Hi Everyone...

[TrappedinCalifornia]

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Never seen someone so worried about what others think.

It goes with trying to offload his site on to someone else to run.

If he thinks he's still recruiting members from here, he's not entirely wrong. Unfortunately, he's taking advantage of a lack of moderation, even by Kestryll, to advertise and not pay for it. So far as I've understood, that's against the rules; which says something about him and his intentions.

[MyOdessa]

One thing you should know is if your VPN is blocked then a scammer was likely on it.

This statement is a perfect example of why you are a lying suck of sh1t. You must think that everyone is dumb and don't know how VPN works. The only scammer around here is you.

[calif 15-22]

It goes with trying to offload his site on to someone else to run.

If he thinks he's still recruiting members from here, he's not entirely wrong. Unfortunately, he's taking advantage of a lack of moderation, even by Kestryll, to advertise and not pay for it. So far as I've understood, that's against the rules; which says something about him and his intentions.

Trapped, at some point without Kes, without moderators, without a stable platform, what are we to do? Continue to send thoughts and prayers and hope for the best? Demand Racoon and others to pay to advertise? Pay who?

i understand the distrust of the Racoon, but at same time what is to become of CaLguns. I think even the Mods have left or given up.

I would love to be proved wrong, I would, but here we are. No one looking over the marketplace for scammers. Scammers posing as members. Varying ability to log on, etc. I have various firearms I want to list, but at this point it’s either Racoon’s site or Gun Brokers. I listed a couple of handguns here and could not even log on to answer PMs

I like others are just bummed that we are here without any real options for something else.

[davidj]

I listed a couple of handguns here and could not even log on to answer PMs
I like others are just bummed that we are here without any real options for something else.

Suggestion for you, when you place an ad on this site, also post your email and ask that people contact you that way.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Trapped, at some point without Kes, without moderators, without a stable platform, what are we to do? Continue to send thoughts and prayers and hope for the best? Demand Racoon and others to pay to advertise? Pay who?

i understand the distrust of the Racoon, but at same time what is to become of CaLguns. I think even the Mods have left or given up.

I would love to be proved wrong, I would, but here we are. No one looking over the marketplace for scammers. Scammers posing as members. Varying ability to log on, etc. I have various firearms I want to list, but at this point it’s either Racoon’s site or Gun Brokers. I listed a couple of handguns here and could not even log on to answer PMs

I like others are just bummed that we are here without any real options for something else.

Ignoring that the post you're responding to is now almost a month old...

What are we supposed to do? The same thing we've been doing. The membership, for good or ill, needs to 'self moderate' and 'enforce' existing rules, for now. Thus far, we've been, mostly, successful in doing so. Not everything has gone according to Hoyle, but when there's no actual 'referee,' so to speak, such is not unexpected.

Insofar as the raccoon, he's an whole other level. Simply because the moderators' control panel has been negatively impacted by the technical difficulties, limiting their abilities to process and 'control' things doesn't negate the rules. Neither does it provide an open forum for someone to come in, pitch their site as a better alternative, and do what he's been doing. I've said this before, several times, I don't have a problem with his site's existence. Likewise, I don't have a problem with members from here who wish to participate over there while the problems are worked on (there is a recent indication Kestryll is, at least, making some effort) and, hopefully, corrected. Where I have a problem are the machinations raccoon has been engaged in from his self-proclaimed 'guerrilla marketing' to his attempts to usurp sponsors (which has been documented) to his minions making their own recruiting posts, particularly when they emphasize the site's problems, etc.; especially as many of them see the other site as a direct 'competitor' to this one. (It's just like his rationale of our 'talking about him/his site' in relation to his posting here. Gimme a break. The amount we've spoken of his site and/or reference him pales in comparison to the amount of... uh... 'hyperbole' posted on his site about this one and Kestryll.)

I don't necessarily see the two sites as 'competitors.' I see them as different groups, with different social restrictions, rules, and attitudes. That seems to be the key. Many still active here have actually tried the other site and don't care for the restrictions, the timbre, or the attitudes over there. Part of it stems from the membership over there coming, in the majority (or so the claim goes) from Reddit, a group which, by and large, dislikes this site, not to mention the members, and, rest assured, in many respects, the feeling is reciprocated. Part of it stems from the attitude that this site represents the 'old' and the hope that the other site will represent the 'new,' with all the 'generational' things coming into play. While such is 'understandable,' to a degree, it doesn't necessarily make the thought process tenable; i.e., 'new' isn't always 'better.' Part of it stems from raccoon's own attitudes and posts where he made it clear that he's in it for the ROI, not the 'gun community' as such and, despite his protestations, he's done little, if anything, to mitigate the image he initially created and, in fact, continues to exacerbate in many ways.

Another portion of the problem, not to mention the frustrations, has to do with the 'my way and when we want or the site doesn't work' far too many exhibit. Truth be told, there is a 'cadre' (of sorts) who seem to 'consistently' make it on and post. What they've found is a certain, for lack of a better term, 'consistency' in how the site operates and when. I put quotes around 'consistency' in that the timing frequently alters, there does, at least, seem to be a sort of tie in with the technology one is attempting to use, and unaccounted for variations which crop up.

No one here is happy with the problems, but we work with what we've got and don't expect it to work with us or demand 'instant gratification' in terms of a fix. Yes. I know it's been going on for awhile now, but there have been 'complications' in terms of how things have played out, some of them directly impacting the ability to actually 'fix' the site. (I'm not going to repeat what has been gone over and over and over and over.) Kestryll announced, back in July, what his 'plans' were at that point and, as I noted above, there is a recent indication that he's working on it, at whatever level.

If you're not happy here, don't want to work with 'what is' and how 'what is' works, don't trust certain aspects (scammers have always been a problem, it's not simply a result of the current issues and scammers are even a problem on the other site to a degree), etc., feel free to check in periodically to see what progress is being made and/or participate somewhere else, especially if all you want to do is lament, blast, emphasize, or whatever the problems and 'recommend' other sites as 'better' alternatives. However, as you indicate, the options are actually few when compared to what this site used to be and still does offer to one degree or another, despite the current issues. (There was a thread not long ago on the other site which was seeking opinions as to which site offered better deals, etc. and, even on that site, opinion was divided.)

You see, the very premise of your post is misleading. We aren't 'without Kes.' Yes. He's been 'distracted' for the last year or so, not to mention he's run into problems with the new version of the software, the software company, the host(s), et al. However, his last activity shows as... 11/4/25. Likewise, as I indicated, the moderator panel has been impacted by the problems, meaning their ability to moderate is limited.

As I said, we deal with it as it is, for now. Just like those who post that the site isn't working so they can't post. Uh... ??? You just posted that the site isn't working so you can't post, but you just posted... Uh??? We all wish the site was available 24/7/365 at any given member's convenience; but, for now, it's not and that's just 'what is.' Deal with it, as we all do, or not. The choice is yours. Just don't come here and try and 'sell' us on something else being 'better.' In certain respects, it may be. In other ways, it's likely not. (Remember, some here have actual experience with raccoon's site and didn't care for it.) By the way, it's also not the 'only' alternative, despite the sales pitches, the lamentation, etc. However, it was set up, in many ways, as a 'derivative' of this site and, despite protestations, that's abundantly clear. Thus, in certain respects, it appears inviting and it would seem that the transition might be easy. But, again, that all depends on what you're looking for, what you expect, and what you'll accept. It's not all sunshine and rainbows as the posts, even over there, indicate. (The PM thing here has been an on-going issue since the change; but, that means finding a way to deal with it, as a number appear to have done, rather than continuing to complain that it doesn't work.)

So... What are you/we supposed to do? Maybe the best way to phrase it is... do what you need to do, for now, and not demand that some 'technology' do all or most of the work for you. Another way to say it is adapt, improvise, and overcome. (Kind of like davidj just suggested.) We're all 'bummed.' The difference? What I just said.

[calif 15-22]

Your passion for Calguns is admirable and I get it. I’ve been here since 2012 and a contributor, and I hope we can get back to where we were. In the meantime I will just have to check back now and again when it will let be get online. (Early Mornings seem to work, sometimes)

[SWalt]

Kes hasn't logged on since 11/4. Doesn't look like much of anything is happening although I suppose he could log in without it being logged on his member page. Has he lost interest in 2A, people do change.

[calif 15-22]

Kes hasn't logged on since 11/4. Doesn't look like much of anything is happening although I suppose he could log in without it being logged on his member page. Has he lost interest in 2A, people do change.

Not sure but there have been no posts since July. Even the Admins are absent. I would hope we would have heard something/anything from someone by now.

At this point even a “Hey guys I’m still taking care of issues, but will be back in. 2026” or “Hey guys I’m letting Trapped take over”, or something any thing is better than this “just check in every once in awhile to see what’s happening”. But I suppose in the absence of information that is all we can do.

The fact that I bumped a month old thread says a lot. Honestly I would be happy with a “Hey Calif 15-22 we’re back and we told you so you pessimistic bastard” would be fine. Hell I’ll welcome the criticism of my posts on that day.

What WOULD make me sad along with many others, is Calguns just goes dark one day without a notice.

[davidj]

What WOULD make me sad along with many others, is Calguns just goes dark one day without a notice.

If it gets to that point, in a last resort-I would suggest to Kes that he start a new website and forget trying to save this one. Start building a new site.

[alaskascottr]

If it gets to that point, in a last resort-I would suggest to Kes that he start a new website and forget trying to save this one. Start building a new site.

If it goes dark, Kes starting a new one is not a solution. Sadly.

[davidj]

If it goes dark, Kes starting a new one is not a solution. Sadly.

What would be the reason for that conclusion?

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Not sure but there have been no posts since July. Even the Admins are absent. I would hope we would have heard something/anything from someone by now.

At this point even a “Hey guys I’m still taking care of issues, but will be back in. 2026” or “Hey guys I’m letting Trapped take over”, or something any thing is better than this “just check in every once in awhile to see what’s happening”. But I suppose in the absence of information that is all we can do.

The fact that I bumped a month old thread says a lot. Honestly I would be happy with a “Hey Calif 15-22 we’re back and we told you so you pessimistic bastard” would be fine. Hell I’ll welcome the criticism of my posts on that day.

What WOULD make me sad along with many others, is Calguns just goes dark one day without a notice.

Let's not start this again.

Did anyone even note the link I included in my post above?

See... DBA’s unite! - Let’s get CGN stable!

Good news!

Kes has reached out and I have some debug logs for MariaDB on vBulletin.

I’m more than happy to help Kes get this site in order and it appears the DB may be our bottleneck.

I’m going to ask for additional information and I intend on doing some analysis of the DB. Hopefully, slow query capture is running and we can start to analyze where the performance issues are originating.

I’ve started a discord server to discuss. However it is private and this will be by invite only. While I would prefer for the forum to be hosted here, the instability issues prevent collaboration between members.

PM me if you’re interested in helping get CGN stable.

Yes. That post too was on 11/4. However, it's indicative of the idea that Kestryll is working on things.

We went through this before, with numerous members bellowing all is lost, Kestryll has abandoned us, nobody is doing anything, etc., so forth, and such like. Yet, even when we get evidence or evidence is presented that work is in progress, an hue and cry goes up where members say if he doesn't post to 'me' or post in some form, he's absent, he's not doing anything, the site is suddenly going to go dark...

Gimme a break.

You know, there's an old rule of thumb. When the belly aching stops and things go quiet, that's when you actually need to worry. Things haven't exactly gone quiet in that we can see that Kestryll is still checking in on his profile page and that he's contacting people for help. In that sense, crying for Kestryll to come pat us on the poopoo or all is doomed simply gets old. Personally, I'd rather see work actually being done than 'constant' posts declaring "Nothing new to report, still working on it... Feel better now?"

I posted in response to that thread not to expect 'instant' results. To do what we all or, at least, most of us want is going to take time and serious, dedicated effort. Yep. Sufficient time has elapsed, but I don't think it could be said that 'serious, dedicated effort' has been a constant priority. I think Kestryll did a fine job, but he has and has admitted to his technical limitations.

As we've seen, many members don't simply want him to throw the gates open to just 'anyone' in terms of help. As a result, more time is going to be added to whatever it's going to take in that those individuals brought in are going to have to be judiciously selected. Ultimately, we may discover that things are sufficiently messed up so as to preclude the 'fix' we desire. I hope not. Likewise, personally, I'd rather see EVERY effort expended before the towel is thrown in and a 'new site' created. After all, there actually is a 'new site' that was created and we all know how we feel about that site.

It's not simply about wailing that 'my favorite sandbox to play in isn't as available as I'd like.' It's about making the honest attempt to keep that favored sandbox the favored sandbox so that play can continue and, as discussed above, play is continuing, despite all the sturm und drang. It's just that the hours of play are more limited, for now, than they used to be.

[davidj]

Ultimately, we may discover that things are sufficiently messed up so as to preclude the 'fix' we desire. I hope not. Likewise, personally, I'd rather see EVERY effort expended before the towel is thrown in and a 'new site' created. After all, there actually is a 'new site' that was created and we all know how we feel about that site.

I agree with your statement. If all efforts fail to fix the site, then I would hope Kes starts a new site before signing off on this site. When I say a "New Site" that does not mean a change in the way the janitor operates it or a change in the members that make up a site. That other "new site" is not a 2A site, it is more a boys with toys with anti 2a views that is not compatible with true 2A supporters. Having a 2A site in this state is desperately needed, and if a new CGN2.0 site to replace this one is the only way to accomplish that, then so be it.

[calif 15-22]

Let's not start this again.

Did anyone even note the link I included in my post above?

See... DBA’s unite! - Let’s get CGN stable!



Yes. That post too was on 11/4. However, it's indicative of the idea that Kestryll is working on things.

We went through this before, with numerous members bellowing all is lost, Kestryll has abandoned us, nobody is doing anything, etc., so forth, and such like. Yet, even when we get evidence or evidence is presented that work is in progress, an hue and cry goes up where members say if he doesn't post to 'me' or post in some form, he's absent, he's not doing anything, the site is suddenly going to go dark...

Gimme a break.

You know, there's an old rule of thumb. When the belly aching stops and things go quiet, that's when you actually need to worry. Things haven't exactly gone quiet in that we can see that Kestryll is still checking in on his profile page and that he's contacting people for help. In that sense, crying for Kestryll to come pat us on the poopoo or all is doomed simply gets old. Personally, I'd rather see work actually being done than 'constant' posts declaring "Nothing new to report, still working on it... Feel better now?"

I posted in response to that thread not to expect 'instant' results. To do what we all or, at least, most of us want is going to take time and serious, dedicated effort. Yep. Sufficient time has elapsed, but I don't think it could be said that 'serious, dedicated effort' has been a constant priority. I think Kestryll did a fine job, but he has and has admitted to his technical limitations.

As we've seen, many members don't simply want him to throw the gates open to just 'anyone' in terms of help. As a result, more time is going to be added to whatever it's going to take in that those individuals brought in are going to have to be judiciously selected. Ultimately, we may discover that things are sufficiently messed up so as to preclude the 'fix' we desire. I hope not. Likewise, personally, I'd rather see EVERY effort expended before the towel is thrown in and a 'new site' created. After all, there actually is a 'new site' that was created and we all know how we feel about that site.

It's not simply about wailing that 'my favorite sandbox to play in isn't as available as I'd like.' It's about making the honest attempt to keep that favored sandbox the favored sandbox so that play can continue and, as discussed above, play is continuing, despite all the sturm und drang. It's just that the hours of play are more limited, for now, than they used to be.

I did read the post you quoted, and it does give us hope. There are MANY of us long term Calgunners that have been supporting the site with our paid memberships since early on, and will continue to do so. I will also reach out to Corbin Dallas to see if some cash can help as I have no technical ability to offer.

Don't miss construe my posts about the technical decline of Calguns as anything other than just that. It doesn't work reliably. You can argue "It sort of works" all day long but I think we can all agree, it needs to be fixed and made stable if we are to continue to attract contributing members and have a platform for cordial discussions. I really do hope for that.

Like Davidj mentioned above, I want Calguns 2.0 not only to be a new stable site even if that means a whole new forum hosting service and the lose of historical posts and iTrader. My hope is the revamped site can continue to be a place that defends the assault on our rights here in California. I thoroughly respect and enjoyed the way Kes' ran/runs this site. Stern but fair, unlike many of the other forums I belong to where the powers that be wield their power indiscriminately.

[alaskascottr]

What would be the reason for that conclusion?

The ratings are already lost. That seems to be why we got to the technical place that Calguns is in.

The posts themselves are the other remaining value (to Calguns members).

If Kes can’t fix the current site (option A), he can always nuke the existing site from orbit and stand up a brand new but empty site still under calguns.net (option B) with no downtime. That option B is -not- the same as going dark (option C).

With the life situation he is in, options A or B would be/will be great for both him and for Calguns. Option C seems unlikely to result in a functioning Calguns.