Order site down?

[VballMichael]

No, but i do think you might be responsible for global warming.

I am not looking for a rebate. I just know you will make the best choice you can and we will move on from there.

[Ry Vor]

No, but i do think you might be responsible for global warming.

I am not looking for a rebate. I just know you will make the best choice you can and we will move on from there.

Thanks.  It seems we didn't have a problem today after the virus catching efforts.  That doesn't mean it's over or we won't go forward with a new server and operating system and a migration and fixing the things in moving platforms up a couple generations.  But I don't think we're going to stop processing existing games.  We might not start a new game beyond Duels if it looks like we are ready to get started in the next week.  Obviously, if we still have problems in the next couple days, we will have to expedite a move.  

Most likely is we still stay hosted as I don't know I want to worry about Time Warner being down for two days, but maybe so.  If so, the box will be just devoted to Alamaze, not mingled with my other stuff.  But this is code, websites, applications and access.  So I may have to bite the bullet and keep it hosted to not be stuck on my own if there is a problem.  We still hope we can get Alamaze up in active players and then everything is fine.

[Drogo]

So are we paused or not? Game 552 did not run despite having all players 'ready'...

[Ry Vor]

So are we paused or not?  Game 552 did not run despite having all players 'ready'...

Will need Mike to look at that. Meanwhile assume games process when all ready and the stated deadline.

[Devildog]

So are we paused or not?  Game 552 did not run despite having all players 'ready'...

Will need Mike to look at that.  Meanwhile assume games process when all ready and the stated deadline.

Game 542 should have processed yesterday 5/16. It was not a ready turn game. The next turn is due 5/19.

[unclemike]

I'm not quite sure everyone understands the significance of not suspending games.

When we switched from XML to SQL nine months ago, our system changed from comprising of many files into a single database file that consists of all the games. If that file gets infected, all games are ruined and cannot be carried over to the new server. So if that happens, all games would be immediately halted and people would have to join a brand new game on the new server.

Is that alright with everyone? For your game to just disappear like that? If so then continue on I guess.

BTW, it wasn't easy to create a valid and safe restore point with the previously mentioned May 17 8:30am EST save. I had to strip out infected configuration files and replace them with my archived version. That along with verifying the files with aggressive heuristic scans including Norton's Power Eraser (which is a powerful tool in taking out viruses but also problematic in getting rid of good files as well). Add several tests to verify that Alamaze still works and you spent most of your day doing all of this frustrating work. Since not all games were fully tested (that would require actually running turns and sending emails out to everyone), I can't say with 100% confidence that the restore point will work on the new system when the time comes.

It was different back in the XML days. XML are plain text files so if one gets corrupted, I can just open up Notepad, hand type the values, and be back up and running without a problem. Not so with SQL. That binary file has proprietary contents so if it gets infected, all games are hosed and are unrecoverable.

But if Rick wants to take the risk to his system, it's his decision. I won't be making any more restore points because it places my home system at risk of being infected and I have other projects on my pc that are more important than Alamaze.

[Greyhawk]

Yes, I have spoken with Mike and think he is the only one that knows the Alamaze code and server technology adequately to do a migration, so I need him to do it. 

I know Alamaze players pay more than they would for other games like Warcraft, but the irony is we don't really make much of a profit given the present player base.  So say $5000 for the migration to a new server is not insignificant.  Again, I have had hosted servers proudly since 2003 just so players could rest assured my hard drive wasn't going to fail and wreck the games.  Its been over $60,000 in that time to Softlayer and its predecessor The Planet.

I am considering bringing the box in house to not spend another $60k, but I kind of don't want the risk.  Its just as I said though, hosting companies don't do what I thought.  They explained that basically what they do is ensure connectivity.  Expensive for that.

So we will do a migration if Mike is willing, and I will open my checkbook, though it would take more than a year to recoup financially unless we increase the player base.  I have to think about remaining in a hosted environment, or taking a bought server in house.  In a migration, we may keep running on the existing server and test on the new server, but we may be down for a week or two.  I suppose that would mean extending renewal dates for that time: another cost.  I will advise when the time comes.

Anyway, sorry to whine, I thought we were in good hands and it was expensive for me.  But now we have to take new steps to keep Alamaze and whatever else lies beyond going.  I'm asking for no one to abandon us during this time. 


Have you thought of doing a fund me page or something like that, I think for this cause players would step forth to help out what they can.  I'd be willing to donate a little something to help out the cause anyway.

David

[Avantar]

I'm not quite sure everyone understands the significance of not suspending games.

When we switched from XML to SQL nine months ago, our system changed from comprising of many files into a single database file that consists of all the games. If that file gets infected, all games are ruined and cannot be carried over to the new server. So if that happens, all games would be immediately halted and people would have to join a brand new game on the new server.

Is that alright with everyone? For your game to just disappear like that? If so then continue on I guess.

BTW, it wasn't easy to create a valid and safe restore point with the previously mentioned May 17 8:30am EST save. I had to strip out infected configuration files and replace them with my archived version. That along with verifying the files with aggressive heuristic scans including Norton's Power Eraser (which is a powerful tool in taking out viruses but also problematic in getting rid of good files as well). Add several tests to verify that Alamaze still works and you spent most of your day doing all of this frustrating work. Since not all games were fully tested (that would require actually running turns and sending emails out to everyone), I can't say with 100% confidence that the restore point will work on the new system when the time comes.

It was different back in the XML days. XML are plain text files so if one gets corrupted, I can just open up Notepad, hand type the values, and be back up and running without a problem. Not so with SQL. That binary file has proprietary contents so if it gets infected, all games are hosed and are unrecoverable.

But if Rick wants to take the risk to his system, it's his decision. I won't be making any more restore points because it places my home system at risk of being infected and I have other projects on my pc that are more important than Alamaze.

Whatever will be will be. If the games can currently running can be played out or we have to start whole new games, I am good either way. I still consider myself in the exploratory stage of playing. I keep myself busy running our family pizzeria and this type of game, not only do I enjoy, but the way it plays with turn submission fits into my busy schedule. I am there for you either way  and  as a player, not going anywhere.

[RELLGAR]

I'll  play whenever its ready to go. 
I love pizza, I ran a Pizzeria for years.

[Atuan]

I would rather suspend games until the move is completed.