We have lost an unknown number of threads and probably users. I believe the problem with DNS caused it to be pointing to two databases at the same time while some domain information proliferated.
We had two errors occur at the same time. First, our DNS host's secondary DNS server died. That caused a mail from our ISP telling me to change a setting to never arrive. Secondly, our ISP changed the IP address of the web server. It took me 7 days to diagnose these problems and 1/2 an hour to fix.
I fixed the DNS problem by centralising our DNS hosting with Network Solutions. If our web hosting goes down in the future we'll quickly be back up. I can't estimate how lengthy an outage we could get in a worst case, whatever that worst case may be. That's just the way it is. The cost of having good service is extreme. Since this project costs $10 a month in hosting and nothing to manage (thanks to our fine volunteers) and since we don't have creditors or a way to do a shopping cart, we all must brace ourselves for the worst possible outcome. And the worst is an old database and some broken graphics after an annoying abscence. It might be slightly more expensive.
We got lucky. Maybe we can get a mirror going. Can anyone help with that? Maybe ibiblio.org would want that sort of project.
We had two errors occur at the same time. First, our DNS host's secondary DNS server died. That caused a mail from our ISP telling me to change a setting to never arrive. Secondly, our ISP changed the IP address of the web server. It took me 7 days to diagnose these problems and 1/2 an hour to fix.
I fixed the DNS problem by centralising our DNS hosting with Network Solutions. If our web hosting goes down in the future we'll quickly be back up. I can't estimate how lengthy an outage we could get in a worst case, whatever that worst case may be. That's just the way it is. The cost of having good service is extreme. Since this project costs $10 a month in hosting and nothing to manage (thanks to our fine volunteers) and since we don't have creditors or a way to do a shopping cart, we all must brace ourselves for the worst possible outcome. And the worst is an old database and some broken graphics after an annoying abscence. It might be slightly more expensive.
We got lucky. Maybe we can get a mirror going. Can anyone help with that? Maybe ibiblio.org would want that sort of project.
Comment