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All,
After something like 5 years I'm sad to announce my intentions to shut down the
Building Instructions Portal (www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions).
Years ago when i first created the site I was a code newbie (although some may
argue that I'm STILL a newbie, back then I was a massive newbie), and to say
that the code was...uh... problematic was putting it lightly.
Over the years I had always intended to rewrite the site in order to improve
stability. With the birth of my new daughter and my new business, my free time
has become nearly zilch. As such, I find myself in a quandary.
On the one hand, I love the BIP and want to see it live on forever. But on the
other hand, I know full well that I'll not be rewriting the code anytime soon
and that there are major stability problems with the current site that are
causing problems for the rest of the sites hosted on the same server.
While posting of new content has slowed lately, the usage of the site is still
fairly strong with several thousand page views a day and several hundred unique
visitors a day.
I'd like to throw out a call for help. If you're a coder in search of a fun
project, please drop me a line. I'd love to be able to turn over the site to
someone who has the mad skillz as well as the time to create a truly timeless
BIP mk.2.
I'm willing (with a few requirements) to turn over the site (code, domain name,
design) completely to anyone who knows ColdFusion (which is what the site is
programmed in), or to do a data export only if you'd rather code a new site in
another language. If you have other ideas for how to save BIP, I'm all ears!
If there aren't any takers, I'll likely have to shut the site down completely as
some point in the near future. No solid plans on that yet - I'm hoping there'll
be a BIP savior among us. :)
Thanks for your help and for your understanding! Long live the BIP!...
hopefully.
Jake
---
jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
Webmaster - BIP
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
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Would it be possible to transfer the content to BrickWiki and not have to mess
about with coding and maintaing a whole seperate site?
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In lugnet.inst, Ted Godwin wrote:
> Would it be possible to transfer the content to BrickWiki and not have to mess
> about with coding and maintaing a whole seperate site?
Anything's possible :) Actually, that's a pretty dang smart idea. See, when I
first created the site, I didn't want to create a scenario where people were
seeing their content show up on the site without their explicit permission. But
the BrickWiki concept is interesting because anyone who wants to remove their
content can.
The only question is who would go through the BIP pull links & creator names and
set up content pages on BrickWiki? Ted, are you volunteering? :)
In all honesty that's not small task. There's quite a few links and users on the
site. Someone would have to develop a "metaphor" to how this content would
transfer over to the wiki, then actually move/create the content.
I'll keep chewing on this, but generally I think it's a great idea!
Jake
---
jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
Webmaster - BIP
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
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IF the raw data/database contents are available, it's possible using some web
agent code I use to interface with Wiki systems. NOT SAYING I COULD DO IT. But
there might be a way to generate a huge set of web update screen interactions to
convert it all over.
I do this with BrickLInk, I RARELY ever use the web site myself, I have some
agents written that mark a batch of shipments as shipped/send various emails,
heck even check if parcels have arrived. All driven by the web site
contents/screens, just like a interactive user.
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In lugnet.inst, Michael Shiels wrote:
> IF the raw data/database contents are available, it's possible using some web
> agent code I use to interface with Wiki systems. NOT SAYING I COULD DO IT. But
> there might be a way to generate a huge set of web update screen interactions to
> convert it all over.
>
> I do this with BrickLInk, I RARELY ever use the web site myself, I have some
> agents written that mark a batch of shipments as shipped/send various emails,
> heck even check if parcels have arrived. All driven by the web site
> contents/screens, just like a interactive user.
Yes, the data all still exists. The biggest problem with the site, actually is
the "health" of the database. It's ugly beyond words. A big part of what needs
to happen for the future of the site is the rebuilding of the database in a
format that a DBA wouldn't laugh and point at.
But perhaps you're talking about creating something to simply import into a
wiki? If so, I'd have to wonder what amount of time it would take to recreate by
hand vs. creating a script that would work. In theory a script would work best,
but you just never know in practice.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Webmaster - BIP
Private Citizen
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I'd really like to see the site to continue! I remember the first time you
encouraged me to add my Build-a-Bot instructions and I was so happy! Thank you!
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In lugnet.inst, Jake McKee wrote:
> After something like 5 years I'm sad to announce my intentions to shut down the
> Building Instructions Portal (www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions).
> I'm willing (with a few requirements) to turn over the site (code, domain name,
> design) completely to anyone who knows ColdFusion (which is what the site is
> programmed in), or to do a data export only if you'd rather code a new site in
> another language. If you have other ideas for how to save BIP, I'm all ears!
It is time for me to propose an exam project for my students. Do you think 3-5
software engineering students might be able to design and implement a useful,
stable BIP system in six weeks? (I think it might be possible.)
I don't think we can expect my students to _operate_ the system, but the school
can _host_ the site (at least for some time). This means that we have an
opportunity to formulate the requirements for a new, low-maintenance BIP system,
and get it built, but we still need to find some way to run the service.
Please let me know, if you think it is worthwhile going in this direction. What
are the requirements for a good BIP system?
Play well,
Jacob
--
Sailing ship "Luna":
http://lego.jacob-sparre.dk/Transport/Skibe/#Luna
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It might be worth getting in touch With No Starch to get them to alter the link
on their site http://nostarch.com/frameset.php?startat=legotrains
Alternativly put the book page back up again
Tim
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In lugnet.inst, Jake McKee wrote:
> All,
>
> After something like 5 years I'm sad to announce my intentions to shut down the
> Building Instructions Portal (www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions).
>
> Years ago when i first created the site I was a code newbie (although some may
> argue that I'm STILL a newbie, back then I was a massive newbie), and to say
> that the code was...uh... problematic was putting it lightly.
>
> Over the years I had always intended to rewrite the site in order to improve
> stability. With the birth of my new daughter and my new business, my free time
> has become nearly zilch. As such, I find myself in a quandary.
>
> On the one hand, I love the BIP and want to see it live on forever. But on the
> other hand, I know full well that I'll not be rewriting the code anytime soon
> and that there are major stability problems with the current site that are
> causing problems for the rest of the sites hosted on the same server.
>
> While posting of new content has slowed lately, the usage of the site is still
> fairly strong with several thousand page views a day and several hundred unique
> visitors a day.
>
> I'd like to throw out a call for help. If you're a coder in search of a fun
> project, please drop me a line. I'd love to be able to turn over the site to
> someone who has the mad skillz as well as the time to create a truly timeless
> BIP mk.2.
>
> I'm willing (with a few requirements) to turn over the site (code, domain name,
> design) completely to anyone who knows ColdFusion (which is what the site is
> programmed in), or to do a data export only if you'd rather code a new site in
> another language. If you have other ideas for how to save BIP, I'm all ears!
>
> If there aren't any takers, I'll likely have to shut the site down completely as
> some point in the near future. No solid plans on that yet - I'm hoping there'll
> be a BIP savior among us. :)
>
> Thanks for your help and for your understanding! Long live the BIP!...
> hopefully.
>
> Jake
> ---
> jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
> Webmaster - BIP
> http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
Sad news, Jake. I have been kinda lurker in LEGO forums during years, witness of
the growing of LEGO community, and your site has been a wonderful LEGO resourse.
Hope somebody inherit your project, and luck with your work and so.
Julen.
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In lugnet.inst, Jake McKee wrote:
> All,
>
> After something like 5 years I'm sad to announce my intentions to shut down the
> Building Instructions Portal (www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions).
>
> (...)
>
> Thanks for your help and for your understanding! Long live the BIP!...
> hopefully.
>
> Jake
> ---
> jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
> Webmaster - BIP
> http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
Jake, I have been talking with a Former LEGO Ambassador from Spain. He is
interested in helping to this project, but he hasn't been able to contact you.
He has a web for spanish AFOL's, www.ladrillitos.com, there you have contact
info. Please let him know about what you think.
Regards.
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In lugnet.inst, Julian Guerrero Molina-Prados wrote:
> In lugnet.inst, Jake McKee wrote:
> > All,
> >
> > After something like 5 years I'm sad to announce my intentions to shut down the
> > Building Instructions Portal (www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions).
> >
> > (...)
> >
> > Thanks for your help and for your understanding! Long live the BIP!...
> > hopefully.
> >
> > Jake
> > ---
> > jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
> > Webmaster - BIP
> > http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
>
> Jake, I have been talking with a Former LEGO Ambassador from Spain. He is
> interested in helping to this project, but he hasn't been able to contact you.
> He has a web for spanish AFOL's, www.ladrillitos.com, there you have contact
> info. Please let him know about what you think.
>
> Regards.
I've gotten a number of emails from him in the last two days and am working on
responding today. :)
Jake
---
jake AT countersinkdg DOT com
Webmaster - BIP
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com
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