Are you seriously suggesting that they re-architecture FR from MySQL to flat-file in the middle of heavy user demand and with a peak anticipated some six weeks hence? It may be that one needs a little more thought.
Me, I'm wishing them luck getting the new gear online in the meantime. And clicking on THIS LINK is always in order to help cover costs. And please, don't cop a 'tude with our gracious hosts. Thanks.
Leave the old relational servers online, in READ-ONLY mode, to serve as an archive of the older threads.
Then bring online a new family of flat file servers to serve up content as quickly as possible for the next two months [or even longer than two months, if we get something like the 2000 Florida recount debacle].
But the relational crap has got to go, and the single point of failure in that one pipe, in the vicinity of 209.147.64.20*, has got to go - we need mirroring so that the Nut Roots can't shut down the pipe.
The problem is real, pervasive and will only get worse.
No one is suggesting the Robinsons are inept, it may be simply that they are doing the best they can with resources they have.
If additional funds are necessary to protect the smooth functioning of the site for the next two months, most of us FR diehards are more than willing to fund the creation of additional backup. There are even helpers lining up to volunteer.
Desperate times, etc....
Bump Bill, you are right. Some of us remember the HSW attacks and the Islamic attacks.