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Since Wilco is coming to my town again this weekend, I wanted to check Wilcobase for some fresh info on their setlist.

However, it seems the site hasn't been updated for over a year.

 

When searching (on this forum, but also on Google) there seems to be no information about the stop at all.

That struck me as pretty weird, so I guess maybe it's just a little error that'll be fixed soon or something.

But does anyone know about what might be wrong (if anything)?

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It has been abandoned by those who control it. There are those who offered to take over the operation, but nothing was delivered.

 

You can search the After The Show section to find set lists for the past few years.

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What WilcoBase requires is someone or some group have

 

a) database skills -- the master db is a MS Access db that really need to be converted

B) PHP skills -- the web templates are all PHP

c) the funds to host the site

d) the time to figure it all out and get the data updated

 

I thought I had all 4 and received a copy of the database from Rob. But I was overly optimistic about item d -- and aborted my effort when Wilco's management built their own version.

 

If someone truly wants the db, PM me. I'll send it to you.

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I have about one of those, so guess I won't get far.

Oh well. I am glad the thing is still online, so I can check back into the past every once in a while.

 

Thanks for your replies.

I do wonder however, why someone who once made the effort to set up such a big website, would abandon it a couple of years later.

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Eventually, I will let it go. . .

 

I liked Wilcobase quiet a bit. I don't want to look at blogs, Facebook pages, FM.com, and the band's official website to find set lists. I like to find them in the After The Show section, or at Wilcobase.

 

We all like what we like. And I still say it is a shame that all these years Wilcobase gets tossed aside.

 

I also spent a god bit of time connecting show dates with links for the shows at the Owl and Bear.

 

I just think some other people should have been asked. I know there are others out there who have the willingness.

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I think it is easy to significantly underestimate the number of hours it took to maintain that site. I know I did when I volunteered to take it over. Also, keep in mind that WilcoBase was the 2nd generation of this database. It was seeded by Jane the Timeline Chick's "database". WilcoBase was initially used as a project for some systems classes. Once those classes ended it was just too much of a burden for one person. It also was not set-up for online administration. Nor was it set-up for easily allowing a team to work on it.

 

I know that others were asked to take it over. I was one who was asked. I also know that Wilco were asked and they eventually agreed to take the db and put it to use in their own way. But I don't think anyone has stepped forward to assume control of the site, it's scripts/templates, and take on the work of updating everything.

 

Volunteer efforts are not easy to sustain when it is just one person. Which WilcoBase was in terms of operation.

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My thought was - let's to make it a team effort. I know it is hard to take care of yourself and get plenty of rest while pursing these interests, but it can be done.

 

And someday - add a BT site and message board to the mix.

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I wouldn't mind trying to rework the site, I had something along the lines of the Dead's taper's compendium, but for Wilco developed online. I'm not all that familiar with developing databases, but I have some time to learn and I could use a creative project at the moment. I'm actually thinking more along the lines of a blog rather than a database, with perhaps a podcast for each blog entry. I would definitely be open to writers for the blog.

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It's actually a project as a compilation that started over 7 years ago! I would like to really see it through and this might be a good time to try it out. I have tried different ways to make the compilation work but have never found a approach that I've ever really liked that wasnt overwhelming. But the idea was to do an audio journal of all their tours and present unique or interesting versions of tracks. The compilation is called City Maps & Handclaps. So if I was able to work with what has already been contributed to the old site in terms of artwork and setlists to create this blog and work in conjunction with Owl & Bear on shows and developing a quality podcast, I think it could be really neat. My idea for the first entry would be to focus on the shows that made up the Ashes of American Flags film and present a podcast for an alternative soundtrack to the film. This shows were right after the Vic Residency shows, so on this show they were playing some stuff they hadn't played in years or never at all. Plus, they had the Total Pros in tow, which made for some great arrangements of songs. Many of these songs weren't even covered in the film. People who attended these shows could contribute their stories about those shows and I would work it into a narrative that would be part of the blog and part of the podcast.

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If I can help you with anything, let me know.

 

I would at least hope Wilcobase will stay up as is - I am willing to pay for that.

 

I'd like to keep Wilcobase running as it is as well. It may take a little time, but I could start updating it again. I thought about checking out computer books at the library to help get me started on all of this. Any suggestions?

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I'd like to keep Wilcobase running as it is as well. It may take a little time, but I could start updating it again. I thought about checking out computer books at the library to help get me started on all of this. Any suggestions?

 

Rather than trying to teach yourself how to do this, I think it would be better to enlist Wilco fans who already know this who could build an admin back-end interface to existing database. Then you would not need any computer knowledge to get the db updated and maintain it going forward.

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Rather than trying to teach yourself how to do this, I think it would be better to enlist Wilco fans who already know this who could build an admin back-end interface to existing database. Then you would not need any computer knowledge to get the db updated and maintain it going forward.

 

That makes sense. However, the people who had the capability to do it don't seem like they have the time to do it, which is understandable as we all strive to have some resemblance of something called a life. As far as I can tell, it hasn't been updated in two years. I actually had some time to devote to it at the moment in at least learning how all of it works. Since it was just sitting there and people want to see it stick around, i was willing to try to work on it. I thought I understood that no one wanted to take it on who was asked to take it on. Everything starts from an idea that someone had. Jane had the idea to start a page collecting the setlists and it became something valued. Rob had the idea to develop the database which people have enjoyed. I would have had other ideas for presenting setlists in an interesting way. I would like to see it keep going because it has been a valuable and entertaining tool to use and Rob put time and energy and devotion into it. It would be a shame to see that work just disappear. Just as things are archived on Via Chicago, Wilcobase could be archived. I would be interested in trying to continue building on it, but it's whatever others feel is best.

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Wish I could help (I'm a SW developer), but I have barely enough time as it is. Maybe if I find myself in between projects and in need of something to do, I could lend a hand -- but (lucky for me) that's not for the foreseeable future.

 

In the meantime, is there any progress on the idea of funding the site as-is? I'd be happy to drop a few bucks to a paypal acct for it. I suspect many of us would.

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Stay tuned... I'm currently working on getting the recent setlists added to wilcobase as well as a way to automate the updates.

 

As was mentioned here, it's really about finding time to work on this. Right now I have some time, so hopefully if I can get it automated I can lessen the maintenance time needed for future updates.

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Stay tuned... I'm currently working on getting the recent setlists added to wilcobase as well as a way to automate the updates.

 

As was mentioned here, it's really about finding time to work on this. Right now I have some time, so hopefully if I can get it automated I can lessen the maintenance time needed for future updates.

 

AWESOME, thanks! :hyper

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