Site down a lot lately?

[PCGUY]

SpudFiles isn't on a dedicated server from what PCGUY has said, so the server is shared with other websites. Another websites could have been the target and SpudFiles was caught in the crossfire.

Exactly. I have a virtual private server, which is far better than a "regular" shared hosting package, but I can still be effected from things like this happening to other virtual servers on the same node as me.

[jrrdw]

So that DDOS attack is when so many ping request are sent to the same IP address the computer becomes to overwelmed to respond. Correct?

[SEAKING9006]

Thats a basic DoS attack. A DDoS is when the same is done, but from MANY computers at the same time. It's an oft-used weapon used by botnets, and on occasion, angry hordes with a simple DoS program modeled after a Command & Conquer superweapon.....

[maggotman]

could anyone else not access the site today ?

[PCGUY]

could anyone else not access the site today ?

Read a thread before you reply

[maggotman]

Sorry i only read the last page.

[ammosmoke]

FYI the downtime this afternoon was caused by a DDoS attack, not a lack of server resources or server instability. The attack has been mitigated, for now at least.

Oh wow.... Some people are such dickheads. People pay to have sites on those servers. Grr. I'd consider donating to this place... I like it very much.

[Ragnarok]

FYI the downtime this afternoon was caused by a DDoS attack, not a lack of server resources or server instability.

I thought it seemed a bit odd - sometimes it was trying really hard to work and just about managing to find half a page, sometimes it wasn't finding anything.

I've been considering donating for a while. Given how much I use the site, it would only be fair.
My current lamentation is the weak pound - anything I donate is either (if donated in GBP) not going to go as far or (if donated in USD) going to take more out of my account.

However, I'll have a look and see if I've got something to spare. It'd be a better use of money than things I buy and never use, which is a very long list. I have several computer games which I've bought and then only used a couple of times, as well as several measuring instruments.

<offtopic>

The dB meter was probably the stupidest measuring instrument I bought, as I've scarce used it - thought it was a good idea, and it really wasn't. The IR thermometer and digital callipers, although of similar price, were however worth their weight in gold, which I would have never guessed when I bought them - in stark contrast to the dB meter, I thought both were frivolous purchases. The thing was, completely unexpectedly, they would later be important in curing my father's depression.

The multimeter wasn't bad either, given it was only five quid. Not sure on the micro balance. It has proven mildly useful, although not essential.

Actually, now I think about it, in a case of vast irony, all my measuring devices have essentially been useful in the direct inverse to how much I thought it was a good idea when I bought them.

</offtopic>

~~~~~

While I'm here, I need to apologise for my slowness in sorting out the stuff you asked for. I was mauled by a vicious pack of university courses.
I have sorted some stuff out (I've been earmarking neat stuff as I go around the site), but I've got to get it all tidied up before it can be used.

[starman]

The dB meter was probably the stupidest measuring instrument I bought, as I've scarce used it - thought it was a good idea, and it really wasn't.

That's funny, a db meter is one my more important tools in the audio and sound biz. However, when I'm not measuring concert or DJ gig sound levels or calibrating a new install, I would never pick the thing up. Beyond it's initial gee-whizness, it's sort of a been-there-done-that-don't-really-care-anymore kind of tool.

[Ragnarok]

That's funny, a db meter is one my more important tools in the audio and sound biz.

Well, I haven't a lot of use for it, mostly because I'm more of a lampy than a humhead* - I spend most of my time running either a spot or camera during a show. In recent years, we've done a lot of camera work, filming the shows - as well as projecting live onto a large screen for those people who have poor angles. Thing is, because I'm a bit of a precision shooting nut, that means I've got steady hands (even more so than the person who now does cameras professionally), so I end up doing these things.

*Translation for those people who aren't stage-techs: I do more lighting than sound.

But even then, I can generally guess the number it's going to tell me before I turn it on.
I've used it a couple of times, but nothing important and not enough to justify it's cost really.

[psycix]

Well, ebay it!

[starman]

Well, I haven't a lot of use for it, mostly because I'm more of a lampy than a humhead* - I spend most of my time running either a spot or camera during a show.

Ah yes, the eternal light vs. sound people battles on set. Most of it these days is in good fun between the two. However, there are times when egos run amok.

[Ragnarok]

Ah yes, the eternal light vs. sound people battles on set.

It's not really a problem for me, because I can do both, (but mostly I end up doing on the lighting side), but I spend a lot of time being "Bodge something together man" (which sounds like a "Whose Line is it Anyway" superhero).

Any time something needs to be made or fixed post haste, it's always me that ends up doing it. Common things are stands and supports that need making, and cables to go between two connector types when we've run out of other converters for it. (We keep back damaged cables and parts so that they can be salvaged for pieces in such emergencies things)
Surprisingly, everything I have made in these rushed sessions has somehow worked.

The important thing is, nobody gets riled up at the "emergency-fix-it-guy". Everybody wants me on their side...

[rp181]

Out of curiosity, what brand/ model/cost are your caliper's?

[Carlman]

Been down a bit over the last few days, another attack PC?