[Alexander Johnston]

I see the APB, Bridgestone and TSR pages under “Models” remain “under construction.”
This has been the case since I joined the Club. Surely it can’t take years to construct a few paragraphs on each of these models?
After I constructed a short draft on the Moulton Mini, drawing heavily from Brian Perkins excellent Bicycle Hub website, I offered to write a short draft on the TSR. This wasn’t taken up because apparently someone else was going to do it.
Have the buliders gone on strike?
Alex

[John Faulkner]

On my own site the ‘under construction’ message is there until I choose to get on with it!
Not casting any stones here, but it’s often a delaying tactic until the original party decides to do something about it. Reasons for that are in their heads….
John.

[Alexander Johnston]

I thought as much. “Under construction” in the bullding industry means that the footings have been put in and the building is in the process of being erected.
In the IT world I suspect it’s a euphemism for the “project hasn’t started and it may never start”.
Alex

[John Faulkner]

Absolutely Alex, in my experience.
‘Under Construction’ with websites simply means ‘I’ll get on with it when I feel like it’ and it doesn’t even need any previous foundations, or any real intention to build/say anything. It is a teaser, with the lure of possible future information/content. To keep you looking.
It’s waffle in other words. Gives you infinite time to do the job.

Nevertheless it does, in the right circumstances, and with some goodwill, mean that something concrete will/might follow. Depends on the author.

It might start, but no guarantees that it will complete.

In IT the normal meanings of our language are ‘flexible’.
Euphemisms abound in my experience.

Pretty sad when you think about it.
John.

[admin]

Under construction in this case meant that it was on the long list of jobs to do, but there was always some higher priority job to be done. This club is run by volunteers, we’re not service providers. We pay the same annual fee as you do. And I personally, rather than the club, pay for the hosting, domain registration, etc.

If anyone feels they can do a better job, and has the technical skills, a few spare hours every week, and a thick skin, I could be very tempted to hand you the keys.

Infinite time? Now that would be useful!

By the way, those pages have some actual content now.

[Alexander Johnston]

If my comments were in any way critical, they were meant to be constructively critical.
I know the Club is run by volunteers and I have the greatest respect for that. That is why I offered to write and wrote a short piece on the Mini Moulton, offered to so the same on the TSR and organised a Moulton ride and wrote a short ride report. Not a lot, I admit, but it all helps.
The IT term “under construction” intrigued me as I had not come across it before. Like so many terms today it’s basically “spin” or the use of “weasel words” as a civil servant would put it, designed to misrepresent rather than enlighten.
When my wife next asks me what is happening on painting the garage door, fitting a letter box which doesn’t take the postperson’s fingers off and getting the light fixed in the bathroom, I shall tell her that “they’re under construction.”
Alex

[Alexander Johnston]

Hi Patrick
I’ve read your pages and they give an interesting overview, just what was required IMO.
I didn’t realize that Alex Moulton rode a Bridgestone.
Alex

[Author]

Posts