JC. I laughed in sympathy reading of your ‘four hour cruise’ turning into a several day downer. I have had so many similar experiences with my home machines and net that I let stuff go on and on before I tackle some ‘teeny tiny upgrade’. It NEVER works as hoped for.
Thanks for the hard work though.
Jim Stocks
JC,
Thanks for the post. About the time FAOL was down I was having computer problems of my own. When I attemted to access the site I received an error message. I was sure it had to be something with my system but even after trying a few things I couldn’t get into FAOL.
Although FAOL was down for a few days I am relieved to know that it wasn’t my computer, this time anyway.
JC, … I uderstand fully your feelings.
When the IT specialists say you MUST upgrade, … I usually say Uh-Oh!! …
It’s not really their fault. A computer is just a box full of parts trying to work together. There are so very many different configurations, interactions, and transactions that have to work right, … it’s a wonder the darn things even work at all.
Add to that on average, a cold boot of a server will find a 1 in 15 chance of a major mechanical failure, … well, … that’s (virtual) reality I guess.
We had a minor (departement) server die on us last month … so I can sympathise ith you.
Good work to both of you (and your crew). 
Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://flyanglersonline.com/travel/quebec06fishin/:1eb21]2006 FishIn Ste-Marguerite River[/url:1eb21]
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:1eb21]Fishing the Ste-Marguerite[/url:1eb21]
All computers are filled with ‘smoke’ when new. It’s when some of it seeps out that trouble starts.
JC,
Per your own article, you really did not need to address the problem by devoting an entire article to it. A post on the BB’s to inform people of what had happened and maybe a short statement bulletin on the front page is all that was needed. Everyone who reads this site, I am sure, is knowledgeable enough about computers to know that upgrades do not always go according to plans.
Sort of like a sign that my former coworker had outside her cube (deals with construction): “No project has ever been completed on time, under budget and without change orders, yours will not be the first.” To convert that to computers it would probably read: “No upgrade is seamless, fully compatible with all currently loaded software and without bugs, yours will not be the first.”
Paul
Sorry, but very few read this BB. I wanted to inform everyone.
Those that do not read the BB are really missing out on the experience. What makes FAOL so good is that it is more of an interactive weekly magazine. See an article, go to the BB and get more info or ask for clarification. What can be better? That is the one problem with traditional print media, you can write the editor, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll print your letter or respond to it. While at least you know your question will be seen here, if not answered, but more than likely it will be.
Paul
I just wish that a notice of planned downtime had been posted somewhere.
I work in the computer industry, part of my duties are disaster recovery planning and testing.
If we had known there was an outage scheduled, we would have assumed that things had not gone as planned. As it was, we just thought you guys were gone.
I guess we get what we pay for, huh??
Ken
I fish, therefore, I am… I am confused!!
[This message has been edited by CO Flyguy (edited 25 April 2006).]
Ken, You are absolutely correct. I never thought of it. I will try to remember and the next time we pull a normal down-time, I will post it ahead. Very good point! Thanks.