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Welcome to the new server!

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(@webmaster)
Posts: 164
Reputable Member Admin
Topic starter
 

A new home! We were over there and now we are over here! Does it feel any different? A whole new server, how exciting! Actually, it is a complete mirror so you shouldn't see any difference at all, just kidding!

It took longer than I anticipated due to some wrinkles in some obscure settings that I had to work through with customer service - several times! Not fun. I could feel everyone's eyes on their computer thinking "Ok, Jerry, you said about noon!" Murphy's Law prevails. 

Here is a recap of what just happened. We renewed our Internet hosting account with GoDaddy for 3 years and in the process doubled the capacity and performance of our server (2 CPUs > 4 CPUs, 4gb of Ram > 8gb, 100gb of storage > 200gb). We also added a web firewall, an additional premium service that keeps many, many bots and hackers outside of the server. This also improves its performance since it doesn't have to respond to all those requests. 

Here is a screenshot of a server metric that shows the difference. I originally subscribed to this firewall back in May when we had a storm of hackers or something that caused the server to nearly stop in its tracks. I'm not sure how this graphic will show up, maybe click on it to make it larger, but notice the difference between the orange ('unique visitors') and yellow bars ('number of visits') in April and then in June (the firewall was implemented mid-May). A hyooog drop in those numbers! This is why I wanted to add this firewall service to our 3 year renewal. 

image

Some people who are familiar with this business may wonder why decided to stay with GoDaddy, generally thought of as a premium, retail hosting provider. We could have saved money by choosing another service provider but I managed to take advantage of a good discount by purchasing a new server instead of renewing our old one and doing a little extra work. Another important consideration is customer service. The GoDaddy customer service is not in India or the Philippines - it is in various locations in the US. And there are many, many representatives on call at any one time. When I call them they answer in a minute or three and I get an American. A very unusual feature is that they provide their email address to contact them and in their various call centers they are allowed to call out. It is very rare for any call center to allow their people to call outside of their facility or network. I have asked representatives to call me when they are available to work through an issue. This is very unusual - and valuable! I consider it insurance for me or a future webmaster who might need extra help. 

So we doubled the size of the server, renewed for 3 years, added a premium firewall service and saved about $200 on the total cost including my fee for the effort! And add to that the new forum software that performs much better than the old system! No more complaints about 30 or 60 seconds to wait for a post and no more spammy posts from foreign hackers in the forums. 

Life is good once again. 

Jerry

Jerry
I fly (and ride) to free my mind from the tyranny of petty things. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 
Posted : August 21, 2024 6:13 pm
metalcarver, sheath, DRONE and 7 people reacted
(@miles-ladue)
Posts: 839
Noble Member
 

Thank you,  Jerry,  for  all  that you do 

Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort

 
Posted : August 21, 2024 6:41 pm
Craig, sheath and DRONE reacted
CCjon
(@jan-2)
Posts: 1058
Moderator
 

Super thanks, Jerry, for your many hours of research and then the implementation of this much-needed upgrade. You excel with your detailed planning, making a difficult transition look easy.

Jan Daub

USCA President

 
Posted : August 22, 2024 6:39 am
Thane Lewis
(@thane-lewis)
Posts: 418
Moderator
 

I can say that the new server is much more responsive and rapid.  Excellent!

Illegitemi non carborundum est!

 
Posted : August 22, 2024 10:54 am
 MJ
(@mj)
Posts: 175
Reputable Member
 

Thank you Jerry!!!

 
Posted : August 22, 2024 12:08 pm
(@scott-h)
Posts: 602
Noble Member
 

Posted by: @thane-lewis

I can say that the new server is much more responsive and rapid.  Excellent!

 

Yes Jerry @webmaster, this new setup is very fast, and smooth.  Like a Kansas City Lawyer! Cool

Thanks Amigo.  We are definitely enjoying the fruits of all your hard work and diligence.  Sincerely appreciated. 🍻  

 

Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃

 
Posted : August 22, 2024 4:03 pm
(@brstr)
Posts: 167
Reputable Member
 

Comment on the new look Web page.

It's a relatively minor niggle for me and maybe just old eyes and fat fingers on my viewing pad. 

I do find the thumbs up button hard to make out.

If I give as I am want to do, a thumbs up.

It basically changes from grey to a light green.

I'm never 100% sure I've got right without a close look to check it.

Anyone else get paranoid about this?

 
Posted : September 1, 2024 8:12 pm
sheath and FlyingMonkeys reacted
(@miles-ladue)
Posts: 839
Noble Member
 

Posted by: @brstr

Comment on the new look Web page.

It's a relatively minor niggle for me and maybe just old eyes and fat fingers on my viewing pad. 

I do find the thumbs up button hard to make out.

If I give as I am want to do, a thumbs up.

It basically changes from grey to a light green.

I'm never 100% sure I've got right without a close look to check it.

Anyone else get paranoid about this?

Yes, Bruce.....I  agree with you on that. 

I have suggested that  they remove the  red/orange  thumbs down.  It's not  necessary,  or needed. If a person doesn't like a post, just  move on. But giving  a person  the  opportunity to  give a thumbs down, shows a negativity,  and causes social issues. 

Have a larger  THUMBS UP.....and nothing else. 

 

Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort

 
Posted : September 1, 2024 8:21 pm
sheath, Brstr and Thane Lewis reacted
(@scott-h)
Posts: 602
Noble Member
 

I just hover over the grayed thumbs up and click on it.  That keeps me from sliding up and hitting the thumbs down by mistake.

Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃

 
Posted : September 2, 2024 10:58 am
FlyingMonkeys and Brstr reacted
Thane Lewis
(@thane-lewis)
Posts: 418
Moderator
 

The trackpad on this computer is sketchy and sometimes clicks where I wasn't intending.

Illegitemi non carborundum est!

 
Posted : September 2, 2024 4:40 pm
(@webmaster)
Posts: 164
Reputable Member Admin
Topic starter
 

Fixed the thumbs up! Thanks for the reminder Miles! See my separate post for details. 

Jerry
I fly (and ride) to free my mind from the tyranny of petty things. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 
Posted : September 6, 2024 7:48 pm