Error repaired!

**Adam** · 09-10-2006, 10:50 AM

The thread-viewing error had now been repaired (by me), so everything should be back up and running.

Let me explain what happened, however:

My webhost, Netfirms, has been experiencing performance issues lately (or so I soo). Every so often, standard MySQL queries return code 28 errors (server out of memory), meaning that the server does not have enough RAM at the moment.

When the server experiences something like this, any query can damage a table index- and that's what happened with the private message and post tables- the indexes were damages.

I have contacted my host via e-mail, but, unfortunately, I haven't gotten a reply yet.

I had to fix this mysql by using a use_frm repair command- it worked, at least this time

I may have to switch hosts, sadly. I currently have 20 Gb of disk space for $10 a month, plus each domain for $10 a year. I can't afforfd $500 and $1000 yearly plans, however, so if you have any host recommendations, please post.

However, if the site grows, perhaps some donations will be able to get us a dedicated server...

Anyway, I'm very sorry for the downtime, for it made the site look really bad. I'll do my best for it not to happen again, but the memory issue is currently out of my control...

Thanks for your patience.

vievetrick · 09-10-2006, 11:17 AM

no worries Adam. For your first week up and running thing you are doing as pretty well. I am sure most expect some minor issues and as long as things are back all is forgiven.

Photo Tramp · 09-10-2006, 06:07 PM

You did a great job Adam and we're all glad there were no major repairs for you. If it comes down to donations let us know I know I'll be glad to help.
David

**Toshi** · 09-10-2006, 06:14 PM

Good work getting the forum back up and running in a quick manner Adam. As with any new site/forum, there'll always be little problems on the way

I don't have any host recommendations, however, in the near future when the forum hopefully gets more users and more activity, donations should help out with a host/dedicated server. As an incentive, you could make it so that with a simple $5 or $10 donation, you get the privilege of using avatars and/or signatures, photo gallery, etc. I know that many forums offer these services for free, but a large automotive forum I frequent uses this method and many people gladly donate money for the features. $5 or $10 is very little for one whole year and if users value the information and community, I'm sure they'll be glad to donate. Theoretically, if every member right now donated, you could easily reach $1000-$2000 a year to keep the forum running smooth. Just my 2 cents.

**Adam** · 09-10-2006, 06:29 PM

I will establish a donation system in the near future- I've also found 3 hosting alternatives that we may have to move to later on.

Members who donate $5 or more will get access to a special forum, be able to display active links in their signatures, and have custom titles. How's that? They will also have twice the space in the photo gallery and four times the attachment space.

My current host is running a shared server cluster, and I have 20Gb space and 800Gb of bandwidth- that's good, but worthless if the performance is bad (as it has been for the past 2 months).

The good hosting alternatives I found so far are as follows:

-60Gb Managed Cluster Servers with 1.5 Tb bandwidth, $50 per month
-20Gb Virtual Dedicated Server with 512 Mb guaranteed RAM, $55 per month
-40Gb Dedicated Server, 2.0 Ghz Celeron with 515Mb of RAM, $99 per month
-250Gb Dedicated Server, 2.8 Ghz Pentium D with 2Gb of RAM, $149 per month

I haven't started this site to ask for money, however, lol

**Toshi** · 09-10-2006, 07:20 PM

Hi Adam,

Being able to display active links, enabling custom user titles, and more space for photos with a small donation is a great idea. However, IMO, a special forum for donors may cause a separation between the community. I'm just worried that certain people may complain about that

I haven't started this site to ask for money, however, lol

LOL, true. I think the added features should be a way of saying "thank you for the support" as those features aren't really necessary to enjoy the forum and obtain information. As long as donations aren't forced, I don't think people will mind

I'm sure there will be plenty of people willing to donate once the forum takes off.

**Adam** · 09-10-2006, 07:23 PM

I guess you're right about the special forum

We'll address this matter a bit later, though- once we've started rolling.