I suppose that the BZP server sitch* could be worse. We could've had our database hosted at Northstar Computers. They host a lot of LEGO-oriented web sites, including many clubs and specialty LEGO sites.

Their database server crashed. As in, CRASHED. Hard, with no parachutes streaming out of it as it vectored into the tarmac at 900 mph. Translation: no backups. (Well, they kinda did, for a few sites, but they weren't any newer than 2006.)

So, even though BZP is working like dogmeat during peak times, at least we still have the data. And since I'm paranoid, I've got a local backup of all BZP files and data from about two weeks ago (it's about 3GB). Most of the other sites that got crunched didn't have data backups at all. Some few did, like BrickSet and the Brickish Association. In all, about 200 sites lost their data. The one that many AFOLs (myself included) are lamenting is JLUG, an "alternative" gathering place for some of the less couth "adults" in the hobby. (And frankly, any site that kept a certain $#@ Aussie ambassador out of my view has my well-wishes. But with JLUG gone, they're already back to polluting Lugnet.)

A couple of my sites are hosted at Northstar, and one of them didn't have a backup (I wasn't the primary webmaster). BrickFest.com is currently offline, but I have a relatively recent backup which I'll restore this weekend. So that's not a disaster. The worse one for me is GPLR.org, my local club website which didn't have any data backups. At least we have all the pictures we uploaded...

This isn't the first time I've had to deal with Northstar DB crashes. LEGOFan.org has been hosted with Northstar for a while, and at one point one of the drives failed. We were supposed to be having that backed up, but contrary to our understanding, it wasn't, so we lost everything. LF is still currently a shell, which I need to change.

So, while BZP is dogging out, at least it's intact with a recent backup. Strange way of finding comfort in adversity, I admit. But you get solace where you can.

* Don't you hate it when old people try to be "hep"? Sheesh, pull up your suspenders, old man, and toddle off to the bingo parlor or something.