Update on DU's ongoing technical problems

[EarlG]

DU is currently online for Star Members only. Here's the message which is currently posted on our home page if you are not signed in as a Star Member:

Our apologies. We are currently experiencing an interruption in service. We have tracked the issue to our database but we are still working to determine the cause. At this time we have no reason to believe that the site has been hacked or is under attack.

The issue has left us with two options: We can either take DU offline for everyone, or we can keep it online by severely restricting connections to our database. Keeping DU open is our priority, even if it means restricting it to a smaller number of people. So at this time only Star Members can access the site. Since we have been forced to limit the number of visitors to DU, we think it is only fair that it should at least be open to the people who help to keep DU online the rest of the year round with their financial support.

If you were hoping to read DU right now and cannot access the site, we know this is a disappointment. With the election just around the corner, this is the worst time for something like this to happen. Unfortunately -- due to factors such as increases in traffic, additional server/software stress, the possibility of bad actors, etc. -- this is also the most likely time that something like this is going to happen. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as we possibly can.

Unfortunately, every four years when the presidential election rolls around, DU is tested in ways that are hard to anticipate. The database problem that's going on right now is not something we've seen before, and it happened without warning. At the moment, we cannot open DU to all visitors without crashing. In addition, the problem is causing multiple posts, which you've no doubt seen.

At this time we have no reason to believe that this has been caused deliberately, by malicious actors. We suspect the cause will turn out to be something far more mundane.

We are going to keep the site online for Star Members only tonight and then discuss the issue with our service provider in the morning. Although we're still not completely sure of the cause, we think we will be able to narrow it down quickly and come up with a solution.

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Good luck, guys!

[Tumbulu]

2. Thank you so much- and sorry that you have to

work on it! But grateful that you are !

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Thank you so much for letting us know, my dear EarlG!

Best of luck in getting to the bottom of the problem!

We will hang in!

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Thank you for the update, EarlG. ❤️

[sheshe2]

5. Thanks for the update, EarlG.

[The Roux Comes First]

6. Thanks for the Update

And all the other amazing stuff you folks do!

[ailsagirl]

7. Thank you for the update, EarlG

[calimary]

8. Thanks for keeping us updated, EarlG.

Wishing you some speedy luck in your troubleshooting!

[mountain grammy]

9. Thanks Earl G .. I'll be glad when this election is over.. I hope!

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Thanks, EarlG, for letting us know what is going on - strange things going on tonight never experienced before

But at least we're still here and appreciate all your efforts to keep DU accessible during this important and stressful time. Thank you for all you do, and Elad too!

[niyad]

11. Thank you, EarlG and Elad, for being the miracle workers you are. Some of us

did, of course, have flashbacks to 2016. But we are breathing a bit easier now, confident that whatever this issue is, it can be dealt with.

We hope you two can get at least some sleep tonight!

[NBachers]

12. Donate to DU here- I'm already a star member, but I don't want DU's tank to run dry. All the political donations I've

made; I can help pay Democratic Underground's bills, too.

Click the One-Time Online Payment button, or send in a check.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=star&select=1

[irisblue]

13. Earl Elad I am sending you both a big kiss.if either of you want it

So your beloveds and any kids sleep well tonight

May it be so

Amen

[Prairie_Seagull]

14. If we lose touch. How can we stay informed?

I will keep my own traffic down.

Thanks for everything guys.

[EarlG]

22. If DU ever goes down completely

The site will be essentially replaced by an information page explaining the situation. We'll also post information on our Facebook page. And we'll send out an email to anyone who is on our mailing list. If you receive our weekly "Last Week In Review" email, then you're on the mailing list. If you aren't on the mailing list but would like to be, you can sign up on our Contact page.

[AllyCat]

42. Thank you! Didn't know about the newsletter so just

Signed up! Go on Threads?? That would be awesome!

[OldBaldy1701E]

61. And Instagram! (n/t)

[RandySF]

15. I broke Democratic Underground

[proud patriot]

16. Thanks EarlG

[byronius]

17. Love this place, love the community.

Always been my choice for the best news aggregator on the internet.

Stuff happens. Whatevs. If DU functions, the nation functions.

Donating a little bit more now. Totally worth it.

[Otto_Harper]

18. I have full faith that all will get sorted out

and placed back on an even keel, soonest.

[Jakes Progress]

19. Paranoid guy here.

Could the database be under attack to copy the names of members for magat reasons?

[slightlv]

20. That was actually my first thought, too, Jake

Trying to get the user database as a probably stand-in for Harris voters.

[Hekate]

21. 💙 Thx for the update and best of luck to you. Also, check your DU mail.

Last edited Fri Nov 1, 2024, 01:31 AM - Edit history (1)

[Dem2theMax]

23. Wishing you luck that whatever is wrong, will be discovered and repaired easily.

None of us can live without DU.
Especially this coming week!

Thank you, EarlG and Elad, for all you do for us.

[electric_blue68]

24. Good luck! &Ty. Get ZZzzzzzs, too 👍

[elleng]

25. Thanks, and good luck to us all!

[BigmanPigman]

26. I have faith in the whole DU team. Thank you!!!

[UpInArms]

27. Thank you, EarlG

You and Elad are the best!

[senegal1]

28. Thank you for all your hard work!

[WheelWalker]

29. Strength and honor.

[Silver Gaia]

30. Thanks for the update, EarlG!

And deepest gratitude to you guys for all you do for us, for Democrats, and for DEMOCRACY. You keep us sane (as much as possible anyhow). We love ya. ❤️

[judesedit]

31. Thank you so very much for your diligence. You are all so appreciated

[Coexist]

32. Good luck and thanks for the update!

[DemonGoddess]

33. Thank you EarlG!

Now, this may sound silly, but have you checked how the scripts are handling multiple calls to data in a record? Mind you, I'm very rusty with this, but I do remember that as having been an issue for me in the past with a massive db.

[lark]

34. I appreciate the information! Really glad you were able to keep in at least partially open.

This old star member really needs this site, especially these days so thank you, thank you and good luck fixing the fuckery.

[democrank]

35. Thank you, EarlG

Your efforts are appreciated.

[debm55]

36. thank you , EarlG

[Old Crank]

37. Good luck.

I will refrain from posting data hungry posts if it will help.

[Alice Kramden]

38. Many thanks, EarlG and team n/t

[yardwork]

39. Thank you for everything you and Elad do to keep DU running.

[mbischoff10]

40. Many Thanks for all you do

Appreciate all you do to keep us informed daily, this is the calm place in the storm.

[Clouds Passing]

41. Thank you EarlG.

[JohnSJ]

43. Thanks for the update Earl.

[MustLoveBeagles]

44. Thank you EarlG for the update and all that you do

[bluestarone]

45. Nice to know you guys are on top of things here!!

Thank you very much for this site and your hard work!!

[wryter2000]

46. I want it closed for the election, anyway

Remember the year we were hacked at the election time? Bummer.

[RecoveringJournalist]

47. New Star

I just became a Star member. This forum is DEFINITELY worth it. Hopefully others will do the same. GOTV everyone! And thank you Admins! 💙💙💙

[Fla Dem]

48. Thank you for the update.

I just wonder if the multitude of podcasts and videos now being posted are overwhelming the system. It has become a forest, especially in GD.

[Judi Lynn]

49. Thank you for your plan, and the information. I clearly remember interference at a critical time.

No one here was surprised, at the time. Didn't take long to guess why it happened.

If this works to improve our chances of staying connected, you've undoubtedly saved everyone's sanity!

Good luck to us all! Thank you.

[Montauk6]

50. Hey man, we need you Tuesday night, best of luck!

Thanks for having our back!

[iluvtennis]

51. Thanks for the update and everything that you all do to maintain this site for us. Just donated a bit more. n/t

[bearsfootball516]

52. I know in previous years, DU has been closed off on election night to anybody except star members to prevent crashing

May have to do it again.

[GreenWave]

53. We are with you Earl, even unto the end of the universe and then some!

[Tribetime]

54. Ty Earl

[kimbutgar]

55. Thank you for the update !

[blogslug]

56. You guys are the best

🫡 Elad & EarlG 🫡

[TygrBright]

57. Dude, are you needing hardware expansion? Can we help?

I would be happy to donate.

I would say "enable 10 new star memberships for people who want them but can't afford it" but I do not want to add to the traffic issues if they are currently part of the problem.

However, it's sounding like y'all could use some boost - and I'd hate to see a redux of 2016 on the site. So - need help? ASK.

encouragingly,
Bright

[Scrivener7]

58. Thank you for the update and for what you do.

I'm relieved it isn't looking like a hack. I need this place on Tuesday.

[3auld6phart]

59. My problem

Seems to be Okay for now. Really pleased. tjaks a Ks times..

[orangecrush]

60. They can have my D.U.

When they pry my keyboard from my cold cramped fingers.

[Marthe48]

62. Would it help if star members

took turns? Or limited their screen time? I shut the DU window yesterday, and had to try 2 times to get back on. I'm willing to look at the DU page on fb, or just take a break.

[Tree Lady]

63. I remember when it went down on election night

so whatever it takes to stay open, thank you!

[greatauntoftriplets]

64. Thanks for letting us know, EarlG.

[demmiblue]

66. ...

[CousinIT]

67. Would it help to only have DU open on one device at a time (reduce connections)?

I have DU loaded on my phone, iPad, desktop, laptop, etc.

Maybe if star members close the browser or tab / quit sessions on all devices but one at a time that would help?

[EarlG]

69. It would not really make any difference

We've completely restricted access so that only Star Members can access DU, but the site is still lagging. There aren't really any more band aids that can be applied -- the goal now is to try to fix the problem so that we can get the whole site back online and running as normal.

To be completely clear, this problem is not being caused by expected high traffic -- we knew that traffic would be significantly higher throughout the election period, and we expected our servers to be able to handle the load. That said, it wouldn't be a surprise if we had to restrict access on election night itself, just because the increase in traffic could potentially be overwhelming -- but aside from that, there should be no issues with the way the site is performing.

What we didn't expect was this database glitch, which we now have to resolve. I don't think there's any way to realistically reduce traffic any further in a way that would significantly improve things -- we just have to get the bug fixed, and unfortunately we'll have to kind of hobble along while that's happening.

[sdfernando]

68. Thank you EarlG for the information on this.

I very much appreciate all of you working your butts off to keep this site up and running....especially at this time of year. Working in IT I know the challenges and unexpected issues that can crop up.

Kudos to you and the entire DU team!

[HeartsCanHope]

70. Thanks for all you and Elad do for all of us!

Will be thinking of you both.

[WarGamer]

71. THX FOR THE HARD WORK, WE ALL APPRECIATE IT.

[turbinetree]

72. Wado for the explaining this ............

[bobandrileysmom]

73. The addiction is real!

I never realized how addicted I was to this site until it went down for more than 6 hours! Immediately had to become a star member!

[buzzard]

78. Me too.

Have been here since 2004, just not a prolific poster at all, but I love to see what is being discussed and seeing different perspectives. I guess in some ways I like to see there are many people with the same concerns as me it feels like a community.

[spooky3]

74. Kicking

[wendyb-NC]

75. Thank you , EarlG, for the info and update

Bravo, for the work you and the rest of DU's cyber gurus do to address potential and real issues, due to whatever. This is a wonderful democratic community and website. DU is my go to site to get informed about what is going on in our country, because it is trustworthy and referenced when news is posted.

Thank you all, for making DU a great site.

[FullySupportDems]

76. Well, at least it wasn't the time change that did it

Because it hasn't happened yet. It sounds like a thorny problem. Hang in there, you're awesome! 😊

[Cha]

77. Boom... Mahalo, EarlG & Elad! I've always been a Star Member...

It does have its perks besides helping out the site that's been home for 22 years.

Besides I like Stars💙