Important Forum Announcement - May 1 2003

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Ron

Administrator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-05-19

Posts 8669
Michigan, US

0 posted 2003-05-01 02:55 PM

As many of you will recall, about six weeks ago we inadvertently lost a few hundred poems when our SCSI hard disk filled to overflowing. With over 146,000 threads, comprising some 1.4 million posts, our database uses up a whole lot of disk. I've been nursing the server along since then, clearing space where I can to make room for new posts, while waiting for delivery of a new and bigger SCSI drive.

This morning, I received word that the drive had arrived and would be installed tonight. Yikes!

The surgery on Artemis is scheduled from midnight to six a.m., EST, and quite obviously the forums must be closed during that time period. But before putting Artemis under the knife, it's also necessary to backup our rather huge database to Apollo (the main site's server), just a for a little CYB. And that presents a bit of a conundrum.

The whole reason to backup the database is so that it can be replaced should worst come to worst. Probably won't happen, but it could. The perfect solution, in terms of protecting our data, is to shut down the forums and then copy everything to Apollo. Should anything happen to Artemis, I have an exact duplicate of our live database. Trouble is, that would keep the forums off line for a very long time, and it's probably not even necessary. The alternative is to leave the forums open while I backup the database. The trouble with that solution is that, should I actually have to use the backup, anything posted after I make the backup copy will not be preserved. Probably won't happen, but it could.

In spite of the dangers, I've opted for the second strategy, with just a touch of the first thrown in for safety. It's going to take all of today and most of the evening to move our huge database across Ethernet wires. I'll start with the Archives, then move to the Discussion forums. Anything you post in the Archives or Discussion forums, from this point forward, could "potentially" be lost should I have to later restore the database because of a catastrophe. Probably won't happen, but it could.

I don't want to take that chance with our Poetry/Prose forums, however. Before I back those up, I will close them, one at a time, and they will remain closed until Artemis comes out of the recovery room. That will eliminate the possibility, however remote it might seem, of losing data. It's very, very difficult to time this exactly, and I can't take a chance on not having enough time, so there will probably be several hours tonight when we are down to just one or maybe two Poetry forums. Open #26 will be the last to disappear. At 11 p.m. tonight, EST, I will shut down the forums entirely and backup that last poetry forum.

When the hardware people complete their operation, they will email me and I'll bring the forums back on line. Probably sometime Friday morning. Chances are that's all that will be required, because they'll have already moved all our data safely over to the new hard disk. If something goes horribly wrong, though, we'll be covered and, even if it takes more time, I'll still be able to get us back to where we were. Well, at least that's the plan.

Bottom Line:

* If you comment in the Archives or post anything in a Discussion forum tonight, be sure to make a copy on your local machine if you think it's important. Posts in those forums tonight will NOT be backed up.

* Poetry and prose forums will probably start disappearing sometime early this evening, say about six or seven o'clock, EST. Don't go ballistic when your favorite forum disappears. It'll be back tomorrow, all safe and secure.

* The forums will be shut down tonight about 11 p.m. EST and will remain closed until early Friday morning. Our resurrection time will depend on both the hardware team and on how much sleep they let me get.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

1 posted 2003-05-01 03:42 PM

LOL, thanks for the warning. I had just done a "I need a break" post in open, and VOILA! you offer me a coverup.

Good luck, Mr Wizard!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

2 posted 2003-05-01 03:55 PM

Ron, both you and Artemis are in my prayers.
I know the sugery will go well.
Please let us know when Artemis is in recovery..
And, like the last time..you also know
I'm going to go into panic mode when the Forums start shutting down.

Thanks for the warning...Best of luck sir.

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

3 posted 2003-05-01 04:00 PM

Gotcha oh Brave One!

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

4 posted 2003-05-01 04:03 PM

Ron, I am in no way computer literate,
but I sure am glad you are!!
Thanks for letting us know !!
And thanks again for this awesome site.
hugs, Chris

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

5 posted 2003-05-01 04:15 PM

That's three hours difference from ME, 8 pm...sigh. Ok I can handle it. I'll be brave.

scorpio
Member Ascendant

since 2002-10-02

Posts 5178
right...there

6 posted 2003-05-01 04:33 PM

I sense a large case of pip withdrawal...hope there's a hockey playoff game tonight...or a very seductive redhead nearby!!!

believe in what your heart feels...

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

7 posted 2003-05-01 05:02 PM

Look Bud..I don't know who you think you are but you better not shut down this site...Do We Have an Understanding!!!!?????....Okay, I'll allow six hours....if it ain't back up by then....I'll make your life and the lives of your moderators miserable....okay...more miserable....You're just lucky I drank lunch today and I'm in a "passive" mood...(I had to call my boss and tell him I had a touch of polio and couldn't come back today)....at any rate...have a great afternoon and remember...I warned ya....

Peace, Love and Blacklights...Toe

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

8 posted 2003-05-01 05:15 PM

LOL at your metaphor...I just scheduled self for surgery, and can appreciate your finely tuned humor, oh dear Wiz! I am sure Apollo and Artemis will come out of this just fine, with Dr. Carnell in his scrubs. As a matter of fact, I'm this far from ROTFLMBO over this, considering the conundrum I've been through today in setting things up. Fortunately for you, you won't even know when I go in [or will you???

]

Just don't let Hawkeye come in - he could rip the stitches with his humor, OK?

[And we ALL know you can't put in enough stitches to keep our Toe away, bandaid and all...which is fine by me!]

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

9 posted 2003-05-01 05:53 PM

A perfect opportunity to thank you for the home that you have provided to so many for so long. In the event that the unthinkable happens, just want ya to know that I would NEVER want to do what you take on here.

So, thanks

Duncan
Member Ascendant

since 2001-08-07

Posts 5455

10 posted 2003-05-01 06:01 PM

Hope all goes well Ron. I actually understood some of that!

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

11 posted 2003-05-01 07:40 PM

Well then - I'm surely glad this didn't happen three days ago - That "Comedy of Tulip Errors" wouldn't be a good thing on this project...

aries_luv_ppl
Senior Member

since 2001-09-20

Posts 1448
Universal Mind

12 posted 2003-05-01 07:57 PM

hey that solve my mystery of disappearing forums! LOL.....thanks for the msg

Eliza Simmons
~Every girl has a dream within.

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

13 posted 2003-05-01 08:11 PM

Too bad we didn't do this last night..I was watching 'Manor House' on PBS..it's SO GOOD..if you get a chance, try to see it!

Titia Geertman
Member Ascendant

since 2001-05-07

Posts 5182
Netherlands

14 posted 2003-05-01 10:00 PM

LOL that's ok with me, it's my sleeping time anyway, so it won't bother me at all.

Hey I found something in favor of living all the way across the ocean, meaning I'm 6 hours ahead of you.

See ya all tomorrow.

Titia

Like scattered leaves...my words will flow

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

15 posted 2003-05-02 07:45 AM

Well - That was relatively painless... Wasn't it?..

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

16 posted 2003-05-02 08:11 AM

Painless? For once I was happy to see the sun come up--felt like I was in the twilight zone all night...

let's NOT do that again real soon, hmmm?

I'm still shaking!

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

17 posted 2003-05-02 08:45 AM

It's good to "see" everyone again!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

18 posted 2003-05-02 08:55 AM

THE SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

19 posted 2003-05-02 09:04 AM

WONDERFUL NEWS!

Thank you, oh wise wizard!

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

20 posted 2003-05-02 11:21 AM

As some of you know, I got all in a tizzy with withdrawals pains when the forums went down before. It really scared me that I was going to lose all of ya'll. But this time I saw the announcement on the Open Forums and controlled myself from coming back here until the whole thing was over.

I can't tell you, Ron, how happy and relieved I am that the surgery was a success. I really hope it wasn't too much of an ordeal, with all the Reflections issues that have gone on.

I'm trying really hard not to get all gushey with my thanks to you. But, I really do thank you for all you do for us PIPsters.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RON
GREAT WIZARD OF OURS!!!

Hugs to all of you,

Ethel

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

21 posted 2003-05-02 11:28 AM

Back up again already? I can't believe it! Ron, you are a magician!

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

22 posted 2003-05-02 04:24 PM

Ron has Viagra...he can always get it up when he wants..

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

23 posted 2003-05-02 04:28 PM

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

24 posted 2003-05-02 05:29 PM

Yanno, I thought it was kind of slow last night LOL, so I went to do something else and thought I would wait until this morning. Next time I wish you could plan these things for day time then I can go shopping instead of surfing the forums (you know I am kidding, well sort of.)

You are sure a wizard at this - and once again I realize I better save the poems I do right in the submission area instead of in word.

[This message has been edited by Mysteria (05-02-2003 05:31 PM).]

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)

25 posted 2003-05-03 11:54 PM

Wow I wasn't even online during any of this....LOL!!!!
It appears everything went well!!!!
You are amazing Ron!!!!
HUGS,
Bridgette

"Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown

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