Geron Kees

Spooky start! Just in time for Halloween, too! So, what is possessing this cottage? Can't wait to find out!

Thanks, Dave!

Aw! WHAT a cliffhanger! I'm caught, like I hope Thad is NOT. A great beginning to the story!

I set the software running last night before I went to bed. It was still running this morning when I left for the office, having already sifted through over 9Gb of information. I had an afternoon dental check-up, so came home early after, and found the mission complete. This software starts at the top page of a website and follows every link, copying everything it finds. The problem with a site like Tickie is that it has a ton of links to external pictures and references for the stories all throughout the site, all of which have to be traced. If a picture is found at the end of the link, you want to be sure it will show up in your copy. All in all, the software sifted through over 14Gb of information, and created a mirror copy of Tickie on my hard drive, with a final size on disk of 3.29Gb. The software created a separate folder for the site. When I click on the top menu, it opens in my browser just as it would if I went to the site, but this is a copy on my machine, a complete mirror image. I can then navigate through the entire site just as if I was online. All the stories are there, and all the pictures and references that still had active links (150+ were 404 dead links, and did not) are there. The main thing was saving the stories, but that has been accomplished. The site saved on my machine is identical to the site you will still find online. If others are interested in doing the same thing, please drop me a PM on it. I would simply post a link to the software site (it's open-source freeware, and there are copies available for Windows and Linux), but I am not sure about the rules for doing that in this forum. But the good news is, the site can be saved for future reference, and none of the stories need be lost.

I have always signed in with the link Chuck supplied me as an author. It looks to be the same one you used to finally access the site, tickiestories dot us. The site has always lacked an SSL cert, as in, it's never been an 'https' secure connection like GA is. Tickie is pure http-only. Chuck felt the cost of obtaining certification was an unneeded expense for a simple story site. I have always received a cookie from the site, and just as dutifully deleted it at the end of each session along with all the others. Cookies are common with every website. So I have not noticed anything different in my last couple of visits. I think the expiration of the hosting term is what will eventually close the site. I am looking into downloading and saving the entire website. There is software available that will save the site, page for page. I think it needs to be done. I just have to see what sort of storage space it might need before I do it.

Yes. It's still there.

Thank you. And Jamie and his friends very much enjoyed your company on the journey!

Whoo-hoo!

I appreciate any question that begins with, "I wonder..." The answer is, it could be, but I don't actually know the answer, myself!

This story was always one of the unintended quest variety, done so well by so many authors in the past. There is the formula, where a small band of relative strangers come together, and are carried along on a journey by forces and events initially beyond their control, but which they slowly begin to grasp, and then to later master. It's an old formula, but it's also still an exciting one if you have fun with it. I certainly did in writing the story, and I am very happy that others, like you, have had some fun reading it. Thanks!

A second, and interesting tale from the new guys on the block. This one has many characters and spans years of time. Well worth the time it takes to look!

Another good story, I think. The more you write, the more you will want to! Keep it up!

Thank you for all the kind words. I depend on notifications to let me know when someone comments, but somehow I missed this one and the one from KrisK above. Some of the fun i get from sharing stories is knowing that others can enjoy the trip with me. Thanks for letting me know!

And thank you for coming along! I'm sorry I missed this comment earlier!

You're getting close to the end, so you'll know!

An unusual and heartfelt tale with much promise, that delivers every bit of it. A feel-good story with a smile at the end. Get reading!

This is a first story? What a wonderful, upbeat tale about the power of wishing and receiving! And sharing, and forgiving, and love! I hope we'll see more from you! You're off to a grand start!

Might work, if I can get there. The ol' starship is in the shop again. Warped interdimensional brake. I would go to stop, and slide right past the target sun and wind up in some sleazy neighborhood in its local Oort cloud. There go the hubcaps! 😄

There is always something sad about defeat, even when it's the enemy. A life lost is still a life lost. A victory can be celebrated, but the cost should never be forgotten!

Hello, my friend! Ik hoop dat je het verhaal leuk vindt! 🙂

Almost time to wind this one up!

I was told today that Mike, owner/operator of AwesomeDude, passed away this past weekend. As of yet, there does not seem to be a succession plan in place there, either, though that is not definite.

There are many pitfalls in assuming control without the explicit direction and permission of the site owner. I should have just said that, without someone 'appointed' as successor, it would be hard to do anything at all.

Please keep us updated, and thank you!

I am very saddened to hear that Chuck has left us. My last mail from him was on August 6th. I had no idea he had health problems. If no one has access to the site's back end, there is little to be done. What a crying shame. So long, Chuck. Best of luck in your travels.