System Account

System Upgrade 98% Complete

2008-08-16T17:19:31Z

Hey kids!

We've just completed most of the upgrade, I know I promised Last.fm integration, but unfortunately, I've left one line of code on our dev machine (which I don't currently have access to at the moment) that will make it work 100%. I know exactly where the line of code is so on Monday I will insert that one line of ode, restart the server and then the Last.fm functions should work and the server will be at 100%. At this time, pretty much everything on the site should work, please use the support queue to report any issues you may be having and we'll look into it.

I am hoping that all cluster 2 users are okay, I don't see why they wouldn't be, but you never know!

So yeah, enjoy and definitely let us know of issues!

Update: We're now at 100% - all clusters are updated, online and running, we've updated the last bit of code that allows Last.fm integration! Test it out, test it all out, let us know how it all works for you! Submit any issues you have to the support section of the website!

Thanks everyone!

Systems UPgrade Part I Complete!

2008-08-15T18:18:29Z

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the unannounced outtage. We just had the techs from our ISP come and check out the disconnection issues between us and them. Everything looks to be running a lot smoother now.

Remember, tomorrow starting at 8AM EST Scribbld will be offline along with all of our services. We'll be upgrding our codebase and moving our main web server to the Quad-Core box.

We thank you for your patience and understanding!

Cluster 2 Moved and Scheduled Downtime

2008-08-12T12:00:32Z

I've moved Cluster 2 to 'palomino' so now at least it sits on a server capable of restarting itself after a power failure. Eventually in time it'll either merge with cluster 1 or we'll find a standalone server for it. At this point it's fine as-is though :)

This weekend starting on Saturday 8AM EST we'll be taking everything down in order to update the code base to something a lot more recent. The code we're running on currently is a bit older then a year which is pretty old! We hope to have it completed within 24 hours but as with all things technology-related...you never know!

Thanks!

Main Database Server Issues

2008-08-10T03:50:00Z

Greetings Users,

This evening our master database system had some issues with the boot drive RAID setup. After reviewing the issue we found out no data should have been lost and the RAID system has been rebuilt. Fortunately the drives contained within the RAID set were relatively small (80GB) so the rebuilt didn't take much time. We'll be watching the RAID set closely to make sure it's not a hardware failure, although at this point it doesn't look like one which is good.

We apologize for the downtime and thank you for your patience.

Some more system news!

2008-08-09T01:13:04Z

morgan and jimmy have been working hard on getting the latest LJ codebase ready for Scribbld. We're pretty much done with it, and it went a lot easier then I thought it would, there's ovbiously going to be some bugs and issues even after we upgrade but we'll eventually squash them all.

We're planning to roll out the new code next weekend so mark your calendars. We'll actually not only be rolling out the new code, but we'll be re-doing the servers so they'll be fresh and void of unused software that's clogging them up.

We'll be turning that wonderful quad-core box into the main Scribbld web server and we'll be moving cluster 2 onto the main database server. The actual cluster 2 hardware will be reused for another project.

If you've not noticed, we've turned the chat server back online. We also updated the Java applet code so instead of logging in with a username of scribbld-user, you'll actually be logged on with your Scribbld username! The only time this won't happen is if you're not logged into Scribbld and you visit the chat page while logged out.

In other news, we've been in talks with our ISPs support team and they're going to send crews out to physically check the phone cables and such. We've been getting disconnected from them about 8-10 times a day if not more. It looks like it's their equipment and not ours, but the cable testing will let us know about that, hopefully it's not us, because we'll either have to get a new router (which we don't have money for) OR we'll have to get a new modem, which shouldn't cost anything. Or it could be another piece of hardware...either way, hopefully they get it all taken care of, and we must apologize if you're trying to access any of the Scribbld services during those disconnections!

Thanks everyone!

Web Chat Now Available!

2008-08-04T22:54:25Z

We've setup our very own chat server and now have a special chatroom just for Scribbld! Just go to the Chat page and start chatting! We suggest using your Scribbld username as your chat nickname! Directions on how to change your nickname are listed on that chat page!

You can even create your own chatroom! If you've got any questions on how to use that chat, please post questions here or in the Support Queue under the General category!

Thanks and enjoy!

UPDATE: The chat server still needs more testing, we'll bring it back up when we're done :)

[RESOLVED] OD & MySQL Issues

2008-06-28T14:34:44Z

Some how the Open Directory server had issues, this is also the box where the main database cluster sits on so unfortunately we had to take it offline. It looks like all the issues have been resolved though so everything is back up and running as normal.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

[UPDATES] New Code, New Moodthemes!

2008-06-12T15:33:32Z

Well today I apologixe for the downtime this morning, we were working on some behind the scenes code which allows uses to take advantage of the Navigation strip. You can find that in the Customize, I'm personally using it myself, I think it's pretty neat!

We also added 3 new moodthemes! Kaobunnies, whitekao and goth_girl. Expect more to come soon!!

Enjoy the day!

[DOWNTIME] Cluster 2 Down

2008-06-10T22:07:07Z

I'm really starting to get annoyed with the box that Cluster 2 lives on, so in the near future I hope purchase 2 more Mac minis (one for database and one for the websites that also live on the box). Of course that'll run about $1000 so we better start selling those Paid Accounts!

Either way, Cluster 2 is down and I have no ETA for when it'll be back online if at all tonight. You can find out which cluster you're on by visiting this page.

Sorry about this!

Update: We've got cluster 2 back online, but with a bit of bad news. The hard drive that's in the machine along with possibly some other hardware is going bad. Basically we need to purchase 2 new machines, 2 Apple Mac minis (one database machine and one web machine). It'll run us about $1300 which we don't have. So hit up our donate page if you want to help out. In the mean time, I honestly cannot guarantee the quality of service for cluster 2 people, we'll continue to backup the database daily, but there's no telling of when the machine might die, even with backups we have no machine to drop it on to...sorry.

Update #2: We're getting another storm -- please remember to go to http://scribbldstatus.tumblr.com for up to the minute information on Scribbld's status! I have a feeling the servers will be up and down over the next hour or so.

Please remain seated while the poor Scribbld servers take a lightning beating. We thank you!

Update 3: Cluster 2 is back online believe it or not! Hopefully the storm is done with.

[DOWNTIME] Storms

2008-06-10T20:37:27Z

Hey all, before I could post about the possibility of downtime the storm hit and it hit really hard! It's definitely a lot cooler now, so hopefully I won't be complaining about it being so damn hot! Anyways, I apologize, we had about 30 minutes of downtime there, after loosing power once, I just cut the power to the servers. Mostly to minimize corrupt software (I mean, who wants a corrupted database, there goes all your data!). Finally around 4PM EST the storm passed and I got everything back up and running.

All servers and services are now resuming normal service.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Paid Accounts Page Updated

2008-06-10T16:18:51Z

I've updated the Paid Accounts page which I've been wanting to do for a while. It now takes advantage of drop down menus and I've made sure there's a notes section so you can leave your username right there, hopefully that'll cut down on the emails I get!

Thanks.

User Capabilities Updated & SVN

2008-06-10T13:29:43Z

We've updated the user capabilities today, mostly refined them. You can view this FAQ. We've given more userpics to free users, and have added some special and neat features to Paid, Permanent, Early Adopter and Special Early Adopter accounts, for example, those people can mass edit the privacy on their journals which is really nice, and definitely saves time. Also they're the only accounts that can make their own moodthemes.

Paid accounts can now use up to 75 icons instead of 50. Just view the FAQ to see what features your account has access too!

I've also setup a SVN repository so that I can track code changes that I make or to revert to previous version because we all know how many coding screw ups I make :)

Do Not Update Your Style If You're S1!!

2008-06-07T02:33:49Z

PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE YOUR STYLES!!! WAIT!!

Update: Styles should be working properly now, it's possible 1 or 2 users lost their styles and unfortunately there's not much we can do about it.

Thanks!

[RESOLVED] DNS Issues

2008-06-04T20:47:17Z

Greetings members,

This afternoon we experienced some DNS issues between the web servers and the database servers. Fortunately, discovering the issue and making the fix was relatively quickly. We'll be moinitoring the site closely for the next few hours to make sure everything continues to run smoothly.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Main DB Server Down

2008-04-05T12:18:40Z

The main database server will be down for a very short period of time (possibly 10 minutes, but likely a lot less). We're performing some security and system updates to the machine.

Thanks!

Update: We completed maintenance and fixed an issue with cluster 2. All services and servers are back up and running.

Thanks for your patience and understanding :)

Private Messaging Features

2008-03-22T17:16:30Z

We're currently in the process of ading private messaging and internal messaging (for when someone comments on your journal, a friend adds you, etc...). It looks like we're going to add it for everyone (all account types...) but Paid, Permanent, EA and the special early donators will be able to send & recieve more messages then the basic free accounts.

If you've noticed that your email inbox or your Scribbld Inbox (http://www.scribbld.net/inbox/) is getting full we do apologize, these sorts of messages have been sitting in the database, queing up since the beginning of Scribbld. We actually have 1.5 million messages going out, so bear with us.

I'll post more about this when it's finazlied!

Server & Weather Issues

2008-02-27T18:12:37Z

We're having some lovely winter weather up here, it's mostly windy which is knocking out power lines and stuff. Hopefully it will stop for the rest of the day, although you never know. If you cannot reach the site, that's why. All servers but percheron (database server) are setup to reboot once power is restored. So if you can access the site but not login it's probably because Percheron cannot automatically reboot. You can view which cluster you're on by visiting the 'Where Am I' page.

You can also watch the Tumblr site (located offsite) for server/network status messages.

Thanks and sorry about the downtime folks!

Scribbld Network Maintenance

2008-02-24T22:12:00Z

We'll be installing the new Cisco switch tonight around 6:30PM and could last until 8PM although unlikely. It should only take 5-10 minutes.

Thanks!

Update: Mission complete, thanks everyone!

New Switch Purchased

2008-02-19T21:10:05Z

We bought a CISCO CATALYST WS-C2924-XL-EN 24 PORT switch. This will replace the Intel 510T switch that we're currently using. This should mean better and faster communications between our multiple web servers and the database servers.

It should be arriving within the next 7-10 days. When we get it we'll be taking Scribbld offline for about 5-10 minutes to install the switch.

Thanks.

New Logo

2008-02-15T21:25:40Z

Hiya kids,

I've worked with hitsuzen and we've come up with a new logo. I had to implement some Javascript so that it works properly with Internet Explorer 6. It should all work fine now though. Screenshot and let me know in the support section!

Thanks everyone!

Preview Userpics In Comment Posting

2008-02-11T18:51:39Z

As suggested (scribbldsuggest we've implemented the ability to preview your userpics before posting a comment. This feature is available to ALL permanent, paid and early adopter accounts right now!

Update: I just noticed you can preview userpics when you're updating your journal or editing and entry too!! Wicked awesome!!

Video Embedding

2008-02-04T20:47:26Z

Recently a user asked about how to embed videos (YouTube, Photbucket, Google, etc...) into journal entries. unfortunately most of that code to get that done is kept hidden and in a secret vault by the guys over at LiveJournal. Fortunately, I got something working and it should work normally now. I also added the option for showing or not showing placeholders also which should work as intended.

The only remaining issue which I have not tested if putting those videos in comments. I will try to work on that sometime this week.

Feedback on embedding videos is welcomed...I, (jimmy) embedded some Budwiser horses for testing! Seemed to work pretty good too!

Cluster 2 Down

2008-02-03T19:00:38Z

Cluster 2 is currently offline. Anyone on this cluster might not be able to login properly during this time. We're working to resolve this issue as fast as we can.

You can use the 'Where Am I' page to discover which cluster you're on.

Thanks.

Update: Cluster issues have been resolved, I do apologoize about that, all servers and services are back up and running as they should be.

Thanks!

Paid Account Information & More...

2008-01-30T22:21:53Z

I've been working on Scribbld some today. I did attempt to get real email alaising working, but it was a no go. I defintely do not have the knowledge or time to get it up and running, same with rename tokens. So I've removed email aliasing & personal domains from Paid Account for the time being. I've also removed rename tokens as something to purchase. People who have paid accounts or who used rename tokens, don't worry it's all still there, nothing changed, it's just not going to be an option for paid accounts in the future.

That said, it will return, I just have to talk squeaky into lending us some code, unfortunately he's got a lot on his plate at the moment, so it might be some time until we get those features working.

So our todo list looks something like this:

- Get email aliasing working for Paid Accounts
- Get a more automated payment system working
- Get an automated "normal" rename token system
- Allow paid account users to use their own domain names
- Setup personal/private messaging for users

Those are the major issues we're working on right now, of course they're all features which means everything else works, we just want to give you the users more functionality. If you know any Perl programmers or people who are very familiar with the LiveJournal code, please send them our way. We think we can provide them with monatary compensation too, at least we're going to try too!

Thanks.

Paid Account: Email Aliasing

2008-01-29T14:17:45Z

For Paid Account users -

I've setup email aliasing and it should be working, for anyone that has or is getting a paid account in the future, I will be using the email address in your profile to alias too, if you change your email address let me know so I can re-alias it!

Thanks!