Updating the Ameraucana Alliance Website

[Becky J Pelton]

Mike this is the reply to your comment.   I had to call Rebecca and Laura to figure out to locate the section I wanted to see.   Example :  you can not reach the forum from the page that Google directs you to.  If you try to enter the forum page it says "Error"
That means you have to navigate to the website and scroll down until you find the "Ameraucana Forum".

Once you enter the forum you have to search through other pages until you reach the correct forum you want to read or comment on.   

It would also be nice to be able to navigate using a phone.  Unfortunately I don't own a computer but an iPad.  They are lighter weigh and have the same operating system as a larger computer.  The issues with the smaller screens is you don't see as much of the screen as you do with a laptop or hard drive computer.  Most websites I an able to choose the screen layout so I can see everything using my phone or iPad

I have spoken to several new members that are having the same difficulty as I have.  I feel there are newer layouts that would make this site easier to navigate.   

When was the last time this website layout was updated ?  We now have younger member that are not even able to access this site without a calling Rebecca. 

The reason I don't use this forum is because it's frustrating to use.  After clicking around for 10 minutes trying to find information that I need I just close out the website and contact another member to post for me.

[Mike Gilbert]

All I can tell you, Becky, is that I use a desktop computer and have the address for this forum set as a favorite place.  So all I have to do is click on the link that I keep readily available at all times.  I never log out, but stay logged in continually.  That said, I never use Google, but a different search engine called DuckDuckGo - because it doesn't track what I'm doing like Google does.   I'm probably one of the most computer illiterate people in the club (82 next month) and I don't experience the problems you and apparently others are having.  The one thing that does bother me a little is I have to reduce the pixel size of photos in order to post them - something not needed on Facebook.  Even that feature has been improved over what it was originally.
As far as sections - there are only five and they are clearly labeled.  I see the entire list as soon as I arrive at the site.   So maybe the problems have to do with the type of device being used?
This website was set up gratis by a friend of one of our members I believe, and I don't think he was a professional web designer, but I could be wrong.   Do you know of someone who could do a better job for us for free or a very nominal cost?   There is a lot of valuable historical information embedded here, and we certainly would not want to lose it, so all previous posts would have to be transferred to any new website.
Some of the positive features we currently enjoy are a search function where you can list any topic and bring up past posts that deal with it.  Also, it reveals all posts since the last visit.   We can choose font size.  We have a selection of emojis.    We can make attachments to our posts.  Maybe others can reply with things they like or dislike.  The Board of Directors will have to discuss this and try to come up with a solution. 

[Becky J Pelton]

I will see if I can find someone that is willing to take a look at this site.  There may be a way to tweak this site without loosing information that is currently here. You are correct there is a lot of information that you do not want to loose. 
Thank you for the quick reply

[Russ Blair]

Becky, I believe Rebeccah has always sent out an email that contains a generic welcome letter and a temporary password that allows each member to access the forum. Our website doesn't require any password and can easily be reached at Ameruacana.org. Rebecca has been in charge of our membership since 2017, if my memory is correct. So, i cannot really speak about any issues logging in or accessing our forum because i have not been involved, well until i took over these duties on October 1, 2025.

I am aware of an issue with our AmeraucanaAlliance.org landing page that will not relay anyone to our forum when you click on the forum option. Brian Bailey was made aware of it, and he will hopefully find a fix for it, last I knew he couldn't explain why it wasn't working.

The problem with redoing the website and forum is finding the qualified volunteers that have the man hours to commit to doing it. I surely do not have the programming skills to undertake such task. There were actually some previous directors that were asked to look into this very topic when one of them mentioned this very idea and unfortunately it never went anywhere. Or at least i never heard of any changes or progress they made. Last thing I think anyone wants is someone messing under the hood and then walking away with it unfinished. I openly admit that I do not possess the know how to do any of that and fear what could happen if its not done correctly.

[John W Blehm]

...you can not reach the forum from the page that Google directs you to.  If you try to enter the forum page it says "Error"
That means you have to navigate to the website and scroll down until you find the "Ameraucana Forum".

Once you enter the forum you have to search through other pages until you reach the correct forum you want to read or comment on...

Thanks for pointing out the link that isn't working. I've emailed the director in charge, with a copy to Russ, about the problem. It is an easy fix and he should take care of it. I've also reminded them, again, that there is a newer version of this forum and it should be updated, not that that would necessarily include any of the changes you propose.
Once you are on the forum, the Search option is the tool to find topics. Use a key word or more.
Our Ameraucana Alliance website address is https://ameraucana.org/
Our Ameraucana Forum web address is https://ameraucanaalliance.org/forum/

[Becky J Pelton]

Thank you for that information.  I have always struggled with navigating this page so those links are greatly appreciated. 

[Mike Gilbert]

  If you are on the forum and want to get to the website, all you need to do is click on the link "Ameaucana.org" which is located in the Welcome paragraph on the top-right side of the page.  That will take you to the home page, not the JOIN link.   Similarly, now that Brian has fixed the problem, you can access the forum from the website home page.  The link is located in the box on the left side of the page.

[Brian Bailey]

I just want to let everyone know what I have updated the ameraucanaalliance.org website so the forum link is working correctly.  If you see any other issues please let me know.

Thank You

[Becky J Pelton]

Thank you again Brain.  I will go click around to see how it works.