IMPORTANT EVERYONE PLEASE READ...

[Unimatic1140]

Hi everybody, so we are getting close to running out of disk space on our current server.  Between the three websites we have nearly 400,000 pictures uploaded since 2004 and nearly one and a half million posts, disk space is getting very low.  I estimate we have about three months left before it completely runs out.  We currently have 250 gigabytes of disk space on the current server and I have recently rented a new more expensive server that has 1 terabyte of disk space.  This should keep us with enough disk space for hopefully 7 to 10 years if we stay about the same rate of postings.

 

I have already moved Automatic Ephemera over to the new server and I'm now working on getting everything copied over to move automaticwasher.org next.  Once that's up and running and any bugs addressed I'll move Vacuumland over as well and cancel the old server.

 

SO HERE IS THE BIG DEAL: When I flip the switch and change the IP address of automaticwasher.org to the new server it can take anywhere between a few minutes to 24-48 hours for the entire internet to catch up.  What this means is once the switch is flipped some users will hit the old site for a while and some users will be on the new site.  Because of this right before I flip the switch I will turn off all new forum postings and profile updates on the old site, so once you can see that you have the ability to post again you've reached the new site.  This wait time is called DNS PROPAGATION, if you find you aren't reaching the new active site within 24 please clear your browsers cache and try again.  Most users should be able to reach the new site within several hours, especially within the United States.  It took Automatic Ephemera 18 hours before the very last click on the old server site ended last week.

 

So I'm working away on this and should be ready to "flip the switch" and force automaticwasher.org over to the new server in one to five days from now, depending on how things go this week.  I'll make another post when I'm ready.  There probably will be a few bugs after the switch and I'll make a bug report thread on the new server for you guys to let me know if something isn't working properly that needs to be addressed.

 

Thanks everyone and I appreciate everyone's patience during the transition.  Questions/Comments?

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks for letting us know; and for keeping the site available and free of disk space issues!

 

[goatfarmer]

Keep up the good work!

 

[DADoES]

 
Server moves rarely go without hiccups ... been there, done that, more than once ... but this one probably won't be much of a deal on the software side being only three sites and an expert custom-programmer at the helm. 

 

[norgeway]

Thanks Robert

For all the hard work.

 

[kevin313]

Thank you Robert

For keeping us updated and all the work you do for us.

 

[moparwash]

Thanks for all the work you do to keep us all connected!

 

[combo52]

Thanks For All You Have Done And Do Robert

Major Appliances every where thank you, this is by far my favorite website.

 

Thanks

 

[joelippard]

Thank You,  I appreciate this site very much and the hard work you put into making it such high quality.  I have an IT friend so I have some sense of the effort involved on your part.

 

[sfh074]

Robert .....

We basically did this when we switched servers for the hospital website my group created and maintained. Applied db copy on new server and forwarded traffic from old server to new before propagation was complete. Pretty seamless.

https://support.hostgator.com/artic...lessly-transfer-hosting-with-no-interruptions

 

[yogitunes]

Make It So!

 

[ea56]

Thanks Very Much!

Robert for all your hard work! AW is one of my favorite things, the vintage appliances and the friendly interactions with members. And its your dedication that makes it happen!

Gracias!

Eddie

 

[peteski50]

Website!

Robert - Thank you for all your hard work and keeping up this great site!
This site and your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Peter

 

[sarahperdue]

Thank you Robert

Robert, thank you for creating and maintaining AW and Vacuumland. I love the trove of information and experience but most of all the community you have fostered here.

AW is not only my favorite forum, but I think it's the best programmed of any forum I have participated in. Just brilliant!

 

[sambootoo]

Most of what you said makes no since at all to me but I echo the comments of the others. I don't post too often but I check in here almost every day.

Thank you, Robert for this site and for all that you do.

Sam

 

[wayupnorth]

Robert,I just keep liking all the posts above and thank you also for your hard work. Just renewed my membership yesterday for the next year and look forward to all other members postings. Who knows who will find the next treasure to share.

 

[rapidry1000]

Thank you

This is my favorite site. Thank you for updating us of your generous effort and work involved.

 

[lowefficiency]

>> I have recently rented a new more expensive server that has 1 terabyte of disk space

Does this mean there might be the possibility of uploading video clips in the future?
Even if the length or quality is restricted, having video content would add a lot of value to the forums!

Thanks for your dedication to keeping this site running!

 

[repairguy]

Thanks Robert for all that you do behind the scenes to keep this site going. I always like to see the washers and dryers that folks find and it keeps my interest up as well. I too spend a lot of time on this site reading mainly but every once in a while I finish one of the hundreds of projects that I have(literally) and post pictures.

 

[mrsalvo]

Thank you Robert. This is my favorite site, as a caregiver it helps me to cope!!!! Appreciate all that you do!!

Barry

 

[foraloysius]

Thanks for all the hard work Robert and good luck with the move to the new server!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Thanks everyone for your very kind words and support.

As for videos that would be super cool, but unfortunately a 1tb disk would get filled up rather fast if I tried to support video uploads. YouTube is much better suited for that and integrates with the site nicely.

 

[arbilab]

A day without AW is like air without oxygen.  Thanks Robert, will anticipate.

 

[gizmo]

Hi Robert.

Thanks for creating my favourite website in the whole internet.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank you, Robert!

So, what size donation is needed/acceptable to pay for all this new fancy shmancy upgrade? I know it has to cost more. Will you be requesting money when we renew or do you need it now?

 

[Unimatic1140]

So, what size donation is needed/acceptable to pay for all this new fancy shmancy upgrade?

Hi Tom, thank you for asking about that. Right now all is fine. I'm going to take a wait and see attitude on that as I have been extra careful to budget ahead of time for this more expensive monthly rental fee over the past few months. I've tried very hard to keep the base donation fee at $12 over the past 9 years and I haven't raised it as of yet. Quite a few users have been very kind over the years and have added extra cash to the $12 base rate when it's time for them to renew and I very much appreciate those who can do that. I do realize that for some even $12 is difficult and I don't want to alienate those members so that's why I'm doing a wait and see on this.

Thank you again for asking, it's very kind of you! If I see this is going to be an issue I will have discussion with everyone.

 

[maytag63]

Thank you Robert

Thank you for all the work and time you give us! For me this site is like a family to go to when I'm down and dealing with life's challenges.

 

[gus]

Hi Rob, I don´t know if this is the right moment, but can you tell what and where is the third place you talk about beyond this and vacuumland? Thank you whatever your answer.

 

[vacerator]

Yes, thank's Robert!

I don't post too often anymore, as the newness novelty of it has weened somewhat.
I'm willing to contribute by upgrading to a premium member, but I don't work anymore, besides keeping up the house, and domestic chores. I haven't yet began drawing my retirement, as I'll get more the longer I wait because of my age. I also don't mind all of our the budget, so did not get the go ahead. Sorry.
I've been busy over the past year getting healthier and back in shape since losing my parents. My siblings and I all put on weight taking care of them. Dad preferred to eat out, more than at home, as there was not a lot of time to prepare healthy meals taking him to hemo dialysis and doctors.
My gym membership costs more now, because we've joined a new one with better equipment and hours, even with a couples discount.
I've dropped from 245 LBS. a year ago to 178, which is what I weighed at age 25.
My wedding ring fits me again since 3 years ago.
Building muscle bulk is more difficult over age 40, not to mention 55, but I feel like I'm 40 again.
Several friends and relatives have been inspired by my progress, and are also now trying to become fit.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Rob, I don´t know if this is the right moment, but can you tell what and where is the third place you talk about beyond this and vacuumland?

Hi Gus, I'm not sure what you mean. First was Automatic Ephemera, second will be automaticwasher.org (maybe early this evening depending on when I get home from work) and third will be Vacuumland once everything is settled with automaticwasher.org.