IMPORTANT: Today's update failed and we have had to restore a backup, but we did not lose data

[EarlG]

As most of you know, today we attempted to update some of our software to a new version. We first performed the update on our test site, and after observing that everything was running smoothly, we updated the main site. It was at this point that we ran into issues, because the main site slowed to a crawl.

After investigating, we discovered that the latest version of the software involves some significant -- and unanticipated -- technical changes to the way DU works behind the scenes. Unfortunately these changes were not included in the documentation because, as we discovered too late, they would "only affect a handful of users." Yup, we are one of those users. This means we have to resolve this particular issue before we can continue with the update.

In order to bring the site back we had to restore a backup, but the good news is that because the backup was taken right before the update happened, we did not have to go back to an older version, and we were able to recover everything.

We are very sorry about the service interruption which, unfortunately, ended up being for nothing today. The good news is that we are now back to normal. We are back in our original configuration, so things should work correctly as of now. We expect that there will be some initial slowness as the restoration process continues -- you may notice it when first arriving at the site, but it should clear up fairly quickly.

We do still need to perform this software update, but we are now well aware of these specific issues which caused our last attempt to fail. We will not be attempting this update again immediately, but it should happens sometime within the next few weeks, and we are optimistic that our next attempt will be much more successful.

Once again, I apologize for today's downtime. Although we knew that this would be a challenging update, it's rare for us to run into a significant issue like this, so we're really disappointed that we weren't able to get everything squared away as intended today.

I'll update you again when we have more information about our next attempt to perform the update.

Thanks for your patience,

EarlG

[ffr]

1. No harm in trying and failing.

Stupid software updates!

[Wild blueberry]

2. Thank you and Elad for your great work!

Thank you.

[highplainsdem]

3. I'm very sorry the update failed, but glad to see you back, and without any data lost.

[OAITW r.2.0]

4. No problem. A suggestion perhaps. Schedule your updates late at night.

Then we don't miss reacting to SCOTUS, Richard Lewis....I have realized that DU is an addiction for me. Can't tell you how many times I hit refresh today with no joy....

[rurallib]

8. They addressed that in their notice yesterday

No support late at nightlife their is during normal business hours.
Makes sense.

[OAITW r.2.0]

12. Did not read closely, my bad. Suggestion removed.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. Any way to blame it on Mike Johnson and get the RNC to pay for our therapy?

[senseandsensibility]

17. Ha! Or at least the

lost revenue during downtime!

[Ray Bruns]

72. It's clearly Joe Biden's fault

[jls4561]

6. Well, it's good you chose a slow news day.

But seriously folks… the admins should be commended for their hard work and perseverance.

I am sure no one was more frustrated than they.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. At least you picked a slow news day. NT

[SleeplessinSoCal]

16. the site being down was way too reminiscent of 2016.

Especially with SCOTUS putting its corrupt weight on the scales of justice. It's got me contemplating suicide as I don't think I could tolerate so much corruption from the right destroying the noble experiment of America.

[Think. Again.]

9. Thanks for all that you do!

[rurallib]

10. Got to say - been there, done that

Stuff happens--------

[Gidney N Cloyd]

42. My sentiments exactly.

[AltairIV]

11. Good luck!

You have absolutely no need to apologize. I hope your next attempt is successful and does not induce any number of headaches( literally or figuratively)

[DoBW]

13. Create a restore point

always a good idea

[dobleremolque]

14. Never let a computer know you are depending on it. n/t

[marked50]

15. Thanks for the update and I am ready for whenever your next shot at it is-n/t

[GreenWave]

18. Keep up the good work. It will happen!

[ShazzieB]

19. No apology needed, but thanks just the same!

And thanks for filling us in on what happened. As the hours ticked by, I was getting more and more worried, and was ecstatic to find DU finally working again.

As always, thank you for all your hard work that keeps this site running!

[Hope22]

20. Thank you for all you do!

Much appreciated. That had to be a long day!

[dlk]

21. The joys of MIS...

Hang in there. You do a great job and I’m truly grateful for all of your efforts.

[live love laugh]

22. I'm just happy that you are up and running.

[2naSalit]

23. Bummer...

But at least you could bring everything back without a lot of grief.

Thank you for everything!

[madaboutharry]

24. Failure is important.

It builds character. 🧐

[slightlv]

25. Been there done that

So many times before... You are to be commended on doing a backup before the update, no matter how it went in the sandbox. I've worked with others who weren't nearly as cautious. Thank you for all your hard work, and how professionally you do it. It is so very much appreciated!!

[True Dough]

26. At least it wasn't a Neuralink patient you were working on!

Just kidding, Earl!

Best of luck with the next run at it. You guys got this!

[calimary]

27. Almost felt like I was going through withdrawal or something.

Glad DU is back up, at least to help us all get through these - uh, rather unusual and VERY trying times together.

THANKS SO MUCH for all you do, EarlG and Elad! If I knew what to do to help on the technical end, I’d be jumping in with both feet and both hands to try to help.

[MustLoveBeagles]

28. No worries

[Tanuki]

29. So glad we are back online! I'm sorry that you had a more

difficult and frustrating afternoon than expected. Thanks for all you do!

[CousinIT]

30. As someone who works in IT, I fully understand!

You'll get it sorted and it will work next time.

You planned properly (backups, backout plan) and THAT is the most important thing.

[virgdem]

31. Thanks for all you do.

I was having massive DU withdrawal symptoms, but I'm much better now.

[Cha]

32. Thank you & Elad for All Your

Diligent Work.

Best of Good Luck for the next Update!

[WarGamer]

33. appreciate all you do... nt

[malaise]

34. Thanks for trying

Holy SHit I'm addicted to DU

[SheilaAnn]

35. Thank you for all you do and I also have a clean apartment, extra clean...LOL.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

36. It's cool. Happens all the time deep in software. Carry on. . . . nt

[LoisB]

37. No worries. Stuff happens.

[BumRushDaShow]

38. I know you guys were like

But had a feeling and am real glad you were able to get back up and running!

(time for some adult beverages )

[EarnestPutz]

39. No need to apologize. You guys are still the best.

[chowder66]

40. Thank you for the update on the update that didn't update but will update!!

[orangecrush]

41. Don't...

[UTUSN]

43. No need for apologies.

[cbabe]

44. No worries. Deeply appreciate all you do for us and du.

[AnrothElf]

45. I AM OUTRAGED!!!111one!!

Nah JK

[OldSWODog]

46. such is the natural cussedness of things

EG, thanks much for your efforts...of the many things I learned in the navy, this one stands out: "there is nothing so easy or simple it can't be made hard"...I'm not a digital snipe (steam and diesel were my bags) but can well imagine what you and others are up against...no worries, I look forward to the new install when it's ready...remember to breathe; we're here now and we will be here when you light off the update...btw, it's a maxim of navy damage control to "hold what you've got" (in other words, good planning to run a backup before shifting)...now I'll read the responses to date...cheers, OSD

[FakeNoose]

47. To EarlG and Elad ... we understand and we'll get through this ... Rome wasn't built in a day, or even in a year

Thanks for all your efforts to keep DU in such great shape.
You guys are awesome!

[Golden Raisin]

48. Thanks for all you do both visible and behind the scenes

to keep DU running smoothly. Hope the next update "takes".

[Liberal In Texas]

49. Won't work on my desk top computer

Using Edge.
I can get on with my phone. But not computer.
Will try another browser....
ON EDIT:
Works in Chrome
Will do a reboot.

It's always something LOL

[eggplant]

50. As a software developer, this failure was the best possible failure.

Being able to return to the pre-upgrade state is surprisingly uncommon in the field. Congrats on doing things the right way. Remember, you aren't back to where you started... You now have significant knowledge that you didn't have yesterday to help guide the next attempt.

Hang in there.

[Pinback]

51. I know that was frustrating, but it's reassuring

to know that your backup scheme and disaster recovery plans are sound. Speaking as someone who worked in IT for years and has managed a few hobby and nonprofit websites, I am unfortunately well acquainted with the feeling of sweating bullets over a site that’s down.

Congrats on the successful recovery, and thanks to you and Elad for the excellent work.

[LoveTheDU]

52. No apologies necessary!!

You are providing a wonderful service to all DU members who deeply value this site. You are amazing.
Thank you!

[MuseRider]

53. Thanks for doing this for us.

We do appreciate all you do to keep the site up. Also all the fun things we get to do here, the hearts are always fun.

We will be here whenever it is all done.

[Backseat Driver]

54. I was getting worried; glad to see DU back. In case you didn't know, I was up at 4:00 AM ET when

my NWS weather wailer went off for a TORNADO WATCH that quickly turned to a WARNING in my little burb community. I gathered the jeans and shoes, the doggies, the flashlight, the chaise cushion and the ID papers in the purse and headed to the 1/2 bath. It's not the safest but the best choice we got. The sirens were on now...Yeah, prepared and traumatized. Guess what? NOTHING HAPPENED at all - I guess the storm blew right over or went other directions. Anyhow, I spent the afternoon DU downtime taking 3 long naps today. Now I'm all out of whack for sleeping tonight, LOL! Get some rest guys and thanks-- for trying the version update and then returning DU to its addicts in good shape. Next time will be better...no tornado and no software version kinks. Thanks!

[Jacson6]

55. Situation Normal All Fouled Up (SNAFU)

Yeah, it is no big deal.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

56. Not a problem.

I'm an old computer user. In 1969 I went to work for the very second airline in this country that got a computerized reservation system. American Airlines was the first.

From experience, I know (sort of) how complicated and difficult your job is.

I do love DU.

[electric_blue68]

57. Fun, fun, fun! Almost anyone who's worked in a company w computers knows there might be some downtime, somewhen...

Good luck next round. 👍

[mvd]

58. No worries

Sometimes you have to try and fail to get things right. I have full confidence you will implement the update fine.

[soldierant]

59. I don't think anyone expects you to be clairvoyant.

[greatauntoftriplets]

60. Thanks for what you tried to do.

I wasn't having the best day today for many reasons unrelated to DU (and not even particularly important except that they pissed me off). When I saw that the update was taking so long, I didn't have a good feeling about that.

Fortunately, nothing was lost and we're back up until the next time.

Thanks, EarlG and Elad.

[AKwannabe]

61. Thanks for all you do to keep the site

And DU peeps together!

[sinkingfeeling]

62. Thanks for protecting our data.

[niyad]

63. I will admit that after the first couple of hours, I started having flashbacks

to 2016. After six hours, was getting really nervous.

Thank goodness that you and Elad are so good at what you do. HUGE sigh of relief! We know that we are in good hands. For now, please take care of yourselves, and know that we are right there with you.

In utter, grateful relief,
Niyad

[Kennah]

64. Stuff happens. I work in IT, so I get it.

[marble falls]

65. We're on your side.Do what needs to be done. We have have faith in y'all.

[Aussie105]

66. Them new fangled computer things sure are complicated, aren't they?

So is Murphys Law.

[tazkcmo]

67. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

You guys do great work. Thank you.

[KS Toronado]

68. Noticed a lot of missing Avatars today

Mine was one of them and couldn't find it where it normally is, so uploaded one off the internet.

[Klondike Kat]

69. I used to hate Windows updates

especially Windows server O/S migrations.

When I was hired as the System Administration role at the job from which I recently retired, I quickly discovered that my predecessor had stopped migrating the Windows server O/S at NT - and Server 2003 was already heavily adopted. It took over a year to get the ducks in a row before I could start a migration to Server 2003 (lots of third party application vendors). However, once the ducks were aligned the migration went fairly smoothly (a few user accounts didn't get transferred, but it was only a handful).

[twodogsbarking]

70. Have you tried turning it off and then back on?

Sorry, I appreciate all you do.

[Mr. Mustard 2023]

71. No Worries EarlG....

I think it's safe to say we've all been there, and it sucks.

You'd think humans would learn not to rush into new technologies after the automobile debacle, but no, if there's a buck to be made, we dive right in.

I don't think it wise to vote by machine, or to post our nations defense systems on digital systems, or to allow social media companies to addict our kids to their systems but that's just me.

Take your time EarlG, do what you have to do and we'll be here, and yes I know the irony of D.U. being delivered digitally.

[Jerry2144]

73. DU will not be available on February 30 all day

For maintenance. They will bring it back promptly on March 1.

[SpankMe]

74. I've noted a large number of user's avatars aren't displaying. n/t

[sdfernando]

75. Thanks EarlG for the efforts and the update

Great that you took a backup just before starting. We take snapshots of servers when we make changes so rollback is a breeze if required....but we also take backups as another failsafe.

I feel for you guys and totally understand! Glad DU is back up and running and hope the issues get resolved so the update can be deployed again.

[usaf-vet]

76. Could you try and pick a day for the update when SCOTUS isn't selling our Democracy in a fire sale to protect the......

..... protect the arsonist?



Retired IT consultant. Who always dread updates.

[AllaN01Bear]

77. friend of mine said that failure is your friend . dont be too harsh on yourself. dont do any good.

thank god you had backups . sometimes its better to downgrade than up grade.

[Rocknation]

78. Will our journals be coming back?

Rocknation