Database Errors

[Dinovector]

Been getting a lot of problems connecting to PFM over the last week, database errors/timeouts, anyone else?

[demotivated]

Are GCHQ censoring PFM??

[Turkey Vulture]

I have to tell you, Pink Fish Media is actually harder to get into than GCHQ (where I had an interview many years ago). Trying to create an account this morning, I received a message telling me they had a policy of not allowing spammers. This after I'd looked up some obscure question about which label the Beatles recorded on. My second attempt was successful, although the test question was even more obscure (something about bollocks and Sex Pistols). Nice to be here eventually, though.

[Tony L]

Originally Posted by Dinovector

Been getting a lot of problems connecting to PFM over the last week, database errors/timeouts, anyone else?

It's always a little flakey in the morning UK time as the server is located in the US and this corresponds to the night backup and other system maintenance routines.

Originally Posted by Turkey Vulture

I have to tell you, Pink Fish Media is actually harder to get into than GCHQ (where I had an interview many years ago). Trying to create an account this morning, I received a message telling me they had a policy of not allowing spammers. This after I'd looked up some obscure question about which label the Beatles recorded on. My second attempt was successful, although the test question was even more obscure (something about bollocks and Sex Pistols). Nice to be here eventually, though.

Unfortunately if I didn't run this security we'd be getting around 500 spam-bots a day getting through, all of which take considerable time to locate and delete. The extent to which a site of this size is under attack is simply insane. Some of the database errors will no doubt be caused by mass registration attempts by spam-bots etc - the site is under attack 24/7.

[Turkey Vulture]

Isn't it a pity that a wonderful invention like the computer (and the equally amazing internet) has also brought out the worst side of so many people, who are clearly highly intelligent and resourceful? What a shame they couldn't put their talents to better use.

[Dinovector]

Originally Posted by Tony L

It's always a little flakey in the morning UK time as the server is located in the US and this corresponds to the night backup and other system maintenance routines.

Makes sense, cheers Tony

[Steven Toy]

A UK-based server would solve one of the problems.

Global Gold are

a) UK-based

b) vBulletin specialists.

[Minstrel SE]

It will be all the spelling errors and editing I do

[palindrome]

Don't know whether this is related or not, but I have to run thru' the log-in procedure twice before it will accept me, and at any time of day. Also, sometimes after logging out, if I decide later that day to come back, simply clicking through the PFM address in Google will show me as still logged in. I'm assuming this is because I am actually logged in twice even though it rejects me on the first attempt! A paradox, perhaps?

And I've been experiencing database errors and timeouts since joining in Feb'. Is there a setting in explorer that needs tweaking to help things along? Or could all these issues be related to maitenance and security routines?

John

[Tony L]

Originally Posted by palindrome

Don't know whether this is related or not, but I have to run thru' the log-in procedure twice before it will accept me, and at any time of day. Also, sometimes after logging out, if I decide later that day to come back, simply clicking through the PFM address in Google will show me as still logged in.

This kind of thing is down to security settings at the user end - all forums need to save cookies on your computer in order to keep track of whether you are logged in, what posts you have read etc etc. If browser security is set too high or the cookies become corrupted for whatever reason it stops working. Clear your cookies and check your browser settings.

[Rosewind]

PLease delete

[Interzone]

click the edit option at the bottom right of your post and then (again at the bottom right) there will be a delete option. HTH

[palindrome]

Thanks Tony. Messed about with the settings. Logged out, and this time was able to log in first time.

Cheers.

[Cheese]

At the end of the day I believe most of us can survive a few hours when the forum's servers are overloaded, I get this maybe three times a year so no reason to get anal about it.