The Magic Cafe down

[bagelsandlox]

Looks like the green monster is down. It's been awhile before they had a crash.

[MBJ]

I know these things happen, but it's really a drag when the same provider hosts your (meaning me)website! Oh well. I'm sure Gene's on it.

[bagelsandlox]

The charge for ad space, so they make money, no? Why not have a more reliable server host?

[Matt Richman]

It's back up now.

[mrgoat]

I know these things happen, but it's really a drag when the same provider hosts your (meaning me)website! Oh well. I'm sure Gene's on it.

These things happen if you buy cheap hosting.

[David Scollnik]

I've found that the Cafe is often unavailable for anywhere from 5 to ?? minutes late at night (around 12:30 a.m. - 1 a.m. EST, say, but it seems to vary a bit). I've assumed this is backup / routine maintenance time.

Last night, it seemed to be down for longer than usual.

[mai-ling]

i didn't even notice!

[bagelsandlox]

They're down again.

The Magic Cafe is closed temporarily to replace one of our two ovens. We'll be back as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!

[Jonathan Townsend]

Does that look better in a blue back or a red back deck?

[hugmagic]

If it comes back on line, I still bet there will be no posts on ethics for certain dealers.

Richard

[Jonathan Townsend]

It will come back. So many youngsters need to buy the latest and greatest.

[MBJ]

Who are some of the more reliable (up time) web hosts out there?

[bagelsandlox]

Don't be coy, tell us the dealers so we can avoid them.

[Timothy Hyde]

I think it was something to do with these protests.

[Cugel]

It will come back. So many youngsters need to buy the latest and greatest.

And you need to retain your world title of "highest average post count".

[Jonathan Townsend]

And you need to retain your world title of "highest average post count".

What specifically gives you reason to presume I have any such need?

[mrgoat]

Who are some of the more reliable (up time) web hosts out there?

www.rackspace.com

[Bill Palmer]

Bluehost.com is extremely reliable.

Be that as it may, who gives a rat's ass whether the Magic Cafe is up or not?

Why bitch about the Cafe here? It's a different bunch of people, even though some of us post at both forums.

If you have to have a "Forum Fix" every time the cafe goes down, then you have bigger problems than being a Criss Angel fan.

[Cugel]

And you need to retain your world title of "highest average post count".

What specifically gives you reason to presume I have any such need?

Pot, kettle, black.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Yes, that's my cafe pic and post count - what does that have to do with a need to have a title or any interest in my post count?

Since you seem interested in my post count and feel a need to imagine what my needs might be - any suggestions for what might make a fun 20,000 post? Seems some folks are into this and they might enjoy the occasion.

[Cugel]

Yes, that's my cafe pic and post count - what does that have to do with a need to have a title or any interest in my post count?

Since you seem interested in my post count and feel a need to imagine what my needs might be - any suggestions for what might make a fun 20,000 post? Seems some folks are into this and they might enjoy the occasion.

It was a light-hearted dig. Relax. You have made several posts over the months that might be interpreted as digs at the patrons of the Cafe, but ironically you are one of the biggest users over there. I just thought it was mildly ironic.

How did you feel when you made 10000 or 15000? Perhaps some special, nostalgic post at 20000 would be appropriate? Some words of wisdom to the youngsters who might aspire to super-user status? The highs, the lows; the heartbreaks and struggle on the road to tremendous success as a poster? Like that.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Amusing and about what I expected.

Have you considered learning some magic? It's a strange craft where with a little fussing you manage to bring delight to others - presuming of course you have any such inclinations.

I'd much rather discuss magic than deal with your unpleasant attempts and getting personal via posts in public.

[Cugel]

Amusing and about what I expected.

Have you considered learning some magic? It's a strange craft where with a little fussing you manage to bring delight to others - presuming of course you have any such inclinations.

I'd much rather discuss magic than deal with your unpleasant attempts and getting personal via posts in public.

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. Remember this?

It will come back. So many youngsters need to buy the latest and greatest.

Instead of dissing the people at the Cafe (irony of ironies) perhaps you could have written something that was less of a slam on the young people in our hobby - something more positive that would help them "manage to bring delight to others"?

[Jonathan Townsend]

Still trying cugel?

BTW the cafe seems to be down at the moment... again

getting playful with the lyrics to Bowie's song "Reality" is tempting at this point - those references to "tragic youth"...

As you noted - I find the use of the youngsters who come there seeking a refuge from peer pressure, online hostility and whatever abuse they get at home or school as a captive market for unvetted material touted by creepy people... just plain WRONG and I have spoken against it there as well. Offering them sanctuary from muggle abusers in exchange for brow-beating and proffered delusions that the latest tricks or gaffs would help them cope is very wrong and sad IMHO.

"The lady doth protest to much..." that's a really trite reference to Gertrude in a play most folks can't do a quote-dialog from - have you actually read Hamlet and know more than just the one line? Do you like the dark comedy which runs through till Fortinbras has to look in and figure out what to do with the place after the royals have gone? Any thoughts about the Cory Doctorow story?

[Cugel]

Trying? Not really, it's effortless.

You sure ask a lot of questions. What are you, the head teacher?

Moving on from JT, who loves the attention a little too much. These "Cafe is down" threads are so much BS. All of the guys who diss the cafe are keen users. It's just hypocrisy. (In fact, anyone who posts in these threads is a user, even if they say they aren't. Otherwise why would they bother?)

(Of course, not everyone who posts in these threads falls into the above category. I'm just referring to the whiny hypocrites).

[bagelsandlox]

I think Shakespeares overrated. Its [censored]. Id never go and see a Shakespeare play. Who cares? I dont know why actors do it. Shakespeare is just a bunch of soap operas"

...Billy Bob Thornton, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, actor.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Thanks - and one day you may learn enough about magic to review your behavior as a responsible adult - it's one of the steps on the road to becoming a magician - owning the effects of your methods.

And thank you - yes I do ask questions - I don't know very much and presume to know even less - so that's one of the ways I find things out. As to teaching - that presumes others wish to learn which is truly unlikely and also presumes I'd be up for teaching which at best I might do as an example of someone who wants to learn.

[Cugel]

Thanks - and one day you may learn enough about magic to review your behavior as a responsible adult - it's one of the steps on the road to becoming a magician - owning the effects of your methods.

Thanks, sifu. I hope one day to live up to your standards. Perhaps after 18000 posts on the Cafe I will start to achieve enlightenment?

[Jonathan Townsend]

Cugel, you can start by accepting responsibility for the effects of your actions. You are writing in public - visible to all and sundry who might be wondering just what sort of people magicians are and how they treat each other.

Most BBS have a FAQ where its made plain that attempts at textual humor directed at a person are not likely to translate well and may well be offending.

Should you choose to study magic you will encounter the notion that spells are made of words and words have both meaning and effect upon the reader.

May your effect upon others return to you threefold.

[Cugel]

I'm enjoying your "Edit Reason" entries. They underline the ironies present in this discourse.

[Jonathan Townsend]

I'm enjoying your "Edit Reason" entries...

Glad to read that

[Cugel]

http://www.unc.edu/depts/jomc/academics/dri/idog.jpg

[Jonathan Townsend]

re: "the sheep look up"
I've read Stand on Zanzibar - is this Brunner book a fun read as well?

[Jonathan Townsend]

http://www.unc.edu/depts/jomc/academics/dri/idog.jpg

The Peter Steiner dog and also the Larsen images were cute but come from a much more innocent time - sorry to say. Elsewhere I referenced more pertinent contemporary images including the group of girls waiting for the guest of honor for their boy party - or the southpark image of cartman looking for attention.

Remember the Turing test? Now reverse the test and ask if anyone has reason to care if the typist is a human being. If you hold humanity to be of any value, how you might communicate that belief in your text? Nontrivial issues or questions.

[bagelsandlox]

My mother is a fish.
...Vardaman Bundren

[Cugel]

the joke is not so plaintext

Indeed.

[bagelsandlox]

They look down again. Revenge for deleting posts about Brooks's Merlin award?

[Richard Kaufman]

Magic Cafe is running fine now.

[bagelsandlox]

Yep, I can login now. They had there backups going. It's always 1995 with Cafe technology!

[Bill Duncan]

I think Shakespeares overrated. Its [censored]. Id never go and see a Shakespeare play. Who cares? I dont know why actors do it. Shakespeare is just a bunch of soap operas"

...Billy Bob Thornton, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, actor.

And Billy Bob is relevant to anyone, anywhere, why?