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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

FELLOW CHICAGO ASTRONOMERS...

Yesterday evening while attempting to access this site, I could only download a fourth of the homepage, which at that point the internet connection would hang up. After numerous failed attempts and having others successfully access this site for me I had determined that the problem habitated within my own computer case. After investigation, I discovered not only a virus but a trojan as well. It wanted to control my "Telnet" program, and my modem couldn't handle all the commands it was ordered to do. So it just sat there like a disgrunted astronomer at a star party.

As much as I detest it, I decided to reformat my harddrive, as I should have anyway, but put it off for many months. I am writing this practically bare boned without many of my programs, favorites and other additional support drivers. This after 10 hours of investigating, searching, saving, and re-installing my content. Quite a bit. But the internet connection is working great and as a benefit, I got rid of a lot of accumilated junk and detritis on my harddrive.

You may also have noticed that some images on the forum are no longer and the dreaded red x is in it's place. By coincidance, the server that hosts some of the images is MIA, and I need to transfer to another reliable server. No big deal, but just inconveinant.

So please continue to post and discuss while I get back to speed with a clean system and let the astronomy continue.

Thank you all for your understanding and support.

Joe
Tired Chicago Astronomer

[stargazer]

Joe,

The boards have been doing fine. I have been in here on and off all day every day. Other then new members it has been doing good. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Just worry about getting your puter back up and running.

B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Becky, thanks for the status report.

My machine is clean of all viruses and getting back up to speed. I am re-installing all my programs as I need them, but I can't find the disk for the Kodak digital camera, and with it...the Triton pics. It's around somewhere.

I had a snag networking my computers, but worked around it and now , all information is flowing freely.

How did we ever get along without computers? I can't imagine what I did with my time before!

[Al Degutis]

I've been having troubles accessing the forum. At times, most of the time, it's very slow and on occassion I'll get a page not found. If it only happened from home I'd blame my satellite service, but it's also a problem at work where we have two T1 (1.5 Mb/s) connections. Half of my attempts to posts I'll get a Page Not Found, I'll refresh and get a Sorry You Can't Do That after which I'll go to the Home page and check to see if the post took and it did.

This is my first post since you reformatted. Let's see how it goes from this point on. The home page was slow coming up.

Al

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Al and other Forum members...

I too have been subjected to unreasonable load times here at the forum. The servers that host this page are in California and as I read on their support groups, our server "23" is the slowest of the bunch. They state that new servers will be installed, but that they are doing what they can in the meantime. I have no control over the delays we are all experiencing.

I do apologize to all, and am aware that it may put off many who may decide to go elsewhere, instead of waiting for the page to load. This is regrettable but unfortunately out of my influence.

I may look elsewhere for a quicker and reliable service, but in the meantime, I do wish for all of you smart and patient Chicago Astronomers to bear along with me as we all together... wait this out.

If you have any ideas or solutions, please let me know.

Thank you all for your understanding and continued support.

[Al Degutis]

Chicago said:

Al and other Forum members...

The servers that host this page are in California and as I read on their support groups, our server "23" is the slowest of the bunch.

California, huh? Makes sense. When I get to the office at 6am CDT sometimes I'll check the forum and it's response is very snappy (like today). Guess everyone in California is still asleep so the server aren't being overly tasked yet.

Al

[Al Degutis]

And my last post hit on the first try in a matter of seconds. Best response yet.

Not complaining, just providing some feedback and insight.

Al

[Al Degutis]

If the server is supposed to be in California, then why are all the posts listed as Eastern time?

Al

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Al,

Your comments were taken as constructive and feedback desired that I request from all members.

The time stamp is arbitrary. I have members state that the time is way off their own. Pay no attention to the time stamps. One needs to go into the profile section and adjust it to your own time. It's a hit or miss procedure, and takes a number of times to get it close. I use mine as a loose guideline, and certainly not to time the heavens by.

The site is rather quick now, with quick loads and posts. Let's hope it stays that way.

[NatureDevil]

...speaking of computer difficulties, after leaving for a 4 day trip through Minnesota, I returned to find my DSL had been shut down and is taking a few days till it gets repaired. The few times I have had access to a good connection on a computer I have had to dedicate to catching up on my online ethics class.

Gimmie another week or so, and I'll be back. Until then...

NatureDevil

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Brian,

You had mentioned about your trip out of state. So I knew not to worry that you been abducted by aliens. Glad to have you back home, and await your internet connection to stabilize.

I want to hear about your dark skies out there in Minnesota...Land of a Thousand lakes.

[stargazer]

Welcome back Brian. Hope your trip was a good one. I am getting ready to go on mine today. Heading down to Bloomington for the night to do a Star Party. I only hope the clouds stay away long enough.

B