Something has changed!

[phillipb]

Previously when I logged into the forum I would find the"New posts since last visit" to be quite accurate, but lately they seem to just keep accumulating regardless of how many times I login.
For example, I logged in this morning and I had about 360 new posts (in reality there was only about 20 new posts) and logging in now there was 389 new posts, again there was only a handful of new posts. At this rate I will be in triple figures in a few weeks.

[gstark]

I'm already trying to understand this.

At the top of your page, there's a line that says [ Last visit was: 24 Jul 2009 10:28 pm ] except that the time and date in yours will be different. What does that say for ... any person interested in this thread?

[CraigVTR]

The same thing has happened to me over the last few days. So this morning I logged out rather than just closing the browser and now that I have logged back in my 'posts since last visit' has dropped to 52. It may also be due to the fact I ran crap cleaner on the computer this morning so my cookies were deleted, I think.

[phillipb]

I'm already trying to understand this.

At the top of your page, there's a line that says [ Last visit was: 24 Jul 2009 10:28 pm ] except that the time and date in yours will be different. What does that say for ... any person interested in this thread?

You're on the right track Gary, it says July 24

Edit: Logging out and then logging back in did the trick.

[gstark]

So this morning I logged out rather than just closing the browser

I ran crap cleaner on the computer this morning so my cookies were deleted

It could be either, but it's definitely (IMNSHO) related to something that's changed on the server. I know there have been some custom changes in the kernel, but I suspect that there have been other changes as well, and it's those that we're seeing the effect of.

I actually noticed some subtle changes on Monday, but I've also noted that my monitoring services have seen the site go down-up-down-up-down-up etc far more frequently than is normally the case. Normal, btw, is zero incidents. I might see one incident in a week or two, but I suspect I've seen a dozen in just the last few days.

BH have a great on-line chat facility, but their operators have not got a clue about how to operate it in a client-friendly manner. They may, for instance, post a message that says the system is undergoing maintenance - which is fair enough - but they then immediately close the chat down, before you even have a chance to read the message that they've posted.

So ... with them currently undertaking site maintenance, I need to wait until I may ask my questions of them.

[ATJ]

Mine says: [ Last visit was: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:56 pm ] as of right now. And I rebooted my PC yesterday (although I did have the site open in Firefox which reopens all my windows when it restarts).

By the way, I actually like the way it is working now as if I quickly scan the site in the morning and don't get back again until the afternoon, posts I didn't get to read are still there. Previously, they'd disappear and I'd miss them (like some of the announcements in the past).

[gstark]

You're on the right track Gary, it says July 24

Mine says: [ Last visit was: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:56 pm ] as of right now.

Mine also says July 24 ....

I'm wondering as to the commonality here.

By the way, I actually like the way it is working now as if I quickly scan the site in the morning and don't get back again until the afternoon, posts I didn't get to read are still there. Previously, they'd disappear and I'd miss them (like some of the announcements in the past).

Yes; I was thinking that this may be addressing the problem you'd been discussing, but as to why ... ?????

[phillipb]

Gary, it seems that once you log in, the date & time stays the same until you log out.
Since I logged out at about 4:13, and then logged back at 4:14, I've come back to the site a few times on purpose and that time hasn't changed, it still says that my last visit was at 4.14

[gstark]

Which is not unreasonable behaviour.

The point though, is that it seems that this is new (for us) behaviour, and that leads me (and you, seeing that you started this thread) to the question as to why.

There have been no changes in the source code - I've confirmed that - and there has not been any change in the .htaccess file.

The support person at BH has just a few minutes ago made a change in the cPanel configuration - it was saying we were on php 4, when in fact it should be saying 5.29. he (or she) is not aware of why that might have been wrong, but seems to be of the opinion that his change should have rectified things. I've not see any differences since he's made that change, but I think that for such a change to take effect, we'd need to see apache (and thus the php interpreter) rebooted.

They're saying that there's been no change or upgrade to the php installation on the server, but I guess that the cPanel configuration item might act as a pointer to which version of php is being used, where there's more than one version installed on the server

[sirhc55]

Mine said 407 new posts so I did a logout and then logged in to 3 new posts. I did not check the date on the 407 but the date and time are now spot on.

[Glen]

Mine says July 23, 11.39am and 483 posts.

[phillipb]

Which is not unreasonable behaviour.

The point though, is that it seems that this is new (for us) behaviour, and that leads me (and you, seeing that you started this thread) to the question as to why.

There have been no changes in the source code - I've confirmed that - and there has not been any change in the .htaccess file.

The support person at BH has just a few minutes ago made a change in the cPanel configuration - it was saying we were on php 4, when in fact it should be saying 5.29. he (or she) is not aware of why that might have been wrong, but seems to be of the opinion that his change should have rectified things. I've not see any differences since he's made that change, but I think that for such a change to take effect, we'd need to see apache (and thus the php interpreter) rebooted.

They're saying that there's been no change or upgrade to the php installation on the server, but I guess that the cPanel configuration item might act as a pointer to which version of php is being used, where there's more than one version installed on the server

So what you're saying is that previously when we just closed the browser we were automatically logged off the forum and when we came back we got automatically logged in whereas now if we just close the browser we stay logged in regardless.

[gstark]

So what you're saying is that previously when we just closed the browser we were automatically logged off the forum and when we came back we got automatically logged in whereas now if we just close the browser we stay logged in regardless.

That is how it seems, to me, to be.

But wait, there's more: Sessions seem to also be lasting longer, and not starting/restarting after the specified absence, which I think is set at 2 hours - that's the re-login interval.

Strange, but the end effect seems to be beneficial.

[sirhc55]

Mine says July 23, 11.39am and 483 posts.

That must have been about the time you went down with sheep flu

[sheepie]

That must have been about the time you went down with sheep flu

Sheep get the flu? I'd better watch out!

Looks like I also last 'logged in' on the 23rd Gary - it's a bit of a pain, but not really a problem... Although after a few more weeks there's going to be a hell of a lot more messages to go through - People seem to keep posting the same stuff over and over though, I feel like I've read a lot of these threads before!

[aim54x]

25th July 2009, 3.09pm 379 posts for me!

[sirhc55]

That must have been about the time you went down with sheep flu

Sheep get the flu? I'd better watch out!

I think it’s so much nicer to say sheep than swine

[gstark]

That must have been about the time you went down with sheep flu

Sheep get the flu? I'd better watch out!

I think it’s so much nicer to say sheep than swine

oink, flap, oink, flap, oink, flap, oink, flap .... the swine flew.

[sirhc55]

That must have been about the time you went down with sheep flu

Sheep get the flu? I'd better watch out!

I think it’s so much nicer to say sheep than swine

oink, flap, oink, flap, oink, flap, oink, flap .... the swine flew.

baaa, baaa, humbug

[Mr Darcy]

25th July 2009, 3.09pm 379 posts for me!

Is that all
Last visit was: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:52 pm

• View new posts (429)

[aim54x]

I use several computers so I get logged off and log back on a little more often. Not sure why 3.09pm I should have been at work so there is no way I could have logged on from this computer....that is a mystery

[CraigVTR]

Mine now says 6.33am Wed 29 July, 147 new posts. I have just booted my computer after it being shut down all last night. It seems the count now will not reset unless you log out. Ok by me.

Gary
I posted this;

I like the new full width style. Although some area of the dark grey writing on a light grey background are a little hard to read.

in the Project Synthysis thread on Tuesday morning. When I logged in Tuesday the forum filled the full width of my browser, approx 1600px, was this extra width caused by the changes at the host you mentioned above?

[gstark]

I like the new full width style. Although some area of the dark grey writing on a light grey background are a little hard to read.

in the Project Synthysis thread on Tuesday morning. When I logged in Tuesday the forum filled the full width of my browser, approx 1600px, was this extra width caused by the changes at the host you mentioned above?

I've not noticed any change in this regard. Perhaps, yes, but as I cannot see this change, I can't really say.

[CraigVTR]

I like the new full width style. Although some area of the dark grey writing on a light grey background are a little hard to read.

in the Project Synthysis thread on Tuesday morning. When I logged in Tuesday the forum filled the full width of my browser, approx 1600px, was this extra width caused by the changes at the host you mentioned above?

I've not noticed any change in this regard. Perhaps, yes, but as I cannot see this change, I can't really say.

The change only lasted until I logged out that morning, when I logged back in that afternoon it had gone back to normal.

[Reschsmooth]

There have been about 898 new posts since 9:51pm on July 24! This is roughly the same story on my laptop altough can't confirm. I have cleared cache, etc, numerous times since then. Peculiar, momma.

[gstark]

There have been about 898 new posts since 9:51pm on July 24! This is roughly the same story on my laptop altough can't confirm. I have cleared cache, etc, numerous times since then. Peculiar, momma.

Log out.

Log in.

[Reschsmooth]

Log out.

Log in.

Who woulda thunk it?

[stubbsy]

What a right royal PITA (sorry for the bad "grammar" Patrick )

I had this problem too so I logged out. Now (via Firefox) my logon won't stick. I log in, tick the "remember me" box and the screen shows logout in the top right corner (implying I'm now logged in) that page auto moves to the Portal where I show as logged out. Worse if I try to post when I need to be logegd in (this thread for instance) I can't - it says I must login which I do, then when I move to the thread I'm logged out again. In FF I deleted both my dslrusers.com and dslrusers.net cookies with no joy.

I had to use Internet Explorer for this post. Not Happy.

[stubbsy]

OK I've worked it out (kinda, but it's not good). This is from Firefox. If I tick the "Automatically log me in box" a cookie gets written (as you'd expect). Once that is done I don't stay logged in at all (kinda makes it an automatically log me OUT checkbox). In fact until that cookie is deleted I can never succesffully log in.

If I delete the dslrusers.com cookie and log in without ticking the box all is right with the world (except I need to log in each visit).

Maybe this is a new "feature"

[Reschsmooth]

What a right royal PITA (sorry for the bad "grammar" Patrick )

I am not offended by discussions about bread, Peter. Don't know why you had to shout it out, though.

[gstark]

OK I've worked it out (kinda, but it's not good). This is from Firefox. If I tick the "Automatically log me in box" a cookie gets written (as you'd expect). Once that is done I don't stay logged in at all (kinda makes it an automatically log me OUT checkbox). In fact until that cookie is deleted I can never succesffully log in.

Except that I'm using FF, with the Automatically log me in checkbox checked, and I'm always logged in unless I explicitly log myself out.

[stubbsy]

Except that I'm using FF, with the Automatically log me in checkbox checked, and I'm always logged in unless I explicitly log myself out.

Very odd, but a new consistent behaviour this end (and nothing has changed software wise). I'm finding I need to delete my dslrusers.com cookie each time I come back if I want to successfully log in. As I say it's only in FF - IE is fine.

[gstark]

Peter,

Can you please see what happens if you also clear your cache?

I know that there's just been a new update for FF; have you installed that yet?

[stubbsy]

Gary - cache cleared and all cookies deleted.

- Login without ticking "remember" = success
- Log out
- Log in, tick remember = login, return to portal and logged out
- log in with "remember" not ticked = login, return to portal and logged out
- delete the dslrusers cookie
- Login without ticking "remember" = success

Bottom line is the moment I tick "remember" I can never log back in successfully

I installed the FF 3.5.2 update in the middle of this testing. The behaviour was present both before and after that. I have a second PC here and I'll see what happens with it.

[gstark]

Thanks, Peter,

I'm using FF 3.0.12 on the Mac.

Logged out.
Went to Portal page.
Logged in, keep me logged in checkbox checked.
Successful login, returned to portal page.
Went to recent topics, opened two topics ok, both show that I'm logged in.
Went to recent topics, selected this topic, selected reply, typed this message.

If you can see it, then ....

[stubbsy]

This is from PC #2 (my home theatre box) which is very plain vanilla software wise. It didn't have FF so this is a clean FF 3.5.2 install and it works perfectly. Which I hate since my main PC doesn't work right. Bloody computers. No obvious differences either eg both have same firewall and AV software.

[gstark]

I'll try a Windows/FF from a couple of other systems later.

Curiously ...

-- My desktop system (XPPro) suffers a number of odd FF (and other) issues.

-- My Wind (XPHome) suffers from some odd FF behaviour, but only since I uninstalled Norton 360 V2. Symantec state that they do nothing within the FF realm that would cause the behaviour I'm seeing, but I know that the time of this uninstallation was the catalyst for the changes in the behaviour that I've seen.

In both cases, the behavioural issues that I'm seeing are very minor issues, but they are annoying nonetheless.

[gstark]

Peter,

This is being posted from my desktop system. XPPro, FF 3.0.10

Portal page; logged in. (Keep logged in checked)
Portal; viewed some threads;logged out.
Portal; Logged in. (Keep logged in checked)
Portal; viewed some threads.
Closed all instances of FF.
Opened FF. Opened Forum: was automagically logged in.
Viewed some threads. Logged out.
Portal page, logged in. viewed some threads ...

Making this post ...

Behaviour seems to be exactly as it should be.

[stubbsy]

Just to be more weird. Since the last time I logged in from my main PC (when things were not working right) all I have done is successfully log in from my other PC. Now I've just logged in at my main PC and it logged me in automatically and all is working fine grrrrrr

[gstark]

Have you looked outside yet?

Check the sky: there may be a message there.

[CraigVTR]

Now I've just logged in at my main PC and it logged me in automatically and all is working fine grrrrrr

You must be holding your tongue correctly now.

[robert]

I'm a little lost in this thread. I generally check the site out daily and just click new posts. It is often around 20- 50. now it just seems to cumulative from my last log off.

I have logged off and back on, and if i tick rememeber it starts counting from that moment on.

I dont log off after each visit and each time i open this page- the new posts from the time of my last visit are there.

Is this a change or do i just need to log off periodically (or live with 653 new posts and rising!)

Robert

[Mr Darcy]

I'm a little lost in this thread. I generally check the site out daily and just click new posts. It is often around 20- 50. now it just seems to cumulative from my last log off.

I have logged off and back on, and if i tick rememeber it starts counting from that moment on.

I dont log off after each visit and each time i open this page- the new posts from the time of my last visit are there.

Is this a change or do i just need to log off periodically (or live with 653 new posts and rising!)

Robert

Hi Robert,
It seems to be some sort of bug caused by a change on the Web Host (i.e. out of Gary's control) and yes it is affecting us all. If you use the "Posts since last visit" to look at new stuff, then yes you will need to log out each time the pain threshold gets too high. I have taken to using the "Recent Posts" tab, then clicking the "Last 24 hours" option. But this relies on logging on at least once a day. There is another host side bug that affects the default (today) view of the "Recent Topics" tab

[robert]

Thanks Mr Darcy,
I wasnt sure if it was just me and couldnt figure out if logging off then on would fix it.
Robert