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BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues

Posted by Va'al May 26, 2015 at 5:56pm CDT 24,987 views
Events Collectors' Club News
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It appears that the team over at BotCon have been trying to finally open their registration pages for the 2015 event in St Charles, Illinois on June 18th-21st - but have encountered an endless run of bad luck and technical issues.

We were directed here to register, both attendee and non-attendee packages and were told that the link will be active until June 5th. What follows below is a series of updates, ending with the confirmation that registration will be attempted tomorrow.

Hello Everyone!

BotCon registration is now open until June 5, for attending and non-attending. Please use the registration link at BotCon.com.

See you in St. Charles!

Brian


We apologize!
We have temporarily turned off the 2015 BotCon Registration due to the load issue.
We are working with the service company to correct this problem.

Everyone is in the same situation, only a couple went through,
so it will basically it will be a re-start when turned back on.
We apologize for the issues,

Brian


Well to add insult to injury, we just learned that Authorize.net has gone down as well.

This is not because of our system, just a system wide issue.

We will try as soon as they come back up.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


We are watching AN's (credit card processor) status feed to see when they resolve their system wide outage. If they are not back online by 4:30 central time today. We will wait until tomorrow to start registration.

I'll advise when we have a status change.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


We are trying again. The credit card processor Authorize.net is back up.

It may take 5 minutes for the servers to spool back up to handle the load but I have made the time out for the registration 20 minutes so that should solve that potential issue.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


In fixing the scaling issue, the programmer broke the packages for the event so we have to try again tomorrow. We are very frustrated with the programming company too!

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


We are trying again. The credit card processor Authorize.net is back up.

It may take 5 minutes for the servers to spool back up to handle the load but I have made the time out for the registration 20 minutes so that should solve that potential issue.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


In fixing the scaling (server load) issue, the programmer broke the packages for the event so we have to try again tomorrow. We are very frustrated with the programming company too!

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian


Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!

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Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Counterpunch May 26, 2015
Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!


What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug. >:oP
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by SW's SilverHammer May 26, 2015
Counterpunch wrote:
Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!


What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug. >:oP


This is the best pot i've seen for awhile, it feels like something the Nihilist Arby's twitter would post :lol:
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by MartianSpyGirl1996 May 26, 2015
I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Autobot_Crossfire May 27, 2015
Poor Brian.
:HEADHURTS:
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by morphobots May 27, 2015
MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved


Except it's like Counterpunch said; it's par for the course, every single stinkin' time. We're used to it.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Henry921 May 27, 2015
SW's SilverHammer wrote:This is the best pot i've seen for awhile


Well, don't just stand there, man. Roll one.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Rated X May 27, 2015
I never got it and I still dont get it...

Why does only THEIR website have problems ? Maybe they should just contract the whole registration process to BBTS or someone with a website that never breaks...

F**k it, im not going anyways and dont even want the entire box set.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by MartianSpyGirl1996 May 27, 2015
morphobots wrote:
MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved


Except it's like Counterpunch said; it's par for the course, every single stinkin' time. We're used to it.

If anything that makes me more pissed off ya know. I can't believe they still have their license after a decade of this, when Glenn was canned after 2 Cons when he A.) had a full time job doing something else (so he was just a fan putting on a fan convention), B.) was a one man show (he was doing everything by himself verses FunPubs team), and C.) Hasbro took forever to approve Sentinal Maximus which is why it wan't at the show, and the plates weren't his fault either. FunPub in my eyes is a bigger trainwreck... if Glenn was given a few more years we would all be attending a MUCH better show than the ones we are now

That was wordier than I anticipated... guess I got on a roll!
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Seibertron May 27, 2015
Counterpunch wrote:
Va'al wrote:Feel free to let us know what you make of this series of unfortunate events in the Seibertron Energon Pub, and we will keep you updated as soon as some news makes itself known about registration!


What is there to say at this point?

I'm not being ugly about it, but there's no more shock, indignation, or disappointment for me to express.

This is what we have. This is what we have had. It doesn't change from year to year.

I've tried to contribute my voice to the whole ordeal, much like others have, to no effect.

So I just shrug. >:oP


Planned attendance at BotCon also puts a personal investment into this. People are who aren't attending aren't going to care as much. It's easier to just shrug when you aren't attending.

As a programmer who has developed and programmed hundreds of e-commerce/shopping cart, event module, and multimedia websites over the past 15 years, I can assure all of you that the 4 primary websites associated with Fun Publications (both Club websites and both event websites) are relatively easy to program. There is nothing overly complex going on with BotCon registration website. I'm sure other programmers out there would be happy to back this statement up.

Either the development company has fooled Fun Pub into thinking that this is complex, or Fun Pub believes it is complex (which is a fair statement to make for people who work outside of the world of programming) which the development company is flat-out taking advantage of.

If you're reading what I wrote and you're thinking, "No Ryan, it really is complex. You just don't understand how complex it is." then that is where the problem lies and there is no helping. However, I assure all of you and everyone at Fun Pub that this is not relatively complex.

Regardless, the "event registration" website for BotCon is ultimately just a customized shopping cart module with specialized rules. If "Item #1" is placed in the cart, the customer can also purchase Items #2, #3, #5, and #9 (for example). Item #11 can only be purchased if Items #2, #4, or #9 are placed in the cart. Setting up the rules is the only time-consuming part, but not from a programming stand point. The rules should all be easily managed from an admin tool that the client can control.

I'm offering to help them resolve these issues. I would be happy to provide consultation, point them in the right direction, and if no solution is available or affordable, then I might be willing to toss my hat into the ring to resolve their problems with their websites. I'm sure between my associates and other people in the Transformers and GI Joe fandoms that a solution can be found. They just need to reach out to the communities who are passionate about these brands and ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

Albert Einstein said it best and, unfortunately, it really applies to these ongoing problems with Fun Pub's websites ...

Albert Einstein wrote:The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Sabrblade May 27, 2015
Well, I don't know about any of us, but TFU.info is seemingly had enough with Fun Pub's shenanigans and is putting the hammer down.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 3997501476
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Seibertron May 27, 2015
Sabrblade wrote:Well, I don't know about any of us, but TFU.info is seemingly had enough with Fun Pub's shenanigans and is putting the hammer down.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 3997501476


Does anyone have a video of the GI Joe Collectors Club panel at this year's JoeCon? My post above is in specific response to a comment Brian made to a question at the end of the panel. He made a statement about how this isn't their fault, how the website is really unique and complicated, and that no one has ever stepped forward to offer to help them resolve these problems. I thought I had in the past (but maybe my offer to help was buried amongst criticism during heated moments), so now I want to take a different approach with this and let everyone else know that I'm offering to help. I want to be part of the solution to this. I'm sure there are other programmers out there who could also help and would be honored to help. We could make a lot of people happy and could potentially help Fun Pub make a lot more money. Both can and should go hand in hand. I want them to be successful so that we can continue to get really cool things out of all of this.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by MartianSpyGirl1996 May 27, 2015
There have been plenty of programmers to offer fixes, FOR FREE, but they explicitly turn them down. I think FunPub has fun dry fucking their consumers. It's sick.

Registration went back up and back down again in a matter of minutes this morning. They're a terrible company. Could you imagine if Amazon did this? People would completely boycott.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Delicon May 27, 2015
The application has crashed after no registrations have been processed. We will go back to the programming serving company. We are very upset as well and will be taking action.

We will have registration. I know you are worried and we understand.

I am sorry for any issues this has caused.

Brian
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by morphobots May 27, 2015
MartianSpyGirl1996 wrote:There have been plenty of programmers to offer fixes, FOR FREE, but they explicitly turn them down. I think FunPub has fun dry **** their consumers. It's sick.

Registration went back up and back down again in a matter of minutes this morning. They're a terrible company. Could you imagine if Amazon did this? People would completely boycott.


Unfortunately, that is what may (and usually does) have to happen to effect change. People have to vote with their wallets. Until the con is threatened financially there will be no incentive for change. The risk is Hasbro deciding to pull the plug altogether over that, which I think is what would happen, citing not enough return on the investment. But this hassle combined with the sticker shock has made me personally decide to stop attending. I am going this year because it is finally back within driving distance for me and I miss being able to attend, but it is no longer as much fun as it used to be. I don't care about area tours, I don't care about casino nights, I don't care about awards dinners. I care about my hobby and interacting with fellow fans, and FunPub is making that excruciatingly difficult.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by Delicon May 27, 2015
Those who think there hasn't been outrage aren't reading the same posts I have. Now for me, a lot of it is coming from private FB groups but it is definitely there.

When it comes to people from Seibertron.com, I have been to more BotCons than all but a few people, especially consecutive BotCons having gone e every year since 2007.

So, to answer the criticism of "this happens every year" - well, no. The last time I remember them having a registration that was so late was quite a few years ago, whichever year it was that they went to online registration in the first place. Does that mean that FunPub hasn't had a bunch of other missteps along the way? Of course not, and a lot of it IS technology related. However, if you have gone to the show year after year as I have, you'll realize that these folks do put together a great overall event.

I definitely agree with Seibertron however that seeking some better technology help would be a great idea.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by megatronus May 27, 2015
It's not just that this is expected (which, sadly, it is), but what really gets me is everything surrounding it. The already late registration. The lack of basic QA or testing before go-live. The continued deflection to their vendor, as if the vendor is at the heart of the problem.

Honestly, I'm embarrassed for the Club.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by megatronus May 27, 2015
@ 1:37pm EST:
Brian wrote:They have spooled it up as fast as they can go. Hopefully this works or we will look at a totally different alternative. Last shot on this system.

Again I am sorry for any issues this has caused and this in no way should reflect on the brand,

Brian

It's a bit too late for that. :-(
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by SW's SilverHammer May 27, 2015
Even though Seibertron is willing to help, I don't think the club wants any help. If they wanted help for an issue they couldn't fix or alternatively understand on their own, they would've sought it by now, and this would've been a non issue. Like literally a non issue, this conversation would not be happening. Granted the club's QC is moot at best. Yes I'm using that word right, moot means debatable.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by MartianSpyGirl1996 May 27, 2015
Delicon wrote:Those who think there hasn't been outrage aren't reading the same posts I have. Now for me, a lot of it is coming from private FB groups but it is definitely there.

When it comes to people from Seibertron.com, I have been to more BotCons than all but a few people, especially consecutive BotCons having gone e every year since 2007.

So, to answer the criticism of "this happens every year" - well, no. The last time I remember them having a registration that was so late was quite a few years ago, whichever year it was that they went to online registration in the first place. Does that mean that FunPub hasn't had a bunch of other missteps along the way? Of course not, and a lot of it IS technology related. However, if you have gone to the show year after year as I have, you'll realize that these folks do put together a great overall event.

I definitely agree with Seibertron however that seeking some better technology help would be a great idea.

I've gone to BotCon consecutively since 2000, when 3H was in full swing. I witnessed Glenn's unfair downfall at the hands of a lackadaisical Hasbro, and I've seen FunPub fuck up since day one by not providing half the things they promised to do the first week in the entire first year. If it's not this, it's that. If it's not one thing, it's another. They took over in 2005... online registration should have been done straight off the bat. They are utterly incompetent.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Delayed Due to Several Technical Issues (view post)
Comment by -Soundwave- May 27, 2015
I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.




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