Hello!
Yesterday we had some hiccups with a site update from the software we use (Invasion Power Board). In sandbox (testing) it worked perfectly, going live, it caused some issues late last week. @SpankingNeeds and I had planned on troubleshooting that further and updating the software later this coming this week (with only moments of downtime).
Yesterday, during some normal routine moderation -- our site software thought it would be 'helpful' and execute (start the update) without checking with us! !! We spent a bit of time updating the software (back-end) and fixing the errors (that we knew would happen from last week's dry run) which was why we were waiting!
Nothing user-facing has changed! I know I got a lot of messages with members asking what happened to SN and got a lot of "kicks" and "ptttttt, what are you guys doing now!?!?!" from angry people!
We assure you that if we can we will be as transparent as possible if extended down-times occur. Both @SpankingNeeds and I had other commitments, mine with my health as I have had the flu, and he had family-related scheduled events going on earlier in the day.
For many of us, including myself, this is a safe haven, and even a 12-hour window of being down is upsetting!
Other than some downtime, we lost no data, and the site is now updated, thanks to @SpankingNeeds it is back running smoothly.
We all thank you all for your patience and understanding!!!
During the downtime yesterday several members asked if there was a way to help bring the site up faster via donations (was really honored when I heard this); we've also had this request in general if we'd accept donations and so I thought I'd address it. We will have a few options set up in the next couple of weeks (or a month), for those who would like to donate. There is no pressure and we are humbled and in awe that our community wants to help! !! It means so much!!
In the meantime (or really, just in general) what would be super helpful, is if members created threads in the Board Help and Feedback section to tell us your ideas on how to make SN a better place (not that it isn't already a good place); the idea is to improve the website in all aspects (i.e forums, layout, chat, functionality, site bugs, and glitches etc).
If you have something you need to discuss privately or don't feel comfortable sharing in the main forum, please don't hesitate to message @Child of Light, @SpankingNeeds or our moderation staff.