We apologise for the fact that the blog is experiencing so many database error outages. We’re currently suffering from a massive spam attack which means that too many database connections can be open at any given point in time, leading to error messages rather than service. It’s also possible that we’ve experienced some database corruption, which might be compounding the problems. That’s being looked into, and we’re hoping that things might get better tonight.
Update (RC): We are getting absolutely hammered by spam. We’ve implemented some cacheing to see if we can reduce the impact on the database, and comments will be occasionally switched off to see if we can get rid of the spammers. And finally, we’ve got plans afoot to change to a bigger and better host — on the weekend unless I can get to it sooner. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Is it possible to tell where this spam attack is coming from? Is it coming from a central source?
I would bet, offshore, most likely American and untraceable, silkworm.
Yeah it’s just the usual shite. I suspect the extra traffic the campaign has generated has made us more attractive to spammers.
So, the vast right wing conspiracy hits back!
LP has them running scared, LOL.
We all against spamanism.
“We all against spamanism.”
….and thing is, you just can’t get good servers anymore.
I had some problems. I was able to close off comments and I complained to their domain hosts – they seem to have had the same source. Now it has stopped altogether. Not a problem on my site because I only ever got one single substantive comment all year. Here it is another matter. Scum.
I’m surprised the LP bloggers have not blamed Denis Shanahan.
Someone has not dedicated a post to him for 15 minutes now.
“I’m surprised the LP bloggers have not blamed Denis Shanahan.”
Good thinking Matt. A conspiracy theory to work on, there!
Truth is, some have an interest in closing down internet communication at the moment and it ain’t just LP that is copping the brunt of it.
Hmm, does the spam say anything about ‘Poll extensions’?
Unless Dennis and the Vast Rightwing Conspiracy are trying to flog off penis extensions, viagra, no docs loans and natural boob masturbation pics, etc, etc… it’s just spam.
It’s ‘the shadow’ coming back to bite, Mark.
If only the rightwing could ‘look within’…..
….their bankbooks that are filled with proceeds of promoting all those thingys you mentioned.
They will go into those businesses when Howard takes a dive
But seriously, if someone wants to shut down a site they don’t make it obvious. What better way than to drown you in the expected, just more of it? There are some eastern european & russian syndicates that will run targetted denial of service attacks for $20US. You may want to get some internet security dudes to check this out. Most incident spikes have an explanation and/or motive. I have seen this happen to the network of a political party in the midst of a campaign, in 2004 . . .
Probably not Howard himself – he is never responsible for anything – nor are his head of departments. It would be a third party or maybe even some overzealous wingnuts (if there are a few smart enough).
Security tip of the day – be paranoid.
Matt:
My bakelite-&-valve pre-decimal-currency computer has been playing up for several days …. so can I blame him too? [L-O-L]
I’m with PeterC. We’ve just seen hired pistoleros of the Falange fire point blank into our meeting and drive off. They will be back. But we know who they are. They are running scared. Their time will soon be over when the people have spoken.
Whatever you’re doing is working for me now. This is the first time I’ve been able to get on the blog, either to read it or as admin, since Friday arvo.
Sorry for the rest of you, but at the moment only people with logins may comment. Things Are Being Done, but at the moment the blog is still largely broken.
OK, LP now has a back-up blog, Larvatus Prodeo In Exile.
Head on over!