MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: click_click on November 08, 2010, 13:32

Title: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 08, 2010, 13:32
I had issues uploading all morning until now 1:30pm EST.

Now uploads have been suspended. Ugh. What's going on NOW...?

Don't tell me that they are actually trying to fix any F5 bugs. If that's the case, just leave it the way it was, at least I can upload...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Digital66 on November 08, 2010, 13:44
"On Monday, November 8th uploads & inspections will not be available for approximately 4-24 hours starting at 11 am MST...."

More info at: http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=271072&page=1 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=271072&page=1)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 08, 2010, 14:25
Ha now I see it on the uploads page as well.

Thanks for the reference.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: jamirae on November 08, 2010, 15:00
from 4 to 24 hours? geez.. I guess that gives them some 'wiggle-room' eh?  just seems like a large timeframe estimate. 
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: cathyslife on November 08, 2010, 17:39
You can't edit your files either. This message comes up:

Quote
File Edit

File editing has been temporarily deactivated for all users. Please try again later.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: franky242 on November 09, 2010, 10:52
Still not working seems the "worst case" came in place? :-)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: helix7 on November 09, 2010, 11:13
Still not working seems the "worst case" came in place? :-)

Not only that, but the entire site seems almost completely unusable. It's ridiculously slow.

Seems iStock is working hard to retain their position as the top microstock company, at least when it comes to site downtime, bugs, and slow speeds.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 09, 2010, 11:24
...Seems iStock is working hard to retain their position as the top microstock company, at least when it comes to site downtime, bugs, and slow speeds.

LOL.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 11:44
Whole site is down right now. HOPEFULLY very briefly.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 09, 2010, 11:47
Whole site is down right now. HOPEFULLY very briefly.

WOW. Hopefully just a server reboot.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: cathyslife on November 09, 2010, 11:53
Oh boy, some new and exciting improvements coming our way! I can't wait to see!

Not.  ::)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 11:54
Whole site is down right now. HOPEFULLY very briefly.
Ah, the twitter link says:
"Site may be down for a minute or two while our fix gets pushed to the servers."
I'm such an oldie. I can't understand why they can't make a temporary 404 page to say that and not have to click on the 404 page to get onto twitter for find out the same info. I remember when 'reducing the number of clicks' a visitor has to make was paramount. (but in fact, the first two 404s I got just said: "The requested URL /forums.php was not found on this server.", with no Twitter link).
Ah yes, you only get the page with the twitter link if you go to the index page. Any other page you just get 'cannot find a server'.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 12:04
Back up now.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Microbius on November 09, 2010, 12:19
super slow though
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: cathyslife on November 09, 2010, 12:22
Still can't edit files.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 09, 2010, 15:39
Quote
Update: Tuesday Nov. 9, 11am: We've run into a glitch with the hardware update and it's taking longer than expected. The teams are going through everything still to determine what the deal is. For now uploads and inspections are still disabled. I don't have an ETA on when they'll be turned back on, but I'll keep you updated. I apologize for the inconvenience.

I don't know why but I can't hold back being surprised about how IS is unable to get their IT-department straightened out.

Don't they realize that they are losing money while such vital features of their business are not functional?

And in the end it takes volunteers like Sean to code solutions for their f*$@ ups.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Chico on November 09, 2010, 15:50
F5 bugs are still there. It's must be somekind of world record. Three months and counting.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: jcpjr on November 09, 2010, 15:53
We do our corporate servers maintenance after midnight eastern time because we have properties throughout the US. I would think they would schedule general updates and maintenance based on the slowest activity time according to world time zones. Of course that's just my IT opinion. They are a strange bunch...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Chico on November 09, 2010, 16:10
I am very impressed with the speed of Istock decay. Some months ago we are a happy bunch of people celebrating Istock 10 years with an amazing contest that mobilized thousands of people around the world.

Now, we are here, begging for some respect and dignity.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: cathyslife on November 09, 2010, 16:47
We do our corporate servers maintenance after midnight eastern time because we have properties throughout the US. I would think they would schedule general updates and maintenance based on the slowest activity time according to world time zones. Of course that's just my IT opinion. They are a strange bunch...

Wouldn't ya think??
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 18:06
Oh, and as usual, because the upgrade didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped, they're offering a 10% discount to customers. So the contributors get hit again for a problem we didn't cause. Do they cut the techie staff pay? (Maybe they do - I have no way of knowing.)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: click_click on November 09, 2010, 18:15
Oh, and as usual, because the upgrade didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped, they're offering a 10% discount to customers. So the contributors get hit again for a problem we didn't cause. Do they cut the techie staff pay? (Maybe they do - I have no way of knowing.)

No. Look, they just act like as if they are screwing up so they can offer the 10% discount without us contributors getting upset...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: lisafx on November 09, 2010, 18:20
Oh, and as usual, because the upgrade didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped, they're offering a 10% discount to customers. So the contributors get hit again for a problem we didn't cause.

Actually, contributors get hit twice.  Once in the form of reduced sales (some of which go elsewhere) when the site is down or slow, and again in the form of bargain priced credits to make it up to buyers. 
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: louoates on November 09, 2010, 18:44
You mean WE are hit with a share of the discount? I'm shocked, shocked.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: VB inc on November 09, 2010, 18:56
Given that they have mulltiple openings for App developers, it just seems like they have some incompetent IT staff. I would expect IT to be top priority  for any company that deals in financial transactions online after maybe marketing. What else do they really need to do besides those two.

Maybe the top IT people from istock are still the same people who started with the company in its infancy and isnt qualified to oversee an operation the size of istock.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Chico on November 09, 2010, 18:57
You mean WE are hit with a share of the discount? I'm shocked, shocked.

As usual.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 19:04
Maybe the top IT people from istock are still the same people who started with the company in its infancy and isnt qualified to oversee an operation the size of istock.
Maybe, but CPD is the Name of the Game these days. Also companies are supposed to be Investors in People.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: pet_chia on November 09, 2010, 19:15
Given that they have mulltiple openings for App developers, it just seems like they have some incompetent IT staff. I would expect IT to be top priority  for any company that deals in financial transactions online after maybe marketing. What else do they really need to do besides those two.

Maybe the top IT people from istock are still the same people who started with the company in its infancy and isnt qualified to oversee an operation the size of istock.

Sometimes it's a management problem, that they don't hold people accountable.  It's a common problem with small, young companies where the "early days" employees are treated with kid gloves.  But c'mon, this is e-commerce, it should never go down except in very rare, unavoidable circumstances.

Perhaps they are unable to find IT people with the experience they need in Calgary?  If so then they should consider relocating, pronto.  Nobody can afford outages of their main revenue stream on busy weekdays.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: RT on November 09, 2010, 19:29
Hard to believe that a company with this much revenue can be so completely useless at the fundamental task of running their website.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 09, 2010, 19:37
On topic: Uploads are now working again.

Off topic: How often does Amazon slow down to a crawl or go down? I've never managed to 'catch' them. Or Ebay?
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: jbarber873 on November 09, 2010, 21:39
  If Istock were a building, it would an old run down concrete block building in the classic "soviet style". It's practically steam powered.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: luissantos84 on November 09, 2010, 22:54
On topic: Uploads are now working again.

Off topic: How often does Amazon slow down to a crawl or go down? I've never managed to 'catch' them. Or Ebay?

LOL right.. it is quite absurd what can happen in/with a big business.. :)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 10, 2010, 08:00
So, now that it's all up and running, sort-of, what were the improvements we got?
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: helix7 on November 10, 2010, 08:37
Hard to believe that a company with this much revenue can be so completely useless at the fundamental task of running their website.

Seriously. There's not much that iStock can manage to do right these days.
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Difydave on November 10, 2010, 08:44
So, now that it's all up and running, sort-of, what were the improvements we got?

Virtually instant uploads from anywhere in the world. Automatic level correction and removal of logos etc. Automatic title, description, keywording and categories generation. Instant acceptance, and a guaranteed place at the top of the best match.

Do you mean to say you haven't noticed? They probably haven't got it working properly yet then. :-)
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Ploink on November 10, 2010, 08:56
So, now that it's all up and running, sort-of, what were the improvements we got?

Virtually instant uploads from anywhere in the world. Automatic level correction and removal of logos etc. Automatic title, description, keywording and categories generation. Instant acceptance, and a guaranteed place at the top of the best match.

Do you mean to say you haven't noticed? They probably haven't got it working properly yet then. :-)

You forgot 100% royalties all year round - a Punctum Year, so to say  ;D

Wow, this stuff really is strong, must smoke less...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: lisafx on November 10, 2010, 09:09
  If Istock were a building, it would an old run down concrete block building in the classic "soviet style". It's practically steam powered.

:D
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: rubyroo on November 10, 2010, 09:26
When I think of a Soviet building, I think of something strong with solid foundations.

Lately... iStock makes me think more of a Gaudi building... kind of wobbly-looking and a bit
like the special effect in films as they lead you into a dream sequence...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 10, 2010, 09:41
When I think of a Soviet building, I think of something strong with solid foundations.

Lately... iStock makes me think more of a Gaudi building... kind of wobbly-looking and a bit
like the special effect in films as they lead you into a dream sequence...
Then your dream turns into a nightmare ...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: Sadstock on November 10, 2010, 09:56
Hard to believe that a company with this much revenue can be so completely useless at the fundamental task of running their website.

Seriously. There's not much that iStock can manage to do right these days.
----------------

They can apparently throw kick-ass parties in Japan
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: rubyroo on November 10, 2010, 09:57
Then your dream turns into a nightmare ...

Sounds about right...
Title: Re: Uploads disabled?
Post by: ShadySue on November 10, 2010, 10:37
Hard to believe that a company with this much revenue can be so completely useless at the fundamental task of running their website.

Seriously. There's not much that iStock can manage to do right these days.
----------------

They can apparently throw kick-ass parties in Japan
And don't they just love rubbing our noses in it.