A new, more powerful server is currently being configured and tested. With it's dedicated resources (CPU, RAM, Bandwidth, Processes, Server Settings) there should be a dramatic performance improvement over our current shared server host situation.

Please have patience while we fully test the server. Periodic performance 'brown-outs' and outages will continue until the new server comes online. We've simply outgrown the current shared server solution and now require a more dedicated setup. While not a fully dedicated server (which costs a bunch per month to operate and manage), this new Virtual Private Server (VPS) will provide the performance we currently require at a reasonable cost (but not cheap).

I want to thank those of you who offered help, advice and leads on other hosting solutions over the past 6 months. I want to assure you that I was listening and considered all input. I discounted the shared server solutions because as I indicated, we need more guaranteed performance than a shared server can provide. Believe me, after 2 server swaps in the last 8 months, I don't want to end up in a similar or worse solution (again). For those that remember our early days (1999-mid2006), the server we were on during those years was a near dedicated setup. Since that host (a good friend of mine cutting us a heck of a deal) got out of the business, we were forced to find a new host at a similar cost. Unfortunately that landed us in the shared server host category, and as you've all experienced.. less performance. It's been obvious we can't remain with the current lackluster server performance and now have to upgrade. This new VPS should provide better performance than even our original host.

As you would imagine, along with more performance and power comes an increased operating cost. In this case.. about 4 times the cost of our current server. We expect the monthly server bill to be in the order of $80/month. Thanks to those of you who have contributed to the site maintenance fund to date, we should be covered for a short while. But this new server will cost more than our current level of contributions. That means you can expect us to start more fund raising efforts in the future. If you'd like to contribute to the site maintenance fund and help defray the cost of the new server, please send a check or money order made out to:

Paul Carreiro
15607 Cordary Ave
El Camino Village CA 90260-3530

I'll keep you informed on our progress in configuring and testing the server. If it doesn't work out, we'll get our money back from the test server (thanks to a money back guarantee) and try another host to test. I have a selection of 5 hosts that will provide the performance and level of server management we require. The one selected seems to be the best solution but we won't know until we get some test time under our belts.

Stay tuned! And thanks for your patience!
PaulC

Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of the board operations.

Paul,
Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this site for everyone to enjoy.
I have no problem sending in a few bucks every month or quarter especially if it means we will enjoy increased speed & performance.

Definately worth sending in a donation, for a reliable server. It has been frustrating with the consistant error codes and even "down time". I think everyone would be willing to step up and send a few bucks to keep the site operating, like it did on the original server.

Remember folks... this site is maintained all by donations. No pop ups or constant advertizing banners. I for one, like that nice, clean look about this site.

Ill be sending you a money order in a week or two. So i can help contribute to the new server.

How about a PayPal account. Would make it a lot eaiser than mail.

There is a Pay-Pal account.
Here is a link to the donations page.

http://www.montecarloss.com/about.html#donations

Thanks. I should have looked before asking.

ill send a little your way tomarrow. right now the ss is sucking me dry lol.... the first burn out is soooo going to be worth it!!!

Chris

4/17 UPDATE: The initial server host considered is a bust. It turns out their website is misleading on the services they provide. I'm in the process of getting money back after only 4 days and no testing.

Second host considered is having problems delivering reliable services from what I've researched.. so on to the next considered host.

I'm spending about 4 hours a night in research on this guys. Again I want to make sure our next server host delivers what they promise.

Thanks for your continued patience. Hang in there. More updates soon.

Thanks for the time you are putting into this Paul,I for one do appreciate it,as I'm sure everyone here does.The only way I can play with my car like I do is because my wife & I (by choice) have no kids,we are just your every day working people,I'm a shipper/receiver at a Staples/Business Depot store,she is a ward clerk on the emergency floor at the local hospital.I am making no extravagent promises that I cant keep,but I would be happy to help out on a quarterly basis.I do enjoy spending time here and have used lots of the tech tips,just some things that set my Monte SS apart from the norm !!
Guy

My $$ should be in the site Paypal account.

If 1/2 the active members cough up 1 dollar a month that will put the board back in good shape for a while.

If you need more Paul drop me a line. I would be sad without this site!

Thanks Bradshaw.. Paypal received. Every bit will help defray the increased cost for the long term.

SERVER UPDATE APRIL 21: So far the current trial host appears to be a good choice. I'm in the process of testing it myself, getting used to the new environment. By the end of the weekend I'll be copying over a test environment so the Moderators can join in testing things out. So far so good. Stay tuned.

Paypal dollars on the way Paul

Sam