I think we can expect people running websites to do such things properly.
More importantly, it's 2019. If you don't know how to run dedicated servers, there is cloud. If you don't know how to make a website, there are many website builders (squarespace etc).
It's all really straightforward.
Sorry, but this is really a pretty naive way of looking at things.
Of course we expect those running websites to do such things properly. But
anyone who has actually administered a website or server that is accessible from the Internet would know there are many factors
outside their control or authority that could take down their site or outside access to their network. So anybody who really has run a real commercial (or organizational) website (not some pet personal site) would know a "fault tolerant" and "robust" site is
NOT straightforward at all!
Some digging crew down the block could have cut a major data cable. There could have been a destructive facility fire. A storm could take out power for days or even longer. The ISP could have some catastrophic failure. There could even have been a focused direct or indirect DDoS attack. There are many things that even with the best of planning, can ruin someone's day. Even the best, most extensive and exhaustive beta testing program cannot guarantee a trouble-free migration to new or upgraded software.
It takes a lot resources (money and manpower) to maintain an off-site "mirrored" site that can instantly take over. The "cloud" cannot ensure that either. Such "redundancy" is typically reserved for critical, "mission essential" (
and very well funded) programs.
So to suggest, as you have done, this was caused by negligence or incompetence on the part of the JG administrators based on the very limited bit of information we have at this point, sadly, just paints a much clearer picture of your understanding of site administration and network management.
That's just an observation, and is NOT meant as an affront or insult - so please don't take it that. way.
FWIW, checking the site now, I no longer get an "account suspended" error message. I get a "can't be reached" (server IP address could not be found) error. So it would appear someone is doing something.
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What I find a little odd, besides the lack of information, is the fact my buddies,
Bing Google don't show reports from other forums or sites reporting the site is down.
I did find, however,
this Reddit post announcing the retirement of Jeremy Schrag (AKA OklahomaWolf) back in November and that there would be no more reviews. I was aware of that news but I was also expecting the vast archives of past reviews to remain available. I agree with notb and, at least at this point in time, a lot of good content has vanished. I hope that is just temporary.
I also note with OklahomaWolf's retirement, the site being down could be totally intentional and therefore indeed, "straightforward" - just not in the direction we hoped.
If they are purposely shutting down the site, maybe TPU could offer to host that database of past reviews?
