Hello Xyliacs,
Canterrain here to explain the unfortunate news. As many of you who follow Barb’s twitter are aware, she has been having very large computer problems for the last week. First Barb would like to send a shout out and huge thanks to Scascot for working tirelessly to fix these computer problems. Things were almost finally there… but unfortunately as of this night Barb’s computer has finally gone down for the count due to disk failure. Toast.
To add to the unfortunate news, she had finished the page but hadn’t had a chance to move it to her new external harddrive yet. That work is lost.
The ’silver lining’ is this wasn’t hardware failure (cascading failure on the software end) and she is trying once again to get anything out of her mac as I write this post, -but- there is a good chance that her computer will not be up and running tonight. Even if it were, she wouldn’t be able to get the page redone in time for an update on Monday, and probably not even Tuesday.
As of right now, Barb is very very tentatively hoping for a Thursday update if she can once again get her computer to work. You can follow updates at twitter either through myself (canterrain), Kez, or Barb when she gets her computer working again. We’ll do our best to keep everyone in the loop where possible.
Xyliacs are amongst the most amazing people I know, and I know all of you will understand and wish your very best support to Barb. Thank you again,
Canterrain
EDIT by Canterrain: We’ve already had to remove one comment for being for lack of a better description, rude, childish, and falling into the trap of ‘on the internet I can say what I want’ (STUPID). The fact of the matter is, Barb was moving everything off the mac onto an external harddrive and just didn’t managed to get it all done before it died. It happens people.
If you are rude to people who give you free things, we will remove your post. This is Barb’s site, her rules. Please play nice.
Once again though, I am thankful to know that this is the exception not the rule, the vast majority of people who come here fall into the category of Xyliacs and are by and large the most awesome people in the world. Thank you for that.
September 20th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Oh, man. Computer crashes are the worst. (I just had my own hard drive conk out this summer and lost some of my own art and writing, so I feel your pain.)
Good luck with getting back up and running soon!
September 20th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Man I tell you…she can’t catch a break can she! Well it goes around…unfortunately. Good Luck Barb…take your time, get it solid…
We’ll be here when you get back…
September 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
im unaware as to whether this is an issue for everyone.. but the ‘last’ page loads blank. theres no image. but if i click ‘previous’ it goes to the most recent comic (i assume). so i dont know if perhaps the page is not coding itself/been coded correctly/what the issue is or if its just me.
just wondering if its just me, or perhaps youre unaware.
sorry about the computer issues
i really hate when that stuff happens.
September 20th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
depending on what the problem on her hard disk is, there are a few programs that might be able to recover some of her work. My hard disk was recently wiped and the partitions deleted, and I though I had lost 3 or 4 years worth of photos. But I managed to find software that could recover them (without names and in a random order nonetheless). Not sure if it will work for a Mac, but partition recovery software can recover things from nearly dead hard drives.
September 20th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Hi Anonymous,
We’ve (by we I mean Kez… yeah) have been working on various problems people have had viewing the pages. Helpful information to fix the problem includes your browser type, and operating system. You could check out this post for more information on possible solutions for you: http://xyliatales.com/attn-all-people-who-cant-view-the-comic/
September 20th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
canterrain,
thanks. i looked at it. the only thing that applied to me was changing the link. which didnt change the situation at all. but its not that big of a deal to me. i just click previous to see if anything new has been put up. i just thought i would let someone know but obviously they already did! (my bad, i honestly didnt see that post).
but thanks
September 20th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
No worries! It’s good to know if and when people are having problems and the nature of those problems.
You see other pages? So it’s not a referrer problem. Do you see anything when just on the main site http://www.xyliatales.com ? Or is it only when you click the last button? And what browser(s) are you using?
Some of the pages not showing might have been errors by Barb’s failing computer (these have since been reloaded)… but I loaded today’s ‘page’ (all it says is the update will be late) from a computer I know to be in good shape, so I don’t think that’d be the problem if you can’t see it now.
Xyliatales.com will have the latest page. Clicking previous will take you one page back (last week’s page from the main page) so we definitely want you to be able to see the latest page!
September 20th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Don’t worry about it! Computer problems are a fact of life.
September 20th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
i use firefox. the main page completely loads except for the image between the two sets of ‘first, previous, next, last.’ the latest page i see (by clicking ‘previous/back’) is sep 14 (where he rides off). which looks to me like the most recent.
its been like this for a while, not exactly sure HOW long but at least an update or two or three.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:01 am
Hold on Barb! Poor computer… Poor artist….
*sends healing thoughts to computer*
I know not just me, but all of Xylia’s readers will come round when ever you’ll post the new page, so be at ease. Also, bravo Kez, CT and all of the people who work to solve this. If only I could help…
September 21st, 2009 at 2:48 am
I second bathbomber’s comment and I have seen the likes of Spinrite work miracles before.. but I do not know if that would work on a Mac hard drive or not… my resident geek also has recovered data by booting up with a Ubuntu live cd before but if there is actual physical damage on the harddrive that wouldn’t work either.
Hope things work out & don’t you fret, Barb, we’ll be right here waiting when the comic does get posted! *huggles!*
September 21st, 2009 at 4:11 am
I hope your computer is fixed soon.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:31 am
Good luck, Barb!
Computer probs are teh suckage.
September 21st, 2009 at 5:33 am
Poor Barb! Computers are great, but sometimes they just gotta go down and there’s never time to save everything you need when that happens.
I’m terribly sorry about the page. Hopefully you won’t have to do it all over again, but if that is the case, I think everyone would understand if you just wanted to go ahead and post it next Monday. You should give yourself a little break — a Thursday update would be awesome, but you’ve already got enough going on as it is!
Love ya!
September 21st, 2009 at 5:40 am
I heard from Barb late last night, and she said that the computer was successfully re-installed, and that it’s running better than it used to, which means that the problem (hopefully) was the hard drive, and that it’s now fixed. Unfortunately, it also means that she lost the update page for today. Barb says the fault for this is entirely her own, as she didn’t follow the advice I gave her regarding saving everything on the secondary hard drive she bought, but somehow, that doesn’t make me feel better. I still think part of this is my fault, but, meh.
Going forward, I think that I’ve given Barb a good, solid foundation to build upon, with an understanding of what it takes to keep a Mac in tip-top running order. The average Mac user (just as the average PC user) won’t encounter problems like Barb had, but for those of us who make heavy use of programs like Photoshop, or who edit video, will – and that means more needs to be done for preventative maintenance. Barb now has that understanding, and the tools to make it happen, as well as the painful understanding of what happens when you don’t.
Still doesn’t do anything to alleviate the feeling that this is somehow my fault, but Barb insists that I stop saying that, so I will.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:07 am
Computers are awesome when they work, but look out when something goes wrong. O_o Xylia is always, always worth waiting for, so no worries!!
September 21st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Hey Y’all! I am back and operational!
Currently I’m still doing some updates and getting all my software in order, but I should be on all cylinders today! Thank you for your understanding. SCAScot is absolutely right- he had told me to back up on the external hard drive- but being that it was a new habit (and I do have three gazillion things going on around here), I occasionally forget things like that – as was the case with this one particular file- the Xylia update. Couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Just finished it, and my computer crashed. In fact, I thought I HAD put it on the external hard drive and hadn’t. I was in a hurry to try to get caught up on stuff so that I could erase and install the operating system (which I was forced to do anyway). Most things were backed up, but I needed to transfer them to DVDs so I could then run Time Machine (an auto backup system ) on my external hard drive.
But I couldn’t do any of that until I got caught up on assignments, and since I had the comp operational, that’s what I was trying to do. Best laid plans…
And NO, NONE of this is SCAScot’s FAULT (why he insists THAT I do not know) He’s the guy that got me back and running. So please give that man a round of applause (more gushing about that when I get the update posted. )
Anyway, thanks to SCAScot’s very dedicated help and support through this, I now have a Mac with blazing speed, updated operating systems and software, and a back up system. And like he said, he taught me how to keep things running smoothly when using power suck programs like PS.
One last thing- if you are rude enough to post a comment accusing me of ‘not being an adult’ for not having lots of techno knowledge- and kicking me when I’m down on my own website, know this:
A) your snotlaced comment will be unceremoniously removed,
and
B) you are the very child you tried to call me.
I never ONCE claimed to be an adult anyway. Hell, I make webcomics for Deimos’ sake!!!
“Adult” is an insult to me.
Enough on that. I shouldn’t let my inner Tychia out like that, but it was a rough week, and I won’t be kicked around and treated like crap on my own site.
Thank you to all the sweet Xyliacs, and most appreciattion to Richard, Kez, and Josh! Thank you for your support and understanding.
Hugs,
~B
September 21st, 2009 at 8:27 am
Barb – it feels like I could have been more… insistent… about backing up and doing the wipe and install (back around Friday), but you were in such a bad place (mentally), I took the route of making you feel productive by letting you get some work done and meeting your deadlines, instead.
It’s a fine line to walk, between doing what needs to be done, and keeping up the flagging spirits of a new-found old friend.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:55 am
not to worry – we wait for the next update, computer problems are always bad, so – Barb I hope you’ll get it fixed soon.
Greetings from Germany
September 21st, 2009 at 11:14 am
B, know that all of us Xyliacs are here to support in any way we can – we’re on this ride with you, for better or worse, and we’ll see it through with you, in spite of the bumps and obstacles along the way!
I second Cara Stardusstm – a Thursday update would be awesome, but know that with all that’s been going on, we can wait until next Monday if that is what’s best. Your sanity and happiness are more important than any update.
Thanks to SCAScot for his contributions in getting things back on the road and helping out B when she was in need, and thanks to TeamXylia for keeping us posted (and keeping out the Snarks!)!
Here’s and Cheers to better days – we’ll get there!
September 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Sorry to hear about the crash. Computer crashes are the worst – nothing like losing things to ruin one’s day (I’ve had it happen to me too many times … it sucks) Best wishes to you and thank you for giving us the gift of your creativity – it is amazing! Looking forward to seeing the next update when everything is up and running again :^)
September 21st, 2009 at 1:38 pm
/rant on
Really? “Not an adult” simply because you fell victim to Murphy’s Law? Granted, by your own admission, you MIGHT have been able to save yourself some headache, but for the love of all things holy, with everything you’ve gone/are going through, a bit of absentmindedness is honestly to be expected.
I don’t know who would’ve made such an insensitive, inconsiderate, and downright infantile comment…but whomever you are, realize that what goes around comes around. It’ll stink pretty hardcore when you’re on the other side of this particular fence. Just be glad that Barb’s a significantly more gracious person than you are yourself.
/rant off.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Barb, sounds like you’re a lot closer to being an adult than the toad who attempted to criticize you. And this is from a man who has been accused of being 18 years old with 52 years of experience. I tried acting like an adult once, most boring twenty minutes of my life.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your computer troubles. I can imagine how frustrating and upsetting that is, we’ve all been there. And don’t beat yourself up (or let anyone else for that matter) about not saving your work. We’ve ALL been THERE too.
September 21st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Goodness gracious! I’m so sorry you are having such a hard time of things lately Barb! I totally know how it feels to work really hard on something for a long time, only to have it all taken away because you forgot to save it.
Hmmm, not an adult because you forgot something… yes I see. It does make sense that the older you get the MORE you are able to remember things and learn new habits. That has to have been scientifically proven, right? *sarcasm intended*
Don’t worry about us Barb. You have enough things to worry about! We will be here as long as we need to be! Best wishes!
September 21st, 2009 at 5:27 pm
You write the webcomics for Deimos? Hmm… can you introduce us?
Anyways, glad things are back and running.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Argh. I am really sorry you had to go through this. I once lost a book I’d been working on for a whole year (for my educational job), back when all the backup could only be done on floppies when the files were not big enough… and I had to rewrite (and illustrate) it all in just 4 weeks before I had to turn it in for use with students. D:
Just saying, I wish you computer had crashed BEFORE you finished the page. That way you’d have saved some energy. Save it now, and just update next week. Whoever can’t take that when most webcomics miss updates without breaking sweat, just has no idea how it is to have to work on several more jobs than your paid one.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
We loves the comics – and we’re sorry your computer is dying. Good luck re-animating it!
And, we looks forward to the next update whenever it might be!
September 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Dude Mac crash Barb honey I feel for ya really I do seeing as with my old macbook I went through three hard drives in three years. No rhyme or reason Apple even looked it over and said we can’t find a cause for it to just die on you like that but it was probably manufacture error, that will be $800 please for a new hard drive. It can be quite loathsome to be an artist (I specialize in sound design and creative writing) and finding the only computer compatible for artistic use is the mac. Okay time for me to get off my soap box here and best of luck you you Barb.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
lol I resisted the urge to respond to that dope’s post about you not “acting like an adult”. How boring does a person’s life have to be to a.) think backing up one’s computer files makes one especially mature and b.) feel the need to chew someone out online for violating that magical, imagined rule of maturity? I wanted to ask him who p***ed in his cornflakes, but didn’t want to start an argument. At any rate, Barb, you’re obviously way more mature than that fellow. XD
September 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
“The fact of the matter is, Barb was moving everything off the mac onto an external harddrive and just didn’t managed to get it all done before it died. It happens people.”
Oh yes, it does. D: I fortunately never lost any of my webcomic updates in my crash, but I lost all my custom textures, actions, and gradients. It always hurts to reformat. And even more to lose work, I know that always leaves me disheartened and not really into updating for a while. Glad you’re up and running, though, Barb!
September 21st, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Oh man that stinks! My husband’s computer died due to a virus and then a malfunction (back to back) like that not too long ago. He bought this wonderful software that restores all files. It took over 24 hours to run, but if found stuff he had lost years ago too! Its called “recover my files” and got it at walmart. Its good stuff to have in case of a crash/meltdown. Good luck Barb! That really stinks to have happened.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Oh lord, it’s like a computer epidemic going round! I was out for nearly a week with a particularly EVIL piece of malware on my little laptop. I feel for you!
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 am
Oh Barb, take your time. Computer crashes are evil. I am just recently learning to back up my files on an extra hard drive, so I know how that goes. Just know we’re here for you, (those of us who aren’t idiots), and completely understand that life has its ups and downs. You’re awesome and don’t let anyone tell you different!
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:28 am
“I never ONCE claimed to be an adult anyway. Hell, I make webcomics for Deimos’ sake!!!
“Adult” is an insult to me.”
You tell ‘em! *waves around her I Refuse To Grow Up” button*
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:29 am
Thumbs up all the way from Finland! You have readers everywhere, and we all keep our fingers crossed that everything will start to run smooth as soon as possible! Cheers, and a big thanks for a fantastic comic!
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:18 am
It’s good to hear that you’re back on track. Not that any of us were worried for even a second.
No, but seriously, I understand. My hard drive’s boot sector got damaged last year, and I lost everything. At least you’re backing stuff up, even if you missed one or two things. Whoever the idiot was, he’s obviously not the majority. No one should blame you for computer problems.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
canterrain,
the image loaded on the main page for me just now. just to let you know.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
I can commiserate with technical woes. If it makes you feel better, I think my PC’s fan has packed in. Damn thing keeps crashing when it gets too warm
Long as you refrain from giving it any ‘technical touches’ (ie, kicking/punching/generally abusing it), I have no doubt you’ll be back on track. And I’m looking forward to the next update.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
Barb, keep up the good work…and don’t let those who are too stupid and lazy to do the work you do get you down…as my Grandfather used to say, Ignorance is fleeting, stupidity is permanent.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Sticky notes!
Get a neon colored sticky note and stick it right on your screen. Have SCA Scot, or some one else, change it out once every couple of weeks to a new color note so you dont get so used to it being there that you ignore it.
There is nothing wrong with forgetting thing, especially when things get hellish and busy. It happens to every one. Take all the time you need to get back on track, even if means a Monday update instead of Thursday. Do whats best for YOU. We can wait.
And if there are those who can and decide to try and leave you nasty little childish notes…. tell ‘em to kiss your tush!
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
@Elizabeth “izzime1980″ Halvorson: If you’re adventurous enough, you can change out your own HD in the MacBook for far, far less.
@Shirash: If it’s a desktop computer, you can replace the fan for under $50. By yourself.
@ACWN: Actually, Barb now has a sticky note on the front of her computer that says, “Don’t Panic” followed by my phone number.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Personally I know a lot of techno experts who do worse, because they are more comfortable with taking chances on their programming. To have someone call you “not an adult” because of a technical glitch is pretty low…
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve crashed a computer or lost a file between computers (including a novel length fan fiction thank you very much), in the 10+ years I’ve been using word processors to write. And I consider myself pretty techno-savvy (not an expert or else I could code my own websites – right Kez?).
We forget, we get busy, or harried, or stressed, and things happen. I mean if we’re going by the man’s(woman’s) logic, you might as well back the file up in three different places, because lord knows you could drop the external hard drive right after crashing the computer and then both copies would be lost…
Sigh the nerve of some people!
I’m glad to hear that you were able to get it back up and running and thanks from me to you and your technical staff for saving your files…that’s great to hear…
Looking forward to the next installment as always…
When are you going to post more concepts on DA btw? I love the collection you’ve got to be sure…
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I always wonder why web comic artists/writers seem to almost panic when an update doesn’t happen as planned. Will it be posted eventually? Yes? Then there’s no problem
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 am
@ SCAScot
I know fans aren’t terribly expensive to replace, but some of us are running on such a low income that it becomes quite the expensive purchase.
It’s all good though, since I’ve found ways to improvise a cooling system for the compy.