Finally got the WordPress software working properly and got a menu item added to go to the Download Pages.

Those pages are table based using SQL queries to pull the data out of a Database. For some reason the Table building software is not working correctly. Opened a Support ticket to get that fixed. Once it is I’ll be able to mass import the Books and Category stuff. Might not be pretty but it will be functional at least.

The Librarian

This temporary server’s WordPress is not working correctly so it’s just a temp site while I get the real Server configured and ready to move back online. But the new (old) Server which appears to work correctly has a some pernicious bugs in the WordPress that are busting my butt. Simple functions that have worked in the past now suddenly don’t work correctly and are sending me off down one rabbit hole or another looking for solutions. About fed up with it for the day.

The Librarian

I’m moving the new Linux Server into the Server room tomorrow then all of this coming week is devoted to getting the site back up and running with the Library available and everything else working.

Other than a Dentist appt and Optometrist visit and a Vet visit I have put other projects on hold until the site is restored.

The Librarian

Between the four Dell R710s I was able to swap, mix and match and get a good working server up. Ubuntu Linux installed, PHP, Apache, MySQL and WordPress. Still have some configuration to do but since this site only has a couple items installed I should d be able to just move the database across then get the HTTTPS bindings done, the SLL certificate added and I can swap them out.

I’m going to maintain this machine/server as a backup server and on a daily basis backup the database and WordPress directories. The every week or two I’ll update those on the backup server so it is always fairly up to date in case of another hardware failure.

Once I get it installed and up an running I’ll start on the recreation of the Download pages and the rest as time allows.

And Piddle!!! I ask for some support for a theme I wanted to use since it would not install. I ask them to install it but did not intend them to make it the active theme so they screwed up what as there. Just going to leave it for now till I get the new server swapped in. No point in redoing work.

The Librarian

I forgot that I have three more PowerEdge R710, like the one that failed, shrink wrapped out in the barn/shop. Doing some rearranging in my office to move in a large table so I can bring them in and go over them to check their condition.

Almost done rearranging enough to get the table from the greenhouse and set it up in here. Then the servers later today and we’ll see where that leads.

The Librarian

I’m going to delay restoring the complete site right now.

One of the first steps I decided to take was to set up a daily backup of the Website and all configuration data. I remember now why I had no backup when the old Server drives died…. IIS has no practical backup process without third party software and even then there are caveats.

Why would a Major Corporation release and continue to develop a “WebServer” that cannot be backed up???

So I’m going to bite the bullet now and move the site to a Linux Server running Apache which I’ve wanted to do for a couple years. With the old site dying as it did this is an ideal time. Full site will be down a while longer, at least a few weeks maybe a bit longer, but in the long run it will be much better.

I’ve run a lot of servers over my career and Linux server are always more reliable and secure than Windows. It will take me some time since I’ll have to buy another server, drives and then get it all delivered and installed.

Been a while since I installed a Linux and Apache system but it comes back with a little tinkering and puttering.

That’s where things stand right now. Since there’s no contact page on this stub site feel free to contact me at:

librarian@survivorlibrary.com

The Librarian

2026-06-11 SERVER BACK UP

I’ve got the Physical Site back up and running.

As some of you know the older server died with 3 of 4 drives in a Raid-5 Array all dying at once or at least the same day. In 50 years of working with computers and servers I’ve never seen that occur.

That also trashed the backup files. I ran several days of testing on the Dell R710 I’ve used for many years. I couldn’t find a problem. I still replaced the Raid Controller, the Power supplies and the drive backplane.

I started reinstalled everything but started experiencing problems. Ram slots being arbitrarily and randomly disabled on startup. Drive not being recognized, software randomly crashing, etc.

I finally pulled out an older Dell Poweredge T410 I haven’t been using, installed 6 brand new drives in a Raid-6 Array and so far it’s been going smoothly. I have all the basic software installed and this stub of a site up and running.

Still dealing with my Wife’s death a couple weeks ago and a LOT still to do here with all the Family coming in next week for her Memorial here. I’m going to work on the site at least a couple hours a day to get it rebuilt. First step will be the Books Download then we’ll go from there.

The Librarian