38 replies to this topic

[ziliu]

Also AE Classifieds is probably one of the most active forums; the reason it's post count is so low is only because thread are deleted as aircraft get sold.

And I don't think closing forums is an option to save bandwidth and database usage; you close one forum and people will just post thing in another forum instead.

[EuropAir]

That's why you should limit the forum usage to game-related subjects only. Other posts should be promptly deleted. In my opinion: A forum is not a non-instant messenger.

Netiquette for Discussion boards, and I quote (I can't say it better) (Source: http://www.albion.co...book/index.html , 155 pages -> can you believe that)

Make sure you're in the right newsgroup. If you think that Barney the dinosaur is the best thing to happen to children's TV since Kermit the frog, don't waste your time in the USENET newsgroup alt.barney.dinosaur.die.die.die. And don't post notes saying "I HATE CATS" to rec.pets.cats. Nobody there cares.

Try not to post comments that don't add anything to the discussion. When you're just cruising through a thread in a leisurely manner, it's not too annoying to read through a lot of "hear, hear"'s and "I agree"'s. But if you're actually trying to find information, it's a pain in the neck. So save those one-word responses for threads that have degenerated to the point where none but true aficionados are following them any more.


If your posting is only of interest to a specific geographic area, try to limit the distribution to that area. I live in California; even if I wanted to, I couldn't easily adopt a cat that lives in Boston.

Post messages to the appropriate discussion group. It may seem obvious, but don't post stories or questions about fighter planes to a newsgroup for gardeners. If you're in doubt, it's always OK to ask -- but ask briefly. I once read a long (and apparently sincere) posting in a discussion group for feminists from a guy who was looking for tips on how to meet women. He did have the sense to acknowledge that this might not be the best place to start his search. But he should have stopped there and asked for confirmation and suggestions for other groups to ask.

Conclusion: Time for decent rules



[Edited on 22/8/2005 by EuropAir]

[miller22 (inactive)]

Here's the thing about server downtime...

The game is becoming too big for the server and the database server crashes just about once a day. So now what?

Get another server?
That'd be great, but we're already running deeply in the red. Amazon has paid out a total of $0 so far, and the advertising covers about 25%.

Get a better server?
See above.

Move toward more revenue streams?
This is where we'll be going, really in order to accomplish one of the above. There will be an expansion into an airline industry article system, however this will take a bit. We're also considering other things, such as merchandise, however this will bring in minimal revenues, and most likely not enough to cover a new server.

So what do we do in the meantime? A reset would bring the game back within server limits, however i know many people don't want that. Limiting the number of players would solve it, but I don't want to do that. So, basically we're back to tolerating the downtime until we can generate the revenues required to make the move.

[Maestro69]

Im just going to say this...

AE at present is a free game provide and paid for by Miller. Most dont like the downtime, but u know what, if i can live with it, even though i dont want it to happen, then i think everyone else can live with it too...

It will be just a matter of time before sometime of paypal system (its a suggestion, dont know if it really is going to havent, so dont take my word for it ) gets put in place for us all to donate a couple of dollars to support Miller and show we appreciate his time and effort in this great game of his...

So, for the moment, maybe lets try just to deal with the situation and not get frustrated about it... Plenty of other things to do other than play AE 24/7!!!

[mma]

Originally posted by miller22
Here's the thing about server downtime...

The game is becoming too big for the server and the database server crashes just about once a day. So now what?

Get another server?
That'd be great, but we're already running deeply in the red. Amazon has paid out a total of $0 so far, and the advertising covers about 25%.

Get a better server?
See above.

Move toward more revenue streams?
This is where we'll be going, really in order to accomplish one of the above. There will be an expansion into an airline industry article system, however this will take a bit. We're also considering other things, such as merchandise, however this will bring in minimal revenues, and most likely not enough to cover a new server.

So what do we do in the meantime? A reset would bring the game back within server limits, however i know many people don't want that. Limiting the number of players would solve it, but I don't want to do that. So, basically we're back to tolerating the downtime until we can generate the revenues required to make the move.

Please see U2U

[galapagapop]

Originally posted by miller22
Here's the thing about server downtime...

The game is becoming too big for the server and the database server crashes just about once a day. So now what?

Get another server?
That'd be great, but we're already running deeply in the red. Amazon has paid out a total of $0 so far, and the advertising covers about 25%.

Get a better server?
See above.

Move toward more revenue streams?
This is where we'll be going, really in order to accomplish one of the above. There will be an expansion into an airline industry article system, however this will take a bit. We're also considering other things, such as merchandise, however this will bring in minimal revenues, and most likely not enough to cover a new server.

So what do we do in the meantime? A reset would bring the game back within server limits, however i know many people don't want that. Limiting the number of players would solve it, but I don't want to do that. So, basically we're back to tolerating the downtime until we can generate the revenues required to make the move.

Well I say no reset, and there is also no need on limiting other airlines, but some other things could be completly deleting some under utilized airlines or just airlines that aren't run well or in heavy debt. But I say a open paypal donation box is a start, along with a possible pay version, as much as people dread it. It really is the only solution, it rewards you for your hard work as you could keep current server but have less players. Something like a $1 (1x600-700) a month from each airline is extremly fair. $10 for a year. That should come close to covering the expenses.

[Edited on 8/23/2005 by galapagapop]

[jf]

So basically 2 options are left:

1. either shut up and live with the downtime; or

2. as mma specified in the very first thread of this post:

Originally posted by mma
This contribution I feel would be a Paypal style donation.

Now I know from past experience at other sites that not everyone has access to Paypal and a credit card. Miller, I propose that you set-up a general message when a member logs in the game explaining the downtime (so that every member knows what is happening) and that you start a poll in the forum to find out how many members are willing to contribute to the financial aspect of the game.

What would that be: $1 a month? $20 a year? Only you know the answer.

My $0.02.

JF

[mma]

Originally posted by jf
So basically 2 options are left:

1. either shut up and live with the downtime; or

2. as mma specified in the very first thread of this post:

Originally posted by mma
This contribution I feel would be a Paypal style donation.

Now I know from past experience at other sites that not everyone has access to Paypal and a credit card. Miller, I propose that you set-up a general message when a member logs in the game explaining the downtime (so that every member knows what is happening) and that you start a poll in the forum to find out how many members are willing to contribute to the financial aspect of the game.

What would that be: $1 a month? $20 a year? Only you know the answer.

My $0.02.

JF

Duly I have sent Miller a Solution Via U2U - I am sure Miller will look hard at the U2U and decide...as you like many others would want AE to Prospor...not scrape through every step of the way.

Wait for Millers next post and we will see.

[vimac]

I think Miller is very smart not accepting any form of payment, could you imagine the amount of complaints he would have if someone actually pay to play this game!!!

This also means we will be a consumer and said that some people would demand for a bug free game. As it is (free game) the forum is filled with people complaining for one reason or another (myself included sometimes)

[mma]

Originally posted by vimac
I think Miller is very smart not accepting any form of payment, could you imagine the amount of complaints he would have if someone actually pay to play this game!!!

This also means we will be a consumer and said that some people would demand for a bug free game. As it is (free game) the forum is filled with people complaining for one reason or another (myself included sometimes)

Smartest suggestion/comment made to-date, reason why I have sent Miller a U2U offering a valid solution.....

[ziliu]

Miller: Are the google ads pay-per-click?

[dyson_151_15]

except they change too often

[ziliu]

Originally posted by Nathaniel
yes they are .. so click them

*Goes freaking out on google ads*...

[Tump]

Another Idea: PayPal donations - usually work very well.

[Sunshine Airways CEO]

well if the db keeps on crashing the day month change will finally return to a good time for me

[mma]

Originally posted by S.A. 13
well if the db keeps on crashing the day month change will finally return to a good time for me

How long this time......I was 10pm then 2am then 4am then 6am then 10am now -----Help I am lost in Cyberspace.....

[piercey]

Originally posted by S.A. 13
well if the db keeps on crashing the day month change will finally return to a good time for me

lol

btw, miller has said time and time again that he does NOT want donations in anyway, shape, or form.

[Sunshine Airways CEO]

is there any other way to reduce the server load around the hour changes? like not having eveything update every hour just the vitals?

[Edited on 8/24/2005 by S.A. 13]