Important: All Site Members Please Read

Chris · 08-04-2007, 09:52 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm proud to announce plans for the next phase for VF. As many of you know we've been experiencing technical difficulties when the site traffic is high. There are plans in the works to upgrade VF's server, software and add new features.

We hope to migrate to the new server (hardware upgrade) first, then upgrade our software and eventually start adding new and improved features to VF.

Because of the nature of the server and software upgrades, we recommend that everyone have a backup of anything in the VF Galleries, your avatar or other images you've uploaded to VF.

As we announced earlier last month, we will be going through and deleting old, outdated content from the Gallery, starting with the oldest materials first that have not been actively viewed or commented on.

Our goal is the make the server switch as quick and efficient as possible.

We will keep you informed on the timetable of the upgrades as the dates get closer.

UPDATE: We will stop taking submissions into the VF Gallery starting tomorrow night (Sunday) so we can begin a full backup of the contents. You will be able to view items in the Gallery, but you will not be able to upload any new material into it until it is running on the new server.

We are hoping to get the new server up and running prior to August 19th. Before that date there will likely be periods of downtime while the site is moved to the new server and the domain name registry updates for everyone.

It's likely some areas of VF will be closed near that date as well, so please plan accordingly.

Thanks

bigben78 · 08-04-2007, 10:04 PM

I thought VF was hosted by a 3rd party (in Florida)....isn't the hardware up to them to maintain and upgrade?

Chris · 08-04-2007, 10:19 PM

Our current webhost can't offer us any upgrades to our existing server. The machine just doesn't have enough RAM to keep VF running smoothly (the server has 512 MB of RAM which is relatively low for a dedicated server). The new server will have at least a Gig of RAM with more hard disk space and upgraded database software, which will allow us to run more recent versions of vBulletin, the software the VF itself runs.

By running more recent versions of vBulletin, we will have greater access to the latest software add-ons and latest features. With a few exceptions, we're basically running the same version of the software we were running 2 years ago.

debijeanm · 08-04-2007, 10:27 PM

Duh..... How do I back-up stuff off VF?

Chris · 08-04-2007, 10:32 PM

Just go to your Gallery and go to each image, right-click on the image and save it to your computer.

For your avatar, just right-click on the image itself and save that to your computer.

Our goal is to not lose any data, but this is a very large amount of data to move, so we recommend that everyone back up things they may want to use in the future.

-Chris

debijeanm · 08-04-2007, 10:37 PM

Okey Dokey. I was imagining something much more complicated. So actually, if all my stuff came off my computer in the first place, I don't need to back it up. Works for me. Thanks, Chris.

08-04-2007, 09:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chris Official Site Founder People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central California Posts: 3,883 Images: 11	Important: All Site Members Please Read Hello everyone, I'm proud to announce plans for the next phase for VF. As many of you know we've been experiencing technical difficulties when the site traffic is high. There are plans in the works to upgrade VF's server, software and add new features. We hope to migrate to the new server (hardware upgrade) first, then upgrade our software and eventually start adding new and improved features to VF. Because of the nature of the server and software upgrades, we recommend that everyone have a backup of anything in the VF Galleries, your avatar or other images you've uploaded to VF. As we announced earlier last month, we will be going through and deleting old, outdated content from the Gallery, starting with the oldest materials first that have not been actively viewed or commented on. Our goal is the make the server switch as quick and efficient as possible. We will keep you informed on the timetable of the upgrades as the dates get closer. UPDATE: We will stop taking submissions into the VF Gallery starting tomorrow night (Sunday) so we can begin a full backup of the contents. You will be able to view items in the Gallery, but you will not be able to upload any new material into it until it is running on the new server. We are hoping to get the new server up and running prior to August 19th. Before that date there will likely be periods of downtime while the site is moved to the new server and the domain name registry updates for everyone. It's likely some areas of VF will be closed near that date as well, so please plan accordingly. Thanks __________________ Chris Lang Site Admin and Founder of VF My Countdown Counting down to: Countdown to VF Scavenger Hunt 5! 294 days 2 hours 41 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

08-04-2007, 10:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigben78 People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wheatland, CA Posts: 281 Images: 9	I thought VF was hosted by a 3rd party (in Florida)....isn't the hardware up to them to maintain and upgrade? __________________ BigBen78 Visit me on Facebook
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

08-04-2007, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chris Official Site Founder People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central California Posts: 3,883 Images: 11	Our current webhost can't offer us any upgrades to our existing server. The machine just doesn't have enough RAM to keep VF running smoothly (the server has 512 MB of RAM which is relatively low for a dedicated server). The new server will have at least a Gig of RAM with more hard disk space and upgraded database software, which will allow us to run more recent versions of vBulletin, the software the VF itself runs. By running more recent versions of vBulletin, we will have greater access to the latest software add-ons and latest features. With a few exceptions, we're basically running the same version of the software we were running 2 years ago. __________________ Chris Lang Site Admin and Founder of VF My Countdown Counting down to: Countdown to VF Scavenger Hunt 5! 294 days 2 hours 41 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

08-04-2007, 10:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
debijeanm People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SoCA Posts: 999 Images: 109	Duh..... How do I back-up stuff off VF? __________________ Debi Fate is kind, she brings to those who love The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing Come join us! (You must be 18 years of age or older)
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

08-04-2007, 10:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chris Official Site Founder People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central California Posts: 3,883 Images: 11	Just go to your Gallery and go to each image, right-click on the image and save it to your computer. For your avatar, just right-click on the image itself and save that to your computer. Our goal is to not lose any data, but this is a very large amount of data to move, so we recommend that everyone back up things they may want to use in the future. -Chris __________________ Chris Lang Site Admin and Founder of VF My Countdown Counting down to: Countdown to VF Scavenger Hunt 5! 294 days 2 hours 41 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

08-04-2007, 10:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
debijeanm People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SoCA Posts: 999 Images: 109	Okey Dokey. I was imagining something much more complicated. So actually, if all my stuff came off my computer in the first place, I don't need to back it up. Works for me. Thanks, Chris. __________________ Debi Fate is kind, she brings to those who love The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing Come join us! (You must be 18 years of age or older)
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Have stuff in the VF Gallery? Read this! Important!	Chris	Announcements and Site Feedback	10	07-18-2007 06:15 PM
Important: Please Read	Chris	So, you want to be an Imagineer?	0	02-15-2007 10:35 PM
Club 33 members, please read...	Mighty Unicorn	Off-Topic	0	07-25-2005 10:29 AM