Topic: Café Down

Message:

Posted by: Gene (Dec 16, 2007 12:49am)

Hello all,

I just wanted to tell everyone that I will be posting a message explaining what happened, but I don't have the time right now to do that. I still have a great deal to do, and it's still going to take a good deal of time. All I can really say right now is that it was extremely nasty. :eek:

Please don't ask the staff or post messages asking what happened. The staff doesn't even know yet! I will explain it when I get the time, then you will know. The good news is no data was lost. The Café is back to right where it was when it went offline, and that's a story in and of itself.

Enjoy the Café!

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Posted by: Steve Brooks (Dec 16, 2007 12:50am)

Thanks for the update Gene - yooz da best. :)

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Posted by: paisa23 (Dec 16, 2007 12:57am)

Gene always coming to the rescue. Thanks, sadly I was going crazy these last few days. don't know what that says about me. :lol:

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Posted by: Steven Steele (Dec 16, 2007 1:11am)

Gene,

Thanks to you and Mary for all your hard work. It is really appreciated.

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Posted by: Magic1 (Dec 16, 2007 1:12am)

You're not the only one. Plus, I kept thinking, "it's gotta be something I'm doing wrong... Maybe it's the wrong browser? Glad to see ya back! Atta boys Steve amd Gene! (and the whole Café)

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Posted by: jskalon (Dec 16, 2007 1:37am)

Nice work Gene. As an ex IT Manager, I can imagine the nightmare you guys had to deal with the last few days/nights. It's good to see the Café back again

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Posted by: MickeyPainless (Dec 16, 2007 1:37am)

Gene, Guys, Gals and all involved,
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to not only getting the Café back up and running but for all you do to provide us this awesome site!
Sincerely,
MickeyPainless

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Posted by: SoCalPro (Dec 16, 2007 1:46am)

Thank you Gene for all of your hard work. We all appreciate it!!! :)

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Posted by: Ustaad (Dec 16, 2007 1:48am)

Just two words of appreciation for your hard-work and getting the Café up & running once gain!

A big 'THANK YOU'!

:)

With warm regards,

:xmas:

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Posted by: Turk (Dec 16, 2007 1:55am)

Gene and Mary B,

Thanks for all your hard work and effort keeping the Café site up and running. It is most appreciated. You guys are the best and we don't tell you that often enough.

Mike

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Posted by: takeachance (Dec 16, 2007 2:41am)

WOW, great work guys!

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Posted by: Mr. Muggle (Dec 16, 2007 2:46am)

Ditto!

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Posted by: princehal (Dec 16, 2007 2:54am)

I wonder if the mentalists predicted the crash ;D

Good work guys on getting things back.

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Posted by: Barry Gitelson (Dec 16, 2007 3:00am)

Mahalos Plenty for getting the Café up and running again

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Posted by: MagiClyde (Dec 16, 2007 3:37am)

Quote:

"it's gotta be something I'm doing wrong... Maybe it's the wrong browser?

I knew that wasn't the issue when I tried getting onto the Café with...not 1...not 2...but 4 different browsers.

I just made the assumption that the winter storms had knocked out power to the servers for the Café.

Let's just count our blessings that no data was lost this time around. What a mess that would have been!

Thanks to the entire staff for all their hard work in keeping this wonderful website up and running.

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Posted by: Alym Amlani (Dec 16, 2007 3:50am)

I haven't posted in a long time, but felt like taking a moment to say MUCHAS GRACIAS!

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Posted by: in flames (Dec 16, 2007 3:57am)

Great work Gene. Thank you for getting the Café up and running!

I was going through Café withdrawal these past few days.

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Posted by: Tod Todson (Dec 16, 2007 3:59am)

The Café really has become a part of so many lives here, that's when its down, it kinda feels like losing an arm or a leg. And so I know that I speak for many that we GREATLY appreciate all the Café staff!!

Tod

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Posted by: Erdnase27 (Dec 16, 2007 4:47am)

I went crazy when the Café was down. Welcome back all!

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Posted by: Brian S. Tanner (Dec 16, 2007 5:11am)

Just wish to say "Thank You" on behalf of myself and so many others. Your hard work is truly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

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Posted by: Arnon (Dec 16, 2007 5:35am)

Gene:

Thank you for reinstating the forum that keeps us all together no matter how many miles apart.

For a while, I got worried - phew!

Thanks again :D

Arnon

P.S. Of course we mentalists all predicted the crash, but kept it discreetly to ourselves. :lol:

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Posted by: solidglint (Dec 16, 2007 6:53am)

Thank you! Good to see the Café is up and running again.

Thanks Gene!
Jonathan

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Posted by: Chad C. (Dec 16, 2007 7:19am)

I add my thanks. I have found out over the last few days just how addicted I am to this site - and that is a good thing!

Chad

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Posted by: Dennis Michael (Dec 16, 2007 7:34am)

It's nice to know that safety percautions taken from the last incident have made this incident a little "less" of a headache!

Thanks
Den

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Posted by: Larry Barnowsky (Dec 16, 2007 8:00am)

Thanks for all your efforts. We appreciate it.

Larry

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Posted by: shadowman (Dec 16, 2007 8:23am)

"Bedankt" for opening the Café.

John.

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Posted by: Mr. Mystoffelees (Dec 16, 2007 8:31am)

Thank you for what was no doubt a marathon of work- much appreciated!

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Posted by: Stanyon (Dec 16, 2007 9:56am)

Did I miss something?????

JUST KIDDING!!!

Great job and kudos to Gene!

Cheers! ;)

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Posted by: magic-dabra (Dec 16, 2007 10:01am)

Thanks for your hard work on getting it back on line. You really are appreciated.

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Posted by: T.G Kenny (Dec 16, 2007 10:07am)

Yup ! Thanks Gene ! Appreciate your hard work .

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Posted by: CurtWaltermire (Dec 16, 2007 10:23am)

I don't believe for one moment what the Café staff members are saying.

What's really going on is that they're expermenting with a new style of magic--Cyberspace Conjuring. Minds are read while people just sit at their keyboards, whole internet sites vanish and reappear at the click of a mouse, and pretty soon people will be sitting at their computers and their monitors, keyboards, or laptops will begin to levitate right before their eyes. You slick dogs, I think you're on to something here...

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Posted by: AngeloR (Dec 16, 2007 10:34am)

Gene, Mary and the gang,
Thanks for all the hard work. Obviously many, many of us missed the Café while it was down, but we understand the challenges a massive meltdown poses for those who have to fix it. Kudos and keep up the great work!

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Posted by: Chessmann (Dec 16, 2007 10:58am)

I was surprised at how much I missed the Café when it was not available.

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Posted by: magicians (Dec 16, 2007 11:05am)

You don't realize how much of a forum addict you are until the Café goes down. Talk about withdrawal. I found I had no interest in any other site while it was gone. The problem was, how much tenacity and faith there was, to keep trying two or three times a day and getting nothing, or once in while the front intro page would click on. I tried today and was thrilled. Thanks for being there.
7 day without the forum makes one weak, er week.

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Posted by: walid ahumada (Dec 16, 2007 11:08am)

Thanks for fixing the problem. I appreciate it.

walid

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Posted by: DoveLover (Dec 16, 2007 11:08am)

Thanks for the help! It's great to be back again!

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Posted by: Mb217 (Dec 16, 2007 11:16am)

Hey, just glad to be back home here...:) Thanks for getting the website back up and running. :) -Mb

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Posted by: evolve629 (Dec 16, 2007 12:29pm)

Wow, what a relief to see The Café is back on line! THANK YOU!!!

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Posted by: wackyvorlon (Dec 16, 2007 1:31pm)

I'd like to add my thanks to those who got the Café up and running again. I think this forum is one of the most lively and popular I've ever seen. I went through the same withdrawal, trying to check it three or four times a day.

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Posted by: tbaer (Dec 16, 2007 3:25pm)

I want to ditto all the thank you's. Great job all you who had part getting the Café back up and running. I also want to ditto the fact that the Café has become part of many's everyday life. It was greatly missed when it was down. The Café is a nice place to unwind after a hard day's work and enjoy the company of fellow magicians, whether full time, part time, or just as a hobby.

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Posted by: Gene (Dec 16, 2007 3:34pm)

Yeah, this is certainly a popular place. Within five minutes after I put it back up there were already 50+ users logged in. Incredible!

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Posted by: Bill Hallahan (Dec 16, 2007 3:52pm)

Thanks Gene! You do incredible work.

Audiences all over the world should thank you. Without you this place wouldn't exist.

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Posted by: Bill Hilly (Dec 16, 2007 3:56pm)

Gene,

Just want to add another note of thanks and appreciation.

Another Gene

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Posted by: Stevethomas (Dec 16, 2007 4:14pm)

...also, from me a huge thanks for this site! Glad it's back in operation!

Steve

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Posted by: Jay Austin (Dec 16, 2007 4:41pm)

Great work Gene. Just an offer, I can possibly supply some hosting on a grid server that would give redundancy on hardware as well as regular data backups. Let me know if interested and I will give you some more info.

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Posted by: Gene (Dec 16, 2007 4:48pm)

Hmm ... send me a PM and I'll get back to you when I can.

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Posted by: Rcitgo (Dec 16, 2007 6:44pm)

Thanks to whoever got it back up!I missed my strolls through The Café.I'm just glad its back.

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Posted by: Markymark (Dec 16, 2007 6:47pm)

Thank you Gene [and Steve] for your hard work.
As said before there really is no site like this.
You never know who might drop in and post!

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Posted by: Amazing Magic Co (Dec 16, 2007 7:11pm)

I can only echo everyone's comments of appreciation to all who worked so hard to bring The Café back online. My wife and kids were thinking I was going through withdrawal.

Thank you!!
Dan.

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Posted by: Review King (Dec 16, 2007 9:06pm)

I had the worst nightmare last night. The Café was down and I got signed onto another board where people were realy mean.
I'm glad it was all a dream!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by: michaangelo (Dec 16, 2007 9:12pm)

Hey Christopher,

I must have shared your dream... at least I was there reading people slam you as well as others. I for one am beyond thrilled that the Café is back online. Thanks to Gene and all others who had a hand in getting back up... And thanks to all of you here in the Café, I did not realize until it was gone how much I appreciate the Café and all of the people here. Ya'all are AWESOME...

Michael

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Posted by: Review King (Dec 16, 2007 9:13pm)

"There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home".............

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Posted by: Ustaad (Dec 16, 2007 10:05pm)

Home, home, sweet sweet home, There's no place like home . . . My Home, sweet home! :)
Ah! I can now sit back, relax & enjoy my :hotcoffee: :hamburger: at the Café!

:bubbly: :cheers: Cheers!

:thanx: to ALL.

:xmas:

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Posted by: magic4u02 (Dec 16, 2007 10:05pm)

I to would like to extend a very heart-felt thank you to Gene and the entire Café staff. It is an amazing task to keep this site up and running and continue to do so day in and day out. You really start to realize how much you take for granted when something is taken away from you. I am very gratefulfor the Café and for the members of it. This is a place where magic can grow and thrive by sharing information and helping each other. Thanks again guys for everything you do. I do not think you get as much priase or thanks that you all deserve so much.

Kyle

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Posted by: Magic1962 (Dec 16, 2007 10:58pm)

GREAT JOB!!!! I knew when I couldn't get on the site from ether of my offices that there was something amiss... I am glad its back up! I finally found a REALLY TOP NOTCH website for magic and magicians and was hoping it wasn't gone for good. Dave

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Posted by: Barrett_James (Dec 17, 2007 12:05am)

Whew! I truly thought I was doing something/typing something/something something wrong when I couldn't enjoy my virtual shot of Café joe. Thank You Café staff, all the workers behind the scene and SANTA for this GREAT Xmas Present!!!

Regards,

Barrett James

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Posted by: DomKabala (Dec 17, 2007 6:07am)

Kudos to all the staff at The Café, especially to you Gene! :applause:
Cardamagically,
Dom
:) :bwink: :yippee: :dancing:

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Posted by: daver (Dec 17, 2007 9:04am)

Ya know, I've been into magic most of my life, and (what pays the bills) technology and the Internet even before the original Mosaic browser, but just finally got to frequenting the Café recently. I use it as my respite from (fill it in - work, stress, etc.). Some people take a cigarette break, some a coffee break - me? I read across the whole Café and can get lost for hours.

I went thru some serious withdrawal the last week or so. And I am extraordinarily aware of what it takes to get this site to what it has become, and keep something like this running.

Gene, you da man....

Dave

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Posted by: JoeHohman (Dec 17, 2007 10:06am)

Thanks, Gene. I was starting each day with, "Is it back online yet?"

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Posted by: Jon-O the Great (Dec 17, 2007 12:40pm)

I thot I had been blocked for being STUPID! Very glad that was not the case!

Jon

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Posted by: Bill Scott (Dec 17, 2007 12:50pm)

Missed ya - it's a relief that the Café is back up. Good Job! Thank you.

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Posted by: Obviously (Dec 17, 2007 5:52pm)

This site serves as such a tremendous resource, thanks so much for all your work in keeping it going.

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Posted by: tincture (Dec 17, 2007 6:12pm)

Thanks for bringing it back

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Posted by: VinceUK (Dec 17, 2007 7:02pm)

A round of applause to all the people that keep the Café running.

As a tech guy myself I can imagine your pain and the hours spent.....

Many thanks guys on a job well done,

Vince

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Posted by: Maleficia (Dec 17, 2007 7:42pm)

Thank heavens (or more specifically, Gene et al) for getting us back up and running. I've had, like, nothing to do while wasting away the hours at work without this place! Do you have any idea how painful that was!?

Seriously, though... I'm glad no data was lost. I, like many others I'm sure, rely on the Café in order to make more educated purchases after reading reviews of effects and whatnot.

So here's another giant 'thank you' to those who make this place what it is:

THANK YOU!

-Mal

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Posted by: sean_mh (Dec 17, 2007 11:23pm)

Yes thanks for the hard work. I have only been around here a short time, but I missed it already.

Sean

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Posted by: George Ledo (Dec 18, 2007 12:08am)

I'm telling ya... at my age, it's a bummer to realize you're addicted to something, but gee whiz, I guess I'm addicted to logging in here right after deleting umpteen spams in the morning. I was almost lost for a few days. :)

Thanks so much for what you must have gone through. We appreciate it.

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Posted by: Review King (Dec 18, 2007 12:53am)

BIG thanks to Steve and his incredible staff. They gave us the best Christmas present ever!!

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Posted by: Erdnase27 (Dec 18, 2007 2:47am)

CHristopher hits the nail. This is my christmas present :D

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Posted by: yosef_dov (Dec 19, 2007 8:03am)

Greetings...
Still no word on what actually happened?

I know when I dug into it, it seemed the Café site was getting no DNS resolution, and that the assigned DNS servers themselves seemed to be down...perhaps even the web server was down to. Even the hosting company was not responding (GMBWebworks)...so I'm assuming the whole problem was with the site hosting company.

Sorry I don't have the resources ($$$) to offer further assistance to prevent recurrence. I too suffered a bit of the Café withdrawal syndrome!

Glad to see everything up and running again.

Joe

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Posted by: Jerrine (Dec 19, 2007 10:51am)

Quote:

On 2007-12-19 08:03, yosef_dov wrote:
Greetings...
Still no word on what actually happened?
Joe

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't ask don't tell. :)

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Posted by: housermagic (Dec 19, 2007 12:58pm)

Adding my kudos to all involved in this restoration effort. Great job by all to open the enjoyment back up for all of us.
Bill

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Posted by: Magicdoc88 (Dec 19, 2007 1:09pm)

This forum is additive, I was having withdrawal symptoms during the outage.
Thanks for getting it working.

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Posted by: nucinud (Dec 19, 2007 11:48pm)

Quote:

On 2007-12-19 13:09, Magicdoc88 wrote:
This forum is additive, I was having withdrawal symptoms during the outage.
Thanks for getting it working.

ditto

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Posted by: ed rhodes (Dec 23, 2007 12:04am)

Quote:

On 2007-12-17 12:40, Jon-O the Great wrote:
I thot I had been blocked for being STUPID! Very glad that was not the case!

Jon

Oh good! I'm not the only one who thought I'd done something wrong and had been blocked out!

*whew* Glad you guys are back!

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Posted by: Magic1962 (Dec 31, 2007 8:52am)

Thanks so much for getting everything working, I know while it was down it felt weird not being able to click it on and find out what was new in the world of Magic..... Dave