Sadly the computer that hosted TrekOhio was no longer getting security updates because its operating system had exceeded its shelf life. So we needed to move TrekOhio to a computer with an up-to-date operating system. While we were at it, we switched from a 32-bit computer to a 64-bit computer, and we selected a faster programming language and database server with the hope that this will mean faster downloads for our visitors. By the way, Bob wants me to inform our more technically minded readers that when I say “computer” I’m really talking about a “virtual machine”.
Sometime on Sunday, July 30th, we will be arranging for our domain name, TrekOhio.com, to point to the new computer. It may take a while for the domain name servers that direct your browser to the correct site to learn that there has been a change, so for a day or two there may be some confusion as to which machine visitors to our site will end up on. You’ll know if you are viewing web pages on the new machine if TrekOhio.com looks completely different. Besides a change in colors, the menu at the top of the web page has also changed. Our guide to parks and preserves in Ohio’s 88 counties is now accessed from a single item in the menu called, Regional Guide to Parks. To search the site, you’ll see that there is a menu item called Search at the top of the page. When you click it, a dropdown text box appears into which you can enter your search terms.
The majority of our visitors use their mobile devices to explore the site. We have a new, mobile-friendly menu. To access it you tap on the “hamburger” menu icon in the upper right (it’s just three, white, horizonal lines). This causes a menu to slide into view from the other side of the screen. Tapping on the Regional Guide to Parks opens up portions of the menu, and it is also possible to scroll the menu up or down. On the mobile site, a search box appears at the top of the menu.
As always, we want to express our appreciation to our regular visitors. We hope you’ll like the new site.