Late yesterday afternoon I received an email from my Internet service provider. They also host (provide the server space for) this website, and provide my email services. I've been with them for at a least a dozen years or more. The email was to inform me that after the end of this month (07/31/2016), they will no longer provide any Internet or email services. I have no idea what went wrong, but I have 4 more days to find a suitable hosting service if this board is to continue to exist.
It would be a relatively simple matter if it were not for the fact that we have over 11 years of valuable archives that we don't want to lose. The code used to operate this board is written in a now-obsolete version of phpBB (phpBB2). The current version is phpBB3. Most hosting servers recognize pnpBB3, but not necessarily phpBB2. So I have to find a host that can not only work with phpBB2, but also save all the data in the MySQL database. Fortunately this is still a popular database format.
The reason why I did not convert this board to the new version (phpBB3) when it became available is because to make the conversion required returning to the original (plain vanilla) version of phpBB2 before making the change to phpBB3. I had added well over a hundred enhancements (modifications) to the code over the years, in order to provide added features that were not in the original version. But the problem is that many of these modifications required additions or changes to the database architecture. So that meant that existing backups of the database would not work after the code was returned to the initial configuration. IOW, all the data would be lost, if the board was converted to phpBB3. That's why I chose to stick with phpBB2.
So the bottom line is, don't be surprised if the board is closed at times (I need to make up-to-date backups of the database and they cannot be made while the board is open). If someone were to post a message while a backup was being made, the data would be corrupt and the database could no longer be accessed. Computers have zero tolerance for missing or corrupt data in databases.
As soon as I can (provided I can find a suitable host) I want to transfer the domain and the database to the new server. I have no idea how long that may take because it depends on how a lot of things go. IOW, it could take only a half hour or so, or it could take several days. One thing is for sure — it has to be done before the end of the month, so time is very short.
If/when the transfer is made, and everything checks out OK, then I will change the DNS name server records to point to the new server. You should be able to log in as if nothing has changed, because the domain will not be changed — only the server that it is stored on will change. However, it takes a while for changes such as this to propagate through the Internet, so if you try to search for the board, you may not be able to find it for a few days. If you use the same the same bookmark that you are using now, it should work just fine (theoretically). If worse comes to worse, and you can't find it, do a search for perskyfarms.com. But as I mentioned, it may be a few days before a search will work properly.
Also, my main email address may be history, since it's based on the current service provider's domain. If nothing else works, you can contact me at my gmail address. I've hidden it so that spam bots cannot "harvest" it for spammers but you can see it by clicking on the phrase below.
[spoiler]wayne.persky@gmail.com [/spoiler]
I probably won't be posting much for a while because this transfer requires some serious attention.
I hope to see everyone on the other side, as soon as I can get this done. Note that I am about to make a backup of the database, and anything posted after this may or may not be lost when the data are transferred.
Tex
Important Message About This Website!
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Important Message About This Website!
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I forgot to add: feel free to continue to use the board — that won't cause any problems. Just don't be surprised if there are occasional service disruptions over the next few days.
Sorry about the inconvenience. As you are well aware, sometimes stuff happens.
Tex
Sorry about the inconvenience. As you are well aware, sometimes stuff happens.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
to use an aussie term.... Bugger
not that i can do much from way over here in Aus, I too will watch out for new people/new questions and help where i can
(with a bit more notice, I could have sent you that aussie candy to help you through the chaos)
If there is ANYTHING I can do- please let me know.
Via the ether, sending you lots of support, patience and a few extra brain cells in case you need them for the next few days
take care Tex
not that i can do much from way over here in Aus, I too will watch out for new people/new questions and help where i can
(with a bit more notice, I could have sent you that aussie candy to help you through the chaos)
If there is ANYTHING I can do- please let me know.
Via the ether, sending you lots of support, patience and a few extra brain cells in case you need them for the next few days
take care Tex
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Words cannot express how sorry I am about this and ALL the extra work, stress, time, and research that this is causing for you. I, too, wish I could help! It is way over my head and scope of things. Sending all the encouragement and support possible, along with GRATITUDE and thanks. If there is anything I can do, please let me know, too.
~ Holly
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
As my son tells me, I am technology challenged so I can't even imagine how much work this is for you. But thank you Tex for all of the time and effort you put into this site. You are awesome!
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
It appears the site is up an running, I hope on your end it didn't do to much damage. Did the back up have any issues? When I went to my original link it took me to your original page where you have your intro letter and you have to click on the upper left on the potty person. Honestly I would never have know that's how you got to the forum had I not been paying attention one day when someone mentioned thats how it works 
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Thank you so much for all that you do for us Tex!! I hope it went smoothly and without too much work or headache!
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
So far, so good on the transfer. I think that the files have all been successfully copied to the new server. I'll have to spend a bunch of time verifying that everything is working correctly on the new server before I change the nameserver DNS files to point to the new server. In the meantime we are still running on the old server, but hopefully a crisis has been averted.
Also, in addition to the email address listed in my original post in this thread, here are some other email addresses that will work for me. These are also still running on the old server, but they have also been copied to the new server and I'll activate them on the new server when the time comes.
[spoiler]pfarms@perskyfarms.com
wayne@perskyfarms.com
webmaster@perskyfarms.com
wayne@microscopiccolitisfoundation.org[/spoiler]
Erica,
This domain was originally a commercial site back in the days when I grew and processed (and wholesaled) both food corn and feed corn. When the previous MC discussion board (Sally's old board) started falling apart, I sort of disassembled the website I had and converted it into this discussion and support forum. That was over 11 years ago.
Tex
Also, in addition to the email address listed in my original post in this thread, here are some other email addresses that will work for me. These are also still running on the old server, but they have also been copied to the new server and I'll activate them on the new server when the time comes.
[spoiler]pfarms@perskyfarms.com
wayne@perskyfarms.com
webmaster@perskyfarms.com
wayne@microscopiccolitisfoundation.org[/spoiler]
Erica,
This domain was originally a commercial site back in the days when I grew and processed (and wholesaled) both food corn and feed corn. When the previous MC discussion board (Sally's old board) started falling apart, I sort of disassembled the website I had and converted it into this discussion and support forum. That was over 11 years ago.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks everyone for all the sympathy and support.
Everything seems to check out OK, so I believe I'm ready to change the nameservers. It will take up to 24–48 hours for the changes to propagate across the Internet, but we shouldn't notice any differences in the way the board works.
Tex
Everything seems to check out OK, so I believe I'm ready to change the nameservers. It will take up to 24–48 hours for the changes to propagate across the Internet, but we shouldn't notice any differences in the way the board works.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Makes sense Tex, kinda wondered where the Perskyfarms came into play, now I know! LOL it has had its odd moments when I give the forum link to someone and they look at me like "but this doesn't say anything about colitis"....ha ha ha, until they visit it, then it all makes sense. I also give them the more official newly site too.
Erica
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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christinafriberg
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:13 pm
- Location: oregon