CFC Website Update 2009-09-14
Greetings CFC members and governors,
I will try to explain matters pertaining to the web site as has been explained to me by our contractor, EKG.
As many of you know the CFC website was hacked and became infected. Our contractor for office services, EKG stepped in and began almost at once to work on the problem. What many people do not know (I certainly did not) is that Google scans sites and when they become infected, Google tags the site so that web browsers will be sent an error message.
The site has been cleaned up by EKG and their IT specialists are in contact with Google to rescan the site and give it a clean bill of health, that is, its seal of approval. However like any huge company, it takes time for them to deal with any requests for help. It reminds one of the government. For those naysayers, Google is that powerful and until they get around to it, their inaction keeps our site from operating.
As for the site itself, it was developed by the previous office staff and typical of most software developers, it was made in such a way to make it difficult for anyone except for the creator to maintain and upgrade the site. That is how software specialists keep the revenues flowing with follow-on maintenance contracts. The fact is the budget presented at this year's CFC AGM set aside money to develop a new web site as well as a web magazine. The attendees of the meeting including Bob Armstrong were not too happy about what they perceived as putting good money after bad regarding the web site and the e-magazine.
The web site is like a piece of factory machinery or an automobile. One can keep spending money to repair it but at some point, one has to make a calculation on what is more economical: Repairs or replacement. That is what I meant that the CFC Executive is considering the option of a new site. This means that the CFC Executive unfortunately are still dealing with transitional costs that were part of David Lavin's tenure as president.
If some of you sharp IT specialists would like to make a proposal on a new web site and volunteer your time in creating a website and give all the intellectual property rights to the CFC, please send you proposals to my email account: president@chess.ca
As some of you know, the Stratford festival is presenting Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. All I can say to my new best friend, Kevin is, "Et tu Brute'. I was hoping our honeymoon would have lasted a little longer.
I acknowledge that people are impatient and want the situation solved yesterday. Until I get the use of a TARDIS, I am requesting some understanding and patience on your part. To all of those kibitzers, I would respectfully remind you that it is always easier to play someone else's pieces than your own.
In closing, a few people have volunteered to help the CFC with its web site, and I would very much like to thank them for their interest.
Eric Van Dusen
CFC President
Eric Van Dusen
CFC Past-President 2010-2011
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