How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

[TheCotMan]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

I don't think even 48 hours. I logged in last night at 10 pm or so (Pacific), with no problems. This morning, before I'd even had adequate caffeine, borked. Registering is part of the problem (i.e. the register link gives you the same issue, and since you don't have an account yet, you just aren't going to be able to register).

Thanks. That narrows it down. I'll be reviewing the changes made to add the search engine forms and the "fake forum" for people to introduce themselves, which really takes them to their blogs.

[shrdlu]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

Thanks, I'll check and see what has changed in the last 48 hours.

I don't think even 48 hours. I logged in last night at 10 pm or so (Pacific), with no problems. This morning, before I'd even had adequate caffeine, borked. Registering is part of the problem (i.e. the register link gives you the same issue, and since you don't have an account yet, you just aren't going to be able to register).

[TheCotMan]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

I run into this issue with both Chrome and Firefox. Simplest fix is just entering forums.defcon.org/ back into the address bar after logging in, but still annoying.

Edit: Timeframe. Yesterday evening/night and just a few moments ago when I logged in again from a new computer.

Thanks, I'll check and see what has changed in the last 48 hours.

[boredsilly]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

It also happened to me twice today using Firefox 3.0.5. I haven't tried IE or Chrome but after reading moleprince's post, I guess it won't matter. My first one occurred around 3:00 PM and then it happened again just a minute ago.

[moleprince]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

One change, the infinite log-on loop of hell. When I have the exact steps to recreate it I'll let you know.

Basically:

It asks you to log-on twice.

Go to the upper corner and log-on
Then it takes you to the main log-on screen, where you log-on again
Then it tells you that you are already logged on and to click proceed.
The it redirects you to a page that instructs you to hit the back button, you are already logged on.
The page that instructed you to proceed is what you back up to.
Hitting proceed, redirects you to a page that instructs you to hit the back button, you are already logged on.

vexing loop continues until you bail.

xor

I run into this issue with both Chrome and Firefox. Simplest fix is just entering forums.defcon.org/ back into the address bar after logging in, but still annoying.

Edit: Timeframe. Yesterday evening/night and just a few moments ago when I logged in again from a new computer.

[TheCotMan]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

Was this recent? If this happened to you at or around the same time, maybe the firewall's failing memory, as reported by DT, was part of the cause?

If you remember, when was it? Anyone else experience this problems described? If you found this problem too, when did you see it?

Maybe we can squeeze this failure into a small enough window that we can examine service logs from around that time for errors.

If it happened last Friday or yesterday, that could have been related to the announced and scheduled work I was doing on the forums.

[shrdlu]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

Sounds like malformed cookies. Next time you see this, try deleting cookies for defcon.org and then reload and see if it happens again. If it does, then I'd like to know what browser and OS (versions and names) you are using to see if I can duplicate this,

Thanks!

Hah! I've been through even bigger hell, including wiping out all the cookies, resetting everything, trying to register a new account (and that one REALLY doesn't work), you name it, I did it. The only thing that told me I wasn't completely de-ranged was that I could use my account to log into the pics site.

I finally went through resetting my password, and then going throught the login hell described by xor, and now I have a stupid password that I have to go off and change (but I'm hoping to get this post off first).

[Edit]

In addition, I've had others try, and the crazy thing that xor describes seems to be universal. BTW, you can safely ignore the email I sent on this ;-}

[TheCotMan]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

Sounds like malformed cookies. Next time you see this, try deleting cookies for defcon.org and then reload and see if it happens again. If it does, then I'd like to know what browser and OS (versions and names) you are using to see if I can duplicate this,

Thanks!

[xor]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

One change, the infinite log-on loop of hell. When I have the exact steps to recreate it I'll let you know.

Basically:

It asks you to log-on twice.

Go to the upper corner and log-on
Then it takes you to the main log-on screen, where you log-on again
Then it tells you that you are already logged on and to click proceed.
The it redirects you to a page that instructs you to hit the back button, you are already logged on.
The page that instructed you to proceed is what you back up to.
Hitting proceed, redirects you to a page that instructs you to hit the back button, you are already logged on.

vexing loop continues until you bail.

xor

[xor]

Re: How can the forums be made better? [Q1 2009]

They are perfect. The interface maybe getting a little busy but other than that I'm very happy with the forums and the mod's.

Good job to all involved.

xor

The expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it" was written long before computers came into existence. I feel however it was written for computers. It should be enshrined in gold above every sysadmins office.

[TheCotMan]

How can the forums be made better?
(I've not asked this in a while.)

The Newbie-Space, and Newbie Support, and "Hi! I'm New!" discussions have shown I should once again poll with this.

So, restated: How can the forums be made better?