PPRUNE has gone tech!

[Desk-pilot]

I have tried over the past 3 days to use the search facility to find out information on the wannabees board and every single time get a screen saying that the server is experiencing an exceptionally heavy load.

I doubt the load can have been 'exceptionally' heavy for the past 3 days!! Is this a bug or do we need a bigger server??

Desk-pilot (somewhat frustrated!)

[Sean Dell]

I've noticed this too - but put it down to my own finger trouble! Also have you noticed quite long delays loading each forum page since the new format started?

[N380UA]

Had the very same problems....
Although in no relation, but there have been several different definitions under the handle. Something like "Flight deck Qualified" "Fanatical PPRuNrer" or now "Just another number". What does it mean and why does it change all the time?

[Mert]

I've found that around 0200 to 0300 GMT is good for using the search function, the board generally shows 30 to 40 people logged on. What's with those British people...sleeping at 3 o'clock in the morning are they? :)

[The Guvnor]

Hmmm, I think Danny's flipped again ... overload! overload! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Take some time off, mate!

[Capt PPRuNe]

PPRuNe has definitely not gone tech. The server loads you see are real and between 0700z and 1800z the server registers a load average of around 30.0 to 40.0. Consider that a normal server load would be around 1.0 or 2.0 you can see how busy it is.

For those of you who want to see how busy the site is there are some stats, updated daily if you CLICK HERE (http://www.pprune.org/usage_stats). The server is sending and receiving an average of 85,000 bytes a second on average during any 24 hour period and runs at around 100 bytes a second during the busy period with peaks up around 170 bytes per second. Tust me, that is busy!
http://www.btinternet.com/~pprune/graph.cc474c5f.gif
Because I have to start considering upgrading the server from its present dual PIII processor to a quad processor machine I have to find as many different funding sources as possible and banner advertising is just one of them. Because of the popularity of the site many people would like to have a personalised title under their Username when they make a post, similar to mine on the left here so I have set up a system where they can choose one and I will charge for the service with all profit going back into running PPRuNe.

If you are interested in having your own Personalised Title a la DVLA* cherished registrations just CLICK HERE (http://www.pprune.org/ptorder/ptorder.htm). There are few threads running on the topic over in Jet Blast at the moment and the reason current titles change is explained in those threads. PPRuNe Funding & PayPal (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=004872), PPRuNe Targetcounts (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=004881).

*For anyone not from the UK, the DVLA is the agency that issues car registration numbers and for many years now they have been charging if people want personalised numbers. It has been extremely successful in generating revenue for hte government and I though I'd try the same idea here to generate much needed funds to keep PPRuNe running as smoothly as possible and not becoming a victim of its success

[ 23 August 2001: Message edited by: Capt PPRuNe ]

[tilii]

I get it, skipper! Pay up for a personalised title or be 'just another number'. :eek:

It is, I think, quite justifiable that you ask for a contribution to the running of the site and I, for one, would be more than happy to make such contribution if asked politely to do so. It is perhaps something else to make a personalised title (PT)available at a fee and make all non-purchasers 'just another number'. :( :(

I vote that the alternative to purchase of the PT should be a complete absence of any form of title. Or is that asking too much? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Capt PPRuNe]

Yep, $10 and you can have a clean slate! Is that fair?

[tilii]

Dear 'Member Number One' (and what a title that is, given its sexual connotation! I am truly green with envy!) :D :D :D

You say, "$10 and you can have a clean slate". Now, did you mean £10 sterling, or is it really $10, and if so is that $US or $AUS?

Please explain what is meant by "a clean slate". Is it merely that we lose the demeaning title of 'Just another number' to be replaced by our personally ascribed title of self-aggrandisement, or does it mean we are deemed to have cleared up some indebtedness, or, importantly, shall we be forgiven our perceived past sins? :confused:

Subject to your satisfactory answers to above enquiry, where do I then send the apparently much-needed dosh?

[Capt PPRuNe]

Tcas Climb, there is a bug in the code that does the 'Who is On Line' that gets all confused when a record number of readers is registered in the hour before noon and if goes into time warp mode and assumes 11am is the same as 2300. Nothing I can do about that for the moment as it is not very high on the priority list. It's only a gimmick anyway.

Tilli, because this site costs me a lot of money to run and an even greater amount of my personal time I am constantly thinking up ways to generate the necessary income to keep it running and a free to use as possible. Some of you take great pleasure in using these forums and whilst I do not mind there are times when some people have a perception that PPRuNe is some big conglomorate or corporation with unlimited assets which it ain't!

PPRuNe is controled by me from my living room or whatever internet cafe I can get to when down route on a long haul trip. Together with a small band of likeminded friends who help to run things that is it. Because of the huge amount of traffic PPRuNe generates it takes an ever more powerful server to cope with the demands and these servers are not cheap and because the bandwidth is one of the most expensive parts of the system and PPRuNe is growing exponentially which means that the amount of bandwidth being used is growing at the same rate I need to source more funds all the time.

Advertising is one option but unless you want to be swamped with hundreds of ads I have to try and generate more income in the limited time I and my friends have to available in between our day jobs and other activities. I try selling PPRune badges and will also include other merchandise in the future.

So, to the point... I have set the system up to apply a ranking system based on the number of posts someone makes. Obviously there are some people who are only interested in racking up a high post count, the content of which is not even worth reading (although there are some who are extremely witty and enjoyable to read too). Occasionally, I play around with these peoples egos by changing the wording as you have seen of late and you can follow the threads about it on Jet Blast.

Because people like you either have no desire for a ranking or a personal title then I can remove it but it takes time and effort and as far as i am concerned if you can afford it why shouldn't you pay a small sum of money to help keep PPRuNe running? If you do not want anything in your title then I think US$10 is a fair amount.

I know I said £10 originally but the system I have chosen to collect money only works in US$ at the moment and if you want to pay me £10 instead of US$10 then I would be more than grateful. If you would rather have a title of engrandement then you can have that too but because it takes even more time to do allthe html stuff I charge seperately for each word andstyle option.

The choice is yours. Put up with my whimsical changes to the default title under your username or pay for a personalised one or to have it removed totally. You will need to go to a special page I have set up but not advertised properly yet because I am still testing it but if you want to have a look and try it out then CLICK HERE (http://www.pprune.org/ptorder/ptorder.htm). You are not obliged to do anything and you can cancel at any stage.

I hope this clears up any questions you may have about my reasoning behind the use of titles.

[preflight]

Oh captain my captain, you have my respect!!!

Good work!

regards/Preflight

[WorkingHard]

Capt, thank you for the explanation of the site management. It is absolutely astounding that such a super site is run on a voluntary basis and not for profit. More power to you sir and good luck.

[collective bias]

WOW! A reply from PRUNER #1...you really do exist!!
;)
Just a short note from an escaped ROTORHEAD....THANKS A HEAP. For a slabwing driver you're alright.
I'm not trying to **** in your pocket, but for a long time PPRUNE has been a lifeline to me while living in some pretty ****ty places on this planet. I suspect there are more than a few helo pilots who use this site for escaping the crap for a few hours.
As soon as I can I'll get a sub.
Currently working hard to educate the Canadians about the benefits of pruning. Slow to catch on but from little things big things grow....
Thanks Danny
CB :D
PS: the reason your server is overloaded is the Aussies...someone tie a toilet roll under their chins...
Can't go past 'em for a laugh tho... :)

[Vfrpilotpb]

Good Morning Danny,

If you do run this from your " Front Room" or any available place where you can plug into to, Then you and the other Pprune managers are to be thought of as more than ordinary humans, I am awe struck at the effort you must put into this when still holding down a full time flying job, I for one would be happy to pay some sort of SUB to help with the funding!!
You have my regards

[N380UA]

Good morning Danny,

First of, I must join the others in congratulating you and the other pprune managers to a great job. Thank you all. Pprune is truly an amazing site with all aspects of flight. Whether to just keep up with industry news, what employer has the better ops. or how to get the job with the nice view up front etc., its all there. Anyone in the aviation -"family"- Industry ought to be connected to this network. As it was mentioned, it seem as though there are some fellow members that are just out to score up a high number on the counter, were as others don't really care much for it. As Vfrpilotpb noted, I would be happy to contribute, financially or in any other way to the network. However, at the moment I am somewhat reluctant, as I foresee active contributing fraternity members on the network with a sincere cause and non-contributing members just out for a good laugh. I'm sure that many fellow ppruners may feel the same way and so my question arises; What have you planed to really differentiate between pay and non paying members other that adding a nice picture and a counter title next to the handle?

With my highest regards to you and your team.
Cheers.

[autoflight]

paypal system only seems good for USA credit card.

[Capt PPRuNe]

Thank you all for the kind comments. With reference to PayPal, if you are outside the USA you have to make sure you set up an International Account. There is an option to change the to one near the top of the sign up page.

The banner advertising is by far the biggest contribution to the meney required to run PPRuNe but as we get busier we need to raise even more money and as in any business it comes down to cash flow. The payment for a Personal Title is only one of a number of ways of raising extra cash. PPRuNe badges can be purchased and there will be more merchandising in the near future. The biggest problem is getting the money in from other countries.

I can set up a merchant account here but the hassle that the UK make in setting it up and as a store front is unbearable. It is OK if you are doing this full time but as has been mentioned it is only a part time hobby and I do have to have a life outside of the job and PPRuNe. That is why I have gone for PayPal. I have looked into it and it is the best and easiest option for collecting money as well as one of the most secure I have come across.

So, in a fit of marketing mania, why not purchase your own Personal Title to cherish forever for a nominal sum and help to cover the costs of running this site at the same time. Go on... you know you really do want one. Just CLICK HERE (http://www.pprune.org/ptorder/ptorder.htm) and fill in the form and you won't have to put up with my 'whims' when I decide to change you all from "Just another number" to something even more demeaning!
;)

[ 26 August 2001: Message edited by: Capt PPRuNe ]