A Major Setback

[Dan Landrum]

We blew it. We took seven steps backwards in our attempt to move forward. We have irretrievably lost one week's worth of your posts. This is a costly and embarrassing mistake on our part. These posts do not belong to us, they belong to you, and even though the mistake happened under the best of intentions, it is inexcusable on our (my) part to have let this happen.

The board is now in the same state as it was July 23rd. We had backups as recently as a few hours before today's (7/30/09) problem occurred, but those backups also failed. We were reckless in not having properly tested our backup and restoration procedures. This has already changed. The incident that caused the loss of data was purely human error. The software that powers this forum is trustworthy. Now we have to prove that we are too, however, I recognize that trust is much easier to lose than to gain. I apologize and sincerely ask that you give us an opportunity to regain your trust.

[bruce]

Just to pile on to what Dan has said. I lived in fear of exactly this kind of catastrophe. In fact, I stayed with a host that I had a lot of gripes with just because I knew it would be problematic. This kind of mistake is extremely easy to make...and I mean extremely easy to make.

I just got off a phone very tense phone call with Dan and Steve. It wasn't pretty, but the bottom line is that we've lost about a week of data. Dan and Steve know folks are going to be mad. Trust me, they fully understand how important the board is to folks as they've been hearing you.

After some mourning over the mess, we just have to move forward. Truth is, there's no correcting the data loss issue. All that can be done is roll the board back in time and:

TAKE OUR LUMPS!

It means folks will have to repost some important items, and update their profiles if they've made changes recently. Folks WILL be inconvenienced. Some of the items that we'd fixed over the last couple of days will have to be fixed again! (We have our own internal lumps to take as this is a huge loss of time and effort.)

For now, we're more than sorry, we're mortified. We know it's going to take some doing to earn back your trust. It's work we are willing to put in. Hopefully in the near future we'll look back and laugh at this.

But for now...let us have it. We blew it and we deserve a pummeling.

Fire away...

Bruce

[brashley46]

Boys, I've been through this on a couple of boards, including one that was maintained on proprietary software by a trained professional ... a well-known science-fiction publisher's forum had to be totally rebuilt from scratch. Arnold the webmaster was a full-time pro. He did not do better than you guys have.

[folkfan]

How many lumps do you want? One lump of sugar or two? ED has been a marvelous place for us for years, and so there finally has been a set back. We lost a week, Good grief, we could have lost the whole thing if you guys hadn't save it for us. You've been working hard and long, now go have a quiet cup of tea and calm down. One lump or two???

[suzannedennis]

The huge amount of work that has been done to update and upgrade this site has been quite apparent as well as the positive intentions on the part of the three administrators. That a mistake was made just shows that human error is always possible. It happens to the best of us. We just get up and keep going when it happens - which is what you already are doing. The fact that you have eloquently expressed your disappointment in what happened shows your character, in my opinion.

Don't beat yourself up over it; your hard work and dedication is much appreciated. This online community is such a blessing to so many. We can forgive mistakes and hang in there with you!

Suzanne

[modulcimer]

Mistakes happen and yeah just keep going, where would this world be if a few mistakes weren't made.... so on wayward we go..... again thanks for all your hard work.....

[southernmiss]

Hey, guys. Don't be so hard on yourselves. Something unfortunate happened, but no big deal. I don't consider that a mistake on your part, just a mishap. We are so fortunate to have you and this site. As far as I'm concerned, we're the ones who owe you the apology for being so snacky this past week. You don't owe us an apology. Thanks for your hard work, and even if it had been a month, a year, a decade of posts, we'd have no right to complain. Without you and ED, we'd have nothing. What's a week? As loquacious as we are, we'll make that up in a day. Lee

[dranner63]

How many lumps do you want? One lump of sugar or two? ED has been a marvelous place for us for years, and so there finally has been a set back. We lost a week, Good grief, we could have lost the whole thing if you guys hadn't save it for us. You've been working hard and long, now go have a quiet cup of tea and calm down. One lump or two???

I love how FF put it with a little humor mixed in. You guys have been awesome. in the end all will be well. So thanks for the hard work and dedication. Good luck with what needs yet to be done.

[Viki]

I for one can't imagine having nothing better to do than get mad over the loss of a week's worth of posts--on a free site, maintained for my convenience by people who do it for what? A large paycheck?

You three are doing a wonderful job and I thank you!

[gamtndulcimer]

I agree that you guys are being way too hard on yourselves. We can repost anything that was important. We really appreciate all of the hard work you have been putting into the board for us lately. So thanks for all of your efforts!!

[Robin T]

Hope you fellows can take it easy and get a good night's rest!
all good wishes,
Robin T

[island-girl]

Okay... I have the stones all stacked up.. any of you who have never made a mistake in your life line up to the left.. and pick a stone to throw...hmmmmm no-one in that line... strange!!!! As Dorie (sp?) would say..."just keep swimming"..... you'll get through this.. and we'll be here. I just want to take this time to tell you without you I would have never met some of the most fantastic people EVER!!!!. And what a great connection to other dulcimer fantatics.. oopps... I mean dulcimer players. All is well and I can't wait to to see the "new and improved" and less hassel ED.
Keep up the good work.. "and know we love you"... (yes that is in a song)
hugs,
Della