried both Somerset & Sussex OPC sites to see what happened with them. Curiously, they both work for me. But still not Dorset.
This is the first time I have ever been aware of this sort of technical problem - I must have been very lucky up to now - on what is a very valuable site.
Please post the URL of the site when it moves to a new domain here on RootsChat. RootsChatters with Dorset ancestry would be very grateful and we hope all goes smoothly with the move.
Nell
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I've had no problems with OPC and been doing a bit of work from it since I was reminded it was there.
Alan NZ
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I suspect Jon, that without the Dorset OPC site there would be a complete blockage of traffic on the road to the Dorset History CEntre. Thanks again.
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I have access again!! I just checked for the umpteenth time and to my huge surprise the site came up as normal. ;D
Thanks to everybody who has put their efforts into sorting this situation out. It's a great website and I, for one, was missing it!
Off to do a bit of searching.....just in case it disappears again. Could be a late night! :D
Lara
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AARRGHH! It's gone again! ???
Lara
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Lara, Were you on the site for almost 9 hours?
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Some of us are keen Dorset researchers Roger ... ;) ;D ;D ;D :D
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I just wish my research was that simple, it's split across several counties, and when it's in Dorset it's often at Blandford Forum!
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;D No - unfortunately I relented and went to bed! Wish I had stayed up now!! :(
Lara
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This is not ISP specific. I am a regular user of the Dorset OPC site and am this morning unable to access it's webpages, whilst access remains to the Devon and Cornwall sites. I am with the isp Demon.net
Cheers,
Roadshow
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I just tried and got Error encountered unable to determine IP address from host name.
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That’s interesting Roadshow and Redroger as it tells us that the problem appears to be spreading to other ISPs, particularly as Redroger has up until now been able to access the site.
I think we’ll have to be patient and wait for Jon to move to his new hosting company. In theory when he gets it up and running those who can access the existing site should be redirected to the new one.
Can I ask that if this happens whoever notices it posts the new link here on the forum for those less fortunate?
Spiderboy.
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Just got straight in to the Dorset OPC site at 12.40 today. Hope it isn't monitoring this posting, as the site both looked and felt different I suspect that Jon may already have moved the site to its new home.
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It looks the same to me.
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The change over certainly hasn’t happened yet but I am reliably informed that things are now well under way. 8)
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Site accessed without problem 09.00 monday.
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Hi everyone. I spent much of the weekend creating a "mirror" site for the Dorset OPC. It is now up and running, but there may be some glitches for a while, I have to ensure that there are no broken links, but generally it looks OK. This is part of the process of securing the project for the future, ensuring that when the existing site falls over or diappears (as is likely at end Feb 2010) nothing will be lost. For the next month I will run both sites in parallel, no difference, over the Christmas holiday break I will set up a redirectioin from old to new and if the worst happens in Feb then all should be well. I have not generally announced this change yet, wanted to try out a few more things first, and also get it updated in Google (does anyone know a reliable sitemap creator that can deal with hundreds of urls and is free?)
Anyway, for anyone who cannot access the usual site (www.opcdorset.com) try www.opcdorset.org instead. There is no connection, they are on completely different hosts (the new one is on iPage). As before there is also absolutely no link to any other OPC site. The good thing about the new host company is that if there are issues I should be able to work tickets with the help desk, unlike the present scheme
Enjoy :)
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Thanks very much for your efforts. I've been a little lost without it.
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Thank you :-* This is looking very promising.
Nell
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I can get it both ways now ... which means I can look at two places at once on it, with split screen ... can't be bad !! ;D
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Still not working for me :(
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Still not working for me :(
Clearly the problem is your end in that case if you cannot access either site. You should contact your ISP Help Desk and get them to figure out why they are preventing your access to either site :(
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Oops! Missed your previous message about the mirror site so I have been retrying the old address......that one still doesn't work of course.
But the new one does.
That will teach me to check further up the page!!
Thanks very much for all your work......as I said before - it's a great site!
Lara :)
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Many thanks to DaergDoom for the early Xmas present :)
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I'd like to reiterate thanks to Daergdoom for all the work 8)
The .com site hasn't worked for me for a long time, but the .org one does - I've been lost without it ::)
Thanks again
Angela
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Straight in to both of them without problems. 15.33GMT today.
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Just an update. Today I found that someone (the hosting company I assume) had changed the .com site, and all the updates that had been made over the last week had disappeared. I suspect that they have realised that the site is being transferred to the www.opcdorset.org address, and are in the process of shutting down, or restricting the old site - of course no communication with me. It may just be a glitch, but I strongly advise everyone to use the www.opcdorset.org site from now on. It is fully functioinal and does include all of the updates of course, with the possible exception of the search facility that will still take you to the com site, I was hoping to get crawled by Google before I switch the search facility to the .org site, but maybe my hand will be forced.
Thanks for all of your messages of support, at least I am confident now that the Dorset OPC project has a secure future.
Regards
Jon
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Many thanks for the update Jon. I still can’t access the .com site, which didn’t surprise me, but when I use the .org one and try the site search facility and as you say the results show as .com, I am able to connect with them. ::)
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Just entered both without problem 13.00 today
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The information and a link regarding the mirror site (.org) is now appearing at the top of the .com Home page. Ironically now that it doesn’t matter I find I can now access the old site with no problems. ???
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Typical, a varient of S*d's law I suppose.