I think that as long as it's not opening a connection to the database, we're fine. So that might be a good idea. We can keep the generator without the database hits.

Oh and I wanted to ask...search isn't active right now, is it?

What's the size of the source file it pulls from? I was told that a non-SQL solution for a similar volume would be slower, since it's all file reads, whereas the SQL solution would use more RAM caching.

Of course, that's the problem, isn't it?

I think we should just go really light. But I never read the quotes.

Search is down.

Kristen is some amazing liaison. Instead of shooting the messenger, I'm inclined to offer her a cupcake. This Steven guy isn't looking too bad either.

brenda m -- what are your Amazon issues? Do you want to persuade us not to use them?

Quote of the Day

Jon B saves our cake and eats it too. This will in some ways even be better than the random quote function. It'll give each day a little theme. People will be like, "I was going to stay and gloat, but Ethan Rayne is reminding me today to do the damage and get out of town."

I'd take a fork in my neck if it'd help us with the rainy day dedicated server fund.

Like a kind of high-stakes dunk tank.

I'm feeling a little stupid right now (not that this is anything new) but, when I signed up I never quite understood the value of the message center. I always just went straight to the main page and read every thread in which I had any tiny bit of interest from wherever I'd left off before until I got to the end, at 10 posts per page, and then went to the next thread, going back to the main page in between reading each thread. Yes, the fault is mine.

So, I've changed my preferences to show 50 posts per page, but what should I be doing to minimize the damage when I want to keep up in a thread, perhaps post, and there are only two or three posts that I haven't read?

I really hope I'm not the only person abusing the system this way (only because, if it can be explained to me so that I don't abuse it, then maybe others will stop and there'll be no more problem). In case I'm not the only one, could an explanation of best use be put in the FAQ or something?

I think I'm still not getting it.

Are there sprinkles? Cause I could go for some sprinkles...

And yes, mad love to Steven and all his peeps at IH. Because, while I can get frustrated when shit goes wrong, they've been really great to us. They're holding it down. Keeping it real.

Big ups to Brooklyn. </rap mode>

Brenda, wrt anti-Amazon issues, we can certainly provide affiliate links to a ton of their competitors as well which would probably give them less Buffista business in the long run. I.e. buy(.com), walmart, goodguys, circuit city, barnes and nobles, staples, kb toys, babyuniverse, etc. (all links are to affiliate information for said site). There's a veritable fortune of money out there in affiliate links, (think of all the booze and corsets that could buy for the next F2F).

t /stumping for cash

But what we can't provide, as far as I know, are links to independent bookstores and music stores. Like I said, I've bought from Amazon before, and I likely will again. But the deck is stacked so high in their favor to begin with that adding our endorsement and encouragement bothers me.

Linking in threads to stuff we've bought or want to buy is one thing. Having the links that apparently have been here all along in (where? the FAQ?) OK. But unless we really need to, I'd just rather not go any further. It's not just because of my Amazon issues, either.

We can sell banner ads, too, if raising money is what we're after. But the idea of Amazon and other retailer ads on our main pages gives me a serious wiggins. If this is seriously what people want to do, well, ok. But I don't want billboards blocking out our pristine wilderness.

Well, if doomsday comes, there's always eBay. I'll hit the streets and grab some ink on a bauble or two. It'd grab more cash than Amazon.

Ooh! Sponsored posts! Pay to have your posts appear in pop-up windows! Sell subscriptions to billytea! We've been sitting on a gold mine... mine... ALL mine... I'll be rich... t trails off