As I pointed out last week, we use a generic server-start script. That needed to go. It was built to accommodate a bunch of different configurations, but we use a very specific configuration. To that end, I've re-written the script, and commented it out like a good little coder should do.

So as we announced a few months ago, after the whole google drama, we got a bit of a donations bump, enough so that it allowed for us to purchase some dedicated hardware and have it show up. This is the story of how, after 2 months, it's still not here, and the current status. I also intend for this to be a bit of a finance snapshot, so you can see where your donations go.

I have used www.pacificgeek.com to buy cheap, refurbished servers for some time now, and I've never had any problem with them. So, here's the original order, and no I'm not frightened to show my address, send me christmas gifts beeyotches :D

It has been a goal of mine to always make the map backups available to everyone. Not only does that make it possible that if my house blows up someone could take the server as it exists and get it back up and running, but it's only fair. Just because I have access to the maps, doesn't mean everyone else shouldn't. If you wanted to download the map, create local renders, make cool imagery, that helps everyone (for example, check out this image I made from an overhead view in minutor of my castle at NewGullonia). Nevertheless, the process of making these zips available has always been a pain for a lot of reasons, and this is my documentation of the current solution which FINALLY has it automated.

Backing up the maps and configs isn't a simple task. If you figure that the entire server folder is just about 8GB in size currently, it takes a long time to just copy a file over to a backup. Now, figure every time you make a change to an area, or grass grows, or a mob lays an egg, or you drop an item...it changes the chunk file. It's to the point that if done incorrectly, the backup contains files that are actually 5-10 minutes apart from each other in age. This isn't good for anyone.

Hey everyone, we all talked about staffing and have some announcements that will be made in the next few days. MrsPinkin is gonna be promoted to owner :D

Just some background to the decision; now that the server will be hosted locally, not only will he be a big help to me in-person if something goes wrong, but his house has fiber internet so if my internet blows it'll go in at his house. Additionally, he's got a strong tech background (he works technical support for Apple) and will bring a lot to the back-end functioning of the server.

Everyone congratulate him!