Where's the website gone?

Adam · *Censored*

Where's the website gone?

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

Bring back my beautiful website!

AliceH · Butter Me Up!

My guess is that it may have been taken down while an update is in progress? Still, if this is the case, a nice jpg could be used as a placeholder.

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

Nah the website is technically still online, just the www.leedslgbt.co.uk redirect that we used isnt working!

Polo fiend · Lord Gay Van Gay of Gayville

Sorry guys, I haven't been on my computer for a coupla days so only just found out about it! Rich, can you help? I've sent you an email.

Everything is still all there, it's just not connecting like Rich said.

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

Erm I ave an email somewhere that might be able to help you. Lemme dig it out...

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

I remember that a couple of years ago John (former comms officer) said the subscription to that website name might run out and it might have to be renewed.

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

I have an email from John somewhere telling where to go to renew it, I just have to find the bloody thing! I'm pretty sure there's an email reminder in the lgbt webmail account though - have you checked there?

PatrickT · Forum Guru

I don't know if this lookup will help you guys (who's Fibranet?!), but the domain name ran out on May 7th.

http://195.66.240.211/cgi-bin/whois.cgi?query=leedslgbt.co.uk&WHOIS+Submit.x=0&WHOIS+Submit.y=0

AliceH · Butter Me Up!

They appear to be affiliated with Freeparking.co.uk. As the domain was initially registered two years ago, it's likely the renewal email was sent out to whoever was Comms officer then, or whatever email address they have on file. As it's only recently expired, it's not been cancelled yet so I'd get in touch with tech support at Freeparking.co.uk or another reputable webhost you know, Emily. The details should be on the email when Rich digs it out.

Of course, if you wanted to change the URL, go for it! The price varies but with web hosting and domain registration you usually get what you pay for!!!

PatrickT, I am impressed by your Nominet knowledge/web geekery!

PatrickT · Forum Guru

lol. well, that's what happens from spending far too long online, hand editing HTML and rubbish like that so that you can piece together piss-poor websites like I have! :)

It's worth it though if you can eventually help someone. I did my dad's new website in about a day and half - was quite chuffed!

Thanks Alice!

AlbyFC · You best sima!

The domain name was "bought" in 2004. I'm quite impressed it's expired. It seemed it was gonna go on forever. :oP

Polo fiend · Lord Gay Van Gay of Gayville

Right, although I like the address, www.leedslgbt.co.uk, as it's straight to the point, we've decided to stick to the address provided by the union

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/union/socs/lgb/

as, for one thing, it's free! Which means we can spend that extra money on fun stuff for you guys

(p.s. it's where you're sent when you click on "Back to main LGBT Web site" anyway)

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

the www.leedslgbt.co.uk domain name is just a redirect and costs something like a fiver for two years!

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

I actually think the fiver is a fiver well spend.

The leedslgbt.co.uk address is much easier to remember. I can never remember how the one with the union thing in goes. A fivers only a jar of coffee!

What does everyone else think (this is just my opinion, obviously, though a few people agree with me, so maybe I should put we.....)

Date: Sat May 20 10:59 2006

to say the society has a fortune to spend etc i think a fiver would b worth it! better than trailing thru the union links, takes a lifetime...

ChrisH · Mmm eyebrows!

It still comes up first if you just type leeds lgbt into google tho...

Laura · Vodka! Books!

thts just not good enough!

ChrisH · Mmm eyebrows!

Sorry its what we've decided is gonna happen for the meantime... we'll look into it a bit more again soon.... nothing has changed about the actual content of it afterall

-- Edited by ChrisH at 14:07, 2006-05-20

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

But in terms of publicity and accessibility for freshers? We found that once the URL changed we had a lot more interest in the society (I was on the committee when it changed).

I think it's well worth it and the society, to be fair, surely has the money to spend on this? If not the union would no doubt fund the society a fiver for this purpose (coming under the remit of publicity).

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

Also, any links to the website from other societies etc will no longer work.

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

Guys, it's a link... besides for our immediate purposes isn't the new website a little more accurate? Affiliation with the university for instance (if we add a 't' on for good measure)

AliceH · Butter Me Up!

richardyoung71 wrote:

Also, any links to the website from other societies etc will no longer work.

That's a very good point. If you're not going to buy the domain back, is it at least possible to look into setting up a redirect?

The cumbersome alternative is emailing every single LGBT group or organisation that has the old URL!

PatrickT · Forum Guru

It seems 'i'm sorry, but that's what we've decided' is a pretty bad excuse for not replacing the domain name. Do we have an official reason for this or do all illogical decisions just get a 'that's how it is' kind of response?

Surely the most logical option would be to attempt to repurchase the original domain on a one year contract once it's free from the registrar (I think, from memory) it takes like 60 days or something, and put a redirect from THAT domain to the NEW domain (which includes the 't' so is lgbt instead of lgb...) which you could purchase on a standard two year contract. Remember the account this time though!

UK domain names are so cheap, it seems a bit odd NOT to buy one. It makes any web exercise appear less amateur, which, frankly, is what the long uni-hosted domain name seems like. I'd strongly recommend the committee reconsider their decision.

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

noted, and will be discussed. am i only one here that doesn't give a sh*t?

Scotty · The saviour of mankind

thaidave wrote:

noted, and will be discussed. am i only one here that doesn't give a sh*t?

I couldnt care less! Im more concerned whether its gonna be glyn or bonnie evicted!

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

It's pretty easy for me usually, as I have the URL saved into my favourites. This makes it pretty easy for me to get on the website and forums. But when I'm not at my computer it takes a bit of trawling through the luu website, which isn't that hard for me as I sort of know where I am looking.

i just thinkg newbies who are looking during the summer might find it harder to find and once they do, the URL harder to remember. leedslgbt.co.uk just has a nice ring to it. And it does look more 'professional' as Patrick said. In fact I agree with most of his post.

I just think, in terms of the societies publicity and outreach, it is much better to have a catchy URL for people to just remember.

John x

AlbyFC · You best sima!

Also, the website listed in the Union pages is the old one, so it doesn't work any more. Today it took me aaages to find my way to the LGBT forums. I tried activeboard first, but we're not in the directory. Then I tried LUU Online, but the URL there is the one out of date. Then I tried Google, and that's when I found it. But, honestly, there's a simpler way, and it only costs a fiver.

It's very easy for people who can access the website not to give a ****, but prospective members might not think the same.

Arsecandle · Admin Bitch

thaidave wrote:

noted, and will be discussed. am i only one here that doesn't give a sh*t?

i'm deeply upset because i'm bored and have nothing else to do.

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

I don't see how this is even an issue. The redirect makes it easier for people to access the society. I'm sure something we were promised at the agm was an accessible lgbt open to everyone.

It'll take minimal effort, minimal time and minimal money to achieve, I have no idea why you wouldn't want to renew it!

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

AlbyFC wrote:

Also, the website listed in the Union pages is the old one, so it doesn't work any more. Today it took me aaages to find my way to the LGBT forums. I tried activeboard first, but we're not in the directory. Then I tried LUU Online, but the URL there is the one out of date. Then I tried Google, and that's when I found it. But, honestly, there's a simpler way, and it only costs a fiver.

It's very easy for people who can access the website not to give a ****, but prospective members might not think the same.

Hear Hear Al, the voice of reason.

AlbyFC · You best sima!

JohnK wrote:

AlbyFC wrote:
Also, the website listed in the Union pages is the old one, so it doesn't work any more. Today it took me aaages to find my way to the LGBT forums. I tried activeboard first, but we're not in the directory. Then I tried LUU Online, but the URL there is the one out of date. Then I tried Google, and that's when I found it. But, honestly, there's a simpler way, and it only costs a fiver.

It's very easy for people who can access the website not to give a ****, but prospective members might not think the same.

Hear Hear Al, the voice of reason.

:oP

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

Also, the link provided on the union website is www.leedslgbt.co.uk and therefore doesn't work. If you aren't going to renew the subscription for the redirect I'd say it's really important to change the address (and the intro) that the union's website holds before summer, as once exams are over people will start looking and once results are in and places at uni confirmed, that's when you'll get people researching etc.

Whilst I'm sure most of us ICT literate people would think to just use google, not all of us are.

AlbyFC · You best sima!

JohnK wrote:

Also, the link provided on the union website is www.leedslgbt.co.uk and therefore doesn't work.

I've already pointed this out, darling.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

I am simply reemphasising that fact, as I think it needs immediate action.

jx

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

I just want to see if this thread lasts until July

Ladbrokes are taking bets at 10-1

ChrisH · Mmm eyebrows!

I'll help your cause then Dave...

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

That's the spirit! Emily has changed our addy at the bottom of each lgbt email though! That's good! As everyone who signs up at the societies fayre, assuming they find a relvant URL to direct them to the Riley Smith Hall, will be able to access us no problems at all! Isn't that wonderful!?

Polo fiend · Lord Gay Van Gay of Gayville

We are aware that the info on the union website needs changing and are taking relevant steps to do that, by the way.

Oh and I know it's been said that other links to our website won't work, but where else has links to our website, out of interest?

One final thing (sorry). About the other URL looking more professional; the Real Ale Society won the Riley for best website this year, and their URL is

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/union/socs/realale/

so in that respect I don't think it's as important what the address is, it's what the website looks like and contains that makes it better (and I am going to work on a few things over summer, such as making it match the forum colours etc)

-- Edited by Polo fiend at 13:23, 2006-06-04

Rt hon NickyDyke85 · Lord of the Rings

it looks better affiliated 2 the union

saxyboy · Big Gay Al

Well some one tell me the new link and i'll update it!

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

Polo fiend wrote:

One final thing (sorry). About the other URL looking more professional; the Real Ale Society won the Riley for best website this year, and their URL is

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/union/socs/realale/

so in that respect I don't think it's as important what the address is

LGBT won best website using the address www.leedslgbt.co.uk the year before so that's not a particularly relevant argument.

thaidave · Not Thai Dave

No, i think it is a perfectly good argument, as is yours that leedslgbt should be reinstated. The fact Emily is making is that the real ale society won by this address. In other words, it doesn't really matter how to get to the website, it is the content of the site. Much of which is brilliant work which you put in last year!
Bringing back the leedslgbt redirect is a fair request, but if it's not broken, why fix it?

www.leedslgbt.co.uk or www.leeds.ac.uk/union/socs/lgb....?

This has been a debate for at least 7 years now. The Gaza strip seems to be less contentious! I say we leave it!

Surely there is more to life than this?
I can think of 13 million more worthwhile campaigns to be gotten involved with than this website address (see! it's not even the website!) malarky!

If the website was broken we would do all we could to get it up and running, but as it stands, it works fine! So what's the point?

really, truly, bewildered.

-- Edited by thaidave at 10:28, 2006-06-05

ChrisH · Mmm eyebrows!

Personally I'd like to hear these 13 million campaign ideas... Im that bored, it passes time...

Rt hon NickyDyke85 · Lord of the Rings

thaidave wrote:

Surely there is more to life than this?
I can think of 13 million more worthwhile campaigns to be gotten involved with than this website address (see! it's not even the website!) malarky!

Yeah there is but don't forget Dave. The 13 million worthwhile campaigns "don't affect us", are of "no interest to us", "aren't my job to deal with, someone else can do them", "can't be bothered", "have no time to spare for them".... I could go on and list every single excuse people have given for not gettin involved with assembly stuff.

Sad to say really but the LGBT is full of bitchy little queens, who are all 2 quick to dismiss something, but start/get into/continue petty arguments and trivial matters which are irrelevant, or just launch personal attacks on people about minor things for no other reason than they dont like that person. People round here really need to grow up, its a university, not a school playground.

End of the day, there is going to be a website. It doesn't matter what the address is, main thing is that we have a website. Which is what the committee are sorting out... so leave them be and stop criticising them over a few letters, dots n slashs.

Rt hon NickyDyke85 · Lord of the Rings

ChrisH wrote:

Personally I'd like to hear these 13 million campaign ideas... Im that bored, it passes time...

It's not quite 13million but...

1. blood service ban on gay & bi men
2. gettin the government to close loopholes in equality laws which allow religious groups/organisations to discriminate against LGBT people
3. cutting waiting lists for GUM clinics & fighting to see that any1 requesting an appointment is seen in 48hours.
4. better quality PSHE & Sex education lessons in schools that are inclusive of LGBT people
5. Lobbying for better/equal treatment of lesbian women requesting smear tests (there are cases of them currently been turned away, due to their sexuality)
6. gettin involved with LGBT history month and helping educate people about the various law changes that happened when & show respect 4 the people who have fought damn hard to get us where we are now.
7. anonymous/secondary marking (thats recently just been passed by the university & will be coming in force)
8. pushing for schools to incorparate homophobia & transphobia into their anti-bullying rules and build effective strategies to deal with those incidents.
9. turning civil partnerships into gay marriages (still aint equal, ya know)
10. challenging discrimination of LGBT people in the media (take Leeds Student as the example on this)

richardyoung71 · *Censored*

thaidave wrote:

The fact Emily is making is that the real ale society won by this address. In other words, it doesn't really matter how to get to the website, it is the content of the site.

My point was that the Rileys do just that - look at the content of the website. They don't take into account anything else such as the web address.

What would you do if, for example, at the freshers fayre someone asked you for the web address? You gonna reel off the whole union one and hope they remember it? Tell them to look on google? OR tell them something they can remember??

Just my opinion of course, but I think you'll lose members.

PatrickT · Forum Guru

:)

I think the most telling thing about this is that dave, when stating the lack of difference between the two addresses, didn't even type out the full current address:

"www.leedslgbt.co.uk or www.leeds.ac.uk/union/socs/lgb....?"

It really does look unprofessional to have a long 'deeplinked' address because although a site's content may be excellent, it's not going to be found, used or recognised highly if it doesn't have a memorable and easy to type address. The argument that there aren't many/any links to the current is not an argument not to have a concise address, but more a problem with the content represented on the website. Many of 'us' may not currently have great use for the website as it stands, but it is a face for the society and as such is important in establishing the breadth and credibility of the LGBT within Leeds. Having a long and ungainly address establishes, in my opinion, a status of unimportance. Why does the Stage Musicals Society have their own domain name, (http://www.smsleeds.co.uk/), but because it looks professional, established and banishes the impression of amateurism that one risks by maintaining a long website name. This isn't a question of whether we feel a need for a better name, it's whether prospective members and/or students of the university recognise the importance and presence of the society.

(Plus, google gives greater pageranking to pages on their own domain than those deep within a website's pages. If you want to get linked to/shown at the top of search results, it's best to have your own domain name and to have one that's registered for as long as possible (ie two years or longer)).

I know this may all sound rather trivial, but at least it's something I know about so thought I couldn't really not give my input. And I think it's important.

JohnK · Pieces of me you've never seen

I don't think it will lose hundreds of members. But I don't think it's too cool to simply disregard the opinions of members as 'unimportant'. And sure there are plenty of other worthy causes that could be being worried about. But the assembley does most of that work now.

Completley agree with Rich, just saying/reading/seeing/writing down leedslgbt.co.uk rather than the long URL is easier too, and will mean more people are likely to access the website.

PatrickT · Forum Guru

Oh. Kind of not supporting my own point here but I see that when googling 'leeds lgbt' the society website comes at the top. That's good. I still think a new domain's better, but at least it's working!

On a side note, perhaps the blurb about the lgbt society needs to be checked on the LUU website:
http://www.luuonline.com/societies/lgbt

It currently states that John K and Ally are committee co-chairs!

xx
p