What the heck is with the site outages?

I'll tell you why.  Simtropolis has been a website since 2002/2003.  The database for the forums, STEX, and anything else dirk needed was also put in at that same time.  Over 6 yeas, the database has been bombarded with forum posts, blog posts, STEX uploads, you name it, it's in there. The code on the pages of the website has to look through all the thousands and thousands of entry's of the database to find the information you requested through your web browser.  This puts enormous strain on the SImtropolis Server as it is trying to request that service for 80+ users at a time.  

Put it this way.  When you open up a program, say, Firefox.  Does it open right away? Not always, it depends on how many programs are already running and the speed of your computer.  Let's say it is a computer within the last couple years.  It generally opens up within seconds.  

Instead of opening one, if you click the firefox icon 80 times and see how long it takes for your computer to open all of them up, it won't, it will probably lock up, overheat, or restart itself.  This is what happens with the Simtropolis server when it tries to produce the information you requested.  It tries, locks up, and restarts. 

Why are the download speeds so slow?

The reason the download speeds are so slow is largely due to the problem mentioned above.  The second major problem is the amount of outgoing bandwidth allowed for Simtropolis each month.  Dirk (The webmaster & Site owner) Must pay for the bandwidth each month to keep Simtropolis flowing smoothly.  In order to provide maximum download speeds, there needs to be a set amount of outgoing bandwidth set aside for the STEX.  When this amount is peaked, the speeds slow down dramatically because the host has disabled the amount of bandwidth Simtropolis can use at one time.

How could we fix this?

Obvoiusly it is a large commitment, but consider a donation to Simtropolis.  No, i'm not on an ad campaign for the STEX disks, but I assure you, they are worth it and it does go to a good cause: Your favorite website. :)

Hello!
So how many of us are into web design?  I myself am doing it for a (small) living at the age of 16, and am always trying to learn more and more.  
My main job is this one.  I designed the site, update it, add photos etc.  Hopefully i can get a few other jobs around here.

So, anyone out there?

Thats right! If for some insane reason you don't enjoy Katy Perry's retro style songs, you can now enjoy them in power metal.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vil-s82_LM0

Enjoy!

I went out today and took a bunch of photos of some more trail features.  They are mostly trees and natural stuff.. Sometimes we have to chip in with manufactured stuff.  Here are the pics. :D


here, it is very steep and curves to the right almost at 90 degrees.  Then about the same distance from here to the curve is another very steep 90 degree left turn.



This is where I wrecked my current bike.  Bent both rims.  It is impossible to true them now.



Other side



Couple of new features




Small bridge going in the middle of a jump



Heres a jump with a landing thingy.



Thats all for now, more to come!

Well, since I am spending most of my day at these trails, I guess I could show you a thing or two.































More to come!

Ever since I discovered the Hillside Park in my town, I have been biking at the mountain biking trails every day.

Well recently, i've been taking more risks: going off jumps, balancing on logs, going over seasaws, jumping large gaps...
Here is what happens when you push your bikes limits.

 

The release of the official blog guide is nowhosted on this blog, click here!

Ma-ia-hii Ma-ia-huu Ma-ia-hoo Ma-ia-haha	Miya-hee Miya-hoo Miya-ho Miya-haha [These are just sounds.]
- Verse 2 -
Alo, Salut, sunt eu, un haiduc, Si te rog, iubirea mea, primeste fericirea. Alo, alo, sunt eu Picasso, Ti-am dat beep, si sunt voinic, Dar sa stii nu-ti cer nimic.	Hello [on a cellphone], greetings, it's me, an outlaw, I ask you, my love, to accept happiness. Hello, hello, it's me, Picasso, I sent you a beep [cellphone signal], and I'm brave [or strong], But you should know that I'm not asking for anything from you.
- Chorus 3 (2 times) -
Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma, nu ma iei, Nu ma, nu ma iei, nu ma, nu ma, nu ma iei. Chipul tau si dragostea din tei, Mi-amintesc de ochii tai.	You want to leave but you don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want to take me, don't want don't want don't want to take me. Your face and the love from the linden trees, And I remember your eyes.
- Verse 4 -
Te sun, sa-ti spun, ce simt acum, Alo, iubirea mea, sunt eu, fericirea. Alo, alo, sunt iarasi eu, Picasso, Ti-am dat beep, si sunt voinic, Dar sa stii nu-ti cer nimic.	I call you [over the phone], to tell you what I feel right now, Hello, my love, it's me, your happiness. Hello, hello, it's me again, Picasso, I sent you a beep [cellphone signal] and I'm brave [or strong], But you should know that I'm not asking for anything from you.