Update on old forums and more...
At this time it does not look like Ed and I will be able to head out to the server to fix the problems with the old forums.
Not a bad issue anyhow since two little news updates for you which I will add here and in the NEWS forums.
1) NEW HARDWARE UPGRADES are in and ready to kick into the website server.
2) NEW SERVER, yes you heard right, is ordered and should be in (hopefully) this coming week. That means we make one trip and not two. (Good for us, trust me.)
If things go well who knows what [b]surprises[/b] the future holds for you all...
BUT the old forums do look like they have their days numbered. Due to the incredible amount of traffic they have carried for so long, the forums seem likely to continue to see problems which makes then too much of a burden. That means work on these forums will need to pick up before the other forums decide to die again, as well as trying to figure out a way to save all/some of that old content...
We'll keep you guys posted and do our best to provide both an acceptable solution to the new forums as well as the old forums.
Again, this weekend is not going to work for us, so look for them next weekend!
-- GoatBoy
Will your plans for next weekend include getting the e-mail list back up?
Thanks for all your efforts!!!
rambo
While you are resting at some time, it might be a good idea to post on the AK board to dispell rumors about the AR board.
Some members there have posted such, but others have expressed concern and misunderstanding.
Obviously there is some common ground between the board members and some are members of both (myself included).
Just a thought. [:)]
Goatboy--where is the server located? I am in the Washington DC area, and familiar with Sun hardware if that helps.
GunLvr
Thanks for the update, Goatboy. Will you be removing the port 1111 requirement when the old server is offline?
Ok here's an update on the situation.
New hardware is in, but there was a mixup with some of the items. These items will hopefully be in by weeks end so we can try to make a trip to the servers, otherwise we'll need to push things to the following weekend.
The plan is to move the sites (remotely) onto the new boxes and test them, then make the trip, plug them in, and make the swap active...
I'll post another update before Saturday with our situation.
Does this also mean Ed wants to migrate AR15.com and this forum to the new server. Meaning abandoning the UBB system for this one. Or will he repair the UBB forum and leave this one be as a beta site.
Kuiper
Thank you for all of the work ya'll do on this thing.
But since this little situation seems to happen a few times a year (and the travel thing forlyou guys is always an issue), why don't you move your operation closer to home while you are at it???
Not only does this site provide general enjoyment for it's members, but quite a bit of commerce happens on this site too. (in case you haven't noticed)
Some folks have grown dependant on this resource as a means of making money, friends, intelligent decisions, etc.
I guess this site is greater than the sum of it's parts.
Keep the synergy flowing fellas, make it easier to maintain the site. Easier is better for you and for the members!
Thanks again for all you do.
JDP
I wish to say three things:
1. I am greatful for AR15.com and the time I have spent here has been enjoyable not to mention free to me. If it is never back up, I am not out a dime and in fact still owe the people responsible for it a debt of gratitude. For that reason it should be clear that what I am about to say is not a complaint. I have no right to complain if it never hits another lick. I would describe my other remrks as simply observations.
2. I cannot imagine that a situation would exist that would result in a server being at so remote a location that the administrators cannot get to it in 8 hours (i.e. as soon as they get off work and go home) and the notion that they can't reach it for weeks is unimagineable. I just do not understand!
3. All the times that AR15.com has been off line, I have never read an explanation until right now. I view that as being disrespectful to the members who support the forum and deserve some sort of explanation out of courtesy alone. Manners dictate such an explanation to your guests.
3. (who said I could count). Thank you goatboy for keeping those of us who found this alternate sight apprised of the plan and progress.
PigPen
Some of the hardware did not make it in on time due to a screw up from the wharehouse. I'm expecting most of it today and the rest will show up on Monday. This means the forum fix will NOT happen this weekend, we'll shoot for next weekend.
As for answering some of the questions.
1) Yes the old forums will be up and running on the current problematic machine and development will be moved to one of the new machines.
2) The goal is for this site (development) to run until we (and you as a whole) are happy enough with it to migrate to it. There's alot of work that needs to happen, so dont think it will happen overnight.
3) Our host right now is a drive away because it is the most affordable place in the area. As I said before there are a number of costs which go into enjoying something. If we had a way to clear the operational costs every month then we would move it closer to one of the more stable and affordable ISPs. Currently the local ones are pretty expensive for colocation. The other issue is that we both work full time and have a ton of things to do outside of working on this site. This leads to a relatively slow response. Again, we dont do this for a living, otherwise there would be little to no downtime...
4) Thanks for the support and I will address the bulk of the issues with the site as I find more time. Right now I'm trying to balance a number of things.
-- GoatBoy
Goatboy,
Thanks a million. You da man!
[:)]
Lynn
Thanks alot for this board, I really appreciate it!!
Hi Again Goatboy,
Thanks for taking the time to maintain this site for us all.
But I am sure that you will agree that when a site goes down, it's a pain in the butt for a bunch of folks (especially you).
I was telling my brother (who is the Senior Webmaster/Computer Engineer at Go.com, a Disney subsidary) about this little problem that keeps occurring. He said he would be happy to offer some technical advice to address the issues that have been happening. This includes hardware, site design, bandwith utilization, etc.
He does not want to step on any toes or give the impression that he is god's-gift to technology, but he likes the site too and wants to see it flourish. Again, the site is greater than the sum of it's parts....
Let me know if you are interested in some help.
Good luck
JDP
Kudos Goatboy.
I have learned alot from this site and it's member's [:)] Not to mention some of the good deals I have got from the "On Sale" area!
Again, Thanks for all your time and efforts! [:D]
Thanks for the kind words, and I will be taking time this week to continue working on the forums and the site to improve a number of issues...
As for support issues. The other forums are UBB and are well known to hoard resources. The problem is with high traffic those boards tend to bring just about any system to its knees. And you guys can all attest to the amount of traffic in here. [:)]
As for getting others involved, that's not necessary. Outside of financial constriants as well as time, there is nothing anyone can do. I am planning on dedicating time this week to this site, and more specifically the forums.
-- Goatboy
