Site Issues Notification Thread

machadinha · Oct 30th, 2009, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by indracal

I know that after a few minutes of inactivity on the forum pages, the user needs to logon again to do what he plans (say making a long post).

The problem shouldn't occur if you tick the "remember me" box, right next to your username where you log in (top right of page). Then log in.

This sets a so-called cookie for you, to indeed be remembered. So in addition your browser needs to be set to allow cookies for this site, or it won't work.

indracal · Oct 31st, 2009, 11:27

That's good to know mach, I never noticed it I guess

- will try next time!

steven_ber · Nov 11th, 2009, 14:48

5 minutes ago I got the following whenever I tried to go to the articles section or followed a direct link to an article.

Quote:

Service Temporarily Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

nadreg · Nov 11th, 2009, 18:39

Looks like it's back now. It was a temporary glitch I think.

livinhimalayas · Nov 13th, 2009, 00:02

Something strange has been happening here - I login and am logged in and I receive this message when I try to reply to a post -

You have entered an invalid username or password. Please press the back button, enter the correct details and try again. Don't forget that the password is case sensitive. Forgotten your password? Click here!

You have used 1 out of 5 login attempts. After all 5 have been used, you will be unable to login for 15 minutes.

Despite using the remember me button I keep getting logged out of IM again and again and have to relogin after practically every post!
What's happening here?

nadreg · Nov 13th, 2009, 07:19

That is truly strange. What browser/operating system are you using?

machadinha · Nov 13th, 2009, 08:39

Strange indeed. Livin, have you switched browsers lately by any chance? Your browser needs to be set to allow cookies for this site, or the "remember me" function won't work (setting a cookie for you is precisely what it does).

You might want to have a look anyway if your browser is still set to do so; it may have had a hiccup after a major update or so. (Where, you may ask. It differs, but usually your browser will come with some buttons labeled (any sequence of) Extra/Options/(Privacy, or Security) Settings, or something along those lines, where this can be handled.)

livinhimalayas · Nov 13th, 2009, 09:24

I use Windows XP professional with Mozilla Firefox. Haven;t had any problems so far except this past fortnight or so.
I have not had any major updates to either the OS or Firefox nor are the cookies disabled. I hae not fiddled with the settings of the browser since I reformatted my machine about a year ago and installed the browser. I have no problems with any of the other sites.
I started getting this problem with relogin around the same time (actually a few days before) Indracal posted his problem.
Loging in again is not a huge problem even though it means at times losing what was to be posted and starting all over again, but getting the vbulletin message spooked me.

machadinha · Nov 13th, 2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by livinhimalayas

I started getting this problem with relogin around the same time (actually a few days before) Indracal posted his problem.

I reckon it's something Nadreg will be following with interest yes; it could mean something more structural is up, though I can't think of what. He'll be back on it no doubt.

Quote:

Loging in again is not a huge problem even though it means at times losing what was to be posted and starting all over again

Annoying yes, certainly if that was half a mini-essay that just *poof* disappeared into the void. Try to think of copying what you just wrote before trying to submit, that way it will be in your clipboard and you can always paste it back in again. (Failing that, one can try to backtrack in the browser and so retrieve the message, though I find more often than not it will indeed be gone.)

Quote:

but getting the vbulletin message spooked me.

Yes, a little ominous-sounding isn't it. Don't worry though, it's just the standard phrasing I think, and is what will appear when you've been (unknowingly) logged out & try to submit something. To the server or board software, that's the same as if you had tried to log in with an invalid username or password.

machadinha · Nov 13th, 2009, 09:48

btw Just a thought, and there have been reports before by people who reported the log-off problem no matter what they did: ISP servers will have their own caches, right? As would proxy servers.

Is it possible this or some other settings by certain ISP's may interfere with the proper function of this stuff? Never heard of it being so though, and/but then again it's really not at all my field either, and so not something I keep the remotest eye on.

nycank · Nov 13th, 2009, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by livinhimalayas

Despite using the remember me button I keep getting logged out of IM again and again and have to relogin after practically every post!
What's happening here?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadreg

That is truly strange. What browser/operating system are you using?

Proxy is not your friend. It could be that the ISP might have implemented a very low TTL

brishti · Nov 13th, 2009, 18:07

Quote:

TTL

Turtle Island Airport ?

:brishti

machadinha · Nov 13th, 2009, 19:08

Nice try, but Time To Live rather. As Wikipedia summarizes it, "a limit on the period of time or number of iterations or transmissions in computer and computer network technology that a unit of data (e.g. a packet) can experience before it should be discarded."

NYC, that's interesting to know really that my hunch may not have been that far off the mark. I really never knew; but then one arguably learns something new here every day.

livinhimalayas · Nov 13th, 2009, 21:13

That is certainly not the case I use BSNL and I have never had a problem before and do not have a problem with any other site. So????

machadinha · Nov 13th, 2009, 21:17

Not many sites require cookies to function though (which doesn't mean that many won't try to place them). And your ISP could be fiddling around with their settings at any time.* Do you use other forums, webmail, banking sites and such (which will typically require them)? And for long enough for your session to possibly time out (so let's say longer than a brief check each time)?

I'm not saying this resolves it btw, it's just one angle. Nadreg should answer it, I really have no idea.

* It would have to be extremely unprofessional and otherwise just plain stupid behavior by them though (it would make e.g. your online banking again and to name but one thing extremely difficult. Or just plain checking your webmail then.)** I was just surprised even to see affirmation just above that it could in fact be a problem. You'd think any provider worth their salt wouldn't run into this. Then again I'm afraid there are some who obviously aren't worth their salt. And then if clients grow accustomed to this being "just the way it is"...

And then as noted, some people have reported persistent trouble with it before. In any case it's usually a process of eliminating what are not the possibilities.

** Although in both cases, I find no few providers of such services (often your ISP, in case of webmail. Or your very own bank then) are extremely sloppy with any safety measures and just expect you to send out any highly personal data over non-secured connections whatsoever.*** Again, as long as users accept, or grow to accept, it... I can't say how idiotic I find it really. From those providers' end, mostly.

*** I don't wanna get into a whole cookies debate here, but aside from any iffy intent, one of their few practical uses is to verify during a session that you are in fact still the same user as when you logged on. So they are a handy and very first-line safety measure there.

For any remotely sensitive stuff, you should be looking for a secure (https) connection at the very least. Do not send out any such data over any bank or similar site that doesn't offer this. (What it will or should do is transmit your data in encrypted form, as well as theoretically provide you with enhanced assurance of what server you're talking to. It's not fool-proof, but it's the very least you should expect.)

(Frankly and funnily enough, if IndiaMike hadn't somehow caught me, I'd normally rather browse away than sign up to a forum that doesn't offer a https alternative for those who want it at least. It used to be a concern to me when I was a mod here; those are wide-open connections you're using, and so they pose a potential risk.)

Oct 31st, 2009, 11:27	#692
indracal Wanderlust - but bills bug! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 514	That's good to know mach, I never noticed it I guess - will try next time! __________________ Did you wear the other person's shoe today?

Nov 11th, 2009, 18:39	#694
nadreg Administrator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NY, USA Posts: 2,137	Looks like it's back now. It was a temporary glitch I think. __________________ In pursuit of the Only truth: I Am!

Nov 13th, 2009, 00:02	#695
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,342	Something strange has been happening here - I login and am logged in and I receive this message when I try to reply to a post - You have entered an invalid username or password. Please press the back button, enter the correct details and try again. Don't forget that the password is case sensitive. Forgotten your password? Click here! You have used 1 out of 5 login attempts. After all 5 have been used, you will be unable to login for 15 minutes. Despite using the remember me button I keep getting logged out of IM again and again and have to relogin after practically every post! What's happening here? __________________ He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees. - Benjamin Franklin

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Nov 13th, 2009, 07:19	#696
nadreg Administrator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NY, USA Posts: 2,137	That is truly strange. What browser/operating system are you using?

Nov 13th, 2009, 08:39	#697
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,405	Strange indeed. Livin, have you switched browsers lately by any chance? Your browser needs to be set to allow cookies for this site, or the "remember me" function won't work (setting a cookie for you is precisely what it does). You might want to have a look anyway if your browser is still set to do so; it may have had a hiccup after a major update or so. (Where, you may ask. It differs, but usually your browser will come with some buttons labeled (any sequence of) Extra/Options/(Privacy, or Security) Settings, or something along those lines, where this can be handled.)

Nov 13th, 2009, 09:24	#698
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,342	I use Windows XP professional with Mozilla Firefox. Haven;t had any problems so far except this past fortnight or so. I have not had any major updates to either the OS or Firefox nor are the cookies disabled. I hae not fiddled with the settings of the browser since I reformatted my machine about a year ago and installed the browser. I have no problems with any of the other sites. I started getting this problem with relogin around the same time (actually a few days before) Indracal posted his problem. Loging in again is not a huge problem even though it means at times losing what was to be posted and starting all over again, but getting the vbulletin message spooked me.

Nov 13th, 2009, 09:48	#700
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,405	btw Just a thought, and there have been reports before by people who reported the log-off problem no matter what they did: ISP servers will have their own caches, right? As would proxy servers. Is it possible this or some other settings by certain ISP's may interfere with the proper function of this stuff? Never heard of it being so though, and/but then again it's really not at all my field either, and so not something I keep the remotest eye on.

Nov 13th, 2009, 19:08	#703
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,405	Nice try, but Time To Live rather. As Wikipedia summarizes it, "a limit on the period of time or number of iterations or transmissions in computer and computer network technology that a unit of data (e.g. a packet) can experience before it should be discarded." NYC, that's interesting to know really that my hunch may not have been that far off the mark. I really never knew; but then one arguably learns something new here every day.

Nov 13th, 2009, 21:13	#704
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,342	That is certainly not the case I use BSNL and I have never had a problem before and do not have a problem with any other site. So????

Nov 13th, 2009, 21:17	#705
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,405	Not many sites require cookies to function though (which doesn't mean that many won't try to place them). And your ISP could be fiddling around with their settings at any time.* Do you use other forums, webmail, banking sites and such (which will typically require them)? And for long enough for your session to possibly time out (so let's say longer than a brief check each time)? I'm not saying this resolves it btw, it's just one angle. Nadreg should answer it, I really have no idea. * It would have to be extremely unprofessional and otherwise just plain stupid behavior by them though (it would make e.g. your online banking again and to name but one thing extremely difficult. Or just plain checking your webmail then.)** I was just surprised even to see affirmation just above that it could in fact be a problem. You'd think any provider worth their salt wouldn't run into this. Then again I'm afraid there are some who obviously aren't worth their salt. And then if clients grow accustomed to this being "just the way it is"... And then as noted, some people have reported persistent trouble with it before. In any case it's usually a process of eliminating what are not the possibilities. Although in both cases, I find no few providers of such services (often your ISP, in case of webmail. Or your very own bank then) are extremely sloppy with any safety measures and just expect you to send out any highly personal data over non-secured connections whatsoever.* Again, as long as users accept, or grow to accept, it... I can't say how idiotic I find it really. From those providers' end, mostly. *** I don't wanna get into a whole cookies debate here, but aside from any iffy intent, one of their few practical uses is to verify during a session that you are in fact still the same user as when you logged on. So they are a handy and very first-line safety measure there. For any remotely sensitive stuff, you should be looking for a secure (https) connection at the very least. Do not send out any such data over any bank or similar site that doesn't offer this. (What it will or should do is transmit your data in encrypted form, as well as theoretically provide you with enhanced assurance of what server you're talking to. It's not fool-proof, but it's the very least you should expect.) (Frankly and funnily enough, if IndiaMike hadn't somehow caught me, I'd normally rather browse away than sign up to a forum that doesn't offer a https alternative for those who want it at least. It used to be a concern to me when I was a mod here; those are wide-open connections you're using, and so they pose a potential risk.)