h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We would like to apologise for the recent server problems which have meant that many Researchers will have experienced 'Server Too Busy' or other error messages while using h2g2. There have also been periods where the site has been performing slowly.

This has been largely due to increased pressure on the servers: traffic to BBC messageboards has doubled in the last twelve months. Availability of the service is of course our main concern at the moment, but the solution isn't as simple as just adding more hardware or upgrading the existing boxes.

Our technical teams are, as ever, working to resolve the issues; however, it's crucial that all solutions are tested thoroughly in order that potential fixes don't cause further problems.

We thank you for your continued patience concerning this matter.

... that is, assuming that you have managed to remain patient.

... and I bet that it took 6 minutes for that posting to go through

aaaahhh.. don't worry .. at least it does allow us all to think again before blurting out a reply

"...it's crucial that all solutions are tested thoroughly in order that further problems created by potential fixes."

Er... Huh?

* decides to add extra vitamins to Elton´s chew*

suppose could have been worse made a posting earlier , re the interact with the bbc, refreshed server busy page hey presto duplicate post with posts in between

I can cope with all the Server too Busy messages we get on site, I've been on message boards which perform a lot worse.

If, however, I'd ever seen a Server too Busy message when waiting at the bar during the Meet last weekend there'd've been Hell to pay.

if you had been there earlier with the one woman on the bar who seemed to be in slow motion then yep, ouch.

Spent 15 mins waiting for her to serve 1 couple before I went upstairs for a drink !

***

the problem I'm having is that I submit an entry (or more likely changes to an entry that I have done online), and I get server busy, and you can't re-submit cause the button asks you not to press it again.

Curses at it

There's an easy fix for that. Two, actually. Disable javascript in your browser - you won't get the 'Do not press this button again' message and you will be able to upload your changes. Then re-enable javascript after you've updated your entry. And make sure you've got a copy of the changes in a text editor.

Sorted

>>'Do not press this button again' <<

Now that HAS to be a HooToo button, surely!!!!

It is, if you press 'Add Guide Entry' more than once you get that message.

just press "back" (with arrow) on your task bar to get back to your message & re-submit ... continue doing this until it actually does go through (using Windows XP with MS Internet Explorer)

jumping through hoops

Hi all...today has to have been the worst I've known it since registering.
How can the powers at be keep saying it's down to volume of traffic when at 2am the other day there were 58 people actually logged on for the WHOLE BBC site and yet I still got the same server errors?It took an average of 14 minutes to upload changes to my PS and I gave up on my articles!!

PH...your response is supposed to mean what exactly?

anybody know the recipe for ham(p)ster soup ?

Don't get me wrong the appologies are apreciated but is anything actually being *Done* about the problem, like more powerful servers, are the BBC actually going to invest some of that hard earned () money on putting all these faults right or are we getting more Strictly-come-ice-skating-disco-dancing-fever-bloody-Graham-Norton type shows?

I've got a brand new pair of roller skates, you got a brand new key,


Oops! is singing aloud to disco skating music?

I don't know about everyone else but I haven't spent a farthing to use the facilities. So, I am not complaining. Haven't seen any of those messages since granny poo'd her knickers.