BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt
Monday, May 25th, 2015 4:50AM CDT
Categories: Event News, People News, Collector's Club NewsPosted by: Va'al Views: 30,480
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The official BotCon website has been updated with two more guest announcements for the event, from the designing and artistic branches of the franchise: Takara Tomy/Hall of Fame designer Kojin Ono and Transformers Animated vision Derrick J Wyatt! Head here to find out more, and find a snippet below.
Also included are two videos showing the new registration system (opening this Tuesday!), which have been embedded below.
Also included are two videos showing the new registration system (opening this Tuesday!), which have been embedded below.
We are thrilled to welcome two design legends of Transformers brand history, Takara-Tomy designer and Hall of Fame honoree Kojin Ono and the Art Director for Transformers Animated, Derrick J Wyatt. Click the guests link along the left to read about our final two amazing guests!
Credit(s): BotCon
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Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690740)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 2:45pm CDT
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 2:45pm CDT
It's a large load it seems.
As soon as it was up.....
It was down.
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
As soon as it was up.....
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
It was down.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690745)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 2:48pm CDT
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 2:48pm CDT
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690755)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:10pm CDT
This is kinda what it looks like too. LOL
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:10pm CDT
This is kinda what it looks like too. LOL
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690760)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:21pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:21pm CDT
Good!
More delays = more time for me to save up.
More delays = more time for me to save up.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690768)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:39pm CDT
No idea how long that will take...
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:39pm CDT
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
No idea how long that will take...
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690773)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:49pm CDT
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:49pm CDT
Well those lucky like 5 tops who registered will be the few who attend at this rate XD. Oh Funpub.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690774)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:52pm CDT
Someone mentioned on facebook that it took AN seven hours to fix the issue last time..
trying again
And down again.
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 3:52pm CDT
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
Someone mentioned on facebook that it took AN seven hours to fix the issue last time..
trying again
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
And down again.
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
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690795)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 26th, 2015 @ 4:49pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 26th, 2015 @ 4:49pm CDT
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
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690799)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 4:56pm CDT
Seems it's down for today.
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 26th, 2015 @ 4:56pm CDT
When the host extended the server capacity, somehow the package information in the application was lost
Seems it's down for today.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690815)
Posted by Va'al on May 26th, 2015 @ 5:56pm CDT
Posted by Va'al on May 26th, 2015 @ 5:56pm CDT
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.
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!
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!
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690914)
Posted by Counterpunch on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:46pm CDT
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.
Posted by Counterpunch on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:46pm CDT
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.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690917)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:50pm CDT
This is the best pot i've seen for awhile, it feels like something the Nihilist Arby's twitter would post
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 26th, 2015 @ 10:50pm CDT
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.
This is the best pot i've seen for awhile, it feels like something the Nihilist Arby's twitter would post
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690926)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 26th, 2015 @ 11:05pm CDT
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 26th, 2015 @ 11:05pm CDT
I'm surprised there's not more bitching... it's rather deserved
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690942)
Posted by Autobot_Crossfire on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:14am CDT
Posted by Autobot_Crossfire on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:14am CDT
Poor Brian.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690955)
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:35am CDT
Except it's like Counterpunch said; it's par for the course, every single stinkin' time. We're used to it.
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:35am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690957)
Posted by Henry921 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37am CDT
Well, don't just stand there, man. Roll one.
Posted by Henry921 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1690997)
Posted by Rated X on May 27th, 2015 @ 5:40am CDT
Posted by Rated X on May 27th, 2015 @ 5:40am CDT
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.
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691039)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:41am CDT
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!
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:41am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691071)
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:44am CDT
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 ...
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:44am CDT
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.
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691077)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:53am CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:53am CDT
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
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 3997501476
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691089)
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:07am CDT
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.
Posted by Seibertron on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:07am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691102)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:34am CDT
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 10:34am CDT
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.
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691123)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:08am CDT
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:08am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691127)
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:13am CDT
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.
Posted by morphobots on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:13am CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691137)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:28am CDT
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 11:28am CDT
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.
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691159)
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:39pm CDT
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:39pm CDT
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.
Honestly, I'm embarrassed for the Club.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691160)
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:41pm CDT
Posted by megatronus on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:41pm CDT
@ 1:37pm EST:
It's a bit too late for that.
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691161)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:49pm CDT
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 27th, 2015 @ 12:49pm CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691166)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT
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.
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT
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 Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691168)
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT
Posted by -Soundwave- on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:07pm CDT
I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
Got my package.
Got my package.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691174)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:14pm CDT
So... yeah.
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:14pm CDT
Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
So... yeah.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691176)
Posted by mooncake623 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:19pm CDT
Wait so they're blaming their vendor who is actually his own company? what? wtf?
Posted by mooncake623 on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:19pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
So... yeah.
Wait so they're blaming their vendor who is actually his own company? what? wtf?
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691181)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:23pm CDT
Authorize.net is who they're blaming.
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:23pm CDT
mooncake623 wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
So... yeah.
Wait so they're blaming their vendor who is actually his own company? what? wtf?
Authorize.net is who they're blaming.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691187)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT
Others are saying it's finally up and running, having registered successfully.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691188)
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:36pm CDT
It appears that after a number of several further misplacements, pre-registration for the 2015 BotCon event may finally have stabilised enough to at least process Attendee packages. In the past couple of hours, the following string of messages have been sent by FunPub, and received by potential convention goers.
And finally, about an hour ago:
What say you, Seibertronians - have you been able to pre-register your spot at BotCon 2015? Any further comments on the situation?
Good morning,
We have now turned the registration system back on. We have been assured once again that it will work this time under load. It may take a few minutes for successive servers to spool up so I have made the time out 20 minutes. This will keep items in your cart until you finish or the registration times out.
I am sorry for any issues this has caused.
Brian
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
I apologize for the errors our vendor continues to cause us. Since they are our vendor, we take complete responsibility. We are going to try one more time with this system. They are doubling the servers we will be starting with from the last round.
To lighten the load slightly, we will only start with Attending packages. We have Non-attending sets and loose sets set aside for you guys and will allow Non-attending registrations after the load is past for the attending items. The Non-attending packages are turned off so there is no way you can pick one. Please wait until we give you the go-ahead.
If for whatever reason this system fails again, we will do registration a completely different way which is a semi manual system.
Registration retry email coming in a bit.
I am sorry for any issues this has caused,
Brian
And finally, about an hour ago:
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
What say you, Seibertronians - have you been able to pre-register your spot at BotCon 2015? Any further comments on the situation?
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691189)
Posted by SilentScream on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37pm CDT
Posted by SilentScream on May 27th, 2015 @ 1:37pm CDT
Clicking Non-Attending for registration appears to not be working altogether. It just sends me back to the start over and over again. I've been at it on and off since I got the most recent e-mail from Brian @ FunPub saying registration is up.
I can go through the whole process as an attending package but no dice with non-attending.
I sent them an e-mail about it.
Has anyone else tried? Attending Botcon since 2002 (minus 2010 and this year), I know it has its problems over the last decade for sure, no rose tinted glasses for me...but unfortunately Botcon is starting to lose a bit of its charm.
I can go through the whole process as an attending package but no dice with non-attending.
I sent them an e-mail about it.
Has anyone else tried? Attending Botcon since 2002 (minus 2010 and this year), I know it has its problems over the last decade for sure, no rose tinted glasses for me...but unfortunately Botcon is starting to lose a bit of its charm.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691210)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:17pm CDT
Bingo! And as stated, many programmers have offered to help for years... insanity by definition is doing the same thing expecting a different outcome. Only FunPub can be blamed. You go with cheap, you get dodgy results... I mean that's business 101
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:17pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Eventman.com is owned by Brian Savage, and is the same domain through which all of the online registrations of prior years have been done.Sustain wrote:I don't think it's up to Funpub. They're using Eventman, and you'd have to be in with Eventman.
So... yeah.
Bingo! And as stated, many programmers have offered to help for years... insanity by definition is doing the same thing expecting a different outcome. Only FunPub can be blamed. You go with cheap, you get dodgy results... I mean that's business 101
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691218)
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:29pm CDT
Non-attending is not open yet.
Posted by Va'al on May 27th, 2015 @ 2:29pm CDT
SilentScream wrote:Clicking Non-Attending for registration appears to not be working altogether. It just sends me back to the start over and over again. I've been at it on and off since I got the most recent e-mail from Brian @ FunPub saying registration is up.
I can go through the whole process as an attending package but no dice with non-attending.
I sent them an e-mail about it.
Has anyone else tried? Attending Botcon since 2002 (minus 2010 and this year), I know it has its problems over the last decade for sure, no rose tinted glasses for me...but unfortunately Botcon is starting to lose a bit of its charm.
Non-attending is not open yet.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691337)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:37pm CDT
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 8:37pm CDT
Registration is down again as they're having issues with the credit cards... so anybody who waited for tonight after work will need to wait until tomorrow... again. You also can't get the first day pin anymore, either
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691359)
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:25pm CDT
Posted by Delicon on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:25pm CDT
My friend eventually did get in tonight after a lot of trying so you should try again
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691362)
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:33pm CDT
It was down for a couple hours but is back up now. They originally said the morning.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=981859518521174&id=247519665288500
Posted by MartianSpyGirl1996 on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:33pm CDT
Delicon wrote:My friend eventually did get in tonight after a lot of trying so you should try again
It was down for a couple hours but is back up now. They originally said the morning.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=981859518521174&id=247519665288500
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691368)
Posted by It Is Him on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:39pm CDT
Posted by It Is Him on May 27th, 2015 @ 9:39pm CDT
Looks like I'm going AND I'm getting the customization class fully-assembled toy, too. I get why people are upset at Funpub, but like CounterPunch says, this happens every year. In some ways, it's part of the experience.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691593)
Posted by Va'al on May 28th, 2015 @ 11:46am CDT
Posted by Va'al on May 28th, 2015 @ 11:46am CDT
This just in from BotCon headquarters: registration for non-attendees is now open! Head over to the official website to register for your bits and bots to be sent to you at home, if you cannot make it to the event in person. More information provided below and on the site - read on.
Hello Everyone!
Non-Attending registration is now open. There is a limited number of non-attending sets available. When we run out, at a later date we will load the leftover attending sets (if available) into non-attending as we must keep those in stock for fans that want to travel to the event.
So, if you don't get a non-attending set now, we will let you know in the future when (if any) additional sets become available.
These sets will ship 3-4 weeks after the staff returns from BotCon. Also, note that the Priority Mail number of days listed in the shipping section is the service the Post Office offers and not a guarantee that the items will come in that number of days. All Priority Mail is a 2-5 day service and can actually take longer than that.
Please go to BotCon.com and click the registration button.
Thanks for your support!
Brian
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691639)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:51pm CDT
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:51pm CDT
Just tried to register as non-attending. The site is currently "down for maintenance." Seriously, what's going on this year?
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691641)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:55pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 1:55pm CDT
Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691643)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:11pm CDT
Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:11pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.
Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691651)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:33pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:33pm CDT
Earlier this afternoon. Maybe two hours ago or so. Only recently had a chance to post about my registering.Wolfman Jake wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.
Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691655)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:38pm CDT
That makes sense. Registration is still down as I write this reply.
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 28th, 2015 @ 2:38pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:Earlier this afternoon. Maybe two hours ago or so. Only recently had a chance to post about my registering.Wolfman Jake wrote:Sabrblade wrote:Registered. Attending Primus package and assembled class figure.
Sabre, when did you register? I just checked again and I got the same maintenance error message.
That makes sense. Registration is still down as I write this reply.
Re: BotCon 2015 Registration Videos and Guest Update - Kojin Ono and Derrick J Wyatt (1691705)
Posted by Tranzilla on May 28th, 2015 @ 4:04pm CDT
Posted by Tranzilla on May 28th, 2015 @ 4:04pm CDT
