I needs me a break

Monday, January 04, 2010

So today has been one of those days where I couldn't possibly screw up or have more computer issues happen than already have.  I (and when I say I, I mean the shleps at 1and1 web hosting) had a downed server for almost 16 hours... which means all of my customers, including Skinde, who are hosted here, didn't have a website or email.  It wasn't great.

I also spent a great deal looking at code that was partly mine, partly someone elses... now to break this down into terms you non-geeks can understand.... Coding is like packing a dishwasher.  There are standards to follow - for example, you put silverware in the silverware baskets, you put plates on the bottom and bowls generally on the top, along with glasses.

Where it gets confusing is some people like plates to go one way, some people like bowls another way, and some people don't give a shit and mix everything up (I love my wife, but she can't pack a dishwasher  - of course at this point I'm just happy when she tries so don't tell her I said so).

Coding can be seen in the same way - there are do's and don'ts, and then there's your way and mine.  When I see code or a dishwasher that isn't coded or packed the way I would do it, it makes me CRAZY... anyway, I'll end that rant as I feel my second rum n cider kicking in.  The bottom line is my brain was fried when I came home and did the following.

I was in the middle of making some upgrades to our little website here - I made some changes to the database and had forgotten to download the latest copy.  The copy I then re-uploaded was the ORIGINAL without ANY blog entries or images... So everything we'd written from September to now, was gone.

Now, I've lost data before, and I've taken a dozen different types of precautions, so I thought.  I have Carbonite installed on my server, which auto-backs up any files or folders you tell it to.  I thought I'd just retrieve the last backed up copy and I'd be all set.... of course you have to TELL IT what folders to back up... Two Long Days unfortunately was not one of those.

Worry not, friends, I've got it all back.

The purpose of this blog entry was to say you're all welcome to join in and make this a two-way conversation!  You can now post a comment on any blog entry, and post as many and often as you like (just don't spam or I'll nuke your PC.  We have ways.)

It was also called to my attention that I haven't been pulling my weight around this place.  I'll have you know, Skinde, I counted the number of Fat entries versus Skinde entries and even after my hiatus I STILL have more blogs than you do.  I ask you to row a few extra strokes and you get all over my case!

Yes, you have certainly put up more videos than I have, however, your questioning my originality and my ability to produce has forced me to not only step up my game, but put it to you in a way you couldn't even confess to a priest!  Soggy stained underwear is the least of your concerns now big boy!!

Alright, I have dinner to make and drinks to drink... I'll have a review on Paper Heart shortly.  Damnit, the database is missing that web page too.

PS:  Yes, that's a fucking dog in the dishwasher.