** PHOTOBUCKET FORUM ERROR **

[Admin]

Dear Members

Firstly sincerest apologies for the appearance of Photobucket images all over the forum over the last few days. I am currently working to resolve this, but it could be a couple of days before we are back to normal. Hopefully as you read this message you will already see I have partly recovered the site back to a useable state.

I have been unable to look into this and rectify sooner as I've been away on a few days break, and was only aware their was a problem when our moderators contacted me directly to make me aware. Regrettably I was unable to access the forum until my return home.

I know this issue has caused members a lot of stress, it has nothing to do with your end & you do not have to pay photo bucket in order to continue using the forum as some members have mistakenly understood. This has also been thought by some members to be a virus or bug on the forum which it's definitely not. 

This issue has happened as a number of our images were hosted via Photobucket (which has worked fine till now) Photobucket without any consideration to its customers have took it upon themselves to cancel all third party image hosting without any notice. in addition to this they are demanding $300 to reinstate the service. 

To say I'm angry at this action is an understatement! it appears we can now no longer access our library of images stored with them unless we pay and upgrade, this is despite being a paid member of Photobucket with additional storage, not a free limited storage customer. 

Anyway - Lesson learned! 

Please bare with me while I try to get the forum someway back to how it was before this incident.

Apologies for any PM's or emails I've not answered - I'm simply overwhelmed by the number and unable to answer them all.

Regards

Ed

[Gromit]

Thanks for the information Ed.

From what I've seen our members can be proud of themselves for the attitude they have taken. Although it has been (still is) quite frustrating, no teddies have been thrown out of prams, and members have fully understood and appreciated the difficult situation you find yourself in.

I know a number of members have already expressed their willingness to contribute financially, but not to pay the ransom to Photobucket!!! I suggest that if you need donations to set up a new host you simply post and ask, and I'm sure many members will oblige.

Many of us are getting alarmingly near to our "use by" date, so patience is not a problem. There's always tomorrow when you are retired!! (Imagine a big smiley here!!)

[Guest]

I have to agree with Mr Gromit...

[AndyLouch]

Ed, very many thanks for your update, much appreciated. Completely agree with the actions taken and fully understand you are doing your best - many thanks for this.
Teddy remaining firmly in pram....! Andy

[Admin]

Anyone interested may wish to take a look at this site 
describing the problem we've encountered here: 

Photobucket Just Broke Billions of Photos Across the Web

[Cymro]

Ed: I'm sure all Forum members sympathise with you about what's happened. Fortunately this is such a good and pleasant Forum that there's enormous goodwill, and I'm certain that members will be patient (although many have, thanks to our experts, been able to overcome the immediate problem to some degree or another.)

I agree entirely what Gromit said, above.

All the best,

Cymro

[roli]

It was only now on returning home have I been able to see and read the forum Classic View through a browser.  

Those using iPads, Tablets and Phones have had most the page covered with the pb message and could only use the forum by switching from Classic to Mobile View

Thanks to all those members who put the "correct" word out about the problem and your support through other forums and the FB Group and those that had a play around to try and find ways round the issue

[Libraryman2]

A top forum, i would miss it greatly, i get my daily fix logging in and much appreciate the post information above

Ray

[Askit]

Thank you from me also Ed and I fully concur with the comments made by Gromit and other posters. I have good reason to be grateful for the advice had on the site, not to mention the enjoyment of the camaraderie amongst the user of ASOF. I have the patience of a saint, but sadly none of the other fine attributes they possess ;-(

[Paulmold]

Are we back to normal?  Suddenly everything seems to be.  Is that it or is there still a photos problem?  Well done Ed if we are sorted

[roli]

Thanks for the text Paul all is well here now on the iPad and Phone in Classic View

[inspiredron]

I suspect that those of us who have used photobucket to host photos to put into posts may need to go back to the posts and host those photos elsewhere.  I went to my account and had a message that I could no longer use third party hosting.

[Admin]

Are we back to normal?  Suddenly everything seems to be.  Is that it or is there still a photos problem?  Well done Ed if we are sorted

Im afraid it's a long way to go yet Paul  

Each & every image has to be downloaded, backed up & re-uploaded to another hosting site.

Can I request any members who link to photo bucket for their profile AVI / Pic can they remove this in their profile and upload a new image from their computer as this would help us a lot. 

Thanks for your patience while I endeavour to get the forum back to normal.

Regards

Ed

[boxerman]

Just done mine Ed.
Many thanks for all the hard work you must be doing to sort this mess out

VBR
Frank

[burlingtonboaby]

Well done Ed, back on classic edition,using iPad  
Boaby

[rose49f]

Changed my profile picture so know it's not from photo_______. Perhaps we could ask everyone to do it to help Ed.

[dbroada]

I too would like to say well done.

I am away and using my tablet ATM so haven't been able to read more than the right half of any posts but now I can a much clearer page. Thank you for getting it this far.

[Paulmold]

Just uploaded my avatar from photos file on laptop (same photo).

[paul long]

All back to normal,  great news. Im on my tablet and back on the forum.

[boxerman]

Changed my profile picture so know it's not from photo_______. Perhaps we could ask everyone to do it to help Ed.

Are all your vans called Kevin, Rose?

Frank

[rose49f]

Changed my profile picture so know it's not from photo_______. Perhaps we could ask everyone to do it to help Ed.

Are all your vans called Kevin, Rose?

Frank

Yes 1 - 2 and 3 and but now I have a lovely sign. Signage by Daisy Mae.

[rose49f]

All back to normal,  great news. Im on my tablet and back on the forum.

Your aviator photo still shows photo_____. I think you must change it to help Ed.

[Gram]

Thanks for your efforts so far, Ed.
A good job.

G

[Paulmold]

Just done mine Ed.
Many thanks for all the hard work you must be doing to sort this mess out

VBR
Frank

My word you've changed Frank!

[boxerman]

My word you've changed Frank!

Took me hat off and had a quick beard trim

Frank