Author Topic: Forum will be down for a period next week (Read 26139 times)

GTX_Admin · « **on:** January 12, 2012, 04:35:19 PM »

Folks,

Next week ( most likely Tuesday and Wednesday) the forum will most likely be offline. In an effort to rectify the technical issues that have annoying everyone these last couple of week we will doing some technical changes.

I will give everyone a heads up before it happens.

regards,

Greg

deathjester · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2012, 04:26:19 AM »

Aarghh!! He's broken the internet already!!

Seriously, you're doing great so far - get your digital spanners going an' fix it all up.

Scooterman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2012, 06:32:11 AM »

NO NO NO! Don't take my new toys away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wulf · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2012, 06:46:13 AM »

teh internetz is broken???......nnnoooooooooooooo!!!!

Litvyak · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2012, 09:53:19 AM »

Quote from: beowulf on January 13, 2012, 06:46:13 AM

teh internetz is broken???......nnnoooooooooooooo!!!!

Well, since the Internet Master, the Dear Leader, died, it was only a matter of time...

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2012, 03:06:03 PM »

Well if it is that painful, we could avoid doing the work...

Modelling_Mushi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2012, 07:21:30 PM »

Well, if its that down a nice cup of chamomile tea and a block of chocolate should get it chipper in no time

And if that dont work a firm talking to and a shot o rum

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2012, 02:36:51 AM »

Just a gently reminder folks. This will be occurring in another day or so.

Regards,

Greg

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2012, 09:43:31 PM »

Are we back "up" or is this just a temporary respite

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2012, 01:38:20 AM »

Err...sorry guys. We haven't actually gone down yet. Unfortunately, work has become super busy this week and once I have gotten home, I have been too fragged to think properly to do the IT stuff that is necessary. Sorry.

I am doing some checking now on what exactly needs to be done - I wanted to be doubly sure so as to ensure all proceeds smoothly.

Regards,

Greg

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2012, 11:45:51 AM »

I'm hoping to have something worth posting by the time we are back $:-\$

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:06:38 PM »

Ok folks,

I am getting myself organised now. We will slide the IT work for a week and will do it next week. I will provide more details beforehand.

Sorry again for the stuff up.

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2012, 02:29:09 AM »

Ok, I am going to try this again later today/tonight...in about 16hrs....

That makes it around 2000 AEST (Brisbane)...or:

Berlin/Paris   11:00:00 24-Jan-2012
US/Eastern   05:00:00 24-Jan-2012
US/Pacific     02:00:00 24-Jan-2012
Zulu (London)   10:00:00 24-Jan-2012

Now synchronise your watches...

I will give warning to anyone online at the time.

Regards,

Greg

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2012, 02:34:22 AM »

Got it thanks! :)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2012, 06:44:33 PM »

Everyone please logout now!

Come back in about 24hrs.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:45:43 AM »

Ok folks,

I did the changes last night (my time). There may be a few tweaks in the coming day or so, so please be patient if there are any glitches ( that's what you get when an IT challenged person is put at the steering wheel

).

Hopefully these changes will reduce some of the problems we have been experiencing the last few weeks.

If anyone had any major problems please let us know.

Regards,

Greg

apophenia · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:36:36 AM »

Well done Greg! Just in signing in, I'm already noticing how much faster pages are loading!

BTW: I'm of the opinion that we're all IT challenged. Some of us know it, others live with their delusions

[Ed: Greg, just noticed one of those glitches pop up. Suddenly the attachments aren't showing and when you click on the 'paperclip' you just get "404 - Attachment Not Found".]

dy031101 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:44:49 AM »

I agree that pages seem to be loading much faster.

I have noticed, however, that pictures uploaded as attachments seem to be offline.

apophenia · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 08:29:54 AM »

Quote from: dy031101 on January 25, 2012, 07:44:49 AM

I have noticed, however, that pictures uploaded as attachments seem to be offline.

Yes it is. I just tried to upload and attachment and got the following:

An Error Has Occurred! The attachments upload directory is not writeable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved.

elmayerle · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2012, 09:42:50 AM »

I agree that there's most definitely a glitch. All the work that Flitzer uploaded today is totally unavailable to me (I can read the messages but the art is just not there).

jcf · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:08:09 AM »

Hi Evan,
currently no one can see any of the attachments or uploaded avatars.
The server switch-over seems to have caused the path to the folder to become
invalid, we are looking for a solution.

Inter alia, this is a perfect example of why off-site hosting through Photobucket,
personal web-page etc., is preferable, as no matter what technical glitches hit the forum,
off-site files will always be unaffected.

Also the more hosted, uploaded attachments, the larger the forum server space becomes
which can create a higher maintenance workload and definitely increase the time required
for file backup and restoration in case of melt-down.

Now that said, we intend to always leave the attachment function available, however we
do encourage folks to explore off-site, personal folder hosting for their own peace of mind.

Regards,
Jon

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:49:31 PM »

Sorry folks. I have been at work all day and not able to do anything re this - I only have a few minutes right now so won't be able to solve things just yet. As I said above, please be patient as we work through these glitches. At the end of the day a couple of hours or even a day without some attached images will be a minor 'blip' in the long run. Be thankful - my real worry was that after doing the changes, the forum would vanish altogether!

.

Regards,

Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2012, 04:07:50 AM »

Folks,

I am sure some of you had a minor panic attack a little while ago when the forum first disappeared and then reappeared all odd looking before getting back to normal (well improved actually). I can assure you that this is nothing compared to the Major Panic I was experiencing.

We were doing some changes in the background (final bits of the previously mentioned changes) and things went off the rails a bit.

We're all back now and there is only one man to thank:

Jon (aka jcf). Please join me in thanking him for his efforts! :)

Regards,

Greg

kitnut617 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2012, 05:30:16 AM »

Well done Jon

apophenia · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2012, 06:45:49 AM »

Jon: Well done you!

And the uploaded images all popped back into place (I was braced for re-attachment marathon). Above and beyond!

Greg: for minor panic attacks, I heartily recommend your local Cabernet/Merlot blends. Major panic attacks may require repeat applications.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2012, 06:55:03 AM »

Quote from: apophenia on January 26, 2012, 06:45:49 AM

Greg: for minor panic attacks, I heartily recommend your local Cabernet/Merlot blends. Major panic attacks may require repeat applications.

Maybe not that early in the day ( look at what time I was having my panic attack).

AXOR · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2012, 07:05:53 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on January 26, 2012, 04:07:50 AM

I am sure some of you had a minor panic attack a little while ago when the forum first disappeared and then reappeared all odd looking before getting back to normal (well improved actually).

I was like

then I

and the problem was solved

Well done Jon and thanks!

Alex

jcf · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2012, 07:23:19 AM »

You're welcome folks, I definitely had a Kübler-Ross DABDA moment then the air turned blue and the dog ran and hid.

I'm better now.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2012, 07:25:46 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on January 25, 2012, 12:49:31 PM

Be thankful - my real worry was that after doing the changes, the forum would vanish altogether! .

I just realised. I must have jinxed us with the above comment.

Doom! · « **Reply #29 on:** January 26, 2012, 01:24:12 PM »

Thanks to all who keep things rollin' along :)

coops213 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 27, 2012, 07:26:49 PM »

Is it just me or has the forum been up and down today? Earlier on, visiting http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php just gave me the "something cool coming soon" page.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #31 on:** January 28, 2012, 03:33:09 AM »

I'm not aware of anything - anyone else?

jcf · « **Reply #32 on:** January 28, 2012, 03:48:24 AM »

Nope.

Coops did you by chance go to http://beyondthesprues.com/ rather than http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php ?
The link without '/Forum/index.php' takes you to a placeholder page that is exactly as you describe.
That is the page for which Greg requested ideas/page designs.

Regards,
Jon

kitnut617 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 28, 2012, 05:39:24 AM »

Still getting ' Time outs' when I'm trying to post something, even on really short posts

jcf · « **Reply #34 on:** January 28, 2012, 05:41:20 AM »

Hi Robert,
I just experienced that today for the first time.
I'm looking into it as it may be a simple settings issue.

Regards

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #35 on:** January 28, 2012, 05:44:17 AM »

Sorry to add to your place Mr JCF, but I keep getting a time out error when I post replies.

Since you're taking a look at the settings, any chance you can look into this?

Gratefully,
Brian da Basher

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #36 on:** January 28, 2012, 06:10:52 AM »

In the meantime, I would keep remembering the 'reload' option - works for me every time.

Geoff · « **Reply #37 on:** January 28, 2012, 07:10:49 AM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on January 28, 2012, 05:39:24 AM

Still getting ' Time outs' when I'm trying to post something, even on really short posts

Me too.

coops213 · « **Reply #38 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:33:38 AM »

Quote from: jcf on January 28, 2012, 03:48:24 AM

Nope.

Coops did you by chance go to http://beyondthesprues.com/ rather than http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php ?
The link without '/Forum/index.php' takes you to a placeholder page that is exactly as you describe.
That is the page for which Greg requested ideas/page designs.

Regards,
Jon

I think I see what the problem is. Chrome bookmarked the page as http://beyondthesprues.com/forum/index.php (lowercase "F" on "forum"), it looks like this link doesn't work any more.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #39 on:** January 29, 2012, 06:32:35 AM »

You're right - that's odd because I am sure that used to work. I also didn't think it was case sensitive. Will look into further.

elmayerle · « **Reply #40 on:** January 29, 2012, 11:44:37 PM »

Quote from: Geoff on January 28, 2012, 07:10:49 AM

Quote from: kitnut617 on January 28, 2012, 05:39:24 AM
Still getting ' Time outs' when I'm trying to post something, even on really short posts

Me too.

Same here, but a Reload or two seems to fix it. Methinks there's a time setting that needs tweaking.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:41:13 AM »

Things are getting a bit frustrating with doing posts though, there just not enough time to write and make attachments etc, Tried to get a post posted four times just now and it timed out everytime.

Just like this one, took two tries even with this short message

tsrjoe · « **Reply #42 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:20:18 AM »

im getting same re time out error messages too, refresh doesnt seem to help either, a teeny niggle but def a pain. id thought it was just because iv been using my phone to access the site and been taking too long to type, but seems a problem elsewhere too, possibly a site setting

cheers, Joe

jcf · « **Reply #43 on:** January 30, 2012, 02:52:28 AM »

I've been looking into it on the SMF support forum, and it appears that we'll
have to dive into the forum code and, in IT weasel speak, 'chmod line XXX on
template blah-blah to change value M to =yada yada'
$:-\$

I'm not awake enough at the moment to face that dragon, however, it appears that
a 'temporary' user work around is to regularly clear cache and to load the forum cookie
anew at each session. Evidently an individual user's browser settings can also affect
the session time routine, of course after making that statement none of them
mention what those settings may be.
$:-\$

Sorry for the inconvenience folks and I'll attempt to address the issue ASAP.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #44 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:00:36 AM »

Thanks Jon

coops213 · « **Reply #45 on:** January 30, 2012, 03:18:29 PM »

I get the timeout errors too. I just hit back in the browser, which takes me back to my typed out post, and hit post again. Annoying, but not catastrophic.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #46 on:** January 30, 2012, 10:03:53 PM »

Quote from: coops213 on January 30, 2012, 03:18:29 PM

I get the timeout errors too. I just hit back in the browser, which takes me back to my typed out post, and hit post again. Annoying, but not catastrophic.

I've been doing that too, but then the attachments disappear and have to be reloaded. If you're only posting one or maybe two pics then it will upload, but attaching three or four it doesn't seem to like it and 'times out' again.

coops213 · « **Reply #47 on:** January 31, 2012, 03:59:34 AM »

Ah, I see. I haven't tried uploading photos to the forum, I've been using photobucket instead.

apophenia · « **Reply #48 on:** January 31, 2012, 06:51:38 AM »

kit': All but a handful of my posts have timed-out too. When they do, I've just been hitting the Back button on my browser. In almost every case, the message was still there including attached images. Usually it was 'second time lucky' for posting.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #49 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:01:01 AM »

Bingo, Jon's fixed something --- no timeouts Yeehaa !

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #50 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:44:04 AM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on February 02, 2012, 07:01:01 AM

Bingo, Jon's fixed something --- no timeouts Yeehaa !

Yes my time-outs stopped too. If Jon keeps this up, I'm going to start calling him the Wizard.

Brian da Basher

jcf · « **Reply #51 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:09:28 AM »

I'd love to take credit, but all I did was let it alone to run the scheduled maintenance tasks.
I hadn't yet gotten up the nerve to dive into the top level coding.

Perhaps, it just needed time to sort itself out following the server switch.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #52 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:00:26 AM »

Ah, the old "leave it alone and it will fix itself" strategy...

apophenia · « **Reply #53 on:** February 03, 2012, 06:41:59 AM »

Yep. Seems to be sorted. I say we assign Jon the credit anyway! :)


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Author Topic: Forum will be down for a period next week (Read 26139 times)