Let's just be honest, he could have easily rented out a server away from him and hosted it for a month or two offsite. There are many options out there for getting things back up and running. He has lost a bit of trust in my book.

[mrsD]

When I type in the address:

The web site address you entered could not be found.
Please try the related content suggestions and paid advertisements below, or try another search.
You entered "www.brain.hastypastry.net ".

I used to get a logo of the OBT communities, but clicking on forums gave
me a white blank screen, with no updates. So perhaps it has all gone down by this afternoon? This is with Earthlink ISP. I sure wish I understood computers better.

Thanks for posting the update!

[Bobbi]

I get a blank page, as well, when I go to:

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/


I see the logo when opening:

http://brain.hastypastry.net/


That's using MS IE. When using Opera, this is what I see while opening:

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/


There seems to have been a problem with the BrainTalk Communities database.
Please try again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.

An E-Mail has been dispatched to our Technical Staff, whom you can also contact if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

[evie]

Fact:
brain.hastypastry.net won't work for all browsers. You must have javascript turned on for the link on that page to work as it is routed via google analytics.

So, if you use a browser that has javascript turned off, you won't get anywhere using the link on the main page. If you are anywhere where google analytics may be inaccessible you won't be able to use that link either.

In any case, the link on the main page goes to http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums which, for some at least, is a not really existing page somewhere in limbo. http://brain.hastypastry.net/forum/ (note the missing "s") gets you to a existing page with yet another msg from JL from July 20.

Assumption:
google analytics may route you to different locations depending on certain parameters (geographical location comes to mind)...otoh, if you use a so-called proxy server you may end up in a different location again as the proxy server may lag behind (imagine a proxy server as an immense temporary repository being stored at your providers place for pages that are called up). There are other reasons why the effect we are seeing can happen but, especially if the page(s) with the admin messages are moved around
servers/places/machines, these 2 are 2 of the most probable reasons.

-----

I tend to agree with Mama Bear. There is no obligation, except moral, for JL to rebuild the forums. And JL is actually doing exactly what he did before. He put up 1 msg to explain what happened and then there was silence. Have a look at some of the stuff that is still there from earlier crashes. He put up 1 msg then silence until he could report it is all fixed now and only a matter of a little more time until everything is up and running. The only difference to those times is that this time it is taking months instead of weeks.

This crash did happen at a very bad time as far as hardware replacement is concerned. Apple Computer is phasing out the type of machine that the forums were running on, replacing it with a new one. For the ones who keep track of these things, Apple is switching the G4/G5 xserves to Intel. Right now, it isn't possible anymore to order an old one and the new ones aren't ready for ordering yet (talking from my POV here in Europe).
This isn't meant to make excuses for JL as the situation was quite different in July when the crash happened but I am also not going to attack him as he he may just have put his paying job/other things that are none of our business first.

Whatever the reason...it may sound hard but one lesson to be learnt is that 1 single forum should not be a life line and one shouldn't rely on one forum to be around forever. Another lesson to be learnt is that people who run forums are just human beings...with strengths and weaknesses. JL was put on a pedestal by many and he has now been changed from a saint into a devil. He is neither, he is just another human being.

cheers
eve

[anonymous_no_more]

Originally Posted by evie

Fact:
brain.hastypastry.net won't work for all browsers. You must have javascript turned on for the link on that page to work as it is routed via google analytics.

So, if you use a browser that has javascript turned off, you won't get anywhere using the link on the main page. If you are anywhere where google analytics may be inaccessible you won't be able to use that link either.

In any case, the link on the main page goes to http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums which, for some at least, is a not really existing page somewhere in limbo. http://brain.hastypastry.net/forum/ (note the missing "s") gets you to a existing page with yet another msg from JL from July 20.

Assumption:
google analytics may route you to different locations depending on certain parameters (geographical location comes to mind)...otoh, if you use a so-called proxy server you may end up in a different location again as the proxy server may lag behind (imagine a proxy server as an immense temporary repository being stored at your providers place for pages that are called up). There are other reasons why the effect we are seeing can happen but, especially if the page(s) with the admin messages are moved around
servers/places/machines, these 2 are 2 of the most probable reasons.

-----

I tend to agree with Mama Bear. There is no obligation, except moral, for JL to rebuild the forums. And JL is actually doing exactly what he did before. He put up 1 msg to explain what happened and then there was silence. Have a look at some of the stuff that is still there from earlier crashes. He put up 1 msg then silence until he could report it is all fixed now and only a matter of a little more time until everything is up and running. The only difference to those times is that this time it is taking months instead of weeks.

This crash did happen at a very bad time as far as hardware replacement is concerned. Apple Computer is phasing out the type of machine that the forums were running on, replacing it with a new one. For the ones who keep track of these things, Apple is switching the G4/G5 xserves to Intel. Right now, it isn't possible anymore to order an old one and the new ones aren't ready for ordering yet (talking from my POV here in Europe).
This isn't meant to make excuses for JL as the situation was quite different in July when the crash happened but I am also not going to attack him as he he may just have put his paying job/other things that are none of our business first.

Whatever the reason...it may sound hard but one lesson to be learnt is that 1 single forum should not be a life line and one shouldn't rely on one forum to be around forever. Another lesson to be learnt is that people who run forums are just human beings...with strengths and weaknesses. JL was put on a pedestal by many and he has now been changed from a saint into a devil. He is neither, he is just another human being.

cheers
eve

******
Eve
Thank you for posting the technical information above. As to the other observation; we are on the same page in that regards...

[mrsD]

I for one appreciate all the updates provided here by everyone.

I could see the July 20th link Thelma provided. But not the other.

I think JL understands us more than we realize. I don't think he will take
much of the posting here personally or hold grudges. He could not have run OBT for as long as he
did, if that were the case.

I am sure HE gets mad and frustrated at things himself.

I don't understand computers very well, except to type on them, and run some software. The internet totally confuses me! DUH.

[Thelma]

We all have not taken into consideration that the sites on Linden Labs are also a part of Braintalk and as such their private forum there is unavailable as well.

The 3 sites at Linden as well as the Braintalk forums are all under the same non-profit organization so as such when one is effected all are at the basic level.

There is where I am confused at the time he is taking to rectify it.

But "doc" is right.

The talking is only leading to more and more frustration and that will bring on the worst of all of our natures.

I don't think we need the Braintalk update anymore at all as this site by your own words seems to be sufficient for your needs and if not it is becoming more so every day.

The confusion of rehashing the story is right now leading to bad feelings between some here.

Lets end it before it becomes the norm and the heavy moderation comes in.

Because if he needs to do it I am sure "doc" will do it if only to protect his site here.

Lets give him an alterantive. for our sakes as well as for his.

Bet you never thought I would be saying this but my change in attitude has been in the proving of me being wrong in the first place.

Take care everyone

TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOURS AND ALL ELSE WILL FALL INTO PLACE

[Bobbi]

Linden Lab sites are that. They are not a part of BrainTalk Communities. SecondLife is a part of Linden Lab, however.

This is the domain for Linden Lab, which is, in fact, the brainchild of Philip Rosedale, not JL:

http://lindenlab.com/

Linden Lab has its own employees; the security problem that had affected SecondLife was addressed by Linden Lab/SecondLife, and the hole was sealed - as I posted previously (in a different thread). JL just happens to be employed by Linden Lab. Philip R. and JL are also two completely unique people, as well. Wanna see :

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object...DVKFD1.DTL&o=2

[Thelma]

I am not talking about Linden labs as such merely the sites John has bought into.

Those that are under the umbrella of Braintalk non-profit rules and regulations only.

As you have noted the numeral 3 should be 2.

BUT

I included the Braintalk site in that so the actual number is still 3.

What is your point?

Think I am getting too testy for any more posting about this post so will just let it ride it's path to oblivion.

Lets give him an alterantive. for our sakes as well as for his.

Bet you never thought I would be saying this but my change in attitude has been in the proving of me being wrong in the first place.

thelma you inspire me. we are all evolving and it's nice the way we have all hung in there with each others differences.

looking forward to getting to know everyone here on all levels. from one day to the next we all face different challenges and I never take a day or two at face value.