I’ve got Good News and bit of Bad News…

[redcarpetdrew]

I, too, agree that I'd help out however I could. I KNOW, I'll rent the U-Haul although I wonder if it'd more resemble the truck in the opening scene from the Beverly Hillbillies... LOL!

(Ducking and trying to avoid Robert's 'ZOT' key...)

RCD

 

[appnut]

Thank you Robert for all the hard work.  As the 1950s or early 1960s song says--"Ya better shop around".  I know you'll enjoy doig that.  Let us know if we need to contribute more financially too.

 

[strongenough78]

Wow I didn't realize how popular we are! LOL and the bad news wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Just sounds like more of an inconvience for you Robert

 and I'm with everyone else on here, if an extra donation is needed now, please say the word. You know we'll do anything and everything we can to make this easier and less costly for you. Thanks for the heads up Robert, and thank you for this network. Remind me to buy you a drink or 2 if ever we get to meet

 

[Unimatic1140]

You guys are all so nice.  Really any extra contributions wont be necessary, the upgraded subscritpions should cover it.

 

I'm more concerned about just giving everyone advanced notice of what is going on.  I think the fact that the site is so busy and popular should tell us all that the fact we love these machines really isn't so different or odd after all.

  Well ok maybe a little, but we sure aren't alone.  But "busy" on the internet also means some new responsibilities for running the site.

 

If I have to move the site, some users might not have access for a few days.  Some dsl and cable companies can take a few days before they update their dns addresses and during that time users wont be able to post or see updated threads.  On the other hand, others providers do their updates in the matter of hours, so its all a luck of the draw of who your internet provider is.  Its called DNS Propagation.  I just want get everyone used to the idea of moving early on and what might be involved.

 

[rp2813]

When I worked for AT&T, one of my management functions involved end user station dns address discrepancies and related dns  updates.  They'd run them every night.

 

Here at home we have  ADSL service through AT&T.  I hope they're at least as quick to make updates for their subscribers as they are for their in-house clients.

 

Robert, I think I can speak for the membership and advise that it's understood that parts of the migration process are going to be out of your hands.   Thanks for advising on what to expect.

 

Ralph

 

 

 

[andy]

Maybe I jinxed you

I just joined about 2 months ago, so maybe I jinxed you when I joined. LOL I don't ever want to see the site shut down, I love it here! I've learned so much already, and everybody's so friendly.

Andy

 

[swestoyz]

Robert - thanks for the update and keeping us in the loop. Amazing to think how this crew has grown over the last several years.

Ben

 

[bajaespuma]

I would gladly pay more to support this site in any way possible. I know nothing about servers ( I wish I knew more) so I don't know if I can help there. Count me in.

 

[sudsmaster]

Despite the specter of severe AW withdrawal symptoms during any move-related downtime, I think it's likely everyone will support whatever decision you make, Robert.

While I managed multiple corporate file servers for 15 years, and almost always found a way to upgrade them, move them to new hardware, etc, with a minimum of downtime, I realize it's a daunting task and I can't imagine the vastly increased complexity of moving an internet server, with many thousands of remote connections as well as integration onto the Web to worry about. I think you're a step ahead of the game since you wrote all this software so you know that end probably like the back of your hand, versus having to try to second guess the design intent of the developer of a commercial message board package.

Good luck whatever decision you make, Robert!

 

[petek]

It's all Chinese to me moving servers etc but if you see one of these wagons at a garage sale etc like we did, buy it, they're great for toting stuff around.

 

[panthera]

Samantha,

If it costs more, no hu-hu - just let me know, I'll gladly pay my share.

 

I have been given far more through this site than can be put in words. The friendships, the tremendous opportunities to see and touch vintage appliances, the help with our Thumper (and she's PANK!), the Westyslantfronts...

 

Of course, there's also been the one or other little bump in the road, but that's just normal.

 

Whatever you need to do, do and if it means things go down for a bit longer to get the best situation for you, go for it!

 

[spankomatic]

<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for the "heads up", Robert. Thanks for sharing the stats on the web site also. I've always wondered just how busy it was.... Any down time or changes for the transition is understandable. You and your web site are a "gift" to me and many others here. Thanks for all you do!</span>

<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>

<span style="font-size: large;">Jim</span>

 

[alr2903]

Robert you have lead us to the big time.  I remember when i first found the site i poured through every post and picture, lol  I was late for work a couple of times when the time got away from me, (omg, it's 3:30am), it was like Christmas morning.  I don't see how we could deny anyone, the joy of finding they are not alone in their interest.  Coming to AW.org is part of my daily routine.  Robert I wish you well with locating a new vendor.  We could never compensate you and Fred for your time ( i think it takes more than we realize).  But please share info on the out of pocket costs.  We want to share in expense with you doing so much of the work, and using so much of  your personal time.  Thank you.   Arthur/alr2903

 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

Robert, as always, your hard work and dedication to this site and our community are truly appreciated. If a special fund-raising would be required to help with the costs of the move, I would gladly contribute towards it!!
Thank you!!

 

[mistereric]

Robert, I've had decent luck with Dreamhost.  My sites are very small though, so ymmv.

 

[robliverpool]

I know little of how the internet works properly Robert but just wanted to add how much this site and the people on it have made me not feel embarrassed as i did about washers dryers. My family used to take the micky out of me and when i found this site in 2006 my life changed and i tell people now and i dont care lol

I AM NORMAL lol (well pretty much)

Thanks for all your hard work behind the scenes

 

[ptcruiser51]

Many thanx from the Garden State!

"If you build it, they will come! "

 

"Ask, and ye shall receive"

 

"Let's get this party started, right?"

 

 

 

[akronman]

Good and Bad News

Robert------you've always done a wonderful job here, thanks very much. As many others have said, extra donation $$ are yours for the asking, this site is fun as hell.
My only hope is that once you've moved the site and that big task is done, the bigger semi-dedicated server will allow you to relax more, hopefully lots less administrative webmaster time required of you, so you can get back to your laundry and your guy and "new" old machines, just enjoying this website like so many others do.
Thanks
Mark

 

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

 

I was listening to The Tech Guy/Leo Leporte show # 709 which may have a solution to this dilemma.

If you have a Zune or IPod you can get this subcription for free. It's at the 1:40 mark of the podcast.

 

http://techguylabs.com/radio/ShowNotes/Show709#toc20

http://premrad.com/shows/view/leo_laporte.html

 

[danmantn]

Perhaps you should impose file upload limits (pic size)...seen some super large pic posts on here that should have been resized.