APS Website Seems To Be Under Construction

I've been trying to log in to the site to look at the October copy of the American Philatelist and am unable to get to the issues. I don't remember seeing any updates that the site was going to be down or back issues unavailable.

Anyone know how I can get a copy of the Oct article for the Weill brothers?

There is a notice about being under construction but I was able to log in just now and can see the back issues.

Part of the issue for me may be is that I recently changed my email and they never said if I have to log in with the old one or new one? I tried the new one for log in and it doesn't work but when I use the old one, I get on, but for instance when I go to my account page, sections of it are greyed out. A you please provide link for back issues so I can try to log in from there? I get to the page, it says to log in and scroll to bottom for back issues, but that's after I'm already logged in and when I scroll to bottom, there's no link…..

FYI….

So my login id has been updated and I can now log in. But this page says to scroll to the bottom for back issues???




Can you tell me where you're seeing the back issues? Im looking for the October one.

Just a guess -- your browser is not showing the insert where the current issue is displayed that shows the current issue and back issues at bottom. If so it could be some security setting aspect.

Thanks for the help. I didn't think to try a different browser besides my default - Safari. I had changed security settings but that didn't make a difference. This am I tried Firefox and I now see the page icons for the issues. I then tried Safari and see them too with my security settings on - so who knows …. The article I was looking for mentioned in the latest issue in Letters to the Editor re: the Weill brothers is actually in the Nov. issue, not Oct as commented on.

Hats off to to Wendy Masorti and the APS folks for helping too on a Saturday!

The message that the APS website is under construction does not mean that any portion of the current website is unavailable to the users. I suspect that every page on the current website is still operational, both the "new" website pages from 10 years ago, and those from the "classic" website dating from the mid 2000s. What "under construction" actually means is that new webpages are being constructed and tested off-line, but probably are NOT being added to the public version now or for a number of months.

To reduce the occurrence of situations such as you recently faced, please make the people you spoke with at the APS aware of this thread. Hopefully, Scott English, who often participates here, will also see it, and also pass the following message along to the proper parties at APS.

Please request that the APS ensures that the team constructing & upgrading the new APS website will include and REQUIRE rigorous testing of each page of their new website with versions of all of the major browser software packages.

While it is impractical to ensure that any website will work (forever) with ALL past versions of a web browser, it is essential that they develop website software that will work with all the current browser versions which are in release as of say, Jan 1, 2025, as well as in all future releases of those browsers. With a dozen or more of these popular web browsers available, I would not object if the APS were to state on their home page that certain browsers are certified to work on the APS website, while others not in their list, may not function correctly on the APS website, and that users who insist on using a certain browser or an obsolete version of one when they visit the APS website, are doing so at their own risk.

This means that the APS should reconsider their past position that they do not need an internal Information Technology (IT) software group to manage and maintain their website on a regular basis. Neither a website nor the internet is a static entity, it changes regularly (if not daily), and there has to be an immediate resource to identify and adapt to changes.

At the same time, those collectors who insist on working with and using obsolete software (Windows 7, Windows 8, etc. or similar older versions of Apple software) which no longer support new browser releases, have a responsibility to keep their own software tools up to date.

It is not fair to my use ( and that of others ) of the APS website to ask that the APS to spend their funds supporting old and obsolete software tools for the benefit of those collectors who insist on using them. I want those funds to be spent by creating new, useful content for the collecting community.

Mike

Moderator: If you do not feel this statement is appropriate in the current thread, please feel free to move it to a new thread.

I only see a need for such a large notice if they were updating pages real time and they expect a lot of issues.

There certainly is a lot to consider. Amongst other things, when browsing sites - VPN use, pop up blockers, Apple offers Private Relay, browser private windows, show/hide IP address, Firefox has Strict and Standard security settings, etc, etc, etc….

Non-related - awhile back I was stumped why I was not seeing certain homepage menus on their site. 99% of the time I use my iPad in portrait mode. Lo and behold, one time while looking for the menus I turned it to landscape and of course the layout changed, but then the menus I was looking for appeared in the header bar! They were not visible in portrait mode. Now that was driving me crazy why I couldn't find them.

I did share this info with Wendy at APS - EDIT - to clarify , the information I shared with Wendy was about not being able to see the back issues. The landscape vs portrait mode was also shared awhile back with them too - I THINK it was Scott who replied to that query. They've all been very responsive and helpful and quick to respond

So there is a new marketing campaign kicking off for 2025, see here:
https://stamps.org/news/c/news/cat/...a-better-aps

The website is fully functional. Unless a member requests a different email for login purposes, it is not changed. For those of you using multiple email addresses, you should be sure you are using your preferred address to log in to the APS website. The announcement seems to confuse anyone who has an issue logging in and I will relay that back to our marketing team.

We have a new site under construction, but the launch date is expected on 2 June 2025. We will be updating everyone as we make progress. We will have beta users in the Spring, but the site will not be accessible while it is under development for most everyone.

In the meantime, please read the news item to see what is coming this year and thanks everyone for your support of the APS!

Scott

There is a difference between a volunteer committee and paid professional staff. For instance, our Director of Product Development runs all of our web and application development support and procurement. He has 30+ years of web development experience and is the project manager for website development. The issue has been financial and is no longer a problem. Ripping out the .NET site and replacing the platform will address most of the compatibility and mobile browsing issues people currently experience.




Same point here. To my knowledge, we're not supporting old and absolute software tools for anyone's benefit, but I am certainly open to understanding this point if it's accurate.

Scott

Off Topic, as usual for me.
Great organization Scott, it is my pleasure to be a member. You have done a great job shepherding The APS in your tenure, and I hope all your future endeavors are a great success. I wish you well, Godspeed and God Bless.
regards mark

Edit, to remove a line about goose feathers

Mark --

Thank you for the kind words about the APS and me. I will be around for a little bit longer, but it's been a wonderful experience and a lifetime of friendships.

Scott

We appreciate the feedback. We try to be vigilant to the membership, even when it's not routine business hours.

The new site will address the mobile responsive issue for both phones and tablets, so please be patient as we continue to work on the new site.

Scott