Donations & Server Upgrade

[rolandogomez]

Thanks to all that have contributed in the past few days, we reached our original goal for donations and a bit more--many thanks! That has now allowed us to purchase a dedicated server which we'll be moving to this week. While the donations did not cover all the cost, it was sufficient for me to take the dive which will speed up this web site at least 3-10 times faster than it is now and allow for ample growth.

Please do not take this as a sign that donations are no longer required, as we will have perpetual operating costs in addition to special programming needs and software licenses and updates. Please continue to enjoy the VIP-Plus and VIP benefits for those that have donated, you are truly helping build this community as yours. For those that haven't donated, here are the benefits at this link, it only costs less than 17-cents per day at the minimum donation, though what you can afford is greatly appreciated. Again, all donations go toward costs of this website, no owner of ShotCritic will use any funds for personal use.

With that said, sometime this week we'll announce when the server migration will take place. We'll do our best to do it late in the evening or night, to reduce down time. However, after the migration is successful and tested, we will then switch DNS servers and this can take from 6 to 72 hours for you to fully see. When that change takes place, some will see a page showing we're moving, some will see the site, which means you're at the new server, so please be patient. It really should take less than 24 hours to propagate, especially if you live in the United States or Canada. We have no control on this as this is the world-wide internet system that has to pick up the IP and DNS servers. By weeks end you should all be on the new server.

Again, many, many thanks to those that have donated and you make this place not only rock, but show your faith in what is developing as one of the top and coolest photography sites on the Internet. Soon we'll be able to bring in our photo industry sponsors and supporters to bring you more, including photo contest prizes, awards and savings toward merchandise with the new move. Thanks, rg sends!

[RSStory]

Awesome... Full speed ahead! I think this will turn into the premiere photography site in no time at all. Great job RG. And another thanks to all that are helping to make this site great!