Why was the site down for several days over the last two weeks?

[LetMeFly]

For the last two days, I've been getting a HTTP error 503 when trying to get on the site. I've also used a couple of different "is my site down" web sites to confirm that. I happened last week too, but I see nothing in the Forums as to why? Is there an explanation?

[Eric Page]

As another data point, I've been having the same issue on-and-off over the last couple of weeks. The forum seems to go down randomly, then then next time I check it's back up again.

[avidflyer]

As another data point, I've been having the same issue on-and-off over the last couple of weeks. The forum seems to go down randomly, then then next time I check it's back up again.

Same thing for me. JImChuk

[jiott]

Same for me.

[desertdave]

It is happening to us too and we run the place. We are working on it.

[sshort21]

It is happening to us too and we run the place. We are working on it.

Hi desertdave,

Just my opinion, but between dated software, limited search capabilities, and outages, I think the forum is limited in value. Rather than being a place I can go to answers now, I find that not only is an answer buried so far as to be not findable, but that people have learned that interaction is not timely, so the forum isn't a source for real-time answer. It's more of ask a question and look for an answer in days. That's really tough when your in the middle of trying to figure something out.

I appreciate following along with some of the discussions, and I've gotten some great answers here, but it's a bit of a challenge as a timely build resource for both previously answered questions and real-time help.

Best,

Steve

[avidflyer]

I have to say that I think face book forums was the worst thing that happened to the aircraft forums, most members have moved there it seems. Although it seems to be kind of quiet there as well on the Kitfox and Avid forums I'm on. Not sure why the interest is decreasing but it looks like it is. I much prefer the forums like this one and AvidKitfoxFlyers, and I find the search features to be very helpful for those who dig into them.

[Av8r_Sed]

I find this site has great value to me (when it's not down). I often search with Google, not using the site search. Try searching, "spark plug site:teamkitfox.com". The results are pretty good. It's a good archive. Facebook is immediate but hard to find older information and the threads don't provide as much information.

I hope this site can be brought forward in functionality, bugs like the random punctuation substitutions fixed and the database protected.

[LetMeFly]

...Try searching, "spark plug site:teamkitfox.com"...

I've searched using Google too but didn't know about the "site:" nomenclature. Thanks!

[sshort21]

I've searched using Google too but didn't know about the "site:" nomenclature. Thanks!

Using site-specific search is very useful, and it works on many websites. I have a bookmark set to this: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ateamkitfox.com


When I select that bookmark, it opens a Google search dialog for the TeamKitfox.com forum. Once that page is up, I can add the terms I'm looking for, like "control surfaces taping" or "tail wheel options" or "hysol filet." You get the point. It's far more effective than the site search in the upper right.

[LetMeFly]

From the statistics at the bottom of the site: "There are currently 52375 users online. 26 members and 52349 guests". Could this be the problem? I see this all the time, that we have over 50,000 guests looking at the site. Is this number correct, or is there a bug in the code somewhere keeping these connections open and thus overloading the system?

[desertdave]

From the statistics at the bottom of the site: "There are currently 52375 users online. 26 members and 52349 guests". Could this be the problem? I see this all the time, that we have over 50,000 guests looking at the site. Is this number correct, or is there a bug in the code somewhere keeping these connections open and thus overloading the system?
Interesting. 99% are Chinese bots by their IP address. Checking to see if they can be blocked with our current software.

[alexM]

I have often noticed the supposed number of users logged in and thought it occasionally exceeds the number of people who even know what a Kitfox is.

I'm one of the people who strongly prefers an old school forum like this one rather than Facebook. Yes, the search function is pretty weak, but I long ago learned the trick about searching from outside the forum, and I can strike gold pretty much every time.

For example if I'm about to install my windshield I can guarantee this forum has several hits (over a period of years) that can provide insight I need. If I post on Facebook then I count on my timing and the Facebook algorithm to fish for responses. If lucky, I will get a few brief responses along with a few suggestions that I use the search function.

[sshort21]

Interesting. 99% are Chinese bots by their IP address. Checking to see if they can be blocked with our current software.

I've noticed a discrepancy between the reported number of 'users online' (56k), the total registered members (10k), and online registered members (17). This suggests a significant number of bots might be crawling the site. Based on the number of total registered users, I suspect a more realistic 'users online' count would be in the hundreds, not thousands.


While a large database can handle many users, this platform may not be optimized for such a high load. To confirm, analyzing server and network performance data would need to be examined.


Regarding Facebook, I prefer not to use it, at all, due to its focus on personal commentary or casual, often negative comments.


Lastly, the site's recent up-time has been inconsistent, with around 50% availability in the past week for me. This makes accessing the valuable data here challenging to the point where I'm looking for alternative sources.

[Dave S]

In case this is useful to our administrators:

Regarding the random down periods, I have had a slightly different manifestation over the same period time folks are talking about. In my case, I go to the site address and my computer says "secure site unavailable, switch to HTTP?" I usually just close out, go back later and it works.


For all: Regarding the value of the site: Teamkitfox is the best. I see no problem with using the 'ol noodle to figure out what search criteria works to find what a person is looking for. The administrators keep the site on task and it is clean of annoying commercial junk I have no intrerest in.

Regarding f-book - I won't use it. It is mainly a cover for the data miners sucking up personal data and making money off it (not that it doesn't happen other places, but it is rampant on fb). JMHO

[Geowitz]

Just wanted to add my great deal of gratitude and thanks to the moderators/administrators as well!

Haven't had time to post much in a while, but I still try to keep an eye out for anything I may be able to help on. I find this site to be way easier than Facebook, especially for the technical side of things.

Thanks!

[LetMeFly]

I've tried to get into the forums for about a week! Every time I try, I've got the error 503 page. This is getting really frustrating as this my only source for Kitfox info. I really need this website to be up. I have found several external build sites but most of those only state they did something, not HOW they did something.

Administrators. Please figure out what is going on here and fix it! If it costs extra money that the site doesn't have, I'll pitch in!

[sshort21]

I've tried to get into the forums for about a week! Every time I try, I've got the error 503 page. This is getting really frustrating as this my only source for Kitfox info. I really need this website to be up. I have found several external build sites but most of those only state they did something, not HOW they did something.

Administrators. Please figure out what is going on here and fix it! If it costs extra money that the site doesn't have, I'll pitch in!

I'm mostly same boat. I get normal usage for most users ebbs and flows, but because of site being down, I've gone from checking/reading the site a few times a day, to a few times a week, to mostly not all. I'm still mid-build and appreciate all the info and help here, but that does nothing for me if the site is down.

All that said, I know converting and/or moving a site can take time. It would be really helpful for site admins to provide some insight into what the plans are.

[LetMeFly]

The site has been working well for me for the past several days, ever since I saw the online users down in the thousands instead of tens of thousands. I see that it's back up into the 50,000's. So we'll see how long this run of good luck lasts.

[LetMeFly]

I saw the "guest" level creep up of the last few weeks but it then came back down. Looks like there is a script running to check for that. Thanks to the Admin Team for keeping up on this!