Noticed the past couple days that Robert Droz's US Highways website (http://www.us-highways.com) has been unresponsive. Does anyone have contact with Robert and know what's going on? Would be a serious shame to see the site fall by the wayside, given the level of material he had, including a complete list of US highway routes, US highway routes from 1956, the "Highway sign makeover", and more...
I'm friends with him on Facebook, but he hasn't been active there since at least July. There's a post on his timeline there by his brother that says he is taking a hiatus from social media and the blackout will be indefinite. He may have some sort of health issue going on. His Facebook page does not indicate an email address that can be used to contact him.
Has anyone tried contacting him? If not, I'll give it a shot using an email address that was valid last time I checked (which was three years ago).
The site was unresponsive a month or two ago as well. I fear it may be gone for good.
Quote from: usends on January 12, 2016, 05:24:57 PM
Has anyone tried contacting him? If not, I'll give it a shot using an email address that was valid last time I checked (which was three years ago).
I have, but messages come back as "mailbox inactive". I tried to send some updates a couple months ago, but never got through.
The error code that pops up when I tried accessing the site indicates a domain that no longer exists. I checked ICANN and the domain is still registered to Mr. Droz, though it expires tomorrow, 1-13-2016.
Too bad he didn't get with one of the other roadfans beforehand about continuing the site while he's away.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150811090042/http://www.us-highways.com/
There's also http://www.usends.com/ that's informative on the US highway system.
Tempting to buy the domain just to hang on to it. I'll think about that after I wake up
Quote from: US71 on April 21, 2016, 09:35:13 AM
Tempting to buy the domain just to hang on to it. I'll think about that after I wake up
It expires next January. You'd need to get it from him or someone on behalf of him directly. Once it expires, some domain broker will harvest it and then you can forget about buying it.
Yeah, I went to his site to see if I can send him some new Route Marker designs to load up on his International Highway Makeover Webpage. And it was GONE! :wow: :-o Now it looks like I'll have to find another place to put them up.... :no: as well as finding a place off-line to store the lost webpages in case the wayback machine deletes them.... :no: is there any way to copy the pages and toss them up on one's own website (i.e., internationalhighwaymakeover.com)?
Not without access to the server where his site is hosted.
One could TRY and piece together something off the web archive at least.
I've got hosting space available and would be more than happy to host it at no charge.
I've been in the process (delayed due to the school semester) of grabbing what I can of the highway sign makeover off archive.org and reformatting it to post on my website. IMO, it would be logical for the US highway pages (specifically dealing with US highways and not the Florida or monochrome or other stuff) to go to Dale Sanderson's USEnds page.
Quote from: US71 on January 12, 2016, 08:36:42 PM
Quote from: usends on January 12, 2016, 05:24:57 PM
Has anyone tried contacting him? If not, I'll give it a shot using an email address that was valid last time I checked (which was three years ago).
I have, but messages come back as "mailbox inactive". I tried to send some updates a couple months ago, but never got through.
I thought I'd update this old thread on U.S. Highways and Robert Droz just in case some of you might still be interested in this.
Poor, poor Robert Droz. You can read about him here: http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=93434
That's why his site has been unresponsive. His hosting fees were evidently not renewed and someone else has now taken his domain.
Let us all hope and pray that Robert can get his life straightened out again. I try to see the good in people and in Robert's case, I can honestly say with a straight face that when it came to U.S. Highways, he was very, very good at what he did. Let's try and remember him for that and welcome him back when/if he gets his life straightened out again.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain,
U.S. Route 66 Recommissioning Initiative
I went back and looked at this thread. I could have sworn that I, or someone else, had posted about his legal problems. I don't remember having that discussion anywhere else. I know I stumbled across the original story and thought I had posted the information here. Perhaps it has been removed?
Anyway, I thought that his situation was common knowledge now.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 09, 2018, 03:25:14 PM
I went back and looked at this thread. I could have sworn that I, or someone else, had posted about his legal problems. I don't remember having that discussion anywhere else. I know I stumbled across the original story and thought I had posted the information here. Perhaps it has been removed?
If memory serves correct, I think there was a private discussion.
I know his brother posted on Facebook that Robert would be off-line for a while, but no details were ever discussed.
I had no clue. It looked like this happened when I was away from the forum.
XT1710-02
Quote from: Rover_0 on August 30, 2018, 11:37:05 AM
I had no clue. It looked like this happened when I was away from the forum.
It all happened in 2015.
Quote from: Alex on April 21, 2016, 10:06:44 AM
It expires next January. You'd need to get it from him or someone on behalf of him directly. Once it expires, some domain broker will harvest it and then you can forget about buying it.
I tried to get capitalbeltway.com in 2007 for my Capital Beltway Projects site, but the domain broker who owned it wanted $2,500 for it and would not negotiate.
By adding the dash capital-beltway.com was available, nobody owned it, and I got that one. Nobody else has bothered to buy the other one, probably based on the fact that my URL is almost identical. Ha-HAA!
Quote from: hbelkins on January 09, 2018, 03:25:14 PM
I went back and looked at this thread. I could have sworn that I, or someone else, had posted about his legal problems. I don't remember having that discussion anywhere else. I know I stumbled across the original story and thought I had posted the information here. Perhaps it has been removed?
Anyway, I thought that his situation was common knowledge now.
If I remember correctly, you posted that on MTR.
Quote from: jdb1234 on August 30, 2018, 12:21:56 PM
If I remember correctly, you posted that on MTR.
MTR was pretty much demolished by 2015.
Quote from: hbelkins on January 09, 2018, 03:25:14 PM
I went back and looked at this thread. I could have sworn that I, or someone else, had posted about his legal problems. I don't remember having that discussion anywhere else. I know I stumbled across the original story and thought I had posted the information here. Perhaps it has been removed?
Anyway, I thought that his situation was common knowledge now.
I think Mike Ward posted something on Facebook.
So did anyone/any site successfully offer to host the US-Highways content somewhere, or would the only option be something like Archive.org?
Quote from: txstateends on August 31, 2018, 05:38:12 PM
So did anyone/any site successfully offer to host the US-Highways content somewhere, or would the only option be something like Archive.org?
No one knew until it was too late to do anything. He never announced he was going AFK, he simply did.
Looks like this entry from November 2015 is the latest (last?) Archive.org has for US-Highways:
http://web.archive.org/web/20151105234108/http://www.us-highways.com/
I haven't checked all the sections, but it looks like Archive.org has at least a few of them posted, including the Standard Oil history section.
Quote from: US71 on August 31, 2018, 06:33:18 PM
Quote from: txstateends on August 31, 2018, 05:38:12 PM
So did anyone/any site successfully offer to host the US-Highways content somewhere, or would the only option be something like Archive.org?
No one knew until it was too late to do anything. He never announced he was going AFK, he simply did.
And it was actually his brother who made the announcement, not him.
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:.
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:.
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:.
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Quote from: hbelkins on December 30, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:.
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Seems like there was talk about it, but I'm not sure if anyone copied the files.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 30, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Has anyone tried to contact him? The link posted upthread lists the system that he is in but not the facility he is in. Paper mail sent care of that system should reach him.
Quote from: Beltway on December 30, 2018, 10:57:48 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 30, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Has anyone tried to contact him? The link posted upthread lists the system that he is in but not the facility he is in. Paper mail sent care of that system should reach him.
Dear Robert:
Sorry that you're behind bars for a very long time for perverse acts involving little kids. Can you get get someone to copy your website files and send them to me so I can put your site back online?
See you in 15 to 25,
M.A. Roadgeek
Quote from: hbelkins on December 31, 2018, 02:58:07 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 30, 2018, 10:57:48 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 30, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Has anyone tried to contact him? The link posted upthread lists the system that he is in but not the facility he is in. Paper mail sent care of that system should reach him.
Dear Robert:
Sorry that you're behind bars for a very long time for perverse acts involving little kids. Can you get get someone to copy your website files and send them to me so I can put your site back online?
See you in 15 to 25,
M.A. Roadgeek
Seriously, ask him what is a likely parole date, and what if any provision he has for getting the files back online.
Quote from: Beltway on December 31, 2018, 03:01:32 PM
Seriously, ask him what is a likely parole date, and what if any provision he has for getting the files back online.
Considering the circumstances, I wonder if he'd be allowed computer access. Also, his files may have been confiscated &/or deleted, including backups.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 31, 2018, 02:58:07 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 30, 2018, 10:57:48 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on December 30, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:31:57 PM
Quote from: US71 on December 30, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 30, 2018, 05:25:56 PM
I just checked it, now some stupid motorcycle company has taken over the domain
It's not like the original owner had web access to renew it.
I just wish that something related to US highways replaced it.
Didn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
At any rate, Dale Sanderson's US Ends site has a lot of valuable information that mirrors some of what that site had.
Wonder how long Droz will be at his current abode?
Has anyone tried to contact him? The link posted upthread lists the system that he is in but not the facility he is in. Paper mail sent care of that system should reach him.
Dear Robert:
Sorry that you're behind bars for a very long time for perverse acts involving little kids. Can you get get someone to copy your website files and send them to me so I can put your site back online?
See you in 15 to 25,
M.A. Roadgeek
TACKY!
Quote from: US71 on December 31, 2018, 03:03:58 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 31, 2018, 03:01:32 PM
Seriously, ask him what is a likely parole date, and what if any provision he has for getting the files back online.
Considering the circumstances, I wonder if he'd be allowed computer access. Also, his files may have been confiscated &/or deleted, including backups.
I was meaning that he will have computer access after being paroled, which could be sooner or later depending on several factors. I seriously doubt that highway site files would have been confiscated and he probably would have had some time to get them backed up on alternate media if that had not already been done. Granted that may have seemed like a low priority at the time but in such a situation people do try to have a plan for the future when they are released even if it may be many years.
Quote from: hbelkinsDidn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
I did at the time, but I haven't been in a position to do any work on them.
Seems he's at Hamilton Correction Institution
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=H47061&TypeSearch=AI
Florida doesn't have parole but does have good time (up to 10 days credit per month while in DOC custody but must service 85% of sentence.) It appears the potential release date of 02/04/2021 has that already applied
Given the circumstances of the case I'm sure they would have seized anything resembling a computer, phone, CD, flash drive, hard drive that was on the premises. So unless he had off-site backup that is still active.
Quote from: Mdcastle on January 01, 2019, 12:48:55 PM
Seems he's at Hamilton Correction Institution
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=H47061&TypeSearch=AI
Florida doesn't have parole but does have good time (up to 10 days credit per month while in DOC custody but must service 85% of sentence.) It appears the potential release date of 02/04/2021 has that already applied
Given the circumstances of the case I'm sure they would have seized anything resembling a computer, phone, CD, flash drive, hard drive that was on the premises. So unless he had off-site backup that is still active.
That's what I was suggesting. I guess you said it better. :(
Quote from: Mdcastle on January 01, 2019, 12:48:55 PM
Seems he's at Hamilton Correction Institution
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=H47061&TypeSearch=AI
Florida doesn't have parole but does have good time (up to 10 days credit per month while in DOC custody but must service 85% of sentence.) It appears the potential release date of 02/04/2021 has that already applied
Given the circumstances of the case I'm sure they would have seized anything resembling a computer, phone, CD, flash drive, hard drive that was on the premises. So unless he had off-site backup that is still active.
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
Dude probably wasn't expecting to be picked up and probably didn't consider such an option.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 01, 2019, 02:45:59 PM
Dude probably wasn't expecting to be picked up and probably didn't consider such an option.
Speaking from some experience in church-related prison ministries, in the case of a non-violent crime the system usually gives the person at least a couple months to get their affairs in order before serving the sentence.
But since it involved exploitation of minors, that may have gone out the window.
Honestly at this point I think you guys just need to do what the TM guys did when the CHM guy went AWOL and make a new one.
I was reading a blog by a prisoner who was convicted of similar charges, and he was out on bail and allowed to self-report to prison at a later date. Generally these people reach some kind of plea bargain (plead guilty to a dozen images and go to prison for a few years and we won't charge you with the other 1983 that we found on your computer and put you away for decades.) They know someone in that position has incentive to not re-offend in the interim.
Having said that I'm not sure that it matters in this context though. If I was about to go to prison for 7 years, "backing up my web site" might not be on my to-do list. Even sitting on my couch it's been a year since I lost access to North Star Highway, and half of my Flickr photos are soon to be vaporized, and I haven't done anything.
Quote from: Mdcastle on January 01, 2019, 05:53:43 PM
If I was about to go to prison for 7 years, "backing up my web site" might not be on my to-do list.
This. +1
Just checked out the current site, and it's a blog about purchasing vehicles. The site doesn't seem to like me clicking around.
Quote from: kphoger on January 01, 2019, 06:34:44 PM
Quote from: Mdcastle on January 01, 2019, 05:53:43 PM
If I was about to go to prison for 7 years, "backing up my web site" might not be on my to-do list.
This. +1
I can't imagine any good webmaster not having backup media from the inception of the website, with new backups run when there are changes. So hand the backup device(s) to someone you can trust!
While it's true that us-highways.com remained online until late 2015, I think we're forgetting that the site hadn't been actively maintained for probably ten years or so prior to that. So I doubt there was a backup, and regardless of what happens in Robert's future, I would be surprised if he ever makes the effort to put his stuff back online (particularly because modern web standards are not friendly with tabular data). Going forward I think the best available option is the last version captured by archive.org (Nov. 2015). I've found that a bit cumbersome to use, so I've downloaded a local copy of each html file that is of interest to me.
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 02:44:20 PM
Quote from: Mdcastle on January 01, 2019, 12:48:55 PM
Seems he's at Hamilton Correction Institution
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=H47061&TypeSearch=AI
Florida doesn't have parole but does have good time (up to 10 days credit per month while in DOC custody but must service 85% of sentence.) It appears the potential release date of 02/04/2021 has that already applied
Given the circumstances of the case I'm sure they would have seized anything resembling a computer, phone, CD, flash drive, hard drive that was on the premises. So unless he had off-site backup that is still active.
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
But if his hosting ends, what happens to the files?
Quote from: US71 on January 01, 2019, 10:26:20 PM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 02:44:20 PM
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
But if his hosting ends, what happens to the files?
If the web hosting service for that website ends, then those files are deleted. However your own backup files on your storage device still exist albeit they are not online unless uploaded to a new website.
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 11:14:50 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 01, 2019, 10:26:20 PM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 02:44:20 PM
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
But if his hosting ends, what happens to the files?
If the web hosting service for that website ends, then those files are deleted. However your own backup files on your storage device still exist albeit they are not online unless uploaded to a new website.
Which seems to bring us full circle as to whether his files got confiscated with his computer.
Quote from: US71 on January 02, 2019, 10:07:50 AM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 11:14:50 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 01, 2019, 10:26:20 PM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 02:44:20 PM
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
But if his hosting ends, what happens to the files?
If the web hosting service for that website ends, then those files are deleted. However your own backup files on your storage device still exist albeit they are not online unless uploaded to a new website.
Which seems to bring us full circle as to whether his files got confiscated with his computer.
US-highways.com, presented by the FBI
Quote from: US71 on January 02, 2019, 10:07:50 AM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 11:14:50 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 01, 2019, 10:26:20 PM
Quote from: Beltway on January 01, 2019, 02:44:20 PM
They wouldn't have seized the files that were on the web hosting service. If nothing else him or someone else could have then downloaded those files to a backup device. IOW don't assume that he has no backups, or someone he designated.
But if his hosting ends, what happens to the files?
If the web hosting service for that website ends, then those files are deleted. However your own backup files on your storage device still exist albeit they are not online unless uploaded to a new website.
Which seems to bring us full circle as to whether his files got confiscated with his computer.
So other roads webmasters can find whatever internet archives exist and then have the option to put it online.
Virginia ASCE had some great articles online about the Pentagon construction, Shirley Highway reconstruction, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel construction. I linked to them from my website articles. A few years later they went offline. I e-mailed them and asked if I could host them in their format. I did not get a reply. I then uploaded the files to my website (as is so very little work was needed on my part) and linked to them and said that they are their articles. That was back around 2003. Nobody ever complained. If they wanted to re-host them I would have relinked to them. They never have. They are still being hosted by me! :clap:
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/VASCE-History/VASCE-Pentagon.htm
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/VASCE-History/VASCE-Mixing-Bowl.htm
http://www.roadstothefuture.com/VASCE-History/VASCE-CBBT.htm
These actually are electronic reproductions of a paper publication, I have a copy.
How much interest is there in resurrecting the former material from US-Highways?
Quote from: froggie on January 03, 2019, 12:39:11 PM
How much interest is there in resurrecting the former material from US-Highways?
I don't really remember what all he had, other than some information on decommissioned routes.
Are their other sources for his material? (Besides Wiki, of course.)
Quote from: hbelkins on January 03, 2019, 02:33:04 PM
Quote from: froggie on January 03, 2019, 12:39:11 PM
How much interest is there in resurrecting the former material from US-Highways?
I don't really remember what all he had, other than some information on decommissioned routes.
Are their other sources for his material? (Besides Wiki, of course.)
If I recall correctly, he had the US Highways, 1925 US Highways, the Kodachrome Florida US Highway Shields, and a History of Standard Oil & What Happened to Standard Oil.
Did he also have the "state highway makeover" page, or was that someone else? I remember one of the shields someone submitted featured a big piece of poop.
Quote from: bandit957 on January 03, 2019, 04:27:57 PM
Did he also have the "state highway makeover" page, or was that someone else? I remember one of the shields someone submitted featured a big piece of poop.
He might have had one. I think Otto Yamamoto had another.
Almost all of the US Highway information that was on there is still findable today on USEnds or Wikipedia. And as for the 1925 US Routes, Wikipedia has this (created by SPUI):
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/1925us.jpg)
Quote from: Brandon on January 03, 2019, 04:37:27 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on January 03, 2019, 04:27:57 PM
Did he also have the "state highway makeover" page, or was that someone else? I remember one of the shields someone submitted featured a big piece of poop.
He might have had one. I think Otto Yamamoto had another.
Yamamoto had the original....RVDroz took it over when Yamamoto dropped his webpage.
The screen grabs shown on this site (http://ontarioexploration.com/wp/international-highway-sign-makeover/) come from what I remember looking at and contributing to once upon a time.
Quote from: US 89 on January 03, 2019, 06:21:02 PM
Almost all of the US Highway information that was on there is still findable today on USEnds or Wikipedia. And as for the 1925 US Routes, Wikipedia has this (created by SPUI):
[image snipped]
Wikisource also has a copy of the Report of Joint Board on Interstate Highways October 30, 1925 (https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Report_of_Joint_Board_on_Interstate_Highways_October_30,_1925) available for reading, complete with the sign diagrams in the appendix.
Group,
There are some things I'd really like to say about Robert Droz. Before he got in trouble, I carried out quite a bit of correspondence with him over the years.
What people need to understand is that he has a sickness that is only a small part of what he is. Outside of his sickness, he is actually a helluva nice guy.
Based on what I understand at this point, Droz never physically molested anybody. At least those were not the charges. The charges had to do with trafficking porn on his computer. That's what he got in trouble for but that is still a rather serious charge.
Many years ago when I first got interested in seeing if Old Route 66 could be reinstated as an official U.S. Highway, I wrote Droz a letter asking for help. At that time I had little or no computer experience and wrote him a hand-typed paper letter and sent it by U.S. Mail. He was kind enough to write me back a very nice letter.
Then later on I had considerable e-mail correspondence with him as well. Needless to say, I was crestfallen to have gotten this bad news about him.
He told me once that by 2026 he was planning to write a book about the U.S. Numbered Highway System to help celebrate its centennial anniversary. I hope those plans somehow stay on track.
People get into trouble all the time over things they wished they hadn't done. People also get their lives back together again. My hope and prayer is that Robert can do that. There is still time.
Best Regards,
Fred M. Cain
I'm sure Jared from Subway was a nice guy too...but... Anyways, in the days of yore in the early 2000s us-Highways was an incredibly useful page but it didn't keep up with the times before it disappeared. I'd argue that the information which was contained on the site has been mostly duplicated and improved upon by other websites that are still around today. The amount of information freely available about highway history in general has improves leaps and bounds this recent decade.
Max,
Those are good thoughts. I guess you've come up with the best idea on how to achieve closure of this issue.
It is what it is, I guess.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Quote from: fredmcain on September 06, 2019, 11:08:07 AM
Max,
Those are good thoughts. I guess you've come up with the best idea on how to achieve closure of this issue.
It is what it is, I guess.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Don't get me wrong, it's not like a site can't come back from the dead. Example; Gribblenation essentially has found a second life since the original website went defunct through blogs and Facebook. Us-Highways would have a massive uphill climb to catch up with some of the modern equivalents or would have to find a way to present the information anew. The trouble is the site host won't be around anytime soon for obvious reasons. The one site I really wish would do some updates from the era that is at least still maintained is arizonaroads.com.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on September 06, 2019, 11:36:14 AM
Don't get me wrong, it's not like a site can't come back from the dead. Example; Gribblenation essentially has found a second life since the original website went defunct through blogs and Facebook. Us-Highways would have a massive uphill climb to catch up with some of the modern equivalents or would have to find a way to present the information anew. The trouble is the site host won't be around anytime soon for obvious reasons. The one site I really wish would do some updates from the era that is at least still maintained is arizonaroads.com.
Has anyone tried to contact Robert and see if he's be willing to let someone else host/maintain his site?
Quote from: US71 on September 06, 2019, 02:34:11 PM
Has anyone tried to contact Robert and see if he's be willing to let someone else host/maintain his site?
I'd be willing to bet that his original files are long gone. Most likely, his computer equipment was confiscated and he will have no access to it. It's probably either been destroyed, locked in an evidence room somewhere, or the hard drives were wiped clean and the machines sold as surplus. The domain expired, which is how this first put the subject into public discussion, and AFAIK the only access to the data is available via the Wayback Machine.
Quote from: hbelkins on September 06, 2019, 02:44:27 PM
Quote from: US71 on September 06, 2019, 02:34:11 PM
Has anyone tried to contact Robert and see if he's be willing to let someone else host/maintain his site?
I'd be willing to bet that his original files are long gone. Most likely, his computer equipment was confiscated and he will have no access to it. It's probably either been destroyed, locked in an evidence room somewhere, or the hard drives were wiped clean and the machines sold as surplus. The domain expired, which is how this first put the subject into public discussion, and AFAIK the only access to the data is available via the Wayback Machine.
Similar points have been repeated in the last couple years here.
Has anyone asked him? Could send him a paper letter.
Quote from: Beltway on September 06, 2019, 03:09:14 PM
Similar points have been repeated in the last couple years here.
Has anyone asked him? Could send him a paper letter.
Yes, you could do that. If we could ascertain what facility he's at, you could write him a paper letter. In fact, that would probably be a day brightener for him. You have given me an idea. I might just try and do that. It might be good for him to hear from someone like us.
I do not and would not condone what he did. NEVER! But, at the same time, I don't judge anyone. That is for the Man upstairs to do and His right alone.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on September 06, 2019, 11:36:14 AM
Quote from: fredmcain on September 06, 2019, 11:08:07 AM
Max,
Those are good thoughts. I guess you've come up with the best idea on how to achieve closure of this issue.
It is what it is, I guess.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Don't get me wrong, it's not like a site can't come back from the dead. Example; Gribblenation essentially has found a second life since the original website went defunct through blogs and Facebook. Us-Highways would have a massive uphill climb to catch up with some of the modern equivalents or would have to find a way to present the information anew. The trouble is the site host won't be around anytime soon for obvious reasons. The one site I really wish would do some updates from the era that is at least still maintained is arizonaroads.com.
There's one thing I remember from Robert's website that I don't recall seeing anywhere else: There was a mention of US-160 being considered for an extension all the way to California, but I don't know when. I don't know when or what route it would've taken. Now, it wouldn't surprise me to see some AASHTO (or AASHO) amendment applications pop up somewhere soon, but, so far, US Highways.com was the only place with that piece of information.
us-highways.com domain has been acquired by someone else.
Quote from: Rover_0 on September 06, 2019, 05:18:48 PM
There's one thing I remember from Robert's website that I don't recall seeing anywhere else: There was a mention of US-160 being considered for an extension all the way to California, but I don't know when. I don't know when or what route it would've taken. Now, it wouldn't surprise me to see some AASHTO (or AASHO) amendment applications pop up somewhere soon, but, so far, US Highways.com was the only place with that piece of information.
Here is the relevant text about US 160 (my bold, my clarifications in brackets):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1930; Original route Springfield, MO - Cortez, CO; Planned to Monticello, UT 1930 w/ future NV and CA considered; extended west Lockerby, UT 1934 [this refers to the CO/UT stateline]; Brendel, UT 1938 [this refers to Crescent Jct.]; west truncated Cortez, CO 1970; extended west 1970 [this refers to Tuba City]; Orig plan for future extens to CA
Similarly, he had an interesting tidbit about US 63 (see bold):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1926 [Des Moines to Turrell AR]; Was ferry [where? Jefferson City?]; extended north 1934 [Ashland WI]; extended south to Memphis, TN 1940; extension s to coastal Louisiana denied 1940; north truncated 1990 [outside Ashland]; south truncated W. Memphis, AR 1999; current extended south 1999 [Ruston LA]
Just start a new one like when CHM went AWOL.
I wish Chris Bessert or whatever his name is would keep tabs on his WI website. http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/ (http://www.wisconsinhighways.org/) There's a lot of good (outdated) info there.
Quote from: fredmcain on September 06, 2019, 03:16:58 PM
Quote from: Beltway on September 06, 2019, 03:09:14 PM
Similar points have been repeated in the last couple years here.
Has anyone asked him? Could send him a paper letter.
Yes, you could do that. If we could ascertain what facility he's at, you could write him a paper letter. In fact, that would probably be a day brightener for him. You have given me an idea. I might just try and do that. It might be good for him to hear from someone like us.
I do not and would not condone what he did. NEVER! But, at the same time, I don't judge anyone. That is for the Man upstairs to do and His right alone. Regards, Fred M. Cain
I am not going to contact him myself, that would be up to someone who is directly interested in putting the material back online.
Quote from: usends on September 06, 2019, 05:56:31 PM
Quote from: Rover_0 on September 06, 2019, 05:18:48 PM
There's one thing I remember from Robert's website that I don't recall seeing anywhere else: There was a mention of US-160 being considered for an extension all the way to California, but I don't know when. I don't know when or what route it would've taken. Now, it wouldn't surprise me to see some AASHTO (or AASHO) amendment applications pop up somewhere soon, but, so far, US Highways.com was the only place with that piece of information.
Here is the relevant text about US 160 (my bold, my clarifications in brackets):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1930; Original route Springfield, MO - Cortez, CO; Planned to Monticello, UT 1930 w/ future NV and CA considered; extended west Lockerby, UT 1934 [this refers to the CO/UT stateline]; Brendel, UT 1938 [this refers to Crescent Jct.]; west truncated Cortez, CO 1970; extended west 1970 [this refers to Tuba City]; Orig plan for future extens to CA
Similarly, he had an interesting tidbit about US 63 (see bold):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1926 [Des Moines to Turrell AR]; Was ferry [where? Jefferson City?]; extended north 1934 [Ashland WI]; extended south to Memphis, TN 1940; extension s to coastal Louisiana denied 1940; north truncated 1990 [outside Ashland]; south truncated W. Memphis, AR 1999; current extended south 1999 [Ruston LA]
I recall the US 160 blurb as well. Kind of intriguing to think how it would have possibly gotten to Nevada much less California.
Quote from: usends on September 06, 2019, 05:56:31 PM
Quote from: Rover_0 on September 06, 2019, 05:18:48 PM
There's one thing I remember from Robert's website that I don't recall seeing anywhere else: There was a mention of US-160 being considered for an extension all the way to California, but I don't know when. I don't know when or what route it would've taken. Now, it wouldn't surprise me to see some AASHTO (or AASHO) amendment applications pop up somewhere soon, but, so far, US Highways.com was the only place with that piece of information.
Here is the relevant text about US 160 (my bold, my clarifications in brackets):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1930; Original route Springfield, MO - Cortez, CO; Planned to Monticello, UT 1930 w/ future NV and CA considered; extended west Lockerby, UT 1934 [this refers to the CO/UT stateline]; Brendel, UT 1938 [this refers to Crescent Jct.]; west truncated Cortez, CO 1970; extended west 1970 [this refers to Tuba City]; Orig plan for future extens to CA
So, for US-160, it may have been considered for a California extension both when it was extended to Crescent Jct.
and Tuba City.
Quote from: Rover_0 on September 07, 2019, 01:27:58 PM
Quote from: usends on September 06, 2019, 05:56:31 PM
Quote from: Rover_0 on September 06, 2019, 05:18:48 PM
There's one thing I remember from Robert's website that I don't recall seeing anywhere else: There was a mention of US-160 being considered for an extension all the way to California, but I don't know when. I don't know when or what route it would've taken. Now, it wouldn't surprise me to see some AASHTO (or AASHO) amendment applications pop up somewhere soon, but, so far, US Highways.com was the only place with that piece of information.
Here is the relevant text about US 160 (my bold, my clarifications in brackets):
Quote from: us-highways.com
Since 1930; Original route Springfield, MO - Cortez, CO; Planned to Monticello, UT 1930 w/ future NV and CA considered; extended west Lockerby, UT 1934 [this refers to the CO/UT stateline]; Brendel, UT 1938 [this refers to Crescent Jct.]; west truncated Cortez, CO 1970; extended west 1970 [this refers to Tuba City]; Orig plan for future extens to CA
So, for US-160, it may have been considered for a California extension both when it was extended to Crescent Jct. and Tuba City.
For Crescent Junction, it probably would have followed US 6 and US 50 to Sacramento (a useless overlap).
For Tuba City, it probably would have used AZ 64, US 66, and CA 58 to either Bakersfield or even the coastline.
Quote from: froggie on December 31, 2018, 05:40:10 PM
Quote from: hbelkinsDidn't someone snag some of the pages off an archived version of that site?
I did at the time, but I haven't been in a position to do any work on them.
Quote from: usends on January 01, 2019, 07:38:14 PM
While it's true that us-highways.com remained online until late 2015, I think we're forgetting that the site hadn't been actively maintained for probably ten years or so prior to that. So I doubt there was a backup, and regardless of what happens in Robert's future, I would be surprised if he ever makes the effort to put his stuff back online (particularly because modern web standards are not friendly with tabular data). Going forward I think the best available option is the last version captured by archive.org (Nov. 2015). I've found that a bit cumbersome to use, so I've downloaded a local copy of each html file that is of interest to me.
Turns out I have a copy of the entire us-highways website from 2003 on disc. Looking at it, the site did not change a whole lot after that. But there are portions I forgot about, like a section covering the I-275 Bypass concept for Tampa with N and S interstate style signs.