Its taken a few days but hopefully this should speed the web site up and cause less "Web Server Busy" errors when accessing the site from the internet.
1. The Home Page was changed as per the earlier entry which seperated the blog from the forum rather than having both combined into one page.
2. The background image for the blog was not just large but was there twice - once in the header image (the dogs) but also the page background. This was changed so that there is now only one image which was also reduced in size from some 400 kb down to 4 kb. This obviously reduced loading times.
3. PHP 5.3.2 upgraded to PHP 5.3.6
4. Internet Server Extensions upgraded to IIS SE 2002
5. Re-installed PHP-CGI
6. Fixed the Error where Server extensions reported the wwwroot folder did not have read/write access. This error alone took several days to solve.
7. mysql-5.1.38 upgraded to mysql-5.5.10
Monday, March 28. 2011
Various Web Server Updates
Tuesday, March 22. 2011
Experimental New Web Server Frontpage
Whilst this web server works well locally (i.e. within the building) it appears to place a strain on the web server when accessed via the internet causing "Server Busy" messages. This is probably caused by the fact that to provide a uniform looking site, the blog and the forum were both merged. The blog would appear inside the forum as a window.
To relieve the strain these have now been (temporarily) separated from each other to see if this cures the problem of accessing the site remotely. It is a rather complex process and so visitors/users of the site may experience a few error messages until the new system has been thoroughly tested and debugged or reverted back to the way it was originally.
Wednesday, February 16. 2011
Internet Connection Back Up System
Due to the problems over the weekend with Virgin Mobile and loss of Internet, I thought it was time to review my back up plan.
We had in place 2 existing options.
1. Connect via a phone line – Virgin impose a daily charge.
2. Use the Internet (Pay as you go) Dongle.
Both options have one major drawback, only 1 computer is able to connect to the internet.
So I have sent off for a mobile broadband router. Using my existing dongle several computers will be able to share the connection from the Dongle – you can even use a mobile phone instead of a dongle to obtain the internet connection. There were two models available, a mains only or a battery/mains. Because this is only a back up system I have selected the cheaper one – mains only.
So next time there is a problem with my Virgin Broadband we will be able to share the dongle.
Trains and Boats and Planes!
are now available by clicking here.
Thursday, February 10. 2011
A few Improvements
Two major improvements.
1. Christopher has opted to leave Sky and go to Freesat. So we now have his old Sky+HD box to replace our standard Definition Sky+ which means that both of our satellite receivers can receive and record the free HD channels.
We did however come across a problem, the sound would go funny every now and then - sort of a echo and distortion, only cured by putting the Sky Box on Standby and back on again. I did some research and found that in fact it was not the Sky box but our television. Now that we were watching via the HDMI lead this was a known problem with our Toshiba 40" TV set. There was a software upgrade on the Toshiba website and this now appears to have solved the issue.
2. I read on a news site on the internet that Virgin Media were doing a "No Extra Monthly Cost" upgrade from 20Mb to 30Mb internet service. There was a one off fee of £30 and they provide a new Super Hub - this is a combined router and modem. Gail and I were both interested but I then realised we only had a 10Mb service and so enquired a bit more.
It turned out that due to various price increases and deals for new users etc over the years, that we could upgrade for the same one off payment of £30 and then our monthly cost would be £5 cheaper! Needless to say we are now on a 30Mb service.
Thursday, January 06. 2011
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
We stopped in the Regency Royal Hotel for 4 days from 30 December to 2 January. We also enjoyed trips out to Caernarfon Castle where Prince Charles was crowned as Prince Of Wales, also as you can see in the photograph - "That" place in Wales with the longest name in the world. On the way to Wales we stopped off in Chester for a few hours. On the Way back we stopped off at Trentham Gardens, Stoke.
Click the picture for some more views.