Our apologies for this week’s downtime (Sept. 8)
DivShare has been growing fast — so fast that our traffic outpaced our ability to add new servers and keep the site running as smoothly as it always has. Unfortunately, this meant some significant errors and downtime over the past week as we’ve been bringing in new servers, switching our software configurations, and generally putting out the fires associated with a big move. We did it all in a haphazard way that caused far too many of our users to lose access to the site and their files for many hours. For that, we’re sorry.
We want to level with you because we value all of you — all 130,000 registered users and the millions who visit the site every month — and take pride in providing you with one of the web’s best media-sharing tools. It breaks our hearts to see you unable to use the service, and we’ll be working around the clock this weekend to ensure not only that the site is running fast, but that we don’t run into any problems of this magnitude as we continue to grow.
So, as we come off a rough week and get ready to take the next step in our expansion, here are the latest updates on our plans for DivShare. Number 1, we’re not going anywhere. Despite the recent problems, we’re in it for the long haul and have the funding and business model to really rock the hosting and sharing industry. Second, we’re making it a priority to increase our server capacity ahead of any potential problems, which means episodes like this week’s will be a thing of the past. Finally, we’ll soon be settling into new offices and bringing on some new partners that will allow us grow the business in a huge way, helping us to provide even better products and services for you.
Now that things are cooling down with our servers, we’ll be focusing on those long-promised Flash upgrades, particularly the audio playlists and the embeddable Flash uploader. We’ll be making sure everything is up to snuff on the hardware side this weekend, and should have those new features ready to roll next week.
Drop us an e-mail with any questions. And, as always, thanks so much for being a part of DivShare and helping us grow.
September 8th, 2007 at 11:21 am
we’re hanging with you.
September 8th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
It is great to see the service comes back to normal.
What is the technical problem/issue behind the slowdown? Look forward to a better growth and stability of DivShare
September 8th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
GOOD LUCK on the hardware-upgrades! Nice to see that you care. Keeping my fingers crossed for better stability, but PLEASE, remember to eat and sleep as well, we want you here to stay!
September 8th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve missed you. (And your uploading service. :P)
September 8th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Please be assured we still love you
Thanks for taking care of it. (I’ve missed you dearly)
September 8th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
hi just wondering why can’t i click on upload botton when i use firefox?
September 9th, 2007 at 5:59 am
An important reason I joined Divshare is because many other sharing sites have loads of popup ads. I am not convinced these ads are monitored carefully and I consider the sites to be under suspicion for security risks. You don’t indulge in this sort of endangerment of user security. I certainly hope the site continues to do well and the business grow. I wouldn’t have written a critical message yesterday if I didn’t care about the site. So I certainly hope things proceed well.
Gene
September 9th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Glad to have you back up I was getting a little worried
September 9th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
You’ve got a very nice service. I’m using it for personal use and like it a lot!
So thanks!!
September 9th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
yes!!!!!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:18 am
aku terbantu dng web site mu
September 11th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Nice one guys, i knew you could do it
September 11th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
why is server s09.divshare.com so slow? i couldn’t get my download speed over 30kb/s
September 11th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
“We did it all in a haphazard way that caused far too many of our users to lose access to the site and their files for many hours.”
How do you underestimate the growth involved in serving up files to a site with an estimated 34 mil. users (Facebook) and then upgrade in a haphazard way? I’m no IT guy, but the minute I heard that the company had developed the Facebook app, I would have been telling the boss that the main thing this company should be doing is building servers and infrastructure. Ramping up to serve a potential 34 mil. has got to be a tough job, and I assume the Facebook app was like turning on a water main as far as data flow. And the problems show on Facebook too. I have video files that don’t play completely, and some that quit halfway through and have to be re-uploaded.
I’m going to take this opportunity to beg you guys, DON”T become one of those companies that thinks that features will keep people around. I’ve seen it happen with sites before. They think the features will make up for slow load times and spotty service. If you don’t fix that, it’s what you’ll become known for. Features are useless if the file isn’t served well. If you guys served files perfectly and had no features besides a basic flash player, I’d still be here because I’m depending on my files getting served in a timely fashion. I’m not here because you have a customizable player or because you have a neat Facebook app.
Having gotten that out of my system, I do wish you guys success- I enjoy the site and appreciate the service and the personal touches, and will remain a paying customer. Good luck sorting things out.
September 16th, 2007 at 3:24 am
i thank you a lot for your servises
September 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Yes, I like this site so much
I guess need to wait for the upgrade progress done.
Need to be patient
September 16th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I fully agree with xister. Less services, more reliability please.
September 17th, 2007 at 9:32 am
(http://blog.divshare.com/?p=113#comment-20107)
I second that!
September 18th, 2007 at 10:31 am
people should understand that these services you provide for us take a big toll on servers, and that space needs to grow with the ammount of data that it can acomodate, for that reason alone they should be more patient and appreciate the time you guys put into helping the community. Therefore as many of the people here posting i will say A BIG THANKS FOR THE TIME AND SERVICE is in order, and here is my part. Thanks a million.
September 19th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
So nobody is perfect. You guys are close to it.
Thank you for the effort.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I was just wondering that how do u people get money to run this great free site? Isn’t it expensive for u running it completelly freee…..?
October 1st, 2007 at 10:57 pm
why? the downloading speed is so slowly that i can not tolerant