TOPIC: Site access

David Manuell wrote: Hi Gordon

Thanks for that explanation about bots and guests. I was unaware of that happening.

So even fewer people visiting here then!

Hello David - the guests/bots count can be a mix - I was told bots count can be if theres a search in google for example for SOF or "onthebeam" as it looks for a match.

I think only the site adminstrator would be able to differentiate with a follow up on any details like any actual IPN for them - the open areas of the forum remain quite small unless access was given when joining SOF originally so guests would have limited access so I would think its a mix.

Like others above, I am very grateful to Paul for his work on this forum (and to all those who have posted here over the years), and I would be sad to see it finished. For various reasons I do not wish to have a Facebook account, so without a flourishing forum I am losing contact with the SOF; the mag, though valuable, comes out only bi-monthly.

Jim

My point exactly Jim R.

I am a pipe smoker and due to International Peterson Pipe Smokers Club ; Deserters' to facebook etc forums, sadly and very unfortunately, as with our SOF Website Forum years of valuable S7 / S8 informationd could, as with the Deserters' caused the IPPSC to shut down, be irretriably lost. So you see, I have witnessed this 'End Of' scenario previously, caused by the same reasons now afflicting the SOF. As I previously stated on this Forum yes, . . . I am extremely angry about it.

SelWynsel Ps : You notice no SOF Website ; Deserters' are engaging in this Subject discussion, yet probably have plenty to gossip about on facebook etc which, is highly disrespectful to the SOF. They know who they are . . . and so also do we, evidenced by many names no longer On Line, shame on you !

This is such a sad situation.
I joined the SOF about 12 years ago to assist me in resurrecting an S8 from a pile of parts I had bought. The unstinting help of the excellent and knowledgable members on here enabled me to finish the rebuild and subsequently join in at the National Rally, finally meeting some of those that helped to save another Beam.
Facebook has its place, but you cannot access the previous posts so all the knowledge and advice disappears.
This forum is different and an invaluable resource that should be retained at all cost.
I am not tech savvy, so cannot assist other than making a financial donation to help the SOF retain its OWN website and forum.
I do hope a resolution can be found.

Is there only one admin account for the site? -who actually owns it - has the administrator gone awol - is it possible to contact them and offer a monetary inducement to transfer the site ownership if that is necessary - sure any required sum could be met by donations - I would be happy to make a donation - this site is a large part of my Sunbeam hobby - since 2007 - having had my bike since the eighties - and putting it together over 7 years with the invaluable help here. The search facility is invaluable. Better than any book (I have them all - each a different version of the same info).

Well, I guess I'm one that is considering walking away from this website. The $50+ per year I pay to SOF was used to pay for this site, or so I thought. Not that one person was paying for the lot. I have spent the last few years trying to write a new version of a how to repair a Sunbeam. So far, I have built a 300 + page document at some cost in time and money to myself, that I was considering posting on this site gratis. This site was pointed out to me by Adrian at Sunbeams in Oz. It has helped me with many things over the last few years. These bikes are very different in their thinking for the days they were made. It would be a pity to see it die, but as you say, there has been very little available on this site over the last few months. Stuff disappears from Facebook too.
I will continue with my endeavors and hope sense wins in the end, whichever way it all goes. Hoped to have it done 2 years ago, but close now.
Cheers
Joe