RaginCajuns.com ... the offline fiasco of 2006-2007

[GoneGolfin]

There was a firewall on ULM's internet that prevented our live stats from getting through. They were transmitting, but it wasn't reaching the website because of it.

That happens sometimes on the road. Happened at Az. St., too.

What protocol does the Live Stats console (in the pressbox) use to transmit to the Live Stats server? HTTP? HTTPS? SSH? Or is it configurable?

Obviously you will need some port open on the firewall. But it is typical that at least port 80 (HTTP) and port 443 (HTTPS) are open for outbound traffic. If you can get to the internet from the pressbox (which you were able to this weekend), at least port 80 (HTTP) is open. It could be that they are performing outbound content filtering management via an outbound proxy (as our Blue Coat caching proxy appliances can do). But ULM may not be that sophisticated. The default Telnet, FTP, and SSH ports may also be open depending on security policy.

Brian

[Turbine]

_ What protocol does the Live Stats console (in the pressbox) use to transmit to the Live Stats server? HTTP? HTTPS? SSH? Or is it configurable?

Obviously you will need some port open on the firewall. But it is typical that at least port 80 (HTTP) and port 443 (HTTPS) are open for outbound traffic. If you can get to the internet from the pressbox (which you were able to this weekend), at least port 80 (HTTP) is open. It could be that they are performing outbound content filtering management via an outbound proxy (as our Blue Coat caching proxy appliances can do). But ULM may not be that sophisticated. The default Telnet, FTP, and SSH ports may also be open depending on security policy.

Brian _

And he knows his baseball as well.

[ulforlife]

_ And he knows his baseball as well. _

Haha, I was thinking the same thing... he kinda lost me.

But thanks guys for the responses

[GoneGolfin]

And he knows his baseball as well.

Is that the game with the white ball and metal sticks? Or am I thinking of golf?

Brian

[TillmansNumber1]

After not having an athletic website for over a year, the Cajuns finally picked up a website a month and a half ago. They moved from an unavigable, rarely updated Athletic Network to a slightly more up to date ragincajuns.com. The website features much needed information on teams, games, tickets, seating diagrams, but, as seems to be the case with the Cajuns, there is always room for improvement.

Just before the website was uploaded, the following suggestion was posted.

The website will be a success only if it has the following things:

1. Regular, timely, pertinent updates (Taking three days to post Orien Greene being drafted by the Celtics is unacceptable)
2. Tons of sponsorship opportunities
3. The chance to buy clothing online (Currently, you must mail the bookstore a check --- is this 1976?)
4. The chance to buy tickets online (Currently, you must go to the Cajundome, which closes at 430, and pay only in cash)
5. A recruiting portal for parents, coaches and high school and transfer students to put in their athletic numbers. This will ease the recruiting process and streamline the collection of information.
6. A Spanish version of every single page to interest the growing Latino population in Louisiana and take advantage of Louisiana's relative proximity to most of Latin America.
7. Video highlights of every athletic event.

Here's how the Cajuns are graded.

1. There are updates. This is one place where it succeeds. (A-) There are often four, five stories with pictures and they all rotate frequently without the need to click refresh. It usually gives a broad spectrum of the stories. Only reason it's an A- and not an A is because there's no way to find past stories. If someone's gone a week, there's no list of past stories based on timeliness.
2. There's just one sponsorship. The website needs to have little section (showcases, alumni updates, polls). Just think, if there's a student athlete showcase, finding a sponsor is easy, especially if the showcase emphasizes academics. Change it every week with a new athlete and focus on academics and helping old ladies across the street, and if packaged correctly, it wouldn't be difficult to find a company wanting to be associated with student athletes "doing the right thing," whatever that means. Even an alumni update would be great. Focus on what Jake Delhomme and Ike Tyler did this weekend in the NFL. Businesses would want to be associated with that. (D)
3. Fans can finally purchase clothing online, which is good. Unfortunately, there's not a large selection, which is bad. The Cajuns don't need a ridiculous amount of apparel (g-strings might sell well, but not having them doesn't really hurt), but they need a larger selection. Four t-shirts just isn't going to cut it. (C+)
4. There's a link to ticketmaster, but the renewal of season tickets should be done online and not through the mail the way it currently is. Again, tickets MUST be able to purchased online, especially since going to Cajundome is time consuming and the box office closes at 4:30, nearly 30 minutes before people get off work. Being able to print tickets at home would ease the process, too. (D+)
5. The website features FAQ, info for recruits, links to the NCAA, SBC, and LA-LAF website, but there's no place for fans, recruits, parents and coaches to enter data for recruits. There MUST be a portle where recruits can enter data, notify the coach and university of their interest in the university, and where the recruiting process can begin. There's info, but they're missing the important parts. (C-)
6. Slightly difficult to do Spanish, but there's absolutely nothing there. Latinos are moving quickly to Lafayette and Louisiana, and only Texas has information and broadcast of games in Spanish. The Cajuns should make the step forward and become the second university. There's basically no competition. (F)
7. There are games available online. Fans can view Bustles first win from 2002, but they can't see the game against Louisiana-Monroe in 2005 when the Cajuns won the Sun Belt -- ouch. There's no footage of the HUGE win over Houston. The Cajuns can view Robert Lee's first game, but they can't view any videos from the NCAA tournament teams (the two led by Evans, and the Lee led team full of Evans' players). Fans can watch the press conference for J Kelly Hall taking the team to the NCAA, but they can't see games from this year. In addition, there's no footage from Softball games, baseball games, track and field meets. Each sport, regardless of popularity, must have videos feature online for one reason: it lets athletes, current and future, know the university actually cares about Track and Field. Furthermore, it permits fans not in attendance and parents the ability to keep up with the sport. (C)

Overall, the website is an approvement from Athletic Network, but that isn't saying much. (C-)

Sadly, John Dugas has absolutely no help. Though this might be the genesis of all problems with the website (too much to do with little help), that doesn't mean it can't be overcome.

This summer is a great time to get prepared for a football season that looks like the third straight winning season, albeit at 6-6 again. The university and athletes deserve a word class website, one that is better than a d-1aa school. At the moment, no one would know the Cajuns were a division one program.

And, if the Cajuns host a regional, which is likely, the first thing fans will do is google the Cajuns and see this website. This is the Cajuns big moment: Will the website and the university be ready?

The Cajuns weren't ready when they beat Houston in football (the website was down). All that changes when the appropriate updates are made.

[ulforlife]

Before I go on, I would like to say that my comments are only due to me wanting THE UTMOST BEST for my school.

Just before the website was uploaded, the following suggestion was posted. Here's how the Cajuns are graded.

1. There are updates. This is one place where it succeeds. (A-) There are often four, five stories with pictures and they all rotate frequently without the need to click refresh. It usually gives a broad spectrum of the stories. Only reason it's an A- and not an A is because there's no way to find past stories. If someone's gone a week, there's no list of past stories based on timeliness.

I agree here, but sometimes I think that the picture quality is poor. For instance, a dark lit picture of the back of a player while he is at bat. Not very intriguing. Also, a few pictures look like they were taken on a camera phone. Not good enough for UL. Also, it appears there is room for 7 stories on the homepage, why are we only using 4 at a time? 7 is in no way too busy! It makes us look better!

2. There's just one sponsorship. The website needs to have little section (showcases, alumni updates, polls). Just think, if there's a student athlete showcase, finding a sponsor is easy, especially if the showcase emphasizes academics. Change it every week with a new athlete and focus on academics and helping old ladies across the street, and if packaged correctly, it wouldn't be difficult to find a company wanting to be associated with student athletes "doing the right thing," whatever that means. Even an alumni update would be great. Focus on what Jake Delhomme and Ike Tyler did this weekend in the NFL. Businesses would want to be associated with that. (D)

This is a great idea, maybe we could look to expand a little in the future after the basics are nailed down. As for sponsorships, I believe those will come with time as well.

3. Fans can finally purchase clothing online, which is good. Unfortunately, there's not a large selection, which is bad. The Cajuns don't need a ridiculous amount of apparel (g-strings might sell well, but not having them doesn't really hurt), but they need a larger selection. Four t-shirts just isn't going to cut it. (C+)

I think this should grow more in the future, but I think it needs to happen sooner than later. Definately in time for football season. Also, WHY AREN'T THE NEW CONFERENCE CHAMP BASEBALL SHIRTS ONLINE???

4. There's a link to ticketmaster, but the renewal of season tickets should be done online and not through the mail the way it currently is. Again, tickets MUST be able to purchased online, especially since going to Cajundome is time consuming and the box office closes at 4:30, nearly 30 minutes before people get off work. Being able to print tickets at home would ease the process, too. (D+)

Absolutely, should be no other way. (Unless in addition to)

5. The website features FAQ, info for recruits, links to the NCAA, SBC, and LA-LAF website, but there's no place for fans, recruits, parents and coaches to enter data for recruits. There MUST be a portle where recruits can enter data, notify the coach and university of their interest in the university, and where the recruiting process can begin. There's info, but they're missing the important parts. (C-)

Could be done after the basics, again.

6. Slightly difficult to do Spanish, but there's absolutely nothing there. Latinos are moving quickly to Lafayette and Louisiana, and only Texas has information and broadcast of games in Spanish. The Cajuns should make the step forward and become the second university. There's basically no competition. (F)

Not sure about this, I guess with the times the way they are it is something that could be considered. It sure it wouldn't hurt.

7. There are games available online. Fans can view Bustles first win from 2002, but they can't see the game against Louisiana-Monroe in 2005 when the Cajuns won the Sun Belt -- ouch. There's no footage of the HUGE win over Houston. The Cajuns can view Robert Lee's first game, but they can't view any videos from the NCAA tournament teams (the two led by Evans, and the Lee led team full of Evans' players). Fans can watch the press conference for J Kelly Hall taking the team to the NCAA, but they can't see games from this year. In addition, there's no footage from Softball games, baseball games, track and field meets. Each sport, regardless of popularity, must have videos feature online for one reason: it lets athletes, current and future, know the university actually cares about Track and Field. Furthermore, it permits fans not in attendance and parents the ability to keep up with the sport. (C)

I guess this will now come as it happens, I'm not sure as to how much video was taken in the past or how much is available from the past.

Overall, the website is an approvement from Athletic Network, but that isn't saying much. (C-)

Sadly, John Dugas has absolutely no help. Though this might be the genesis of all problems with the website (too much to do with little help), that doesn't mean it can't be overcome.


This summer is a great time to get prepared for a football season that looks like the third straight winning season, albeit at 6-6 again. The university and athletes deserve a word class website, one that is better than a d-1aa school.

John Dugas has done a great job, kudos, but he needs some help. There is no way we will be able to keep up with everything alone.

At the moment, no one would know the Cajuns were a division one program.

Do not agree, I can think of plenty D1 sites that are of less quality than ours and are easliy identified as D1 programs.

And, if the Cajuns host a regional, which is likely, the first thing fans will do is google the Cajuns and see this website. This is the Cajuns big moment: Will the website and the university be ready?

The Cajuns weren't ready when they beat Houston in football (the website was down). All that changes when the appropriate updates are made. _

Agree. We'll be ready.

[CajunCherokee]

Is down. We are seeing that stupid under construction screen again with it being directed to the athleticnetwork.com page in which the most recent information is from 3/21/07.

Not good considering this is the week leading up to the opening weekend of college football, with the very high possibility that some South Carolina fans will want to learn more about us. This looks pretty bad...

[cajunref]

Try again, I had no problems logging on.

[Zeebart21]

Is down. We are seeing that stupid under construction screen again with it being directed to the athleticnetwork.com page in which the most recent information is from 3/21/07.

Not good considering this is the week leading up to the opening weekend of college football, with the very high possibility that some South Carolina fans will want to learn more about us. This looks pretty bad...

I got in, no problems.

Z

[CajunCherokee]

Still showing the old info for me. I even Google'd "ragin cajuns" and clicked on it from there. Same deal.

[rhineaux]

_ Still showing the old info for me. I even Google'd "ragin cajuns" and clicked on it from there. Same deal. _

That happened to me last week, i just refreshed the screen and it worked. If you get in, or even if you can't, i would send an e-mail to the UL Administrator to inform them of the problem, and/or send an e-mail to XOS.

Are you trying to access it from a link? Or from typing it in the address bar? There could be something wrong with the link you are using.

[CajunCherokee]

Wierd. I was trying to access it from FireFox (which I have done many, many times in the past) and it wouldn't work. But it works fine in IE.