Difference between revisions of "History of sarnworld and asianfuse"
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*[http://asianfuse.net/discuzz/topic/1363-the-birth-of-sarnworld sarn's post on the site's history] | *[http://asianfuse.net/discuzz/topic/1363-the-birth-of-sarnworld sarn's post on the site's history] | ||
| − | Here's the quoted | + | Here's the quoted post by sarn |
'' | '' | ||
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=== before colocation === | === before colocation === | ||
| − | Before the site got its own colocated server, | + | Before the site got its own colocated server, we rented servers which exclusively used cpanel which was installed on centOS linux. Back then I didn't know any better and I just used it because it was recommended by everyone. Ultimately it was a good move because now I am a huge fan of linux and use it at work. We went through at least 4 different rented servers (IE companies) for at least 2 years I think. The major reason why we switched servers so much was because I was always tinkering with the server and usually ended up breaking it. Rather then fixing it (which would have been impossible in some cases), I opted to move the site to a new company (it wasn't so bad because I find good server deals). Of course I never mentioned to sarn that it was because I made mistakes. I just claimed we should move to get a better deal ;) |
=== after colocation === | === after colocation === | ||
| − | When the forum got its own dedicated server and I had alot of room to do what I wanted. I got into virtualization back then and went through different kinds. The first was called freeVPS which is now dead (got bought out by competitor). FreeVPS was my first foray into virtualization which was becoming hot. It allowed me to do alot of different experiments and not affect the forum. But the software had alot of issues and after they got bought out I started researching for an alternative solution. The solution was opensource Xen which worked great. I used hyperVM which helped in creating virtual machines and such. After a while (I think like a year later), there was a major incident where the software creator killed himself and the software became opensource. Since my work also used the software and the future was | + | When the forum got its own dedicated server and I had alot of room to do what I wanted. I got into virtualization back then and went through different kinds. The first was called freeVPS which is now dead (got bought out by competitor). FreeVPS was my first foray into virtualization which was becoming hot. It allowed me to do alot of different experiments and not affect the forum. But the software had alot of issues and after they got bought out I started researching for an alternative solution. The solution was opensource Xen which worked great. I used hyperVM which helped in creating virtual machines and such. After a while (I think like a year later), there was a major incident where the software creator killed himself and the software became opensource. Since my work also used the software and the future was uncertain I was tasked with finding something else. I look through the options and ended up using xenserver (Other contenders were VMware and hyperV which were rejected because of price (VMware) and immaturity of software (hyperV)) which was the enterprise version of the opensource xen. I then installed it on the forum server and as of today, we're using the latest version. I absolutely love it and can't wait for all the hot new things coming out in the virtualization market. Latest version of XenServer is rather exciting (this is probably cuz I just installed version 5.6 FP1 yesterday). ;) |
| − | === server info === | + | === server's info === |
| − | The server was built | + | The server was built about 2 years + ago using 3 different fund sources initially. First was 1K donated by sarn, 400+ dollars donated by the forum after a donation drive (thanks guys!), and about 600 by me. Server was a supermicro board which could take up to 12 gig of ram and 2 quadcores. We started off with a single quad xeon (which is old now) and 4 gigs of ram. Since then I have invested more of my own personal money into the server including buying 8 more gigs (for at total of 12 gig) and another quadcore (for a total of 8 cores). I also bought a 3ware 4 port raid card with battery backup for maximum harddrive performance and security. Obviously the forum does not use all of the resources. I host some friends' websites and do some random experiments every so often for work and for fun. |
| + | For the new upcoming projects though I had to get another dedicated server. This is because the projects will most likely require me to do a long distance colocation service (if I get too much traffic). For these projects (video and radio), I bought a mini-atx board which uses my own old home PC q6600 cpu and 4 gigs of ram. I ended using an old 3ware 9500 card that was in my old fileserver with 4 500 gigs drives (spares which I have). | ||
| − | *[http://asianfuse.net/discuzz/topic/17678-pics-of-the-server-where-sw-and-other-sites-are-running-on thread on SW server] | + | *[http://asianfuse.net/discuzz/topic/17678-pics-of-the-server-where-sw-and-other-sites-are-running-on Picture thread on SW server (pictures are dead)] |
| + | |||
| + | === forum's base Operating System and softwares === | ||
| + | |||
| + | Starting many years ago, I've always used cpanel on the servers. Then I switched to kloxo which was cheap (and now free). I also played with both directadmin and plesk. But after many years of doing this, I have become quite proficient with the command line portion of Linux so these days I don't really use panels anymore for the forum VPS. I've also recently switched away from apache webserver altogether and switched to nginx webserver which works much better for us. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Looking back, I could have easily been using Debian Linux or FreeBSD or windows server (back then it was expensive) for that matter but since I used cpanel, I ended using using CentOS so this is why I now consider myself a fan of redhat and a big proponent of Linux in general. | ||
== Cost and sustainability of the site == | == Cost and sustainability of the site == | ||
| + | Years ago when sarn started this she paid for the hosting which I am pretty sure was not much (as shared hosting is cheap). After meeting Stacker, sarn started putting ads on the forum which paid for the hosting plus she got support from Stacker. After Stacker left the scene, we got free hosting from the aznv.tv guy for a while. Later on because of restrictions on the hosting (which was normal as shared) I started bothering sarn about moving to our own dedicated server. Back then the US advertising market hasn't crashed yet and the ads earned enough money to get a dedicated server. This went on for a while til we started doing colocation which I was convinced was the cheaper route (and I'm right as usual!). Of course donations play an important role on the site but most often its good temp solution but not for long term sustainability. The site has never been profitable. As a matter of fact my coworkers joked to me about how much of a money pit it was (yes I talk about this at work). It has this been for years but starting 2 months ago I studied techniques on ad placements and we have now started moving in the black (What a big difference a little reading did). Because of this I have pushed towards more deeper investment in softwares (IE updates and new cool stuff) and hopefully soon we will be able to build a slush fund for the forum to use for prizes for upcoming events and such. | ||
== The future == | == The future == | ||
| + | As you can see from the name change, the forum is now moving in a general entertainment focus. People misunderstand my intention as moving away from Thailand. This can't be further the truth. You're talking to someone who is moving back to Thailand and live there most of the year so this is a part of me that I am not trying to snuff away. My feeling is that most of us who are based in Thai Entertainment are in fact quite culturally diverse in our tastes. So my point was to reflect that diversity and at the same time welcome new people in. Another major point for me was the new projects that I want to do just doesn't seem to fit into the old domain anymore. | ||
| − | + | So why do this? Well I have to be honest, I was in Asia this summer and there it revitalized me. After coming back to the US I decided to go all out. I just had this strong desire to do something big inside which I can't explain myself. Before the visit, I was pretty dried out and wasn't passionate about alot of things including the forum. In those time I just made sure the forum runs fine but never really pushed it anywhere. Well things are changing now (for the better ;)) | |
| − | |||
[[Category:MembersAll]] [[Category:MembersArticles]] | [[Category:MembersAll]] [[Category:MembersArticles]] | ||
Revision as of 08:59, 30 December 2010
Contents
History of the site (short version)
There is no short version! haha Read the long version and try not to fall asleep ;)
History of the site (long version)
sarn's side of the story
You can find more info on this thread
Here's the quoted post by sarn
where do i start .. it a long story really .. but the domain sarnworld was around since 1998 i believe when i sign up for a domain den some how it was close due to nonpayment in 2001 lol -- so i have to buy it again .. but it was orginal a site of my BiO .. i was kind of obuess wiht myself in the days hehe i have some weird stuff up it was quite embrassing lol i was like asaiavenue outcast lol -- anywho i left it alone for like 3 years or so got bussy wiht life and i was alway out hunting for a man but it turn out i have a better chance of meeting one on line .. so i start working on my website again in 2002 i think .. I delete all the stuff i have i make it like khmer site with news and movies preivew and song , karoke .. some other stuff .. den i never update it for a long time got lazy adn den when i start update i change the site to some chinese site one .. i have picture of kissing scene in chineser series or so and i make flash of my favorite scene blah blah i was on fire for a while but even den I NEVER HAVE A FOURM .. i left it along for quite soem time after dat lol . I never really make it active or put in more effort in my website till March of 2004 . I decided to make a thai site wiht screen cap of lakonr dat wat orginal it have and i created a new layout of sarnworld ... it was publish on my birthday March 19 2004.. den there some other stuff happen hahhaha and during dat time i STILL DON"T HAVE A FOURM .I figure nobody goin really go to my site so i never go around and post my site at every thai forum out there but i just have it in my signature to vist my site when Star2Drama was around and i ask the Webmaster of Star2drama if i can put her fourm link in my website cuz i thought since her forum is about thai stuff and so is mine so i might as well use her forum for pppl dat vist my site go join the discussion at her forum ! Welll , it turn out dat the ppl dat vist my site was making postes "TO : SARN" ...spaming her fourm so i feel i shouldn't cause dat kind of spaming in her forum so i make my own forum .. 1 month before star2drama when down ...i guess the rest is history but the one person dat really support me and acutally recuite ppl was Ann ...yes it was her .. i remeber her lol she is one of my oringal member dat started my fourm off o yeah and Samtly !!
Darvil's side of the story (before arriving at sarnworld)
Darvil's side of the story (after arriving at sarnworld)
Notable incidents
Notable Events
Server and Software that runs the site
What is colocation
Colocation is building your own server and sending it over to a hosting company. You can then manage the server remotely.
before colocation
Before the site got its own colocated server, we rented servers which exclusively used cpanel which was installed on centOS linux. Back then I didn't know any better and I just used it because it was recommended by everyone. Ultimately it was a good move because now I am a huge fan of linux and use it at work. We went through at least 4 different rented servers (IE companies) for at least 2 years I think. The major reason why we switched servers so much was because I was always tinkering with the server and usually ended up breaking it. Rather then fixing it (which would have been impossible in some cases), I opted to move the site to a new company (it wasn't so bad because I find good server deals). Of course I never mentioned to sarn that it was because I made mistakes. I just claimed we should move to get a better deal ;)
after colocation
When the forum got its own dedicated server and I had alot of room to do what I wanted. I got into virtualization back then and went through different kinds. The first was called freeVPS which is now dead (got bought out by competitor). FreeVPS was my first foray into virtualization which was becoming hot. It allowed me to do alot of different experiments and not affect the forum. But the software had alot of issues and after they got bought out I started researching for an alternative solution. The solution was opensource Xen which worked great. I used hyperVM which helped in creating virtual machines and such. After a while (I think like a year later), there was a major incident where the software creator killed himself and the software became opensource. Since my work also used the software and the future was uncertain I was tasked with finding something else. I look through the options and ended up using xenserver (Other contenders were VMware and hyperV which were rejected because of price (VMware) and immaturity of software (hyperV)) which was the enterprise version of the opensource xen. I then installed it on the forum server and as of today, we're using the latest version. I absolutely love it and can't wait for all the hot new things coming out in the virtualization market. Latest version of XenServer is rather exciting (this is probably cuz I just installed version 5.6 FP1 yesterday). ;)
server's info
The server was built about 2 years + ago using 3 different fund sources initially. First was 1K donated by sarn, 400+ dollars donated by the forum after a donation drive (thanks guys!), and about 600 by me. Server was a supermicro board which could take up to 12 gig of ram and 2 quadcores. We started off with a single quad xeon (which is old now) and 4 gigs of ram. Since then I have invested more of my own personal money into the server including buying 8 more gigs (for at total of 12 gig) and another quadcore (for a total of 8 cores). I also bought a 3ware 4 port raid card with battery backup for maximum harddrive performance and security. Obviously the forum does not use all of the resources. I host some friends' websites and do some random experiments every so often for work and for fun.
For the new upcoming projects though I had to get another dedicated server. This is because the projects will most likely require me to do a long distance colocation service (if I get too much traffic). For these projects (video and radio), I bought a mini-atx board which uses my own old home PC q6600 cpu and 4 gigs of ram. I ended using an old 3ware 9500 card that was in my old fileserver with 4 500 gigs drives (spares which I have).
forum's base Operating System and softwares
Starting many years ago, I've always used cpanel on the servers. Then I switched to kloxo which was cheap (and now free). I also played with both directadmin and plesk. But after many years of doing this, I have become quite proficient with the command line portion of Linux so these days I don't really use panels anymore for the forum VPS. I've also recently switched away from apache webserver altogether and switched to nginx webserver which works much better for us.
Looking back, I could have easily been using Debian Linux or FreeBSD or windows server (back then it was expensive) for that matter but since I used cpanel, I ended using using CentOS so this is why I now consider myself a fan of redhat and a big proponent of Linux in general.
Cost and sustainability of the site
Years ago when sarn started this she paid for the hosting which I am pretty sure was not much (as shared hosting is cheap). After meeting Stacker, sarn started putting ads on the forum which paid for the hosting plus she got support from Stacker. After Stacker left the scene, we got free hosting from the aznv.tv guy for a while. Later on because of restrictions on the hosting (which was normal as shared) I started bothering sarn about moving to our own dedicated server. Back then the US advertising market hasn't crashed yet and the ads earned enough money to get a dedicated server. This went on for a while til we started doing colocation which I was convinced was the cheaper route (and I'm right as usual!). Of course donations play an important role on the site but most often its good temp solution but not for long term sustainability. The site has never been profitable. As a matter of fact my coworkers joked to me about how much of a money pit it was (yes I talk about this at work). It has this been for years but starting 2 months ago I studied techniques on ad placements and we have now started moving in the black (What a big difference a little reading did). Because of this I have pushed towards more deeper investment in softwares (IE updates and new cool stuff) and hopefully soon we will be able to build a slush fund for the forum to use for prizes for upcoming events and such.
The future
As you can see from the name change, the forum is now moving in a general entertainment focus. People misunderstand my intention as moving away from Thailand. This can't be further the truth. You're talking to someone who is moving back to Thailand and live there most of the year so this is a part of me that I am not trying to snuff away. My feeling is that most of us who are based in Thai Entertainment are in fact quite culturally diverse in our tastes. So my point was to reflect that diversity and at the same time welcome new people in. Another major point for me was the new projects that I want to do just doesn't seem to fit into the old domain anymore.
So why do this? Well I have to be honest, I was in Asia this summer and there it revitalized me. After coming back to the US I decided to go all out. I just had this strong desire to do something big inside which I can't explain myself. Before the visit, I was pretty dried out and wasn't passionate about alot of things including the forum. In those time I just made sure the forum runs fine but never really pushed it anywhere. Well things are changing now (for the better ;))
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