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Forum Operations
Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 7, 2021 9:31 PM

The forum has been throwing the occasional 'curve ball' in its operation over the past several months.

Threads containing unread posts normally display with the thread title in RED, after the thread has been read and is viewed again the title will display in GRAY print.  Several times, I have read a thread.  Gone on to other threads and when viewing the page index of threads the previously read thread shows up in RED, however no new posts have been added to the thread.

Secondly, when a NEW thread shows up, and only contains the original post, the thread title will remain RED no matter how many times it is read.  Once other posts are added to the thread then the thread will act in the 'normal' manner and the thread will display in GRAY after having been read.

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Posted by zugmann on Monday, June 7, 2021 9:47 PM

BaltACD
Secondly, when a NEW thread shows up, and only contains the original post, the thread title will remain RED no matter how many times it is read.  Once other posts are added to the thread then the thread will act in the 'normal' manner and the thread will display in GRAY after having been read.

They go grey for me.  ?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, June 7, 2021 11:23 PM

zugmann
 
BaltACD
Secondly, when a NEW thread shows up, and only contains the original post, the thread title will remain RED no matter how many times it is read.  Once other posts are added to the thread then the thread will act in the 'normal' manner and the thread will display in GRAY after having been read. 

They go grey for me.  ?

They stay RED for me on Chrome and W10.

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Posted by Convicted One on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 8:16 AM

This forum performing erratically?  The Dickens you say? Maybe you should contact the admin and let them know?

 

FWIW, I notice that thread titles remain red if I was not logged on when initally viewing them. Logging on restored normal operations.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:20 AM

Convicted One
This forum performing erratically?  The Dickens you say? Maybe you should contact the admin and let them know? 

FWIW, I notice that thread titles remain red if I was not logged on when initally viewing them. Logging on restored normal operations.

Considering the issues we all have experienced in the past - I don't log out.

Since the Admin's have proven responsive in locking or eliminating threads - doing something on the Forum seems to get more recognition than any other form of Admin contact.

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Posted by Convicted One on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 11:41 AM

Well, good luck with that.  Best wishes, etc.  Hopefully they will have the problem ironed out by either later in the year, or early next year. 

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 12:32 PM

Convicted One
Well, good luck with that.  Best wishes, etc.  Hopefully they will have the problem ironed out by either later in the year, or early next year. 

I'm not holding my breath.

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Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 8:46 PM

I just logged in from a hotel, through the Uniguest portal, and have had no trouble doing so.  (Including the PM access)

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 1:27 AM

In pretty sure the red-becomes-grey thing would only work when one is logged in. I'm on my phone in a Philly VRBO rental, I'm logged in, and it's working perfectly. M

I don't know why anyone ever logs out. I log out of my online banking, etc. But here? I don't get it.

Guys, this thread is easing towards removal. So as not to risk losing this forum altogether, shouldn't we very careful abut complaining about Kalmbach's IT department? Just sayin'

 

Still in training.


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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 7:05 AM

Lithonia Operator
In pretty sure the red-becomes-grey thing would only work when one is logged in. I'm on my phone in a Philly VRBO rental, I'm logged in, and it's working perfectly. M

I don't know why anyone ever logs out. I log out of my online banking, etc. But here? I don't get it.

Guys, this thread is easing towards removal. So as not to risk losing this forum altogether, shouldn't we very careful abut complaining about Kalmbach's IT department? Just sayin'

For a decade I was involved in designing and implementing computer applications.  Unless I got complaints of what the users viewed as 'failures', how would I know what that what I had created was coming up short of the users expectations?

If 'bugs' aren't identified how do they get fixed? Just sayn'

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 7:51 AM

Lithonia Operator
I don't know why anyone ever logs out. I log out of my online banking, etc. But here? I don't get it.

I don't understand why anyone would leave their computer turned on while unattended?  I might for an hour or so, while eating, etc. But If I'm leaving the house for an extended time, or going to bed...I ALWAYS shut her down. Just for the peace of mind that the dark side can't come visiting while I am  away from the switch.

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:07 AM

I just conducted a little experiment, I clicked on the "mark all discussions read" button, and all thread titles switched to gray.

Then I shut my machine down, re booted, and navigated back to this site. Unsurprisingly, all thread titles were once again red.

But, upon logging back in, all thread titles returned to gray, as hoped for.

So, this site has persistence  that is managed "locally". Which is a good thing.

Balt,  have you possibly  got some big honkin firewall running that might be refusing Kalmbach's machines attempts to verify who you are? (just a thought)

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:39 AM

Convicted One
I just conducted a little experiment, I clicked on the "mark all discussions read" button, and all thread titles switched to gray.

Then I shut my machine down, re booted, and navigated back to this site. Unsurprisingly, all thread titles were once again red.

But, upon logging back in, all thread titles returned to gray, as hoped for.

So, this site has persistence  that is managed "locally". Which is a good thing.

Balt,  have you possibly  got some big honkin firewall running that might be refusing Kalmbach's machines attempts to verify who you are? (just a thought)

Not running a firewall, just Microsoft's 'native' protections.

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Posted by Euclid on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:45 AM

How do you know the problems are not caused by Windows 10?  I have two computers used mostly for running programs such as Autocad and Solidworks.  The older one was running them fine with Windows 7.  I installed Windows 10 about 18 months ago and the cad programs immediately began acting buggy. 

The symptoms are that the cad programs act up randomly/inconsistently here and there in various operations frequently.  When running the cad programs, I encounter a different problem at least every 30 minutes.  There is no indication of what is causing it.  The problems emerge randomly.  The only common denominator is the conversion from Win 7 to 10.  It was the same programs before and after the change from 7 to 10.

Just working on the Internet does not seem to show any problems, but running the cad programs is very buggy.  So the problem seems to be evident in larger applications that are used frequently.  I see the same behavior to some extent on this forum operation, but it is minimal here compared to what happens in the cad programs.  But the randomness is identical.

The cad dealer advised that the problem is not Win 10, but rather the age of the cad computer.  He said that 10 would run new or older versions of Solidworks just fine.  So I bought a new cad work station computer built to Solidworks specs, and the same random, buggy behavior still exists.  

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:50 AM

Convicted One

 

 
Lithonia Operator
I don't know why anyone ever logs out. I log out of my online banking, etc. But here? I don't get it.

 

I don't understand why anyone would leave their computer turned on while unattended?  I might for an hour or so, while eating, etc. But If I'm leaving the house for an extended time, or going to bed...I ALWAYS shut her down. Just for the peace of mind that the dark side can't come visiting while I am  away from the switch.

 

CO, I'm talking about logging in and off websites, not the computer. Most sites will let you opt to "stay logged in." Even if I quit the browser and shut down the computer, when I come back I'm still logged in.

Such is the car with the Zkalmbach sites. There had been a problem A few weeks ago, but AFAICT, that's been cured.

Still in training.


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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:54 AM

Windows 7 was the pinnacle for Microsoft, IMO.  When they stopped support for 7, that made me move to Linux...haven't regretted it.

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Posted by Convicted One on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 9:02 AM

Lithonia Operator
Even if I quit the browser and shut down the computer, when I come back I'm still logged in. Such is the car with the Zkalmbach sites. There had been a problem A few weeks ago, but AFAICT, that's been cured.

 

I USED to be able to shut down  the computer and then come back here without having to log back on, but that luxury went away EXACTLY AT THE TIME you were lamenting about your access problems, and then mentioning everything was fixed.

SO whatever they did to fix yours, destroyed my automatic log in.

Not  a huge deal, as I don't mind having to log in EVERY TIME I VISIT.

But it is a little ironic reading you imploring everyone to "not rock the boat", considering... Mischief

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Posted by Lithonia Operator on Thursday, June 10, 2021 12:03 AM

You don't know that what they did that fixed my issue is what adversely affected you. You don't even know (as I don't) that they did anything specifically at my behest.

You are merely speculating.

Complain all you want, though, if you so desire. Be my guest.

Still in training.


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Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, June 10, 2021 12:24 AM

Convicted One
Lithonia Operator
Even if I quit the browser and shut down the computer, when I come back I'm still logged in. Such is the car with the Zkalmbach sites. There had been a problem A few weeks ago, but AFAICT, that's been cured.

I USED to be able to shut down  the computer and then come back here without having to log back on, but that luxury went away EXACTLY AT THE TIME you were lamenting about your access problems, and then mentioning everything was fixed.

SO whatever they did to fix yours, destroyed my automatic log in.

Not  a huge deal, as I don't mind having to log in EVERY TIME I VISIT.

But it is a little ironic reading you imploring everyone to "not rock the boat", considering... Mischief

That sounds like your browser is not remembering your info, as if you are clearing cookies each and every time.

The site remembers me just fine.

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Posted by adkrr64 on Thursday, June 10, 2021 5:53 AM

SD70Dude
The site remembers me just fine.

I concur. My browser on this device (Safari on an iPad) remembers me for both the forums and news wire. No logins necessary.

Also keep in mind that browsers usually update themselves regularly, and some of those updates break things that worked before in the same browser. There are a lot of "moving" parts to these things.

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Posted by Convicted One on Thursday, June 10, 2021 7:53 AM

SD70Dude
That sounds like your browser is not remembering your info, as if you are clearing cookies each and every time. The site remembers me just fine.

 

That's close to what;s happening.  My login info worked just fine for a year prior to the "fix". But the fix required new garbage be loaded to my computer which I have not accepted yet.

So, another way to explain it is "I'm stuck in the past".  Had no one rocked the boat, I'd still be fine.

Like I said earlier having to do what I'm forced to do is not a huge deal, just ironic considering the circumstances.

Consider that I am booted from a non-writeable source, so that's why it isn't just so easy as updating my cookies. I'd have to update my cookies AND rewrite my entire boot media in order to make  the changes permanent.

And with Trains staff promising "major updates soon" (cough cough) I merely have decided to wait and let them get their  looming changes put in effect before I recreate my system.

There are a number of benefits that I enjoy through my stasis, making it worthwhile ....that I won't bore you with. But falling prey to unanticipated "updates" is surely a down side.

 

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Posted by Convicted One on Thursday, June 10, 2021 7:57 AM

Lithonia Operator
You don't know that what they did that fixed my issue is what adversely affected you. You don't even know (as I don't) that they did anything specifically at my behest.

Relax, there is no animosity from my end. I just roll my eyes a bit when you lament about how others should avoid rocking the boat.

And you're right, the fact that my situation started the exact same day your problem was fixed, COULD be mere coincidence...

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Posted by daveklepper on Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:02 AM

This is as good a thread to ask the question as any, so here goes:

The two computers I use most often, one mine, one the Yeshiva's, both still use Windows 7.  I understand Microsoft no longer supprts Windows 7.

But every few months, when shutting down via the normal too-lengthy process, I get "Loading update one of three, do not power off or shut down your computer."

I suspect hacking and immediately shut down the fast way.

Am I doing the right thing?

 

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Posted by Convicted One on Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:16 AM

There is a setting that restricts updates to being by your permission only.(not automatic)

Sounds to me as though you have  automatic updates enabled.

 If I were you I would disable  automatic updates, that should put you back in control

 

BTW, shutting off your windows 7 computer in the middle of a legitimate Microsoft update, can have catastrophic  consequences

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Posted by tree68 on Thursday, June 10, 2021 9:16 AM

Given Microsoft's propensity to do updates, I'm never surprised when my computer goes through that routine.  In fact, since I generally leave my main PC on, sometimes I think they introduce methods of slowing the machine down until I allow an update.  

The laptop gets shut down regularly.

Suspicion of hacking is a good awareness to have, though.  CO's caveat is true.  Don't want to "brick" your computer.

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Posted by Euclid on Thursday, June 10, 2021 9:34 AM

Convicted One

There is a setting that restricts updates to being by your permission only.(not automatic)

Sounds to me as though you have  automatic updates enabled.

 If I were you I would disable  automatic updates, that should put you back in control

If you disable automatic updates because they may not be legitimate, how do you know whether to give permission to download them when they ask for permission?

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Posted by Convicted One on Thursday, June 10, 2021 10:08 AM

Euclid
If you disable automatic updates because they may not be legitimate, how do you know whether to give permission to download them when they ask for permission?

I think you are looking at it from a perspective that I had not intended.

David observed that he was discovering unanticipated updates that were already in progress, that were conflicting with his desire to shut down. These unanticipated updates were obviously happening without his participation...."automatically" in other words.

So, by disabling auto updates, it is the CONFLICT we will be avoiding......

 

Meaning that any future "shut down conflicts" he might encounter would most assuredly be from hackers.

For reasons  that are too lengthy  to go into here, there is far greater risk forcing a shutdown during a legitimate Microsoft update, thanthere would be forcing a shutdown during a haxor attack.

SO, I was merely giving him a way to mitigate the greater risk, by putting the auto-update genie back on the bottle.

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Posted by Convicted One on Thursday, June 10, 2021 10:19 AM

Plus Euclid,

When you have automatic updates disabled, you just get a little message in your activity monitor that "updates are available". Thereafter, It's up to you to utilize manually the update framework contained in the operating system, that is configured to connect to the microsoft servers. SO you have a fairly high level of confidence that the materials you are receiving are coming from the legitimate source. "Authentic", in other words.

Much different than something just arriving unannounced, from goodness knows where.

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Posted by Euclid on Thursday, June 10, 2021 10:23 AM

I understand the point about not shutting down during an update download in progress.  But what if the updates are legitimate and not from hackers?  Do you just refuse them because they might not be legitimate?

I believe the underlying assumption in what Dave had mentioned, is that since win 7 is no longer supported, the automatic offer of routine updates at shutdown cannot be legitimate because the updates would have ended with the end of Microsoft support.  However, I am still using a win7 computer that routinely notifies me that it will download updates.  I have let them all download.  Some have told me that Microsoft is known to continue support after passing the date that it supposed to end.   

(Okay, I just read your last post, and see the point of what you are saying.) 

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, June 10, 2021 11:00 AM

Euclid
I understand the point about not shutting down during an update download in progress.  But what if the updates are legitimate and not from hackers?  Do you just refuse them because they might not be legitimate?

I believe the underlying assumption in what Dave had mentioned, is that since win 7 is no longer supported, the automatic offer of routine updates at shutdown cannot be legitimate because the updates would have ended with the end of Microsoft support.  However, I am still using a win7 computer that routinely notifies me that it will download updates.  I have let them all download.  Some have told me that Microsoft is known to continue support after passing the date that it supposed to end.   

(Okay, I just read your last post, and see the point of what you are saying.) 

On most computers the native operating system, Windows 7 in the case being discussed, is not the only software on the computer - other applications that are on the computer also have their software updated from time to time.  The Windows Office suite of applications, I believe, use the regular 'Windows Update' routine to distribute their updates. 

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