The Help Centers

On the Internet there are about a dozen sites that I visit daily.   In that list are some that I use and need up and running (need may be a strong word).  GMail, Google Adsense, Twitter.   But what happens when they are down?  Today IWantSandy.com is down.  Not sure why but it is. Read More Below...

Granted I don’t pay for the service and servers do go down.  But there’s this OH Sh*** feeling.  When you have all your eggs in that basket.  So here are some tips to keep you sane!

Don’t live off someone elses luck (or lack thereof) It WILL run out

Backup and duplicate.  One of the Web2.0 features many sites have is RSS.  Use a feed reader such as Google reader or a local one to archive your material.   If you do have direct database and file access BACK IT UP!

Go and take a break.  Not just the 20 seconds every 20 minutes kind but a real break.  Don’t touch technology for a day or so.   If you have a family spend some time with them, if not try and figure out a way to start one that doesn’t require a twitter or a facebook friend accept.

Be helpful in feed back.  You suck does NOT qualify as a good response.  A BETTER one is if you have some insite into the downtime (I was posting 2000 items at once) or just that you’re thoughts and prayers are with them.

Don’t keep calling/writing that just slows things down.  I’ve actually said to clients when they ask for the 10th time when is it going to be up that it will be a bit longer because I had to stop working on the problem talk to them to let them know I was working on the problem.

Don’t pound the server for when it comes back.  Hitting F5 continually could be more problems than it’s worth.  Give the server and your finger a BREAK!

Finally post a blog post like me!