RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted August 20, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 20, 2019 2 hours ago, hayfield said: I still get the unsecure message I get that for several websites including our club site as we aren't going to pay a substantial annual fee for https. We don't take any details on information from users as it's a view only website although there is an email link which is through a third party. SE Finsescale is also a view only site so is not a likely to access your data, if you need to place an order or you have a query you either ring up or write and that shouldn't affect your computer or tablet. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted August 20, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 20, 2019 No problem for me accessing SE Finecast site and downloading the price list. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 2 hours ago, Siberian Snooper said: I get that for several websites including our club site as we aren't going to pay a substantial annual fee for https. I have no problem accessing SEF, and other non-https sites, on Safari (OSX, iOS) as others have also reported. The one thing that I will disagree with is the "substantial annual fee for https". There is at least one free initiative, Let's Encrypt (and there are others), that is supported by a number of hosts. Believe me, it's a PITA if you want to use it on your own servers, but it's a breeze as part of a web hosting package. So there's no need to eschew SSL if it could be of benefit. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted August 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2019 I have an SSL cert for my own uses, it's about £20 a year for a basic one. But I know how to upload it and replace it etc. so don't need to pay someone to do it. If the likes of Google get their way, they will need replacing annually whereas at present you can buy them for 3 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold john new Posted August 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2019 Go for an ISP that includes it in the price. 34sp.com is one such which I use and recommend ( no connection other than as a user) Also as an add on point - whatever the problem was for me it’s is now fixed 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Bucoops said: I have an SSL cert for my own uses, it's about £20 a year for a basic one. But I know how to upload it and replace it etc. so don't need to pay someone to do it. If the likes of Google get their way, they will need replacing annually whereas at present you can buy them for 3 years. Next time you need to renew yours, take a look at LetsEncrypt, as described by @truffy above. No point paying money if you can get the same for free, surely? There are a couple of server installation setups that can’t (yet) use it but they are not very common. As as for the arguments that ssl security isn’t necessary for SEF and other “read-only” type web sites, that is perfectly true - but increasingly irrelevant. The message that “no https means you don’t value my security” is coming across the web loud and strong. Perception trumps everything, so no ssl certificate means risking lost business, like it or not. It’s not big brother, nor is it bullying. It’s a necessary way to protect the majority of naive internet surfers from the minority of ratbags who stalk the web looking for gaps to use to cause mayhem. Sad but true. As far as I am aware no browser, including chrome, yet actually block access to “insecure” sites, though it is true that google have suggested that might eventually happen. Returning to to the original issue, of seemingly random failures to reach the site. These are valid, and I don’t think they are actually related to anyone’s web browser, or the lack of an ssl certificate. I too have experienced it at different times. I can’t yet see a pattern, or anything in the visible code for the site to explain it though. My suspicion is that perhaps the (probably) basic server is sometimes unable to handle all requests within its capacity limits. It might well cost money to increase those limits, so I can understand a reluctance to fix it. Edited August 20, 2019 by Kiwi 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted August 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2019 Thanks, I'll think about it especially if they do end up dropping the max validity to 1 year. 90 days seems rather short, relying on 3rd party scripts to keep it valid is asking for trouble? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 25 minutes ago, Bucoops said: 90 days seems rather short, relying on 3rd party scripts to keep it valid is asking for trouble? If you're referring to Let's Encrypt, you don't need scripts, third party or otherwise, as LE renews the certs automatically. You do need port 80 open for this, which is a PITA if, like me, you have more than one server behind a NAT with port forwarding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted August 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2019 16 minutes ago, truffy said: If you're referring to Let's Encrypt, you don't need scripts, third party or otherwise, as LE renews the certs automatically. You do need port 80 open for this, which is a PITA if, like me, you have more than one server behind a NAT with port forwarding. I don't use it for websites though - but RDS (which does have a web page but that's just one part of it). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted August 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2019 I've just tried Google @11:00. It went straight to the site. What's the problem? Just an observation mind, turn that red down. OUCH! The site itself seems current, with the prices being updated in 7th January, 2019. Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyS Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 I have spoken to Dave Ellis today. He is aware that some customers are experiencing problems with the web site and it is under investigation. If anyone is having difficulties then he is quite happy for them to telephone him on 01342 824711 The best times are between 9.30am and 4.00pm. There is an answerphone in case he is not there. Just leave a message and he will get back to you. I see from his adverts that there is also an email address dave@sefinecast.co.uk Rodney 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted August 24, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 24, 2019 Very helpful Rodney. As I have mentioned earlier in this thread, you couldn't ask for a more helpful chap than Dave Ellis. If you are considering building a white metal kit for the first time then one of his kits would be ideal and he can supply all the other requirements or put you in contact with a man who can. Go on! have a go you will find it so rewarding and there are plenty of us out here to offer advice. Kind regards, Richard B 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 On 15/08/2019 at 23:42, Andy Hayter said: That is one way of looking at it. Another is to liken the website to trying to drive a tram down a motorway. Things have moved on and it seems the site has not. I accept that the owner is not an IT geek and does not want to be. I can fully empathise with that since that would be me as well, but I would find some geek who could drag my site into this decade if it were losing me sales - even if you cannot buy directly from the site - another piece of tram technology perhaps. Maybe he is happy with the current level of sales and doesnt want to increase them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 Like quite a few traders SEF seem not to feel the need for an all singing and dancing website, preferring the use traditional sales methods, which have served them well in the past 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted August 24, 2019 Administrators Share Posted August 24, 2019 13 minutes ago, royaloak said: Maybe he is happy with the current level of sales and doesnt want to increase them? No-one associated with SE Finecast is exactly a spring chicken. I doubt that a rapid rise in sales is something they could cope with. More to the point, no matter how much you spend on the website, whitemetal kits for locos aren't really a growth area. Weird people like me love them (sooo want to do the railcar, but not enough time), but the world has moved on sadly. Not everyone running a business wants to be like someone from The Apprentice. 4 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) Phil You are absolutely right, its a retail model that they understand and suits their method of trading. Edited August 24, 2019 by hayfield 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 Just now, Phil Parker said: No-one associated with SE Finecast is exactly a spring chicken. I doubt that a rapid rise in sales is something they could cope with. More to the point, no matter how much you spend on the website, whitemetal kits for locos aren't really a growth area. Weird people like me love them (sooo want to do the railcar, but not enough time), but the world has moved on sadly. Not everyone running a business wants to be like someone from The Apprentice. Indeed, I remember on a couple of thread people complaining/commenting on the fact they had placed an order (with various smaller suppliers) and hadnt had them delivered by a leggy blond virgin within 30 seconds of clicking the mouse! This might be a slight exaggeration but you get my drift. Just look at RailTec transfers, if I understand it right, he basically started making his own transfers for himself but then a few people asked if they could have some and it just snowballed from there, now he is inundated with orders and struggling to meet demand 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted August 24, 2019 Administrators Share Posted August 24, 2019 1 minute ago, royaloak said: Indeed, I remember on a couple of thread people complaining/commenting on the fact they had placed an order (with various smaller suppliers) and hadnt had them delivered by a leggy blond virgin within 30 seconds of clicking the mouse! 30 SECONDS?!?!?! I'm not waiting THAT long!!! I want the kit delivered INSTANTLY so I can add it to my cupboard of kits I'll get around to one day... 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 2 minutes ago, Phil Parker said: 30 SECONDS?!?!?! I'm not waiting THAT long!!! I want the kit delivered INSTANTLY so I can add it to my cupboard of kits I'll get around to one day... Just the one cupboard? Bloody amature! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted August 24, 2019 Administrators Share Posted August 24, 2019 Just now, royaloak said: Just the one cupboard? Bloody amature! It IS a 20ft shipping container... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
royaloak Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Phil Parker said: It IS a 20ft shipping container... Okay, you win that one! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 I have coveted the SEF W1. But I live in hope of an RTR version which will, almost inevitably, be superior to anything that I could build and, more to the point, paint. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted August 24, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 24, 2019 Go on Nigel that W1 is just waiting to be built! Kind regards, Richard B 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railtec-models Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) 23 hours ago, royaloak said: Indeed, I remember on a couple of thread people complaining/commenting on the fact they had placed an order (with various smaller suppliers) and hadnt had them delivered by a leggy blond virgin within 30 seconds of clicking the mouse! This might be a slight exaggeration but you get my drift. Just look at RailTec transfers, if I understand it right, he basically started making his own transfers for himself but then a few people asked if they could have some and it just snowballed from there, now he is inundated with orders and struggling to meet demand Thankfully most folks are decent, moral and understand the hugely disproportionate demand on a limited resource for an extremely niche product that doesn't just need specialist technical skills and broad/deep subject matter knowledge, but - to be done professionally - hugely expensive specialist equipment too. But we all know you do inevitably get the odd one or two who seem to somehow forget that many of these specialist small suppliers are created out of nothing, sustained and driven forward by individual entrepreneur-modellers for the like-minded masses, and often remain at the polar opposite end of the commercial spectrum from huge faceless Amazon-esque corporations. I did have to crack a belated smile when one individual had emailed in for the very first time at 11:30pm on a Friday and subsequently had a very public moan before lunchtime on Saturday how I "never respond to any of his emails" . I'm sure he later had better luck at Argos. But for the sake of clarity re the point of struggling to meet demand, this is true of requests/emails for new bespoke work, certainly. Orders for ready-made stock items on the web site almost always get sent out within 24hrs, orders for customisable packs e.g. "complete loco pack with your choice of number" typically within 2-3 days, sometimes even same day. Who knows, there may one day appear a tongue-in-cheek page on the web site about some of the, um, episodes that are part and parcel of working with the model railway community, references to individuals/etc obviously suitably disguised. It would be a long page . Edited August 25, 2019 by railtec-models 9 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted August 25, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2019 40 minutes ago, railtec-models said: I'm sure he later had better luck at Argos. Are Argos doing transfers now? Not long ago, they were doing Green Shield Stamps! Only joking Steve, only joking..... Ian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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