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EarlG

(22,540 posts) Thu Oct 31, 2024, 10:45 PM Oct 31

358

Update on DU's ongoing technical problems [View all]

DU is currently online for Star Members only. Here's the message which is currently posted on our home page if you are not signed in as a Star Member:

Our apologies. We are currently experiencing an interruption in service. We have tracked the issue to our database but we are still working to determine the cause. At this time we have no reason to believe that the site has been hacked or is under attack.

The issue has left us with two options: We can either take DU offline for everyone, or we can keep it online by severely restricting connections to our database. Keeping DU open is our priority, even if it means restricting it to a smaller number of people. So at this time only Star Members can access the site. Since we have been forced to limit the number of visitors to DU, we think it is only fair that it should at least be open to the people who help to keep DU online the rest of the year round with their financial support.

If you were hoping to read DU right now and cannot access the site, we know this is a disappointment. With the election just around the corner, this is the worst time for something like this to happen. Unfortunately -- due to factors such as increases in traffic, additional server/software stress, the possibility of bad actors, etc. -- this is also the most likely time that something like this is going to happen. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as we possibly can.

Unfortunately, every four years when the presidential election rolls around, DU is tested in ways that are hard to anticipate. The database problem that's going on right now is not something we've seen before, and it happened without warning. At the moment, we cannot open DU to all visitors without crashing. In addition, the problem is causing multiple posts, which you've no doubt seen.

At this time we have no reason to believe that this has been caused deliberately, by malicious actors. We suspect the cause will turn out to be something far more mundane.

We are going to keep the site online for Star Members only tonight and then discuss the issue with our service provider in the morning. Although we're still not completely sure of the cause, we think we will be able to narrow it down quickly and come up with a solution.

78 replies

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Update on DU's ongoing technical problems [View all] EarlG Oct 31 OP

Good luck, guys! Dennis Donovan Oct 31 #1

Thank you so much- and sorry that you have to Tumbulu Oct 31 #2

Thank you so much for letting us know, my dear EarlG! CaliforniaPeggy Oct 31 #3

Thank you for the update, EarlG. ❤️ littlemissmartypants Oct 31 #4

Thanks for the update, EarlG. sheshe2 Oct 31 #5

Thanks for the Update The Roux Comes First Oct 31 #6

Thank you for the update, EarlG ailsagirl Oct 31 #7

Thanks for keeping us updated, EarlG. calimary Oct 31 #8

Thanks Earl G .. I'll be glad when this election is over.. I hope! mountain grammy Oct 31 #9

Thanks, EarlG, for letting us know what is going on - strange things going on tonight never experienced before Rhiannon12866 Oct 31 #10

Thank you, EarlG and Elad, for being the miracle workers you are. Some of us niyad Oct 31 #11

Donate to DU here- I'm already a star member, but I don't want DU's tank to run dry. All the political donations I've NBachers Oct 31 #12

Earl Elad I am sending you both a big kiss.if either of you want it irisblue Oct 31 #13

If we lose touch. How can we stay informed? Prairie_Seagull Oct 31 #14

If DU ever goes down completely EarlG Nov 1 #22

Thank you! Didn't know about the newsletter so just AllyCat Nov 1 #42

And Instagram! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Nov 1 #61

I broke Democratic Underground RandySF Oct 31 #15

Thanks EarlG proud patriot Oct 31 #16

Love this place, love the community. byronius Nov 1 #17

I have full faith that all will get sorted out Otto_Harper Nov 1 #18

Paranoid guy here. Jakes Progress Nov 1 #19

That was actually my first thought, too, Jake slightlv Nov 1 #20

💙 Thx for the update and best of luck to you. Also, check your DU mail. Hekate Nov 1 #21

Wishing you luck that whatever is wrong, will be discovered and repaired easily. Dem2theMax Nov 1 #23

Good luck! &Ty. Get ZZzzzzzs, too 👍 electric_blue68 Nov 1 #24

Thanks, and good luck to us all! elleng Nov 1 #25

I have faith in the whole DU team. Thank you!!! BigmanPigman Nov 1 #26

Thank you, EarlG UpInArms Nov 1 #27

Thank you for all your hard work! senegal1 Nov 1 #28

Strength and honor. WheelWalker Nov 1 #29

Thanks for the update, EarlG! Silver Gaia Nov 1 #30

Thank you so very much for your diligence. You are all so appreciated judesedit Nov 1 #31

Good luck and thanks for the update! Coexist Nov 1 #32

Thank you EarlG! DemonGoddess Nov 1 #33

I appreciate the information! Really glad you were able to keep in at least partially open. lark Nov 1 #34

Thank you, EarlG democrank Nov 1 #35

thank you , EarlG debm55 Nov 1 #36

Good luck. Old Crank Nov 1 #37

Many thanks, EarlG and team n/t Alice Kramden Nov 1 #38

Thank you for everything you and Elad do to keep DU running. yardwork Nov 1 #39

Many Thanks for all you do mbischoff10 Nov 1 #40

Thank you EarlG. Clouds Passing Nov 1 #41

Thanks for the update Earl. JohnSJ Nov 1 #43

Thank you EarlG for the update and all that you do MustLoveBeagles Nov 1 #44

Nice to know you guys are on top of things here!! bluestarone Nov 1 #45

I want it closed for the election, anyway wryter2000 Nov 1 #46

New Star RecoveringJournalist Nov 1 #47

Thank you for the update. Fla Dem Nov 1 #48

Thank you for your plan, and the information. I clearly remember interference at a critical time. Judi Lynn Nov 1 #49

Hey man, we need you Tuesday night, best of luck! Montauk6 Nov 1 #50

Thanks for the update and everything that you all do to maintain this site for us. Just donated a bit more. n/t iluvtennis Nov 1 #51

I know in previous years, DU has been closed off on election night to anybody except star members to prevent crashing bearsfootball516 Nov 1 #52

We are with you Earl, even unto the end of the universe and then some! GreenWave Nov 1 #53

Ty Earl Tribetime Nov 1 #54

Thank you for the update ! kimbutgar Nov 1 #55

You guys are the best blogslug Nov 1 #56

Dude, are you needing hardware expansion? Can we help? TygrBright Nov 1 #57

Thank you for the update and for what you do. Scrivener7 Nov 1 #58

My problem 3auld6phart Nov 1 #59

They can have my D.U. orangecrush Nov 1 #60

Would it help if star members Marthe48 Nov 1 #62

I remember when it went down on election night Tree Lady Nov 1 #63

Thanks for letting us know, EarlG. greatauntoftriplets Nov 1 #64

Post removed Post removed Nov 1 #65

... demmiblue Nov 1 #66

Would it help to only have DU open on one device at a time (reduce connections)? CousinIT Nov 1 #67

It would not really make any difference EarlG Nov 1 #69

Thank you EarlG for the information on this. sdfernando Nov 1 #68

Thanks for all you and Elad do for all of us! HeartsCanHope Nov 1 #70

THX FOR THE HARD WORK, WE ALL APPRECIATE IT. WarGamer Nov 1 #71

Wado for the explaining this ............ turbinetree Nov 1 #72

The addiction is real! bobandrileysmom Nov 1 #73

Me too. buzzard Nov 1 #78

Kicking spooky3 Nov 1 #74

Thank you , EarlG, for the info and update wendyb-NC Nov 1 #75

Well, at least it wasn't the time change that did it FullySupportDems Nov 1 #76

Boom... Mahalo, EarlG & Elad! I've always been a Star Member... Cha Nov 1 #77

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