The site went down today for the following reasons:

The web host that I use recently switched me to a new server, with many less people on it. They did this so that they would not have to worry as much about me taking up to many rescources, well now it has become an issue again. They took the site offline today because it was getting so many hits, that it was bogging down the entire server.

The site continues to grow, and we are now geting over 2 GB of data transfer a day. That is alot, it is a great deal of bandwidth, and the more bandwidth, the more money. I will now have to look into a dedicated server which should end the problem for good.

I will keep you posted, and sorry for any inconvienance.

Feel free to ask anything that comes to your mind.

2GB of data?

how much of it on the main website? What kind of costs are we looking at here?

Eagle, how much is this site costing you?

Don't know on the costs yet Baba.

Won't know for a little while yet. You can all feel free to post whatever web hosting provider you know of. Just give me a link and I will check them out, the more options the better, I will compare options and prices, that would be a big help.

Hey Eagle,

You can always set up a PAYPAL account, I'm sure some folks would chip in... I surely would, just to help you deflect the cost of running the site... Just a thought...

What's that? I had thought that its unfair eagle have to pay everything out of his pocket too, but have no idea about these things.

paypal is a convenient way of transferring money to someone without having to pay those crappy bank rates.

1. I don't know about you, but if I had a paypal/credit card and saw a paypal link on the main page, I'd definitely help out.

2. My cousin and I use uzipp for our hosting. http://www.uzipp.com I don't know how well it handles big bandwidth, because our little website doesn't hit the smallest fraction that this site could hit in a month. (It's a project, really)

He did do some searching around and said that it was one of the cheapest deals he could find....for hosting that meets our requirements, at least.

Eagle,

I'll donate if need be. You might want to look into getting sponsers to advertize on the site and some point in the future if things mutiply beyond your budget! I've heard that is a crafty way to deflect costs too.

paypal sounds good...I would pitch in some dough as well

From what I have seen a dedicated server can run around 50 to 100$ a month, which is much much more than I pay now.

We shall have to see, I am looking, and will keep you all posted. I hope it won't be that much, but we may be in for another server switch, which will hopefully go smoother. Sorry guys, I will keep you posted ... should know more tomorrow.

Also you could set up a blind post office box near you and then take contributions by cash or check. For people who don't want to deal with the above internet $.

I am honestly hesitant about taking peoples money. I would only do that as a very last resort if I can not manage the financial burden on my own. Cross that bridge if we come to it.

I think that is good that you don't want to accept money but it isn't a negative if you have a place to contribute if people really want to.

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Also the only thing that doesn't work smoothly is that 30 second error. When I am at work or a faster newer comuter, everything loads 100%.

When I am at an older computer with a basic modum, I get that 30 second error. Not sure why this happens or if upgrades would solve this but I would think this would be a turn off to new or some users - you can't read easily or quote them.

I think you said you never saw this, if you switch or have access and dial in from a phone modum you will see the error message. ( I was thinking, maybe if you error find that - it could be switched to a 60 or 120 second load time. )

I am fully willing to contribute...if someone explains me how PayPal works.

You wouldn't be taking it. You wouldn't be coming into our homes and stealing our money, screaming manically. We'd be giving it to you.

At an old site I used to go to, people would be able to 'buy' things for themselves on the forum, like custom badges, ranks, and other various things. There was even one person who gave so much money that he gained amdinistartor privelages. ::shrugs::