Bandwidth Hog?

[Ram_Puppy]

Ok, it's 4:09 AM, the site went down for a while this morning, and now that it's back up, I get a OS prompted sign in (looks like part of the windows OS) titled "Bandwidth Hog"

Anyone else getting this?

Also, while the site was down we were getting "This site has exceeded it's bandwidth" pages.

just kinda freaked me that it giving me an OS level security prompt.

[Chris]

The Image Gallery section of the site is temporarily password protected, rendering it inaccessible.

This is due to bandwidth issues which I suspect is mainly caused by increased and abusive use of the gallery (There are a few 1MB sized pictures for example).

I'll have to confer with the Board on creating guidelines to limit this from happening in the future. Our site has normally averaged between 25-30 GB transfer/month, but has managed to exceeded 45 GB this month. This type of bandwidth consumption is not acceptable.

[JimD]

So when will the image gallery be accessable again? Why not contact the people with the oversized photos and ask them to either delete or resize them or let them know youll do it for them?

[don-n-sa]

So when will the image gallery be accessable again? Why not contact the people with the oversized photos and ask them to either delete or resize them or let them know youll do it for them?

Yeah...I hope it wasn't me. :unsure

[captexas]

Yeppers, be good to get it back open with limits set on pic posint. I clicked on the link in one of Tim's threads and got the security/password prompt and couldn't get it to go away! Had to do the ctrl-alt-delete to close it out.

[Tim Marvin]

Sorry, I didn't know is was going to be a problem..... I have tons of pictures... Let me back in and I can delete some of them.... If not I'll go play with someone else.....Waaaaaaaaa......NOT a good idea to block paid members out of the gallery, we may get some negative response.

[Chris]

Rest assured Tim it's not just you. :)

The gallery will be blocked until March 1st. Our monthly bandwidth allotment is reset at the start of the new month so the Board will hopefully have decided on a limit by then. The Image Gallery feature isn't being removed, it simply needs to be toned down a bit.

There are a number of FREE picture hosting website such as http://imageshack.us/ for the people who love showing off numerous photo's. We love seeing them, but our community has its limits.

[Jenn]

Chris,
How much bandwidth are you allotted each month? I know someone who has server space available and may be able to get a you better deal. Just wondering and trying to help. :)

[Chris]

Our current plan offers 45 GB/month. Until this month, we've only barely exceeded 30 GB/month twice for the past 2 years or so. Last month was the largest with 31.5 GB of transfer... until now. :wacko

[NaCl_H2O]

Chris, I had no idea (guess I should have) that this facored into MAAST operational cost. I think a message to all charter members on Feb. 28 to clean up their galleries would be appropriate.

I have been meaning to do so, and could easily clean out 50% or more of my gallery.

[Chris]

Chris, I had no idea (guess I should have) that this facored into MAAST operational cost. I think a message to all charter members on Feb. 28 to clean up their galleries would be appropriate.

I have been meaning to do so, and could easily clean out 50% or more of my gallery.

The gallery is part of the perks... by all means I want us to be able to keep it so our Charter members can show off their dedication towards the hobby.

However, we can't supply the membership with unrestricted image hosting. Bandwidth is the most expensive aspect of hosting. Hopefully we find a happy medium. ^_^

At this moment that means limiting gallery's to only a certain number of images for each members. These things are still under discussion.

~Chris ;)