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AB-Rich

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posted September 29, 2009 11:33 AM AB-Rich
The good news: we did some server upgrades to address the login/logout problem and overall performance.

The bad news: content isn't being updated to people's profile pages or to some pages on the site. You may get a new answer/comment notification but see nothing new on your profile or when you click through to the question/answer page.

Status: we've fixed the memcache errors some of you were seeing, but are still tracking down the update problem. Please bear with us, and thanks for all the reports--they really help target the problem.
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1. Avatar
BigDaddyBS: Sep. 29, 11:38 AM

I hope this will help others on AB know that it's not just them. I received four emails from prominent members about the situation. I just sent this to them and to Rich, to Rich in hopes that some of what I saw may help them find the problem:

I'm just a user like everyone else. All I can do is report my observances. Maybe what I am telling you can help others. If they are emailing you, just make sure that they know that it's not an isolated problem - that everyone is having it, and we're sure they will be fixed, shortly.

Last night AB locked up. The home page was only being reshuffled when someone answered a question on it... Category pages, did the same. New Arrivals seemed to work, sometimes, but it, too, locked up at times. Profile pages also froze. At this time, my last feedback was 21 hours ago and it hasn't moved. My "lights" are on, so THEY seem to be working, as do our answers, comments, and ratings (checked by revisiting questions, and checking my Answers page).

There were a number of questions about the problem last night, as well as a number of comments in the blog. I have just signed on to AB, and it appears the home page has a couple of new questions, but for the most part, simply appears shuffled (as it did last night). Maybe I simply ignored a couple of new questions there, last night, so don't recognize them.

About the only thing I can think of is either a server went down without any warning to the staff (many are set up on pagers/to call a number when something happens); one simply froze without a warning, as it's still working, but...; or, they "pushed" a mod/fix last night, and it really made AB FUBAR. (I GUESS it could also be a Denial of Service attack, but wouldn't know for sure, as I've never seen one.

Be as patient as you can. AB will be back soon, I hope!

Here's a question I asked last night that may interest you: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1722460

BigDaddyBS

PS: I already posted in the blog last night (prior blog), but will also post most of the above, so others know they are not alone. I'm sure many feel that way.

I hope the problem is repaired, soon

 
2. Avatar
Brian I: Sep. 29, 11:42 AM
in response to BigDaddyBS's comment on Sep. 29, 11:38 AM

You need to edit your link BigDaddy - it's sprouted a space in the middle.

 
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ChuckExAnon: Sep. 29, 11:47 AM

The Site has had three BOTs hit the Site for each of the last three mornings. Excuse my ignorance, but can these BOTs adversely affect the Site to the extent that they may have caused at least some of these problems? Just trying to help. ChuckExAnon

 
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ChuckExAnon: Sep. 29, 11:50 AM

And, furthermore, this morning's BOT's' traffic, though reported by means of Flag, has yet to be cleaned out.

 
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BigDaddyBS: Sep. 29, 12:15 PM

@Brian - Thank you. Fixed. That's what I get for copy-and-pasting from my email! ;-)
@Chuck - I would be willing to bet that the AB staff is pretty busy right now. If you would please send me the link(s), via email, I will do what I can as a CL. (It should at least stop them until Rich can get to them.)

 
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Brian I: Sep. 29, 12:24 PM

Congratulations guys! My profile has refreshed.

 
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His Lordship... has left: Sep. 29, 01:07 PM

Very short fix. It is all stuck again :(

 
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His Lordship... has left: Sep. 29, 01:16 PM
in response to BigDaddyBS's comment on Sep. 29, 12:15 PM

Broken again :(

 
9. Avatar
Lex Friedman: Sep. 29, 01:16 PM

We're *very* close to a permanent fix. More to come!

 
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RosieGHM Jetpacker: Sep. 29, 02:34 PM

Thank you very much Rich and Happy Tuesday to you and the AB Staff! :)

 
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Lex Friedman: Sep. 29, 02:38 PM

All should be back to normal. Let us know if you're seeing residual oddities.

 
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There are still some residual oddities, I fear, but it is better. I am still having problems with my feedback not updating but the question page is now refreshing normally.

Sometimes my feedback page updates, sometimes it does not. I was able to ask a question with no glitches.

Thankyou for your work and I eagerly await this being sorted.

 
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Texasescimo: Sep. 30, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the update.

 
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Its time for QueenR to kick ass: Sep. 30, 03:09 PM

I think it is all workjing now...so thanks!

 
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YARNLADY is happy everyday: Oct. 2, 12:14 AM

Come on people - the duplicate flag is a complete farce. Look at this choice:
Question: "Do you have any phobias?"

Choice: "When I get an erection, a section of about a cm around my penis doesn't get hard at all, it gives it a kink until I force blood through it by squeezing. Has anyone heard of this and do you have any suggestions to stop it?"

This question has been asked many times, yet does not appear on the duplicate flag list.

 
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