RailImages Bandwidth Overrun

[E-8]

RailImages was shut down today due to bandwidth overrun. As they contact us when we are at 80% of bandwidth for the monthly period I was aware of this and tried to avert it but as so often happens, communications between us and the folks who maintain the servers apparently were not sufficient to keep this from happening.

I have tried again to contact the people who maintain the servers and get it turned back on. That could happen within the hour, or worst case, later today.

We use loads of bandwidth per month and we so appreciate all of you who contribute to keep the site running.

We are not in financial trouble due to some contributions received around Christmas but contributions are always appreciated and will ensure continued operation.

Charlie

[E-8]

Money does the trick every time. We're back on.

As the site grows more bandwidth is used. We have used more bandwidth between January 1 and January 20 than we have in any month since the site launched.

Charlie

[Colonel]

Charlie,

As our bandwidth grows are their possibilities of better plans to reduce costs? does the ISP give advice or look at better pricing?

[E-8]

They are giving us good pricing now. You might say that I made deals with people. graemlins/220.gif I'm quite pleased with the people (person) that handles our account.

The way to really support this is to give an occasional donation, and to support the advertisers that you see on RailImages.

These folks (and the people donating) are really paying the bills. Most folks don't realize the bandwith that is used. 100 gigs is more than most sites will ever use, much less go through it in a few days.

Charlie

[E-8]

Thank you to those who have made donations in the last 24 hours. Like I said, we are okay on budget right now but all these donations help a lot. Donations ensure that things will be fine in the future. Donations have kept us about $100 ahead of bills all the way through. Pretty good guys and gals and it is appreciated. One $100 donation received at Christmas really helped us through the holiday period and has kept us ahead. There are also some users that have contributed $20 and $25 more than once - likewise, very much appreciated! A few $5 donations have been received. If $5 is what you can afford, then we appreciate you helping out. Some people might think that $5 is nothing but it pays the way for your album and is apprecaited a lot.

Thanks again folks!

Charlie

[theskunk]

Charlie, do yall accept "paypal" donations? if so, my next paycheck i'd like to donate. either Email me or PM me the address to send it to, otherwise do the same with a postal addy for a money order.
thanks,
-Rob

[Colonel]

Rob,

We do accept paypal otherwise you can send a money order.

email me support@railimages.com for an address.

[r_i_straw]

Arrgg, why do they always just pull the plug and then make you scramble when the bandwidth is used up?

[E-8]

This should not be happening. I paid plenty of extra. Will contact them.

Charlie

[E-8]

We've used about 80 gigs this month. I paid extra yesterday so this should not have happened. I am waiting for them to call me back.

Charlie

[UP_Challenger3985]

There are plenty of hosts out there that offer unlimited bandwidth, I don't know if maybe you have checked something like this out, but you may want to.

Matt

[E-8]

Believe me I have. I am looking at a dedicated server right now.

When they say unlimited they do not mean 80 to 100 gigs per month. If you take advantage of an "unlimited" deal and get anywhere close to the "gigs" range of transfer, you will be a goner for one reason or another. I've been through it before.

Cheapo hosting is just that - cheapo. When they promise "unlimited" they are talking to people that never use much bandwidth. Most sites don't.

A friend of mine signed up for "great" hosting the other day for his message board (similar to TrainBoard but non-train) with one of the "big" web hosts. He was moving a large existing site.

His active topics run 200 to 300 a day.

They kicked him off after 72 hours when they saw the server resources that he was using. I am looking at the same folks that he is going to now for a dedicated server for TB and RI.

RailImages should be back on anytime according to what they are telling me now.

Charlie

[racedirector]

Charlie

Have a look at http://www.nocster.com/closeout.shtml - I am looking at them myself for my site. I currently host with nocsters parent company, burst.net and find them very good.

Cheers
Bruce

[Colonel]

Rail Images is back up