Constant connection problems with GBO...

[WylieKy]

I was just wondering what has been going on the last few days, and didn't know if GB or Matt were aware of it, or if I'm all alone here.  I keep getting a "Connection Problems," or "Sorry, server is busy." or "SMF Problems encountered" error message fairly frequently (probably 40% of my attempts to access the website or when I switch pages on the site).  My connection is fine and I have have no other problems with any other web sites.  Sometimes I can just refresh and everything is OK, but more often than not I have to go to another site or twiddle my thumbs for 5 min or so.  

I don't know how common this is, and I'm just giving y'all a heads up.

Edit: this is the most recent error, just as I tried to post this.

GBO Advertisers Spotlight
Couldn't connect to the database server. If this continues please contact the administrator

[WylieKy]

I was just wondering what has been going on the last few days, and didn't know if GB or Matt were aware of it, or if I'm all alone here.  I keep getting a "Connection Problems," or "Sorry, server is busy." or "SMF Problems encountered" error message fairly frequently (probably 40% of my attempts to access the website or when I switch pages on the site).  My connection is fine and I have have no other problems with any other web sites.  Sometimes I can just refresh and everything is OK, but more often than not I have to go to another site or twiddle my thumbs for 5 min or so.  

I don't know how common this is, and I'm just giving y'all a heads up.

Edit: this is the most recent error, just as I tried to post this.

GBO Advertisers Spotlight
Couldn't connect to the database server. If this continues please contact the administrator

Edit2. lol, and then when I posted the above edit I got this....

Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

[subdjoe]

I just started getting those notices this morning. 

(shrugs)

These things happen with all sites from time to time. 
"The amazing thing about a dancing bear is not the grace with which he dances, but that he dances at all.'

[no guns here]

I've been getting them off and on for a while.  I hit refresh three or four times and it goes away.  Thought it was due to heavy use but then I noticed it happening in the middle of the night (US time) when I was in Germany.  Happened to me this morning at 0915 or so.  Annoying but can eventually connect...


NGH

[Graybeard]

We are aware of it and I too have experienced it the last week to ten days. Matt isn't online enough what with trying to get their new home ready to move into so hasn't fixed it.

Now I dunno for sure what's going on but in the past such happenings have related to hack attacks on the site. I cannot say if that is or is not what's going on this time but...a site I used to own and have sold was recently attacked and the folks who did it sent me a PM there saying that I too was to suffer their wrath so it just could be that's what's going on here. I've alerted the moderators to watch for any posted attacks here. They do have a computer expert as part of their group so he likely would know what to do to try to mess us up.

It might be as simple as Matt is behind on doing routine maintenance on the site. it might be that the servers are getting a heavier load at times than they can handle. If he ever gets moved in hopefully he'll have time to get the new server prepped and sent so we'll have more capability.

Now I've sure not gotten it nearly as often as mentioned but do see it some times 2-3 times a day which is far more than it should be happening. Bottom line is right now we're not sure what's going on.