Hi All,
I've mentioned this before, but since we have a number of members who have joined us since then, I thought I should post it again.
Since a bulletin board like this operates on a database, rather than as a conventional website, that means that it is not backed up by my ISP, where the server that stores the database is located. That means that it is essential that I back up all the data on a regular basis, in case they should ever experience a server crash, data corruption, or whatever. The likelihood of that is small, but as you all know, stuff happens, when you are dealing with, and relying on, computers. A new virus, for example, could require that they clean house, and start over. It has happened before.
Due to the slow phone lines that I am forced to use, backups are getting to the point where they take almost half an hour. The database is growing so fast, that the size of the backup file is already knocking on the door of around 20 Meg. I started out backing up every night, but have since switched to every second or third night. The admin at the ISP suggests that once a week is often enough, but we are accumulating almost a thousand posts a week, and if a crash occurred just before backup time, that would be a lot of data to lose.
I'm not sure what an optimum backup interval is, but the point is, I have to close the board during backup, and it's getting more difficult to find a time when no one is using it. Since it's not always practical for me to stay up 'til 2 or 3 am to make a backup, please don't be alarmed if you try to log on, and discover that the board is closed. It doesn't mean that it has crashed, or we have been hacked, or anything of that sort. It just means that I am either backing it up, or making some other modification that requires closing the board to assure that no data corruption can occur.
In fact, the board is sometimes in use during the wee hours of the morning, so when that happens, I sometimes try to find a slow period during mid-afternoon, or whenever, to make a backup. The point is, it is becoming more difficult to find a time when closing the board won't inconvenience someone. For once-a-week backups, weekends are a good choice, but I would like to keep the backups more current than that, if possible. Eventually, we may need to just select a time and schedule backups for that time on a regular basis.
Anyway, if you find the board closed when you try to log on, don't worry, it's nothing serious.
Love,
Wayne
If You Find the Board Closed, Don't Panic, It Hasn't Crashed
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
If You Find the Board Closed, Don't Panic, It Hasn't Crashed
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Thanks Wayne,
I do think we are willing to tolerate the board being down for backups so you can get some sleep.
I'm sure none of us want you staying up that late just so we won't be "inconvenienced".
How about it Potty People. We want him to stay in "fine mettle" - Right!!
Shirley
I do think we are willing to tolerate the board being down for backups so you can get some sleep.
I'm sure none of us want you staying up that late just so we won't be "inconvenienced". How about it Potty People. We want him to stay in "fine mettle" - Right!!
ShirleyWhen the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
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annie oakley
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
yup
You bet, Wayne.
One thing I was wondering is how long is it necessary to keep our day to day conversational type messages on the general message board, particularly since there are other places we could move or create messages that might need to be read over and over again? I was thinking that for general conversation, why is it necessary to tie up so much space on the site? Would it help if we could just do away with day to day stuff periodically?
Yours, Luce
One thing I was wondering is how long is it necessary to keep our day to day conversational type messages on the general message board, particularly since there are other places we could move or create messages that might need to be read over and over again? I was thinking that for general conversation, why is it necessary to tie up so much space on the site? Would it help if we could just do away with day to day stuff periodically?
Yours, Luce
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harvest_table
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:29 pm
- Location: Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Wayne,
At 11pm my time, it's 3am on the east coast. I'm probably the late night user and if the boards down, I will understand. Thanks for posting this again because I would worry if I couldn't access it. It's a lifeline for many.
Thinking about you.
Love,
Joanna
At 11pm my time, it's 3am on the east coast. I'm probably the late night user and if the boards down, I will understand. Thanks for posting this again because I would worry if I couldn't access it. It's a lifeline for many.
Thinking about you.
Love,
Joanna
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
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- Location: SE Pennsylvania