Oleg Volk [the gun rights photographer] and the THR staff need help - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Oleg Volk [the gun rights photographer] and the THR staff need help (Page 1 of 9)

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:10:03 PM EDT

In December 2002, I founded The High Road forum dedicated to the advancement of responsible gun ownership. Recently, it was discovered that in 2006, the volunteer forum systems administrator, Derek Zeanah of Statesboro, Georgia, changed domain registration to himself. After he was confronted, Derek locked out all other staff from accessing the Web server administration and would not share even backup copies of its content. After failed attempts to peacefully resolve the dispute, it has become necessary for me to initiate a lawsuit against Derek Zeanah for the return of thehighroad.org domain name and the forum database.

I am seeking and would greatly appreciate donations to help with the cost of litigation. You can use Paypal ([email protected]) or send a check to:
Oleg Volk 3112 Chambley Ct Hermitage, TN 37076

All donations shall be returned if the lawsuit is ultimately avoided. You can also aid me by re-posting this appeal on your blog, forum or web site. My legal position is already endorsed by almost all of The High Road staff as well as Rich Lucibella, the founder of The Firing Line forum.

http://olegvolk.livejournal.com/474369.html

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:20:33 PM EDT

[#1]

bumped

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:22:36 PM EDT

[#2]

Eh, why not just get a new domain? Then sue the jackass.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:23:40 PM EDT

[#3]

f em

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:24:07 PM EDT

[#4]

That's what he gets for installing thugs as forum moderators.

Karma's a bitch.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:25:37 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Eh, why not just get a new domain? Then sue the jackass.

I'm not exactly sure, to be honest.

Oleg asked me to post the link to his request around, so I did. I'll be linking him to the thread so he can answer any questions that might arise, okay?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:25:39 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
f em

THR or the webmaster dude?

THR has great content.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:26:40 PM EDT

[#7]

I have been on THR less and less here lately (mostly due to being here so much).

They do bring up some interesting topics from time to time with some well thought out responses.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:27:42 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
That's what he gets for installing thugs as forum moderators.

Karma's a bitch.

I never had any problems with the moderators over yonder. I was bummed when they did away with the Roundtable forum, but otherwise, THR ain't a bad place. It's not Arfcom, but it's not meant to be.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:27:42 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Eh, why not just get a new domain? Then sue the jackass.

I'm not exactly sure, to be honest.

Oleg asked me to post the link to his request around, so I did. I'll be linking him to the thread so he can answer any questions that might arise, okay?

Please do, my husband is a huge fan of his, I sent him the link too.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:29:30 PM EDT

[#10]

If they can get physical access to the server they can get it all back except the domain in just a few minutes.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:30:28 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Eh, why not just get a new domain? Then sue the jackass.

I'm not exactly sure, to be honest.

Oleg asked me to post the link to his request around, so I did. I'll be linking him to the thread so he can answer any questions that might arise, okay?

Please do, my husband is a huge fan of his, I sent him the link too.

I'm a fan of oleg's work.

I'm curious as to exactly/specifically what's going on.

Not a net geek, so I'm not too "up and up" on why the administrator can't simply be kicked off the website?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:33:23 PM EDT

[#12]

I have never really spent any time over their but I really like Oleg's photo work.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:33:45 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Eh, why not just get a new domain? Then sue the jackass.

I'm not exactly sure, to be honest.

Oleg asked me to post the link to his request around, so I did. I'll be linking him to the thread so he can answer any questions that might arise, okay?

Please do, my husband is a huge fan of his, I sent him the link too.

I'm a fan of oleg's work.

I'm curious as to exactly/specifically what's going on.

Not a net geek, so I'm not too "up and up" on why the administrator can't simply be kicked off the website?

Cause the administrator locked them out and he's the only one who can get in.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:33:57 PM EDT

[#14]

Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Domain ID:D93282167-LROR
Domain Name:THEHIGHROAD.ORG
Created On:19-Dec-2002 22:02:09 UTC
Last Updated On:22-Jul-2006 00:22:15 UTC
Expiration Date:19-Dec-2008 22:02:09 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:GODA-020220918
Registrant Name:Derek Zeanah

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:35:18 PM EDT

[#15]

Not a net geek, so I'm not too "up and up" on why the administrator can't simply be kicked off the website?

From what I understand, Derek Zeanah had fraudulently re-registered the domain to himself, and controls access to the server where it is stored.

Oleg told me that he and the others offered to buy the domain back for sums of money ranging from $35,000 to $75,000 dollars, but where turned down each time, and now they've chosen to proceed with a lawsuit.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:37:29 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Domain ID:D93282167-LROR
Domain Name:THEHIGHROAD.ORG
Created On:19-Dec-2002 22:02:09 UTC
Last Updated On:22-Jul-2006 00:22:15 UTC
Expiration Date:19-Dec-2008 22:02:09 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)
Status:CLIENT DELETE PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT RENEW PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:GODA-020220918
Registrant Name:Derek Zeanah

He should have never had access to the domain registration. That wasn't very smart of whoever gave him access.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:37:52 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Not a net geek, so I'm not too "up and up" on why the administrator can't simply be kicked off the website?

From what I understand, Derek Zeanah had fraudulently re-registered the domain to himself, and controls access to the server where it is stored.

Oleg told me that he and the others offered to buy the domain back for sums of money ranging from $35,000 to $75,000 dollars, but where turned down each time, and now they've chosen to proceed with a lawsuit.

Oh. That's bad. Is this guy paying for the hosting?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:38:37 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Not a net geek, so I'm not too "up and up" on why the administrator can't simply be kicked off the website?

From what I understand, Derek Zeanah had fraudulently re-registered the domain to himself, and controls access to the server where it is stored.

Oleg told me that he and the others offered to buy the domain back for sums of money ranging from $35,000 to $75,000 dollars, but where turned down each time, and now they've chosen to proceed with a lawsuit.

I agree with the above then, Oleg needs to holler at Godaddy.com

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:42:41 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:45:06 PM EDT

[#20]

height=8

I was bummed when they did away with the Roundtable forum

I started Armed Polite Society to replace the Roundtable.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:46:19 PM EDT

[#21]

Originally Posted By Oleg Volk:

I was bummed when they did away with the Roundtable forum

I started Armed Polite Society to replace the Roundtable.

I know, but it just didn't feel the same. I dunno, just me nitpicking.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:47:44 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Because when whoever registered it, they choose not to have the renewal set to automatic.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:48:21 PM EDT

[#23]

Hi Oleg, love your work, and lurk at your site frequently (although I never registered). You have friends here in the arfcom army. I hope you can get this issue solved.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:48:50 PM EDT

[#24]

As for giving Derek access, it was provided by Rich Lucibella who helped me establish The High Road forum. Rich treated Derek as my server admin, which he was. Unfortunately, he later changed the registration to himself.

Here's what Rich Lucibella had to say about this:

height=8

At no time was I aware that Derek was acting as anything but Oleg's personal agent. Had I been aware that Derek was acting for his own benefit I would never have transferred the domain name to him. It is my position that Mr. Zeanah had fraudulently misrepresented himself to me. If he persists in publicly hiding behind my statements, taken out of context, I will have little choice but to join this legal fray, recover the domain name thru the courts and pursue Mr. Zeanah for my legal fees.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:49:08 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Because when whoever registered it, they choose not to have the renewal set to automatic.

Does this mean that when the domain expires, anyone can step up and renew it themselves?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:51:01 PM EDT

[#26]

So this guy stole the domain, locked everyone else out of the backend, and is running it himself?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:52:00 PM EDT

[#27]

tag

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:52:05 PM EDT

[#28]

Well that sucks that Oleg got screwed on the domain like that. But unless this guy is paying for the hosting, I don't see how he could keep Oleg locked out of web server admin. Surely the hosting company would reset the password if he gave them a call. There must be something else going on with that.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:53:38 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Because when whoever registered it, they choose not to have the renewal set to automatic.

Does this mean that when the domain expires, anyone can step up and renew it themselves?

If you grab it before it gets bought, yes. You have two choices when you register a domain, auto or no auto. If it's auto, then when it gets within 24 hours (usually) of expiring they'll try to auto renew based on the payment info you gave them. If it's not auto, then the domain goes up for grabs when it expires.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:54:36 PM EDT

[#30]

Originally Posted By Oleg Volk:
As for giving Derek access, it was provided by Rich Lucibella who helped me establish The High Road forum.

Man, that really sucks. I'm sorry to hear it. I dig your photography and I'm a member at THR.

I do web stuff for a living, if there's anything I can help with let me know. If it's got to this point I imagine everything has been tried though.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:54:59 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
Well that sucks that Oleg got screwed on the domain like that. But unless this guy is paying for the hosting, I don't see how he could keep Oleg locked out of web server admin. Surely the hosting company would reset the password if he gave them a call. There must be something else going on with that.

If he's got the registration, he can move the hosting, which I'd bet he did.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:55:00 PM EDT

[#32]

What does Derek have to gain? I don't see how that site turns a profit, or was even intended to. Is he thinking of having advertising?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:55:48 PM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
What does Derek have to gain? I don't see how that site turns a profit, or was even intended to. Is he thinking of having advertising?

Maybe he's just being a dick?

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:57:53 PM EDT

[#34]

Derek wants to make a living off selling banner ads on THR. Lack of support from the rest of the staff didn't discourage him. the rest of us are providing the forum services to our members but the technical control is in his hands.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:58:26 PM EDT

[#35]

I have helped several business owners get their domains back from asswipe admins.

1. You need to contact GoDaddy RFN.
2. They will direct you to fill out a form, provide a copy of your DL, business documents, tax ID, etc. Once they have all this you can get the domain back.
3. I suspect the douche bag has already changed the registrant, admin, tech names etc to himself, but Godaddy should have the original files or access to them to determine ownership.

It might take a couple weeks but you should be able to recover it. I have done this several times for clients and though it is a pain in the butt it is not difficult.

This would not address your data/forum issues but would get the domain name back.

Also if I remember Godaddy is pro-gun and may even be familiar with your work which would help.

Posted: 9/24/2008 5:59:51 PM EDT

[#36]

Well this just sucks.

Boris, ping me on gmail when you get a chance.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:00:57 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

If he's got the registration, he can move the hosting, which I'd bet he did.

Yeah, i guess so. What a dick.

I'd set up a new forum and have the moderators hammer the board with the URL for the new site. Whenever I got the word out I'd have them empty the board.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:03:36 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Because when whoever registered it, they choose not to have the renewal set to automatic.

Does this mean that when the domain expires, anyone can step up and renew it themselves?

If you grab it before it gets bought, yes. You have two choices when you register a domain, auto or no auto. If it's auto, then when it gets within 24 hours (usually) of expiring they'll try to auto renew based on the payment info you gave them. If it's not auto, then the domain goes up for grabs when it expires.

Not quite.

First of all you have to have it set to auto renew. If it can not auto renew, then if there are back orders on the domain name then they would get it because they already paid for it. I had 1 realtor who was always paying late, not renew on time and looked and her site was back ordered and made into a porn site. She had been giving her cards out with this for about month before she noticed. HAHA THAT was funny.

But if there are no back orders, and no renewal it will be unavailable for 30-90 days in a 'redemption' period. From dealing with Godaddy on several expired domains this period is random, and to get the domain back for the original registrant it will cost about $200 if I remember. Its been a couple years since I had to recover one. But during this time it can't be registered. And the time according to godaddy at the time was random. 30-90 days.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:04:50 PM EDT

[#39]

Rich and I tried with GoDaddy, no luck.

Giving up the forum would reward perfidy. Kipling says "danegeld" is a bad idea and I concur with that view.

Links to my fund-raising appeal from blogs and other forums would be much appreciated.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:05:35 PM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Someone should contact godaddy, the domain is up for renewal in December. The have renewal disabled.

Why would GoDaddy have the renewal disabled?

Kharn

Because when whoever registered it, they choose not to have the renewal set to automatic.

Does this mean that when the domain expires, anyone can step up and renew it themselves?

If you grab it before it gets bought, yes. You have two choices when you register a domain, auto or no auto. If it's auto, then when it gets within 24 hours (usually) of expiring they'll try to auto renew based on the payment info you gave them. If it's not auto, then the domain goes up for grabs when it expires.

Not quite.

First of all you have to have it set to auto renew. If it can not auto renew, then if there are back orders on the domain name then they would get it because they already paid for it. I had 1 realtor who was always paying late, not renew on time and looked and her site was back ordered and made into a porn site. She had been giving her cards out with this for about month before she noticed. HAHA THAT was funny.

But if there are no back orders, and no renewal it will be unavailable for 30-90 days in a 'redemption' period. From dealing with Godaddy on several expired domains this period is random, and to get the domain back for the original registrant it will cost about $200 if I remember. Its been a couple years since I had to recover one. But during this time it can't be registered. And the time according to godaddy at the time was random. 30-90 days.

Thanks for that, back orders I knew about, but I didn't know about the redemption period.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:06:29 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:I had 1 realtor

Who do you work for, if you don't mind me asking, that is.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:06:30 PM EDT

[#42]

Originally Posted By Oleg Volk:
Rich and I tried with GoDaddy, no luck.

Giving up the forum would reward perfidy. Kipling says "danegeld" is a bad idea and I concur.

What reason did GoDaddy give?

Well, I don't need to know, just curious. I hope you get it back Oleg, best of luck to you.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:12:43 PM EDT

[#43]

Sorry to hear it Oleg. I was a active member over there (still have a account) for quite a while before I came here. If you would like access to my log in let me know.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:18:24 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:

Quoted:I had 1 realtor

Who do you work for, if you don't mind me asking, that is.

Not to be rude but I have to respect my clients confidentiality. From my end it was funny as hell. The porn site was one of those cookie cutter ones. And went up like a week after my clients expiration. I noticed it and was wondering how long it would take my client. They owed me quite a bit of money at the time and I sent out renewal notices and warnings for a couple months.

It was funny as hell, and the only time I have actually seen a mistake like that. Her domain name was kind of generic and didn't scream realty or anything, and generic enough to be attractive to others. She still doesn't have it back after 4 years, and the porn company dropped it but she wouldn't pay the $25 to back order. It went into redemption again and then one of the bulk buyers snapped it up and she still doesn't have it.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:19:00 PM EDT

[#45]

Originally Posted By Oleg Volk:

I was bummed when they did away with the Roundtable forum

I started Armed Polite Society to replace the Roundtable.

Hi Oleg.

Love your work, as always.

I am one of the people you have licensed to display your images on my web site.

Anyway, APS is teh suck, sorry.

Keep up the good photo work, though, and all the best with THR.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:19:01 PM EDT

[#46]

.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:21:24 PM EDT

[#47]

BTW, guys, I think we have found the user with the lowest Posts Per Day ratio in Oleg.

Posted: 9/24/2008 6:29:16 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Not to be rude but I have to respect my clients confidentiality. From my end it was funny as hell. The porn site was one of those cookie cutter ones. And went up like a week after my clients expiration. I noticed it and was wondering how long it would take my client. They owed me quite a bit of money at the time and I sent out renewal notices and warnings for a couple months.

It was funny as hell, and the only time I have actually seen a mistake like that. Her domain name was kind of generic and didn't scream realty or anything, and generic enough to be attractive to others. She still doesn't have it back after 4 years, and the porn company dropped it but she wouldn't pay the $25 to back order. It went into redemption again and then one of the bulk buyers snapped it up and she still doesn't have it.

That's messed up, but yeah I would have been laughing too.

I asked because I work with realtors, and my company is a web business. It's not hosting, though.