FQuest Alert: SIX Frozen

[Deb]

Same situation -- a new night.

Andrew is in the car heading up there now... expected time will be about an hour...

http://www.aota.net/ubb/frown.gif http://www.aota.net/ubb/frown.gif http://www.aota.net/ubb/frown.gif

[alexandra]

Hi, Deb. I came on at exactly 12:11, having tried to get into my site and failed a minute before -- and found your post.

I've said it before, but in view of some of the posts on the last downtime thread, I think I'll say it again. I'd rather know. I trust your honesty. Any server is going to be down sometimes. My former host would be down for six to eight hours and then either say there was nothing wrong "We can access your site," or suggest I dump my cookies, or etc. To be able to come to aota.net and know very, very quickly what's going on is a wonderful service, and I thank you for it.

I'd like to offer another suggestion about the refunds. Several people -- many people -- have said, "don't bother with mine." I don't think you should ignore us. If my site is down for half a day, as it was on the last really bad downtime, $1.00 refund a year from now doesn't help at all. One of the problems with web pricing is that the cost of the service to us is very low compared to the damage/inconvenience suffered when the server is down. By this I mean, you can't really reimburse us. A refund sounds great but I really don't think it's of much use. I (and, judged by these posts, many others) would much rather you keep the money and put it to a new server, or whatever you feel you need to make us stable.

So the suggestion is, why don't you have us do a secret vote? Not on the board, because some people may feel pressured one way or the other, but just do an email to all your customers and ask if they'd be willing to forego the refund. If there are people who do want the refund (and on the more expensive plans, it may well be a real consideration), then you're honor bound to give it to them. But for the rest of us, if we release you from the pledge, I don't see that there would be a problem. And if the refunds really are enough to keep you from buying a new server, I'd seriously consider dropping the pledge and grandfathering all of us in. Do it all at once (with the other price changes) and be done with it.

Alexandra (and good luck tonight)

[Deb]

Alexandra your post is touching to say the least. These are the hardest times when I, like you, can only sit and wait for it to come back up. When I reloaded the forums your post came as a surprise. A welcomed one at that!

This server has had us scratching our head more then any other computer I can remember ever touching (and I've seen some strange things lol). I think what is most disturbing about this one is just the not knowing.

We've dug so deep into the thing that I could sell it with a straight face and say she's in perfect condition just because I know every tiny lil thing in it has been fixed .... unfortunately SIX just doesn't seem to appreciate that fact:P So we anxiously await replacing the parts until this is pinpointed.

At any rate.... as far as the credits go, I am bound and determined to hold onto the integrity we tend to brag so much about http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif I have been forced into reworking how we handle certain things and we will in fact have to make changes as we grow.... what I do not want to do is make changes that would allow any slacking whatsoever on our worth as an honest host that knows your site needs to be up regardless of the reasons. For that reason I intend to keep the guarantee in place. (a certain sys admin has begged we drop it to 99% grin..but it's a challenge I don't want to give up.) 99.5% is a realistic expectation and one that should be met. If it's not then something is wrong... which as we know is the case.

Changes that are being made are more in the billing areas. What we can not continue to do is host and/or refund the non-paid accounts obviously. We've always tended to be a bit lax in those areas but after much research into our structure I do see where not being lax there will make up for those discounts http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif

I am adding a late fee and will be establishing a reconnection fee for accounts that are disabled due to non-payment..yadda yadda yadda.... Irregardless what I'm trying to say in my verbose ways, is that there are ways for everything to continue on a positive growth pattern w/o taking away the foundations of the business. I am working diligently to find those ways http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif

I only hope that Balletalert.com isn't able to say -- Gee I got a year free from FutureQuest when my payment became due -- (that was a joke! maybe a bad one but a joke none the less hehe)

Thanks Alexandra http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif

Deb
--
Dreaming about Orlando, New NOCs, and moving Justin into the server room so he can push the button when remote reboots refuse to cooperate!

[Justin]

Only if there's a coffee pot and smoking allowed LOL http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif

[Deb]

Coffee -- I have never imagined a NOC without IVs set up for it!

Smokes -- hrrrmmm now your getting picky -- Servers apparently do not mind coffee being spilled on them but some are offended by smoke -- It will have a door for you to step outside though http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif

If the cigs are that much of a problem, we'll breakdown and get you a beeper and move you in next door to the NOC <grin>

Deb

[hearts]

a smoker without his cigarettes, is a non smoker! *giggle*

Justin without his smokes.. is a bunch of "F" words.. hehehhe.

[Terra]

I'm currently staring at the server right now, and must admit that SIX has got me frustrated to NO end... GRRrrrrrr!!!!

What ensues is a 40 mile drive, that I must make in 35 or less minutes...

As you can see - downtime is never wanted...

Please excuse me at the moment, I'm a bit frustrated with SIX right now... I made the decision to take her offline for longer than normal... I have pulled all the cards and reseated them, triple checked all connections, checked the voltages coming from the power supply, and went through the Chipset and BIOS configurations with a fine tooth comb...

I also attempted to drop the memory speed from the 100MHz down to 75MHz, but that is no go as the pc_100 SPD controls the BX timing registers... http://www.aota.net/ubb/frown.gif

>>>Deb, please clean up this post - Lynx is not cooperating<<<

--Andrew Gillespie
Systems Administrator
FutureQuest.net


<deb cleaned> http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 04-02-99).]

[hearts]

Welllllllllllll.......... since you are frustrated.. i decided to post here!

Heartistic Designs is officially home.. (at FQ) where it belongs. But.. darn that dot com I kept putting in my paths for my CGI. Good thing for hot tempers.. lots of cussing, and copy and paste feature, with the right click of the mouse, so my kid bro could point out how stupid I am after 2 in the morning!

Now, Terra, thank YOU very much for setting this up for me. I highly apppreciate what you did, and losing sleep to keep us happy!

When six is repaired, and she is settled, and she passes all her stress tests....... I am confident things for us all will settle down, and you might possibly resume some kind of sleeping habit! http://www.aota.net/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by hearts (edited 04-02-99).]