Problems logging into Bibliophorum

[bintarab]

I thought of posting here because I know there's some overlap between members here and people registered at Bibliophorum -- otherwise, sorry for the clutter.

People are having a hard time logging on today with their accounts at Bibliophorum. Though I'm set up there with magical admin powers, I am at a loss to figure out what's causing the problems, and the real Admin hasn't been in touch with me yet. If he can, I have no doubt he will, but it may be that he's having trouble logging on too, I have no way of knowing. If you or anyone you know is experiencing problems, please email bibliophorum1@gmail.com -- I just set that up as an emergency account, but I'm in the ridiculous position of not being able to get that email address out to those who need it right now!

delph started a thread on Bibliophorum about the log-in problems before getting booted. If you can get on without difficulties, it's also helpful for you to post a quick note there to say so -- maybe I can figure out a pattern or at least get a sense of how extensive this issue is.

Sorry for the difficulties, folks. We are experiencing operating difficulties. Please stand by ...

~bint

[Ed]

Seems to be ok for me. I see you've already posted the e-mail address on the thread, so I didn't bother. I use IE and Opera browsers, BTW - had too many issues with FF, so I stopped using it. I think there's a thread on here somewhare about how to speed up FF. Could be that guide may contain something that will help sort this problem.

Found it. Try this -

Type 'about:config'; in your address bar, hit 'enter', and then double click these things, editing the values as listed. (they're way down the page)

network.http.max-connections : 64
network.http.max-connections-per-server : 21
network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server : 8
network.http.pipelining : true
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests : 100
network.http.proxy.pipelining : true

Pages will now load about 10x faster.


There's also an a techy thread here - the first page is settings for dialup, but on the second page there are a few more tweaks for broadband - http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=53650

[delph_ambi]

It's a mystery. I can get onto Biblio on both firefox and IE by going via the main site, which still allows me to login, but not by going directly to Bibliophorum. This started happening this afternoon. All other sites are functioning normally.

[bintarab]

Just out of curiosity, delph, what url to you use for the forum? I've been using www.bibliophilia.org/forum/index.php but I don't know if anyone else types it in like that.

Btw, Smokey just told me he's also had/having problems logging on today.

Thanks for the instructions, Ed. I posted them on the Bibliophorum thread too.

~bint

[delph_ambi]

Exactly the same problems this morning. Last night I downloaded Opera to see if that was any better. It is - it works. So at the moment I can get in directly through opera, or the long way round through IE or Firefox.

Effectively it means I won't be popping into the site so often, as Firefox is my favoured browser, and if I can't get to a site in one click, I don't bother so much. I like the way with Firefox you can set it to have your bookmarks permanently displayed down the side of the screen for instant access, rather than having to click on a bookmark or favourites button at the top. Maybe IE and Opera have this function too, but if they have, I haven't found it.

[delboy]

So what is Bibliophelia? A cursory look shows it's very similar to the Cafe (with a lot of the same members and even postings); is there a wider base to the material posted (i.e. more than just horror) or a different slant to the actvities? I'd hate to think I'm missing out on something  ... but there again, take last night, I had a couple of hours writing time available and I spent it all reading , critting, and posting here (which, though enjoyable and potentially beneficial, seemed to me to be a total reverse of sensible use of writing time). I'm not sure my spare time reserves could stand registration and activity at another site! But if it's really worthwhile I might make an exception...

Cheers,
D

[Ed]

I can't get in today using IE, but then the site always gives me problems because of the billions of bloody adverts on there. When Tony had that book scroller at the bottom of the page, it would take ages to load, and then it seemed to slow down my comp. Maybe it's my computer's graphics card, or something, but any site containing animated gifs is apt to slow my comp. That's part of the reason I rarely visit Biblio these days.

Del - Biblio covers a wider spectrum of material than this place and has quite a few members in common, a similar kind of flash challenge, but it's run differently.

[bintarab]

So what is Bibliophelia? A cursory look shows it's very similar to the Cafe (with a lot of the same members and even postings); is there a wider base to the material posted (i.e. more than just horror) or a different slant to the actvities? I'd hate to think I'm missing out on something  ... but there again, take last night, I had a couple of hours writing time available and I spent it all reading , critting, and posting here (which, though enjoyable and potentially beneficial, seemed to me to be a total reverse of sensible use of writing time). I'm not sure my spare time reserves could stand registration and activity at another site! But if it's really worthwhile I might make an exception...

Cheers,
D

I like Bibliophilia (I'm also glad that removing those scrolling images make my download faster, though I have a fast connection). In terms of posting and getting feedback on writing, it's awfully slow, not like the crit group here. I would say that if you're curious, it'd be a nice place to lurk or check what's already been thrown around. The site's difficult to navigate IMO, which is off-putting to some right off the bat. At the moment the most active discussion is about Amazon and their monopoly-building moves. Since it's not horror/sci-fi/fantasy exclusive, you could find a home there for some of your other writing -- but you'll also find that the approach to writing there is different. Ed can explain: most folks there value "good telling" above "showing," so genre-fiction has a place there and will get feedback, but members there enjoy pieces with more cerebral-ness/slower pace/lyrical style. Come to think on it, I should post my zombie story there too and see what feedback I can get there.

You could also post directly on www.bibliophilia.org as a registered member if you'd like to have something out there that the general public can read and give feedback on.

Disclaimer: I'm a moderator there so I have a biased view.

~bint

[delboy]

Since it's not horror/sci-fi/fantasy exclusive, you could find a home there for some of your other writing -- but you'll also find that the approach to writing there is different. Ed can explain: most folks there value "good telling" above "showing," so genre-fiction has a place there and will get feedback, but members there enjoy pieces with more cerebral-ness/slower pace/lyrical style.

Interesting stuff, and definitely warrants a look when time permits. So that'll be a while then. 

Derek

[bintarab]

Just FYI, Sir Admin at Bibliophilia has fiddled with something, so the log-in problems (including the browser issues) may be resolved. It does mean that you have to log out then log back in so your browser will accept the new cookie Toni's set, but now you should be able to log in with the "Keep me logged in" option and not have to sign in again until you sign out.

I regret I don't know enough about any of this to guess whether this will work or not. Let me know.

~bint

[delph_ambi]

It's working so far. 

[bintarab]

I think there's a thread on here somewhare about how to speed up FF. Could be that guide may contain something that will help sort this problem.

Hi Ed, I never had log-in problems at Biblio, but I tried out this list of suggestions, and you're so right: Firefox works so much faster now! I'm very grateful for the tips.

~bint

[Ed]

Cool - happy to be of assistance