60 Hours in Purgatory
 

From 23:27 on [U]17th October[/U] till 11:12 on [U]20th October[/U], I was welcomed in CSS forum by
[quote]Due to excessive server load and massive traffic we have to put this site down for a few hours. Please check back later
[/quote]

I kept on checking the site every hour, but the same unpleasant message kept on mocking me.
I understand that server could be off-line for few hours for maintenance.
But 60 hours straight is quite disagreeable.

When I finally got in, I thought that other members would have already complained but I was surprised to see no post on this issue.

Am I the only one getting this problem?
What should I do then?

Or Mr Administrator, problem is at your end?

[B]I posted above message about an hour go. It appeared in "today's post" and "Site Feedback" too[/B].
[B]But then it was removed.[/B]
Moderators would you please inform me the reason to remove my post?
Which rule is it violating?
How could it be offensive?

This is not meant to be a hostile reaction, but I must say it is so discouraging when I see posts like these or when I see ppl have the nerves to slap you in the face instead of appreciating the efforts to keep this FREE resource alive. Do you really want to know why the forum goes down time to time? Will you be willing to pay $300+ monthly server bills for the $50-$70 google advertisement revenue in return? Does that sound a bigger better deal? OR let’s put it this way… Did anyone bother to spare a buck to donate when the donation button was placed on this site for more than 2 months? Will you be willing to pay a membership subscription fee to receive all the study material and support available on cssforum? I guess not everyone will like this idea.. BECAUSE we want every thing for FREE and we won’t hesitate to make a big hole in the plate after we are done eating.

I am sorry for being harsh but I couldn’t resist. This forum was started years back hoping that it will help the css aspirants and till now it severed the purpose well. Since the traffic is growing day by day and the resources are limited, we don’t have a choice to put the site offline to avoid the poor server from crashing and rebooting over and over. There definitely are better and faster servers available but they would cost around $400-$500/month and considering the circumstances, we are no longer in a position to bare those expenses from our own pockets especially after having received such encouraging messages from members.

@Leonidas

AOA.

I was wondering on the same lines.No doubt that the forum is visited by more and more people each day.So i suggest that why not make a thread and invite people who want to donate some amount which will help in keeping this site in order.May be it will help in improving the website.

Regards

And who will come forward? [COLOR=White]....................................[/COLOR]

AOA
well we can always try.....something is better then nothing :).

regards

To Mr Leonidas
 

[B]Why I posted in the first place?[/B]
I was surprised to find no post on this issue.
Though it seemed unlikely but I thought maybe I am the only one with this problem. Because if others were facing this, they would have already posted about it.

[B]Apology[/B]
[quote]BECAUSE we want every thing for FREE and we won’t hesitate to make a big hole in the plate after we are done eating. [/quote] [quote]I must say it is so discouraging when I see posts like these or when I see ppl have the nerves to slap you in the face instead of appreciating the efforts to keep this FREE resource alive.[/quote] [quote]we are no longer in a position to bare those expenses from our own pockets especially after having received such encouraging messages from members.[/quote]
Well, I don't know how you find all above meanings in my post. I read my post several times but failed to extract above meanings.
I wasn't sarcastic or critical. I wasn't offensive, anyway before you lose your temper again, [U]I apologize if my post has offended you.[/U]

[B]A word of Advice
[/B]I joined on 10th September 2008. You expect a junior member to realize all problems you are facing? I am a junior member not a moderator who will know every issue related to the site. [U]Well, don't you think writing a thread on this issue is better so that new comers like me won't be surprised if site is off-line for 60 hours?[/U]

[B]Donations[/B]
[quote]Did anyone bother to spare a buck to donate when the donation button was placed on this site for more than 2 months?[/quote] Can't say about others, but when I joined there wasn't any link for donations.

Mr Leonidas I myself is a computer science student and a member of Free Software Movement (FSF).
What I have observed while working for FSF that they get a plenty of volunteers and a good amount in donations.
Even if you are working on free softwares /open source softwares like GNU/Linux, you get donations.
At least that is my experience. ( I am afraid that you will again think that I am mocking you. NO, I am not.)

I don't know what you people have experienced regarding donations but removing donation button was a ....
Kindly put that button back. Now please don't take my advice as an insult. You people are senior, you know better.

[B]Mr Leonidas[/B], I am not ridiculing you or your sincere efforts.
But still, if you find my new post delivering any worng message, then I apologize before hand.

Hmm........it's easy to say then to act on. I bet there's no other place like CSS Forum for the aspirants & certainly members will not be happy with this forum down. Let's see how many replys we get here giving positive response.

Why rely on Pay Pal?
 

[quote=Last Island]And who will come forward? [COLOR=White]....................................[/COLOR][/quote]
"There is always a silver lining."

In my experience many [U]people want to donate but they are not at home with pay pal accounts[/U] or services like that.
No matter how long the lecture on computer encryption is, in the end they just don't feel secure.
(Too many scary hacking stories! They sure do leave their effect!)

[U] They feel ease with pay order, cross checks and other oldies.[/U]
This site is for Pakistanis, I mean I don't think administrator will have to worry about a member donating from Timbuktu.

[B] So how about using traditional methods of money transfer for collecting donations?[/B]

[B]salam
well the same message was on my screen also, but i was quick to realize that its because many visit this site regularly as members or more so as guests.
there is definitly load on the site as sooo much of material, that stays there for newcomers to read.
i managed to clear css this time , i am a regular visitor of this forum this forum has given me inspiration and knowledge .i didnt go to academy and have used many notes and recommended books of this forum .it is the only place that gives you information that you really need ,you can check commission's site there is hardly anything that might be of help to the new aspirants.
this site must not go down its the only place where you can interact with all pakistani css aspirants .
if we are the members we must do everything to keep the site working the administrators can start registration fee or annual fee or anything that works.
i do agree with one of the member that something is better than nothing
best wishes for CSS FORUM.[/B]

[QUOTE]Mr Leonidas I myself is a computer science student and a member of Free Software Movement (FSF). What I have observed while working for FSF that they get a plenty of volunteers and a good amount in donations. Even if you are working on free softwares /open source softwares like GNU/Linux, you get donations. At least that is my experience. ( I am afraid that you will again think that I am mocking you. NO, I am not.) [/QUOTE]

Your Movement might be doing a great job but this is not FSF supported community. The Forum software is licensed and is not a free PHPBB. Hence, any kinda donation is out of question.

@ afrms

Thanks for the encouraging note.
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