May 06, 2007

Just wanted to add a quick note about non-gold members not being able to add entries: This *should* be over tonight (sunday). I cannot say for 100% sure, but it should be.

I should have updated sooner, but since we had to take this down, it keeps looking like it's about to be fixed and then something goes wrong. Here is the situation: Basically, one of the database servers conked out last week, as explained here. Getting it back up and running with all the data has taken a long time, because it seemed like it was fixed and back up, but then had problems while being tested. We currently can't have everyone adding entries all at once, because it slows down the server to point where it's messing things up. Maybe if anything goes wrong with getting it back up today, I will set it so like half the people can add entries for 30 minutes then vice versa or something.

I understand this is a big inconvenience for non-gold members, and believe me, I am not happy about this whatsoever. I started this site back in 1999 and since it has been running, there have been a few server problems here and there. They are annoying, but they happen. This is not a big corporate site with millions of dollars behind it. Diaryland is essentially run by one person, and believe me, I don't do it for the money. I want everything back up as much as you. I have received snide and rude emails about the situation, and while I appreciate your frustration, it's really dispiriting to run a site for people for years, and have them use it happily, and then when there is an interruption for a few days get pounded on. Anyone who thinks that I am not 1000% more annoyed at the situation than anyone else doesn't know me. The situation will be fixed soon, I just ask that people be patient in the meantime, thanks.

posted by andrew. 11:59 a.m. - May. 06, 2007

Can we see your financials, Andrew? Can you prove to us that people have been type, typing away happily since 1999 with all of their questions and needs answered?

I'm even more offended that Andrew had to let us know that he's received snide and rude e-mails because of this. One of those snide and rude e-mails was from me. I pay for two memberships here at Diaryland and I believe I deserve an explanation less than six days into a problem. He took my money which entitles me to at least that.

Nice defensive move Andrew. You probably will be losing a lot more paying customers with this unprofessional approach.

I pay for a membership over at the etsy crafter's website. When their system goes down, they keep a running blog of what's going on and when it will go up. Complete with updates if it doesn't go up as planned. And this little communication savvy of theirs gers incredible positive feedback as they also allow people to comment as it's happening.

And while I'm sure they have more than one person running the place, so does Andrew. The people who are servicing his server are doing the work to get it back up. I'm not sure what Andrew does. But whatever it is, it's not working for him.

Andrew will get no more of my money.

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