TFA Website Update and Overhall

[johnharris]

[MitchSchaft]

[johnharris]

[marshall]

[johnharris]

[Freedom2U]

[MitchSchaft]

[johnharris]

Anyone using or know how to use phpNuke? this is the product used by Ohio's group at http://www.ofccpac.org/

Any thoughts on how this would work as a frontend for TFAONLINE?

[Freedom2U]

I thought the topic was how the TFA website might be changed, not how I might need to change my method of using it. Considering the number of TFA members that there are, and the number actually on line that post on the website and forum,...it could be there would be more activity if more people used a WEBTV !

[MitchSchaft]

Bah, that was a joke . The computer dork in me made me say it.

phpnuke is basically the same as mx-systems. It's used in conjunction with phpBB. I prefer mx-systems because, this may not be how it is now, support is better and there are more mods available for it.

[Marswolf]

Well, I'll try to be kind. This site really isn't a good source of information. For example, the Banning Locations page hasn't been updated since June 21, 2004. The law quoted on that page for posting is at least a couple of years out of date. The law changed, but no one ever changer the quoted law.

That page also should be one which is frequently visited, but even finding the page from the index page is difficult. As best I can figure, you have to click on member benefits which pops up another window. You then click on the banning locations link which takes you, on the original browser, to a notice that the page link has been changed. Then it finally opens with dated, incorrect and and pretty much useless information.

Then I read in a forum topic that things are so busy that there isn't even time to plan for a convention.

Things are being done to fix the Tennessee carry laws, but from what I hear from legislators, the TFA has little to do with these proposed law changes. They are being brought to the attention of the legislators by individual voters. The pressure is pretty much grass-roots.

I would suggest that if there is not time to properly develop and support an up-to-date website, that it be closed down.

Sorry to be a grump. If the site doesn't have useful information, it won't be visited - as is now the case. Right now there are better and more accurate sources of information about Tennessee gun law at other locations on the web.

[BulletBillSR]

[MitchSchaft]

[Marswolf]

OK, I have a concrete suggestion, rather than just a criticism. I suggest you emulate Ohioans For Concealed Carry website, especially their "Do Not Patronize While Armed" Listings .

It seems to me this should be one of the principal functions of the TFA.

[johnharris]

I have had several discussions with the guys who are running the Ohio site. Apparently, they have the good fortune to have several very knowledgeable programmers who are not only maintaining the site but also are hosting it locally (more secure) than having to use a hosting service (as TFA has been).

For example, the are using PHPNuke - that is why I posted the earlier question. They are also using several other PHP based products (e.g., for their FAQ) Their programmers wrote a custom database system to drive their posted properties reporting system. These are all GREAT things.

Can TFA do it - sure, either we raise the funds to have it professionally operated (I have pricing from 30,000 to 50,000 per year for professional PAC sites) OR TFA has to find volunteers such as Rich Mason who can work on the project as a committee project.

John at one time could program. John - back in the late 90's was actually hand coding basic HTML to get content on the site. John has neither the skill level or the time to manage the TFA site or even significant portions of it. My law practice is crushing my time by itself - to the point that I have given serious consideration to the need to step down as the Executive Director of TFA this year.

I would love to see the Web site updated. I would love to see TFA's 10 year convention come about. I cannot say it enough - however - that I don't have the time to do either. Too many people think that there is an "organization" being run by either a staff of paid or volunteer workers in Nashville. There is no such thing. What happens comes pretty much out of my law office or from my home office at nights or on weekends.

[RNMEDIC]

Dear Mr. Harris,

I for one most certainly hope you will remain as our Executive Director. For years you have worked in our cause donating so many hours that were needed in your law practice, your home, etc. Though I can only speak for myself, I personally feel a great debt of gratitude to you and yours for your sacrificial giving of your time and talents.

I hope everyone in TFA will send along their thanks to you, and that all of us will increase our efforts doing more in our cause. This is ANOTHER time when I wish my skills were in the computer field rather than health care.

Gratefully/Sincerely, RNMEDIC

[Marswolf]

[johnharris]

[RNMEDIC]

[dkeven]

John, I too would like to add my thanks for all your efforts in keeping the TFA alive and well. I don't know how you find the time to do this, lobby for the gun bills, run a law practice and have a life. I myself am trying to get a second job going as my regular job has cut back on hours etc. this take an unbelievable amount of time. So again I say thanks.
As others have noted there is a lack of updated info in areas and perhaps not a lot of useable information arising from the website and the forum. But to be honest the NRA site has very little to interest me in events in my own locale either. The Ohioan site is very good as are a few others G.O.A. has a limited interest site also but they do provide a lot of mailings and email alerts about current laws and events. I have offered in the past to help in some way having some internet access time daily. Perhaps if more members could devote some time to maintaining their own portion of the site it could be divided up amongst the willing to share the load. The BMW forum I belong to (i-bmw.com) has separate areas each with their own moderator to clean up, clarify and maintain their own area. It seems to work for the forum. As far as the website if it could be divided into areas with each having its own administrator perhaps that could work to lessen the load.