SAFooty down for 24 hours

[Wedgie]

Folks, my humblest apologies, myself and Diss have huge issues with the webspace company mainly because SAFooty is getting so ridiculously popular.
As a temporary measure we've "throttled" the site which means there's a maximum of how many people can access the site and we've also now got most of the forums so they're only viewable by users.
Merely stopping people viewing the site who aren't registered users will probably fix the problem but that's not the way we want to operate and are currently looking at possibly alternative software and/or webspace.
If you want a laugh at the frustration I and Diss have had here's a short summary of the last 24 hours dealing with IXWebhosting:

SAFooty overloaded the server so the webspace company send me an email advising we need to somehow limit the strain the site is putting on the server and they give us 72 hours to do something.
Unfortunately their idea of 72 hours was 72 seconds and they brought the site down immeditiately.
15 emails and 10 live chat sessions later and Ive got this far:

Wedgie:we need the site up so we can alter some settings which will help the strain on the server.
IXWebhosting: create a ticket
Wedgie: a ticket has been created by your admin who advised us we had 72 hours to reply/comply, Ive already replied to that.
IXWebhosting: Oh, well you must throttle the site so less people can go on it at one time, this can be done from your control panel.
Wedgie: Done
Wedigie: Hello? Site is still down.
IXWebhosting: Throttling is the right thing to do.
Wedgie: Um, we know, we've done that.
IXWebhosting: Oh yes you have, well one that's the right thing to do.
Wedgie: Um, website is still down.
IXWebhosting: I'll get our Admin to look at it and it will be up in 2 to 3 hours.

12 hours later, Diss goes through same conversation.

24 hours later:
Wedgie: Um, website is still down.
IXWebhosting: Yes, your site is a strain on the server.
Wedgie: Um, not at the moment as its been down for 24 bloodyhours! I was asked to respond/comply within 72 hours and have done so several times already. I could also limit the site so it is only viewed by registered users or limit some forums.
IXWebhosting: Good idea, do it.
Wedgie: Um, I can't as the site is down at your end, I need it up to change the settings.
IXWebhosting: We will have our admin look at it and possibly get it up and running again soon.
Wedgie: I was told that 24 hours ago.
IXWebhosting: It will be soon.
IXWebhosting: We could give you a refund of this month and you could move the site.
Wedgie: Umm, how could I move the site as I have no access to the site or database now.
IXWebhosting: You shoud do soon, we will have our admin look at it and possibly get it up and runing soon.
Wedgie: I was told that 25 hours ago and 1 hour ago.
Wedgie reaches for a bottle of something powerful whilst pulling his hair out.

[rod_rooster]

I know all to well what it's like dealing with companies like that. Extremely frustrating.

Have you got your other sites with the same people? Do they have alternatives for you or is it a matter of reducing the usage or go to someone else? Sounds like going through someone else would be the way to go given the level of service you got from them. To take the site down with such little notice is ridiculous.

[Hondo]

Thanks to Wedgie & Diss for working so hard in getting us back up & running

We take for granted we can just log in and post but it only happens through great work by the site admin in their free time

Can't believe they gave you 72 hours notice and then shut you down straight away

[Sojourner]

In the short time that I have been a member here it certainley seems to have got more popular, which in general is great for the SANFL. Still, webservers cost money and drawing down more webspace isnt cheap. Maybe one suggestion could be to put in a pay pal box in the corner which members if they wish to can contribute to in order to keep the forum expanding as it is?

[Wedgie]

I know all to well what it's like dealing with companies like that. Extremely frustrating.

Have you got your other sites with the same people? Do they have alternatives for you or is it a matter of reducing the usage or go to someone else? Sounds like going through someone else would be the way to go given the level of service you got from them. To take the site down with such little notice is ridiculous.

Nah, my other sites are with a different company called Addaction.
I actually had to move SAFooty from Addaction about 14 months ago as it was overloading their servers and IXWebhosting assured me that I'd have no such problems with them.
This site is just about big enough that it needs a dedicated server which would mean a min of about $120 a month cost (currently this site costs about $25 a month).
A brand new version of the software this site runs on has actually just come out in the last week, it was always our plan to migrate the site to that and that might help the situation too, I was going to wait a little longer to wait for a look, style or template (call it what you want) that looks like this site currently does but we may have to bring that idea forward a bit quicker than expected.
If we did go the dedicated server way we may have to look at something like Sojourner suggests, or perhaps have access to more forums for users that pay a small amount per year. That will be the very last option we take though.
Thanks for your ongoing patience.

[rod_rooster]

Thanks for your ongoing patience.

No need for you to thank anyone else. Thanks to you and Diss for your time and patience in not only setting up this site but keeping it running.

[Thiele]

Well done to Diss and Wedgie for all your hard work

[Coorong]

Wedgie/Diss in time I hope you both read this. You know sometimes something becomes such a part of your life that you never consider how things would be without it. This site for instance is such a part of so many lives that we have come to know IT and our fellow posters as family. When that suddenly stops you have this real feeling of loss and "shit what now"

Today for instance I not only did not have my morning "my time" on SAFooty, but then had an early meeting. The bride rings and says, Darling the whole internet is down, better not come home.

Well I did come home, fixed that problem and then later get the message this site is back up. Thank whoever (Wedgie & Diss) for there effort, although I share the frustration of dealing with idiots.

I deal with real people and situations every day, but this web site is my personal world (well apart from the bide, kids and grandkids) yesterday and today I had a sense of life without it and I can remember days before computers.

I have just cracked a bottle of Chivas.

By the way if web site/space/whatever is costly I bet all of us would contribute annually to assist.

We have to have our SAFooty running!

Most of us love this site, the internet friendships we have developed (and taken in to real life at games) how well I remember all I met at the bloods Bonanaza West vs North. Punky, BBBPPRRM, Wedgie, Ian, and others. The Bloods supporters I met for the first time and then find today one in particular is facing a serious health issue with a daughter. Your heart goes out to them as although you have only met once or twice, empathy is prevalent. And you have a common interest/love.

SAFooty, I (literally) toast you, 1,2,3 - 27 times.

[smithy]

Thanks for your ongoing patience.

No need for you to thank anyone else. Thanks to you and Diss for your time and patience in not only setting up this site but keeping it running.

I 2nd that Rod.

Maybe some tops,footies etc signed by players/legends and auctioned off to raise some funds for this site could be an idea?

[heater31]

I can concur what coorong said my whole world game crashing down as I actually had to do some assignments that are due next week as i could no longer procrastinate on here.


Well done to all involved in getting 'situation normal' going again

[smac]

Cheers for the good work chaps, my employer thanks you for the downtime.

[Kahuna]

Top post,Coorong,amen to that,and I add my thanks to Wedgie and Dissident for their efforts.

[Punk Rooster]

Breaking News- Productivity in SA was up 600% today...

[Dutchy]

Agree with all....would be mor ethan happy to donate $ if it came to that....man the extra time was handy yesterday though!!!

[magpie in the 80's]

Breaking News- Productivity in SA was up 600% today...

AND 100% HERE IN CANBERRA TOO

[JAS]

Hi All

Just want to use my first post on here to say a big thank you to Wedgie for taking time to activate my account so quickly amidst all the hassles that he and Diss have had

Given the number of registered members and even allowing for a fair few no longer being around a fee of say $1 per month per person would more than pay for the running costs of the forum. FWIW I for one would be more than happy to pay, the site is worth much, much more.

Thanks again
Regards
JAS

[johntheclaret]

Just like to add my thanks. Spent most of last night blaming the kids for clogging up the bandwidth.
Only been a member for a couple of months or so and already, this site has become addictive.

I too would be happy to contribute $$$ towards the running costs. As an overseas poster, this is my main source of information (real info, that is). Ended up playing solitaire last night (Yes it is sad insn't it)

PS

Coorong, I know what you mean. I am usually on here until about midnight over here and I see you on line most nights from around 10:00pm. That must be about 6:00 am ish your time.

[Coorong]

Just like to add my thanks. Spent most of last night blaming the kids for clogging up the bandwidth.
Only been a member for a couple of months or so and already, this site has become addictive.

I too would be happy to contribute $$$ towards the running costs. As an overseas poster, this is my main source of information (real info, that is). Ended up playing solitaire last night (Yes it is sad insn't it)

PS

Coorong, I know what you mean. I am usually on here until about midnight over here and I see you on line most nights from around 10:00pm. That must be about 6:00 am ish your time.

Yeah mate, usually log on about 5am and generally leave it on most of the day. I wander in and out all day.

[johntheclaret]

Just like to add my thanks. Spent most of last night blaming the kids for clogging up the bandwidth.
Only been a member for a couple of months or so and already, this site has become addictive.

I too would be happy to contribute $$$ towards the running costs. As an overseas poster, this is my main source of information (real info, that is). Ended up playing solitaire last night (Yes it is sad insn't it)

PS

Coorong, I know what you mean. I am usually on here until about midnight over here and I see you on line most nights from around 10:00pm. That must be about 6:00 am ish your time.

Yeah mate, usually log on about 5am and generally leave it on most of the day. I wander in and out all day.

Blimey mate, must only be around 5am now.

Still, sometimes it's the best time to be on when all is quiet. Personally, it gives me more time to read all the posts. The down side, sometimes when I actually would like to take part in a conversation, the said conversation has already finished, if you take my meaning. (Matchdays, with the Roosters excepted of course)

[Coorong]

Just like to add my thanks. Spent most of last night blaming the kids for clogging up the bandwidth.
Only been a member for a couple of months or so and already, this site has become addictive.

I too would be happy to contribute $$$ towards the running costs. As an overseas poster, this is my main source of information (real info, that is). Ended up playing solitaire last night (Yes it is sad insn't it)

PS

Coorong, I know what you mean. I am usually on here until about midnight over here and I see you on line most nights from around 10:00pm. That must be about 6:00 am ish your time.

Yeah mate, usually log on about 5am and generally leave it on most of the day. I wander in and out all day.

Blimey mate, must only be around 5am now.

Still, sometimes it's the best time to be on when all is quiet. Personally, it gives me more time to read all the posts. The down side, sometimes when I actually would like to take part in a conversation, the said conversation has already finished, if you take my meaning. (Matchdays, with the Roosters excepted of course)

"sometimes" this 57 year old still cant believe I can talk with you on the other side of the world.

I do work at this hour as well ( I work from home office) and often pick up the phone to ring someone and then remember what time it is LOL