Forum announcement - website stability issues

[froot]

A few minutes ago you may have experienced problems accessing the forum, this was because the database was overloaded with queiries and fizzed out. It may happen again and if the problem persists we may have to move onto our own dedicated server - big bucks. Eish!

[Mamba no 5]

I noticed the server was overloaded.
Dedicated server = good for us bad for your pockets.
How much will it cost to get a dedicated server?

[Mamba no 5]

How about some fund raising?

[rolandslf]

If necessary, charge a monthly subscription fee. With the amount of subscribers we have it should'nt work out to too much per person.
I for one do not mind signing a debit order for all the amount of information, support and camaraderie I get on this Forum.

[Mamba no 5]

I agree

[jka]

If we have to pay a fee to access the site, the user subscriptions will take a massive hit.

Not everyone would be able to afford it and it will put people off from using the site.

[Bushviper]

Jka we are with you on that. We will have other methods of raising funds to make sure the website does not suffer. I do not subscribe to any paying websites and would not expect it from anyone else. We can run fund raisers like calenders or competitions or ads and use this money to keep the website going. We would not like to charge for the ads which are in the classifieds section either.

The admin/owners will get together and find some solution.

[Mongoose]

Will it not help if we clean up all the members who have not been active in a year? Rather quality than quantity

[Bushbaby]

Mongoose, I was thinking of cleaning up the database, such as old posts, old members who are not active, etc. As BV said, we will get together and discuss these issues soon.

[JPWittstock]

Where would the cost implications come from? the buying of a server or the hosting of it, and what amount of money are we talking about?
I can approach business and request funding in return for an on-line banner ad or something.

Let me know
JP

[Mamba no 5]

Maybe SA reptiles should make a calender to sell?

[nvlooi]

"was thinking of cleaning up the database, such as old posts, old members who are not active, etc."

Please don't delete old posts that has useful info on them I regularly still visit them, just keep that in mind, thanks.

[jka]

The old posts are useful I also read them.

The members that are inactive could be removed.

After a person registers he has a week to post or he gets removed and members that havent access the site in 3 months could also be removed. I have seen it on other forums maybe give it a try.

[mgiddings]

jka I have to disagree, I think I week after registering is a bit short? 3 months also sounds a bit short, people get busy and can take a while to come on again.

I agree with you on the subscription fee, If I did not know this site and came across it, I would certainly not pay. I would now but as as a new member I would not. Fundraising is the way to go :)

[Bushbaby]

jka, we don't delete old posts, we clean them up and delete the irrelevant things. We've done that in the past, and I bet no one has ever noticed.

We will be meeting over the weekend and discuss what we will do to get the database back to it's old self.

No need to stress