Elan Registry: Looking for a new owner/admin

[Unibrain]

I started the Lotus Elan Registry because of a post on this list in 2004. Over the last 10 years there have been 760 cars entered in the registry from all over the world. I've enjoyed building the registry and exchanging at least a passing email with every one of those Elan owners.

Another thing has happening over that time. I've lost the passion for the registry and it has stagnated. There are a list of things that could be done to make the registry more useful to the community but I'm not the one to do it.
I've enjoyed giving back to the Elan community and now it is time to pass this on to someone else.

Things to know:
The code is mostly PHP with a MYSQL backend and documentation is poor. The site is hosted out of my personal domain space and the domain registration expires at the end of 2014. We could leave the hosting as is or move it to another host.

If anyone is interested in maintaining the registry please let me know.

Jim

[gherlt]

Hello Jim,
you can count on me.
I do some PHP on Mysql, professional databases, and more or less professional prototypes.
Final web sites are done by others.

What are you looking for ? What are your suggestions for the web ?

Regards

Guillermo

[Ross Robbins]

Jim,

Thanks for your dedication and persistence to getting the world's Elans registered. While I understand your weariness in continuing the task, you have my immense gratitude for getting it up and running.

I am hopelessly incompetent to manage a database but I am willing to assist anyone who is so inclined in contacting and verifying any new registrants. After all how many can there be?

Ross Robbins

[Unibrain]

Ross - Thanks for the kind words. I consider the Registry a community activity. I am just the administrator. You and others have been the brain behind the content.

What are you looking for ? What are your suggestions for the web ?

There are are a couple of things that are on the long overdue pending list.
- The DB structure is centered around owners not cars. Because of this it is hard to maintain the history of cars across owners. This will require a rethink of not only the data structure but of the UI
- Allow multiple photos to be uploaded. Delete disconnected photos
- Better/more data entry validation. I contact about a 1 of 10 of new entries because of something that looks strange
- auto include some of the factory information for a car if it is available.
- periodic notes to the owners to verify the information.

Those are my thoughts but I'm sure the group at large has their priorities.

Jim

[gherlt]

Hello jim,
I agree that the centerpart of the database should be the cars, and the history (owners, dealer) of the carsis important. Based on my *wishlist*, optionally there should be a repositary of original specs, caracteristics, changes, restorations:
what, when, by whom, how, ...

Maybe: races, rallies, concours, famous owners, interesting facts

Next question
Although in case of the original elite, all was published in a book, i would not have accessible to the general public.
I would suggest three levels of information
Publicly available, registered/verified members only, owner only

Original spec could be available to all
All avaible to reg./verified members, unless owner specifies data as "private"
May be the owner could specify what he wants to publish openly, or restricted or private

Just for thought. Could you send a dumpfile of the db ?

Regards
Guillermo

[Unibrain]

Could you send a dumpfile of the db

PM Sent with the latest backup

[mac5777]

Hello Jim, We go way back. I followed your 66 yellow Lotus Elan Coupe restoration every step of the way of your. I restored my 66 Elan coupe and took advantage of your detailed instructions with great success.
The West Coast Lotus Meet will be in Lake Tahoe this Oct. 2~5. It would be great to see both cars at the same event. (for the first time)
Again, thanks for all of your work over the years on the Registry.

Sarto

[Unibrain]

Sarto,

I definitely remember working at the same time during our restorations.

This your the WCLM is the same weekend my family gets together and attends the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It's been our fall tradition for about 20 years.

Has there been any rumors on the 2015 WCLM?

Jim

[Tahoe]

What ever happened to this? I tried to access the registry today with no luck.

[Mazzini]

The site has been down for a few days.

[Unibrain]

Oops. I'll look into this in the next day or so. I'm traveling and have limited access to a computer

Jim

[Unibrain]

Things should be working now.

[gjz30075]

Jim, great job on the registry. Have you found a new owner?

Also, how do edit my information in the Registry? I'm logged in, I can get to my car, but I don't see a way
to change things, or add pic.

Thanks,

Greg Z

[TroonSprint]

Greg, I've just updated my entry. Here's what you do. Log on, then press My Account. You should see your car listed. Press on the little pencil logo to the left of the entry. All recorded details now come up and you can edit them. To change the photo just browse a new one and it will be replaced. When you are done press Update Car at the bottom. Done!

Mike

[gjz30075]

All recorded details now come up and you can edit them.

Mike

Mike, the only thing that comes up is my personal info and a chance to change my password. There is
an "edit account" button at the bottom but when clicked, I get a "url not loading" message.