I’ve set up an account at a different company, with a different server. Instead of being able to perform one massive switch, I’m now going to move each of you one at a time. You’ll be contacted as this is happening. I’m prioritizing folks who have been affected most by the server crash and incomplete rebuild at the old server.

Because this move is gradual, it’s a little more complicated, and everyone will have to make changes to the DNS settings with their individual domain name registrar, unless I’m handling your domain name. Again, you’ll get information about this when your turn comes.

Thanks again for your patience, and happy trails to us!

- Elaine

Thanks for your patience!

=================

Further update. They’ve restored everything they have as backups. Most of us are up and running, but many of us are quite Humpty-Dumptied, and will require considerable putting-together-again.

Accordingly, please see:   Server move: now gradual over the next month

best

-Elaine, Techdonkey.com

In short, I’ll be setting up a new server in a new location, re-enabling your accounts, and arranging our custom DNS servers to point your domain names to a new location. You won’t have to change your DNS records with your registrar.

Once I set up the new server and re-enable your account, it’ll be much like standing in the doorway of an empty apartment on moving day. Your site (think kitchen sink and hide-a-bed couch) won’t move itself. Either you, or I, or your own tech-person (if that person isn’t me) will have to do that.

This includes:
- static html files
- working web applications
- databases
- mailing lists
- email
- specialized email functions, such as forwarders

As we count down to our move, I’ll send out more information about what’s happening, and determine who is responsible for the mechanics of the move for each site before we start. We’re not leaving anyone behind!

All the updated info on this topic can be found here in this thread.

Here’s how to keep yourself backed-up:

http://techdonkey.com/techy-tidbits/how-to-backup

http://techdonkey.com/techy-tidbits/mailman-email-lists-how-to-back-up-your-membership-list

I’m on it.

Update: This is an odd error seemingly with the Telus nameservers at the root. Only Telus clients seem to be affected by it — the server itself is having no downtime issues at all.

I’m trying to get in touch with Telus to have them fix this glitch, but… you know. Telus.

Update: this is definitely a Telus issue.

While I’m spending days arguing with techs who are oblivious, following the instructions here will fix your problems.

http://www.handcoding.com/archives/2005/04/15/alternate-dns-servers/

It’s not ideal, as you should be able to depend on your ISP for domain name services, but at least it will get you access to your sites again.

I’ll continue to poke Telus.

Here’s a screenshot of the solution (using 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2) working on my very own computer. (Win XP)

Works on Vista, Mac, Linux, of course, but you have to find your own TCP/IP settings to input these DNS settings.

Click to enlarge:

-Elaine

- Elaine

I’m all over it. Watch this space for updates.

5:44 pm

Still working on finding out what’s wrong, and getting on the path to righting it.

6:43pm

Haven’t forgotten about y’all.

7:54pm

Still on it, still frustrated.

9:05pm

Sorry folks, I’m getting nothing from the physical people who run the physical server. It’s like they disappeared into thin air. So not cool. I’m trying to track down a responsible human, still.

12:48am Dec 20

We’ve made contact and we’re working on getting the damn server back up. Thanks for your patience so far… Watch this space.

1:49am Dec 20

I’m beginning to be worried that they had some sort of gas leak at the server farm, and all the server techs fainted as they… tried…to…crawl…to..the…door. <gasp>  Ask with me — why hasn’t this been fixed yet? Why won’t they update me, so I can update you?

I’m to bed, and I’ll be back on it first thing in the morning.

Thanks again for your patience.

10:03am Dec 20

I’m highly dissatisfied with the service we’re not getting in this outage. Not just that we’ve been down since yesterday, when I could have mail-ordered a brand new machine and had it delivered in that space of time — but also with the lack of any reasonable communication from the company herding the servers.

Sorry, folks — it seems like the holidays is the worst time to have tech issues. I’m starting to think that everyone’s on vacation and they left someone’s 8-year old niece alone in the facility to type “We are aware of the issue and currently have staff working on the server to get it back online as soon as possible.” to everyone who desperately inquires, and then go back to playing with her dolls.

Now that the office is open, I’m on the phone.

10:25am

Apparently, some folks work only Mon- Fri, 9 – 5. I’ve heard of such a thing, but never experienced it. Electronic support is 24/7.  I mean, that’s what they say right there in the advertising.

I’m whiling away the time shopping for a new home for us.

10:42am

(Rant)

The server should not have been down (worst-case scenario) more than 4 hours. That’s my guess of how long it would take if the entire machine burst into flames. That’s approx. the time it would take to unplug it, pull it out of the rack of millions of other servers, put in a fresh machine, initialize it, and restore backups. And I’ve included in that estimate the time it would take to take a new machine out of the styrofoam and cardboard box.

(/Rant)

If I can’t get service and/or information very soon, I’m considering moving us to a new host. As this always involves considerable disruption and a site-by-site re-up and re-configuration, I would be happy to avoid this, expecially over the holiday season; thus I’m hoping they’ll correct their retrocranial inversion and solve the problem as sooon as possible. If we take this course, I’ll be contacting you both collectively and individually.

11:50am

We are, unaccountably, up. As far as I can tell, it’s a measure of spontaneous server regeneration, because I’ve not yet rec’d any explanation from the company minding the server herd. It’s a miracle! Do your backups, quick.

http://www.gmail-backup.com/

I’m experiencing annoyance, and passing it right along to the folks who mind the servers like as if they’re little cows in a field.

Watch this space.