The Flat Earth Society

The Flat Earth Society => Announcements => Topic started by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 02:40:24 PM

Title: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 02:40:24 PM
Junker has kindly given me control of the tfes.org domain name, and I'm thinking of switching to it as our primary name. The main advantage is that it's shorter, although uncommon domain names sometimes scare people for inexplicable reasons too.

Specifically, we would have:

forum.tfes.org -- This forum.
wiki.tfes.org -- Flat Earth Wiki.
library.tfes.org -- Flat Earth Library.
www.tfes.org -- Homepage (CMS/blog, still being set up).
tfes.org -- Redirect to the forum, but probably eventually to the CMS/blog.

Any comments/suggestions? This is as much your site as it is mine, so I don't want to make a unilateral decision here.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Rama Set on December 03, 2013, 03:09:26 PM
I think the .org domain as well as a shorter url would both be boons. 

I say yes.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Saddam Hussein on December 03, 2013, 03:21:46 PM
Sounds good to me.  Given all the links we've posted on .org, though, we should make sure that the current URL redirects to tfes.org.  We don't want anyone following a dead link and getting confused.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 03:23:30 PM
Given all the links we've posted on .org, though, we should make sure that the current URL redirects to tfes.org.  We don't want anyone following a dead link and getting confused.

That goes without saying. I'm not Daniel.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Alchemist21 on December 03, 2013, 03:52:19 PM
Are the posts here going to transfer to tfes.org, or are the posts going to start from scratch again?
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 04:55:51 PM
Are the posts here going to transfer to tfes.org, or are the posts going to start from scratch again?

All content, including the posts, will remain the same. Only the domain will change.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Lemon on December 03, 2013, 05:01:08 PM
I think it's a better option for now. Hopefully we can get our hands on something nicer in the future.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Lemon on December 03, 2013, 05:02:37 PM
http://ie.godaddy.com/domains/searchresults-new.aspx?ci=54814

Any of these look nice? Just wondering, I wanted to check if .com was still 2000+. It is. But the others aren't too bad.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 03, 2013, 07:33:10 PM
Please do this. That's a way better url. Only downside is google ranks sites with the words 'flat' 'earth' and 'society' in the title higher, but .org will rank higher than .sjm.so

Thank you junker.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Lord Dave on December 03, 2013, 09:12:31 PM
Go for it. 
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 09:23:39 PM
I like the idea.



Please do this. That's a way better url. Only downside is google ranks sites with the words 'flat' 'earth' and 'society' in the title higher, but .org will rank higher than .sjm.so

Thank you junker.
I knew you'd thank me for this someday.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 09:27:10 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Lemon on December 03, 2013, 09:31:04 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.

I think it'd be better, but it might cause some confusion.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 10:04:24 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.

I think it'd be better, but it might cause some confusion.

Nothing a few forwarders and redirects can't fix.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Adolf Hipster on December 03, 2013, 10:04:42 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Is Daniel selling the forum/domain?
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Blanko on December 03, 2013, 10:06:26 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Is Daniel selling the forum/domain?

No.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Adolf Hipster on December 03, 2013, 10:07:00 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Is Daniel selling the forum/domain?

No.
Why is it up for auction, then? Or is it a different domain?
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Blanko on December 03, 2013, 10:07:54 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Is Daniel selling the forum/domain?

No.
Why is it up for auction, then? Or is it a different domain?

Yes.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Lemon on December 03, 2013, 10:08:32 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Is Daniel selling the forum/domain?

No.
Why is it up for auction, then? Or is it a different domain?

theflatearthsociety.org vs flatearthsociety.org
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Shane on December 03, 2013, 10:10:40 PM
Do it Parsifal.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Snupes on December 03, 2013, 10:52:28 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.

This would be awesome, if you could do it and the Parsman approves. I'd help if I had money at the moment, but I think something like that would be wonderful. :]
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 03, 2013, 11:08:28 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.
Don't go crazy, but really, that's the one to have. With that url, we'd be sorted.

Let us know how the bidding goes. Maybe a few of us can help if its not insane.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 11:10:01 PM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.

Seems like everyone else is in favour, so if you get that, I'll configure the web server to use it. My main concern would be the length, though; since I want to use subdomains for different sites, forum.flatearthsociety.org is getting quite long.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 11:12:40 PM
I just wanted it because it would be Thork's wet dream to have some prime SEO real estate.

It starts at $60USD.  I will throw down a bid.  Looks like it is open for 18 more days.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 11:16:41 PM
Looks like it is open for 18 more days.

I was hoping to have the domain issue sorted long before then.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 03, 2013, 11:17:34 PM
Its worth the wait.

We've loads to do in the mean time. Please lets go for that if its not extortionate.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 11:20:18 PM
Its worth the wait.

We've loads to do in the mean time. Please lets go for that if its not extortionate.

No, I'm just going to do absolutely nothing on this site for the next 18 days.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 11:21:45 PM
No, I'm just going to do absolutely nothing on this site for the next 18 days.

Pretty sure that is what Daniel said at one point...

I will put in a bid.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 03, 2013, 11:21:59 PM
Its worth the wait.

We've loads to do in the mean time. Please lets go for that if its not extortionate.

No, I'm just going to do absolutely nothing on this site for the next 18 days.
Suit yourself. That's twice as much as Daniel will be doing.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 03, 2013, 11:23:53 PM
I'm going to go ahead with the switch to tfes.org in the meantime. There's no sense waiting three weeks for a new domain we might not get.

In the event that we do get it, we can always switch again.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 11:25:23 PM
I'm going to go ahead with the switch to tfes.org in the meantime. There's no sense waiting three weeks for a new domain we might not get.

In the event that we do get it, we can always switch again.

I think this is the most prudent course of action.  I was just thinking in the long-term it may be beneficial to have flatearthsociety.org as our own.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: jroa on December 03, 2013, 11:37:25 PM
This sounds like a good idea.  I would hate for any one person to pay for something like that.  Perhaps we could have a drive in the mean time and try to get donations from members?
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 03, 2013, 11:49:10 PM
This sounds like a good idea.  I would hate for any one person to pay for something like that.  Perhaps we could have a drive in the mean time and try to get donations from members?

I think it would be great to get the community involved.  If that can't be done, then it is fine, I've got a few bucks.  I mean, I know I can't compete with sokarul, but I'm not starving.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: jroa on December 03, 2013, 11:59:52 PM
If only we had sokarul's retirement account available to us.  It would almost cover half of the opening bid. 
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 04, 2013, 12:05:35 AM
If only we had sokarul's retirement account available to us.  It would almost cover half of the opening bid. 
He's got more money than me and frankly his family line makes mine look like a line of homeless people.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Snupes on December 04, 2013, 01:09:55 AM
I see 'flatearthsociety.org' is up for auction.  Parsifal, I don't know how you feel about it, but I'd be happy to bid if people think it would be better.

Seems like everyone else is in favour, so if you get that, I'll configure the web server to use it. My main concern would be the length, though; since I want to use subdomains for different sites, forum.flatearthsociety.org is getting quite long.

The only thing is that it's handier, I think, to have a domain name that's quite obviously related to the FES. People are more likely to chance upon "flatearthsociety.org" than "tfes.org", and, like Thork said, it affects the Google rankings, which is important as well.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 04, 2013, 01:23:53 AM
The only thing is that it's handier, I think, to have a domain name that's quite obviously related to the FES. People are more likely to chance upon "flatearthsociety.org" than "tfes.org", and, like Thork said, it affects the Google rankings, which is important as well.

Sure, but we can redirect any number of domains (including flatearthsociety.org) to whichever one we choose as the primary domain. What I'm trying to work out at the moment is which domain should be the primary one, and I like tfes.org because it's short.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Excelsior John on December 04, 2013, 01:28:17 AM
Junker has kindly given me control of the tfes.org domain name, and I'm thinking of switching to it as our primary name. The main advantage is that it's shorter, although uncommon domain names sometimes scare people for inexplicable reasons too.

Specifically, we would have:

forum.tfes.org -- This forum.
wiki.tfes.org -- Flat Earth Wiki.
library.tfes.org -- Flat Earth Library.
www.tfes.org -- Homepage (CMS/blog, still being set up).
tfes.org -- Redirect to the forum, but probably eventually to the CMS/blog.

Any comments/suggestions? This is as much your site as it is mine, so I don't want to make a unilateral decision here.
Im sorey but those domains sound BOSS!!!!!!! I like the, a lot better much better and simpler names good one :D
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: DuckDodgers on December 04, 2013, 01:31:36 AM
Would it be bothersome to have the CMS on flatearthsociety and the forum on tfes?  This would also achieve the goal of the CMS ranking on Google easily right?
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Alchemist21 on December 04, 2013, 01:36:39 AM
If you can get flatearthsociety.org, then just redirect tfes.org to it.  That way everyone can still type in tfes in their browser to get here but the flatearthsociety.org link is what will show up on google and newcomers will see that site name and know what it is.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Snupes on December 04, 2013, 02:24:46 AM
The only thing is that it's handier, I think, to have a domain name that's quite obviously related to the FES. People are more likely to chance upon "flatearthsociety.org" than "tfes.org", and, like Thork said, it affects the Google rankings, which is important as well.

Sure, but we can redirect any number of domains (including flatearthsociety.org) to whichever one we choose as the primary domain. What I'm trying to work out at the moment is which domain should be the primary one, and I like tfes.org because it's short.

So, basically, will either make any difference from the other in terms of Google rankings and the like? 'Cause if redirecting one to the other will have the exact same effect, then I'm all for tfes.org.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 04, 2013, 02:29:45 AM
Would it be bothersome to have the CMS on flatearthsociety and the forum on tfes?  This would also achieve the goal of the CMS ranking on Google easily right?

That would be doable, but I'd really prefer to keep everything under one domain for simplicity.

If you can get flatearthsociety.org, then just redirect tfes.org to it.  That way everyone can still type in tfes in their browser to get here but the flatearthsociety.org link is what will show up on google and newcomers will see that site name and know what it is.

I would hope the big "The Flat Earth Society" logo at the top would communicate that.

So, basically, will either make any difference from the other in terms of Google rankings and the like? 'Cause if redirecting one to the other will have the exact same effect, then I'm all for tfes.org.

It shouldn't make a difference, especially if we're using meta keywords correctly (I'll have to check if SMF does, but BlazeBlogger definitely does).
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 04, 2013, 03:00:49 AM
I placed an initial bid of $60 for flatearthsociety.org.  I will keep an eye on it.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 04, 2013, 10:47:02 AM
The domain name has been switched over. By now, you'll have had to log in again. This can't be helped when dealing with software as brain-dead as SMF.

Let me know if you see any residual problems. I'll be keeping an eye on how much traffic is hitting the old domain, in case there's something I've missed.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Snupes on December 04, 2013, 10:49:23 AM
I had to log in again. I am boycotting this site and starting a new one.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: DuckDodgers on December 04, 2013, 12:16:50 PM
I tried logging in using my email address and it didn't work, said it wasn't a valid username.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Gayer on December 04, 2013, 12:55:18 PM
I had to log in again. I am boycotting this site and starting a new one.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Hoppy on December 05, 2013, 01:20:13 AM
The only thing is that it's handier, I think, to have a domain name that's quite obviously related to the FES. People are more likely to chance upon "flatearthsociety.org" than "tfes.org", and, like Thork said, it affects the Google rankings, which is important as well.

Sure, but we can redirect any number of domains (including flatearthsociety.org) to whichever one we choose as the primary domain. What I'm trying to work out at the moment is which domain should be the primary one, and I like tfes.org because it's short.
Tfes will be a household word before you know it.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 05, 2013, 10:03:37 PM
I placed an initial bid of $60 for flatearthsociety.org.  I will keep an eye on it.
how is it going?

Also, just an aside ... if we get flatearthsociety.org that would make for some pretty good e-mail addresses.

Would the administration consider say a david.thork@flatearthsociety.org?

A really nice thing to be able to give regulars but also

press.officer@flatearthsociety.org is someone that syndicated news outlets would take interest in.

thinking ahead, but a good domain would be a real boon for the society.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 05, 2013, 10:10:57 PM
I placed an initial bid of $60 for flatearthsociety.org.  I will keep an eye on it.
how is it going?

Also, just an aside ... if we get flatearthsociety.org that would make for some pretty good e-mail addresses.

Would the administration consider say a david.thork@flatearthsociety.org?

A really nice thing to be able to give regulars but also

press.officer@flatearthsociety.org is someone that syndicated news outlets would take interest in.

thinking ahead, but a good domain would be a real boon for the society.

Still a little over two weeks out, but I have the only bid.  I'd be happy to host e-mail unless Parsifal would rather.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: xasop on December 05, 2013, 10:12:53 PM
Still a little over two weeks out, but I have the only bid.  I'd be happy to host e-mail unless Parsifal would rather.

I will be setting up e-mail for tfes.org this weekend, and it'll be easier if I do the same for any other domains down the line. The reason I want to do it is that I want to change the e-mail address this forum sends from to something at tfes.org rather than my personal e-mail address, and thus want to manage the path of any return mail.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 05, 2013, 10:16:29 PM
Still a little over two weeks out, but I have the only bid.  I'd be happy to host e-mail unless Parsifal would rather.

I will be setting up e-mail for tfes.org this weekend, and it'll be easier if I do the same for any other domains down the line. The reason I want to do it is that I want to change the e-mail address this forum sends from to something at tfes.org rather than my personal e-mail address, and thus want to manage the path of any return mail.
I am good with that.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Snupes on December 06, 2013, 12:11:46 AM
I would love to have an FES email. :D
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Foxbox on December 06, 2013, 12:14:58 AM
I would love to have an FES email. :D

So would I.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 06, 2013, 12:22:41 AM
I think this is a good idea, maybe deserving of a separate thread.

I am thinking a charter member signup where the regs can get an e-mail.  Then, on a go-forward basis, noobs can earn theirs.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Thork on December 06, 2013, 05:18:13 PM
I think this is a good idea, maybe deserving of a separate thread.

I am thinking a charter member signup where the regs can get an e-mail.  Then, on a go-forward basis, noobs can earn theirs.
I'd make it part of the membership pack for those going forward. Its a nice easy and free thing to give away.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 06, 2013, 10:01:20 PM
This may make no difference but I went ahead and submitted http://tfes.org to Google using their Webmaster Tools.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 10, 2013, 03:48:00 AM
Update:

13 days left on the auction for flatearthsociety.org and I still have the only bid.  I expect a violent finish to the death where I end up losing hundreds of dollars.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: spoon on December 10, 2013, 03:56:26 AM
I will support you in any way except financially.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Benjamin Franklin on December 10, 2013, 06:24:09 AM
Update:

13 days left on the auction for flatearthsociety.org and I still have the only bid.  I expect a violent finish to the death where I end up losing hundreds of dollars.
inb4 Daniel snipes it in the last hour
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: Alchemist21 on December 10, 2013, 02:40:14 PM
Update:

13 days left on the auction for flatearthsociety.org and I still have the only bid.  I expect a violent finish to the death where I end up losing hundreds of dollars.
inb4 Daniel snipes it in the last hour
Daniel is bankrupt.  He doesn't have the money to go hundreds of dollars with Junker.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: juner on December 23, 2013, 02:36:44 AM
Apparently I am not familiar with how GoDaddy auctions are handled, but apparently it is shitty, like most of their services.  The auction ended about 8 hours ago.  I have been busy traveling and am at an airport where I can finally get an update.  They added 3 months to auction, presumable because it didn't meet a reserve or some other terrible rule.  Long story short is I doubt we are getting it.  I still have the only bid, although I am not sure how that is still valid after the auction ended and they extended it.
Title: Re: Comments wanted: Switching domain to tfes.org
Post by: NewSeeker on June 13, 2014, 12:40:37 AM
Is this now the main site?