System Outage

[John W.]

The system was down yesterday for several hours due to provider turning NDB off. I have an upgrade to install that will hopefully help alleviate this problem. I will be working on this next weekend.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

John

[Vinnie P.]

Re: System Outage

I have deleted the additional messages posted under the advisory by John Waggoner.

Posting additional suggestions about server problems only ties up the server more. John investigated a number of servers prior to switching over to the current server. He was assured that we wouldn't experience the same problems we had in the past. Apparently that is not the case and he's currently working on the problem.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments about the subject, an email direct to John or myself, as the coordinator of the Internet website on the National Board of Directors, would make better sense and not tie up the resources of the current server. Additionally, a couple of weeks ago John posted a message explaining same, and asking members using the discussion board to basically keep things on topic and not waste the resources of the server.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions they can be made directly to John or myself. Also if anyone would like to step up and donate a "full powered, dedicated server" to the organization they will be most welcomed to do so. Please contact me so arrangements can be made.

[Tom B.]

Re: Immaculate Image / Everyone's Benefit

Vinnie,

I must have missed any other responses, but my suggestion for "More HP" seemed credible enough for the benefit of everyone to be posted on the Discussion Board. Maybe it was the "delivery" that was a little off. Instead of trying to "economize" our activity, my suggestion for a new or better server seems justifyable and presentable in public. And even with these new circumstances, I think something like this message should be shown now.

I can't say that I'm not now a little miffed over the whole deal. Let's quit these off-board exchanges with everyone, so we can all have the benefit of knowing what's going on. It's the same thing that a few individuals here create when they try to re-route someone's question off board and preserve their "immaculate" Discussion Board image. No one else gets the benefit of knowing unless they want to ask "what was the answer to that?" I'm more than willing to conform to the rules. If we're going to have "new" rules then just post them for the benefit of everyone present as well as any future new posters.

It's already apparent that those with the Authority are going to delete messages now "at will". If we're through with the jokes and "fluff", fine, I'll quit those on my part, too. I don't have a problem with that. Now we've opened the door to start deciding which questions are too stupid to take up space. Maybe we all need to quit objecting to someone else's stated opinion as well, whether we think we're right or not.

Also, this is the first I've heard about the idea of donating a "compatable" Server. I'm not a computer-whiz, I have no idea what it is, or that it was even possible in the first place. We've all helped make the NCRS, as well as the NDB, possible for now. If we have to, then maybe we need to do more.

I suppose I there's every chance to not see this message last too long, either. TBarr #24014

[Jeff]

Let's be productive, how about a fund drive?

How much does what we need cost, Vinnie? I'll start by donating $100 to it whatever the hell the thing is. Or I'll donate the proceeds of some parts to the cause if we can raise money that way. Let me know how we can set up some type of auction/tag sale/whatever. If the Board generates new members maybe some portion of their dues can be earmarked for equipment, too. Any other suggestions?

JP

[George Daina]

Suggestions?...Yeah....

30K plus members...raise the dues $1.00, more than enough to buy a server. we don't need a Sun or an IBM AS 400, but a good pc based, multi processor unit will do the trick, plus the Apache software is free. The software, dear friends, is what is used on our discussion board.

[Patrick H.]

Re: System Outage

Vinnie,

A few months ago when the NDB had its prior problems, I asked John W. how large of a server (dedicated) we would need, and what it would cost. Is there an answer for this? I'm sure that the regular users would be more than happy to assist in purchasing one if the cost was reasonable.

Patrick Hulst #16386

[Don O'Connell #33101]

[George Daina]

To answer your question.....

the server loacation SHOULD be on the ISP's premises, the ISP will will monitor, and handle the backups. We can buy the server and pay the ISP for connection charge, maintenance, etc. OR, have the ISP buy the server and we pay usage fee. In both cases, the ISP would monitor and maintain the server.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Immaculate Image / Everyone's Benefit

Is the NCRS in such dire straits that it cannot afford to support one of its most powerful recruitment tools ? I ask this with all due respect, I have never seen a financial report that would provide such information. I feel the dues increase to solve the server problem would not be a burden for any member, even those who aren't online would understand the significance if properly presented to them. Johns diligent efforts to solve the problem within the constraints of the BoD are to be commended but the paring of software features and pleas to members to restrain from certain types of posts have proved ineffective, a permanent solution should be made a priority.

Respectfully

jerry

[Tom B.]

Re: Being Productive and Add on

I think the outcoming comments and discussion have already become productive. I'm more than willing to contribute right along with anyone else and $100 from me as well is worth it.

The additional things that I want to mention are this. What I started with saying in this thread is my single opinion only. Others may or may not agree with it. I have never lost any confidence in the good job both John Waggoner or Vinnie Peters have been doing and will continue to do for us. I believe NCRS at the very least has these two gentlemen in the right place, and I see them making every attempt to do the right thing. This one instance just happens to be one time I haven't agreed with something.

From this point, if it is possible and feasible to have a fund raiser or to consider the purchase/donation of a Server, then I'm all for it. Maybe Vinnie's or John's choice would have been for us to have handled this by email and I leave myself open to criticizm for not following what they asked. We can't all make the decisions that they make for us and I'm not so sure I would want to. If we can get some direction or feedback on what or how to proceed from John or Vinnie, and if this what they want some of us to do anyway, then I believe that would be the next step. TBarr #24014

[Bill Braun #33186]

Count me in for a C-note, too...