Migration Alert + Your Support
 

Dear Eratosphereans,

We're being forced to move - that is, move the server and all the data. To explain what's going on in layman's terms, the bigger hosting company that's just acquired the one that had been hosting the server wants to shut down the facilities they've just acquired: they have handed out an eviction notice to transfer everything over to their own facilities proper in a month or so, or else.... The problem is that they're not lifting a finger to help so, I'm completely on my own on this!

Thus, this is just a heads-up to everyone that there's the likelihood that things will be in flux at the Eratosphere for an indeterminate amount of time in the near future as I figure out how to move that huge amount of data and services and web connectivity, etc. etc.; and, whether to stay with this company despite their pushy ways (since their service is very reliable), or look for something else to move the Eratosphere server to. I'm hoping the move will eventually happen non-destructively, and with little or no glitches. However, when we eventually reach the final switching point, there is the possibility of the loss of about a days worth of the most recent data. If that's the case, I'll post a special warning at that time.

Furthermore, this migration has the making of an expensive project. Since donations have dried up for an endless number months now, which means that I've been, as usual, carrying all the financial burden on my own, then this is a good time to remind those can or are willing to, of the need to support Able Muse/Eratosphere per all the 'donate' links on the Sphere pages, or the sticky thread here.

Cheers,
...Alex

Contribution just sent, Alex. Like everybody else, it seems, I need a periodic reminder. Thanks for all that the Sphere provides to so many of us.

Money on the way, Alex!!

What you provide us with is irreplaceable, really, and indescribable.

So I'm sending love to you as well as money. You deserve lots of BOTH!!

Cally

Ditto to each of Cally's sentences.

Jayne

Thank you Michael, Cally, Jayne and all you Sphereans!

By the way, thinking of the very final days of migration when changeover from old to new occurs, what option would you prefer? 1) Possible lose one day or so of your posts, or 2) no data loss, but Sphere offline for a day or so.

I'm leaning toward option 2 for now, but those of you who prefer the alternative, post accordingly and I'll check to see if it's a definite majority.

Cheers

As one who doesn't read everything every day, I'd vote for preserving all the data. Being offline for a time is not too serious a hardship if we know when to expect it.

I vote we go off-line for as long as it takes, so then we can have a home-coming party!!!!!!

I agree with Maryann and Cally. Option 2 is preferable, in my opinion.

Good luck with it all, Alex.

It could be worse, Alex. Think what it costs the Pope to maintain seven basilicas in Rome, especially at Easter. I was going to send him some money, but I'll send it to you instead.

Just donated!

This sounds huge, Alex. Thanks for all your work. I also vote for off-line option.

Lots of luck!
Charlotte

I donated and now I am voting
go offline
save the data
we'll all come back

Thanks Tim ... for me, good choice! And thanks Charlotte and Cyn. It looks like the predominant choice is to go temporarily offline and preserve data, and so it shall be.

Cheers,
...Alex

As always, enormous thanks, Alex, for all you do. What a remarkable place this is. (And I concur with the other votes.)

Best,
Jean

Just sent money, Alex. Good luck and my blessings. Will the bake-offs go on as planned?

Thanks, Jean! Thanks, Lance! And yes to the bakeoffs going on as planned ... at least, that's the plan.

Cheers,
...Alex

Thanks for the heads-up, Alex. I've just sent a contribution.

I've stated this before, but it merits repetition. A few hundred dollars per person, for those who can afford it, are needed to make a difference.

Pretend your car needs repair. If it's a Beemer, behave accordingly.

John

Sorry to hear about all the extra work involved in the change. I've donated and vote for Option 2.

Ditto! Donation en route. Thanks, Alex, for all that you do.

Thanks, John! Thanks, Jerome! Thanks, Susan!

...Alex

Alex, I donate all current and future royalties from Lines of Flight to the continued existence of Eratosphere. Without it, the book might never have happened.

I also vote for going off-line temporarily and conserving data, if possible.

All the best,
Cathy

I chipped in this morning.

Nick

I'm in too, Alex, and agree with others about preferring the offline option.

me too
[in, and offline]

And thank you Nick, Andrew, Seree! Much appreciated!

Cheers,
...Alex

Hi Cathy,

Thank you for the generous contribution! (Sorry, I'd missed your post).

Cheers,
...Alex

A cheque will appear.

Option 2.

Thank you, Allen!

...Alex

Happy to help out.

I prefer option two as well.

I also echo the sentiment that more donation reminders might help. I think a lot of folks are willing (and able) to make the occasional contribution, but sticky threads become invisible after the first few times they're seen.

I was just about to make the suggestion that Eratosphere become a paid participation site (i.e.: free to read but a paid subscription to post), but I can already envision many downsides to that scenario...

Thank you, Shaun! And thank you for the suggestion ... although, I prefer the openness to all of Eratosphere -- contributors or not -- as want to keep it that way for as many long years as I'm able to manage. And it's been that way for more than a decade now, right?! :)

Cheers,
...Alex