technical issues with the new server.

[doc henderson]

Hello forumites.  I kind of ran this past Jeff.  we can continue to post issues here and there.  rather posting at the time and place and thread it is happening in, I wondered if it might be better to consolidate issues with the new server, in one spot, such as here.  No one is upset with how it is going, but this way the folks trying to work out bugs, can find them all in one spot.  also, for Longterm sake (as some use this forum to make a historical record of many things) it would keep comments about photos and links, ect. that are not currently working, out of threads like the weather and what-cha-makin ect.  Just a thought.  New visitors ect. will not see all the issues, and the long-term folks can help with the process that Jeff is painstakingly working through.  Best regards all.  Doc.

[Jeff]

Thanks Doc. Please, when you report, be detailed. Dont just tell me you was doing something and got an error. Please be as detailed as you can, and include the error if it will post.

[Old Greenhorn]

Great idea Doc, I was just thinking that this afternoon because I am learning form all the smart folks out there how to solve issues without posting them myself. I think this would help us all leverage other folks learning and corrective actions. I believe a lot of these issues are just because it's different and we have not quite figured out how to make it work for us yet. I did figure out that if you want a degree symbol (°) you can hold down your ALT key and type in '248' on the numeric pad to get it. This works on PC, not sure about Macs, and phones.
 Also I see that new photos are not kept in the gallery, just in the post and was having trouble understanding where they went. Now that I understand that's just how it is, I understand and can work with that. Just growing pains is all.

[Jeff]

How about starting a companion topic guys on things you may have found fixed, or a local fix. Im stll thinking some people should delete all cookes and temp files would help.

[Old Greenhorn]

OK I did that. That thread can be found HERE.

[Magicman]

On a MAC laptop, shift & option held down simultaneously and then 8 makes the ° symbol.

[Jeff]

On a MAC laptop, shift & option held down simultaneously and then 8 makes the ° symbol.

Huh?

[Magicman]

And then I just googled and found out that option plus the numeral 0 makes a slightly larger º symbol.

Yup, a mac keyboard is slightly different:

[Jeff]

I'm missing something. I dont understand what that has to do with the current issues

[Magicman]

In Reply #2, OGH was telling how to produce the º symbol on a Windows machine.  I was carrying it further and sharing how to make the º symbol on a mac machine.

[Old Greenhorn]

I typed this whole thing out earlier but before I could post it, my dang cat walked across the keyboard and wiped it all out. I don't think Jeff or Lurk can fix that. ;D So here it is again (for me, first time for y'all).
----------------------------------------------

I had my first DB error this morning. There were 4 photos of mine that did not make it through the transition (out of over 2,000, which is amazing) and one of my posts didn't make a lot of sense without the photos. I figure maybe my post coincided with when Jeff closed the gallery down, it was dang close. But no problem, they were the easiest photos to find and fix.

 So I went to the post, hit modify, and found the links to the (now) blanks files. I deleted the links, then dragged my resized copied of the photos into the post. Easy. Then I added a little text explaining the edit and hit 'save'. That's when I got the error. I clicked on the 'go back' bu8tton and the post was there, but without the edits. I used my 'previous page' function in my browser and found the edited version of my post and copied it. But try as I might, I can't get it to take.

 I am wondering if the glitch is in the modify routine because when you hit 'save' it doesn't seem to recognize and hold the changes. I dunno, just spitballing here. I waited 2 hours, logged out and in again and it's still the same.
 This is NOT something that should waste anybody's time. I am just putting it here to document it. I may mess around and see if it is the 'modify' function that has an issue, or changing the photos.

[Old Greenhorn]

Yes, I just confirmed, it's not the photo thing. I just went and tried to correct the spelling on one word in the post (2 letters) and I got the same error.
I repeated it by trying to add a word at the bottom of the post, same error. Looks like something going on with "modify".

EDIT: Nope I was wrong. I just modified this post 3 times with no errors. Maybe it has something to do with the post I was modifying?

[Old Greenhorn]

Interesting, on that previous post here I can modify it all I want with no issues. If I go back to the post I was trying to fix, open it in modify and just try to save it immediately with no actual changes, I still get the DB error message. This is most curious. Could it be the age of the post, or the size, or the fact that it was posted before the upgrade and there is a version conflict? For now I will bet on this last one and let it go.

I will say this brings me back to a similar project I worked on about 7 years ago migrating our company to a totally new ERP system. We had 20 people working on that for almost two years in prep, then several months of 'not so good sledding' after the switch. We migrated many millions of records, and data checking was not fun at all. Just getting sucked in on this one little issue which has consumed my entire morning reminds me just how difficult and maddening this whole process is. I don't miss it, but BOY do I have empathy.

[jpassardi]

I can't add smileys to a reply or PM.
Note: this is only if I have text in the reply as well as a smiley. I can put a smiley by itself in a reply. -see following reply below

I get: Database Error
Please try again. If you come back to this error screen, report the error to an administrator.

[jpassardi]

[Old Greenhorn]

21 gave me a hint on another thread. I went back to that old post and used quick edit instead of modify. That allowed me to make any changes I wanted except that I can't add photos in that format.
 So what I take from this is there is some sort of functional difference between quick edit and modify. It doesn't solve my issue of reuploading photos on that post, but no matter. I think it's a clue. If one gives you problems, try to other.
 JP, I have no idea why you are having that problem  :(  are you using a phone or a PC/Mac? That might be part of it. Just guessing here.

[21incher]

Thanks OGH I didn't know this existed.  if I type a couple lines of text, won't  preview or post. If I type the first word and post, then quick edit everything works.  Android 13 on a Samsung galaxy tablet.

[jpassardi]

OGH: Yes, odd I know. Typing on a PC.
I just typed : then ) above and that works in quick edit



I can add from the pick list if it's on another line but not on the same line >:(

OK, I just figured out the deal: it doesn't allow a space between the text and the smiley character. The one above has no space.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, with regard to fixing photos in that old thread I figured it out. Turns out, fixing the post was not the way to go. Better to fix the blank photos in my gallery now that Jeff has the gallery in ship shape. I edited each of the 4 blank photos and reuploaded the same photos over them. This automatically showed up in the post. I did get one 'internal server error' but the photo shows up and I am going no further. I see no reason to ever need this again. I just wanted to fix those 4 blank photos and have the post show up correctly so all could be right with the world. ;D
Now I can finally get out to the shop and do some work. I spent 6 hours on this, can you imagine how much time the guys doing the real work are putting in? That thread is FOUND HERE in case you're interested.

[doc henderson]

OK, I got to my gallery and switched to thumbnail and can see my pics.  I should get back to posting with pics soon.  I am just taking my time.  thanks all.

[21incher]

I noticed something strange last night.  Decided  to try a different browser so I shut  down Chrome and switched to Vivaldi that is more  secure.  Went  to the forum and saw I was showing as a guest but I was showing as being on the forum.  Was able  to log in and try to post with same issues.  Logged out and it showed guest but the forum  still shows me as being on it. Then went to the Windows 11 pc and checked  in Chrome.  It showed me as a guest with log in available  but also showed me as being online even with the tablet shut down. Looks like I may start logging out everytime I use the forum and not stay logged  in because it seem to be hit and miss about releasing the tracking  cookies in Android  Chrome. Never  saw this before.

[Jeff]

Your name remains on the list 20 minutes

[Jeff]

I currently can not create a topic or send a message. Rusticreator, I can't reply to you. The database types are all over the place. know any experts?

[doc henderson]

I cleared temp files and testing to see if I can post.

Edit:  yippie!

[rusticretreater]

@Jeff, ok we are on to something here.

First, is it possible to compare the current db with the old db?  The creation SQL should have the encoding type listed.

This is something quite dangerous to undertake as a mistake can have serious consequences. Am I correct in thinking this is a MYSQL database?  Who established the Dbase? The ISP? What requirements does the Forum software docs state?

I do not know of anyone that I can recommend.    What I would suggest is that a duplicate database be set up with correct language settings called for by the software.  Your transfer data set from the old forum loaded into it and checked for correctness.  Then some form of ETL to bring the new DB uptodate from the corrupted database. Then slide the new DB under the forum software.

[SwampDonkey]

Test post: Smiles and strike through formatting on a word.

Result: Failed to post, got the database error.


Follow up post:

FF smiles removed. Strike through formatting removed.

[Old Greenhorn]

Is anybody else getting non-forum related pop-up ads? They are like whack a mole here. Driving me nuts. Google ads?

[beenthere]

May be the new forum after changes.

[21incher]

Is anybody else getting non-forum related pop-up ads? They are like whack a mole here. Driving me nuts. Google ads?

Yes. Somebody has to pay for the upgrades and future proofing. Just like all other forums now. I bet Jeff can offer a monthly subscription to remove them someday like YouTube does.

[Old Greenhorn]

I doubt the FF gets a penny from these. SO I am not the only one seeing them?

[SwampDonkey]

Haven't seen any ads here, but I use Brave web browser, which stops ads. I don't even hear Spotify ads.

[Don P]

OGH, zero popups here.

[Wlmedley]

0 ads here also.

[Nobohdy]

There will be some ads once we get everything hammered out. Remember the big white spots before the migration? Those would have been ads had google adsense worked correctly. We have instead partnered with a company who shares our vision, and knows what the forestry forum means and stands for. It won't be inundated with ads, like some websites, and if there is anything ad-wise or layout wise that we feel is detrimental to our members or the forum itself, they will happily and quickly work with us to remedy the situation to one that works for everyone. We have asked them to hold off on implementing them fully until we get the kinks worked out and running smoothly, but they will be doing a little modifying the next couple days to get their code implemented and ready to turn on when we give them the green light. So some of you very well may see some ads the next couple days. The company is Monumetric if anyone would like to vet them. The guys working with us, know how important the forum is to all of you and us, and the integrity it has kept for over 20 years and will maintain. We have decided that possibly having to close a few ads from time to time is a very small inconvenience for the forum to keep operating and evolving moving forward and keeping the spirit and soul of what has made the Forestry Forum the great community that we have all come to love and enjoy.

[Old Greenhorn]

Thanks all, that was the clue I needed. Found it was an 'upgrade' in the new version of chrome. I think I fixed it...maybe.

[21incher]

I am getting some today. Bottom of the page and not intrusive like other forums.

[Old Greenhorn]

I don't mind a few ads if they benefit the FF. But these I am (still) getting are obnoxious, flopping down all over. Not fixed yet, but it's on my end, I guess.

[21incher]

I don't mind a few ads if they benefit the FF. But these I am (still) getting are obnoxious, flopping down all over. Not fixed yet, but it's on my end, I guess.

I just got one for Bloomberg store. I click them to give the Forestry forum credit and then close the window.
Now lipstick has appeared. Guess that's for my pig.

[Don P]

When I was in my 20's I had a couple of wisdom teeth pulled. They gave me IV valium and sent me home with instructions to lay low. I was young and feeling no pain, and the state fair was going on. Off we went. I was killing it on the whack a mole... and I noticed the crowd gathering around. The mole would pop up, the mole would go down, and then I'd bring the hammer around. I'm not sure how much I spent but I was a star to the cheering admirers gathered around :D.

[Nobohdy]

Skee-ball was my go to fair game. I actually was banned from playing at a few of the area fairs. Evidently they did not appreciate the skill it took to win their largest prizes after only spending $1 Go figure.  ;D

[Nobohdy]

Tomorrow at some point you may see a new Admin around and about. He is being brought in to chase down and squash all those annoying bugs that have been running around here since the server move. He's a database expert who does this kind of stuff for a living, so the forum will be in good hands!

[beenthere]

Who dat?

[Mooseherder]

Chethammer. 8)

[WV Sawmiller]

   I attempted to add a new album for 2024 in My Gallery. I selected the create new album, typed in the name and clicked the OK button and the little progress wheel just kept spinning but never added the new album. I let it run 4-5 minutes or more. Am I doing something wrong? Please advise how to add a new album. Thanks.

[Jeff]

I can tell you, currently, I do not know. I ran up to the cabin with harold, and the internet connection here is just a little worse than really sucks. Maybe I can call for insight. ( HEY @lurk)

[WV Sawmiller]

@lurk 

   Did you get a chance to look at this? I just tried adding another album to my Gallery and everything seems to work fine except when I click the OK to add the new album the progress clock just spins and never adds the new album. 

[Jeff]

I suspect Mick has been very busy catching up in his own stuff after taking out so much time for us to get stable, and I have not looked at it either as I needed a breath.

[lurk]

I just had a quick look and it does the same thing for me.  There' is a update waiting to be installed, but the reason I haven't run this is because it will remove any custom edits made by the ad company, and by Jeff, such as logo etc.

As a first step I would recommend running that update, this will in effect re-upgrade the gallery.  No guarantee that it will fix the issue, it could still be a plugin or something in the database. But it's a starting point.

[lurk]

I suspect Mick has been very busy catching up in his own stuff after taking out so much time for us to get stable, and I have not looked at it either as I needed a breath.

I was Jeff.  Trying to come up with a new colour scheme for my site, but after a lot of messing about with various colours got to a stage where something didn't look right.  So reverted everything and will return to it at some point.

[Jeff]

@lurk, whenI get home later today I will contact the ad conpany, but I have my suspicions what this may be. Like every thing in our board directory was found, permissions not correct. I suspect the albums directories have either improper ownership or write permissions.

[RAYAR]

Re: will the thread suggestions that used to appear at the bottom of topic threads be re-established in the (near) future? I used this often as it sometimes lead to interesting older threads.

Thanks
Ray

[rusticretreater]

A few of my forum posts tell people to look at the additional thread suggestions when researching topics found by the search engine.

[Jeff]

Re: will the thread suggestions that used to appear at the bottom of topic threads be re-established in the (near) future? I used this often as it sometimes lead to interesting older threads.

Thanks
Ray

Maybe. Many mods that we had, do not work here now, and many of thiose old mods caused a bit of our upgrade headaches, and may still be.  So, maybe.

[doc henderson]

there is what appears to be a link cause it underlines if you hover called "logged".  if you click on it a pop up says error or you can only see your IP address.  is this supposed to be under each person's forum info in each post?  @Jeff @lurk 

[Jeff]

there is what appears to be a link cause it underlines if you hover called "logged".  if you click on it a pop up says error or you can only see your IP address.  is this supposed to be under each person's forum info in each post?  @Jeff @lurk

Yes
IP addresses are shown to administrators and moderators to facilitate moderation and to make it easier to track people up to no good. Remember that IP addresses may not always be identifying, and most people's IP addresses change periodically.

Members are also allowed to see their own IPs.

[doc henderson]

thanks, and I guess I just did not notice it till today, but remember it being discussed.  when I clicked and it said error...  thanks for the kind explanation!

[thecfarm]

@doc henderson
Just a test to see if your name is red too. 

[Jeff]

Only admin names are red.

[thecfarm]

Gotta!!