Dorset OPC site gone again?

[Redroger]

Thanks for all your efforts Spiderboy, hope things are soon resolved satisfactorally.

[DaergDoom]

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

[Lydart]

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. !!

[Little Nell]

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

[percy porter]

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

[Redroger]

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.

[lara.j]

I have access again!! I just checked for the umpteenth time and to my huge surprise the site came up as normal. 
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!
Lara

[lara.j]

AARRGHH! It's gone again! 


Lara

[Redroger]

Lara, Were you on the site for almost 9 hours?