Update Tuesday September 5, 2017 from your webmaster in Bangalore India
Yes, that's right, your webmaster is currently in Bangalore. No, we didn't outsource the website reboot, lol.
I installed the extension that allows us to manage paid memberships and you to log in & access your profile. I need a day or two to configure it, and import your data that we transferred from the old site. So you may see the log in menu at right, but don't be alarmed if your userid doesn't work quite yet. I apologize for the delay.
Welcome to the new Oregon Bears website
The club's Board of Directors voted in July that it was time to refresh the club's website. The old site had become outdated, and some features were starting to malfunction. We also found a way to improve site performance and security while at the same time reducing the hosting and registration costs; this allows us to use your precious membership dollars more prudently.
The old site was running on archaic back-end Content Management software that was no longer supported. However, the current site (including the page you are reading now) functions on the modern-era versions that allow the site to serve you whether you browse via your smartphone, tablet, or desktop browser. And the value of the increased security that comes from up-to-date software can't be overstated.
A work in progress
Because we're completely rebuilding the entire site and replicating content from the ground up, we are taking a 1-2-3 approach. In other words, the first order of business was to get the new site running on the new host, no small feat. The next steps are to install the membership management package that lets you log in, see your profile, and all that (your personal information is encrypted and secure, by the way). After that, the goal is to install the events and calendars component so we can spread the word of what's happening in Portlandia and the Pacific Northwest. Our volunteer webmaster estimates that these next steps will be complete by mid-September. Can he pull it off, or is he dreaming? Time will tell.
Your feedback is very useful
How is this font size? Readable? Too small? What are your thoughts on the site? What features would be useful and valuable to you? We want this site to serve our members in the best way possible, and at the same time we need to keep it simple enough that our volunteer webmasters can maintain the site with a reasonable amount of time and effort. We're grateful if you would click here to send us your suggestions and comments.
Other new features
Once we get the membership and calendar components up and running, we have some other new features in mind for the new site. First in line is an expanded shop feature, where we offer not only club merchandise, but affiliate links to places you probably already buy your gear. What happens is, if you're already going to shop X and we have an affiliation with them, the club gets a nice thank-you from the shop if we send you to them from the Oregon Bears website. Same price on your end, and a little breathing room in the General Fund on our end, a win-win!
Watch for announcements as we make progress in continuing to develop the new site!