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Thread Number: 45106
/ Tag: Web Site Related Posts
What a Stressful Weekend it Was - Please Read This... |
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Post# 467690 11/27/2023 at 08:42 (321 days old) by Unimatic1140  (Minneapolis) |
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So on Friday about 4pm Central Time the web server that runs AW, Vacuumland and Automatic Ephemera stopped responding. I gave it a couple of hours to see if it was a network issue and with the sites not coming back up I called technical support and entered a support ticket. All weekend long I have been given the run-around telling me it will be fixed within a few hours. Support over this holiday weekend was not the normal US based support and I was dealing with off-shore (India) not too knowledgeable phone representatives. Finally late on Saturday they admitted to me that they only had a skeleton staff as it is Thanksgiving weekend. I was in contact with them again this morning (normal weekday support) and with everyone back to work they were able to hard restart the server and all seems to be working again.
This brings me to my next point. I have been running automaticwasher for 23 years, Vacuumland for 17 years and Automatic Ephemera for 11 years. While it has been a labor of love now that I'm in my 60's I'm getting to the point in my life that I would like to retire. While nothing is imminent but I simply can't keep doing this forever. I'm considering selling the websites separately within 18 months or so. It's going to need someone with web experience to run the day to day operations and troubleshoot problems like we had this weekend. Some of you guys who love this site may consider thinking about gathering a group of interested members who can raise the funds to buy the site and hire someone part time to run the site and then run the site as a group collective as opposed to they way it has been with just one person doing all the work. As I said above nothing is happening immediately, however it is something to think about for the not too distant future. Thankfully this weekend outage now seems to over and I hope it doesn't repeat itself anytime soon. | ||
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Post# 467691 , Reply# 1 11/27/2023 at 10:04 (321 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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At first, I thought it was just me; as I'm sure some others did, as well.
But, when I tried multiple devices, and nothing worked, I figured it was a server issue. I'm very glad it's been sorted out! I was having withdrawals! Robert, I'm also sorry to hear that you'll be stepping down at some point, in the not too distant future. But, it's understandable. I just fear that nobody else will do it as well as you have. You've set a pretty high bar! Hopefully, it will work out well, with a smooth transition, and the new captain or captains will put as much labor of love into it as you have! Good to see everyone again! Barry | ||
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Post# 467692 , Reply# 2 11/27/2023 at 12:51 (321 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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Post# 467695 , Reply# 3 11/27/2023 at 14:31 (321 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles) |
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| Post# 467700 , Reply# 4 11/27/2023 at 15:49 (321 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
 Glad you got the site back up, I figured it was server problems. One of my favorite Hot Wheels collector sites that I have used for decades has went down due to server bills increasing and they are unable to find another. Sorry to hear about the decision to sell, hopefully someone can jump in and keep things going for another 20 years ^^ | ||
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Post# 467709 , Reply# 5 11/27/2023 at 19:21 (321 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona) |
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Thank you for the update! I'm so relieved to see the site is back up. We definitely all appreciate your work on the website.
I personally do not have web developer experience but would be more than willing to contribute to keep the site running. The archive alone is priceless. If/when that day comes feel free to reach out to me | ||
| Post# 467714 , Reply# 6 11/27/2023 at 21:42 (320 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
Robert, first of all I am glad & relieved the site is back up & running. I was definitely wondering what was going on over the weekend! Count me as one of the members here who are grateful the forum exists, & use the archives as a resource for vacuum info on a regular basis.
I understand your reasons for wanting to sell the website. At your age, it must be tiring to do this full time. My only advice would be to make sure you sell it to someone who truly appreciates & loves the hobby, NOT someone who only sees dollar signs in their eyes. Just out of curiosity, what happened to your partner Fred Stachnik? And why isn't he helping you with the website anymore? | ||
| Post# 467729 , Reply# 7 11/28/2023 at 09:40 (320 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell ) | ||
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Post# 467771 , Reply# 9 11/29/2023 at 21:27 (318 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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BTW, are you also the mastermind behind the 'Washers we love and more' music video?
Thank you Rob and everyone else for all your kind words. Yes that was me, although that video is over 15 years old now and the resolution is outdated, I'd like to make an updated version sometime next year. post was last edited: 11/29/2023-21:44] | ||
| Post# 468228 , Reply# 11 12/22/2023 at 09:54 (296 days old) by Paul (USA) | ||
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Robert, Thank you for your management of VL; including your communications. VL has been a terrific resource for me the last ten years. I hope it continues to be when you enter your retirement. | ||
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Post# 468241 , Reply# 12 12/22/2023 at 23:15 (295 days old) by aussie-plugs (Melbourne, Australia) |
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Much appreciation for your labor of love Hi Robert, All three of the sites you manage provide so much great information and a sense of community, I really hope you can find somebody to take on the challenge, rather than see things fizzle out as you head into retirement. Kind regards, Nick | ||
| Post# 469029 , Reply# 13 1/28/2024 at 11:04 (259 days old) by 2011hoover700 (owosso michigan) | ||
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