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The ASOG site needs a new home.

67.123.181.75

Posted on October 24, 2004 at 14:22:47
Al Sekela
Audiophile

Posts: 9169
Location: Northern California
Joined: February 18, 2002
As the ever-astute "Simon Templar" has detected and reported below, the ASOG site name was registered by Mark Gilmore. I've forgotten the previous site name, but someone swiped it when we let it lapse several years ago. However, Mark has always been the technical support person for it. I became moderator, with skills limited to deleting offensive and SPAM posts, when Mark became an Atma-Sphere employee. I have no financial connection with either Atma-Sphere or Glacier Audio. Mark agreed to follow my requests with respect to the site.

The site runs on Mark's personal server, along with the Sound Lab and Martin-Logan user sites, under the same cheap software for forum support. The other sites have their own moderators and Mark is happy to keep them running on his machine.

However, given the shameful things people have said about Mark on the ASOG site before I shut it down, and on the Audio Asylum throughout this ordeal, it is no longer appropriate to keep the site on Mark's machine. I have no further interest in having anything to do with it.

Anyone who wants to host the site and moderate it is welcome to the database. You would need an http server, an Internet connection, and $120 or so for your own software license. Post your interest here along with contact information. There is no need to take the Sound Lab and Martin-Logan sites along with it, but we would consider such a package deal if the interested party convinced the posters on those sites to allow it.

If no one steps up, we will send the ASOG database to Ralph Karsten.

This offer remains open until I choose to close it.

 

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Rod, is there a way to pull the posts into an archive here?, posted on October 24, 2004 at 16:16:21
Rushton
Reviewer

Posts: 720
Location: Huntsville, AL
Joined: January 5, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2004
If there is a way to convert the postings file to a format that can be imported into the AA archive file format, with some manual formatting of the data, I'd be willing to help in that effort.

 

Brian Walsh indicated that he would be willing..., posted on October 24, 2004 at 16:44:23
...to host the sites.

 

Re: Rod, is there a way to pull the posts into an archive here?, posted on October 24, 2004 at 17:21:32
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16198
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 1999
Sure. I couldn't pull up ASOG, but I found the Martin Logan site. It looks to be HW Forums which is variant based on the WWWboard code. So, assuming that it's the same and that the messages that I looked at are consistent with the rest, which seems to be a safe bet, then yes. I would just need the message files along with the index and archive indexes.

In fact, when we brought up the mySQL based search, I wrote a program to parse the messages and load the search engine. If I can find that little utility, it should be fairly easy to modify it to convert everything. I guessing it's about a day to find the code, modify it, test it and parse all the files.

However, ASOG is more than just the forum. It also has user systems and some other stuff. With the MUG site, Mart does that work and we just host the forum for him. If Brian or someone wanted to take over the primary site, then we could do the forum.

Another question would be what to do with OTL. Does ASOG become a sub-set of OTL or just a searchable archive?

 

Re: Brian Walsh indicated that he would be willing..., posted on October 24, 2004 at 17:29:23
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16198
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 1999
We could work with him if Brian wants to take over the primary domain maintenance. If you see my other post, converting the data and hosting the forums isn't a big issue. It's not trivial, but I've done it before and think I can find some old utility code that can be hacked up to do it.

 

Re: Rod, is there a way to pull the posts into an archive here?, posted on October 24, 2004 at 17:36:00
Simon Templar
Audiophile

Posts: 605
Location: Infinite Rider On The Big Dogma
Joined: November 9, 1999
>
>Another question would be what to do with OTL. Does ASOG become a
>sub-set of OTL or just a searchable archive?
>

If I may, Rod...I think OTL is a wonderful idea and many of us were glad to see it come into being when it did. Many folks have seamlessly migrated to OTL during the recent storm. I, and I am sure others, would hate to see it turn out only to be a temporary proposition. Therefore, I would also vote to leave OTL as is and merely draw the ASOG historical archives into the OTL archives...unless it would be possible to give them their own standalone archive? That seems the easiest way....it keeps the ASOG information alive and allows OTL to pick up where ASOG left.

....sT

 

I'd like to see OTL Asylum live on as well..., posted on October 24, 2004 at 17:58:53
The ASOG archives are a valuable source of information that hopefully will continue to be available. It would be wonderfully convenient if they could be merged with the new content.

 

Hi Rod..., posted on October 24, 2004 at 18:18:46
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
Please mail me with particulars and I'll see what I can do to set the wheels in motion.

click here for info

 

Re: Rod, is there a way to pull the posts into an archive here?, posted on October 24, 2004 at 18:20:08
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16198
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 1999
The issue from a technical viewpoint is the message numbers. To merge the data, I'd have to pull in ASOG and then renumber all the OTL messages to start at something greater. Since it's small now, that's doable and not terribly hard to do.

To avoid that issue, it's simpler to just suck in ASOG as a sub-group, e.g. OTL --> ASOG. We coould then either archive all of ASOG or leave it active as a sub-group of OTL like Planar is a sub-group of Speakers. The only problem with keeping it separate is searching would require searching two different forums. However, that problem will go away next year when we release the new search code and forum software that we've been doing. In the new code stream, forums are related to parents and can be related to multiple parents. Search will then support from any parent down it's children. In other words, a search of forums under Speakers would search Speakers, Hi-Eff, Planar etc.

Technical details aside, I can do it either way, separate or combined and active or archived. Whatever folks want is fine, we just need a concensus.

 

Merge the ASOG posts into AA OTL seemlessly, not as a sub-forum..., posted on October 24, 2004 at 18:43:32
Rushton
Reviewer

Posts: 720
Location: Huntsville, AL
Joined: January 5, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2004
I would much rather see the ASOG archival post merged seemlessly into the OTL forum's archives and not run as a sub-forum. Renumbering the messages should not be an issue since everything would be available through the AA search engine. There is a wealth of information in those old ASOG archives that would apply directly to the scope of this AA OTL forum, no point in segregating it, imo.

As to some of the other material on the old ASOG site, there were a few articles that could be entered as messages to the OTL forum, or included in the FAQ section. Members systems in ASOG can be replicated by those who care to do so in "Inmates Systems" here; that does not have to transfer.

 

Re: But...., posted on October 25, 2004 at 09:32:50
bryan
Audiophile

Posts: 1170
Joined: June 6, 2001
There is more to ASOG than the discussion board. There are all of the articles and tweaks (pages of them), which are valuable too, and not to be lost.

Instead of shutting down otlamp/ASOG and moving ONLY the discussion board here (AA), without all of the other parts of the site, it would be better if someone could just take over and keep the existing site.

Why wouldn't Ralph/Atma-Sphere take over the site, and host it on existing servers? ASOG was really just an extension of Atma-Sphere so it would make sense for it to be under the Atma-Sphere domain (now). If it's a matter of $$$, what if some of the funds from the defense fund were used. I would put $$$ towards running ASOG.

It's too bad people bad-mouthed Mark G. Losing ASOG may not be as critical as losing Atma-Sphere, but it would be a real shame. It was part of the culture of Atma-Sphere customers and I would hate to see it lost.

 

Re: Rod, is there a way to pull the posts into an archive here?, posted on October 25, 2004 at 11:13:42
Hi Rod,

I agree with Rush on this matter.

Thanx,
Jack

 

Re: The ASOG site needs a new home., posted on October 25, 2004 at 11:57:21
cmathes
Audiophile

Posts: 83
Location: New Orleans
Joined: December 12, 2002
I'll look forward to the ASOG in a new home, but this forum may serve us well as we move forward. As others are writing, it's the archive of information is what I'd like to have available from the previous site.

I'll keep reading until I choose not to...

 

This site would be even better..., posted on October 25, 2004 at 16:55:11
Rushton
Reviewer

Posts: 720
Location: Huntsville, AL
Joined: January 5, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2004
With respect to differing opinions, I continue to believe that moving the ASOG archives to AA OTL will be a better solution that trying to preserve ASOG as it once was. AA OTL will be a more open and inclusive forum for discussing OTL technology and our shared passion for the virtues of OTL in our audio systems. The ASOG attempted to be inclusive, but was just too strongly associated with A-S to accomplish that. And, for the good of the forum, it should not be run by a manufacturer (and Ralph agreed on this point in a separate conversation he and I had on this topic).

As I've posted elsewhere in this thread, the articles can be re-published here either within a FAQ or as posts retrievable through "Search"; there is no reason to be concerned about losing them if Rod gets all the files and can take re-publish them as his time permits.

 

Re: This site would be even better..., posted on October 25, 2004 at 17:51:18
bryan
Audiophile

Posts: 1170
Joined: June 6, 2001
As long as those articles and tips are available along with the bbs records. But those articles are images and html. I believe that AA FAQ items are often links to other pages when it comes to html so the old ASOG stuff would still have to be posted/hosted somewhere. If it turns out they won't be stored on an AA server can you let me know and I'll make copies of them.

BTW, how come otlamp is not accesable at all anymore? Last week the bbs was disabled, but the rest of it was available. That makes it pretty hard to copy what a fellow wants.

BTW, if a MUG board was for Maggies, then what was wrong with ASOG being (mostly) associated with atma-sphere (the most successful otl amp company ever). I don't get this rationale. I think ASOG should still exist. It was a fantastic forum that nurtured all kinds of ideas for tweaking and modifying atma-sphere equipement and I don't see that an OTL forum here will every amount to anything that ASOG was in that respect. I can't believe ASOG is the casulity here. Why don't you open up the ASOG bbs again and ask if the members would like to take over support?

 

Re: The ASOG site needs a new home., posted on October 25, 2004 at 18:07:06
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
As Al says, the only site that needs to move is the ASOG site, since Mark sees no need to move SLOG or MLOG. Upon further reflection I think it should either be merged with this forum or hosted by Atma-Sphere. The latter may not be as good as it sounds, one reason being that a manufacturer hosting a site where modifications of its products are discussed probably isn't suitable, another being that administering the site could be a drain on Atma-Sphere's (people) resources. I recommend that ASOG become part of this forum, and if other pages such as tweaks, links, and system photos are desired, they could be linked from here and hosted anywhere.

click here for info

 

Still looking?, posted on October 25, 2004 at 19:24:30
Yada
Audiophile

Posts: 343
Joined: September 27, 2002
Is the ASOG still looking for a place (server/service) to host?

 

Re: Still looking?, posted on October 26, 2004 at 05:11:36
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
If neither of my suggestions are what people want, I'll take care of hosting ASOG and will work with all concerned for a swift and smooth transition. Thoughts, anyone?

click here for info

 

Hi Brian, posted on October 26, 2004 at 10:21:18
Al Sekela
Audiophile

Posts: 9169
Location: Northern California
Joined: February 18, 2002
Thanks for your offer.

I will send e-mail.

 

I think the wisest course would be to keep the discussion forum here at OTL Asylum..., posted on October 26, 2004 at 17:37:54
... and merging the ASOG archives over here. The other ASOG features could be hosted by Atma-Sphere and displayed right on their website. I don't think Atma-Sphere needs the aggravation of defending itself against the seemingly inevitable accusations of impropriety that are part and parcel of public forums.

 

Trying to reach Brian..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 11:04:28
Al Sekela
Audiophile

Posts: 9169
Location: Northern California
Joined: February 18, 2002
I sent two messages, one through the Asylum, and one to the address on your website.

If you did not receive these, please post a working e-mail address so I can make arrangements with you. Use obvious clinkers in it to defeat the spiders.

Thanks.

 

Yes. I sent you e-mail. (nt), posted on October 27, 2004 at 12:06:34
Al Sekela
Audiophile

Posts: 9169
Location: Northern California
Joined: February 18, 2002
:)

 

Received both of your emails..., posted on October 27, 2004 at 12:23:50
Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999
Thanks...will let you know.

click here for info

 

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