Downtime

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Chip, May 2, 2005.

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  1. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    So I guess an explanation and some thoughts are in order about the downtime.

    First, it't important for me to state that we do appreciate all of the assistance and support that we get from the community, and in particular, the messages offering to help and so forth. However, when degreeinfo is down, I generally get anywhere from several dozen to well over 100 messages asking various things, from if I know it's down, to do I know when it will be up, DEMANDING it be up immediately, offering to help, explaining what (whomever) thinks the problem is and how we should fix it, and whatever else.

    There are a couple of regulars who drop me a line usually very quickly when they notice a problem, and we have monitoring in place that tells us when something is amiss. So usually we know. Sometimes I can fix it right then, sometimes it has to wait a little while, and sometimes it is waiting on Nate, who takes care of all the coding and heavy lifting behind the scenes.

    Second, it's also important to say that the outage had nothing to do with spam attacks, DNS attacks, or any other form of denial-of-service attack or interruption.

    In this case, the main server which houses everything except the message database was down due to a series of changes made to the network it was on, and I did not have access to the server, because Nate has always handled it and I'd never needed the info. And Nate was unreachable for a couple days, so there was nothing to do except wait... the backups were also on Nate's network, so I couldn't restore it to another server either.

    But now, DegreeInfo (databases and site and discussion board) are on a new server, part of a very high capacity network, and everything is on one box, so the sync problems that were causing the database errors should be a thing of the past, and Nate and I both have access to this box in case of problems.

    So we should be good to go, with faster loading times and fewer glitches.

    Sorry for the downtime, but thanks for your continuing support.

    Regards,

    Chip
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    My thanks to Chip, Nate and all other involved persons in keeping the forum up and running. You do a great job.
    Jack
     
  3. KKA

    KKA Member

    Thanks

    In deed, thank you to all.

    Kenneth
     
  4. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Thanks

    Absolutely thanks!
    I'm glad to hear that the discussions are well archived. as a whole, they are worth millions. And you guys give the information out gratis. Is a sainthood in order? Ok maybe not that far, but thanks anyhow.

    dan b
     
  5. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Jodokk: "Is a sainthood in order?"

    John: Saint Chip. What a concept. He has my vote.
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Someone included me in a list of people that he was thankful for regarding this site. Well, Chip, Nathan, Bruce, and the others who actually run this site are the ones who deserve our gratitude. Without Degreeinfo, we'd be left with two obvious degree mill-selling sites.

    Thanks, guys.
     
  7. LBTRS

    LBTRS Member

    Glad it's back up and running. I was looking forward to doing some research on some schools this weekend and was happy to see the site come back up.
     
  8. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    New server! EEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAHHH! Multumesc foarte mult, Chip!
     
  9. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Many thanks Chip
     
  10. Jake_A

    Jake_A New Member

    Jack Tracey:

    Do I have your permission to echo your sentiments exactly? Mucho obligado "to Chip, Nate and all other involved persons" who work hard (and furiously) to keep DI up and kicking, or down and refusing to let it stay down ..........

    Chip et. all:

    Question: Is it ok (ummm, shall I say ...... is it legal and appropriate) for us, humble DI posters/members, to make a financial contribution, even if small, to an ongoing project fund for fixing DI servers and systems, procuring a needed part here and there, getting a new version of the forum software, whatever ....... to help DI out in times of need or ............ for regular upkeep and maintenance of DI's infrastructure and services?

    If so, I am sure that a legitimate (ummmm, accredited .... smile) donation vehicle (e.g. paypal) can be set up to permit such?

    I am sure my $0.02 may not buy much, but (what is it now?) 18,000 donations of $0.02 each equals $360 - which can buy at least one small hard drive or some such?

    Imagine if the $0.02 became $2.00 each?

    Not to mention that I am sure there are some of us in here who would give more than $2.00 per.

    The mill shills and DI detractors probably won't contribute, but I am sure we will still do fine.

    Just curious. Please advice.

    (BTW/FYI... I am not looking for a tax deductible vehicle. Last thing on my mind ..... smile).

    Thanks.
     
  11. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all your hard work, really appreciate it!!!!


    Abner :)
     
  12. spmoran

    spmoran Member

    I have wondered how much this site costs to run. I know that without it would not be anywhere finishing my degree, and grad school would be a pipe dream. I have no idea how this is all funded, but if donations are needed to keep it running smoothly and reliably, I'd certainly chip in for that. I think the PayPal link is a great idea.
     
  13. Bill Hurd

    Bill Hurd New Member

    Thanks to Chip and all the others involved in keeping degreeinfo going.

    I completed a DL MBA and am in the NCU PhD program as a direct result of information obtained from this forum.

    Thanks a $m, or $b with inflation.

    Bill Hurd
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That, or perhaps honorary doctorates should be handed out liberally to our administrators. :)

    -=Steve=-
     
  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I am just seeing if anyone else cannot see the list of topics at the top right (in the blue window) on the home page.

    Thanks!
     
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I can't see that either. At first I thought that might mean things weren't back up, as it's meant in the past. However, being a junkie, I checked anyway and sure enough things are up.

    -=Steve=-
     
  17. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    yah well... maybe I spoke too soon....

    Turns out that when the issue occurred with the old server and network, it created some problems with the core database that serves the messages on the discussion board.

    Nate is fixing it, and i believe that what we're seeing now is mostly back to normal, but there are a few glitches here and there... such as the code snippet that makes new threads appear on the main home page and a few other things.

    We also know that the degreefinder search is not yet configured correctly, but that too should be fixed in the next day or two.

    As for donations... let me talk to Nathan about this. We do get some income from the schools that are featured here, but I don't know if, with all the downtime, that will cover our costs. I will try and get answers to all of this in the next day or two.

    Thanks again for your kind words and the offers of assistance!

    Regards,

    Chip
    DegreeInfo.com cofounder/admin
     
  18. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    If Moran's in, I'm in. Post donation info when you get a chance.
     

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