I have been in Tennesse since just before Christmas and have not really
had much time to blog lately. In addition, I was trying to get this new
server thing solved so PhuseBox could get back online. All that to say,
here is the "Catch-Up" blog, where I will take you through the
entertaining events of the past 2 weeks:


First, there was Christmas. I had a pretty good Christmas... visited
family, gave gifts, that sort of thing... When Rachael and I exchanged
gifts, I was very surprised. After opening about five different boxes
that contained an even smaller box inside, I finally got to the wrapped
gift. Having no idea what I was about to receive, I ripped the paper
and, there in my hands, sat a video iPod... and not just the 30 GB,
no... the 60 GB. Wow. I did not see that one coming. It was the best
gift I got this year and the most surprising. My fiance must love me
very much... hmmmm...





So then, because of my new gadget, Rachael and I got sucked into the
world of LOST. I download a few of the first episodes on iTunes and on
Christmas night, we got bored and decided to watch one... thus, it
began. Yesterday, we finally caught up to where the television show is
right now... that's right... we watched all of season 1 and half of
season 2.


Then, came New Year's. Rachael and I decided last month that we were
going to through a New Year's party. And so we did. And it was good. It
was a cocktail-less cocktail party... everyone dressed up and
everything. It took us all day to decorate... and even then, the light
strands that we hung from the ceiling kept falling down, but all in
all, it was a great party... And we even rung in the New Year with
sparkling grape juice... mmmm.



the decorations


glowing orb of light (redundant?)


















Next, PASSION. Passion is a worship event/conference that was held in
Nashville, TN this year. Awesome. Enough said. Photos below:
















I guess you could say I have had a pretty nice time over the holidays. I leave tomorrow night to go back to New York City... all is well. I am just looking forward to the wedding in May...

Until Next Time...

{nt}

I'm off to Passion '06 in Nashville... It's going to be good.

So, for those of you that are interested in the details of PhuseBox going offline for so long... here it is...

December 17th was the day the skies went black... okay, so it was not that dramatic, but it was bad. I got onto the internet and made my usual sweep over all the sites I check frequently... only, this time it was different. This time, instead of the PhuseBox homepage, I was greeted with a nice message from my hosting company that informed me that my account had been suspended. Suspended? I did not do anything. And to add to the problem, this message (which I am sure many of you saw) also said that information was sent to my email about the reason my account was suspended and how to get it back)...

*Nathan checks email* NOTHING. At that point a grabbed a paper bag to help with my breathing. I tried to contact my hosting company to figure out why this had happened. And to make a long story short, they tell me that my account was suspended for taking 40% of the server load. Hmmm... and they shut down my site without any notice whatsoever? This has got to be the best hosting company of all time!

IPOWER or IPOWERWEB (I don't know why they go by two names...) They are the hosting company that I was with. They are the ones that shut down PhuseBox and did not give me access to the databases or files. So even when I finally purchased a brand new server for another company, I was not even able to tranfer the database and photos over. They did not play nice with me, expecially after I told them that I needed my files and database because I was going to another server company.

 Now, I must say, when I started PhuseBox last June, I did not expect it to get this big. I started out on what is called a shared server. That means that my site and all my files were on a server with anywhere from 10-30 other websites. These hosting plans are dirt cheap... I think I paid $99 for the year. Once PhuseBox really started to grow, I knew that I needed to get my own server... not to mention, I wanted to do some things that a shared server host would not allow.

And thus, with PhuseBox going down on December 17th, I was forced to purchase a brand new server from ServerBeach (great company... I have been pleased so far). Now I can control anything I need and I will not get shut down because my site is too big.

After many phone calls and emails to iPower (my old host), I was able to convince them to give me access to my files and my database. Here lied the next problem... transfering 50,000+ image files to a new server. It was not a small task, and it is actually still happening as I type.

I also have to set up a few other things on the server before everything will function perfectly again (that is why image uploading is disabled currently)...

All in all, I call this my 12-day-headache caused by iPower... but PhuseBox is back... and should be faster and has MUCH room for growth. And now, I can add more features since I have more freedom on the server.

The moral of this story is do not use iPower hosting... or any other shared hosting company when your website gets to large... that and find a fiance that is loving and understanding when you have to work on getting websites to work...

It is about time, huh?


PhuseBox has been down for 12 days now. I have heard that some of you
are going through PhuseBox withdraw. You may now end your support
groups and return to your computer screen. First of all, I would like
to apologize for this unexpected downtime. Without going into too many
details, PhuseBox was taken offline WITHOUT NOTICE by our hosting
company almost two weeks ago for taking too much of the server load.
They would not reinstate our account and we were forced to look for
other options.


I am pleased to tell you that we are now on a brand new server (cue
angelic choir). You should see that the site is much faster now. In
addition, PhuseBox will now be able to expand freely without being tied
down. This will also allow for new features for PhuseBox in the coming
months.


If you have logged in since we have returned, you may have noticed many
of your photos and/or profile image may be missing. This is only
temporary. We are still trying to transfer the huge amount of image
files from our old server. They should be online shortly.


Thanks for your patience through this matter. We are happy you decided
to stick around. Again, we apologize for being gone for so long, but we
are back to stay. Take a look around the site again, it has missed you.

-{n}

PhuseBox is back online...

I will post later with details on what happened...

Photos are slowly being added and should be back online soon. Other than that, let me know if you run into any major problems...

-Nathan

Download Episode 11 MP3

Episode 11 is ready for listening...

Show Notes:
Christmas Lights Go Wild
Christmas Lights Go Wild VIDEO
Yahoo! Buys Del.icio.us
Yahoo! Answers Introduced
Adam Curry Caught Editing Wikipedia to Boost His Role in Podcasting
Select NBC Shows Now Available on iTunes
iPod University

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for a new episode and watch for a few Special Spark* Episodes coming soon!

Download Episode 10 MP3 and Listen on Your Computer or MP3 Player

Episode 10 is a little late, but here it is. Enjoy!

Show Notes:
New Service- In Stock Alert VIA SMS for XBOX 360
Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility
Barcode Scam Redux - TARGET'S $4.99 iPod
Podcast Hijacked and Held for Ransom
Embattled Diebold (Voting Machines) Withdraws from North Carolina

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for a new episode and watch for a few Special Spark* Episodes coming soon!

So I left Murfreesboro today and by the time I got to the airport, I had realized I left my cell phone plugged in at my house. It was too late to go get it.

And then I got to New York City and realized that I forgot my luggage... yes. All my luggage. Ok. Actually, my luggage did not make it all the way to NYC, so I had to continue to my apartment without my luggage. They are supposed to deliver it to me tomorrow (Meet the Partents, anyone?)...

All that to say, if you call or have attempted to call me, I will not answer. However, if a strange person answers and says, "United States Postal Service," you will know that my mom did not turn it off before mailing it to me.

blah. i wish things would go correctly.

So I guess I have learned to value of having friends that will go out of their way in your time of crisis. My whole life, I have made every attempt to avoid these situations for the mere reason that I do not want to depend on anyone to come through for me. Only a very few times in my life have I truly needed someone else to come through for me in the crutch. I guess it all boils down to not feeling inadequate in a situation.

Despite my desperate attempt to never be desperately in need of help, I found myself in a dire situation tonight. Thankfully, I have friends that are willing to put their own comfort aside for my benefit.

To make a really long story short, due to being in Vermont all last week, not having my paycheck until today when I got back to my apartment, and Bank of America’s regulations, I found myself in the position of having no cash to get a cab to the airport.

I was expecting to get back to my apartment around 3:00pm, pick up my paycheck, take it to the bank, deposit it, get some cash, catch a cab and be at the airport by 4:00pm (my flight left at 6:00pm). Well, I found myself without cash. No problem, I thought. I have an emergency credit card that I could use. Some cabs have credit card swipers in them, I will just find a cab that accepts credit cards.

Basically, I stood (no, I walked) up Broadway trying to hail a cab for over an hour. I stopped about 5 or 6 but none of them accepted credit cards. Why do I not just get cash from the card at an ATM? Because I do not have the PIN number for that card.

So, once again, to make a long story short, there I was, cold (VERY COLD from standing outside for over an hour), without any cash, worried that I was going to miss my flight home, trying desperately to hail any cab that I could (most just flew passed me)… I called home, and while they tried to help, it was not going to be in time.

So, completely desperate, I decided to call Ellie to see if she could help out. Oh, thank God for great dependable friends. She came all the way from uptown, got cash out of her own bank account and helped me hail a cab. Whew! So at that point, it was 5:00pm.

If you know anything about NYC traffic around 5:00 AND take into consideration all the Thanksgiving traveling, AND the fact that there was heavily congested traffic, AND the fact that the airport would probably be almost impossible to get through with all the lines, getting in the cab with only an hour until my flight left almost seemed like a lost cause.

So, I told my driver my situation, and even he was like, “ummm, yeah… Good luck.” But he flew through traffic, taking all the detours to try to get me to the airport in time. “What airlines are you flying tonight?” I replied, “United.”

So, at 5:32pm, he dropped me off at Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport. I thank him and then rush inside to try my best to fight with all the Thanksgiving travelers and security. I try my luck at the kiosk to check in… It tells me to check with a representative to check in.
“Where are you flying today?”
Completely out of breath I reply, “Nashville, through Charlotte.”
“Mr. Moore, you are at the wrong airline. We partner with US Airways and if your flight connects in Charlotte, you are on US Airways.”
I look around to the right and left expecting to see US Airways illuminated somewhere near.
“Mr. Moore, you are going to need to go to Terminal C, you are in Terminal B.”

Ok, and if you know anything about LaGuardia, this is not just a matter of walking a little bit inside… you have to go outside and walk… Think about trying to get all the way across a college campus when you have your final in just a few minutes.

Oh, and did I mention that I am crippled because of a sledding accident yesterday?! So, not only did I have to make it to another terminal before I even CHECKED-IN, but I had to hurry even through my leg was injured. So imagine this: me trying my best to run/limp across the parking lot/sidewalk all the way to the other terminal whilst trying to pull my bag behind me. My flight left in 15 minutes.

So, once again to make a long story short, I rushed into Terminal C after about 8 minutes of a combination between limping and speed-walking and finally check in, hurry through security and on to my gate.

Luckily, my flight had been delayed about 30 minutes. Whew. I just stopped, posed myself against one of the walls and slowly slid down with my back until I was rested on the floor. I could once again start to breath.

So here I sit, on the plane to Charlotte. Luckily I made it. I am thankfully for great friends, God’s faithfulness, Thanksgiving air traffic, and mild weather… for those are the only reason that I am even on this plane right now. That, and one heck of a cab driver.

Spark Episode 08 is out. I was not able to make it for this one either because I am in Vermont with dial-up... but listen to the other guys. I am sure you will enjoy.

Even if you do not like technology, it helps you gain a better understanding of what is going on. You should try it out!


Download Episode 08 MP3

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Here is episode 08 for your enjoyment!

Stories we cover in Episode 08:
Zero-Day Exploit Targets IE
iTunes outsells traditional music stores
TiVo To Work With Video iPod(Google Dark Fiber / Drop Server)

Facebook.com source code
http://www.facebook.com/policy.php
Google Analytics

So, I guess there is really nothing to do in Vermont except ski and bowl. And since I did not go skiing yesterday, I guess it was inevitable that bowling was on the plans for last night.

We kept the same teams from Gallery Bowling Night Part 1 - Aaron's team wanted another shot to beat my team... we took 2 out of 3 the other night... And once again, we took the game last night. After such a defeat, they were not up to another game.

So I guess it is Nathan, Maria, Stephanie, Ellie, and Roy G. Biv that take 3 out of 4 bowling games during the retreat.

Sadly, Aaron, Stan, Cynthia, Todd, and Carmen just don't have the skills to beat such a great team...

Here is the photo recap... we also watched paint dry, but after reviewing those photos, they just were not as fun:



Steph and Stan


Me being... errr... me?


Steph and me... the two hatted freaks (that is hatted, not hated...)


I guess Steph got a strike, or did not go in the gutter... or something


Just a little psychological fun to throw off the opponent


Me and my sister (not really my sister)


Ellie got a strike


Maria and some strange guy


More psychological messings


I am serious about bowling...


So that is it... I promise we have been productive this week, but that would not be of interest to my readers.

Have a great week! I will see some of you guys next week while I am in Murfreesboro! And Rachael, I miss you!

Here are a few photos from our trip to Vermont... everyone is out skiing today. I decided to stay in, and thus needed something to do, such as uploding photos to PhuseBox. I guess more will come as the trip progresses. Fun. fun.



We went bowling... and I have extremely long fingers. :-(


just hanging out


Todd and Sidney... they are my family this week


me as a bowling ball...


Todd and I face off...


the gals


me and my team... we won 2 out of 3... oh yeah. i got a strike (ok, so we just posed this way, but I could have gotten a strike)


The Gallery Church Staff


Hope you are enjoying your week!

-nt

So, I am sitting in a private ski lodge in Vermont next to several slopes that do not yet have snow (though I did not plan to ski on this trip anyway)...

I finally was able to get some internet access... yes. I feel like I am back in 1996... why? That's right, dial-up. Now, those of you with dial-up may not really know what you are missing by not having broadband... but once you go broadband, you never go back. It is such a stretch to have to connect through a phone line (not to mention I had to fork out $8.95 add will probably have to give my first born in order to cancel my account after the first month)... but it is internet access. My communication portal to the world... plus, my cell phone does not even work here. I guess it's the network (I will be switching to Verizon soon)...

I hope everyone is having a great week. And there is my dialed-up update from non-snowy Vermont...

I am off to Vermont for a week. I will have limited internet access. Ergo, if anyone messages me, do not expect a prompt return. I will try my best to manage PhuseBox even while I am out of town. Hope everyone has a great week!

[nt]

Download Episode 07 MP3

SUBSCRIBE TO SPARK* ON ODEO.COM!

After taking last week off, we are back this week with a new episode of Spark*. In Episode 07, we discuss:

- The iLoad
- Internet Service to Put Classic TV on Home Computer
- Microsoft Joins Fight Against Sony Copy-Protection
- (List of Sony's Copy Protected CD's)
- Backwards-Compatible XBox 360 Titles Revealed
- A Look at the XBox 360 Launch
- Jobs offers Mac OS X for $100 Laptop

You do not have to have an iPod to listen to our podcast, just Download Episode 07 MP3 and listen to it on your computer...

So, I post this every once in a while to provoke some feedback for PhuseBox...

So, what are the things that need to change on PhuseBox? What would make it better? What do you like? What annoys you? What would you like to see on the site?... etc.

Here is your chance to voice any ideas to make things bettre or anything that needs to be changed on PhuseBox... Have at it... remark if you read...

If you read this blog post, please respond:

About a week or two ago, I implemented "PhuseBox Notify"
With this, you are suppose to be receiving notifications by email every time you receive:
 
    - A NEW MESSAGE
    - A NEW FRIEND REQUEST
    - A NEW PHOTO REQUEST
    - MORE THAN 5 UNREAD REMARKS

I have received reports that some users are not recieving any notifications to their registered email address.

Please remark to this post and let me know if you have been receiving these notification emails (and any feedback that you may have). Thanks!

Well, I am back in New York City after almost a week of being away...

I went to Louisville for a missions conference at Highview Baptist... That was good. I also got to hang out with Matt Beck. It was good getting to see and meet some PhuseBox users at St. Matthews Baptist on Saturday night! That was great.

Instead of flying out of Louisville on Tuesday morning, I was able to change my flight and drove down to Murfreesboro on Tuesday to surprise Rachael. It was great. I was able to hang out with my fiancee for a couple days (She is one awesome and great girl if you have never met her)...

And then, I had to get up (well, I did not really get up, due to the fact I never went to sleep that night) to catch my flight out of Nashville at 6:00 am Thursday morning.

I have finally caught up on most of my sleep and now have to get back to normal life in the city even though I still miss Rachael and my family.

I was planning on going to Belle Aire on Wednesday night to see everyone... that was until my dad gave my some news about 15 minutes before I left. At that point, I no longer felt like going and putting on a false face in front of everyone. I hope I will get to see all you Belle Aireians soon...

[nt]

Tomorrow morning, I will be leaving New York City for a few days. I will be in Louisville, KY for a mission conference through Tuesday. Ergo, if you send me any messages and I do not respond immediately, it is not because I hate you, it is because your mom told me not to talk to you.... errr... I mean it is because I am out of town.

Erg... 4 AM in the morning is just WAY too early for me. I am not a farmer.

Thanks for making PhuseBox rock...

[nt]

Ok, so I really laughed out loud at these... It turns out that PhuseBox is supported by the Republican and Democratic parties... woo hoo. Although, I have not seen Dub on here for a while...


photo from aTouch_Overrated



photo from aTouch_Overrated